Technology 11/11: Microsoft kills Publisher, Blue Origin postpones launch

Microsoft kills off an Office app after 35 years

Microsoft is redesigning its products, adding premium features and integrating AI into many apps, including Paint. These changes come with Microsoft 365 price increases and the discontinuation of some popular apps like Skype.

Microsoft Office 365 suite of applications shown on a laptop screen. (Source: Shutterstock)

One of the oldest apps – Microsoft Publisher – will be discontinued on October 1, 2026. Users are encouraged to convert all Publisher files to other formats such as PDF or Word. Microsoft also provides instructions and PowerShell scripts to automate the conversion.

Launched in 1991, Publisher was a competitor to QuarkXPress, PageMaker, and InDesign. It helped small businesses, students, and the publishing community create brochures, business cards, magazines, newspapers, and more using pre-built templates. Over the years, the app added web publishing, PDF export, and cloud-based collaboration.

Microsoft believes Publisher has become redundant because other applications in the Office suite can replace it.

Intel CEO directly leads AI division

Intel announced that CEO Lip-Bu Tan will directly oversee its artificial intelligence efforts after its chief technology officer left for OpenAI.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan speaks on stage in Taipei, Taiwan. (Source: Reuters)

Sachin Katti, who has led Intel’s AI division since early 2025, said on social network X that he has joined OpenAI, an important personnel move in the industry.

In an official statement, Intel thanked Katti for his contributions and affirmed that AI remains a top strategic priority. Lip-Bu Tan will work closely with the AI and advanced technology team to continue to execute the product roadmap.

OpenAI President Greg Brockman said Katti will be responsible for designing and building computing infrastructure to support artificial general intelligence (AGI) research and expand its applications to benefit everyone.

Blue Origin postpones second launch of New Glenn

Jeff Bezos' space company had to cancel the planned launch of its New Glenn rocket on Sunday afternoon due to bad weather conditions. The new launch date is set for no earlier than November 12.

New Glenn on the launch pad at LC-36 ahead of the NG-2 mission on November 8. (Source: Blue Origin)

Blue Origin said the reason was the “cumulus cloud rule” – a safety regulation that prohibits rocket launches through clouds that can contain dangerous electric fields. In addition, rough sea conditions also affected the plan.

This is New Glenn's second flight and first commercial mission. The rocket will carry two spacecraft from NASA's ESCAPADE mission to study the Martian atmosphere and magnetic field. It will also carry Viasat technology for NASA's communications services project.

Mr. Quang

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cong-nghe-11-11-microsoft-khai-tu-publisher-blue-origin-hoan-phong-ar986447.html