Windows 11, Surface, Xbox, and more: These are the biggest Microsoft news stories of 2022

Source: Windows Primal

2021 was a massive twelvemonth for news, including new hardware, major software updates, and one of the best years for gaming that Microsoft has seen in a long time. Here at Windows Cardinal, we published well over 1,000 news pieces this year, including Microsoft announcing Windows 11, the launch of new Surface hardware, and the release of Halo Infinite. From insider scoops to product launches, here are the biggest news stories from 2022 related to Windows, Xbox, and all things Microsoft.

A brand new version of Windows

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

For years, information technology was thought that Windows ten would be the concluding version of Windows. That turned out to non be the instance, as Microsoft released Windows xi in Oct 2022. The new operating arrangement builds on Windows 10 in several ways, including supporting all apps from its predecessor. Windows 11 modernized several elements of the OS, including the First menu, icons, and the Taskbar.

This move toward simplicity has been met with mixed reactions. While Windows 11 trimmed down some of the complexities of the OS interface, it lacks some of the features seen in Windows 10. Additionally, the First carte du jour and Taskbar ran into criticism. Many have looked for the best apps to customize Windows xi to restore both the look of previous versions of Windows and lost functionality.

Windows 11 ran into problems before it launched. A confusing set of minimum requirements and mixed signals from Microsoft's tool for checking eligibility made it difficult to tell if some systems would exist able to upgrade to Windows 11 at all. The requirement of having TPM ii.0 was the limiting factor for many computers. As a result of this confusion, the Windows userbase was split to a certain point. While tech-savvy folks know about the limitations and how to work around them, some full general consumers are yet confused almost why their PC hasn't seen the option to update.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal

Those that did receive Windows 11 gained admission to several new features and a new Microsoft Store. A renewed push button on getting developers to work with Windows has proven successful, as several major companies accept brought their apps to the Microsoft Store, including Adobe, Zoom, and OBS. The move to allow unpackaged apps was a large boost to Windows, as was the option for developers to use their ain acquirement stream.

Gamers received some nice features in the upgrade to Windows 11. Many of these features were already available on the Xbox Serial X and Xbox Series Due south. Auto HDR works with over 1,000 DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games. Directly Storage improves load times and takes advantage of the best SSDs. DirectX 12 Ultimate also includes features for developers, including Raytracing 1.ane, variable rate shading, and Sampler Feedback.

While Windows xi has a refreshed interface and new features, many view it every bit an optional update, at least for now. The OS should continue to ameliorate as Microsoft rolls out new features, such equally Android app support. Those that want information technology now have likely already upgraded. Those who don't experience the demand to update can wait for quite a while since Windows x will remain supported until 2025.

A load of new Surface devices

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Every bit it does every yr, Microsoft released several new pieces of Surface hardware in 2022. This yr, the company launched the Surface Pro 8, Surface Go 3, and Surface Duo two. Information technology also introduced the Surface Laptop Studio, a unique laptop with a floating display.

The Surface Pro 8 saw a design refresh that brought it more than in line with the Surface Pro X (though it is slightly thicker than its Windows on ARM sibling). In many ways, the Surface Pro viii represents the pinnacle of its grade cistron. Information technology has a xiii.three-inch120Hz brandish, supports Thunderbolt iv, and has an excellent webcam. A new Slim Pen 2 with haptics pairs with the Surface Pro eight to better the handwriting experience. Our executive editor Daniel Rubino said that the "Surface Pro 8 finally hits its total potential with the all-new redesign for 2022."

The Surface Laptop Studio introduces a new form factor to the PC infinite. Information technology features a floating display that can rest in different positions to facilitate a range of workflows. Of course, one of those positions is that of a traditional clamshell laptop. In that category, the Surface Laptop Studio stacks up against the likes of the Razer Bract 15 and the HP Green-eyed x360 15.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

The Surface Get three is a more than minor refresh compared to its siblings. Information technology's identical to the Surface Go 2 in every way except for its processor. While the device doesn't support any new features, the entry-level model is sixty% more powerful than that of the Become 2.

Unlike the rest of the Surface family, the Surface Duo 2 is a mobile device that runs Android. It's the sequel to the original Surface Duo, which received mixed reviews due to its buggy software. The Surface Duo 2 has a significantly improve camera setup than its predecessor and slimmer bezels as well. The hinge besides has a Glance Bar that tin bear witness notifications when closed, though that characteristic isn't that versatile.

More chiefly than bumping upward the internals and general hardware specs, Microsoft focused on the software feel with the Duo 2. While it isn't perfect, it's significantly smoother than that of the showtime Duo, which still hasn't received Android xi. Microsoft has also supported the Duo 2 better than the original Duo so far, including a day-one update and a significant December update.

A large year for gaming and Xbox

2021 proved to be 1 of the biggest years ever for Xbox. While the Xbox Series X and S came out in 2022, the Xbox brand as a whole saw a major heave this year. The consoles came into their ain, and new games took advantage of the updated hardware.

Xbox Game Pass added some large-name titles this year, including MLB The Testify and Outriders in the leap. Psychonauts 2 and Football Manager 2022 also made their mode to the service this twelvemonth.

Those titles were just appetizers compared to Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Age of Empires Iv, all of which became bachelor on Xbox Game Laissez passer and PC Game Pass on their respective launch days.

Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda was finalized in 2022, which should only aid the company's library of games going frontwards. Games from Bethesda should also diversify Xbox's first-political party lineup quite a chip.

A continuing global flake shortage

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows Cardinal

The ongoing global fleck shortage started before 2022, but it continued throughout the unabridged year. Component shortages affected the availability of the best GPUs, the Xbox Series X, Xbox Serial S, and PlayStation 5. Scalpers only fabricated the problem worse, making it virtually impossible to grab new gadgets.

NVIDIA launched several RTX thirty-Series GPUs in 2022. While these are excellent graphics cards, they have been hard to buy. Scalpers and bots gobbled up any stock that became available, creating an expensive second-hand market place. To become their hands on high-stop graphics, some gamers purchased the best RTX 3080 laptops.

AMD also released several high-end graphics cards this year from its RX 6000 serial. Like competing cards from NVIDIA, AMD GPUs have been hard to find in stock. For instance, the RX 6800 is an splendid GPU for QHD gaming, but it's out of stock at simply almost every retailer.

Some surprising stories

Source: Xbox Game Studios

While not the biggest stories in terms of traditional newsworthiness, a few pieces piqued the interest of our readers much more than others. These stood out for covering surprising topics or garnering an unexpected amount of interest.

Early on this year, a subconscious message was found in the new White House website. It was just an invitation to employ for jobs related to coding, but it gained quite a bit of traction. Big companies ofttimes hide similar messages on their websites, but the invitation from the White House gained attention due to the stature of the Office.

Despite Microsoft releasing Windows 11 this twelvemonth, people in Armenia appear to adopt Windows XP. According to StatCounter, as of September 2022, 53.v% of desktops in the country ran Windows XP. It'southward not clear why so many Armenian desktops run XP, only the numbers don't lie.

Forza Horizon 5 was ane of the best games to launch in 2022. Before long after the game became available, a foreign trend emerged. As part of an effort to quickly progress through the game, people would buy Willys Jeeps past the hundreds, earn a Super Wheelspin, then souvenir the car to a random player. As a event, thousands of Willys Jeeps flooded the Forza Horizon fanbase.

Shooty bang blindside

Where are all the guns in Dying Light two?

It'south by design, certain, but there's a distinct lack of firearms in Dying Lite ii. For meliorate or worse, modern medieval Villedor is a identify to build your own weapons. But what happened to the guns and ammo and might it ever make a comeback?

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/biggest-microsoft-news-stories-2021

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