Google announced that it will delete accounts and content for Google users that have been inactive for two years for security reasons. This includes Gmail, Google Drive data and other settings and deletion of data will not occur before December 2023.
Google user data and content can be backed up and exported using Google Takeout.
Microsoft will hold its annual technology Build event from May 23 to 24, 2023. Online registration is free; more information is available at the event FAQ page.
Microsoft released Windows 365, a cloud-based PC service that runs Windows 10 or Windows 11, on August 2, 2021. This new service is based on Azure Virtual Desktop. More information is available at these links:
Google account users that back up new photos and videos in High quality will have these files counted towards their free 15 GB storage limit starting June 1, 2021. Google will provide a free tool in June 2021 that will let users find and review low-quality photos to stay within the free 15 GB storage limit. Additional file storage can be purchased from Google One, if needed
Another recent Google Photos change is the ability to save photo attachments in a Gmail message directly to Google Photos with a new “Save to Photos” button (JPEG images only).
Microsoft and LinkedIn have launched a global digital training initiative that gives free access to learning content and job-seeking tools, as well as low-cost technology certifications. More information is available at opportunity.linkedin.com.
Oracle Database 21c has been released with several new features. This includes Blockchain tables, which is a new type of table that only allows insert operations. Other enhancements include a new JSON data type and new SQL Function JSON_TRANSFORM. Oracle has also updated its Database Administrator’s Guide and JSON Developer’s Guide for this database version.
More information about these new features of Oracle Database 21c at its online documentation site.
Oracle also has a free cloud tier option as well as a free entry-level training program: Oracle Learning Explorer.
GitHub Visual Studio Codespaces – formerly known as Visual Studio Online – allows you to create Visual Studio solutions entirely in the cloud across multiple devices. This development environment is currently in public preview.
Visual Studio Code for the Web can be accessed at vscode.dev.
Visual Studio Codespaces pricing page and Azure Pricing Calculator are available.
Microsoft Build has been changed to an online only event this year, and runs from May 19 to May 21, 2020 starting at 8 AM Pacific Time. Registration for this online educational event is free at register.build.microsoft.com.
Google accounts start with 15 GB of total storage spread across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Once this limit is exceeded, users have the option of upgrading to a Google One plan.
You may check the total amount of storage currently used for your Google account at google.com/settings/storage. Google also provides instructions on how to free up additional storage.
Microsoft and Oracle both released announcements on their recent agreement to connect Azure and Oracle Cloud services. This will allow users to connect to both using a unified single sign-on experience.
More information on this service is available at www.oracle.com/cloud/oci-azure.html.