Windows 10 S

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Noticing the success of the Chromebook in the Education Sector Microsoft is introducing the Windows 10 S to compete, mainly on price. Windows 10 S is a Restricted version of Windows 10 Pro that only allows Windows store software on it. Other caveats are the only Web Browser is the 'Edge' and 'Bing' is locked in as the search engine, not Google. All this is similar to the failed Windows 8 RT. If this is found too limiting a payment of $US 50 will upgrade it to Windows 10 Pro. If the Education Sector don't buy these they will probably end up on the retail shelves as cheap PC's. These are not copies of the Chromebook as both operate and maintain on completely different ideologies.

Android versus Windows

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Android is now the most used Operating System for Internet search usage globally. As Windows does not have any real participation in the mobile computing field the accompanying chart is showing the difference between Laptop and Phone users in the home. Streaming media on a TV, such as 'Netflix' is probably not included in these figures.

Raspberry Pi Software for PC's

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Raspberry Pi is a tiny low power single board computer that was designed for students to learn to program. All the software is open source allowing full access to all sections of the computer. Originally only a few thousand would be made but the producers under estimated the demand and after two years 10 million had been sold. Raspbian is the official Operating system and this has now been ported to run on a standard Laptop using a Live CD or bootable thumb drive. As this does not interfere or rely on the main Operating system it is quite safe to use and won't compromise the Laptop's warranty. Raspbian comes with an up to date browser and email client, an office suite, photo viewer and media player as well as several installed programming languages. The image file can be found by Googling Raspbian x86 pixel.

Intel Compute card

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Intel are developing a computer in a card which is designed to be slotted into a PC similar to the way a SD memory card is inserted. The card will hold the processor, memory, graphics, audio and solid state disk drive. The connector at the bottom will be similar to the usb-c allowing media for the screen to be delivered and inputs for the keyboard, mouse and USB ports. Upgrading a computer will happen when a more powerful card is inserted. The case, power supply, screen and keyboard will not need to be changed, removing the built in obsolescence that exists at present. The major PC companies will be begrudgingly producing these this year as they fear that if they don't the phone manufacturers will. The cards are optimized for Windows 10, Windows Embedded, Android and Linux. These cards may well end up as the computer for Smart TV's and other devices. 

Chromebook Pro

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Samsung are introducing a new high-end hybrid laptop running ChromeOs (Chromebook) with a touchscreen and stylus. The stylus is not the same type as used in the troubled Galaxy Note 7. At $500 US this is a high price as most Chromebooks are half that price. The high resolution 12 inch screen, 6 core CPU, running Android Apps and long battery life could help sell this Unit. The Laptop has a 360 degree hinge allowing it to flip over for use as a tablet. Samsung are positioning the Chromebook Pro as a premium device.

Superbook Laptop

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Superbook is a kickstarter project that has attained enough money to start manufacture. It started out as an idea for using a Windows phone as a computer linked by cable to a empty Laptop shell. As the Windows phone was a complete failure the designers switched to Android phones. This will be in time for Android 7 which has been updated to support multi freeform windows, just like a standard Desktop. As the Laptop only has a screen, keyboard and a power supply it should be relatively cheap. The linking cable plugs into the USB port of the phone. The plug that is normally used to charge the phone actually has other another set of connections called MHL (Mobile Hi Definition Link). This supports Video and Audio streams for an HDMI port on a TV or Monitor. The Keyboard and Trackpad can use the bluetooth wireless.

Windows 10 Aniversary Update

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Cortana

Microsoft released the first yearly Update to Win 10 and it is free. There is a 10 day optional Rollback if something fails. The main change is that the Cortana (Digital Assistant) search is now the main way of finding and starting things. The option for switching this off has been removed. It will show notifications more like a phone. Skype will now be part of the operating system and not a stand alone program, and has a new interface. On September 15 Skype will have to be registered as a service to continue using it. This is possibly in response to "Viber" which is what the mobile users prefer. Viber does not require registering but a cellphone number is used as identification even when used on a tablet or PC. Viber has twice the number of users than Skype.