Microsoft believes that one of the best ways to help the economy rebound and reduce the staggering rate of unemployment is to help workers learn new digital skills. Today, it announced an initiative designed to train 25 million people worldwide by the end of the year. The initiative will blend new and existing resources from LinkedIn, GitHub and Microsoft, and it will provide low-cost Microsoft Certifications.
LinkedIn Learning “paths” aligned with tech roles like software developer, project manager, IT administrator and data analyst will be free of charge through the end of March 2021. Those include video content available in English, French, Spanish and German. Microsoft Learn will be available for free, and job seekers pursuing developer roles can access GitHub Learning Lab.
Microsoft is dropping the cost of Microsoft Certifications exams to $15 (if users “self-attest” that their employment was impacted by COVID-19). Usually, those exams cost more than $100. Participants can schedule an exam from September to the end of the year, and they’ll have until March 31st to complete it.
Finally, a new learning app in Microsoft Teams will help employers upskill new and existing employees. LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Learn and third-party trainers will provide the class content. Microsoft says this is especially important because employer investment in training has declined and stagnated over the past two decades.
Apple has begun piloting an App Store feature called contingent pricing that will let developers offer cheaper subscriptions to customers based on the other subscriptions they already hold. The company says it's meant to help developers "attract and retain subscribers."
Apple, Visa and Mastercard are being sued by beverage retailer Mirage Wine & Spirits on behalf of US merchants who accept Apple Pay. The lawsuit argues that Apple accepted a bribe from the two companies in an agreement to stifle competition, resulting in inflated merchant fees.
NASA shared a photo of two tomatoes that turned up on the International Space Station after eight months lost. They were harvested by astronaut Frank Rubio, who returned to Earth in September. The tomatoes held up well in space, appearing only dehydrated but otherwise intact.
This week: Google’s Gemini is the biggest threat yet to ChatGPT, Microsoft upgrades its chatbot, too, Lenovo’s huge handheld PC is here
Users can now download Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint from the Meta Quest store for free.
California's Civil Rights Department (CRD) has announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Activision Blizzard for a case it filed in 2021, accusing the company of systemic gender discrimination and fostering a culture that encouraged rampant misogyny and sexual harassment.
Apple will pay $25 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accuses the tech giant of misleading customers over Family Sharing.
An anonymous and inventive Nintendo fan has recreated the Game Boy classic The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening with a twist. The widescreen Windows remake adds high frame rate support and lets you zoom out to view a larger portion — or even all — of Koholint Island.
Teenage Engineer’s OP-1 Field synthesizer just got a fairly substantial system update. Software version 1.5.0 brings a fun new bit crusher effect and an easier way to merge tracks.
The massively popular RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t coming to Xbox Game Pass, according to the developer. The game did, however, recently launch on Xbox Series X/S.
This week's best tech deals include the Xbox Series X for $349, a four-pack of Apple AirTags for $80 and discounts on Apple gift cards.
Twitch has quickly taken back its policy update that gave users permission to post sexual content as long as it was labeled.
Looking for a late holiday gift for someone who loses things all the time? Consider getting them some Apple AirTags. A pack of four has dropped to $80.
The OnePlus 12 has officially launched in China and now the company’s most powerful phone is coming to the rest of the world. OnePlus has announced global availability on January 24, including the US.
Samsung’s current flagship soundbar is a complete package, and a sonic powerhouse.
Here's a list of the best laptops you can buy right now, as reviewed by Engadget editors.
Instagram is rolling out a feature that allows users to create their own templates for Stories using text, GIFs and images. Other users will be able to riff on and add to someone else's template.
So long E3, we knew you weren’t long for this world.
Here's a list of the best VR headsets you can buy, as chosen by Engadget editors.
Project Kuiper plans to create a mesh network of high-speed laser cross-links.
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