Author: Richard Hay

Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 204 #OTP

Welcome to Episode 204 of Observed.Tech! I get things started reminiscing about my retirement from the Navy five years ago today and some thoughts on entertainment and language in a recent movie and an upcoming TV series. Then I convert into full Windows 10 Mode as I discuss the first week with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update and how that is going including the reported issues of freezes, crashes, etc. that are happening to some users. Of course that is followed by plenty of content about the update and the need to get ready for new development builds to begin rolling out for Redstone 2. Believe it or not there is an organization in this world still depending upon Windows XP on 27,000 devices and we also have some rumors about new Surface hardware that might or might not be coming out next year. It is even rumored that OneDrive Placeholders might find their way into Redstone 2 as well. As always, you can expect plenty of other tidbits throughout the episode including Satya Nadella talking about Microsoft at this stage in the companies existence, a free portal to get the key needed to unlock your files that are being held for ransom and the origin of Microsoft’s popular NinjaCat. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!

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Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 203 #OTP

Welcome to Episode 203 of Observed.Tech! This is the one that is all about Windows 10 now that we live in a world where Windows 10 Version 1607 (OS Build 14393.10) is available to everyone running Windows 10. The second major update to Windows 10 released in less than a year, not to mention the initial release of the OS, happened this week so there is plenty to talk about. I cover the final build, how to get it if you are tired of waiting for the staggered roll out to hit Windows Update on your devices and discuss some of the upgrades highlights and new features. There is of course the issue of the mobile version of the Anniversary Update not being released and promised within the coming weeks. I then go over some gaming related news on Xbox One since it also unleashed their Summer Update plus talk about the Xbox One S that is now kind of available. I also share some news about trading in your Xbox One towards a new Xbox One S. Of course Windows 10 is also on HoloLens and there is some news about the availability of Microsoft’s augmented reality hardware to the public. As always, you can expect plenty of other tidbits throughout the episode including development related releases for the Anniversary Update, what this release means for IT Pros, UWP apps on Xbox One, whether it is OK for Microsoft to point out that Chrome uses more battery than Microsoft Edge does and finally the Surface commercial. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!

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Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 202 #OTP

Welcome to Episode 202 of Observed.Tech! I can confirm there are no Pokémon’s in this show! What is in this show is a summary of Dona Sarkar’s appearance on Windows Weekly from Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto and she talked about some interesting tidbits for Windows Insiders. I also give you a run down of the major announcements that came out of the conference that cover areas like Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Windows 10 and Surface Hardware. Microsoft’s main message to partners was transformation of their businesses to help others make the move to a digital world. Next up is Windows 10 and the progress being made to deliver the Anniversary Update in just a little more than two weeks from now. Insiders have had three builds for PCs and Mobile devices in the last week and there are more to come. Alongside the latest testing builds we also gained access to a new extension from Amazon for Microsoft Edge plus a long awaited firmware update for Lumia 950/950 XL that adds back a very popular feature.. This past week was also Patch Tuesday so we talk about the latest Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Current Branch and some hardware driver updates. As always, you can expect plenty of other tidbits throughout the episode including Skype for Linux, photo back ups with different services, magnets and 2-in-1 devices, the new Outlook.com and some Xbox news including how to get the Kinect Adapter for your Xbox One S. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!

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Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 201 #OTP

Welcome to Episode 201 of Observed.Tech! As we begin our next century of shows this one gets started reviewing some of the background about the bidding war that happened between Microsoft, Salesforce and Google for LinkedIn which Microsoft ultimately won. They even brought in the big kahuna, in the form of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, to help move things along to ultimately close the deal. Next I discuss how things will change for upgrades to Windows 10 after the free upgrade deal ends on 29 July 2016 plus more about the latest features arriving in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update which arrives on 02 August. Of course, there are also items to mention like the new and free Skype Meetings service, lots of great tutorials for developers to build apps that take advantage of new features in Windows 10, upcoming hardware that is focused on Windows 10 including the likely Surface branded All In One device. I run down some new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps for Windows 10 and also mention a few that have decided to leave the platform including CNN and their ancient Windows Phone 8.1 app that still labels Microsoft’s cloud storage as SkyDrive. There are a couple of tips for you on how to reset individual Windows Store apps and also how you can migrate your Evernote data into OneNote fast and easy to avoid their new limitations for free accounts. As always, you can expect plenty of other tidbits throughout the episode including Xbox hardware and software news, EA Access updates, a major malware attack on Android devices, a massive recall of hover boards that do not really hover plus a big anti-malware/virus company acquisition/merger. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!

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