Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 220 #OTP
Welcome to Episode 220 of Observed.Tech. It has been a busy build week for the Windows 10 Creators Update as we enter the final stages of that feature update reaching General Availability for all Windows 10 users. I bring you up to speed on where everything is and the five different builds we saw released to testers over the last seven days. I also spend some time talking about the changes that are coming to Creators Update that will have a direct impact on end users including the Unified Update Platform (UUP), privacy choices during install/setup, and controlling the installation of desktop software. As always there are other tidbits scattered throughout the show including Windows Mixed Reality which used to be known as Windows Holographic, Xbox Game Pass, Amazon S3’s big outage, Google Pixel laptop flip-flop, and YouTube TV. There is also some solid space junkie news at the tail end of the show. Enjoy the show and thanks again for listening!
Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 219 #OTP
Welcome to Episode 219 of Observed.Tech. In this week’s show we start off by talking about an out of band security update for Flash on Windows after the normal Patch Tuesday updates were delayed last week however, we also discuss whether another vulnerability will also be patched before next months updates are issued on 14 March 2017. I share with you my experience in signing up friends to use my Outlook.com premium service for their own unique email address on my custom domain which was a lot easier than getting everything setup in the first place. We also talk about the slow trickle of Microsoft Edge extensions, a new email search utility for Outlook and Gmail accounts, and how HoloLens is helping a medical technology company design operating rooms for hospitals. There is plenty to discuss about Windows 10 as well including confirmation of Redstone 3, a lack of new builds over the last two weeks, and concerns about privacy in the EU getting some attention despite the efforts Microsoft has made to be more transparent in this area. As always there are other tidbits scattered throughout the show including Gmail and Blizzard dropping support for Windows XP and Vista, a new Windows 10 bug tracker for developers, using an Outlook calendar with Alexa, Microsoft’s call for a Digital Geneva Convention, and whether Windows Phone/Mobile is dead. Enjoy the show and thanks again for listening!
Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 218 #OTP
Welcome to Episode 218 of Observed.Tech and what is only our second show of 2017. I explain why as I kick off this episode and then I dive into what has been happening over the last month or so – or at least the big picture stuff. The first item of big news is a 30 day delay in releasing February Patch Tuesday updates due to an issue impacting the building of the patches for distribution. Then we jump into all the movement with Windows 10 on both the PC and Mobile fronts so I talk about the builds released since my last show and catch you up on some features and other new including Creators Update now being feature complete. I also discuss what that means for Windows 10 and Insiders who are testing Fast Ring builds. I share my experience earlier this month when I traveled to Houston, Texas to attend the NASA Social SpaceBowl at Space Center Houston and the Johnson Space Center. Technology plays a role in our space program but it is not all about flashy gadgets and gizmos. I also talked to a NASA ISS Flight Controller who used to be an IT Pro. He shared some information about ISS and its computer systems that he helps to manage – including HoloLens! Logitech announced and released their new BRIO 4K Pro Webcam and I share my experience with it so far as I have a review unit on hand. It is amazing to think it is only the second consumer webcam available for Windows 10 that supports facial recognition log on with Windows Hello. As always there are other tidbits scattered throughout the show including a new Insider program for IT Pros, Outlook.com Premium, using an Outlook calendar with Amazon’s Alexa, and the upcoming release of Visual Studio 2017. Enjoy the show and thanks again for listening!
Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 217 #OTP
Welcome to Episode 217 of Observed.Tech and our first show of the new year. As we get 2017 kicked off I share about my experience attending CES in Las Vegas for the first time ever and what I saw there which caught my eye. I then take a look at some recent news about Windows 7 and its security profile plus take a closer look at the first two Windows 10 Redstone 2, aka Creators Update, and talk about the massive feature bump that has started 2017 off for the upcoming feature update for Windows 10. Privacy, Microsoft, and Windows 10 came back into the forefront of everyone’s thoughts as Microsoft announced a new privacy portal for your Microsoft Account and changes that will put privacy on Windows 10 front and center with the Creators Update. Next up are a couple of leaks/rumors that indicate we might see a new Windows Shell for Windows 10 and an eBook section in the Windows Store. I also make my plug for a podcast section as well since the Windows Store is apparently expanding. After this I talk about new hardware, testing YubiKey for Windows Hello, and a couple of new Microsoft acquisitions to start 2017. Of course, as always there are other tidbits scattered throughout the show such as the end of Windows Essentials, ads in Windows 10, price cuts for Windows 10 licensing, Xbox One vs PS4 in 2016, and app downloads seeing an increase in 2016. Enjoy the show and thanks again for listening throughout 2016 and it looks like 2017 is going to be a fun ride as well!
Observed.Tech PODCAST Episode 215 #OTP
Welcome to Episode 215 of Observed.Tech! This is our 2016 Year in Review show and a first for us over all these years. Join me as I take a month by month stroll down memory lane as we talk about some of the headlines related to Microsoft news and technology. I also share my thoughts about the momentum behind Windows 10 including looking back on my 2016 predictions, testing Redstone 1 and 2, and new Surface hardware. There is even a little Xbox love in the discussion. I also take an opportunity to go back and look at the big Microsoft events of the year like BUILD 2016, Microsoft Ignite, and WinHEC to highlight what we heard from the Redmond company during those events. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening throughout 2016. I am looking forward to keeping things rolling in 2017!