Wayne Williams

Surprised Windows user

You may soon be able to sign into Windows 10 with a Google account

At the moment, you have two options when using Windows 10. You can create a local account, or you can use a Microsoft account to sign in. In the future, however, it’s possible that you might also be able to sign in using your Google account details.

ChromeStory spotted a massive code commit on the Chromium Gerrit site which refers to a "Google Credential Provider for Windows."

By Wayne Williams -
Kodi18 comic

New Kodi 18 'Leia' Beta arrives, download it now!

The Kodi Foundation is hard at work polishing up the next big version of its hugely popular home theater software -- Kodi 18 'Leia'. The finished update is expected to roll out later this year, but today the team announces it has arrived at an important milestone.

The first beta of the new software is now available for anyone to download, and 18 has a lot of new features and improvements. Check out the changelog for details.

By Wayne Williams -
Your Phone

Microsoft's Your Phone Android app now available for Windows 10 Release Preview Insiders

A week ago, Microsoft made its new Your Phone app available to all Windows 10 users. The app, which lets you sync content directly from a phone to a Windows 10 PC, was pulled shortly afterwards, as it transpired it was released accidentally.

Fast ring Insiders were still able to access and use the app though, and today Microsoft makes it available to Insiders on the Release Preview ring as well (this is the ring in which you run the current, public version of Windows 10 but still get early access to updates, applications and drivers).

By Wayne Williams -
Windows-10 key

Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17746 to the Fast ring

If you’re a Fast ring Insider, you’ll be aware that new builds of the next Windows 10 feature update -- 1809, aka Redstone 5 -- are coming thick and fast these days, as Microsoft works hard to get it finished in time for its Fall release.

Three days ago, the software giant rolled out Build 17744, and today we get Build 17746.

By Wayne Williams -
Pi Hat

You can now power your Raspberry Pi over Ethernet

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ launched five months ago and as well as being faster, with dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2, it came with the ability to be powered through Power over Ethernet (PoE) via a HAT.

Today the Raspberry Pi Foundation announces that the HAT is now available to buy, and at a reasonable price too.

By Wayne Williams -
Windows 95 icon

You can now run Windows 95 on Windows, macOS, and Linux

When Windows 95 debuted all those years ago, it was revolutionary. It introduced many of the features we still use today, including a desktop, taskbar and Start button.

Consumers lapped it up, and it sold some seven million copies in the first five weeks, buoyed by the multimillion-dollar hype. Microsoft spent an estimated $300 million promoting the OS, which included some $12 million for the rights to use the opening chords of the Rolling Stones song "Start Me Up" as its theme tune.

By Wayne Williams -
Windows-10 key

Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17744 to Insiders on the Fast ring

Microsoft continues to roll out new releases for the next big feature update of its operating system -- Windows 10 Update 1809 (aka Redstone 5). We’re getting them at a rate of two a week now.

As you’d expect, Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17744, coming to the Fast ring now, doesn’t offer any new features, just improvements and fixes.

By Wayne Williams -
WinXP Mobile13

Would you swap Android or iOS for Windows XP Mobile -- 2018 Edition?

Microsoft’s plan with Windows 10 was to hit a billion devices within a couple of years, but that all hinged on the OS being a hit on PC, tablet, and mobile. Sadly, Windows 10 Mobile was a costly flop, and ultimately led to Microsoft’s exit from the mobile market.

It’s been rumored for a while that the tech giant might be planning a return to the space with a folding Surface Phone, but it’s going to need more than the right hardware -- the operating system will have to appeal to users of Android and iOS, and give them a reason to switch. Windows XP Mobile -- 2018 Edition is just such an OS.

By Wayne Williams -
Frightened_Scared_Shock_Woman_Lady_Cover_Mouth

Popular Kodi add-on 'phones home' -- and could get you into serious legal trouble

If you’re a Kodi user you’ll know add-ons occasionally disappear, stop working, or -- more rarely -- turn bad.

While the risk of using Kodi to stream illegal content is usually relatively small, it’s worth being informed when an add-on compromises your privacy and could get you into serious trouble.

By Wayne Williams -
Windows-10 key

Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17741 with easier access to Your Phone

Microsoft might have pulled its new Your Phone app for non-Insiders, but it’s still available for those on the Fast ring, and this new build, the second this week, introduces a new way to get it.

If you’re not familiar, Your Phone app lets Android users view their photos on a Windows 10 PC. An iOS version is in the works.

By Wayne Williams -

Microsoft releases Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18219 (19H1) to Skip Ahead

If you’re not a Windows Insider, or even if you are, you might be more than a little confused by the different builds that Microsoft is now rolling out with some regularity.

Two days ago, the software giant released Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17738 to those on the Fast ring, and today it delivers Build 18219 for those on Skip Ahead, which is the feature update after the next feature, which it’s currently referring to as 19H1 and which will be released next spring.

By Wayne Williams -
Sad PC user

Microsoft pulls Your Phone app for non-Windows Insiders

Yesterday, Microsoft rolled out its new Your Phone app for Windows 10. Previously only available for Windows Insiders, the app allows Android users to access their photos on a Windows 10 PC.

If you’ve been wanting to try out the app, we’ve some bad news for you. You’ll once again need to be an Insider to use it.

By Wayne Williams -
Your Phone

Android users can now view their phone content on Windows 10 [Update]

Two weeks ago, Windows Insiders got the chance to test out a new app called Your Phone. This app, for iOS and Android, lets users sync content directly from their phones to a Windows 10 PC.

If you’ve wanted to try out the app, but you’re not an Insider, we’ve some great news for you. Starting today, Your Phone is available to all, although it currently only works with Android devices.

By Wayne Williams -
Windows-10 key

Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17738 to Insiders on the Fast ring

Microsoft is hard at work polishing the next big feature update for Windows 10, out in the fall. It released two new Redstone 5 builds last week -- Build 17733 (with Dark Theme for File Explorer) and Build 17735.

Today, the software giant pushes out Build 17738 to Windows Insiders on the Fast ring.

By Wayne Williams -
Confused

Thanks to copyright issues, Classic Shell replacement Classic Start is no more… but it's not bad news

Classic Shell was around for years before finding fame following Microsoft’s ill-conceived idea to make Windows 8 without a Start button or menu. It remained popular even after the Start menu made an official return in Windows 8.x and then Windows 10.

Development of Classic Shell was sadly ended in 2017, but not before the developer open sourced it. Classic Start arrived last month, picking up where Classic Shell left off, but potential copyright issues mean it is no more.

By Wayne Williams -
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