What is “productivity”? This is an important question for me, given that I’m working to turn this blog from one that’s a bit scattershot to one that’s laser-focused on how technology can make us more productive. It’s also important for Microsoft, given that they’re making a transition of their own from a company offering proprietary solutions […]
Google is Abandoning Me, and So I’m Abandoning Google
March 17, 2015 by 4 Comments
Given Google’s willingness to abandoning major projects, with Google+ as potentially the latest victim, I’ve decided to abandon Google. I’m not doing this in a vacuum: since making a concerted effort to go entirely cross-platform, I’ve found that relying on Google properties makes things unecessarily difficulat, particularly on Windows Phone. And so, watching Google doing away […]
Surface Smartphone Concept: An Active Digitizer is Different Than a Capacitive Stylus
March 3, 2015 by 1 Comment
I’ve written about this before, and it’s worth repeating: there’s a difference between a “stylus” and a “pen” when it comes to input on a tablet or smartphone. I bring this up because of CNET’s article, “Does Surface Pro 3 offer clues to Microsoft’s next flagship phone?”: The number of devices launched with stylus support […]
Microsoft’s Superbowl Ads Were Genius
February 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I have a number of other posts I’m working on aimed at exploring where Microsoft and the larger technology industry are headed. It’s a complex set of topics, really, because in my opinion tech is going through some of the most significant changes in the last decade (or more)–the next 12-24 months will likely determine […]
Windows 10 January 2015 Technical Preview: Connecting to a NAS (Update: Windows 10 Post 7/29 As Well)
January 27, 2015 by 25 Comments
Update 8/1/2015: From the comments, this problem seems to exist in the released, post 7/29/2015 Windows 10 as well (we don’t call it the release-to-manufacturer, or RTM, version any longer). Update 8/3/2015: I conducted additional testing after some comments brought up other issues, such as some NAS devices not having an SMB setting (see below), and I […]
The Tech Chat’s Future
December 11, 2014 by 5 Comments
I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus over the last few weeks, dealing with some personal items and trying to figure out what direction to take with The Tech Chat. I’d decided to focus on Microsoft technology back in June, which has become a much more nuanced decision given Microsoft’s push to provide productivity […]
Microsoft Releases its Wearable, the Band
October 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
So, with very little fanfare (actually, maybe none, check out Paul Thurrott’s tweet above), Microsoft released their long-anticipated wearable device, the Microsoft Band. It’s a sleek, unobtrusive device with a colorful rectangular screen and 10 sensors aimed at connecting with Microsoft’s Health cloud service to track and manage all aspects of a person’s very individual […]
Microsoft on Every Device (Updated: Office Mobile Now Free)
October 28, 2014 by 3 Comments
Update: When I hitched my wagon to Microsoft here at The Tech Chat, I did so because the Surface Pro 3 convinced me that they’re doing some exciting and strategic things to become relevant again. Their decision, announced today, to offer Office Mobile for free to consumers (no longer requiring an Office 365 subscription to edit […]
Microsoft Posts Excellent Q1 2014 Financial Results
October 23, 2014 by 1 Comment
So, Microsoft’s earnings report for Q1 2015 has been released. The numbers will be sliced and diced by analysts and others over the next few days, but generally they seem extremely positive. Revenues were up 25% to $23.2 billion while operating income was down 8% to $5.8 billion given ongoing costs to restructuring and the Nokia acquisition. Some highlights: Devices and […]
Microsoft Ending Free Xbox Music Streaming
October 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment
For awhile now, Microsoft has allowed free Xbox Music streaming to Windows 8.1 and Web users. Downloading music and accessing it on Windows Phone (and other platforms) requires the Xbox Music Pass at $9.99/month, but if all you want is to stream from a Windows PC or via the Web, you’re all set. As Windows Central […]