It certainly appears that way. Under the new leadership of Satya Nadella, things in Redmond are changing rapidly…although, in fairness, some of the changes began when Steve Ballmer was still king. You will notice that Microsoft dominates this blog…not because I planned it this way…but because they are about the only ones doing interesting things in this news cycle.
Now, as for Windows 8.1 Update, I installed it last weekend on my laptop and I must say I like the changes they made. There weren’t many, but they are good ones. First, it boots automatically to the desktop now rather than to the Metro home page. That didn’t make any difference to me as I use Start8 from Stardock that does it for me.
I noticed that it also put the Windows Store App right on my taskbar, another change. When I opened it up, I found Windows Store now carried one of my favorite iPad apps…Flipboard.
So I downloaded it…and thanks to another new feature, was able to pin it right to my taskbar so I didn’t have to open the Metro page to access it. When I run it, of course it fills up the entire screen as Metro apps do. But now all Metro apps have the big “X” in the upper right hand corner, just like all regular Windows apps. So when I click it to close out the application, I go back to the desktop. Now that is a great change! If I find more Metro apps I like, they become as usable as a regular Windows app.
There are other changes, but those were the ones that had the most value for me. But here is something everyone running Windows 8.1 should know: you must install this upgrade as Microsoft will no longer provide any updates without it (see story #4). But I have no problems with that.
Isn’t it nice for a change that I get to praise Microsoft for once rather than rant on their latest round of stupidity. Lots of good stories here, including a story in the Mobile Computing section that compares Cortana to Siri to Google Now. I may have to take a long hard look at Windows Phone 8.1 when it is time for a new phone. Read on and enjoy! -JRC
News and Opinions
The New "One Microsoft" Is Finally Poised For The Future
Microsoft has completely overhauled its corporate kernel. The stodgy old enterprise company whose former CEO once called open source Linux a “cancer” is gone. So is its notorious tendency to keep developers and consumers within its walled gardens.
Office 365 Personal Arrives
Microsoft this morning began selling the Office 365 Personal subscription that the firm announced last month. This new $70-per-year offering provides a full version of Office 2013 for Windows, plus access to Office for iPad and other perks.
Windows XP lives on: Avast survey shows 27 percent of its XP users don't plan to switch
Avast, like other antimalware vendors, has committed to supporting Windows XP for two years or more. Microsoft, too, has commited to antimalware updates until July 2015. But using antimalware as the duct tape for an otherwise unpatched system is generally considered unwise.
Microsoft confirms it's dropping Windows 8.1 support
A Microsoft TechNet blog makes clear that Windows 8.1 will not be patched; users must get Windows 8.1 Update if they want security patches.
Google Updates Terms Of Service To Reflect Email Scanning Practices
Google has updated its terms of service to reflect its email scanning practices that are carried out to provide users with customized search results and tailored advertising.
Computer Tips and Tricks
Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up
Heartbleed has everyone concerned about online safety. Stay secure with two-factor authentication. Simply put: 2FA sends a 5 digit number to your cell phone after you enter your password on a web site. You enter that number on the site and you are in.
How to Download Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 Installation Media — Legally
These tricks let you reinstall Windows without visiting a shady BitTorrent site and downloading ISOs that may be filled with malware. These links give you official installation media straight from Microsoft.
6 Ways to Use Microsoft Office For Free
Microsoft Office costs money, except when it doesn’t. From a hidden 60 day free trial that doesn’t require payment details to web apps and mobile apps, there are many ways to get Office for free.
Microsoft makes Office Online available in Chrome Web Store
Microsoft is making the Web versions of its Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote apps available to users through the Chrome Web Store.
How to clean your laptop
Admit it, your laptop is filthy. It’s time to clean it, from the screen to the keyboard to the vents.
Mobile Computing
With these Android apps, you'll never again pay full price when eating out
Here is a list of go-to apps that you can regularly check for discounts when looking to get a bite out on the cheap. There's really no need to ever pay full price again when dining out or ordering take-out.
How to tell if your Android device is vulnerable to Heartbleed
Believe it or not, some Android devices are susceptible to the Heartbleed bug. Here’s what you need to know.
Cortana vs. Siri vs. Google Now: An early look at how Cortana stacks up
Can Windows Phone’s new voice-activated assistant stand up to Siri and Google Now? We put an early version to the test.
Six Clicks: iOS 7 tips and tricks
"Here are six tips and tricks that will help you be more productive when using your iPad and iPhone, whether you use it for work or play."
T-Mobile says it's ending overage charges for good
Rather than hit subscribers with extra fees, the company instead slows down data speeds once customers run past their monthly allotment — a practice known as throttling.
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