“Anniversary Update is coming this summer with waves of new features.”
The next major update to Windows 10 (code named Redstone) dubbed the Anniversary Update by Microsoft has been unveiled and it’s expected to be available to consumers sometime this summer (July 2016).
Here are a few facts from Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group about how Windows 10 has fared since launch;
In the eight months since launch, Windows 10 is off to the fastest start in Windows history, with over 270 million active devices, outpacing Windows 7 in the same timeframe by 145%. People are spending more time on Windows than ever before – over 75 billion hours – with the highest customer satisfaction of any version of Windows. We are on track to reach our ambitious goal of one billion Windows 10 devices in the next few years.
We welcome everyone to Windows 10, whether you have a new PC, a five-year-old PC, or a brand new Mac – we are building the most secure, productive, and fun platform for you.
The Windows 10 anniversary update is going to be free and available to all windows 10 users.
Some of the features coming in the anniversary update include:
1. Windows Hello Brings Biometric Security to Apps and Microsoft Edge
With the Windows 10 Anniversary Update it’s possible for you to use the same easy, yet strong, security of Windows Hello with Windows apps and Microsoft Edge, the first and only browser to natively support biometrics, with supporting sites.
2. Windows Ink Brings the Power of Windows to the Tip of Your Pen
Windows Ink is an all new experience, putting the power of Windows in the tip of your pen, enabling you to write on your device as you do on paper, creating sticky notes, drawing on a whiteboard, and easily sharing your analog thoughts in the digital world. Windows Ink is integrated into apps like Maps, Microsoft Edge and Office.
3. Cortana, Now More Helpful than Ever, with over 1,000 apps
Cortana will be available above the lock screen, giving you quicker access to your personal assistant for common tasks across all types of devices without unlocking your PC.
4. UWP apps come to Xbox through a Unified Windows Store and every Xbox One can become a dev kit With the Anniversary Update, any Xbox One can be a developer kit with Xbox Dev Mode, enabling anyone to develop for the living room
Also if you are already a Windows Insider then you might probably be using some of these features. If not you can try the new innovations coming in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update by joining the Windows Insider program and install the latest build.
NB: Starting today developers in the Windows Insider Program can access the Windows Anniversary SDK Preview to explore the new features.
Windows 10 Mobile is finally available for older Windows devices running Windows Phone 8.1 OS.
Photo Credit : neowin.net
Windows 10 Mobile is here at last for older Windows phone devices after months of waiting and rescheduling of Microsoft’s big update for mobile with respect to the one Windows ecosystem. Windows 10 mobile has been available officially since the release of the new devices, that come preinstalled with them.
Microsoft has been working to make this upgrade available to most if not all existing windows phone 8 and 8.1 devices, probably a reason for the delay.
The phones and devices list released by Microsoft, upgradeable to Windows 10 mobile are;
Lumia 1520
Lumia 930
Lumia 640
Lumia 640XL
Lumia 730
Lumia 735
Lumia 830
Lumia 532
Lumia 535
Lumia 540
Lumia 635 1GB
Lumia 636 1GB
Lumia 638 1GB
Lumia 430
Lumia 435
BLU Win HD w510u
BLU Win HD LTE x150q
MCJ Madosma Q501
Microsoft recommends that you download the UPGRADE ADVISOR app (for free, from store). This app will check on your hardware and storage and make sure you are set and ready for the upgrade installation. What this also means is that you’ll need to be running the upgradeable windows phone version of 8.1 GDR1 QFE8 or later.
Windows 10 Mobile upgrade is an OTA (over-the-air) update as such you’ll need to connect to a wifi for this. The upgrade size could be at least 1.4 GB or more depending on your device.
Even if you meet all requirements Microsoft still has a word of advise for you if you don’t see the update immediately,
The availability of Windows 10 Mobile as an upgrade for existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices varies by device manufacturer, device model, country or region, mobile operator or service provider, hardware limitations and other factors.
So you what do I do if I joined the Windows Insiders and i’m already running the latest Windows 10 Mobile preview builds? Well you are actually up to date. If you don’t want to run preview builds any longer switch to the production flight and at the next update you’ll be set to normal. If you want to continue with the preview nothing changes for you.
If you do the upgrade and want to get back into the insider preview builds, you might have to check from this list if your device has been added.
Depending on your device there might be some features that will go missing and there are some other requirements for certain features to function. Microsoft lists them here;
Feature deprecation
When you install the Windows 10 upgrade, some features currently on your device will be modified or removed, including the following:
Notifications for missed calls, messages and emails on contact tiles is not supported at the time of Windows 10 Mobile release.
Me Tile and Me Card are no longer supported.
Cortana can no longer search for apps, settings, email, text messages, contacts and QR Codes on the device and can no longer open apps through voice commands.
“Hey Cortana” is no longer available on some upgraded devices.
Group tiles can no longer be used to receive social networking status updates.
Indoor Maps are no longer available for some locations.
Certain enterprise features, including Data Protection Under Lock, are not available. Please contact your Microsoft Volume Licensing representative for more information.
At time of Windows 10 Mobile release Outlook Mail app cannot open .EML attachments.
The Outlook Calendar app does not support Tasks.
The MDM functionality to prevent saving and sharing Office documents is not supported.
Additional requirements to use certain features
Cortana is only currently available on Windows 10 for the United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, India, Canada (English), Australia, and Japan.
Speech-to-text is only currently available on Windows 10 in the United States (English), United Kingdom (English), China (Simplified Chinese), France (French), Italy (Italian), Spain (Spanish), Germany (German), Canada (English), Australia (English), India (English) and Japan (Japanese).
Speech recognition, including Cortana, will vary by device.
At launch, Windows Hello is limited to selected premium phones and requires specialised hardware, including illuminated infrared camera sensor for facial recognition or a fingerprint reader that supports the Window Biometric Framework. To check for device compatibility and other important information, visit your device manufacturer’s website.
Continuum for phones will be limited to selected premium phones. Feature requires external monitor with DisplayPort, HDMI connector or compatible adaptor, and accessories that are compatible with Continuum for phones. All sold separately. App availability and experience vary by device and market.
Office 365 subscription required for some Office features.
Music and video streaming through Groove Music (formerly Xbox Music) or Films & TV apps is not available in all regions. For the most up-to-date list of regions, please go to the Xbox on Windows website.
Skype available only in select countries and regions. Calling to select countries and regions only. Excludes special, premium and non-geographic numbers. For details, visit the Office FAQ page
Microsoft account required for some features.
Let us know if you are receiving or aren’t noticing the update and what device you are using.
Microsoft Ghana has finally launched Windows 10 in Ghana.
Microsoft Ghana launched Windows 10 yesterday at the RS Amegashie Auditorium, University of Ghana Business School, Legon in Accra.
Picture via Twitter: @eboster1
The event saw Students from tertiary institutions around the country, Microsoft Student Partners Ghana members and the business community attending the event.
Microsoft Ghana country manager Derek Appiah giving the keynote said;
Following the global launch of Windows10 in July, Microsoft has launched a series of Windows 10 promotions in Ghana to help students. Microsoft in Ghana has trained over 15,000 teachers, impacted over one million students and created over 1,800 jobs.
Windows10 is in almost 95 languages. Windows 10 is our best Windows ever, taking the best of both Windows 7 and 8.
Access to content is changing pretty fast. That is what Windows 10 is all about. One experience, one platform, one store!
Picture via Twitter: @eboster1
Mark Pritchard OEM, Channels and Consumer Group Lead Microsoft WCA at the event speaking on Windows Insider program, Windows 10 devices and introducing the Techno Mobile Winpad 10 said;
Our vision is to empower everybody to do and be better. Our objective is to help people do more and become more productive.
In our work, office and home Windows 10 is one experience, one platform one store. All Windows 10 devices are using 1 platform. Windows 10 is the most secure platform and can protect people from Cyber criminality.
We are working with partners to ensure you get windows devices at an affordable price. Microsoft Ghana is partnering with Techno Mobile to launch the best mobile device for work, the Techno WinPad10.
Picture via Twitter: @eboster1
Warren La Fleure Education Lead, spoke on Transforming Education in Ghana with Windows 10 and Office 365.
Windows 10 leads us to a world of digital learning. Knowledge & Learning is changing and making access to information more purposeful through creative design.
Picture via Twitter: @eboster1
Also at the launch event there were Windows 10 demos by students of Ghana Technology university, University of Cape Coast, University of Ghana, Reagent University, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Ghana Institute of Journalism with UCC, University of Cape Coast winning the best demo presentation.
Picture via Twitter: @microsoftafrica
There were free windows 10 upgrade booths available at the event to help people upgrade their devices to windows 10.
Were you at the at the #Windows10Gh launch event, share your experience with us.
Microsoft has released Windows 10 for PC’s first major update (version 1511, 10586). This update known by the code name Threshold 2 or Fall update contains some new features and user experience improvements.
If you are a windows 10 user, Microsoft is rolling out windows 10 first major update automatically through windows update, you shouldn’t panic if you haven’t had it yet It’ll show up pretty soon. (if you can’t wait or haven’t upgraded to windows 10 yet, check out how to below)
The update contains Microsoft Partner device drivers and applications updates for better Windows 10 compatibility, some fine tuning, fixes and improvements to the Operating System.
Microsoft is confident the latest update to Windows 10 makes it usable by all (especially enterprise users) who have some doubts said Executive Vice President, Microsoft Windows and Devices Group Terry Myerson.
But most importantly, with this free update we have reached the point in the platform’s maturity where we can confidently recommend Windows 10 deployment to whole organizations.
Some of the updates included in windows 10 first major update:
Experience improvements like; Faster boot up time and better performance with every day task.
Cortana can now set reminders using device’s pen, keep track of event and movie bookings and the option to book and track an Uber ride right from your event reminder. Cortana becomes available in Japan, Australia, Canada in English and India in English with features and experiences customized for each market.
Microsoft Edge received improved performance and security, now syncs your Favorites and Reading list items across devices, the Tab preview which allows you to hover over your open tabs and get a preview of what’s on those websites without leaving the page you’re on.
The Mail, Calendar, Photo’s, Maps, Grove, Skype and Xbox apps have all received a number of tweaks and improvement; better multitasking, also the introduction of Phone and Messaging apps that’ll help you communicate off your Windows 10 Mobile device from your PC, like reply incoming calls with text, sending SMS (currently being handled through Cortana).
Some Security features include; the introduction of Windows hello; which enables people to login with either fingerprint or facial recognition, Find my device etc.
Like I mentioned earlier, the update will show up in windows update and will install after downloading if you already run windows 10. If you are running windows 7 or 8.1 if you wait a bit longer it’ll come through windows update as Microsoft has made certain changes that will put windows 10 update as part of the recommended updates. Why wait when you can have it now?
Using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, you can trigger the update and run the upgrade or save the file on a USB drive or as an ISO file for maybe a clean install.
Link to the Media creation tool microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Click on the download tool now, save or run the file and follow the instructions to upgrade.
Do the upgrade and tell us what you think of Microsoft’s Windows 10 First Major Update. Have a question? ask us. Don’t forget to check up on updates, live and trending information from my twitter feed @silverscholar.
Source: Microsoft
The version 2 of the fitness smart band has been greatly improved from the 1st edition. With it’s new curved face it should sit comfortably on your wrist. Also since the Batteries have been moved from the sides and it’s been slimmed a bit as well, so shouldn’t feel heavy/bulky on your wrist.
The Microsoft Band 2, the new Band can help you live healthier and achieve more with a new curved screen, a barometer, and apps for email, text, running, biking, the gym and golf.
With all the great features from the Band 1 having the barometer in the version 2 is a needed addition, as most fitness devices have them. The barometer counts floors when you climb the stairs and measures elevation gains during running or biking.
The Microsoft Band works well with any device (Windows mobile, iOS, Android) using the Microsoft Health App or website for statistics.
With Microsoft Band, there are no limits to what you can do. So do great things.
