Thurrott Daily: August 8

Tech tidbits from around the web.

8/8/2016 9:28:12 AM

Note: I’m in Rochester, New York this morning, as we loaded up the family truckster and drove my son to college over the weekend. We’re driving home sans son today, but if Saturday’s 7.5 hour ordeal was any indication, I’ll be out of action for the rest of today as well. I hope to get back on a normal schedule starting tomorrow, with a literal month of travel finally behind me. –Paul

Get a 2 TB Xbox One S? Good, because there won’t be any more

It looks like the special launch edition 2 TB Xbox One S really is one of a kind. Eurogamer reports:

Microsoft launched its shiny Xbox One redesign in a sleek white 2TB model, but stock was limited and the console has now completely sold out at most retailers.

Microsoft has no plans to replenish stock of the white 2TB model.

If you still want a 2TB-sized Xbox One S then your only option is the blood red Gears of War-themed special edition, which will arrive in limited numbers and at a more expensive price in October.

“We’re excited by the reaction from fans for the Xbox One S. While stock of the 2TB has sold out, gamers can pre-order the Xbox One S 2TB Gears of War Limited Edition console,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer when asked for more information. “We will be sharing further details on other Xbox One S bundles and variations in the coming weeks.”

Windows 10 Anniversary Update is available for the Raspberry Pi 3, too

In all the excitement around the Anniversary Update shipping for Windows 10 for PCs and HoloLens, we forgot about that littlest of implementations, Windows 10 IoT. But as Coinspeaker reminds us, the Anniversary Update is available on Raspberry Pi 3 too.

Microsoft has publicly released the Windows 10 Anniversary Update that is now available for download. The upgrade is for Windows 10 IoT Core, a light version of the operating system created to work on Raspberry Pi 3 as well as other developer boards.

The new anniversary update will [also] run on DragonBoard 410c and MinnowMax developer boards. Besides, it will work better with Arduino devices and will offer functional parity with Raspberry Pi 2.

According to Microsoft, the improvements include easier installation experience, better performance and applications support. Such feature as Windows IoT Remote Client will allow users to remotely access IoT devices from any desktop or smartphone. Meantime, the IoTivity AllJoyn Device System Bridge will enable Raspberry Pi 3 to connect with other smart devices.

You can find out more about the Anniversary Update for Windows 10 IoT Core on the Microsoft web site.

Microsoft exec calls out Apple on its aging Mac hardware; and he’s right

Yes, he is. I’ve often complained about Apple’s slow boat approach to Mac hardware upgrades, and it seems like it’s gotten even slower. (Mac fans will argue, incorrectly, that minor bumps represent big changes when it fact none of Apple’s major Mac hardware lines has been updated in a meaningful way in years.) Tech2 explains.

Microsoft’s Brian Hall, General Manager for Microsoft’s Surface line recently tweeted the following:

“I compete with Apple and respect them. but they ARE doing their customers a disservice at times with old tech…”

The original Mac Pro is still running on 2013 hardware and many devices, including the Mac Mini and certain MacBook models are still running on 2014 hardware.

Sure. What about the MacBook Air? That hasn’t had a form factor refresh since 2010.

Android bug fear in 900 million phones

From the “Android is the new Windows” files, the BBC reports on a dangerous new bit of Android malware that seems to impacting a lot of devices.

Serious security flaws that could give attackers complete access to a phone’s data have been found in software used on tens of millions of Android devices.

The bugs were uncovered by Checkpoint researchers looking at software running on chipsets made by US firm Qualcomm.

Qualcomm processors are found in about 900 million Android phones, the company said.

However, there is no evidence of the vulnerabilities currently being used in attacks by cyberthieves.

And you know what that means: The race is on to get those phones updated before hackers start exploiting the vulnerability. I see no problems in making that happen.

Also…

A Microsoft-branded seatback in upstate New York!