Thurrott Daily: January 17

Thurrott Daily: January 17
So I’ve completed all the assault rifle challenges in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered. Now what?

I keep expecting Thurrott Now—the micro-blog that will replace these Thurrott Daily posts—to happen, but I’ve been neglectful. Here are a few tech tidbits from around the web today.

1/17/2017 7:10:15 AM

Reminder: Two more Games with Gold titles are now available

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It’s the second half of January, so two more of the Games with Gold Games I wrote about earlier this month are now available:

Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra (for Xbox One)
Normal pricing: $39.99
Free availability: January 16 to February 15

Description: The Ultimate KI Season 2 pack. 8 new fighters (starting with TJ Combo & Maya), 8 costumes, 16 premium accessory packs — all released as the season progresses. Plus the KI2 Classic game. Fight On!

Rayman Origins (for Xbox 360)
Normal pricing: $14.99
Free availability: January 16 to January 31

Description: Michel Ancel, celebrated creator of Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil and the Raving Rabbids returns to his roots to bring us Rayman Origins: a new 4-player co-op comic adventure set in a lush, 2D world, teeming with unexpected secrets and outlandish enemies. When the Glade of Dreams is overrun by “nefurrious” Darktoons, it is up to Rayman and his buddies Globox and the Teensies to save the day. Their challenge, restore peace to the Glade or witness their beloved home vanish like a bad dream.

Microsoft Germany warns that Windows 7 is supported for only three more years

Yes, really. Or, put another way, Windows 7 is still fully supported. Feel free to keep using it.

In the translated version of this Chicken Little warning, Microsoft Germany notes:

Today, Windows 7 can no longer keep up with the increased security requirements.

Rather, it provides for higher operating costs – for example, maintenance, lost working time due to increased malware attacks, or increased support requests. At the same time, many hardware manufacturers no longer provide drivers for Windows 7, which means that modern peripherals such as printers are no longer recognized.

Windows 7 is based on long-outdated security architectures.

Report: Microsoft lowers 2017 Windows 10 licensing rates for low-cost notebooks

The occasionally reliable Digitimes says that Microsoft is lowering the price of Windows to PC makers for some devices to meet the Chromebook threat.

Microsoft has settled with notebook vendors on Windows 10 licensing rates for models to be launched in 2017, with costs for under 14.1-inch low-cost models lowered from 2016, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

The reduction in licensing rates specifically for low-cost models is possibly because Chromebooks have brought increasing competitive pressure on Windows, the sources explained.

“Alcatel’s IDOL 4S arrives in the Microsoft Store as an unlocked model”

Great. Don’t buy it.

Didn’t we already know that batteries were the problem with the Samsung Note 7?

The build-up to Samsung’s reveal about what caused the Note 7 disaster is starting to feel like LeBron’s “The Decision.” But didn’t we already know it was the batteries? Reuters bates its breath. (And yes, it’s “bate” not “bait”.)

A Samsung investigation into what caused some Galaxy Note 7 smartphones to catch fire has concluded that the battery was the main reason, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

The results of the investigation will likely be announced on Jan. 23, a day before it announces detailed fourth-quarter earnings results, said the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and declined to be identified.

Samsung may not have given enough room for the battery inside the phone.

“Here’s Why the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Will Own it’s Predecessor”

And here’s why you don’t know jack shit about the Surface Pro 5.

“Hidden costs” of Nintendo Switch are hugely exaggerated

The Nintendo Switch has come under a lot of criticism, some warranted—like the complaint about no in-box games—and some unwarranted. Like this waste of time from Forbes, which catalogs all the ways in which you could spend money on mostly-unnecessary peripherals. You could easily compile a list like this for any video game console, laptop, or whatever. (I guess a carry-on bag is a “hidden cost” of a laptop, for example. That’s how they get you!)

The more we learn about the Switch, the more Nintendo is stretching that price. $300 comes with the Nintendo Switch and … nothing else.

The Joy-Cons are charging when they’re plugged into the Switch tablet screen, but not the grip controller that comes with the system. Rather, you have to buy a separate charging grip for $30 that charges the Joy-Cons.

$70 For A Pro Controller

[Etc.]

“MacBook Pro might become a lot more ‘pro’ this year, report claims”

Courageous.

Android Wear 2.0 now expected to launch February 9

Not that anyone is actually looking forward to this, but as Evan Blass notes, here it comes…

Mark your calendar: Android Wear 2.0 launches on February 9th.

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  • 447

    17 January, 2017 - 7:54 am

    <p>"That&rsquo;s how they get you!" &nbsp;LOL</p>

  • 1828

    17 January, 2017 - 8:20 am

    <p>"Android Wear 2.0 now expected to launch February 9." "Not that anyone is actually looking forward to this."</p>
    <p>&nbsp;</p>
    <p>I was looking forward to it :-(</p>

    • 5592

      17 January, 2017 - 9:00 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36914">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/Kri77777">Kri77777</a><a href="#36914">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>I’d been waiting with baited breath. (I was thinking it was fishy)</p>

    • 5539

      17 January, 2017 - 10:26 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36914">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/Kri77777">Kri77777</a><a href="#36914">:</a>&nbsp;</em>I still am. Need something to take the place of my Band</blockquote>
      <p>&nbsp;</p>

  • 1753

    Premium Member
    17 January, 2017 - 8:20 am

    <p>While I agree, in principal with MS Germany, there are some real problems. Autodesk is a big problem, when moving to Windows 10 – they still "intend" to support Windows 10 with future versions of their products, but only a limited number are currently supported.</p>
    <p>The biggest problem is .Net 4.6 – a lot of Autodesk software looks for .Net 4.5 and if it find the patched versions or 4.6, it will refuse to install! You &nbsp;have to uninstall 4.6, install Autodesk software, then re-install and re-patch .Net 4.6. In Windows 10, 4.6 is a needed part, for Internet Explorer 11, Edge and some other core Windows components. Heck, even on patched Windows 7 devices, you have to deinstall .net 4.6 first, then install Autodesk, then reinstall and repatch .Net for certain products (specifically 2015 versions).</p>
    <p>"Most" Autodesk 2017 applications support Windows 10, 2016 versions of AutoCad are supported, "most" verticals of Autocad "should" be installable. Electrical requires specific KBs from Microsoft (different for US English and foreign language versions).</p>
    <p>Siemens PLC software is still only certified for Windows 7.</p>

    • 5543

      17 January, 2017 - 11:34 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36915">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/wright_is">wright_is</a><a href="#36915">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Is this anecdotal or have you actually tried recently? I support a number of architects and designers running 2015-2017 versions of AutoCAD, Revit, 3ds Max, Navisworks, etc.&nbsp;on both Win7 and Win10 with no issues. Installs were weird 3 or 4 months ago with regard to .Net 4.6, but not now.&nbsp;If it works, no need for support, so&nbsp;who cares if it’s&nbsp;formally ‘supported’? Granted once you install, the Autodesk Desktop app updates make MS look like rookies with regard to not only the size, but the time it takes to install the ridiculous number of patches, but still – seems to work.&nbsp;</p>

      • 1753

        Premium Member
        17 January, 2017 - 11:45 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#36997">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/slartybartmark">slartybartmark</a><a href="#36997">:</a></em></blockquote>
        <p>Current, with Windows 7 and .net 4.6 problems, reinstalling Plant 3D and Inventor 2015. And, yes, the patches are ridiculous, although the size of the full suite for 2017 left a large dent in the fileserver when it landed.</p>
        <p>What is supported under Windows 10, that came direct from Autodesk’s FAQ, this morning… The problem is, what runs and what is supported are two different things entirely, if they ever make problems.</p>
        <p>If something starts acting up, the support line is like a typical plumber come to look at your cellar under 2 foot of water, after their repair last week… They suck air through their teeth and tell you that they can’t do anything, because it is the wrong OS and therefore, their software can’t be the problem.</p>
        <p>Not a situation you want to be in with a deadline and angry customers…</p>

        • 5543

          17 January, 2017 - 12:55 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#36999">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/wright_is">wright_is</a><a href="#36999">:</a></em></blockquote>
          <p>Makes sense. Looks like I should stop whining and count my blessings since all I’m dealing with is the ridiculous scaling issues with Windows and Revit. </p>

    • 5234

      17 January, 2017 - 12:03 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36915">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/wright_is">wright_is</a><a href="#36915">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>I have clients that use AutoCAD 2015-17 Civil 3D and FX Cad on Windows 8.1 and 10, and haven’t had any problems with installation lately.</p>

  • 22

    17 January, 2017 - 8:46 am

    <p>I actually feel that the Joy-Con issue is a legitimate problem.&nbsp; Out of the box there is no way to charge the Joy-Cons and use the system at the same time unlike an Xbox One or PS4 Controller which can charge with via a usb cable and be used with the system. The only way to use the Joy-Cons while charging when you first get the console is to use it while it is in the base and plugged into your TV, which for most systems connected to a &gt;42" TV with a 6′ cable would make the experience unbearable. This means that you are compelled (yes I can hear the jokes… "The power of Nintendo Compells you") to get either a second set of Joy-Cons or the Con charger. Either way It’s going to be an extra cost, unlike it’s competitors.</p>

    • 5234

      17 January, 2017 - 10:47 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36922">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/drewidian">drewidian</a><a href="#36922">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>How about a USB extension cable and a cheap hub?</p>

    • 2585

      17 January, 2017 - 11:46 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36922">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/drewidian">drewidian</a><a href="#36922">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>#DongleLife finally hits consoles. Sigh.</p>

    • 5234

      17 January, 2017 - 12:01 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36922">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/drewidian">drewidian</a><a href="#36922">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Or you could always just route a regular AC extension cable near the couch and just plug a spare USB charger in. &nbsp;That’s what I do, so there isn’t any cables running in between the couch and the TV in the middle of the floor.</p>

  • 7260

    17 January, 2017 - 9:50 am

    <p>Paul:</p>
    <p>From what you’ve told us, the battery was the proximate cause of the Note 7.&nbsp; But don’t let Samsung off the hook if&nbsp;the failure&nbsp;was the result of a poor design of the phone – not providing enough space for the battery for expansion.&nbsp; If true, Samsung’s poor design&nbsp;was the underlying cause of the note failure.</p>
    <p>Mark from CO</p>

  • 5531

    17 January, 2017 - 10:02 am

    <p>Is it too much trouble to specify where quotes that you respond to are coming from? I don’t even know who you are ridiculing.&nbsp;</p>

    • 165

      Premium Member
      17 January, 2017 - 11:19 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36960">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/brduffy">brduffy</a><a href="#36960">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>I highlight them in Edge, right click, and select ask Cortana….</p>

      • 6358

        17 January, 2017 - 12:14 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#36989">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/RonH">RonH</a><a href="#36989">:</a></em></blockquote>
        <p>Except Cortana STILL isn’t supported in most of the world. And only a minority are using the terrible, terrible browser Edge.</p>

        • 5530

          17 January, 2017 - 5:43 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#37027">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/Athena">Athena</a><a href="#37027">:</a></em></blockquote>
          <p>Edge is not bad after the Anniversary Update. Not better than Chrome, but Edge is not terrible. Terrible was Internet Explorer.</p>

  • 442

    17 January, 2017 - 11:15 am

    <p>Here&rsquo;s Why the Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Will Own it&rsquo;s Predecessor</p>
    <p>Here&rsquo;s Why the Microsoft Surface Pro&nbsp;4 Will Own it&rsquo;s Predecessor</p>
    <p>Here&rsquo;s Why the Microsoft Surface Pro&nbsp;3 Will Own it&rsquo;s Predecessor</p>
    <p>Here&rsquo;s Why the Microsoft Surface Pro&nbsp;2 Will Own it&rsquo;s Predecessor</p>
    <p>Here&rsquo;s Why the Microsoft Surface Pro&nbsp;Will Own it&rsquo;s Predecessor</p>
    <p>Rinse repeat…</p>
    <p>And a game console with hidden costs?&nbsp; Oh, please say it isn’t so!&nbsp; :)</p>
    <p>Old new is new again it seems these days…</p>

    • 5234

      17 January, 2017 - 11:58 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#36988">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/Narg">Narg</a><a href="#36988">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>It’s like Apple saying "The new Mac is the best Mac ever!".</p>

      • 241

        17 January, 2017 - 1:26 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#37013">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/Waethorn">Waethorn</a><a href="#37013">:</a></em></blockquote>
        <p>Beat me to it.&nbsp; Right, the new Mac,MacBook,iPhone,iPad it is even more magical! Or more practically magical…&nbsp; Or maybe the&nbsp;Xth generation device,&nbsp;has now achieved Apple Magic Level X!!!&nbsp;</p>

  • 412

    Premium Member
    17 January, 2017 - 11:22 am

    <p>I am the one person looking forward to Android Wear 2.0. I find Android Wear quite functional and very surprised at how many Android apps do support it and seamlessly install to the watch.&nbsp;</p>

  • 5234

    17 January, 2017 - 11:56 am

    <p>"Microsoft Germany warns that Windows 7 is supported for only three more years"</p>
    <p>The companies they’re targeting with this information would likely take 3+ years just to move off any OS, so the timing seems right on this.</p>

    • 639

      Premium Member
      17 January, 2017 - 4:44 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#37011">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/Waethorn">Waethorn</a><a href="#37011">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>I was thinking the same thing.&nbsp; We just got Windows 7 within the last two years.&nbsp; And that was only because they new XP was about to go unsupported.</p>

  • 6323

    17 January, 2017 - 1:19 pm

    <p>Microsoft Germany warns that Windows 7 is supported for only three more years…</p>
    <p>Now waiting for karma77police to comment!!! LOL</p>

    • 5530

      17 January, 2017 - 5:44 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#37060">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/JC">JC</a><a href="#37060">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>You got what you wished for</p>

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