Thurrott Daily: May 4

Tech tidbits from around the web.

5/4/2016 12:55:12 PM

No Windows 10 Insider builds for PCs or Mobile this week

Gabe Aul takes to Twitter to deliver the bad news, though to be honest I can use the break.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news folks, but it looks like we will not have new builds this week for Fast ring, for PC or Mobile.

We’ve been chasing down a tricky crash in both. Have it sorted now, but will take a new build and time to move through internal rings.

“Don’t Blame Microsoft Corporation for the Death of the PC”

Sure. Blame the iPhone.

NextBit Robin is on sale for $299 at Amazon.com

You can save $100 on the quirky and unique NextBit Robin if you buy at Amazon.com this week: The price is temporarily just $299. NextBit explains:

Have you been waiting until just the right time to buy Robin? If you or someone you know have been holding out and live in the US, you’re in luck. Head over to Amazon.com from May 4th through May 10th to pick up a Robin at the original Kickstarter early adopter price of $299.

Amazon is pretty psyched about launching Robin and they’re having a one week sale to kick things off. We’re pretty psyched too, which is why we’re sharing the news.

I’ve not really covered this phone per se, but they get a few points for originality. It’s basically a GSM unlocked Android smart phone with very good (but not great) specs and a unique design. For some reason though, they’re selling it on cloud storage, where it “merges cloud and onboard storage, Robin seamlessly backs up your apps and photos, intelligently archives the stuff you’re not using, and easily restores items when you need them.” Eh. The interesting bit, I think, is the design. If you’re feeling misty-eyed about Nokia, this may perk you up.

“Could Android eventually reach 100 percent market share?”

No.

“Longtime Microsoft blogger: Windows is facing a ‘potential extinction moment’”

What kind of a jerk would … Oh. Right.

Apple is set to completely overhaul its Apple Music app

I’ve seen a lot of complaints about Apple Music, but I don’t really mind the UI per se. (I don’t use Apple Music for a few other reasons.) No matter: Apple is set to completely overhaul the UI regardless. Bloomberg reports:

Apple is planning sweeping changes to its year-old music streaming service after the first iteration of the product was met with tepid reviews and several executives brought in to revive the company’s music strategy departed.

Apple is altering the user interface of Apple Music to make it more intuitive to use, according to people familiar with the product who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public. Apple also plans to better integrate its streaming and download businesses and expand its online radio service, the people said. The reboot is expected to be unveiled at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The changes will be accompanied by a marketing blitz to lure more customers to the $10-per-month streaming service. An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

There’s some interesting stuff about culture clashes in there too: Apparently, former Beats employees find Apple too slow-moving and bureaucratic, and many have left the company since the acquisition. Worth reading.