Thurrott Daily: February 28

A few tidbits from around the web.

2/28/2016 12:10:05 PM

Another meet-up reminder

As I write this, I’m flying to Seattle so I can take part in Microsoft’s three-day TechNet Virtual Conference this week. (Brad Sams and I will be providing some closing remarks on Day 2, on Wednesday.) But if you’re in the area, please come to the Windows Weekly meet-up at Postdoc Brewing on Monday, February 29, 2016 from 5 to 8 pm. You can sign-up at our Eventbright page.

It’s been too long since we’ve visited Redmond. Come meetup/tweet up/drink up with Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley — plus other Windows Weekly watchers — at PostDoc Brewing in Redmond. 5-8 pm. And join us virtually, too, this week at www.technetvc.com (March 1-3)

See you in Redmond!

Microsoft will improve Windows Store games

A few days ago, I wrote about how hard core gamers don’t think anyone should buy games at Windows Store because they don’t enable certain high-end gaming features. (I also pointed out that none of these issues were problematic for most normal people.) Well, Microsoft’s Phil Spencer says Microsoft is going to improve how Windows Store games work.

We know lists like this include features PC gamers want to see from us, we appreciate the feedback and have plans to improve.

Nothing definitive there, but Microsoft’s Mike Ybarra specifically addressed one of the complaints, which is about the lack of VSync control.

SLI and Crossfire work, games just need to support it just as always. We will fix vsync.

“Should You Buy The Galaxy S7 Or Wait For The iPhone 7?”

That seems like the type of thing you should answer.

OneDrive universal app appears a bit early in Windows Store

Thanks to WalkingCat for tipping us off to the early appearance of a universal app version of OneDrive, which is currently available only internally at Microsoft.

OneDrive is the one place for everything in your work and personal life. It gives you free online storage for all your personal files so you can get to them from your Windows device, your computer (PC or Mac), and any other devices you use. With OneDrive for Business, you also get storage for your work files so you can share and collaborate on them with other people at your work or school.

The OneDrive app for Windows lets you easily work with your personal and work files when you’re on the go:

• Browse all your files and files shared with you.
• Automatically upload photos and videos to your personal OneDrive account using camera upload.
• Share your files.
• Move, delete, and rename files, and create new folders.
• Search for files and folders.
• Share files to OneDrive from other apps.
• Open files from OneDrive in other apps.

Nothing about placeholders, obviously.

“New iPhone could debut March 21”

You just never know.

WhatsApp killing support for Nokia and Blackberry handsets

The popular WhatsApp messaging service revealed this week that it will be killing support for Nokia S40/S60 and Blackberry (yes, even Blackberry 10) by the end of 2016. The god news? They’re actually recommending Windows phone as an equal to Android and iOS too.

By the end of 2016, we will be ending support for WhatsApp Messenger on BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60.

If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of 2016 to continue using WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is also killing support for older Android (2.x) and Windows phone (7.1) versions too.