Microsoft now lets eligible students sign up for free Office 365 subscriptions

 

Microsoft has announced a new self-serve program for students at eligible schools that allows them to sign up for a free Office 365 license on their own. The offer is available first in the US and will roll out globally later this year.

The new program builds on the Student Advantage initiative that launched last year. Previously, schools had to go through several steps in order to approve free Office subscriptions, but now students can sign up online using their school email address. In order to qualify, students need to be attending campuses that have purchased an organization-wide Volume Licensing Program.

Students will get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access and Publisher on up to five PCs or Macs. They’ll also have access to Office apps on Windows tablets and the iPad, 1 TB of OneDrive storage, and Office Online.

Education faculty will also be able to get free Office 365 ProPlus subscriptions, which include desktop versions of the productivity software but lack email, web conference, file storage, and site mailbox features, later this year if their campuses purchase an organization-wide Office license. US-based teachers can start signing up for Office 365 ProPlus in October, followed by international availability later this year.

➤ Students and teachers: You may be eligible to get Office for free

Thumbnail image credit: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images

Block untrusted fonts to keep your Network safe in Windows 10

RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and optimize system performance

Fonts seem innocent when on the computer. Most of the time, we do not even pay attention to the fonts on webpages except when they are too hard on eyes. But untrusted fonts on webpages may be misused by hackers to compromise your network. This post explains how to block untrusted fonts in Windows 10.

While working locally, almost all the fonts we use, come from the %windir%/fonts folder. That is, the fonts are installed into the Windows fonts folder when Windows or any other application is installed. These are trusted fonts and do not pose any threat. When we encounter such fonts on webpages, they are loaded from the local fonts folder.

But when the fonts on a webpage are not present on our computer – i.e., the local fonts folder – a copy of that font is loaded into our computer’s memory and that is when a cyber-criminal can gain access to your network.

Dangers of untrusted fonts

When a webpage utilizes a font that is already present in the local fonts folder, the browser picks up the fonts from the local folder to render the webpage. Since the fonts in local font folder are scrutinized by antivirus programs when being installed, they do not pose a threat.

When a website or webpage utilizes a font that is not present in local fonts directory or folder, browsers will need “elevated privileges” to load a copy of the fonts into local memory by downloading them to the computer. Simple downloads are not much of an issue as the antimalware packages will detect if the fonts contain any malware. There is no threat of malware with such fonts. The issue is “elevated privileges” that can be found and exploited by the cybercriminals. If they take control of browser under such a situation, they are capable of doing much harm to not only the computer but to the network as a whole.

The best method is to avoid browsers from using “elevated privileges” and that can be done in Windows 10 by blocking the fonts that are not present in the local folder. In such cases, the website will be rendered by substituting the untrusted website fonts with the trusted fonts in local folder. This may however, cause the webpage to render improperly and create problems while printing.

Three states available for untrusted fonts in Windows 10

There are three options available to you when it comes to untrusted fonts in Windows 10. They are:

1. Block the fonts
2. Audit mode: you do not actually block the font but you keep a log that shows if untrusted fonts were loaded and if yes, which website and application used them
3. Exclusion of apps: You can whitelist some of the apps on Windows 10 to use untrusted fonts if you think they won’t be a problem; For example, if you whitelist Word app, it can utilize third-party fonts originating from the Internet even though you have blocked untrusted fonts

The best method, in my opinion, given the limited number of options, is to block all untrusted fonts and whitelist only those apps that pose less threat via downloading fonts to local memory. Compared to a browsers, apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. pose less of a threat as when the fonts are downloaded, your antimalware is triggered and if it finds anything objectionable, it will give you a message or block the downloaded fonts. Browsers, on the other hand, are a complex architecture (relying on rendering engines and processors etc.) so even if the antimalware blocks fonts in memory, cybercriminals may still be able to take control of the machine easily.

 

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Microsoft Band

Microsoft Band works with Android, iPhone too

Windows Phone fitness tracker packs a range of features including a color touchscreen, heart rate tracker and GPS.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system has largely missed out on the smartwatch and fitness tracker fun, but with the new Microsoft Band it’s finally in the game. And what’s more, the Band actually works with more than just Windows-based mobiles: it syncs with your iPhone or Android phone too.

In terms of features, the Microsoft Band covers the field. It has common fitness tracker features like step tracking and more premium features such as GPS and a heart rate monitor. And it also offers features more typically found in smartwatches such as a colour touchscreen, notifications and payments when you’re in Starbucks.

If that sounds good to you, then there’s more good news: it’s available today. That’s if you’re in the US and you have a spare $199; UK and Australian prices haven’t been announced, but the US price converts to around £125 or AU$230.

The plastic band boasts an adjustable strap and a full-colour touchscreen. It’s dust- and splash-resistant and powered by two 100mAh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer batteries that give you 48 hours on standby.

Don your running shoes or hop on your bike and the Band uses GPS to record the route you’ve run, biked, or hiked. There’s a stopwatch and lap timer when you’re on the track. You can set a target for the number of steps or calories you want to burn through in a day, or follow guided workouts set by experts the likes of Gold’s Gym or Men’s Health.

Even when you’re not working out the Band is looking out for you: it monitors your heart rate 24 hours a day, records how long and how well you sleep and how often you wake, and checks UV levels when you’re going out in the sun.

FIT FOR PURPOSE

• Microsoft’s wearables game plan: How a fitness band fits in
• Fitbit Charge, Charge HR and Surge unveiled: Hands-on with Fitbit’s new wearables
• Gear Fit: How Samsung’s fitness tracker got its curve
• The complete guide to Google Fit
• Putting fitness tech to the test
• Best wearable tech of 2014

The data collected by the Band is synced up with an online service and app called Microsoft Health — not to be confused with Apple Health or Samsung’s S Health, of course. As well as working on most phones, Microsoft Health plays well with others, linking up with other fitness apps and services including MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and MapMyFitness.

That’s where many fitness bands stop. But because the Microsoft Band syncs with your phone, it can also offer you notifications about new messages, events and social network updates, showing your incoming calls and texts or a short preview of new emails and reminders from your calendar. When you get a new message you can fire back a pre-set response (although that doesn’t work if you have an iPhone). There’s an alarm too, to wake you up or let you know when it’s time for your next appointment.

Or if you prefer to be undisturbed when you’re in the zone, turn on the do-not-disturb mode and you won’t get any notifications.

When you’ve finished working out and you’re ready to reward yourself with a venti sugarcino, the Band stores your Starbucks card details so you can scan your wrist to pay without reaching for your wallet.

The Band works with Cortana, the voice-controlled Windows Phone personal assistant. As long as you have a Windows 8.1 device in your pocket, you can talk to the Band and dictate notes or set reminders. Cortana also gives you updates on current information like traffic conditions, sports results or the

Weather…

To use the Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health, you need a Windows Phone device with the 8.1 update, an iPhone running iOS 7.1 or 8, or an Android phone running 4.3 or 4.4. You need Bluetooth to pair the Band with your phone.

 

Reblog from CNet and other photos copied from appleinsider. 

 

 

 

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Can’t wait to have one, as long it serve all I need for my lifestyle.

 

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Cloud for Business

 

Small-Medium Enterprise in the Philippines to have Wider and Easier Access to the Cloud for their Business

Microsoft Philippines and Directories Philippines Corporation team up to bring Office 365 with Greater Value and Efficiency for local SMEs

MANILA, Philippines, June 26, 2014. Driven by it’s commitment to provide the best tools to help transform Filipino Business, Microsoft Philippines has Partnered with Directories Philippines Corporation ( DPC ), which markets Yellow Pages ( YP ) online and offline products and services in the Philippines, to launch a program that will provide a small and medium enterprise ( SMEs ) with faster, easier, and more cost-effient access to Office 365.

The Partnership, which is also in line with DPC’s goal of implementing a digital business model that complements its print YP business, will provide Microsoft with opportunity to reach out to more SME’s in the countries.

“ The Market has change dramatically, projects that once took 18 months are now completed in 3 months or even less. This is most apparent with Cloud Technologies where pilots are easily provisioned in minutes. The demand of cloud-based solutions like Office 365 is steadily rising but we quickly realized the need to undergo a transformation in our existing channels if we are to cope with this level of demand. For Cloud providers like Microsoft to reach out to 800,000 SME’s in the country, new distribution strategies are needed, “ explained ; Karrie Ilagan, Microsoft Philippines General Manager.

Microsoft intent to accelerate transaction and expand its reach by building partnerships with non-traditional channel such as business associations ( e.g Chambers of Commerce ) and market-centric service providers ( such as DPC ) to name a few. Such a shift would see Microsoft broadening its scope beyond the typical technology-focused channels, and more toward business-focused channels to help them promote and sell technology to variety of market segments that may benefits from these new Cloud Technologies.

To implement this strategy, Microsoft has partnered with DPC ( a company already viewed as an aggregator of all things SME ) to help accelerate the promotion of Office 365 and other relevant cloud-based Microsoft Technologies to Small and Medium Enterprises across the country.            

To know more about Office365 2013, visit www.microsoft.com.ph. Like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/OfficePH and follow us on Twitter at @MicrosoftPH.

 

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About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft ( Nasdaq “MSFT” ) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices, and solutions that help and business realize their full potential.

Microsoft Philippines, the local subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, has been constantly bringing innovations and making it’s technology available to Filipino businesses and individual since 1995. As a committed and trusted partner in nation-building, Microsoft Philippines has made its mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well as transform locally-based business and empower them to complete in the global economy.

Founded 1975, Microsoft ( Nasdaq “MSFT” ) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potentials. 

 

About Directories Philippines

Directories Philippines Corporation ( DPC ), was incorporated in 1989 to assume the Yellow Pages ( YP ) business of the Philippines branch of GTE Directories of the United States. Since then, DPC has involved from being a directional advertising medium, based on selling YP ad space and listing in print directories, to a provider of customized marketing and business solutions for small and medium enterprises. DPC-YP today leverages of divers platforms-online, mobile, social media and print-and adjacent products and services to come up with the most relevant cost-effective solution for any enterprise aspiring to grow to the next level.   

 

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Windows Glass House

Microsoft reimagines life through Windows Glass House

Microsoft Philippines illustrates how Windows 8.1 apps and devices power Filipino families and transform their everyday living

MANILA, Philippines, November 26, 2013 — Microsoft Philippines today has unveiled the Windows Glass House, a life-size installation that replicates a typical home but is reimagined with the incorporation of different Windows 8.1 devices and apps made for each member of the family. The Glass House, designed by renowned interior designers Ivy and Cynthia Almario, illustrates the ability of Microsoft technology to power Filipino families and to transform their everyday living.

The Glass House showcased the newest Windows 8.1 tablets such as the Lenovo MIXX2 and Acer W4. The new Asus T100, otherwise known as the ‘Transformer Book,’ also took center change as the device that is both a tablet and a netbook. Other new devices such as the Nokia Lumia 1020 were also displayed to complement the Glass House.

The Glass House demonstrated various Windows 8.1 apps in action that are fit for every member of the family such as Halo (for gaming), Click the City (for lifestyle and entertainment guide), Bing Health & Fitness app (for fitness, nutritional, health and wellness needs), Bing Food (for recipes and cooking tips), Bing Travel (for travel planning), ABS-CBN (for news and information), and MERALCO (for utility management) among many others.

Ivy and Cynthia Almario, from the country’s premier interior design firm Atelier Almario, were commissioned to bring Microsoft’s vision to life. The Almario sisters are known for their broad range of style as seen from their work as designers for luxurious and high-end spaces in the country. Microsoft believes that the Almario sisters are capable of taking up the challenge of converging aesthetics and functionality and integrating technology with their design philosophy.

“We are proud to take on the challenge of being able to incorporate technology with aesthetics through Microsoft’s Glass House and to see how devices, apps, and other technologies transform the interior space,” said Ivy Almario. “We are glad that Microsoft has given us the opportunity to explore endless possibilities with technology especially with Windows devices.”

“Glass House reflects our philosophy that technology greatly affects the way people live,” said Cynthia Almario. “This says so much about how Filipino consumers can use technology such as the exciting Windows 8.1 apps and devices to accomplish things in a more fun and more productive way.”

“Through the Glass House, Microsoft reimagines life and showcases how Windows 8.1 apps and devices are able to create a personalized computing experience that fits perfectly with the way people live,” said Mae Moreno, Windows Client Business Lead at Microsoft Philippines. “There is a Windows app and device designed for each member of the family, proving that Microsoft has the capability to power and transform their everyday living.”

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The event was also graced with the presence of actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who definitely enjoyed her tour of the House.

“Technology plays a big role in my life and in the things that I love. I use devices and apps all the time both for work and play, allowing me to shift from the role of an actress to a student,” said Jasmine Curtis – Smith. “Seeing the Glass House has allowed me to further understand the impact that technology plays in everyday living. With Windows 8.1, and its array of apps, there is something that fits my passion and that of my family and friends.”

To know more about Windows 8.1 apps and devices, visit www.microsoft.com.ph. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WindowsPH and follow us on Twitter at @MicrosoftPH.

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About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft Philippines, the local subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, has been constantly bringing innovation and making its technology available to Filipino businesses and individuals since 1995.  As a committed and trusted partner in nation-building, Microsoft Philippines has made it its mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well as transform locally-based businesses and empower them to compete in the global economy.

 

 

 

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Windows 8.1 is available now in the Philippines

 

Brings together a unique and personal experience across the broadest range of devices.

[L – R]. Kazuhiro Arai, Microsoft Philippines Marketing and Operations Director; Mae Moreno, Microsoft Philippines Windows Client Business Lead.

MANILA, Philippines, October 18, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced the global availability of Windows 8.1, a feature-rich update to its popular Windows 8 operating system, enabling customers to create experiences that keep pace with their lives — at work, at home or on the go. Beginning Oct. 17, consumers with a Windows 8 device in more than 230 markets and 37 languages can download the free update via the online Windows Store. Windows 8.1 will also be available on new devices and as boxed software starting Oct. 18 at retail locations around the world.

Windows 8.1 evolves the Windows vision for highly personalized computing while showcasing Microsoft’s continued commitment to rapid and responsive development. It marks a wave of new, innovative devices coming for consumers and businesses — from the convenience and mobility of tablets and 2-in-1s to the productive experience expected from laptops, all-in-ones and specialized industry devices. Many of these new devices are touch-enabled and will deliver advancements in processing power, battery life and design, across a range of price points.

“With Windows 8, we introduced innovation for an era of highly mobile, touch-enabled, and always-connected computing,” said Mae Moreno, Windows Client Business Lead at Microsoft Philippines. “Windows 8.1 evolves this vision and brings together everything people do across all their devices whether at home, at work or on the go. Windows is delivering the most personal computing experience out there, making your device a unique extension of you and offering more ways to create an experience that is personal, expressive and keeps pace with your life.”

“As a consumer, I am very excited with the coming of the Windows 8.1 update.  I’ve already downloaded the preview version and I’m happy that most of the features that I was looking for in Windows 8 have been added in the update. It has been made more flexible and easier to use.  At the same time, I am also keen to see the upcoming devices running on this new version of Windows” said Jojo Ayson, Managing Director Philippines at Ripple Effect Group Asia Pacific.

Windows 8.1 offers a host of increased customization refinements and functional improvements, including the following:

• Highly personal. An improved and more customizable Start screen offers variable tile sizes, more background designs and colors so each Windows device looks unique and personal to the individual. In addition, customers can choose how to start their Windows experience — at the Start screen or directly in the familiar Windows desktop–while all their Windows devices stay in sync with their Microsoft account.

• More familiar and easy to navigate. As an iconic part of the Windows experience, Windows 8.1 brings back the Start button as a familiar point of navigation. An updated apps view lets users see all their apps at once for easy access and new clicks and cues, as well as a Help + Tips app that gets them up to speed quickly.

• Enhanced Search. The new Bing Smart Search provides the easiest way to find what’s needed on the device or on the Web in one beautiful and easy consolidated view that’s built for touch. Simply swipe or type from the Start screen and Smart Search will find it– whether it’s a document on a PC, a photo album on SkyDrive, a favorite app, or a website.

• Wide range of apps and services from the Start. Windows 8.1 is the most complete out-of-the-box experience. It offers a range of apps and services from the Start screen, allowing customers to quickly and easily do the things they love on Windows, such as catching up with friends and family via Skype, emailing effortlessly in the Mail app, finding new recipes with the Bing Food & Drink app, or listening to free streaming music Windows 8.1 also comes with the new Internet Explorer 11, which is fast, fluid and perfect for touch. Internet Explorer 11 brings enhanced touch performance, speed boosts, and synchronized browsing history, favorites and settings across all Windows 8.1 devices. Windows 8.1 also provides native support for 3-D printing, meaning it will have plug-and-play support for 3-D printers, enable apps to seamlessly print 3-D jobs and understand 3-D file formats.

• The best for multitasking and productivity. Windows 8.1 includes the display and use of up to four apps side by side, flexible windows sizing for each app on the screen, the ability for one app to launch another app, and improved multi-monitor support so users can view the desktop or apps from the Windows Store on any or all monitors.

• Deep cloud integration with SkyDrive. Windows 8.1 makes it easier than ever to work from anywhere and know that files are always accessible — across devices and locations. With SkyDrive, users can create, edit, save and share files anywhere, anytime, on whatever device they’re using.

· A beautifully redesigned Windows Store. The new design of the Windows Store improves how great apps are showcased and makes it easier for customers to get the apps they want. Fresh layouts and categories, such as New & Rising, make it easier to stay up to date on the hottest new entries to explore. Personalized recommendations use the Bing advanced recommendation and relevance system to help find new favorites. And with Windows 8.1, apps are updated automatically by default, so users always have the newest and best version of any app, such as Fresh Paint, which now includes watercolor, a new graphite pencil set and a new clean, modern user interface for the latest painting or drawing creations. New and updated apps are also continually being delivered to the Store including Facebook, Adobe PhotoShop Express and eBay.

Customers can go to http://www.windows.com.ph to learn about the wide variety of new Windows devices available now and throughout the holiday season to find the one that best fits their needs and budgets. More information about Windows 8.1 is at http://blogs.windows.com and http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news.

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About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft Philippines, the local subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, has been constantly bringing innovation and making its technology available to Filipino businesses and individuals since 1995.  As a committed and trusted partner in nation-building, Microsoft Philippines has made it its mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well as transform locally-based businesses and empower them to compete in the global economy.

AngatPinoy, AngatNegosyo. AngatPilipinas.

 

 

 

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Excited about the latest update of Windows 8.1 and looking forward to upgrade my operating system..

With the latest update i can maximize the use of Windows 8.1 and of course the features of my tablet, with windows 8.1 there will be a lot more to be proud off.

 

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