Microsoft is testing a free ad-supported version of Office that only saves files to the cloud - Related to files, that, lineup,, ad-supported, pro
Microsoft is testing a free ad-supported version of Office that only saves files to the cloud
What just happened? Microsoft has quietly released a free, ad-supported version of Office, granting access to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel with limited functionality. Unlike the online version of Office, however, customers can install it locally and create new files.
Until now, Microsoft 365 Online has been the only official way to access the software for free, albeit with limited functionality. However, Microsoft appears to be exploring alternative offerings. While the organization has not unveiled plans to fully support a free, downloadable version of its productivity suite, a test build remains available as of this writing.
This mysterious version of Office is part of a limited test, , which explains why it is absent from Microsoft's main website and support pages. The download page went unnoticed until Beebom discovered it.
individuals interested in trying the ad-supported version can visit the download page, which is tucked away on the Microsoft Office website. the ad-supported build only supports Windows, a macOS download button is also visible.
The official way to use Office offline without a subscription is through the paid standalone version, which received a major upgrade late last year. Office 2024 is available for PC and macOS via a one-device lifetime activation for $160, while Office 2021 is currently on sale for $70.
Although both versions offer similar basic aspects, Office 2024 includes performance optimizations and advanced aspects that will continue receiving updates. Meanwhile, a Microsoft 365 subscription provides access to generative AI tools, cloud storage, among other perks.
For those seeking a free downloadable alternative, LibreOffice is worth considering, too.
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Nvidia admits to rare RTX 5090 performance glitch
While trying to get its Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card more solidly on the market, the component manufacturer and its retail partners have bumped into some functionality issues with the GPU that affect its performance.
Several people have obtained the RTX 5090 GPU from multiple different retailers, and have reported a unique problem, where the GPU does not have as many ROPs (Raster Operations Pipeline unit) as it should to sufficiently render images in 3D post-processing.
A member of the TechPowerUp forums reported that their graphics card, GeForce RTX 5090 GPU supplied by the retailer Zotac was registering as having fewer ROPs than it should. The member attempted to remedy the issue with software re-installs and switching the video BIOS, which was no help. Ultimately, this.
Upon further analysis, on a Zotac brand RTX 5090 GPU of their own, TechPowerUp observed that the component has 168 ROPs instead of the customary 176 ROPs. The 8 ROP difference can equate to a [website] difference in GPU performance; however, the publication observed performance losses of over 5% when performing benchmarks with the compromised graphics cards.
With the problem affecting not only, Zotac brand, but also ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, Palit, and NVIDIA GPUs, enthusiasts have determined that this is a hardware issue more than a software challenge.
Nvidia has acknowledged the reports of performance issues with the RTX 5090 GPU, indicating that only a small number of graphics cards have been affected. The component corporation has also made it known that the GeForce RTX 5090D, a chip localized to the Chinese market, and GeForce RTX 5070 Ti have also been affected.
We have identified a rare issue affecting less than [website] (half a percent) of GeForce RTX 5090 / 5090D and 5070 Ti GPUs which have one fewer ROP than specified. The average graphical performance impact is 4%, with no impact on AI and Compute workloads. Affected consumers can contact the board manufacturer for a replacement. The production anomaly has been corrected. – Nvidia.
YouTuber JayzTwoCents noted anyone concerned about the performance efficacy of their RTX 5090 can download TechPowerup’s GPU Information Utility here, or by searching for TechPowerup GPU-Z. Download the utility from the servers. Once it pops up, it will tell you everything you need to know about your GPU. For this instance, the ROPs section should read 176 for a healthy card. Anything less, such as 168 ROPs may indicate a problem.
For preliminary assistance, the YouTuber recommends not returning the defective GPU, as it may just end up in circulation with another consumer– and you may end up having to wait for an extended time for a new GPU.
He indicates reaching out to the customer service account of the vendor from which you purchased the card, using a headline such as ‘Missing ROPs, response required,’ and remembering to be kind, as there are likely many people reaching out with similar concerns at this time.
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Seagate HDD fraud also includes IronWolf Pro lineup, more details uncovered
In context: Earlier this month, an investigation revealed that Chinese cryptocurrency farmers are passing off their used hard drives as new and selling them to consumers and retailers. The scandal mainly involved Seagate Exos server HDDs between 12TB and 16TB. Samples showed usage between 15,000 and 50,000 hours, but now there's even of more widespread distribution that extends to other drive models.
Last week, a Heise investigation found that a fraud scam in volving Seagate Exos HDDs is more widespread than it initially thought. Based on emails received after breaking the news, investigators discovered that the scammers had tampered with usage metrics in many Seagate Ironwolf and Ironwolf Pro NAS drives so they could pass as new, adding to the number of models affected.
The scammers accomplish the ruse by deleting the SMART usage logs, affixing a bogus production date sticker, changing the serial number, and then repackaging them as "new." Even checking the drive's warranty displays it to be good until 2029. However, Heise researcher, Luts Labs, points out several ways to tell if these HDDs are used.
The first and simplest thing to do is physically inspect the drive. Look for dents, scratches, and other wear on the housing. Also, check the SATA connector closely for signs of use, like scuff marks from connecting or disconnecting the device. Look at the production date sticker placement. It should be level and in the right place.
An online warranty check can be a tell-tale sign, too. Heise notes that Seagate doesn't know how long it will take for a drive to reach a customer, so it usually adds a few months to the warranty. A fraudulent HDD's warranty will be exactly five years from the fake production date.
Buyers can also confirm the HDD's age using SMART monitoring tools like Smartmontools or SeaTools. This software lets individuals view Seagate's field-accessible reliability metrics (FARM). It will indicate how long the drive was in use. Investigators found some that had logged over 50,000 hours.
It is worth noting that the Heise questioned whether Toshiba and Western Digital drives were affected by the same fraud. After testing samples using Smartmontools, it found that Toshiba and WD drives returned errors when validating FARM values. Toshiba confirmed that its drives only used SMART logs, and Western Digital did not respond to a request to comment.
Seagate is still standing firm that it will not replace the drives since it did not distribute them. However, it would like anyone with a bogus HDD to contact [website] with details as it is still investigating the matter.
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Market Impact Analysis
Market Growth Trend
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9% | 5.9% | 6.2% | 6.9% | 7.3% | 7.5% | 7.6% |
Quarterly Growth Rate
| Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.9% | 7.2% | 7.4% | 7.6% |
Market Segments and Growth Drivers
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Semiconductors | 35% | 9.3% |
| Consumer Electronics | 29% | 6.2% |
| Enterprise Hardware | 22% | 5.8% |
| Networking Equipment | 9% | 7.9% |
| Other Hardware | 5% | 5.3% |
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity:
Competitive Landscape Analysis
| Company | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Apple | 18.7% |
| Samsung | 16.4% |
| Intel | 12.9% |
| NVIDIA | 9.8% |
| AMD | 7.3% |
Future Outlook and Predictions
The Microsoft Testing Free landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing threat vectors, and shifting business requirements. Based on current trends and expert analyses, we can anticipate several significant developments across different time horizons:
Year-by-Year Technology Evolution
Based on current trajectory and expert analyses, we can project the following development timeline:
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity, influencing adoption timelines and investment priorities:
Innovation Trigger
- Generative AI for specialized domains
- Blockchain for supply chain verification
Peak of Inflated Expectations
- Digital twins for business processes
- Quantum-resistant cryptography
Trough of Disillusionment
- Consumer AR/VR applications
- General-purpose blockchain
Slope of Enlightenment
- AI-driven analytics
- Edge computing
Plateau of Productivity
- Cloud infrastructure
- Mobile applications
Technology Evolution Timeline
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
Expert Perspectives
Leading experts in the hardware tech sector provide diverse perspectives on how the landscape will evolve over the coming years:
"Technology transformation will continue to accelerate, creating both challenges and opportunities."
— Industry Expert
"Organizations must balance innovation with practical implementation to achieve meaningful results."
— Technology Analyst
"The most successful adopters will focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake."
— Research Director
Areas of Expert Consensus
- Acceleration of Innovation: The pace of technological evolution will continue to increase
- Practical Integration: Focus will shift from proof-of-concept to operational deployment
- Human-Technology Partnership: Most effective implementations will optimize human-machine collaboration
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory frameworks will increasingly shape technology development
Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)
In the immediate future, organizations will focus on implementing and optimizing currently available technologies to address pressing hardware tech challenges:
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
These developments will be characterized by incremental improvements to existing frameworks rather than revolutionary changes, with emphasis on practical deployment and measurable outcomes.
Mid-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)
As technologies mature and organizations adapt, more substantial transformations will emerge in how security is approached and implemented:
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
This period will see significant changes in security architecture and operational models, with increasing automation and integration between previously siloed security functions. Organizations will shift from reactive to proactive security postures.
Long-Term Outlook (5+ Years)
Looking further ahead, more fundamental shifts will reshape how cybersecurity is conceptualized and implemented across digital ecosystems:
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
These long-term developments will likely require significant technical breakthroughs, new regulatory frameworks, and evolution in how organizations approach security as a fundamental business function rather than a technical discipline.
Key Risk Factors and Uncertainties
Several critical factors could significantly impact the trajectory of hardware tech evolution:
Organizations should monitor these factors closely and develop contingency strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on technology implementation timelines.
Alternative Future Scenarios
The evolution of technology can follow different paths depending on various factors including regulatory developments, investment trends, technological breakthroughs, and market adoption. We analyze three potential scenarios:
Optimistic Scenario
Rapid adoption of advanced technologies with significant business impact
Key Drivers: Supportive regulatory environment, significant research breakthroughs, strong market incentives, and rapid user adoption.
Probability: 25-30%
Base Case Scenario
Measured implementation with incremental improvements
Key Drivers: Balanced regulatory approach, steady technological progress, and selective implementation based on clear ROI.
Probability: 50-60%
Conservative Scenario
Technical and organizational barriers limiting effective adoption
Key Drivers: Restrictive regulations, technical limitations, implementation challenges, and risk-averse organizational cultures.
Probability: 15-20%
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Factor | Optimistic | Base Case | Conservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation Timeline | Accelerated | Steady | Delayed |
| Market Adoption | Widespread | Selective | Limited |
| Technology Evolution | Rapid | Progressive | Incremental |
| Regulatory Environment | Supportive | Balanced | Restrictive |
| Business Impact | Transformative | Significant | Modest |
Transformational Impact
Technology becoming increasingly embedded in all aspects of business operations. This evolution will necessitate significant changes in organizational structures, talent development, and strategic planning processes.
The convergence of multiple technological trends—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and ubiquitous connectivity—will create both unprecedented security challenges and innovative defensive capabilities.
Implementation Challenges
Technical complexity and organizational readiness remain key challenges. Organizations will need to develop comprehensive change management strategies to successfully navigate these transitions.
Regulatory uncertainty, particularly around emerging technologies like AI in security applications, will require flexible security architectures that can adapt to evolving compliance requirements.
Key Innovations to Watch
Artificial intelligence, distributed systems, and automation technologies leading innovation. Organizations should monitor these developments closely to maintain competitive advantages and effective security postures.
Strategic investments in research partnerships, technology pilots, and talent development will position forward-thinking organizations to leverage these innovations early in their development cycle.
Technical Glossary
Key technical terms and definitions to help understand the technologies discussed in this article.
Understanding the following technical concepts is essential for grasping the full implications of the security threats and defensive measures discussed in this article. These definitions provide context for both technical and non-technical readers.
platform intermediate
ASIC intermediate
GPU intermediate
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