ICYMI: July 11, 2022

A lot tin happen in a week. 7 days might not seem like much, just 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 engineering landscape, it's never easy to continue your paw on the pulse of technology.

Not to mention everything that'south going on right hither at Windows Central!

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

Windows

After final calendar week's craziness with multiple preview builds of Windows 10 being released, this week was a bit more tame.

Microsoft is reportedly on the verge of finalizing Windows ten RTM before its July 29 launch. This "release to manufacturers" version will be without some features that volition be included in the final release, but fear not. Since Windows 10 promises to be more of a service than a product, any PCs with the RTM version will be updated with anything that is missing come the official rollout.

Microsoft retail employees are being trained to pitch Windows 10 equally "familiar but better than ever" to prospective buyers. The idea is to show customers the features that they are used to working within Windows 7 and viii.ane, in conjunction with the newfound personalization and ability to work across multiple devices.

As we eagerly wait for July 29 to get in, Fast ring members were treated to Windows x PC preview build 10166. The build included a slightly updated version of Microsoft Edge

As you've come to expect, we painstakingly detailed the changes in the new build.

Microsoft released an updated version of the Windows 10 SDK preview with build 10166 as well.

Slow ring members got their own present, Windows ten PC build 10162.

The newly-christened Groove Music has fabricated its way to Windows 10, along with a new ad-free MSN Conditions app.

Other notable items:

Outlook Mail service and Calendar apps for Windows pick up an update
Supplant those white championship bars in Windows ten with this colors theme
How to optimize battery life in Windows 10 devices using built-in settings
AMD releases preview Goad drivers for Windows 10 with CrossFire FreeSync
How to create a Windows x USB installation media with UEFI support
Windows 10 build 10176 gets leaked in Chinese

Microsoft

The names of four new Microsoft devices, Valora, Murano, Livana, and Munchkin, leaked on the cyberspace this week. They include an updated Treasure Tag, Bluetooth speaker, screen-sharing device, and a necessary component for the Continuum, to allow your Windows phone to human activity like a PC.

Only in that location was bigger news going on with Microsoft. The outset bit was a wave of product rebranding.

The nigh significant branding changes started as a reference to Groove Music Pass in a build of Windows 10. It ended up with the announcement that Xbox Music was being renamed to "Groove" and Xbox Video would at present be chosen simply "Movies & TV". Both will be launched with Windows 10 on July 29 and make their mode to other devices likewise.

The new musical moniker was chosen based on client feedback to "to best draw what people feel and do with music". Our own Windows Primal poll found that most people like the new name, with close to equal numbers of people either disliking or being indifferent about it.

Both Music and Movies & Tv purchases were as well opened up to a slew of new countries in Windows 10. Another Microsoft offering, formerly known as the Nokia (Microsoft) Connects plan, got a name change every bit well. It will now be known every bit Lumia Voices.

Lync 2022 for Windows Telephone was morphed into Skype for Business organisation with its latest update.

And although at that place was no name change, Microsoft's Bing Maps was revamped with lots of new features.

The second category of changes to take place this week, unfortunately, came in the class layoffs and restucturing. Microsoft confirmed that they will lay off 7,800 more employees, well-nigh of which will be from the Windows Phone division. While some will surely see this as the sky falling, CEO Satya Nadella reiterated that the company is however 'committed' to their phone business.

Our own Daniel Rubino tried to shed some light on why the restructure was not only obvious and necessary, but actually a skilful thing for Windows Phone.

The news of layoffs hasn't stopped there. Microsoft's Finland operations are set to cutting nearly ii,300 employees. Its marketing and sales divisions will lose an undisclosed number as well. Other sectors, like the hardware division, may also meet some cuts and Nokia Intendance Points in Poland and other European countries may close, also.

Other notable items:

Ultimate Xbox Auction has started early with price cuts for diverse Xbox One games
Microsoft Band tin at present brandish emoticons in text messages
Microsoft wants to help boost HoloLens development with $100,000 awards to v universities
Microsoft partners with the BBC to help Great britain school kids learn about computing
Universal touch on-first Part apps for Windows 10 volition be available on July 29
Microsoft offers more details on how to convert web apps to Windows x apps
New HoloLens video demos usage in medicine, is more honest about field of view
Microsoft brings web tiles to the Band, introduces new cloud APIs for Health
Microsoft's Power BI information visualization tool will exist generally available on July 24

Miscellaneous

It may only be 2022, just that doesn't that we can't have the devices suited for a stardate yet to come. Case in point, in Jan, you'll be able to get your hands on a Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator for $149.95.

Firefox for Windows 10 was appear, merely only in name. No details most were given almost its arrival date, other than "coming presently."

Gaming download service GOG (Good Old Gaming), has begun preparing its catalog for Windows 10. And so far, many of the games work, but volition require a patch. If y'all apply the GOG Galaxy download customer, these patches will exist delivered automatically. Logitech is going through a rebranding of its ain, donning a new name and logo, Logi promises consumers "some twists and a few surprises in new categories."

T-Mobile had a pretty darn skillful 2d quarter, adding 2.1 million subscribers. With their "un-carrier" policies, similar no longer charging customers for using their mobile devices in Mexico and Canada, it'due south no surprise people are making the change.

###Other notable items:

Intel'due south tiny Compute Stick goes up for sale in India for ₹9,999
Amazon'south 20th anniversary auction volition feature 'more deals than Black Friday'
Dell is happy that Microsoft is launching Windows x in fourth dimension for back-to-school PC sales
LG will bring its thinner and lighter smartphone-fashion bear upon panels to notebook PCs
Windows Central photo contest: Sunshine
Google wants our children

Share your thoughts on this by week of news! And we'll be back again adjacent week to do information technology all over once again.