Technology Ramblings

On Nov 18, MS released Windows 10 Mobile build 10586 - the release version of TH2 for Mobile devices. The release coordinates with the availability of the new 5 series Lumia devices the 950 & 950XL and also synchronizes build numbers with Windows 10 Desktop. In an earlier post on Nov 1, I mistakenly stated that 10581 was the "RTM" release.   But then I started reading from other sources that 10586 was the build that would be on the 5 series and was wondering when it would show up for Windows Insiders.   Well now it has.    As with all recent Windows 10 Mobile builds - I installed it on both a Lumia 735 and 635.   In both cases the download and install went flawlessly.  And while MS did post a potential issue with upgrading over 10581 that had performed a reset, I had not done that, so was good to go.   But it is a little disconcerting that MS was still having those types of issues this late in the game.   Also at this point it's harder...

Today, Nov 16, 2015 - MS made the new Lumia 950XL available for pre-order on it's Microsoft Store site for $649 unlocked.  MS is running a special bundle where they are providing the Display Dock for free "while supplies last". The slightly smaller Lumia 950 is available for pre-order Nov 17 on AT&T and available in stores on Nov 20.  The price is $549 and AT&T is selling the Display Dock for $99.   MS states the 950 will be available in their stores on Nov 25. To me the 950/950XL marks the end of the Lumia line.    For those who remember the first Lumia that came from MS's partnership with Nokia was the 800, released in Sept of 2011, the 710 followed shortly there after in Jan of 2012. In 2012 the 610/510 & 900 also came out.   What was interesting is that these devices started at the Windows Phone 7.5 release.   Prior to that - the Windows 7 lead products were the HTC 7 and Dell's doomed Venue Pro.  Even Samsung has a Windows...

On Thursday Oct 5, MS released Windows 10 Build 10586.  Build 10586 marks a key milestone in Windows 10 as it is the formal release of the "Threshold 2" branch of Windows 10.   This branch started immediately after the formal Windows 10 release in July.  As always I installed the build on a few desktops, laptops and a tablet.   As with several previous builds the update download and update process was very smooth and it installed with out errors on all platforms. The first thing you notice with 10586 is the lack of an "Evaluation Build" moniker which just like with Build 10240 back in July indicates a release build. In my opinion this build is what Windows 10 was intended to be.  It does provide a platform that both Windows 7 or Windows 8 users can work with and the updates to the MSN and other Native OS apps provide a pretty good experience overall.  It is a night and day difference when compared to 10240. It runs well on both new and older hardwar...

I recently had a newer Asus RT-AC87U Router die.  The wireless chipset never seemed to work well and first the 5Ghz bands started to fail and then the 2.4Ghz failed leaving my 25 wireless device household high and dry. So after some due diligence I decided to replace with 2 of the older RT-AC68U and implement a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) configuration. In the past - I've mentioned an open source router OS called DD-WRT.  The Asus routers come pre-installed with their version of DD-WRT.  Asus does utilize their own UI overtop DD-wrt and overall I do not like nearly as much as the traditional UI - but core dd-wrt capabilities are there.   Additionally you can flash the RT-AC68 with native DD-WRT if your so inclined. In my previous configuration I was also using an older Linksys 4200 running dd-wrt configured in Client Bridge mode that allowed clients to connect to the Linksys as well as use some of the bands to connect back to the RT-AC87U. Whil...

On Oct 29, MS also release build 10581 for Windows Mobile devices.   I installed on both a Lumia 735 and 635. As with regular Windows 10 - build 10581 showed up in Windows update, downloaded and installed smoothly and without incident on both devices.  There was no need to go back to WP 8.1 as with the 10549 and 10572 and I installed over both 10572 and 10536 with no issues. As with regular Windows 10 - the Windows 10 Mobile TH2 branch is effectively complete.  In fact it appears as though 10581 is the RTM release of Windows 10 Mobile. It shares the same 1511 Version ID as Windows 10 Build 10586 and the Cumulative update. Even on a small RAM device, 10581 runs smoothly and the loading, resuming, screens that were very prevalent in earlier builds are effectively gone. Also as with desktop Windows 10 - you have to insure you go into the store and update apps.  The app teams seem to be a constant state of updates and it almost feels as though there are bi-weekly...

On Oct 29, MS released build 10576 of the TH2 Branch to Fast Ring Insiders.  As always I installed on a number of systems including desktops, laptops and tablets. As has been the case now for the last several TH2 build releases build 10576 easily showed up properly in Windows Update, downloaded quickly and installed without incident on all machines.  So kudos for MS for getting this process solid and stable. I have not performed any Windows 10 updates from Windows 8.1 recently - so don't have any valuable comments in that regard.   As has also been the case, MS has continued to also update many of the store apps and it seems like an almost continuous release of updates to either MSN apps, Photos, Groove Music, Mail and Calendar, etc.  But on thing that does seem a little disappointing is that with all the updates, several of my live tiles on some machines just don't keep themselves updated - which to me is the point of a live tile.  I'm not 100% if it is a...