In the last edition, only two days ago, I said the Windows 10 test build I just installed was probably the last before July 29. Boy was I wrong! Just this week, I received two more test builds…the last of which I am installing as I write these words. That’s three new test builds in one week…and the week isn’t over!
The second update fixed over 300 bugs from the Monday edition. Of course I can’t report on the one that just came in today as it is still installing. But Windows 10 is looking better and better. It seems to work quite smoothly and mostly well.
Here is an update on the July 29 release date for Windows 10: According to Microsoft, about the only people who will get it on that date will be those folks like me who signed up to test it. If you signed up to get the free update on your current Windows 7 or 8.1 computer, they will start rolling out in the days that follow.
I haven’t played much on Windows this week, but I have been able to get Cortana working reasonably well. Cortana is the voice activated search mechanism, similar to Apple’s Siri. In past builds, I almost gave up on it. Another new feature for Windows 10 is the Edge Browser. I think they cannot be done with it as so many features seem to be missing like downloading files, adding add-on’s, and even designating a home page. Adding bookmarks is only partially done and seems a bit clumsy. I would recommend that you still use your current favorite browser like Firefox or Chrome, or even IE. But do play with Edge as I think someday soon it will be great.
I also learned that Windows 10 will ship with its own version of Office. It may not come when you get your upgrade, but you can add it for free from the Windows Store. You can read more about it in story #2.
Another interesting note…a recent survey of businesses shows that 78% of them plan to upgrade to Windows 10 sometime in the next two years. Now that is saying something as 99.9% of them stayed far away from Windows 8. I do recommend that most of you upgrade to Windows 10, but you might want to wait a month before you active it, just to make sure. If you have Windows 8, upgrade right away!
Lots more news and information below so be sure you take a look at all our stories here. I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July Weekend. -JRC
Tech News and Opinions
Microsoft delivers the third Windows 10 preview build released this week
Today's build, Build No. 10162, is the third preview build for Windows 10 for PCs that Microsoft has rolled out this week alone. Build 10162 follows by a couple of days Build 10159, which provided 300 new bug fixes, plus the new Windows 10 wallpaper. On Monday, Microsoft rolled out Build 10158.
Major iTunes 12.2 bug is ruining music libraries
A day after the launch of Apple Music, users are reporting an iTunes bug that is wrecking music libraries by scrambling artists, albums and tracks.
Appeals court rules Apple conspired with e-book publishers
An appeals court has ruled that Apple did in fact conspire with book publishers to gain a foothold in the e-book space and ultimately hurt competition.
M-Disc optical media reviewed: Your data, good for a thousand years
Want your data to outlive you by a few centuries? M-Disc optical media, with its super-stable data layer, is what you're looking for
How to Choose a Digital Camera
You could easily fill five articles of this length with the ins and outs of camera technology. With that in mind, this acts as a handy overview for the average shopper looking for a camera.
Computer Tips and Tricks
Microsoft goes public with more details on its Windows 10 rollout plan
Windows 10 Enterprise and Education will be available starting August 1. Starting July 29, those who want Windows 10 under the first-year-free deal will get the OS in waves.
5 things you should know about Office for Windows 10
When Windows 10 arrives, it will include its own version of Office, which Microsoft calls Office for Windows, or sometimes Universal Office, to distinguish it from the familiar desktop version of Office. It only works with Windows 10, but it is free!
What's new in iTunes 12.2
Apple Music, obviously. But there are several other changes you may have missed
Update 2 for Office 2016 Preview Released
The Office 2016 Preview Program, which was launched in early May, allows you to try out the new programs ahead of its release and now the second update to this preview is available for public download and installation.
Turn multi-page web articles into a single, scrolling page with this extension
Autopagerize is an add-on for Chrome and Firefox that automatically loads the next page as you scroll.
Mobile Computing
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2015) review
The new Paperwhite has a 300-ppi screen without raising the price a single dollar. It was already our pick for the best e-reader you can buy, and now it's doubly so.
Smartphone 'kill switch' law takes effect in California
Starting July 1, smartphones sold in the state must come with software that lets users lock a stolen phone so it can't be used, making it harder to resell. Crime statistics show the tech is already working.
Google Cardboard: Virtual Reality on the Cheap, but is it Any Good?
Cardboard is an initiative launched by Google in 2014 to encourage development of virtual reality (VR) and VR apps. It’s called Cardboard because anyone can purchase or construct their own headset using simple materials such as velcro, tape adhesive, and most importantly, cardboard.
The best fitness app for Android
The best activity tracking apps use the motion detectors built into your phone and don’t rely on any additional hardware. They make it easy to set and monitor goals that work for you, and motivate you along the way with timely information about your progress.
Top iPhone apps gone free
The headline says it all. There are also some free apps listed from yesterday. Enjoy!
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