Thurrott Daily: March 14

Thurrott Daily: March 14

A few tidbits from around the web.

3/14/2016 11:04:06 AM

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Random thought about Steve Jobs

I just saw an old photo of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and it sort of triggered this thought:

In the early 1980’s, Jobs had his team collaborate with Microsoft on the original Mac, a part of that story that gets left out of the narrative in most Apple fan’s memories. And then Windows happened, infuriating Jobs and setting off a 15-year legal battle.

Years later, Jobs returned to Apple and after seeing success with the iPod, he turned to the iPhone. Which of course he collaborated on with Eric Schmidt and Google. And Google, of course, then completely copied the iPhone with Android, infuriating Jobs yet again. (He even said he was prepared to go “thermonuclear” over the copying.)

So … If Jobs is so smart, why did he trust the most untrustworthy people in technology, who were at the time CEOs of his most dangerous competitors … twice?

FAA approves ExpressJet’s Electronic Flight Bag on Windows 10

Microsoft announced this morning that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Microsoft Surface 3 ‘Electronic Flight Bag’ (EFB) using Windows 10.

Nearly 4,000 ExpressJet pilots are now using the EFB solution on Windows 10 and can officially access up to 50 pounds worth of navigation charts at the tip of their fingers on their Surface 3 devices.

“Our job is to provide as seamless and as safe of an operation as we possibly can,” said Greg Wooley, VP – Flight Operations at ExpressJet. “The Jeppesen Windows 10 EFB app allows our pilots to be an active manager of the operation – it’s not just a replacement for paper, it’s a platform for expansion.”

Microsoft talks up Actiongram for HoloLens

Responding to the interest in its Actiongram app for HoloLens, Microsoft today provided a lot more information about this new “holographic storytelling medium.”

Actiongram allows people without 3D skills and visual effects experience to be amazing holographic storytellers.

In order to provide great holographic content to help inspire creators, we built a holographic studio where many different actors, characters, objects and creatures can be captured as holograms. Actiongram is an app that allows people to place this rich holographic content into their real world environment, and record a mixed reality capture (MRC) video. Creators are able to develop their own unique holographic stories, in their world, to express their thoughts, ideas, and delight people. Actiongram allows people to create videos with holograms and advanced visual effects that would normally require expensive software and years of experience to do.

There are some great (if fanciful) demo videos in that post. Be sure to check them out. My favorite is of course the holo T-Rex, but the holo zombie (above) is excellent too.

No more Bitcoin in Windows Store

A number of reports have noted over the past few days that Microsoft has dropped support for Bitcoin in the Windows Store. The details, such as they are, are available in a Microsoft FAQ:

Microsoft Store doesn’t accept Bitcoin

Applies to Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile

You can no longer redeem Bitcoin into your Microsoft account. Existing balances in your account will still be available for purchases from Microsoft Store, but can’t be refunded.

Microsoft had supported Bitcoin in Windows Store since 2014. But it’s unclear why that changed.

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