Welcome to Episode 116 and the final show of 2013.  We recorded a total of 43 shows this year, including this one, in bringing you the tech stuff we keep an eye on so thanks for listening.

In this final episode of the year I lead off with how I am transitioning the static files on WindowsObserver.com (primarily themes and miscellaneous downloads) to Windows Azure Blob (Binary Large Object) storage. For visitors the change is transparent but learning how to use these new services is a great learning experience.

This weeks other topics of discussion include:

  • Best Bing Homepages of 2013 Theme
  • Windows XP and 3rd party security
  • Switch plans easily in Office 365
  • IE11 virtual machines/hard drives for testing
  • Windows Phone 8.1 rumored features
  • Nokia Lumia Black update begins rollout
  • Universal laptop charger standard coming next year
  • Getting started with new Windows devices after Christmas
  • Surface BitLocker Recovery Key retrieval
  • Free Skype Premium features for one year
  • Ballmer and Nadella interviews with Mary Jo Foley
  • Mandatory app updates for certain versions of OS
  • Twitter and third party apps
  • Tweetium Twitter app
  • Continuous flow of app updates for Windows and Windows Phone
  • Aviary abandons image SDK for Windows platforms
  • Apps that sync across Windows Phone and Windows
  • Official Instagram update still missing video and Instagram Direct support
  • App Categories front and center in Windows Store
  • Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps for Windows Phone
  • Project Siena
  • Roku gets YouTube channel finally
  • Microsoft Retail growth in 2013 and 2014
  • Covering up your webcam for security reasons
  • Surface device and accessory sell out
  • Living with Dell Venue 8 Pro
  • Fix Dell Venue 8 Pro Wi-Fi issues available
  • Microsoft’s messy Windows strategy
  • Microsoft convergence and integration in 2013
  • Top products in 22 years by Walt Mossberg
  • Social media folks should know social media
  • Facebook users gets all wet
  • Bill Gates rocks Reddit Secret Santa

Until next time enjoy the show and thanks for listening.

Date Produced: 21 December 2013

Length: 49:53

Format: MP3, 128KBPS

Size: 47.9MB

This PODCAST is a proud member of the TechPodcast Network.

All of this episodes show links are available at our WiKi – Show Links: Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 116