Thurrott Daily: November 2

Thurrott Daily: November 2
How Touch Bar will work in Boot Camp, presumably. 🙂

Tech tidbits from around the web.

11/2/2016 9:20:12 AM

Seagate releases an external SSD for Xbox One

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And from what I can see, it has two things going for it: It has an Xbox logo on it, and it’s an SSD, not an HDD, which means it will be faster than using the console’s internal drive.

Slow-loading screens are for newbs. Built for elite gamers, the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox SSD uses flash storage to help you decimate game load times and get into the action quicker. Designed exclusively for Xbox, it lets you store the hottest titles in one thin and ultra-portable drive.

  • Load games faster and transition quicker between levels
  • Store 15+ games1 and more downloadable content
  • Plug-and-play setup gets you up and playing in seconds
  • Compact size and no power cable makes it perfect for your living room or bringing to a friend’s house

Obviously, it would be better if Microsoft just let you swap out the Xbox One’s internal drive. I really wish that were possible. Also, the price is likely to be pretty high, not that I can find it at any of the retailers Seagate links to. The firm’s previous HDD models are available at Amazon, however, and are inexpensive: You have a choice of 2 TB ($100) and 4 TB ($150) versions, both in pleasant Xbox green.

Microsoft says no to Windows 10 Long Term Servicing branch on general-purpose Surfaces

This one will confuse people, but the good news is that it applies to no individuals, just those in managed businesses. Mary Jo Foley reports:

Microsoft won’t support general-purpose Surface devices running the Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) of Windows 10.

When I asked whether this was a new policy, a company spokesperson said “this info has been communicated with customers from the beginning.”

Microsoft’s official reason for the Surface LTSB policy:

“LTSB prevents Surface devices from receiving critical Windows 10 feature updates and certain non-security servicing updates. Therefore, LTSB is not supported as a suitable servicing solution for general-purpose Surface devices. As a general guideline, if a Surface device runs productivity software, such as Microsoft Office, it is a general-purpose device that does not qualify for LTSB and should instead run Current Branch (CB) or Current Branch for Business (CBB).”

You can find out more here.

“Microsoft says AI will make you better at your job, not steal it”

They would say that. In their cold, robotic voice.

Here’s how the new MacBook Pro will support Windows in Boot Camp

Macrumors heard from a reader who contacted Apple about whether the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar would still support Windows in Boot Camp. They will.

Abraham sent an email to Apple’s software engineering chief Craig Federighi, who shared good news for dual-booters.

Question from Abraham: Craig, am I correct in assuming that the Touch Bar becomes a row of visual function keys when using Windows with Boot Camp?

Federighi’s answer: You are indeed!

Presumably, this means the Touch Bar will likely display virtual function keys between F1-F12, along with an Escape key, when running Windows. It remains to be seen if there will be specific controls for system-level tasks such as volume, playback, and display brightness. Meanwhile, the virtual power button should work, but without Touch ID.

Makes sense.

“Can you live on Xbox One for a whole month?”

I’ve lived on it for three years, so sure.

Project Fi now lets you monitor usage in real time

There’s no official word from Google, but Android Police reports that the Project Fi app is now reporting real-time usage data.

Project Fi subscribers are getting a new tool to track data usage today. A post in the Fi sub-Reddit by the verified Google community manager account says data tracking will now update live, and that usage will be broken out by app. It’s all live right now—just open the app and check it out.

This feature requires Android 7.0 or higher.

Seriously, Project Fi is amazing.

Acer R13 is the latest Chromebook to support Android apps

Which means it’s the first affordable Chromebook with a reasonably-sized form factor for adults that does so. Android Authority reports:

Acer’s R13 Chromebook now has full support for Android apps in the Chrome OS beta channel, while support on the stable channel is expected to hit the device in December.

The R13 joins Chromebook Pixel 2015, Acer Chromebook R11 and Asus Chromebook Flip in the select club of Chrome OS devices that can run Android applications.

I wish this list would expand more quickly. I’m looking forward to testing this functionality.

“The iPhone 8 could have wireless charging”

Hey, you never know!

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Conversation 24 comments

  • 127

    Premium Member
    02 November, 2016 - 7:53 am

    <p>Paul, are you waiting for a particular Chromebook to run those Android apps? If so, why?</p>

    • 5767

      02 November, 2016 - 9:39 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#24246">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/Bart">Bart</a><a href="#24246">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>If people are expecting some miraculous unified OS from Google next year, they can keep dreaming. It’s never going to happen.</p>

  • 907

    02 November, 2016 - 7:55 am

    <p>Paul, I realize this isn’t part of your article however I need to ask a question on W10 adoption. I am reading that for the second month in a row W10 adoption has been flat. I use W10 quite happily just for the record. The figures confuse me. We all expected a slowdown when the free upgrade ended however I don’t think anyone saw this coming. W7 and W8.1 is growing and W10 is declining! How is this possible when all new devices sold are on W10? We know UWP adoption is struggling and the Store has tumble weeds rolling through it but the numbers still make no sense. What does this say to developers on W10? It doesn’t make sense to me!</p>

    • 120

      Premium Member
      02 November, 2016 - 8:24 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#24247">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/anchovylover">anchovylover</a><a href="#24247">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>My guess would be that enterprise customers&nbsp;are still in the process of rolling out Windows 7 or Windows 8, and this is outpacing consumers and small businesses purchasing new computers with Windows 10 preinstalled.</p>

      • 5767

        02 November, 2016 - 9:38 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#24252">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/MattHewitt">MattHewitt</a><a href="#24252">:</a></em></blockquote>
        <p>I can tell you for a fact that enterprise are taking their very sweet time rolling out W10.</p>

    • 1292

      03 November, 2016 - 8:24 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#24247">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/anchovylover">anchovylover</a><a href="#24247">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Business downgrade rights? This pass month those older versions of Windows are now no longer available to OEMS so it will be W10 from here on in and for the better!</p>

  • 1816

    02 November, 2016 - 7:59 am

    <p>RE: Project Fi — This Reddit post is kind of an official announcement (I guess).</p>
    <p>https://www.reddit.com/r/ProjectFi/comments/5af01c/improved_realtime_data_usage_updates_on_your/</p&gt;
    <p>&nbsp;</p>

  • 2233

    Premium Member
    02 November, 2016 - 8:16 am

    <p>I nailed that Boot Camp thing in the forums a week ago. &nbsp;I feel accomplished now. &nbsp;:-)</p>

  • 5592

    02 November, 2016 - 8:19 am

    <p>Wow. A phone with wireless charging! What will Apple invent next?</p>

    • 907

      02 November, 2016 - 11:52 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#24250">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/MikeGalos">MikeGalos</a><a href="#24250">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Nice snark Mike. Did Apple claim they were inventing this or are you talking shit!</p>

    • 5542

      02 November, 2016 - 1:58 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#24250">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/MikeGalos">MikeGalos</a><a href="#24250">:</a>&nbsp;And what has anyone else&nbsp;invented lately. &nbsp;</em></blockquote>
      <p>&nbsp;</p>

  • 5134

    02 November, 2016 - 9:03 am

    <p>re: LTSB and Surface</p>
    <p>nothing has really changed here: LTSB does only support Quality Updates (Patches) and no Feature Upgrades (Releases/f.k.a. Service Packs) if you are happy with the version of LTSB – there you go.</p>
    <p>You may download newer versions of drivers and install them with any means (othern than WU)&nbsp; but that requires either manual steps or repackaging for your software deployment tools – however it might also happen much further down the road that specific devices / silicones are not fully supported and driver versions may not be tested – but that’s also true for any other hardware supplier and not specific to Surface</p>
    <p>&nbsp;</p>

    • 1292

      03 November, 2016 - 8:22 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#24257">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/jean">jean</a><a href="#24257">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>LTSB is designed for static systems like a Kiosk or VDI environment, even a&nbsp;development desktop PC would be fine.&nbsp;The only place it belongs on a Surface device or any other mobile / modern Window device is in a VM. </p>

      • 1108

        Premium Member
        04 November, 2016 - 1:36 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#24366">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/FreeJAC">FreeJAC</a><a href="#24366">:</a></em></blockquote>
        <p>We actually purchased a dozen of these not to long ago for consoles on the production floor. And I was just looking in to the LTSB this week. Looks like I will end up putting these on their own vlan with no internet access. We are in the setup/migration phase of dynamics ax and we are not going live with it until atleast 2 quarter next year. Problem is that our current erp solution uses sbclient as a console and as of build 14951 crashes and can no longer be installed. These are production critical systems so better safe then sorry.</p>

  • 5767

    02 November, 2016 - 9:34 am

    <p>Honestly after 3 years of Bootcamp &amp; Parallels I’m going back to Windows native when I buy my next PC. Just too many compromises this way. Looking forward to Surface Studio v2.</p>
    <p>The main reason I run Windows VM is making sure I always have a stable, reliable Windows in case something goes wrong. But I’ll simply use Acronis imaging and that will take care of that scenario. Otherwise the only other use I get out of macOS is Continuity with iPhone. I already own an iPad so I can use that instead for Continuity.</p>
    <p>I understand that Redstone 2 is bringing the similar functionality to Windows 10 Mobile to PC, but Windows Phone is not an option of course compared to iOS/Android until they fix the app gap.</p>

  • 2371

    02 November, 2016 - 11:31 am

    <p>"Seriously, Project Fi is amazing."&nbsp; However WP 8.1 and W10M has done this for a long time.</p>

  • 2371

    02 November, 2016 - 11:34 am

    <p>&ldquo;The iPhone 8 could have wireless charging&rdquo; and they wonder why Android has more market share.&nbsp; If you don’t make a feature available on at least some of your phones there is a % of customers that will look else where.</p>

  • 5542

    02 November, 2016 - 1:57 pm

    <p>Seriously, Project Fi is one big privacy nightmare!</p>

  • 5542

    02 November, 2016 - 2:03 pm

    <p>Maybe Apple will do REAL wireless charging not like&nbsp;current wireless charging technologies which are more &ldquo;plugless&rdquo; than &ldquo;wireless.&rdquo; &nbsp;Wireless should be like WiFi or at least Bluetooth and anywhere in our house or in proximity.&nbsp;</p>

  • 442

    02 November, 2016 - 4:11 pm

    <p>Knowing Apple, the wireless charging may be the only way to charge an iPhone 8, no cord allowed.</p>

  • 1377

    Premium Member
    02 November, 2016 - 9:10 pm

    <p>Love the full width [Esc] quasikey on the new Macbook. Should make EMACS in Terminal much easier to use.</p>

  • 936

    Premium Member
    03 November, 2016 - 10:25 am

    <blockquote><em><a href="#24297">In reply to </a><a href="../../users/anchovylover">anchovylover</a><a href="#24297">:</a></em></blockquote>
    <p>I wouldn’t hit the panic button yet – I can echo MutualCore&nbsp;in that I work in an enterprise in a public sector, regulated industry and our timelines tend to be set in multiple-year chunks; we’ve skipped every other OS for the better part of 2 decades and aside from a small number of Surface Pro 4s the first Windows 10 in our 50,000+ fleet we’ll see will be in April of next year at the earliest; right now any net new additions to the fleet run Windows 7; I’d wonder if the growth in 7 and 8 represents growth in the economy in enterprises that are only offering legacy operating systems to their production users.</p>

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