Thurrott Daily: November 13
- Paul Thurrott
- Nov 14, 2016
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29
Tech tidbits from around the web.
11/14/2016 3:50:17 PM
John Strike brings 8-bit gameplay, Continuum support to Windows 10
A couple of days ago, I wrote about Plimpli, a new Windows 10 game that supports Continuum on phone. If you enjoyed that one, you might also get a kick out of John Strike, a free UWP game for both Windows 10 PCs and phones. And yes, it supports Continuum on phone too.
The John Strike looks like a good retro platformer game with all the 8-bit glory, shootings, explosions and funky music.
Jump from platform to platform, shoot on enemies, go stealth. Simple and enjoyable fun!
You can play this game on your Windows 10 PC or on your smartphone.
You can use your keyboard, Xbox gamepad, or use the buttons on the screen. (Work on Microsoft continuum)
This game does not have sponsorship or support, if you like the game share and give good feedback in the store.
Nextbit Robin drops to $170 on Amazon.com
If you’re depressed by the high price of today’s smartphone flagships, you have options. Among them is the interesting looking Nextbit Robin, which is now bargain-priced on Amazon.com. Here’s the Neowin write-up:
While we have seen discounts on the Robin before, this has to be the lowest price we have seen on the device yet. Although the specifications aren’t top notch by today’s standards, the handset should offer more than enough power and be a good all-around device.
- Processor: Snapdragon 808
- Memory: 3GB RAM / 32GB onboard / 100GB online
- Screen: 5.2” IPS LCD 1080p
- Rear Camera: 13MP with phase detection autofocus, dual-tone flash
- Front camera: 5MP
- Battery: 2680mAh
- Dual front facing stereo speakers
- Fingerprint sensor
- NFC
- Quick charging
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- WiFi A/B/G/N/AC
- GSM 850/900/1800/1900
- WCDMA 850/900/1800/1900/2100
- LTE Bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/20/28
There aren’t currently any details on when this sale might end, but one thing to take note of is that it is being offered by a third party, but does come with a US warranty.
Buy the NextBit Robin in Mint green for $170
Buy the NextBit Robin in Midnight black for $170
There are over 2 billion Chrome users
Google VP Rahul Roy-Chowdhury recently tweeted about a big milestone:
2 billion active chrome browsers across mobile and desktop. Truly amazing to be making an impact at this scale. Let’s move the web forward!
That’s pretty impressive, though one might argue that this figure is no more impressive than IE’s previous reign at the top because of product bundling. Whatever: Usage is usage. And Chrome really is the best web browser.
Do Chromebooks only get faster over time?
Speaking of Chrome, a Chrome enthusiast website claims that Chromebooks actually get better over time.
Likely, you’ve owned a Windows PC or two and have lived with the eventual slowing and death of that device. It happens and we know it will continue … The problem is, as we all know, that regardless of how much I dump into a Surface or other piece of hardware, in a few years that PC will begin to slow.
Windows is not alone in this flaw. Pick up a 4-year-old Mac and see how quickly it operates now.
Yet, in the midst of this thinking, we have Chrome OS sitting to the side and quietly proclaiming, “Um, not me.”
Take this example for instance. When I originally unboxed and tested the Acer Chromebook 15 with the base Celeron processor, I saw a score of 12,875. When I run that same test right now, I get a score of 14,877.
That is a 2,000 point jump on THE SAME HARDWARE.
Think on that for a second. A device that is used daily around our home has actually become markedly faster over the course of a year. It would be a departure to simply say that this Chromebook is just as fast as the day I bought it.
Instead, I can say in a measurable way that it is actually faster and better than the day I bought it.
Interesting, but I’m skeptical. Anyone have any thoughts or experience here?
What’s new in Android 7.1 Nougat
An official Google video aimed at developers does a nice job of explaining what’s new in Android 7.1 Nougat.
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Conversation 29 comments
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<p>Wait, Paul doesn’t know? Doesn’t his kid use a Chromebook? Why don’t he ask him or her?</p>
<p>Like I have said for the past years…the Chromebook is an excellent machine that can perform all the necessary functions a fully loaded PC can do without the heavy cost and bloat…stress BLOAT…of a Windows running machine…INCLUDING….Microsoft Signature.</p>
<p>According to sources on the internet, the average number of PCs in a household is 5.7 (as per reference.com). The fact of the matter is, the average person does not need that many PCs or Macs in a household. It’s just not necessary. If the world is truly progressing in technology, that "5.7" should go down even more. Perhaps even as low as 1 per household. Right now, the only reason to ever use a PC or Mac is for full featured Photoshop. Perhaps, then only then will a computer user ever need a "bigger" computer where they can tolerate the bloat of the Windows and Mac OS.</p>