Thurrott Daily: March 24

A few tech tidbits from around the web.

3/24/2016 10:13:02 AM

Microsoft allegedly working on “major update” for File Explorer in Windows 10

According to a tweet from Peter Skillman, a Microsoft general manager of Core UX for Windows Desktop, the software giant is getting ready to overhaul File Explorer in Windows 10. He said the following in response to a question about bringing a “modern File Explorer” to Windows 10.

Yes we are working on a total update of File Explorer! Can’t articulate schedule yet. You are right.

Whether this means a “new” UWP File Explorer or just a re-do of the existing Win32 app is unclear. As is the timing.

Thanks to MSPoweruser for the tip.

BLU says it is working with Microsoft on getting the Win JR LTE on Windows 10 Mobile

As you may know, two BLU handsets—the BLU HD and BLU HD LTE—made it onto the short list of Windows Phone 8.x handsets that will be upgradeable to Windows 10 Mobile. But BLU says it is working with Microsoft on getting another phone on that list. Here’s a BLU support forum conversation I discovered at WPXBOX:

The release for this device [the Win JR LTE] has been delayed. Our Software Engineers are working with Microsoft to ensure that the new software update is stable for your device. We apologize for the long wait and appreciate your patience.

At this point in time there is no estimate time of release for the new update as our engineers want to ensure that the update is stable for your device. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this matter may have caused.

Yes, Starbucks is coming to Windows 10 soon

So you can overly-sweeten their terrible, burnt coffee more conveniently with your Windows 10 Mobile handset, just like those iPhone-toting hipsters that are silently mocking your phone choice in line. News of the Windows 10 app comes from The Seattle Times’ Janet Wu, who attended a Starbucks shareholder meeting this week.

Starbucks says it will be releasing a Windows Phone app soon.

Starbucks says it will be within next 45 days or so.

Ex-Microsofty Kevin Johnson is now Starbucks president and COO. I’m sure that’s coincidental.

Apple Pay is coming to web sites this year

Apple Pay is off to a pretty good start but Re/code says that Apple plans to extend this mobile payment system to the web soon. This will put the service in direct competition with systems like PayPal and Amazon Payments.

Apple has been telling potential partners that its payment service, which lets shoppers complete a purchase on mobile apps with their fingerprint rather than by entering credit card details, is expanding to websites later this year, multiple sources told us.

The service will be available to shoppers using the Safari browser on models of iPhones and iPads that possess Apple’s TouchID fingerprint technology, these people said. Apple has also considered making the service available on Apple laptops and desktops, too, though it’s not clear if the company will launch that capability.

The Apple Pay expansion to mobile websites will be ready before this year’s holiday shopping season. An announcement could come at WWDC in June.

Tip: Get 75 percent off a movie rental at Google Play Store

If you’re an Android or iOS user, you can get 75 percent off of any movie rental (one time only, of course) via the Google Play Store this week. Just visit the Google Play Store online and select your movie.

Once the rental is complete, you can watch it in the Google Play Movies app on Android or iOS (in HD if you chose that), or on the web (but not in HD for some reason).