It might not get the same kind of attention as Google and Apple, but Microsoft is still one of the biggest and most powerful tech companies operating today. It runs Azure, one of the biggest cloud computing services, and maintains Windows 11 and the whole Office suite of software. It also makes plenty of Surface hardware and has a whole slew of gaming products, including the Xbox Series X. But the company is ever expanding — building new hardware, acquiring new game studios, and making sure that even if Microsoft doesn't run your phone, it can touch plenty of the apps on it. 

Microsoft

The smart home was once a far-flung pipe dream, but it is now a reality. Wherever you live, your home is ground zero for some of the most interesting tech available right now, and tech that’s yet to come. Best of all, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get your home up and running with smart hardware and services.

Home security and monitoring solutions can alert you to a burglary, smoke, fire, or just simple motion activity. There are plenty of options with a range of capabilities, from smart doorbells and smart locks to indoor and outdoor cameras that can see in the dark.

Smart speakers, like the Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod each play a big role in helping you out, too. In the kitchen, they can read out recipes, or if you’re cleaning, you can call out to them to change the song on the fly. If you buy smart light bulbs, for instance, you can turn them on and off by using your voice.

Smart Home

Acer Aspire ZS600 press pictures

Acer Aspire ZS600 press pictures

Acer Aspire ZS600 press pictures

Acer Aspire ZS600 press pictures

Blaseball season is over for good

Augmented reality needs an iPhone moment

Google’s AI-powered search experience is way too slow

Half a year later, the Pixel 7 Pro is a smart smartphone that isn’t a lot wiser

If Apple wants its headset to win, it needs to reinvent the app

More from Microsoft

Microsoft Build 2023: all the news and announcements from the developer conference

Microsoft 365 Copilot is coming to Microsoft Edge

Windows 11 adds support for Bluetooth’s low-energy audio spec

Acer Aspire ZS600 press pictures

Acer Aspire ZS600 press pictures

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Blaseball season is over for good

Augmented reality needs an iPhone moment

Google’s AI-powered search experience is way too slow

Half a year later, the Pixel 7 Pro is a smart smartphone that isn’t a lot wiser

If Apple wants its headset to win, it needs to reinvent the app

More from Microsoft

Microsoft Build 2023: all the news and announcements from the developer conference

Microsoft 365 Copilot is coming to Microsoft Edge

Windows 11 adds support for Bluetooth’s low-energy audio spec