All the important Microsoft news stories for April 23, 2016

News
By Seth Brodeur
last updated

Surface-Pro-3-windows-10
Surface-Pro-3-windows-10 (Image credit: Dan Rubino / Windows Central)

A lot can happen in a week. Seven days might not seem like much, but it can be an eternity in the tech news cycle.

Between Windows news, hardware and software developments and Microsoft's fast-paced movements throughout the technology landscape, it's never easy to keep your hand on the pulse of technology. Not to mention everything that's going on right here at Windows Central!

Every week we're going to compile the biggest stories into one post, so you never fall behind – In Case You Missed It (ICYMI).

Windows

Windows

Microsoft rolled out a cumulative update for Windows 10 PC Insider build 14295 (Slow Ring). The patch contains all of the past security and stability fixes from other updates but doesn't add any new features.

Windows Insiders received a new version of the Mail and Calendar app for Windows 10. With it come the ability to open in their own window, support for .eml files, and printable day, week, and month calendar views.

And Windows 10 build 14328 for PC and Mobile landed in the Fast Ring with a ton of new features, like an updated Start menu, Action Center, and Notification improvements, and Windows Ink (hands-on video).

Along with the great new features are the usual fixes. Be sure to check out our coverage for all the details about build 14328.

Other notable items:

Microsoft

Microsoft

It's official, OneDrive users with free accounts will see their storage limit drop to 5GB on July 27. Microsoft is trying to make nice with some of those affected by offering them a free one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal.

In Xbox news, Microsoft has decided to stop manufacturing Xbox 360 consoles. The good news is that the company will continue to support current hardware and Xbox Live.

Case in point, not only were Xbox One owners treated to the new HBO Now app this week, but Xbox 360 got it as well.

Meanwhile, the future of Xbox may be on the horizon as Microsoft is rumored to be testing "a variety" of Xbox prototypes.

Firmware updates rolled out to the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, with graphics and camera drivers, along with improvements to Windows Hello. Some users reported issues with installing the updates, and although there isn't a fix yet, there is a workaround.

Microsoft released their FY16 Q3 results, totaling $20.5 billion in revenue, which was slightly down from last year. The good news is that the Surface line of products generated positive revenue. As for their mobile division, the company sold 2.3 million Lumia phones in FY16 Q3, which falls in line with a "retrenched" strategy for 2016.

Other notable items:

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

Four large technology coalitions wrote an open letter to Senators expressing "deep concerns" about an encryption bill that is being considered. The letter, signed by Reform Government Surveillance, the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Internet Infrastructure Coalition, and the Entertainment Software Association, is in response to a bill that would require smartphone manufacturers to provide a way to decrypt devices for law enforcement organizations.

After reports last week of imminent restructuring, chipmaker Intel confirmed that they will lay off 12,000 employees by mid-2017.

Retail store chain GameStop is throwing their hat into the gaming arena and will begin publishing indie games under the name GameTrust.

Sony is allegedly working on a PlayStation 4.5 console. Codenamed "Neo," the console will sport beefier hardware than the current PlayStation, but will not get its own exclusive games.

And Facebook will begin adjusting your News Feed based on how long you look at articles. So just in case you forgot that your browsing habits are being monitored, here's a reminder.

Other notable items:

Share your thoughts on this past week of news! And we'll be back again next week to do it all over again.

Seth Brodeur
Seth Brodeur