Surface
The End Of New Product Announcements
In the last two months, there have been major announcements of new products by every computer and phone manufacturer on the planet. You don’t know about any of them, do you?
On September 12, Apple put on its annual presentation of new iPhones for hundreds of tech journalists, with the same showmanship that it has relied on since the days when Steve Jobs would take the stage in his black turtleneck and wow the faithful. […] continued
Read moreThe Microsoft Ecosystem: Evolution And Extinction
Microsoft does not have an ecosystem for consumers or small businesses in 2018. There is very little synergy between Microsoft products and almost nothing locks us into Microsoft products when we move from one category to another.
It makes old-timers sad to think of the past, because Microsoft had a successful ecosystem for decades. […] continued
Read moreHow Microsoft Became Uncool And Lost Touch With Consumers
There was a time when Windows was cool. A long time ago, people lined up to get new versions of Windows when they went on sale. Maybe not quite the numbers of people outside of Apple stores at the height of iPhone madness, but still – Microsoft was pretty cool.
When the iPhone was released in 2007, Microsoft began its long decline with consumers. […] continued
Read moreConnecting The Always Connected PCs
Previously: Looking Forward: Always Connected Computers
If you were paying attention during the previous lecture, you know that Microsoft is working with Qualcomm on “Always Connected PCs.” HP, Lenovo, Asus and other manufacturers will soon be selling laptops that are always on and always connected and offer long battery life. […] continued
Read moreMeltdown & Spectre: What You Need To Know About Intel’s Security Disaster
Nearly every modern processor has security flaws that potentially could allow hackers to steal data from any computer or server. The two related problems, code-named Meltdown and Spectre, have the technology industry in a tizzy and spilled over to the mainsteam press a few days ago. They are difficult to fix and alarming to read about. […] continued
Read moreThe 2017 Bruceb News Year In Review
A year ago I wrote this prediction: “The word of the year for 2017 is “chaos.” Write it down, seal it in an envelope, open it up a year from now and see if I got it right.”
I think I get full marks. (Although Dictionary.com chose “complicit” as the word of the year, which has a certain snarky charm.)
We are in a transitional time in technology, with a handful of very large companies – Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft – accumulating power and wealth and dominating the landscape. […] continued
Read moreMicrosoft Is Moving Past Windows
If you’re an individual or small business Windows user, you might have the wrong idea about how Microsoft is doing.
We all tend to generalize from our own experiences. You can be forgiven for thinking that Microsoft’s future is dim when Outlook has just crashed or you’re paralyzed by an unexpected and unwelcome Windows update. […] continued
Read moreThe Fast And The Slow Of Windows 10 Updates
A few months ago, Microsoft announced that there will be two major updates for Windows 10 every year, in March and September. These are the big updates that bring Exciting New Features™, in addition to the regular monthly or more-than-monthly security updates. Microsoft said it is committed to making the update process “predictable.” So you know we can count on it! […] continued
Read moreSurface Laptops And Lessons About Desperation
Next month Microsoft will begin selling Surface Laptops, elegant and sexy, Microsoft’s first Surface devices with a traditional clamshell design. You’ll be tempted to buy one, but in the end you won’t. Almost no one will buy them. Microsoft will sell some Surface Laptops, of course, but sales volume will be insignificant – no shame but no bragging rights. […] continued
Read moreWindows 10 S Will Be Microsoft’s Next Failure
Microsoft made two big announcements this week at an education-themed press event. They’re related in a couple of ways. One common element is that Microsoft will fail at both of the new ventures it announced. I think each one is deeply flawed.
The two announcements:
• Microsoft will soon release Windows 10 S, a new version of Windows 10. […] continued
Read moreWindows 10 Cloud & Device Independence
On May 2 Microsoft will announce a new generation of Windows for low-cost computers targeted at education. Information has leaked about some parts of that announcement and tech journalists are speculating about what it might mean. There is one thing that has not been discussed and it is crucial to the success or failure of the new venture. […] continued
Read moreBeware Of The 5400 RPM Hard Drive!
Computer manufacturers are letting us down. Computers are being sold with specs that appear to be perfectly fine, but buried in the small print is a detail that means they are deliberately hobbled. They will disappoint you from the first day they’re turned on. Beware of the 5400 RPM hard drive! […] continued
Read moreShopping For A New PC? Look For Signature Edition
Here’s a shopping tip if you’re looking for a new desktop or laptop PC: check the Microsoft Store for Signature Edition PCs.
Signature Edition PCs are shipped with Windows 10 – and nothing else. The drivers are installed that match the specific hardware but Signature Edition PCs don’t have any unnecessary programs at all. […] continued
Read moreLenovo Sets The Bar High For Business-Class Computing
Lenovo has expanded its X1 line to include a traditional laptop (Thinkpad X1 Carbon); a convertible laptop with a keyboard that flips 180 degrees (Thinkpad X1 Yoga); a Surface-style tablet with detachable keyboard (Thinkpad X1 Tablet); and an ultra-stylish all-in-one desktop computer (ThinkCentre X1). […] continued
Read morePersonal Computers Are Just Too Hard To Use, And It Isn’t Your Fault
That was the first line in the first column that influential tech journalist Walt Mossberg wrote on October 17, 1991 for the Wall Street Journal.
It’s still true. It’s twenty-five years later and it’s still true. That’s profoundly disappointing, and it has big consequences for our world. […] continued
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