Category: Microsoft

As of late it seems that almost daily we are seeing leaks of new builds of Windows 10 Technical Preview.  Today those leaks are of Build 10036, a build that doesn’t appear to have any major changes over Build 10033 which was leaked earlier in the week.  That build had the new transparent Start Menu and improved Task View but neither build as the Project Spartan browser experience, something that Microsoft has hinted will be in the next Windows 10 Technical Preview build that Windows Insiders receive.

I will preface this post with a disclaimer to start in an effort to ward off the flaming emails.  The purpose of this post is not to suggest that Microsoft should get rid of their current ecosystem of partners.  It is too fast and far to important to the company and the success of their solutions.  All you have to do is look at the all new Dell XPS 13 laptop and read the raving reviews it is getting to understand just how important OEMs are in the mix for Microsoft.

But equally, you can look at the Microsoft built and branded devices and see where the company could and should be more actively involved in hardware manufacturing.  I’m not talking about mice and keyboards (although they do a pretty good job at that too) but rather things like the Microsoft Lumia lineup and the Surface Pro 3.  Arguably the best Windows experience for their form factor are on these devices because Microsoft has intimately been involved in the hardware design of them to get the most out of the Operating System.  Even with the Microsoft Band, a device that is near impossible to get because they can’t keep them in stock, produces a great experience for users.  And while user experience is important, there is also the matter of controlling their own destiny when it comes to updates and improvements along with security.  All of these are why I think Microsoft should look long and hard at the PC and Laptop market for their own branded devices.

Microsoft’s Gabe Aul has taken to the Windows Blog site to offer up a great piece on the Windows 10 Technical Preview cadence and why dates are not broadcasted out to the public.  The article can be found here and I’m not going to waste your time by rehashing the entire post which is quite lengthy.  The article lays out in great detail the internal processes and testing schedules, the balance of too fast versus too buggy and why they don’t set dates (HINT: It is beta software so if they run into a showstopper internally, they will postpone a release.  They publish a date and miss it, the masses will revolt).  Again, give it a read.  It’s worth it.

What I will do however is say is that I understand the logic that Mr. Aul lays out in this post, particularly around show stopping bugs.  If you have a bug that gets out that crushes every PC it is installed on, you will have a huge problem on their hands.  Microsoft and many sites have pointed out that Windows 10 is in beta and it will be buggy.  Unfortunately a lot of people forget that when they are looking at a BSOD or worse, a corrupt boot sector on their laptop after installing the Preview.  Microsoft cannot afford that kind of misstep.  So they are taking their time.  The question however, is should they risk a little more, particularly on the “Fast Ring”?  I think so and here is why.

Over the weekend Microsoft launched their all new, responsive and modern looking homepage to the world.  The update to the corporate homepage isn’t anything new.  Microsoft, it seems, goes through some sort of homepage shift every few months from a design and look-and-feel perspective.  This one however feels much more modern and I suspect (rather hope) that this one sticks around a while.

A couple of weeks ago I reported that after the purchase by Google of Softcard, the NFC payment app and service, that support for Windows Phone would end.  This was according to Softcard’s own FAQs answer the question of if support would continue.  It is unfortunate and shortsighted by Google to immediately kill the solution on Windows Phone and it further shows the one sided relationship between the tech giant and Microsoft.  Now we know for sure when the support will end.  March 31, 2015.

Overnight at MWC in Barcelona there was two interesting tidbits of news related to the Xbox 360.  Yes, it is still alive and well and given the game incompatibility between it and the Xbox One, you can expect they will be around for a long time to come.  The first bit of news was the announcement of a new Xbox 360 Preview program.  This, like the one for the Xbox One, will bring preview (beta) bits to the console.  Invited customers will be able to sign up directly from their Xbox 360.  Starting this month invitations will be sent out and you can sign up.  What this not however is Windows 10.  While Microsoft is saying more changes are coming later this year to the 360, there is no indication whatsoever that it will be updated to Windows 10 like the Xbox One will be once it is released.  Could that change? Of course, but frankly I don’t see it happening given the emphasis and focus on the Xbox One platform.

Xbox Live Gold – $59.99 – Microsoft Store