The East Africa Fellowship of Microsoft’s 2nd cohort of the Insiders4Good program is under way. 20 ideas were selected from as many entrants from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The past weeks, the fellows have been involved in a boot camp led by Microsoft’s Insider team. The boot camp is to familiarize and prepare them for the six months fellowship program. Meet the East Africa fellows and learn about their ideas here. Below is a video shared by Neowin.com about the fellows and their ideas.
During the fellowship, fellows will be taken through how to build a business out of their ideas. There’ll be mentorship sessions, and fellows will receive technical, hardware and software supports.
Andy Weir spent some time with the fellows during the boot camp and shared a post on it.
I learnt from Andy’s interview with Jeremiah Marbel, Windows Insider Director that these fellowships will soon be translated as a model for Insiders worldwide. I’ve seen from various interactions, people asking when the Insider4Good program will get to their countries. This seems best as Microsoft might not be able to do the fellowship in each country.
Microsoft is now exploring ways to ‘package’ the Fellowship as a set of resources for Windows Insiders around the world. These will include videos, blogs, and other guides to enable people to ‘help themselves’ in working on their personal and professional projects, and Microsoft intends to expand and refine those resources based on feedback from its Insider community. – Andy – Neowin
What do you think about the Fellowship program and Microsoft’s plan to roll the model worldwide?
The next big Windows 10 OS update, dubbed “The Creators Update” is rolling out. What does it offer and how do you get it if you haven’t been notified yet.
Microsoft’s new operating system update to Windows 10 started rolling out to the public on April 11th 2017 as announced. The update is designed to bring out the creator in you. In relation to Microsoft’s mission statement, it’s more like Microsoft is empowering each Windows user to achieve more by creating.
Microsoft is currently trickling out the update to users and advises you wait for it to hit your PC. It might take a while for this to happen, just as in the case of the anniversary update. This is to avoid and help solve some of the issues that come up during the update process. Alternatively if you have been an active Windows Insider then you’ve been using this update for sometime now. You can opt out now and be okay or better stay in and see what more will come in the next update as it continues. If you believe you are an IT pro, have an extra device to trial or can handle technical issues that come up during the upgrade, then you can trigger the Windows 10 creators update now using the Microsoft Update Assistant.
This is also a free upgrade if you purchased a new Windows 10 PC or upgraded from a Windows 7 or 8 PC when Microsoft allowed it. If not you’ll have to purchase it like as usual. I’m not sure if you can still validate it with your Windows 7 or 8 activation code if you are now stepping up to Windows 10. You can try and let us know how that works out for you, maybe Microsoft still has that door opened?
The Windows 10 Creators Update comes with a lot of tweaks to the feel and look of the OS. It also comes with some very notable features as well. Don’t forget that with the Windows Insider program, Microsoft is listening to how users want the OS to feel in helping them stay more productive. It also brings some under the hood improvements to performance, battery life, security, etc.
Paint goes 3D, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) with Windows Mixed Reality, Game ? stream mode and Xbox ? play anywhere, Cortana gets better and makes you more productive, plus others are some of the new features in the update. I’ll try and detail out a summary.
Let your imagination take shape and find your inspiration. – In Paint 3D it’s a snap to create 3D objects from scratch or modify someone else’s creation. Easily change color, texture or turn a 2D picture into a 3D object with a click. When you’re ready, share to your favorite social sites or the Remix 3D community.
Immerse yourself in a new reality. – Windows Mixed Reality combines the thrill of virtual reality with the power to engage with and personalize your virtual surroundings. Stay tuned as we work with our partners to bring amazing and affordable experiences to market.
Cortana remembers so you don’t have to. – Cortana integrates with other apps within Windows to help you stay on track. Create, add to and access your Wunderlist lists from Cortana with voice or text.
Built-in broadcast gaming. – Watch and play alongside game broadcasters with Beam, the interactive livestreaming platform where you can interact with streamers in real-time.
Books now in Windows Store. – With Books in Windows Store and Microsoft Edge discover and read e-books from your favorite authors across the genres you love. Books is available across all Windows 10 devices.
Sleep better with blue light reduction. – Now reduce the blue light emitted from your screen at night – get your brain ready to power down for a good night’s sleep.
Say goodbye to tab chaos. – Microsoft Edge now allows review, grouping and saving web page tabs. Quickly find, manage and open tabs you set aside without leaving the page you’re on.
The quickest way to set ideas in motion. – Quickly access the Windows Ink Workspace to use Sticky Notes, Sketchpad, and Screen Sketch. Naturally create, capture and edit ideas at the speed of thought within Office.
Windows Hello, you are the password. – Windows Hello is the password-free sign-in that gives you the fastest, most secure way to unlock your Windows devices.
The best Windows ever for gaming. – Play great new Xbox games on Windows 10 in native 4K resolution. Stay connected to your gaming community with the Xbox app. And play where you want with in-home streaming and Xbox Play Anywhere.
Most comprehensive security. – As the most secure Windows ever built, Windows 10 delivers comprehensive protection – including anti-virus, firewall, Windows Defender and anti-phishing technologies – all delivered built-in at no extra cost to you.
So what do you think? Is your PC seeing the upgrade notification yet? Tell us what you think about the Windows 10 creators update in the comments. Share your experience thus far with us.
Get the Microsoft Update Assistant for PC here. Catch up on all the new features in the Windows 10 Creators Update here.
The Windows Insider program has grown to become not just people trying out new Operating System features. Or people who beta test early features and provide feedback. It has evolved into a community of people who try to use technology to solve complex issues around them.
The Windows Insider program was announced on September 30th, 2014 by Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group. It was to allow enthusiastic Microsoft Windows users shape how the Operating System came along.
With the Insider program, we’re inviting our most enthusiastic Windows customers to shape Windows 10 with us. We know they’re a vocal bunch – and we’re looking forward to hearing from them.
By middle of May 2015 there were about 3.9 million Windows Insider testers. Sometime before the release of Windows 10 in July 2015 there were over 5 million Windows Insiders worldwide. By September of 2015 there were over 7 million registered members.
A year after Windows 10 officially launched, Dona Sarkar Windows Insider lead announced Windows Insider Program. Next(). She highlighted what plans Microsoft had for Windows Insiders worldwide.
Something else we’re looking to do this year is a series of global “Create-A-Thons” called #WINsiders4Good to help Insiders within a city get to know each other and build something for local impact.
Since then there have been a series of organized Create-A-Thons by insiders. Microsoft decided to trial a fellowship program, starting in Nigeria. Partnering with Co-creation Hub the WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship was launched.
20 entrepreneurs will be selected for the Nigeria Fellowship program. They will receive Microsoft hardware and software, six months of mentorship and technical training to bring their ideas to life. They’ll also get the opportunity to collaborate with the world’s largest community of people who use technology to solve problems; Insiders. The fellowship will travel out to other parts of the world as it grows on.
Microsoft isn’t just building an operating system that you should use. But as Dona said ” We want to gain a greater understanding on what people are trying to achieve whether its starting a business, creating art, learning a skill, or building a career and how Windows can help.” Microsoft is building a Windows Operating System that helps you solve the issues that matter to you.
Creators Update is the name of Microsoft’s next Windows 10 major update. The update is scheduled to arrive early spring 2017 and for free.
Microsoft announced at the October Microsoft Event what Windows 10 users can expect in the next Update of the OS. The Update is geared towards a generation that want to create.
Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group, Terry Myerson, speaking out at the event about the update outlined 3 major updates Windows 10 users can look forward to.
Terry’s highlights on the Windows 10 Creators Update include:
Coming as a free update early next year to the more than 400 million devices running Windows 10 and available to Windows Insiders this week.
Expanding vision for mixed reality. Virtual, Augmented reality and holographic computing with 3D for every one. Create share and experience 3D in mixed reality.
3D helps to bring your ideas to life. With 3D in the Windows 10 Creators Update you can capture, create, view and share in 3D. Microsoft says “See how amazing the world is when you unleash your imagination in a new dimension”.
Gamers can experience best in 4K gaming and in game broadcasting.
The Windows 10 Creators Update will allow gamers to easily broadcast their gameplay and create their own tournaments. Integration of new stream service Beam, built into the game play. So you can share or watch live game streams and interact in real time with broadcasters as well. Read more from the Xbox wire.
A faster way to connect and share with the people who matter most, family, friends, collaborators and fellow gamers.
Microsoft wants to put the people who matter and you care about in the middle of your Windows 10 experience. How do they achieve this? Well, there’s a new feature called MyPeople.
Your most important friends, family, and co-workers will be instantly accessible. With Windows MyPeople, you can pin your favorite contacts to the Windows task bar and easily drag and drop any document, photo or video right on top of the contact for easy sharing. You can receive unique notifications, Shoulder Taps, and easily view and open emails, IMs, shared documents and more, all in one place. The Windows MyPeople experience is also integrated across universal Windows apps for easy sharing.
Windows 10 still growing!
Current Windows 10 user statistics; Over 400 million people using Windows 10. That’s over 600 people who choose Windows 10 every minute of every hour of every day for the last year. Spent 200 billon hours of lives on Windows 10. 500% increase in gaming. 3 times as many developers building Windows 10 apps.
Just like the other major Windows 10 update, I expect this to arrive in April 2017. You can also trial out these update before their release by becoming a Windows Insider. There are may more features coming in the update. Check out more details of the Windows 10 Creators Update from our friends at Windows Central.
What do you think about the OS update announcement? A step in the right direction, a new set of disruptive helpful tools? share with the community. We’ll like to know hat you think.
Microsoft will hold an event on 26th October in New York City and the next phase of Windows 10 will be the focus.
Microsoft is inviting the media and the public to it’s October 26th Event. Microsoft will be making known it’s next phase of Windows10. Imagine What You’ll Do –
Please join us to see what’s next for Windows 10.
Wednesday, October 26, 10 am EDT, 2 pm GMT.
At last years October event, Microsoft unveiled a number of Hardwares. Actually last years was a Windows 10 device event. The Microsoft Surface Book and Pro 4 were unveiled. But that doesn’t seem the case this year. We’ve heard rumors of a Microsoft Surface All in One PC and it’s accessories. Some expect these to be announced at the event. Others also believe Microsoft will want to wait till the next Windows 10 major OS update before making any new devices. I guess we’ll wait and see what comes out of the event.
Bookmark this page and come click on this link on October 26th to watch a live stream of the event. You can also follow the hashtag #MicrosoftEvent during the period for updates.
Are you looking forward to what’s coming in next? Hardware or software, whichever the event is about? Let’s know what you think in the comments.
The ZEPTO UmiTab 10.1″ 2 in 1 device has seen some more interest from the public. So I received one and took it for a spin so I can answer properly questions asked.
I received the Cyan colored ZEPTO UmiTab 10 device running Windows 10. I decided to upgrade it to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update(AU) for better performance. The Windows 10 AU definitely has a lot of bug fixes and improvements to battery life etc., etc. seem only fair.
We earlier did a specifications post on the ZEPTO UmiTab and you can check it out if you want to know what powers it.
It sits in a class of its own. It’s not a high end nor is it a low-end device. I believe it’s just perfect for the kind of customers it’ll attract. I see students and workers who need a PC for browsing, taking notes, watching movies and playing music.
The ZEPTO UmiTab 10 surely has some pro’s and con’s and i’ll dig a bit into it.
DESIGN
It certainly has a nice feel to it. It’s a detachable two in one device. Good thing the soft keyboard which doubles as a cover comes included. It’s easy to attach and detach. It has the Microsoft Surface magnetic clip thing. only I think the Surface clicks in and holds more solidly and firmly. But so far as it sits on a steady surface like a table, you need not worry.
At 550 grams it doesn’t feel heavy. You can carry it in hand as you would your notepad or diary, only this ends up being more powerful.
Performance
Sporting a Quad-core Intel Baytrail T-Z3735 processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM means light work can be done. If you are a video and photo editing person, these aren’t the specifications that excite you. It works well-browsing websites and having quite a number of tabs open. Video and Music play works well. Using the installed Office 365 Home package that comes preinstalled is hustle free and effective.
Hardware There are a number of helpful hardware features that comes in the device. There’s the SIM card slot on the side, that allows for data connections. The data connection is pretty straight forward and very easy to set up and use.
Folks have asked if it can be used for making calls? Well unfortunately it doesn’t. The device doesn’t fall in the Mobile classification 8″ and below. So if you search for the Microsoft Phone from the app store you won’t find it. or it’ll show and tell you non-compatible device.
A mini HDMI, USB, Headphone and MicroSD card slot can be found on the side of the ZEPTO UmiTab 10. The available MicroSD card slot can help with expanding your storage space. It’s on the side, as a result, it is easy to pull and plugin. I used a micro USB OTG in the USB slot to access the contents on my phone. There’s also the option of connecting any USB device via an OTG, don’t know if it comes in the box. Didn’t get one but i’ll check and update.
Sound, Mic, Camera, Speakers
Having a 2 or 5MP camera isn’t a luxury in today’s world where some phones have bigger and better. However, I think it’s enough to get the light things like a video call out of the way. Well unless of course, you want HD. But then you pay more for those than this :). The 2MP front camera has face detection and the back 5MP seems quite decent with autofocus.
The Microphone wasn’t very loud in my test playbacks. Speakers were just okay for music and video. I’ll say not the best compared to sophisticated devices on the market.
Battery Life
Battery life is estimated to be between 6 to 8 hours. I experienced something around 5 and 6 hours. But battery lives are always subject to use. I one time during a video playback had around 10 hours estimated.
What I think:
It’s great value for money.
The soft keyboard didn’t quite hit it for me. it’ll take some getting use to. Gestures on the trackpad aren’t great. Maybe a firmware fix might come in handy.
The internal memory of 32 GB is just too small. You’ll have about 7GB of storage left to use. This is where the MicroSD card slot comes in.
It’s not lappable. More of either detach and use as a tablet or dock it on a table for effective use
The PC’s come in red, cyan/blue, black, gray and pink colors.
If there’s something you’ll like to know that I didn’t touch on. Or have you used or owned one and experienced it differently? Kindly share with us in the comments.
Microsoft announced the Insiders4Good East Africa fellowship earlier this year during NexTech Africa summit in Nairobi. It came off the success of the first fellowship held in Nigeria.
