Thurrott Daily: February 19

Just got back from New York, but here are a few tidbits from around the web:

2/19/2016 4:23:45 PM

Microsoft Health gets live tile support

I wrote about this week’s major update for Microsoft Band, but if you’re using your Band or Band 2 with a Windows phone, the Microsoft Health app now has live tile support. (Not sure why Microsoft didn’t mention this in their announcement.) Since I am in fact using both together, here’s what it looks like:

As it cycles, you see your steps, calories burned, and Band battery level in succession.

App-V could be coming to Windows 10 in Redstone update

Mary Jo has a story about Microsoft building App-V virtualization capabilities into Windows 10 “Redstone,” which is currently in testing. I’ve openly asked Microsoft many times why App-V wasn’t simply part of Windows, and as of now you can still only get it with MDOP, which requires an enterprise licensing agreement. Looks like that is about to change, finally.

Microsoft’s current plan is to integrate the App-V client into Windows 10 Enterprise as of Redstone 1, which I’ve heard is due some time around June 2016.

The App-V client will continue to use the App-V 5.1 Server infrastructure on the back-end. The idea is to make the integration seamless for those running App-V, as well as fully-backward compatible.

Microsoft is also using App-V technology in Project Centennial, which developers can use to “migrate” Win32 desktop apps to Windows Store.

Plumbago brings back the radial menu

Microsoft Garage’s Plumbago app is now available. It’s a “reimagined digital notebook with handwriting smoothing, realistic ink, and paper, and more, Microsoft says. But the big news here is the return of the fun “radial” menu you may remember from the Windows 8-based mobile app version of OneNote.

Apple now offers a Trade Up with Installments plan

As I wrote last September, Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program is Brilliant. (In fact, I’m using this program myself.) That program is great for people buying a new phone. But what about those who want to upgrade from an existing iPhone?

Well, now Apple has a plan for you too, according to Macworld. It’s called Trade Up With Installments.

The Trade Up With Installments plan is targeted at users of the iPhone 4, 4s, 5, 5c, 5s, 6, and 6 Plus and is only available at the Apple Store. You can bring in your old iPhone and Apple will give you credit for the device, and then you can pay off the new unlocked iPhone in monthly installments.

How much will Apple give you for your old iPhone, and how much are the monthly fees? CNET has a helpful chart that lists the maximum trade-in values (the condition of the device influences the value) and your monthly payment, which varies depending on the iPhone you upgrade to.

Again. Smart.

Apple update targets Error 53

Remember the infamous Error 53 issue that can brick an iPhone? Well, Apple finally fixed it, according to the WSJ:

The Error 53 message started appearing on a number of iPhones after a new version of the iOS operating system landed on devices last month. If the update determined that the fingerprint sensor was installed outside of Apple, the Error 53 message appeared and locked the phone owners out of their devices.

The whole thing was a mistake, Apple said in a statement on Thursday. “We apologize for any inconvenience, this was designed to be a factory test and was not intended to affect customers,” Apple said.

Previously, Apple said that Error 53 “is necessary to protect your device and prevent a fraudulent Touch ID sensor from being used.”

To get the fix, just update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.