Author: Richard Hay

Guest Blog: Windows mobile – After 19 years of marriage, we have separated

Guest Blog: Windows mobile – After 19 years of marriage, we have separated

Posted by | May 20, 2016 | , , , |

This article was written by Scott Knoblock one of my followers on Twitter. We were having a discussion about Windows mobile and the recent news about the Lumia line at Microsoft likely being discontinued. I asked him if he would like to express his views on the entire Windows mobile arc and he kindly agreed. I have not edited this article extensively because I want it to really capture the perspective of a fan of the platform because these same things are happening to fans of Windows mobile all around the world.

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Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 194 #OTP

Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 194 #OTP

Posted by | Apr 11, 2016 | , |

Welcome to Episode 194 of Observed Tech. Bots, Bots, Bots. It seems after Microsoft laid out there new intelligent bot strategy at Build 2016 all kinds of bot related announcements are starting to be made by companies such as Facebook, Kik, Slack and Telegram. Now we just need to watch and see if everyone is skating towards where the puck is or where it will be when it comes to bots. Also of note this week are new Windows 10 Mobile features that will come out as part of the Anniversary Update expected this July – not bad for a dead platform – but these announcements were low key at Build 2016 instead of on the keynote stage. Plenty to talk about when it comes to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update especially with the release of Windows 10 Build 14316 to Insiders which is full of new features that are expected this summer with the next major release of Windows 10. There was also a Windows 10 Roadmap published by Microsoft last week that shows some upcoming Windows 10 features that had not even been announced yet. I also shared my experience of using Surface Book for the first week, what it was like re-experiencing HoloLens at Build 2016 and my opportunity to check out the upcoming new inking features one-on-one during Build. Other items that I discuss include NexDock reaching its funding goal, the fact that we always seem to be patching these days, social media news for Twitter and the NFL, Facebook and live video and more warnings about email and tech support scams. Finally, I mention the tremendous feat by SpaceX last Friday to land their Falcon 9 1st Stage on a barge at sea and a great 50% off deal for my listeners for the pro version of CloudBerry Desktop Backup from CloudBerry Labs. As always, you can expect plenty of other tidbits throughout the episode. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening.

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Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 193 #OTP

Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 193 #OTP

Posted by | Apr 4, 2016 | , |

Welcome to Episode 193 of Observed Tech. I have just returned this past weekend from Microsoft’s Build 2016 Developer’s Conference in San Francisco and so this show is all about Build, the announcements and other news that came out of the three day event. I talk about the new stuff we will see this summer when the next major update for Windows 10 arrives, now called the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, including changes with the Start Menu, Live Tiles, Notifications and Inking just to name the main ones. Of course, there were plenty of updates for developers across Azure, Cognitive Services, Conversation as a Platform, Bots and of course the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. HoloLens was a big part of Build 2016 with attendees getting the closest look at the augmented reality device since it was announced in January of 2015. I had the chance to spend a lot of time with HoloLens through the HoloLens Academy and Destination Mars so I share about that experience with you on the show as well. So enjoy and expect even more coverage as we move towards the release of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening.

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Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 192 #OTP

Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 192 #OTP

Posted by | Mar 21, 2016 | , |

Welcome to Episode 192 of Observed Tech. Last week was a very up and down week for Microsoft as they finally released Windows 10 Mobile to the Current Branch after a year of testing but spent a lot of time talking about the limited handset support that was announced at the same time. They then, on the same day, released a new Redstone development branch build (14291) to Windows Insiders on PCs and Mobile devices that highlighted the long awaited extensions on Microsoft Edge. The new build also improved apps such as the official Microsoft Maps app and the timing of that was good right on the tails of HERE announcing their plans to drop support for Windows 10 Mobile. Late in the week another Windows division, the folks in Xbox, were responding to an issue surrounding their big Game Developer Conference 2016 after party and the hiring of women dressed scantily to dance during the event. The common thread in all of this is messaging from setting expectations and goals for what devices would get Windows 10 Mobile and the messaging from Xbox Chief Phil Spencer and Microsoft’s CVP of Human Resources after the GDC16 event to take accountability for what happened. Of course, as always, there are lots of other items scattered throughout this show so dive in and get caught up on the latest news. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening.

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Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 191 #OTP

Observed Tech PODCAST Episode 191 #OTP

Posted by | Mar 7, 2016 | , |

Welcome to Episode 191 of Observed Tech. The first week of March was busy with Windows 10 builds for PCs and mobile for testers along with a new Cumulative Update for the production build of the operating system on desktops. We heard about likely delays related to Windows 10 Redstone and that only one major Windows 10 update will be delivered this year with the second one, originally expected this fall, being pushed into 2017. There was also news around Xbox One including a new preview build that delivers bigger gaming parties and the ability to now order Xbox 360 Backwards Compatible games directly from the console. I also give details of a spat by one developer and Microsoft’s response to that and other discussions around Xbox’s future. Virtual and Augmented Reality are coming closer to reality with the opening of pre-orders of the HTC Vive and the Microsoft HoloLens and even McDonald’s is getting into the world of VR. Of course, as always, there are lots of other tidbits sprinkled throughout this episode so please jump in and get caught up on the latest headlines. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening.

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