Thurrott Daily: December 20
- Paul Thurrott
- Dec 20, 2016
-
12
Tech tidbits from around the web.
12/20/2016 5:35:21 PM
Windows Insiders get a new cumulative update with no explanation
Windows Insiders got a new cumulative update yesterday for some reason, but there was no explanation. But today, Dona Sarkar provided the following on Twitter:
Hey #WindowsInsiders, you might have noticed a small update to PC build 14986 rolling out yesterday: standard updates before holidays.
Nothing to see here, basically.
Microsoft is cool enough again to be spoofed on SNL
LOL. Yes, “cool” enough. Ah boy. Geekwire just doesn’t understand why SNL might be mocking Microsoft here. Which is funny on a different level.
The Redmond software giant landed a skit on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” this week, spoofing the company’s efforts to be politically correct with a pair of very gay robots.
In the skit, Kate McKinnon and Fred Armisen play Microsoft execs showing off a snazzy new “robotic employee” who likes the fellas. Casey Affleck, SNL’s host for the week, questions the need to program Helix 900 and Helix 950 with homosexuality, to the shock and disdain of the Microsofties.
Catching the attention of SNL is the latest sign that Microsoft “got cool again” under CEO Satya Nadella’s new regime.
Nope. 🙂
Activision announces first DLC for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
This one has me excited for one reason only: There’s a remake of the the classic multiplayer map “Afghan” from Modern Warfare 2 in there.
On the flipside, we have to wait until February to play this on Xbox. Or maybe even March, given the January 31 street date on PS4.
Amazon Echo is sold out. Unless you visit an Amazon retail store, that is
This one is kind of amusing. Amazon has sold out of Echo. Unless you can find an Amazon retail store, the WSJ reports:
On Amazon’s main website, the Echo and smaller Echo Dot devices—powered by artificial intelligence that allows customers to ask questions, control smart home devices, play music and order on Amazon—aren’t in stock until after Christmas.
However, because of a quirk in Amazon’s increasingly complex supply chain, the speakers were still on shelves as of Monday at its three brick-and-mortar bookstores, with additional chances to snag the devices at its roughly 30 pop-up store locations at malls.
“Due to demand, we encourage customers to purchase an Echo if they see it available,” said an Amazon spokeswoman.
Sure you do.
“Samsung reportedly considering LG batteries for Galaxy Note 8”
This new strategy is called “passing the buck.”