Brian Fagioli

I've faced a bit of criticism for claiming the Windows Insiders program was getting confusing and convoluted. Yeah, for some of you, the program is totally clear -- I get it. Please understand, however, that not all Insiders have their lives revolving around Windows 10 like maybe you do. And that's a good thing. When collecting data, you want to have varying degrees of knowledge and understanding, as that provides more diverse feedback.

Today, Dona Sarkar legitimizes my concerns by acknowledging that things are getting a tad confusing. While announcing a new RS4 build for the "Skip Ahead" folks -- Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16353 for PC -- Sarkar clarified some aspects of the Insiders program; she also included a helpful graphic. This is a good sign for the Insiders program, as it reaffirms the company is willing to listen and improve.

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Back in the day, when people wanted portable music, it usually meant using a giant boombox loaded with C or D batteries. These devices offered the ability to play AM/FM radio, cassette, and later on, CD too. The included carry handle allowed the owner to easily take it to places like the park or the beach. Heck, some people walked around with it on their shoulder blasting music on the go.

Nowadays, boomboxes have largely been replaced by small Bluetooth speakers and smartphones. JBL seems keen on resurrecting this product type, however, with its all-new "Boombox." This is a very large Bluetooth speaker with integrated carry handle, that promises exceptional bass. There are no C or D batteries here, however, as it has a massive rechargeable 20,000mAh battery which can provide up to 24 hours of music playback! That large battery can be used to charge other devices too, such as smartphones and tablets. You can even pair two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

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For a while, many Android device manufacturers were removing microSD card slots from their products. With the explosion of cloud storage, this sort of made sense. Not to mention, from a privacy perspective, removable storage can be seen as a weakness. Many consumers and tech reviewers spoke out against this trend, and, nowadays, plenty of Android smartphones continue to have expandable storage -- just look at the the Samsung Galaxy Note8 for example.

Today, SanDisk unveils a record-breaking microSDXC card. This new "Ultra" card features a massive 400GB capacity. Prior to it, the largest capacity for a microSD card was 256GB. This card will not only benefit Android users, but owners of other hardware too, such as cameras, drones, and more.

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Earlier today, Logitech announced a unique new keyboard called "Craft." It is designed to work in harmony with the company's excellent Logitech MX Master 2S mouse, but, of course, you can use it with any pointing device that you choose. Logitech is hoping to dominate your desk with these products not only because they work exceptionally well, but also because they will share an elegance and design style that will transform your work space into something beautiful.

Of course, a mouse and keyboard alone do not complete an elegant desktop experience, so the company is also introducing a new 2.0 desktop speaker system. Called MX Sound, the speakers don't only connect with a 3.5mm audio port, but they feature Bluetooth too. Actually, you can pair two Bluetooth devices at once. There is even a headphone jack on the rear. To lend to the overall beautiful design, there is no branding on the front of the speakers, allowing them to blend into your desk. The controls on the front even have proximity detection, so they will only light up when your hand gets close.

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Nowadays, many people leverage cloud storage for mobile devices. With Wi-Fi and high-speed cellular data being commonplace, this works fairly well -- until it doesn't. If you ever find yourself in a place without a reliable internet connection, it can be quite frustrating when you can't access needed files. It can also be a massive dilemma if your phone or tablet runs out of available storage and you don't have a connection to offload them to the cloud.

While many Android devices can use USB-C flash drives, iPhone and iPad users cannot, sadly. Luckily, some manufacturers make flash drives with a Lightning connector, enabling Apple users to both expand storage and move files without the need of the internet. Today, Kingston releases its latest such model, called DataTraveler Bolt Duo. This is a USB 3.0 flash drive that has both a Lightning connector and USB Type-A. With capacities up to 128GB, it could be a very useful product for iOS users.

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Home Wi-Fi cameras can be quite amazing. Yeah, there are potential privacy risks, but for some, the benefits outweigh any concerns. Not only can you monitor your home to protect from, say, burglars and intruders, but you can also keep an eye on children and pets. It is a great way to make sure your loved ones are safe and sound -- whether you are away from home or just in another room.

Today, D-Link unveils a new such indoor camera called DCS-8000LH. It has quite a number of things going for it, such as low cost, solid features, and a beautifully miniature design (it is a mere 3.62 inches tall). While it is "only" 720p, that is more than fine -- especially when monitoring on a small smartphone screen.

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While Hurricane Harvey has been devastating, there has been one positive aspect -- it has shown that people are still willing to help their fellow man. After the tragedy in Charlottesville, it felt like humanity was on the decline, but the outpouring of donations and support for the affected people in Texas has warmed my heart and renewed my faith. Not only have both people and organizations donated money, but time and resources too. Google, for instance, has been helping in many ways.

Today, Verizon also pledges money to the folks affected by Harvey, but its donation dwarfs those made by many other companies. The company is not only promising a jaw-dropping $10,000,000, but it will help the people of Texas in other ways too.

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The Windows Insider Program might still be fun for some members, but for others it is getting to be a confusing chore. Don't get me wrong, it is cool that Microsoft lets fans try these pre-release builds of Windows 10, but lately there have been too many builds, requiring too much user effort, with little to no payoff. Remember folks, the operating system should never be the star of the show -- it should fade into the background as you do things with it.

Today, Microsoft releases yet another Windows 10 Insider Preview Build -- 16278 for PC. Sorry Windows 10 Mobile users -- you are being left out of this party. Unfortunately for PC users, this new build is quite bland, once again focusing on fixes. This shouldn't be surprising, however, as the company is now focusing on making things stable for an upcoming gold version of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. To make things worse, the company has also removed yet another feature from the upcoming version of the OS -- taking HDR screenshots with the Xbox app.

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Microsoft's Groove Music Pass is an exceptional streaming music service. If you spend a lot of time on Windows 10, it is the best music experience on the platform. The app is well designed, and it fits in with the overall Windows 10 motif. It can even be used on Xbox One. Groove offers a really good selection of tunes too -- right up there with its competitors.

Believe it it not, Microsoft's service is cross-platform, also working natively on Android and iOS. The mobile apps are decent, but not fantastic. Fans of macOS and Linux-based desktop operating systems, such as Ubuntu and Chrome OS, can also use the service thanks to the brilliant web-based player. If this all sounds good to you, I have some great news. As part of a Labor Day promotion, Microsoft is offering an insane seven months of the service for the price of just one month. Yes, really.

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Mesh networking is all the rage nowadays. This is a technology where several access points work together to provide enhanced coverage and range. This concept works great, as I learned when testing the wonderful Ubiquiti Networks AmpliFi HD Mesh Wi-Fi System.

Of course, not everyone wants to buy into an entirely new Wi-Fi system. If you are happy with your current router, but you need to extend range and coverage, you can always go with a range extender. These products act as a middleman between your device and router. Today, NETGEAR announces a new such product and it is chock-full of really impressive specifications and features, such as smart roaming. Quite frankly, its technology is superior to many home routers, and it has a price tag to show that.

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Windows Phone isn't just an embarrassment to Microsoft, it has also been a waste of time and money for consumers that were saddled with a poor experience. A lack of apps and unconvincing tile-based user interface meant Windows Phone never really had a chance -- it was pretty much dead on arrival. So, this year, Microsoft abandoned it, leaving many users without support and, ultimately, forcing them to buy new devices.

Unfortunately, not only did Microsoft's failed mobile experiment hurt the average consumer, but businesses and organizations too. One of the saddest cases is the NYPD, which trusted Microsoft and equipped its officers with Windows Phones -- the Lumia 830 and the Lumia 640XL. These brave men and women deserve the best technology and equipment, yet when it came to smartphones, they were given some of the worst. So, now, its officers are effectively handcuffed by obsolete and unsupported tech. Thankfully, according to the NY Post, the department is finally looking to replace these Lumia devices -- at the taxpayers' expense of course. Thanks, Microsoft!

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For many consumers, buying a wearable is all about fitness. In that case, a health-focused device, such as a Fitbit, makes a lot of sense. The problem, of course, is that no one only exercises -- they live their lives and do other things like shopping and listening to music. That is why it was frustrating that Fitbit did not produce a more robust wearable -- an actual smartwatch.

Today this changes, as Fitbit officially unveils the Ionic smartwatch, which is compatible with both iOS and Android. Rather than run Android Wear, it leverages a new operating system called Fitbit OS. It features what you would expect from a Fitbit, such as counting steps and monitoring heart rate, but it also has enhanced modes for running and swimming too. It will also work with some popular services, such as Starbucks and Pandora. The smartwatch even features a new mobile payments system called Fitbit Pay. Best of all, the Ionic features up to four days of battery life -- much longer than its competitors' offerings.

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Hurricane Harvey has proven to be quite the devastating storm for Texas. The flooding and high winds have damaged property, but even worse, it has caused injuries and fatalities too. Yes, people actually died as a result of Harvey -- heartbreaking. Remember, folks, you can replace belongings, but not your life. Here at BetaNews, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the deceased.

Thankfully, many people and organizations are donating both money and resources to help those affected by the hurricane. One of those businesses, Google (which has 450 employees in Texas), is stepping up in a big way. The company is donating $250,000 plus matching employee donations up to the same amount. When the company's donations are added to its employee donations, it could potentially be more than $750,000 when all is said and done. Money aside, the search giant is leveraging its technologies to spread information and assist where needed, such as with its SOS Alerts on search results and a specialized "Harvey Crisis Map."

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When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, there is definitely a correlation between cost and sound quality. That's not to say that you have to spend an arm and a leg for a satisfying experience, but it helps. From my experience, a $20 model will certainly sound like crap, while models costing $100 and more from companies like JBL and Ultimate Ears will reward you with superior wireless sound.

But what about the midrange? Not everyone can spend $100 or more on a Bluetooth speaker. If you have less than a hundred to spend, you aren't out of luck. In fact, I have discovered a solid performer for under $70 on Amazon. Called the "ARCHEER A320," the 25W speaker is currently priced at $69.99. Even better, the company has a secret Amazon discount code for BetaNews readers that will drop the price to $44!

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Windows 10 Mobile is dead -- everyone knows it. Well, everyone except a small number of delusional people clutching their precious Lumia devices. Sigh. One day these unfortunate folks will switch to Android or iPhone so they can experience happiness.

For now, Microsoft is still keeping hope alive for these few loyal Windows Phone fans. In fact, today, the company released a new Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build, version 15245. More importantly, the company released Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16275 for PC -- yes, yet another such build for the desktop operating system. Don't get too excited, however, as both of these builds are primarily bug fixes.

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