Microsoft discloses the redesigns of their Start menu that were rejected

Microsoft is rolling out a significant redesign of the Windows 11 Start menu this month, introducing a wider layout and—most notably—the ability to disable the recommended feed of files and apps. While the new design is already a departure from the current version, Microsoft recently shared unseen concept images that reveal even more radical ideas that were considered during development.

Exploring Microsoft’s Start Menu Concepts

In a behind-the-scenes blog post, Microsoft’s design team unveiled five early prototypes that could have completely transformed how users interact with the Start menu. These concepts ranged from widget-like interfaces to full-screen landing pages, showcasing Microsoft’s willingness to experiment before settling on the final design.

Key Concept Designs That Almost Made the Cut

Widget-Inspired Start Menu
- Featured a more rounded design with a dedicated “For You” section displaying Teams meetings, YouTube videos, and recent files.
- Resembled a personalized dashboard, blending productivity and entertainment.
Sidebar-Centric Layout
- Separated the “For You” recommendations into a side panel.
- The main section focused on app categories for quicker navigation.
Full-Screen Landing Page
- Turned the Start menu into a comprehensive hub with shortcuts, apps, files, and even Android phone integration.
- Included personalized app lists and creative tools for power users.
Vertical Scrolling Menu
- Occupied the entire screen height, with distinct scrollable sections.
- Aimed to maximize space for pinned apps, recent documents, and quick actions.

Microsoft’s design team emphasized that no idea was too bold during the brainstorming phase. They used whiteboards, Figma mockups, and paper prototypes to explore every possibility before refining the final version.

User Feedback Shaped the Final Design

Microsoft didn’t just rely on internal testing—over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts participated in trials, including co-creation calls with select users. The team analyzed:

Eye-tracking heatmaps to see where users focused.
Scroll behavior to optimize navigation.
Audible reactions (like excited “oh!” moments) to gauge engagement.

The goal was to balance innovation with familiarity, ensuring the new Start menu remained fast, customizable, and intuitive without disrupting decades of user muscle memory.

What’s New in the Final Start Menu Design?

The upcoming Start menu in Windows 11 brings several key improvements:
✔ Wider, More Spacious Layout – Easier to browse apps and files.
✔ Disable Recommended Feed – No more forced suggestions.
✔ Enhanced Phone Integration – Quick access to recent calls, messages, and mobile files.
✔ Better Customization – More control over pinned apps and layout.

When Will the New Start Menu Roll Out?

Microsoft is currently testing the redesign with Windows Insiders, with a public release expected in the coming months. This update marks one of the most significant visual and functional changes to the Start menu since Windows 11’s launch.

Final Thoughts: A More User-Centric Windows Experience

By blending user feedback with bold experimentation, Microsoft is refining Windows 11’s Start menu to be more flexible and less intrusive. The ability to turn off recommendations alone will be a major win for productivity-focused users, while the new layout ensures smoother access to essential tools.

Stay tuned for the official release—this could be the most user-friendly Start menu yet!

After a five-year hiatus, Fortnite is back on the US App Store

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Microsoft anticipates good growth for Azure cloud business, shares soar 7%

by George Mensah 2025-05-01

In a stunning display of corporate resilience, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has silenced doubters with blockbuster quarterly earnings that sent shares soaring 7% in after-hours trading. The tech giant’s cloud division delivered 33% revenue growth – significantly outpacing analyst expectations of 29.7% – adding a staggering $200 billion to Microsoft’s market valuation in a single trading session.

Key Performance Highlights:

Azure revenue growth accelerates to 33% YoY (vs. 29.7% consensus)
AI services contribute 16 percentage points to Azure growth (up from 13 last quarter)
Commercial bookings surge 18% fueled by expanded OpenAI partnership
Q4 cloud revenue guidance of 28.75B−28.75B−29.05B exceeds projections
Capital expenditures skyrocket 53% to $21.4 billion for AI infrastructure

The AI Growth Engine: Separating Fact from Fiction

Contrary to recent market concerns about an AI slowdown, Microsoft’s results paint a different picture. CFO Amy Hood revealed that while AI performance met expectations, the “real outperformance in Azure this quarter was in our non-AI business.” This suggests Microsoft’s cloud dominance extends well beyond artificial intelligence.

Three critical insights emerge from the earnings call:

The OpenAI Effect
Microsoft’s deepening partnership with ChatGPT creator continues bearing fruit, though the company remains tight-lipped about specific contract values. Industry analysts estimate the expanded deal could be worth billions annually.
Infrastructure Strategy Shift
The company is pivoting investments toward shorter-lived assets like Nvidia GPUs and AMD chips rather than long-term data center leases. As VP Jonathan Neilson explained: “You plug in CPUs and GPUs, and then you can start recognizing revenue immediately.”
Economic Impact
J.P. Morgan analysts calculate that Microsoft’s data center spending alone could contribute 10-20 basis points to U.S. GDP growth in 2025-2026, highlighting the company’s macroeconomic importance.

Debunking the AI Slowdown Narrative

Recent analyst concerns about canceled data center leases appear overblown. CEO Satya Nadella framed these adjustments as routine: “Microsoft has a long history of constantly adjusting its data center plans.” The numbers support this view – while the company reduced some physical infrastructure commitments, overall capex grew dramatically with a focus on immediately productive assets.

Market Misconceptions vs. Reality:

Concern	Actual Finding
AI demand plateauing	AI contribution to Azure growth increased
Data center pullback	Strategic shift to more flexible infrastructure
Tariff impacts	Commercial bookings grew 18% despite economic headwinds

Strategic Implications for Investors

Cloud Wars Heating Up
Microsoft’s results set a high bar for upcoming reports from AWS and Google Cloud. The Azure growth rate now exceeds both competitors’ most recent figures.
Chipmaker Bonanza
Microsoft’s infrastructure spending confirms continued strong demand for Nvidia, AMD and Intel processors, particularly in AI-optimized configurations.
Enterprise Software Advantage
The robust non-AI cloud performance suggests Microsoft’s enterprise products (Office 365, Dynamics) continue driving significant Azure adoption.

Expert Analysis: What Comes Next?

“Microsoft is executing one of the most remarkable business transformations in corporate history,” notes technology analyst Mark Henderson. “They’ve successfully evolved from a legacy software company to the clear leader in enterprise cloud computing while simultaneously building the world’s most comprehensive AI platform.”

Looking ahead, investors should watch for:

Details on Microsoft’s custom AI chip development (Project Athena)
Adoption rates for Copilot AI assistants across Microsoft’s product suite
Potential impacts from evolving U.S. and EU tech regulations

Why This Matters Beyond Wall Street

Microsoft’s performance carries broader significance:

For businesses: Demonstrates the accelerating ROI from cloud and AI investments
For policymakers: Highlights the growing economic importance of tech infrastructure
For workers: Signals continued strong demand for cloud and AI skills

The Bottom Line: Microsoft’s earnings prove the company is firing on all cylinders, with Azure’s growth acceleration particularly impressive given its massive scale. While AI captures headlines, the strength of Microsoft’s broader cloud business may be the more important long-term story.

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A judge recently overturned Apple’s authority over the App Store

by George Mensah 2025-05-01

In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ruled that Apple can no longer impose fees on purchases made outside its App Store or restrict developers from directing users to alternative payment methods. The ruling, effective immediately, marks a significant victory for Epic Games in its ongoing legal battle against Apple.

Apple has announced plans to appeal the decision, but the court’s order is a clear rebuke of the tech giant’s previous attempts to circumvent antitrust regulations.

Key Takeaways from the Ruling

Judge Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple “willfully” defied her 2021 injunction, which required the company to allow developers to link to external payment options. In her latest ruling, she stated:

“That [Apple] thought this Court would tolerate such insubordination was a gross miscalculation.”

The judge also referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for potential criminal contempt proceedings, signaling the severity of Apple’s non-compliance.

What Apple Can No Longer Do:

Charge commissions on purchases made outside of apps.
Restrict how developers design, format, or place links to external payment options.
Block or limit buttons, calls to action, or other methods that direct users to alternative payment systems.
Interfere with users leaving an app—except for a neutral warning about third-party transactions.

Apple’s Response & Industry Reactions

Apple’s Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Olivia Dalton, stated:

“We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order and we will appeal.”

Meanwhile, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite will return to the U.S. App Store next week. He also extended a “peace proposal” to Apple:

“If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.”

Spotify, another vocal critic of Apple’s policies, hailed the ruling as:

“A victory for developers everywhere.”

Why This Ruling Matters

For years, Apple has enforced a 30% commission on in-app purchases, a policy that sparked backlash from developers and regulators. Even after the 2021 ruling, Apple introduced a 27% fee on external transactions—a move the court deemed an attempt to maintain its revenue stream unlawfully.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers revealed internal tensions at Apple, noting that App Store chief Phil Schiller advocated for compliance, while CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri chose defiance.

What’s Next?

Apple’s appeal could prolong the legal battle, but the immediate ruling forces significant changes.
Developers gain more freedom to steer users toward cheaper payment alternatives.
Consumers may benefit from lower prices if developers pass on the savings from avoiding Apple’s fees.

This case sets a major precedent in the fight against Big Tech’s monopolistic practices, reinforcing the need for fair competition in digital marketplaces.

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