Microsoft shuts down its beloved maker space

Key Points:

• Microsoft is shutting down The Garage, its global network of maker spaces where employees developed experimental projects and new apps, with some locations closing as soon as October 23rd; the annual hackathon event may also be reimagined or discontinued.
• The Garage was instrumental in creating notable products like the AI-powered Seeing AI app and the Xbox Adaptive Controller, fostering innovation and collaboration across Microsoft’s workforce for 17 years.
• Microsoft plans to continue encouraging a hacker mindset and skill-building through other means, though employees view the closure as part of broader cutbacks, following recent reductions such as the employee library closure.
• Additional Microsoft updates include a redesigned Windows 11 Photos app integrating PC, OneDrive, and iCloud galleries, improvements to Windows 11 responsiveness, and plans for Xbox hardware releases in 2027 and 2028.
• Microsoft’s workforce has decreased by 5,000 employees year-over-year amid ongoing layoffs, and the company is introducing a pay-as-you-go model for Xbox Cloud Gaming starting at $3.99 for 10 hours of playtime.