I arrived safely in Walnut Creek and am firmly ensconced on the patio for this week’s tech blog. It’s been a while since I have been able to sit outside and write on my computer. Summers in Arizona aren’t conducive to outdoor activities. Although it can be very warm here also, this week has been wonderful. The fog has come in from San Francisco almost every morning, guaranteeing a nice day.
Some interesting news out of Redmond these days. Microsoft has scaled back its updates for Windows 8.1…meaning all the fancy updates like a Start Menu will be held back and used in Windows 9. You can read all about that in story #2. There will be an update to Windows 8.1 this next week, but Microsoft is not calling it Update 2. It appears Microsoft is just giving up on 8.1 and hopes to recapture its fan base with Windows 9 next year.
You can also read about the huge losses that Microsoft has sustained with its Surface line of tablets (story #1). There is strong speculation that the new Microsoft CEO will pull the plug on it. I am betting he won’t.
The company has released a new Windows laptop for around $250 to compete with the cheap Google Chrome laptops. If I was looking for a cheap laptop, I would rather have the Microsoft one than the Google one.
PS: The latest rumor is that the big Apple event to announce the new iPhones and new wrist wear products is scheduled for September 9. I look forward to that. OK, while I prepare the BBQ for tonight’s dinner, why don’t you read the rest of this blog. -JRC
Tech News and Opinions
The Surface Damage Is Mounting At Microsoft
With close to $2 billion down the tubes and a new CEO more interested in operating systems than devices, the days of the Microsoft Surface tablet could be numbered.
Microsoft Scraps Windows 8 Major Updates. Bets The Farm On Win 9
It's official, Windows 8 is a write-off. Sales for the operating system have been poor and now it is even starting to lose market share to Windows 7.
Microsoft's Windows 'Threshold' expected to add virtual desktops, drop charms
Microsoft is going to do more than reintroduce a Start menu as part of its plan to make Windows 9, a k a 'Threshold,' more appealing to Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 users.
Why you shouldn't be scared by the 'largest data breach' ever
Experts say the reported heist of 1.2 billion account credentials is legit, but caution that for most people there's little they can do -- or should be worried about.
America's Weather-Tracking Satellites Are in Trouble
The sats we use to predict the paths of snowstorms and hurricanes are nearing the end of their lives, and a replacement won’t be fully operational until 2018. Which is a problem.
Computer Tips and Tricks
Here's the easiest way to unsubscribe from annoying emails
Gmail and Outlook step in to make it easy to unsubscribe from newsletters and mailing lists.
Are bad email habits wasting your time?
Making a few simple changes to the way you handle email will help you improve focus, save time, and communicate more effectively.
Underused tools hiding in Windows 7 and 8
Back in Windows’ younger and simpler days, its coders hid small programs and features — called Easter eggs — in the OS for others to find. Microsoft eventually banned those unofficial applets, but there are still some relatively hidden features in Win7/8 that users find helpful. Here are my favorites.
A minor Microsoft Windows 8.1 Update 2 still on tap for August 12
Microsoft is still on track to deliver a second update to Windows 8.1 in August. But don't expect it to include any major features or to be mandatory.
Why Are Most Programs Still 32-bit on a 64-bit Version of Windows?
Your computer is probably running a 64-bit version of Windows. But take a look at the Task Manager and you’ll see most programs on your system are still 32-bit. Is this a problem?
Mobile Computing
What is “Other” Storage on an iPhone or iPad?
Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your computer, open iTunes, and you’ll see a large amount of space used by “Other” storage. iTunes won’t let you delete any of this “Other” data to free up space.
How to troubleshoot and fix common issues with your iPhone and iPad
When you experience poor network connections, slow or sluggish performance, or even times when the device simply won't respond, there are a wide range of symptoms that may have one thing in common, a simple solution.
The best Siri feature you're not using
In an informal survey of iPhone users, a grand total of zero knew about this insanely handy Siri trick -- which, bonus, might save your life.
Why you should wait for Android L before buying a new smartphone
The new version will be launched by the end of the year and you would do much better with a smartphone that has been tailored to run on Android L than one that is getting the update.
The State of Android & Audio
Over the past several years, mobile has become the go-to platform for most people’s media consumption. From audio playback to movie streaming, there is a growing amount of content available in your pocket and on your tablet, and the market is still expanding.
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