A lot can happen in a week. Seven days might not seem like much, but it can be an eternity in the tech news cycle.
Between Windows news, hardware and software developments and Microsoft's fast-paced movements throughout the technology landscape, it's never easy to keep your hand on the pulse of technology. Not to mention everything that's going on right here at Windows Central!
Every week we're going to compile the biggest stories into one post, so you never fall behind – In Case You Missed It (ICYMI).
Windows
This week was chock full of updates for Windows 10. Windows 10 PC preview build 10586 was pushed out to Windows Insider Slow ring members.
There was also a cumulative security patch for Windows 10 that went out. It appears to have caused Outlook to crash for some users.
But the most significant rollout of the week was the highly-anticipated Windows 10 November Update. The November Update, also known by its codename, "Threshold 2," is jam-packed with fixes, improvements, and new features.
Users will enjoy some cosmetic tweaks to the user interface, like more tiles options in the Start menu, a task view in tablet mode, and revamped context menus. Cortana picked up some cool new functionality, including handwriting recognition and the ability to show missed calls from your phone.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's also great new multitasking, settings changes, and personalization options.
Some people ran into issues, namely the update getting stuck during installation. Don't let it happen to you.
Other notable items:
- Windows 10 used by Virgin Atlantic to show what it's like to be on an upper-class flight
- The preview of Skype integration in Windows 10 is part of its November update
- You can now download ISO files for the Windows 10 November update
- Microsoft will double the amount of prices that developers can set for Windows Store paid apps
- The Fall Update for Windows 10 brings Cortana to Windows PCs in India
- Microsoft says 12 million business PCs now run Windows 10
Microsoft
Microsoft not only updated Windows 10 this week but also the Xbox One. The New Xbox One Experience (NXOE) made its way out across the world on Thursday, completely revamping the game console's user interface.
Just hours later, another feature, backwards compatibility for Xbox 360 games, also began rolling out.
The initial list of supported games consists of 104 titles. There's tons of games not on the list that people are hoping will make the transition, including our own picks, but keep in mind that this is just the first batch.
The Surface 3 and Surface 3 LTE tablets both received firmware updates this week as well.
And following the success of the Windows Insider and Xbox Preview programs, Microsoft introduced the Office Insider program. Like in its sibling initiatives, the Office Insider's will get access to pre-release builds of Microsoft Office 2016, so they can test new features and offer feedback.
Other notable items:
- Exclusive: Discussing backwards compatibility, NXOE and the future with Xbox's Mike Ybarra
- Microsoft plans to open new data centers in the UK
- The Microsoft Band Tiles gallery now has your favorite NFL teams
- Here is Satya Nadella's keynote from the Future Unleashed conference
- Apple CEO Tim Cook slams Microsoft's Surface Book [Update]
- Microsoft dives into the camera tech on the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4
- Microsoft rolls out updates for its suite of Office Mobile apps
- Microsoft can now detect if you are happy, sad or angry in photos
- Microsoft names the winners of its first $100,000 HoloLens research grants
- Here's a look at the Microsoft flagship store in Sydney, Australia
- Microsoft's Display Dock for its Windows 10 Mobile phones will get software updates
- Microsoft to open cloud servers in Germany that will be controlled by a 'data trustee'
- Microsoft and Bing want to make websites mobile friendly with new testing tool
Miscellaneous
If there weren't enough reasons for Windows XP and Vista users to upgrade, Google has added one more to the list. The tech giant announced their plans to end Chrome support for Windows XP and Vista come April 2016.
The browser will continue to work, but no new updates or security patches will be made available. Support will also end for Apple's OSX versions 10.8 and earlier.
In business news, watchmaker Fossil agreed to acquire Misfit, the company behind wearable fitness-tracking devices, for $260 million. Fossil recently announced a new smartwatch, dubbed the Founder, and the acquisition of Misfit should only help bring more functionality to future devices.
Other notable items:
- Dell XPS 12 now available for purchase starting at $999
- Razer Wildcat Xbox One controller pre-orders go live for $150, ships on Nov. 23
- FreeRein Reflect by iFrogz are a neat pair of wireless in-ear headphones
- Gogo's new 2Ku inflight Wi-Fi brings broadband speeds to the skies
- Amazon can now deliver groceries in the UK Lenovo lost nearly $800 million while continuing to restructure
- Mpow Magneto Bluetooth Sports Headphones Review
- Razer Diamondback Ambidextrous Gaming Mouse review
Share your thoughts on this past week of news! And we'll be back again next week to do it all over again.
