Ask Paul: November 8 (Premium)

I’ve returned home from Florida only a little worse for wear, so here’s another installment of Ask Paul to kick off the weekend.

Using Chrome

wolters asks:

As a fellow Pixel 4XL owner, I am still using Chrome because it just seems to sync more seamlessly with my daily flow. How well does the current version of mobile Edge work in syncing with “Credge”? I’d love to use it but afraid to lose the excellent syncing between desktop and mobile Chrome.

It seems to work fine, but you’ll lose history sync (for now). Just remember to enable sync with the new, Chromium-based version of Edge in Edge mobile settings: It’s somewhat hidden in Settings > [account name] > Sync to > Microsoft Edge Insider Channels.

On a semi-related topic, I decided to use the bundled apps, especially the browsers, when I tested the most recent phones, so Chrome on the Pixel 4 XL and OnePlus 7T, Safari on the iPhone 11 Pro Max, and Samsung Internet on the Note 10+. I don’t personally have many issues doing this, no matter which browser I use on the desktop (usually the new Edge). But your mileage may vary, especially if you rely on history sync.

Edge end-game

staganyi asks:

What is the plan for classic Edge? Will it remain “visible” to the end user in January (as is now)? Or will it be “hidden” like IE (windows->accessories start menu folder)? Or will it be completely be replaced with the new edge and only underpinnings remain for app compatibility?

Microsoft says that “Legacy Edge,” as they call it, will be removed when you install the shipping version of the new Edge. This won’t affect me in the slightest, but it could be a bit controversial for those who’d like to keep using the old version from time-to-time as they transition.

AnOldAmigaUser also asks:

When Microsoft says that the new Edge will be released on January 15, 2020, what does that actually mean? Will they push it as an update to existing Windows 10 installations, or will it just be available for download? Will they have a marketing drive…all the goodness of Chrome without Google…or hopefully something better and more positive to support the launch?

Existing Windows 10 (and presumably 7 and 8x) installs will receive this as an update to Legacy Edge without needing to install a feature update. New PCs will ship with the new Edge in early 2020. And it will be made available for download separately as well.

Will it matter at all? I just do not see it gaining much traction without a major campaign to win over users. On a new PC, one would have to download Chrome, just to be able to transfer settings to Chredge (since clearly they are not in the current version of Edge), and what is the incentive for the average user to bother doing that after downloading Chrome; especially if the best thing Microsoft can say is that the new browser is just like Chrome.

It matters, and that’s true even if the new Edge gains no usage share when compared to the legacy version. It matters for users because it’s a much better browser, and it’s one that provides everything from Chrome without all the Google tracking. And it matters to Microsoft because they no longer have to maintain a browser rendering engine and make sure it’s as up-to-date as possible with Chrome and the rest of the market as the web matures. Maintaining this product is so much less expensive and resource-intensive, and the payoff is so much greater.

Windows at Ignite

madthinus asks:

Learned anything about the vitality of Windows at Ignite?

Nothing new. But if this question is really related to Windows content at Ignite and whether Microsoft discussed Windows a lot at the show, I’m OK with it. Given the maturity of the product, it’s probably best for Microsoft to not pretend that there’s anything new or exciting when it comes to Windows. What we really want is less, not more: Less crapware, less in-box advertising, less telemetry we can’t opt-out of, and fewer update-based interruptions.

Those mostly minor issues aside, I feel pretty good about Windows. The new Edge is big news, I think, as is the fact that Microsoft will soon let third-party apps update through Windows Update.

Amazon apps on Windows

jwpear asks:

Any thoughts about why Amazon hasn’t created a PWA Kindle Reader app with Kindle store integration? It seems like the purpose of the Kindle hardware is to sell content, not something profitable on its own, if at all. If that’s the case, it should be their goal to have people reading, with a first-rate experience, on any and every device possible. The Kindle cloud reader app is pretty basic and leaves Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks pining for something better. Even with the Kindle app on iPad/iPhone, the experience is somewhat limited by the fact they cannot offer store integration without giving Apple a cut. Not sure if they run into the same issue on Android. If they created a decent PWA, couldn’t it be used on any device and provide the store integration without bumping into the revenue sharing requirement?

I suspect that Amazon’s answer would be that the Kindle Cloud Reader web app does meet this need, but I agree that it needs to be better. I don’t understand them (basically) ignoring Windows (and Mac and Chromebook) like this. I’m sure that most people do read on mobile (phone, iPad), and that a first-class native or web app wouldn’t change that. But you’re right, and a big screen is better for certain types of content too. And a full-featured PWA would work everywhere.

New Elite controller

Mr_MDavis – 18 hours ago

With the Elite 2 controller now shipping I am hoping you will give it a personal review, especially since you are a fellow FPS player.

Microsoft gave one to Brad, and his review is here. I will not be spending $180 on this thing, given the poor quality I experienced with the first-generation version. I don’t feel it’s worth this price, sorry.

However, I’ve asked him to answer your questions…

1 Battery life. Built in rechargeable batteries are definitely a concern for two reasons. First I don’t have a place to put the charging case near the xbox so the likelihood of it being put back in correctly for charging is dubious. Secondly these batteries do wear out but I have not heard of any replacement program for them when they do. I don’t mind paying if the cost is reasonable but I am afraid this will be relegated to the realm of YouTube instructions and home fix-it trials, much like the repairs of the shoulder bumpers on all XB controllers, including the 1st gen Elite.

Brad writes:

The controller can only be put on the charger one way, it’s not possible to put it on backward and you know right away if it is placed correctly as it ‘sticks’ thanks to magnets.

The biggest issue with the controller is that the battery cannot be replaced at all. Microsoft has not said if they will service it, but I can tell you that it does get around 40hrs of gaming before needing to be recharged.

2 This leads to my second question. How do the redesigned shoulder bumpers feel? This redesign is the primary reason for me to consider the Elite 2 and the ONLY reason why I am open to having a built-in battery in the controller. Are there any drawbacks to the new design of these bumpers? I really hope to hear what you think of this new controller and is it worth 1/3 the price of an XB1?

Brad writes:

The new bumpers don’t feel much different than the old style, I think the redesign was done so that they don’t break last the previous versions did. The biggest drawback to the controller is the price, for $180, it’s a lot of money for something that is only a little bit better than the standard controller that is already excellent.

Sports

Mr_MDavis asks:

Fun Question: Are you now a Steelers fan or are staying a Pat’s fan. Both have quite a few Super Bowl Rings and who knows how much longer Brady will be effective. With Jimmy G now being in SF, maybe it might be worth switching at some time in the near future. I won’t ask about trading allegiance from Red Sox to the Pirates. I lived in Boston long enough to know that most Boston Red Sox fans would never even consider that and would probably even be insulted by the question.

As far as sports go, I guess it varies by sport. I am a baseball fan first, then football, and then basketball.

I will probably always follow the Red Sox, but we (my wife and I) have always watched a lot of baseball, including virtually every playoff game, for many years. We’re never going to be Phillies fans per se, but we have been getting 9-game ticket packages for their local AAA team since we moved here and will keep doing that. It’s a great experience.

As for football, there’s no team like the Patriots and never will be. But again, we just watch football generally, and I sort of find it more enjoyable when it’s not the Pats, just because I can enjoy the game for what it is. However/whenever the Tom Brady era ends, we’ll keep watching football, but we won’t ever become fans of some local team.

And basketball is the weird one. I grew up playing basketball, and in fact played basketball every year through our move to Pennsylvania. My family had Celtics season tickets for 20 years or so (split with others), and I had them myself for several years as well; my brother and I were at the Finals series finale in 2008 when the Celtics beat the Lakers 131-92, winning their 17th championship. But I find myself watching less basketball than ever, especially during the regular season. This changes in the playoffs, where I watch most games, and all of the Finals. But for whatever reason, I find myself distant from the current Celtics team. I just don’t feel like I know them at all. I’d be happy if they won again, but honestly, don’t really care one way or the other.

I’m not really a hockey fan at all. But we go to a few local minor league hockey games each winter too.

Gates, legacy, and Microsoft

Simard57 asks:

while reading the Gates article about Windows Mobile it makes me wonder! do you think Microsoft is a better company now than they would have been if Windows Mobile was what Android is today? MS seems to have weathered the failure and is not more supportive of other platforms than Windows only!

Microsoft is absolutely a better company today than they were under Gates.

But Windows Mobile was never going to be what Android is today: I don’t think I communicated this clearly enough, but Microsoft had the same issue as RIM and Nokia (and Motorola, Palm, and many others did) in responding to the iPhone threat. And nothing was going to change that. Only Google responded correctly, and quickly enough, and that’s why Android is here it is today. This is a cultural issue. Google was in the right place at the right time and did the right thing. Microsoft was incapable of this.

But you’re right, and while Microsoft’s protection of Windows made sense for the day, the decline of Window and the defeat of Windows Phone is the best thing that ever happened to the company. It was the only way that today’s Microsoft could have happened. And in a funny way, it’s not just Microsoft that’s in a better place today. We are too.

Unsafe at any price

Simard57 asks:

is the Surface Go a deal at any cost? The Black Friday deal for $299 looks good!

No. The problem with the Surface Go isn’t just the price, it’s the performance, the battery life, and the size of the keyboard, all of which are terrible. If you want a $300 tablet, get an iPad. Seriously.

Windows 10X is the future of Windows

jimchamplin asks:

With Windows 10 X and now the new Edge showing up, are we likely to see a minor renaissance in Windows as 10 X bits start trickling into the mainline product? Mainly will desktop Windows 10 get the composable shell in 20H2?

I can’t say for sure, but we know that Windows 10X is not just for dual-screen devices and I see it taking on the role that Microsoft originally had for Windows RT and then S mode: This is the mainstream future of the platform.

As for the Windows 10X shell being offered on more mainstream Windows 10 versions … I’m not sure. It’s more likely that 10X will simply be provided on PCs that used to ship with Windows 10 Home over time. I hope that we get the opportunity to test this in the Insider program once 10X is made available on laptops, and once they’re gearing up for the first feature update.

Ooh, I can feel the tension in the air

will Alpha Member asks:

After being at Ignite this year I can say that something different is going on with Microsoft. I am curious of your take on this after you have had some sleep. There are signs that they are internally making a change of direction on several fronts/products, even in some ways reversing course such as public mention of OneNote 2016. The same is true behind the scenes as well and this is based on some focus groups I was in. They are not afraid to reverse course or just go in a different direction even with some of the newer products. With a some products not even being at Ignite. Curious if you noticed this as well? Maybe bigger changes going on internally?

I’m not sure if this is a major change in direction or just them acting pragmatically with regards to certain bad decisions they made previously. Making new app capabilities only available in UWP was a mistake, and they’re fixing it. Making Microsoft Edge a part of Windows 10 only and using its own rendering engine was a mistake, and they’re fixing it. Killing off the desktop version of OneNote at a time when they were killing off the other mobile Office clients in Windows was a mistake, so they’re fixing that too.

I hope no one thinks this means that things like Windows Phone, Zune, or Windows Media Center can come back too. I assume not, because killing those products was not a mistake.

Windows 10 version 1909

wbaggerly asks:

Was there any news or hearsay at Ignite on the timeline for final release or roll out of Windows 10 19H2?

No, and I had expected that announcement. But next Tuesday is Patch Tuesday, and I bet that’s when the public deployment begins via Windows Update.

Thanks for all the hard work you and your team put in.

Thank you, but it was mostly the team. Brad, Tina, Stephanie, Nicole, and Jan did an amazing job, as always, with Ignite this year, and they have collectively set up the company for greater successes down the road. I can’t even begin to explain how happy and proud I am to be part of this team. It was amazing to watch, and I was happy to be a (small) part of it.