Welcome to Technology News November 2015
Hello everyone! Let’s recap what has happened in the Technology World in November.
Microsoft
Windows
Microsoft announced that they will be removing the Unlimited OneDrive Storage Space provided by a Office 365 subscription in 2016 after people took advantage of the service by uploading huge amounts of data. People were putting DVR recording and movies onto their OneDrive, eating away at Microsoft’s storage. One example was uploads by not just 1, but a fair few users, was exceeding data of 75TB!
This access was meant for extreme Backup Emergency Requirements of entire PC’s etc.
Microsoft will now only offer a max of 1TB.
Microsoft stamped the Pre-install/Sale Cycle date on PC’s being sold with Windows 7/8.1 pre-installed to end on October 31st 2016.
Retail versions of Windows 7 were stopped on 31st October 2013 with Manufacturer versions still available until the cycle ends.
Retail versions of Windows 8.1 were stopped on the 1st of September of 2015, also with Manufacturer versions still around until the cycle ends.
This will mean that you will no longer be able to buy Windows 7 or 8.1 from anyone, nor buy a new computer that comes with those systems on it.
Businesses with Enterprise/Volume Licenses will still get to choose what they need through downgrade options until Microsoft feel ready to completely remove them.
This is all planned to push Windows 10 as the biggest user base over all others. Having less Operating Systems out in the wild will allow more focus on the one product.
Windows 7’s Support Cycle still ends early 2020 with Windows 8.1 ending early 2023.
November 12 saw a Microsoft Store open in Sydney. Crowds pact the area for this exciting event.
A tool, nicknamed Project Astoria, designed to encourage programmers who write apps for devices powered by Google’s Android System, to bring those apps to Microsoft’s new operating system, is now halted.
Windows is still the main Operating System for most PCs, but Microsoft has struggled to get Windows Phone up high and popular with its competitors, mainly due to lack of apps.
This tool, along with other tools for iOS or Web Based programs etc were made to bring apps from those ecosystems and bring it to the Windows ecosystem and be functional via Windows 10 and the needed support of Windows Phone, now Windows Mobile 10 – releasing from December.
Now, it seems, progress on the tool is not progressing as planned. The company wouldn’t say whether Astoria has been canceled or that it will still be released.
“We’re committed to offering developers many options to bring their apps to the Windows Platform,”
said a Microsoft spokesperson.
“The Astoria bridge is not ready yet, but other tools offer great options for developers.”
The big issue people talk about is the fact that the tool makes apps run on an “emulation” of Android more so, rather something that is built using Windows coding. This could mean junk apps that plague the Google Store Market can cluster up Microsoft’s Store, but also get performance issues that an Android device wouldn’t get, plus, likely not taking advantage of the features Windows 10/Mobile 10 has to offer, along with their hardware.
In comparison, the iOS Tool – dubbed “Islandwood”, requires more coding using the Windows coding ecosystem to make an iOS app work on Windows, meaning it will likely utilise Windows features and hardware rather just be a emulation of it.
Microsoft’s vision is “Universal Apps”. It is a great concept. Build 1 app that can run on all devices, rather having to code it differently over each platform. This makes it less time messing with coding and porting to other devices and more focus on creating a fantastic app.
Lets hope things turn around for the Tools and we see some great stuff happening, not only for Windows, but developers and consumers.
On November 20th, Microsoft Windows turned 30! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
On November 20th, 1985, Bill Gates and Microsoft release the very first Windows, putting Bill on track to becoming the richest man in the world.
Here is Steve Ballmer introducing Windows:
Take a look at The Verge article that goes through 30 years of Windows.
Here is one of the great moments in time. Bill & Steve come together to talk about eachother:
Microsoft also released its first major update: Update 1151, 10586.
You can read our post about the changes, including Cortana added to Australian Market!
Windows Mobile 10
Its official. The new Lumia 950 & 950XL will be shipped to people who pre-ordered from various locations from December 7th. Optus had a big deal with Microsoft, offering a free Xbox One 1TB & FIFA 16 Bundle for free with your pre-order! We can say, they went like hotcakes!
With the official release for Australia and Microsoft wrapping up all the locations on releasing the new flagship phones, it should mean that Windows Phone 8.1 users should soon after see the update to Windows Mobile 10. As shown in a list from a previous post, the update schedule does miss 2 key versions – the Lumia 1020 & 1520 in the round 1 rollout. It has been rumoured that the rest of the older range won’t see the update until early February, in the hopes that the new phones being released would be considered for your replacement.
Apple
Nothing major to report for Apple this month as it still moves full steam ahead.
They did however make new ads to push that the 6s wasn’t a pointless waste of time: (Even though it is and the new stuff should of just come with the 6)
Google made sure all is aware that the end of Chrome’s support for Windows XP and Windows Vista, as well Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.7 Lion and 10.8 Mountain Lion for Apple computers ends April 2016. If you’re running any of those platforms, you’ve got until then to upgrade to a newer version of Windows or OS X if you want Chrome to remain secure from malware.
If you are stubborn and want to stay behind the times with XP, Chrome will continue to work, but will no longer be updated with security patches. That means you will be at risk from viruses and malware as you miss out on important security updates, which you may already be at risk for due to Microsoft already removing support for XP back in 2014.
Many other developers of software will soon follow suit, including Anti-Virus.
Earlier in the year, it was announced that Google+ would be getting killed off. Well in a turn of events, Google ain’t giving up just yet and decided to instead, revamp the entire thing with a new look.
We personally don’t like it over the old version.
Got a Google+ page? Go check out your profile on it today.
That’s it for now.
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Thanks for reading.
See you on Technology News December 2015.
Have a Great December!
