(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five things in tech that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 – Microsoft has closed a free Windows 11 loophole.
Microsoft has finally resolved a critical flaw in their Windows operating system. Until now, users of Windows 7 and 8 could download Windows 10 or 11 at no cost. (Source: The Verge)
Why this is important for your business:
Some users I know were taking advantage of this freebie but now that Microsoft has shut it down they – like everyone else – are going to pay for the new operating system. For me, this is silly. I doubt that the devices running their Windows 7 or 8 operating systems were really sufficient for Windows 11. If you want to fully take advantage of Microsoft’s latest OS you really should be running the latest hardware…and paying the price.
2 – SurveyMonkey announced the availability of MaxDiff analysis.
Online survey platform SurveyMonkey is now adding MaxDiff to its catalog of research tools. (Source: MarTech Cube)
Why this is important for your business:
What the heck is “MaxDiff” you may ask? Good question. It’s a methodology used in survey analysis. It presents the respondent with a list of items that they rank as “Best” or “Worst.” For example – based on the type of survey – each item is measured on the scale of most important or least important. The results offer qualitative information about customer preferences when given a set of options. SurveyMonkey is making this “go-to tool” available to users who are registered on any of their three plans.
3 – Get ready for a deluge of AI-written emails, thanks to Microsoft Outlook.
Your email drafts folder will soon be populated by AI. Dina Bass of Bloomberg reported on Microsoft’s AI component “CoPilot” which has been trained to write emails. Per Microsoft, it will help “you stay on top of your inbox and create impactful communication in a fraction of the time.” (Source: Bloomberg)
Why this is important for your business:
Not merely a time-saving tool, Microsoft promises that CoPilot can be trained to replicate a person’s tone and unique phrasing in email messages. According to Microsoft, the feature is still in its test phase and is “one of the most” requested features from business customers. My question: will users pay for this new feature?
4 – Dropbox unveils video app, updates AI tools and web interface for new era of work.
File storage platform Dropbox is making some major upgrades as it continues to support the “new era of work.” (Source: Computerworld)
Why this is important for your business:
According to Computerworld, “Dropbox Studio” is a new video collaboration tool designed to centralize the process of video creation, sharing, editing and publishing. The editing feature now allows users to trim and remove filler words. Finished video clips can be posted directly to Facebook and Instagram. An enhanced web interface will give users the ease of working while keeping Dropbox open to retrieve files, share and edit documents, and other team collaboration tasks – rather than having to sign-in again.
5 – GoDaddy Conversations integrates with Google’s Business Messages – a first for website builders in the U.S.
GoDaddy just announced “GoDaddy Conversations” – an “all-in-one” communications solution. (Source: GoDaddy)
Why this is important for your business:
It’s an interesting attempt to bring everything into one place. The company says that Conversations will integrate Google’s Business Messages to give entrepreneurs the ability to “track messages across multiple communications channels” and give them a virtual line to customers who use Google searchers and Google Maps. Additionally, customers who connect with business owners/entrepreneurs via social media or other web spaces will be gathered and sorted into one location. If you’re hosting your site on GoDaddy my recommendation is to ask for a demo of these features.
