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
It was a pretty quiet week on the Windows front. The only Windows 10 Insider Preview build that we got was an unofficial build 10568 that leaked online, and even that was rather lackluster.
At first glance, there were no clear differences to behold. The one that finally surfaced is that this build of Windows 10 prompts users to keep using Microsoft's apps as defaults. Hardly a reason to get excited.
[There were more rumblings that Google Chrome-like browser extension support for Microsoft Edge may be delayed until 2016, and sure enough, Microsoft later confirmed those reports. Citing their focus on security and reliability, Microsoft released a statement:
"We're committed to providing customers with a personalized web experience, which is why bringing extensions to Microsoft Edge continues to be a high priority. We're actively working to develop a secure extension model to make the safest and most reliable browser for our customers, and look forward to sharing more in a future Windows 10 update in 2016."
And a public service announcement to those of you who running Windows 10 Insider preview build 10565. The KB3105208 Windows update is causing the "Blue Screen of Death on many systems that have the Secure Boot/UEFI feature enabled.
Other notable items:
- Windows 10 PC Insider preview build 10565 gets a small update, along with IE Flash Player fix
- Windows 10 Fall Update reportedly set for November as cumulative patch
Microsoft
Due to some issues with credit card providers, many people who pre-ordered the Microsoft Surface Book had their orders cancelled. When those same people placed their orders a second time, they found that their ship dates had been moved back by several months.
Microsoft has since said that anyone who had their Surface Book pre-orders get cancelled will receive expedited processing.
Microsoft reported strong FY16 Q1 results in the form of $20.4 billion in revenue. The news sent Microsoft's stock surging to 15-year high. And though Satya Nadella was handsomely rewarded for his part, it appears that some of the positive gains for Microsoft come at the expense of 1000 more laid off employees.
If you've been wondering what all of the hubbub around the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is, it's time to check out the Windows Central review. We went through every nook and cranny to tell you what makes it so special and why others agree that it's the best Surface yet.
The New Xbox One Experience started rolling out to all Xbox preview members. The update revamps the layout of your game console menus and adds new functionality.
And what better way kick off the new experience than with a new controller? Check out our in-depth review of the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller.
Other notable items:
- Limited Edition Fallout 4 Xbox One Controller to go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 20
- Microsoft's US site Back to the Future Easter egg promotes HoloLens, Lumia, Surface Book and more
- OneNote for Windows 10 will soon create perfect shapes from your hand-drawn shapes
- Microsoft beefs up low-end Surface Book with discrete GPU option
- Microsoft reveals new Surface warranty and trade-in program for businesses
- Steve Ballmer talks about Microsoft competing with Amazon and Apple in new interview
- Voice-activated 'Hey Cortana' arrives on Android, with limitation
- Joe Belfiore will take an extended leave from Microsoft until summer 2016
Miscellaneous
Lenovo held a press event to unveil some of their new wares. Among them were the Windows 10-based Yoga 900 and Yoga Home 900. The Yoga 900 is the latest iteration of Lenovo's convertible tablet, even thinner and with a beefier processor. As for the Yoga Home 900, it's a 27-inch all-in-one PC that doubles as a massive tablet.
It seems ASUS has some plans to create an augmented reality headset based on Microsoft's HoloLens technology. Both ASUS CEO Jonney Shih and Microsoft's head of Windows and devices Terry Myerson have confirmed that they are in very early talks.
"Everything we're doing in hardware, we do with the mind of how do we grow the Windows ecosystem," Myerson said. "That is why we're investing to create a category." It's ultimately up to Shih whether Asus makes its own version of HoloLens, Myerson added. Shih said he's "still evaluating" what form any potential Asus augmented reality glasses will take. "Wait and see," he said."
And a week after Dell's historic acquisition of EMC comes another big purchase. Hard drive maker Western Digital is set to buy fellow storage device manufacturer SanDisk for $19 billion.
Other notable items:
- Final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens prepares us for its Dec. 18 release
- SteelSeries QcK XXL Gaming Mousepad review: It's really big
- Misfit introduces new Shine 2 wearable activity tracker, available now for $99
- MagicStick puts an Intel Cherry Trail processor with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage running Windows 10 in your pocket
Share your thoughts on this past week of news! And we'll be back again next week to do it all over again.
