Posts Tagged: Office

Microsoft Office apps arrive on Meta Quest VR headsets

Meta Quest users will now be able to write reports, edit spreadsheets and create presentations — if they event want to do any of those tasks on a VR headset, that is. Android Central reports that support for the basic Microsoft Office suite has arrived on the original Oculus Quest, the Meta Quest 2, the Meta Quest Pro, and the latest model, the Meta Quest 3. Users can now download Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint from the Meta Quest store for free.

The company first revealed that it was going to launch Microsoft 365 app experiences for its headsets during its Connect 2022 event. It also promised users access to Outlook, Teams and a Windows experience as part of its partnership with Microsoft. To be able to use the basic Office suite apps on their device, users will need to have and log into their Microsoft account. The app files are pretty small because they run on the cloud, so they’re quick to download and can run side by side for the multitaskers out there. 

According to The Verge, though, the apps aren’t exactly optimized for virtual reality, so users may have to contend with tiny icons and other elements that don’t work as well in the environment. In addition, it’s not easy typing on the Quest’s onscreen keyboard, so users may have to link Bluetooth accessories if they need to get some serious work done. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-office-apps-arrive-on-meta-quest-vr-headsets-123030297.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Elon Musk tells SpaceX and Tesla workers they must return to the office full-time

Elon Musk delivered an ultimatum to Tesla and Space X’s corporate workforces: Spend a minimum of 40 hours a week in the office, or leave the company. Musk today confirmed in a tweet that screenshots of an email sent to workers was real. According to The New York Times, workers at both companies received similar memos from Musk that made clear that all workers must report to a main office for 40 hours a week. Musk also wrote that employees would no longer be allowed to work from “remote branch” offices not related to their job duties, giving the example of an HR worker for the Fremont factory who works out-of-state.

“The more senior you are, the more visible must be your presence,” Musk said in a memo to SpaceX employees obtained by NYT. “That is why I spent so much time in the factory — so that those on the line could see me working alongside them. If I had not done that, SpaceX would long ago have gone bankrupt.”

Musk taking a hardline stance on remote work is in stark contrast to a number of other major tech companies that have allowed all or most workers to request to work-from-home permanently, including Facebook, Twitter, Salesforce and Slack. Apple recently suspended a requirement that workers return to the office at least three days a week.

As Bloombergreported today, Twitter employees — who are likely to be reporting to Musk once his acquisition of the company is complete — have internally expressed some concern the SpaceX and Tesla remote work policies (or lack thereof) herald unwelcome changes for their own workplace.

Tesla’s career website still lists a number of salaried and hourly remote positions. It’s unclear whether the new policy will apply to those positions. Engadget has reached out to Tesla for comment, though we are unlikely to hear back: the company dissolved its corporate communications department in 2020.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

The best work-from-home and office essentials for graduates

After they’re done celebrating their academic accomplishments, your grad might already have a new job or internship lined up, or they may be very close to a new opportunity. If so, they’ll want a few essentials that will ease them into the working world, whether they’re dealing with a daily commute or logging on from home. Here are a few gift ideas that they’ll appreciate regardless of where they find themselves doing most of their work.

LARQ Bottle PureVis

A LARQ Bottle PureVis on a desk next to someone working on a laptop.
LARQ

Carrying a reusable water bottle on your commute is a smart idea, but what’s even smarter is a bottle that cleans itself. The LARQ Bottle PureVis claims to neutralize up to 99.99 percent of odor-causing bacteria using UV-C light, which means there’s less chance of it stinking up between refills. Either press the button at the top to trigger the clean, or simply wait; it automatically cleans itself once every two hours. The PureVis model also has thermal insulation that can keep drinks either cold or hot.

If they don’t mind cleaning their bottle, however, the Contigo Autoseal transit mug is a more affordable alternative. It’s wide enough to fit most cup holders and it has a handy Autoseal button which lets them drink out of the bottle when held down. As a bonus for coffee aficionados, both an Aeropress and a drip filter cone fits nicely over it, so you can brew your cup of joe directly into the mug. — Nicole Lee, Commerce Writer

Buy Bottle PureVis at LARQ – $ 95Buy Contigo Autoseal at Amazon – $ 20

Everlane Renew Transit 

The Everlane Renew Transit backpack worn on one shoulder by a female model.
Everlane

A good backpack is essential for commuting, especially if your grad has to tote their laptop back and forth each day. One of our favorites is the Everlane Renew Transit Backpack thanks to both its exterior 15-inch laptop sleeve and assortment of interior and exterior pockets. It also has two water bottle holders and a pass-through strap that attaches to rolling luggage, so they can use it as their main travel pack during their next trip. And, as a bonus, it’s made from 100 percent recycled polyester, has a water-resistant finish and comes in three neutral colors that will pair well with any outfit. — N.L.

Buy Renew Transit bag at Everlane – $ 85

LumeCube Edge Desk Light

A man adjusting the position of the LumeCube Edge lamp next to a computer monitor.
LumeCube

Even if your graduate already has an upgraded webcam, bad lighting can prevent them from putting their best face forward when virtually speaking with colleagues. The LumeCube Edge Desk Light can fix that with its multiple brightness and warm-light settings, plus a bendable neck that makes it easy to adjust the light’s position. Since it’s quite flexible, they can use it for other things, too, including note-taking and live streaming. And we know they’ll appreciate its built-in USB-C and USB-A charging ports, which will let them conveniently power up their phone, earbuds and more while getting all of their work done. — N.L.

Buy LumeCube Desk Light at Amazon – $ 120

Logitech MX Anywhere 3

The Logitech MX Anywhere 3 sits atop a notebook next to sunglasses and a tablet.
Logitech

Today’s office life is more on-the-go than ever, with workers switching between home, office and maybe the occasional coffee shop in between. But being mobile doesn’t mean having to settle for an unresponsive trackpad. The MX Anywhere 3 is a comfy mouse that can easily slip into a bag, though not as easily as it connects via the included receiver or Bluetooth. And it really does work anywhere — including on glass surfaces. — Kris Naudus, Commerce Writer

Buy Logitech MX Anywhere 3 at Amazon – $ 80

27-inch Dell UltraSharp U2720Q monitor

Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q monitor.
Dell

An external monitor is essential for anyone who works from home most of the time. Not only is it ergonomically better than hunching over a laptop all day, but the additional screen real estate is invaluable, too. We especially like the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q thanks to its 4K screen resolution, adjustable height stand and array of ports that they can use to charge their laptop as well as other accessories. It comes with an HDMI socket, two USB-C connections, a DisplayPort, a 3.5mm headphone jack and two USB-A ports. One more feature that’s especially useful if they plan on coding: the monitor can rotate 90 degrees so it can be used vertically as well as horizontally. — N.L.

Buy 27-inch UltraSharp U2720Q monitor at Dell – $ 380

Anker PowerCore Slim 10K

A hand gripping a cellphone that's connected to the Anker PowerCore Slim 10K portable power bank via a cable.
Anker

Anyone with a busy schedule can appreciate the convenience of a portable battery pack – you’ll never have to worry about an unexpected dead phone, tablet, pair of earbuds or another essential gadget. One of our favorites is Anker’s PowerCore Slim 10000PD because it has a lightweight design and yet packs a 10,000 mAh battery inside. That’s enough to charge a smartphone up to three times, and it won’t take up too much space in your bag. Plus, we like that it comes with a couple of Anker’s safety features like overcharge protection and temperature control. — N.L.

Buy PowerCore Slim 10K at Amazon – $ 27

Logitech C920S Pro HD

The Logitech C920S Pro webcam atop a monitor.
Logitech

In the age of Zoom calls and Google Meet video conferences, webcams have become essential. Like many of us, graduates have probably relied on their machine's built-in camera until now, but that just won't cut it if you're video conferencing multiple times a day and also care about looking good. An external webcam can make all the difference — our favorite is the Logitech C920s Pro HD webcam, which has 1080P video quality, autofocus capabilities and decent white balance adjustment. It also has a large 78-degree field of view plus a lens cover that will help protect your privacy when it’s not in use. On top of that, it has a solid pair of built-in microphones, and you can adjust settings like autofocus, brightness and contrast via Logitech’s Camera Settings companion app. — N.L.

Buy Logitech C920S Pro HD – $ 70

Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard

A man sitting at a desk in front of a computer with his hands on the Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard.
Microsoft

The grad in your life probably wrecked their hands and wrists writing all those term papers on a dinky laptop keyboard, so why not get their working life started off right with something better? The Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is a treat to type on, thanks to its soft but responsive keys and split design that places your hands in a more natural position. The soft Alacantra wrist rest is pretty great too, and it certainly makes this a classy addition to a work area for under $ 100. — K.N.

Buy Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard at Amazon – $ 130

Google Nest Audio

The Google Nest Audio smart speaker sitting on a blue table.
Engadget

When setting up a home office, audio isn’t always first and foremost on your mind. But when it comes time for your grad to start work, they’ll wonder how they lived without it. A Nest Audio is great for setting reminders like when it’s time to do laundry or check the mail, turn on lights remotely when it gets dark and, of course, play music or podcasts as they work. If they’re not into the Google ecosystem, an Amazon Echo is also a great gift with the same capabilities. — K.N.

Buy Nest Audio at B&H – $ 100Buy Echo at Amazon – $ 100

  

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

#VanLife: How a Sprinter van was turned into a mobile office

Take a tour of this completely outfitted Sprinter van that’s been converted into a rolling connected office by two remote web developers.
Mobile | Digital Trends

Mark Zuckerberg thinks this looks like a home office

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg — a real, human man who works — understands the plight of those who work remotely. The 37-year old founder of one of the world’s largest companies is actually working remotely as you read this. But unlike you or me, Zuckerberg’s home office is in the metaverse. Zuckerberg on Facebook today teased an upcoming software update to the Quest 2’s Horizon Home that includes a home office space. It looks kind of like a Blue Bottle Coffee, or maybe a dentist’s office. But it’s in VR, you see.

It’s becoming glaringly clear that Zuckerberg wants the future of work to look like the world’s most boring VR video game. It's less boot stamping on a human face forever, and more expensive, inconvenient solution in search of a problem. According to Zuckerberg, workers can use the metaverse office to take “Messenger calls, read emails or work on your next big project.” It’s also true that most of us can do those tasks just fine on our computers. But imagine the productivity boost you’ll get doing all these mundane tasks while strapped to a Quest 2 headset!

Meta’s Horizon, for those who don’t know, is a group of three social VR apps that rolled out last December. It includes Horizon Worlds (user-created experiences), Horizon Venues (sports and concerts) and Horizon Workrooms (work). They resemble 3D social playplaces, where users create their own avatars and interact with each other (all the while keeping a four-foot personal boundary from each other.) As of February, Worlds and Venues had around 300,000 users, against an estimated 10 million Quest 2 headsets sold. Dismal numbers, some might say. A company spokesperson would not disclose many people — including Meta employees — currently use Workrooms in any capacity.

Working in VR is still a relatively novel concept, mostly because it’s been terrible so far. If you’re curious about what kind of work applications are available in VR for Quest 2, there are still only a handful—two of which are Facebook and Instagram (both in beta). There are also apps for spreadsheets (Smartsheet), visual collaboration (MURAL), email (Spike) and VR versions of Dropbox and Slack.

If you want to know what it feels like to read your emails in VR, Lifewire took one for the team. While reading emails can become grating in the real world, the Quest 2 speedruns the experience and gets "uncomfortable after half an hour." Spike's VR app also lacks the ability to attach files to an email, a feature that has been available outside the metaverse since 1998.

While Workplaces might seem to an outsider like a complicated, physically nauseating way to perform tasks most people already hate doing, what matters most is how the product is being received by Meta's audience.

“I really don't see the point of it? Why would you need to do office work in a virtual world? It looks great for sure, but that's about it,” wrote one user in the comments to Zuckerberg's post.

From another enthused user: "How primal and old-fashioned. It looks like the futuristic spaces of the 80's lol. Who in their right mind will waste their time on this."

As dubious as a VR-enabled workspace may be, there’s still more interest than ever in all that virtual reality entails. IDC reported that more than 11.2 million VR/AR headsets were sold in 2021, a 92.1 percent increase from the year prior. The newly rebranded Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2) hit stores this week. The Quest 2 is currently the world’s best-selling VR headset, but that could change when Sony, Apple and other tech giants enter the space.

While we can't know for sure how much Meta has spent developing digital cubicles specifically, the company plans to sink at least $ 10 billion in metaverse projects this year alone. For reference, WeWork —essentially a mass subletter of actual, physical offices — went public on a valuation of $ 9 billion — although simply buying up companies may no longer be a viable growth strategy.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Despite the HQ2 debacle, Amazon will add office space in Manhattan

Early this year, Amazon pulled the plug on plans to build an "HQ2" in Queens after a number of local leaders and activists pushed back against the $ 3 billion in tax breaks and incentives it would receive. Now the online retail giant has confirmed pla…
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Microsoft merges all of their mobile productivity apps into one Office hub

Microsoft has announced that they’ll be taking their existing Word, Excel, and Powerpoint applications on Android and iOS and merging them into a single Office app. Fortunately there’s no loss of functionality with this change, but it should make things a little more fluid on your phone and take up less space, too. Alongside this […]

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[Sponsored] Save big on Windows 10 and Microsoft Office keys from URCDKey’s big sale

Software can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. URCDKey is an online retailer that offers discount on activation codes and software keys, so you can get your computer upgraded without having to shell out a ton of money for things like Windows 10 and Microsoft. They’re currently running a deal on Windows and […]

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[TA Deals] Master Microsoft Office with this heavily discounted bundle!

Microsoft’s Office is the world’s most popular productivity suite. It handles documentation, presentations, spreadsheets, and more. If you’re going into business, you need to know how to use Office. The Microsoft Office Mastery Bundle on Talk Android Deals is the perfect way to master the entire suite for a fraction of what online academies charge. This bundle […]

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Alphabet puts down more roots in China with local Waymo office

Google's parent company Alphabet is continuing its push for a presence in China with a new Waymo subsidiary, based in Shanghai. Waymo – one of the world's leading autonomous car designers — has confirmed it has set up a legal entity in the cou…
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Microsoft adds real-time collaboration to Office 2016 for Mac

Microsoft's latest update for Office 2016 on Mac adds features that make it a much better tool for collaborative projects. (Or worse, depending on how you prefer attacking group work.) It gives you the ability to work with others in real time &agrave…
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Amazon wants Alexa to be your new office assistant

Alexa could soon be coming to work with you. At Amazon's annual re:Invent conference, the company revealed its plans to make the voice-activated virtual assistant office-friendly with an Alexa for Business platform, which will come with specific skil…
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[TA Deals] Master Microsoft Office with this bundle for less than $40

Microsoft’s Office is the world’s most popular productivity suite. It handles documentation, presentations, spreadsheets, and more. If you’re going into business, you need to know how to use Office. The Ultimate Microsoft Office CPD Certification Bundle on Talk Android Deals is the perfect way to master the entire suite for a fraction of what online […]

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Samsung opening new quality assurance office

  Samsung has announced that they’ll be opening an office to handle global product quality improvements, which is basically a failsafe to prevent another Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. Kinda makes you wonder why office didn’t exist before, but hey, take what you can get. Samsung is pulling President Kim Jong-ho over from Samsung Heavy Industries […]

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From RFID implants to genital yogurt, Epicenter is the future’s awesomely odd office

Epicenter is part of a movement to build the office space of the future. For many Epicenter members, the goal isn’t just to kick back with yesteryear’s pleasures — it’s to push forward as early adopters of untested technology.

The post From RFID implants to genital yogurt, Epicenter is the future’s awesomely odd office appeared first on Digital Trends.

Cool Tech–Digital Trends

A Japanese firm has started selling a tiny one-person smoking room for the office

Heavy smoker? Fed up with having to leave the office every time you want a ciggie? In that case, you might want to get yourself this one-person smoking room launched recently by a company in Japan.

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Cool Tech–Digital Trends

Microsoft puts AI to work in Office 365

Microsoft isn't just trying out artificial intelligence through bots and voice assistants — it's going all-in. The crew in Redmond has revealed that Office 365 is wielding cloud-based AI to automate many tasks. Tap for Word and Outlook surface rel…
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Jawbone lays off 15 percent of staff and closes its New York office

Jawbone may be in trouble, as it lays off 60 employees and closes its New York office. The company says no more changes will be made, but the wearable maker may also be scaling back other facilities.

The post Jawbone lays off 15 percent of staff and closes its New York office appeared first on Digital Trends.

Wearables»Digital Trends

Office 2016 starts rolling out on September 22

Microsoft's next major Office update is now only a few weeks away: the software giant just announced that it will start rolling out Office 2016 starting on September 22. While it's not nearly as exciting as new hardware, it's still a significant re…
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The Met Office wants you to name UK storms on social media

Britain has never experienced weather conditions on the level of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Sandy. Even so, the island nation is prone to the occasional storm, and to raise awareness the Met Office and Met Eireann, the Irish Meterological Servi…
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New Windows 10 Mobile Technical Preview adds app store, universal Office, and more apps

Microsoft is bringing Windows 10 to your Windows smartphone, creating a unified, seamless, cross-platform experience across all your Windows devices. Here’s a rundown of the new features we can expect, and what phones it’ll arrive on first.

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Wearables»Digital Trends