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More conspiracy theories with Windows 10

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Opinion:

I really wish the conspiracy theorists would go after Google and Apple as hard as they do Microsoft. Microsoft is huge, but the other two are just as big and in many cases doing things far shadier than anything Microsoft has come up with.

In any case, I stumbled upon an article today from Business Insider that was ripe with conspiracy theory claiming that Microsoft was working with its hardware vendors to “kill Windows 7 & 8” and “forces chip makers into supporting Windows 10.” (source: “Microsoft forces chip makers into supporting Windows 10”)

Well, I say they’re right.

Last time I checked, time marched on and we can’t run Windows 7 on a 386 or 486 computer. OK, someone will probably come out of the woodwork now and claim to have done so, but my question is: how many hours did you spend making that work? Was it worth it in the end?

Windows 10 is here. It is streamlined code that runs more efficiently than 7 or 8. The new processors (specifically Intel’s “Skylake”) are more efficient. Why not combine the two and “double down” on processing efficiencies and battery life?

I don’t see anyone “forcing” anyone else here.

Unless you’re unfamiliar with how this whole computer life cycle thing works. If they move on with new silicone and new operating systems, then we have to buy more product. There’s nothing technically wrong with the hardware we have — but if you already have it, you’re not buying. The Bad guys are exploiting more vulnerabilities in operating systems and apps of all sorts and plugging those holes is often easier in the new version instead of trying to patch code that was obviously flawed. We don’t live in a “fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry” society. We live in a “throw it away and get new” society. It’s a shame, really.

Reading the whole press release makes a difference.

Microsoft’s Press Release about this very subject “Windows 10 Embracing Silicon Innovation” lays it out:

“In addition to our OEM partners, throughout the design of Windows 10, we’ve been working closely with our silicon partners, including Intel, AMD, NVidia, and Qualcomm, on collaborative engineering to ensure Windows 10 takes full advantage of new silicon features. We continue to partner with these companies on their roadmaps, to achieve breakthroughs in performance, imaging, connectivity, power, graphics, and more as the Windows platform evolves with them.”

I’m reading this as saying that they’re working with the silicon makers to further increase the efficiency of Windows 10 by taking advantage of innovation on the silicon itself.

Of course, this does leave 7 & 8 in the dust.

Just like Win 3.1, Win95 and WinXP were left behind by advances in processors and graphics. SURPRISE! (not really)

I understand that business currently lives in the Windows 7 (and A LOT of WinXP) world. Testing applications and business processes take time — this slows down adoption of new technology. (The Bad Guys love you for this, BTW) It’s looking like business will need to start hiring more “nerds” to increase their testing and adaptation rates. Time marches on faster and faster in each technology year.

Windows 10 is here. “Skylake” is here. Microsoft, Intel and their kind want you to buy more stuff.

Guess what they’re going to do? First, they’re not going to market to you. They’re going for the “kids.” Then they’re going to make the “candy” you already have look like a big pile of manure so you’ll buy their “new and improved candy.” Oh, and they’re not going to make the old “candy” anymore (because you’d probably buy that instead).

I wonder where I’ve seen this strategy before. Hmm.

Logo Apple Generasi Kedua

 

Apple has biggest App Store season ever

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Apple announced that it had its best ever sales this past holiday season. App store and in-app purchases topped 1.1 Billion dollars (cue Dr. Evil’s pinky finger) in a scant two week timeframe ending January 3, 2016.

“The App Store had a holiday season for the record books. We are excited that our customers downloaded and enjoyed so many incredible apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV, spending over $20 billion on the App Store last year alone,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We’re grateful to all the developers who have created the most innovative and exciting apps in the world for our customers. We can’t wait for what’s to come in 2016.”

Source: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2016/01/06Record-Breaking-Holiday-Season-for-the-App-Store.html

Empowering Students with OneNote: Genius Hour

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I use OneNote daily in my business activity. For me it’s absolutely indispensable. I know I’m only cracking the surface of it’s potential but I can see the true power of this software when I see an example like this.

One Fifth Grade teacher in California is using OneNote to inspire and transform her class through “Genius Hour.”

The Full story is here: Empowering students with Genius Hour—Part 1: Accepting your genius

The FREE e-book that inspired this teacher: “Liberating Genius” (in OneNote format) is available here.

Here’s the beginning of the story:

The message on the whiteboard was simple. You matter. When the students entered the classroom, they were bound to see it. You matter. The next day it moved again, where students couldn’t miss it. You matter.

Genius hour image 1

It wasn’t put up by any teacher. This message was being driven home day after day by a student.

She was motivated to deliver these empowering words through the Genius Hour walk-up lessons we’ve been using from Angela Maiers’ free e-book (in OneNote format), “Liberating Genius.” My message-writing student told me she thought her genius right now was inspiring other students to feel as special as she does.

The “Room Nine Kids” is a fifth grade class in Manteca (California) Unified School District. I am a big believer in Genius Hour, which allows students to study a topic of their own choosing. The topic must be approved by the teacher; it must require research, problem-solving or skill-building; and the final project must be presented to the class. I have seen the power of Genius Hour in my students.

Maiers’ “Liberating Genius” paves the way to Genius Hour through lessons that involve self-reflection, character-building, collaboration and the inspiring motto, “You are a genius and the world needs your contribution.” One of our lessons included having the students realize that their genius matters—not just to them but to the world around them. And one of my students has already taken that message to heart.

Read the entire article: Empowering students with Genius Hour—Part 1: Accepting your genius

Microsoft, Privacy and the Big Debate

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hullabaloo

There’s been much made about the information Microsoft collects and uses for its own purposes. It’s really come to “light” with the push of Windows 10 upgrades and Microsoft’s inability to communicate anything effectively.

Here’s my take on the whole matter: Microsoft finally did what my mother always told me not to. (“If EVERYONE jumped off the bridge, would you have to?”) Oh sure, they’ve been collecting data on you all along. Just not as much and not as often. How do you think they knew how many machines were running what operating system and what kind of machine it was?

However, if the “new revelations” about the data Microsoft is collecting on you just scare you silly; I suggest you:

  • close that Chrome Browser,
  • deactivate your GMail,
  • shut down your
    • Facebook account,
    • Instagram,
    • SnapChat,
    • Twitter,
  • remove iTunes,
  • and shut down your iCloud account

Although from a “selling you out” and “invading your privacy” standpoint, the damage is already done.

Microsoft is not doing anything that the others aren’t already doing. None are completely transparent in what they do with the data. That’s a problem for anyone truly and deeply concerned about privacy.

Here’s my example. I’m not a Google fan. I was when they started out, but I became troubled with their revenue model. It bugs me. They rely almost entirely on advertising for revenue. That makes where I go, what I look at, click on and buy extremely attractive for collection — and that’s exactly what they do. Want to test it ? Look up anything you wouldn’t normally look for. See how long it takes the advertisements in Gmail or in the Chrome browser to change to what you just looked for. It’s creepy. I avoid their services. Now I still have an account because as a business, I need to be “everywhere” but I don’t use them for anything in my personal life.

I’m extremely sad that Microsoft has apparently “jumped on the bandwagon” but I am still more comfortable with them (or Apple for that matter) having my data than I am with Google.

There’s a couple of articles that are nice counterpoints. You can read more here:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/revealed-the-crucial-detail-that-windows-10-privacy-critics-are-missing/

http://betanews.com/2016/01/08/if-youre-fine-with-microsofts-approach-to-privacy-in-windows-10-youre-out-of-touch/

Microsoft updates OneNote Class and Staff Notebook

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onenote
Microsoft updated the best tool you’re not using in your classroom: OneNote.

Here’s a summary of the updates:

  • Class Notebooks—Co-teachers can now add or remove students to a Class Notebook.
  • Staff Notebooks—Staff leaders can now remove staff members or notebook co-owners and co-owners can now add or remove staff members to a Staff Notebook. In addition, Active Directory security group and Office 365 Group support is now offered.
  • Legacy SharePoint Store app for the OneNote Class Notebook Creator—Ability to remove students.
  • Legacy SharePoint Store app for OneNote Staff Notebooks—Ability to remove staff members.
  • OneNote Online—The top requested feature, Image crop, was added as well as the ability to unpin notebooks from the notebook list.

An in-depth explanation of each of the updates can be found here: https://blogs.office.com/2016/01/05/ring-in-the-new-year-with-onenote-class-and-staff-notebook-updates/

 

Microsoft ends IE 8,9, & 10 Support on Jan. 12, 2016

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Microsoft has announced that they will discontinue patches and security updates for everything but the latest version of Internet Explorer (IE 11). They’ve created a new browser (Edge) and they intend to use it. Edge only works with Windows 10, but IE 11 works with Windows 7, 8.1, & 10. I have run into an issue with the IE11 upgrade on a couple of machines whose graphics drivers would not permit the install. The manufacturer had no updated drivers so there was no way to upgrade the browser. Hopefully the graphics drivers will get a refresh and IE11 will be allowed to install — otherwise that’s going to be *very* frustrating for a lot of people.

You’ll still be allowed to use the older version of IE, it’s just not going to get any patches to try to keep the bad guys out and you’re going to be nagged every time you do Windows Updates.

Here’s the official press release: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/WindowsForBusiness/End-of-IE-support?tduid=(e6131b0a2d8fd84c949d3546391d2e20)(266696)(1503186)(skim66960X1514734X59f00d8e5f35e5eb1a1bc2265d8b4311)()

The new Wi-Fi protocol 802.11ah has a new name: Hello “HaLow”

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Wi-Fi Protocol 802.11ah gets a catchy new name: Wi-Fi HaLow.

This new protocol will be lower in bandwidth throughput, but also able to penetrate better and go longer distances. This is because it’s operating at a lower part of the bandwidth spectrum (unlicensed 1GHz). The idea is to maximize the “Internet of Things” making it possible for sensors to operate off of a battery and send bursts of data to wireless access points wherever they may be.

It will be used in coming years for everything from smart homes and wearables to smart cities and connected cars where thousands of battery-operated sensors can be connected to a single Wi-Fi Access Point (AP).

Besides the ability of better penetration through objects the biggest benefit of the new protocol appears to be battery life.

“Wi-Fi HaLow has a foot in both the consumer and business markets,” said Kevin Robinson, vice president of marketing for the Wi-Fi Alliance, in an interview. “In a smart city, you may want to connect smart parking meters to a centralized access point. The low-power capability for nodes and access points means less power to send transmissions, which means the devices can sweep longer, which is important for a smoke detector or a leak detector. Wi-Fi HaLow will allow devices to run for months or years on their batteries.”

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/3018629/internet-of-things/wi-fi-for-the-internet-of-things-gets-a-name-wi-fi-halow.html

Move over KITT, Volvo is here.

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"Kit"-Voicecommand to car Microsoft Band 2
“Kit”-Voicecommand to car Microsoft Band 2

Move over Michael Knight — Volvo and Microsoft have teamed up to make it possible to talk with your very own KITT. Now, if they can just figure out the “laser restraint system” we’ll all be a lot safer…

More than 33 years after the popular American TV show Knight Rider showed David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff talking to his car KITT, Volvo and Microsoft are launching a wearable-enabled voice control system.

Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2, allowing them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including, setting the navigation, starting the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo’s mobile app Volvo on Call and the connected wearable device.

In November 2015 Volvo and Microsoft announced their high-profile collaboration with the first automotive application of HoloLens technology. HoloLens is the world’s first fully untethered holographic computer, which could be used in future to redefine how customers first encounter, explore and even buy car. Now the two companies are delivering remote voice control for Volvo cars via the Microsoft Band 2 as another proof-point in their ambition to jointly develop next generation automotive technologies.

“Volvo is intent on making the car experience as easy and convenient as possible by utilising the latest technology in the most relevant and inspiring ways. With voice control we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with digital assistant functionalities,” said Thomas Müller, Vice President Electrics/ Electronics & E-Propulsion at Volvo Car Group.

http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk/

Microsoft in 2016: Xbox Slim? HoloLens? Phone? RedStone?

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Brad Sams at Petri.com has a look at what’s likely on the plate for Microsoft in 2016. Some highlights:

  • HoloLens will likely finally get released to developers this spring (I’ve heard the developer kits will be going for $3000+!) It will be interesting to hear what the capabilities and possibilities are with the release of the kits
  • The non-pro Surface will likely get a refresh
  • Possibly a new “flagship” phone (maybe a “Surface” phone?) but honestly, in the US without the support of carriers the subject is moot. I know AT&T is carrying the current lineup of Win10 phones, but in my area my choices are US Cellular or Verizon. Since Microsoft and Verizon apparently aren’t on speaking terms, that leaves a lot of us out in the cold. Then there’s the App problem. It’s too bad because I *ADORED* my 8.1 Windows phone and the integration it afforded.
  • A possible Xbox Slim? Something to compete with Apple TV. If they do, I’d make sure it can connect to any Xbox360 or Xbox One to extend their capabilities. It would leave Apple TV in the dust.
  • Surface Pro and Surface Book Upgrades. How about you just fix the ones you already shipped? I LOVE my original Surface Pro. I was excited about jumping to a Surface Pro 4. After hearing about the driver and sleep issues, I’m glad I didn’t. Come on Microsoft — premium hardware at premium pricing should come running perfectly out of the box.
  • Win10 should get two “feature packs” (what’s wrong with calling them service packs?!?) this year and the new Windows Server 2016 should be released.
  • The Cloud will continue to be a focus for the company.

 

Here’s hoping better communication is also part of their plan. Microsoft builds awesome products. They’re just really bad at telling anyone about it.

Source: https://www.petri.com/microsofts-2016-more-hardware-software-and-cloud