Category Archives: Microsoft

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Windows 10 Review: Fixing a Hole

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When Windows 10 launched on July 29, 2015, the Internet was littered with Windows 10 reviews. I didn’t write one, nor did I read any. After all, we’ve been writing about Windows 10 for ten months. Build after build after build, we all made a big deal about each and every one.

I use my Surface Pro as my Windows 10 testing machine and my Surface Pro 3 as my main machine. When a new Insider Preview build came out, I’d install it on my Surface Pro, make a walk through video, shut off the Surface Pro, and put it away.

The main reason that I never chose to use Windows 10 as a daily driver is because Microsoft stripped out the OneDrive functionality that they added in Windows 8.1, a functionality that I have come to rely on. We’ll get to that later.

When July 29 rolled around, I decided to take the plunge on my Surface Pro 3 and I’ve been using it ever since…

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Microsoft Lumia 640 XL Review: The Best Lumia on the Market

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By Rich W Woods

My two weeks with the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL are coming to a close, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. After all, the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL is a fantastic phone, and I’m going to go so far as to say it’s the best Lumia on the market.

The battery life is the best I’ve ever seen from a Windows Phone. The camera rivals all Pureview cameras (except for the Lumia 1020, of course). The 5 MP front camera is stunning. All the things. But first, specs.

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Microsoft Lumia 640 XL Video Review: The Best Lumia on the Market

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By Rich W Woods

My two weeks with the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL is almost over, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. In this review, I explain why I think the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL could possibly be the best Lumia on the market.

The Microsoft Lumia 640 XL is better in every way than the affordable flagship Lumia 830 (and half the price), the camera is better than the Lumia Icon, and it’s a better phone than the Lumia 1020. As far as an all around phone goes, the only one that might match the Lumia 640 XL is the Lumia 735. Find out more in the video below.

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Microsoft Lumia 640 Video Review

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By Rich W Woods

Yes, I know. I already wrote a review for the Microsoft Lumia 640; however, there were a few extra things I thought I could talk about that would be better for video. Also, it’s such a great phone that I’m so excited about, I really wanted to talk more about it.

The Microsoft Lumia 640 really filled that hole between the ultra-budget in the Nokia Lumia 635 and the uber-overpriced Nokia Lumia 830. Check out the video review, even if you read the other review.

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Microsoft Lumia 640 Review: The Mid-Range Done Right

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By Rich W Woods

Let’s face it. The numbering scheme for Lumias is downright confusing. Historically, it has been 5xx for the low end, 6xx through 8xx for the low end of the mid-range to the high end of the mid-range, and 9xx for the flagships.

The Nokia Lumia 520 is the best selling Lumia of all time. The successor to the Nokia Lumia 520, the Nokia Lumia 530, really seemed like a downgrade, with a fixed focus camera, the inability to record HD video, and half of the onboard storage. It seemed like the Nokia Lumia 635 was the real successor to the Nokia Lumia 520 as the 6xx series was dropping into the low end and the 5xx series was dropping into the emerging markets level low end.

The low end to mid-range Lumias have historically left something to be desired. They always seem to be lacking a front camera (in the case of the Lumia 635) or they are heavily overpriced (in the case of the Lumia 830).

No more. The Microsoft Lumia 640 is a device that stands on its own as a mid-range device. For the first time in a long time, we’re seeing Lumias that are trying to compete with more than just the price tag.

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Halo: Spartan Strike Review

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By Rich W Woods

When Halo: Spartan Strike launched a few weeks ago on April 16, I was ecstatic. After the game was announced last year and the release date of December 12 was delayed until “early 2015″, I anxiously awaited its release.

After all, it was Halo: Spartan Assault that turned me into a Halo fan in the first place. It’s what turned me into a gamer in the first place. The prospect of a sequel was exhilarating.

When it finally was released, I was even more exciting to see it available for both Windows and iOS. After all, the iPad Air 2 is just a fantastic tablet. I loved the idea that I could play Halo on it.

Check out the review.

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Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Reviewed!

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By Rich W Woods

Last month, Apple wowed the world with their new MacBook. It’s super thin and it’s super light; however, it has been heavily criticized by both press and consumers alike because it only has a single USB C port, forcing users to buy an adapter to hook up virtually any kind of device to their MacBook.

Of course, we tend to forget that the Surface Pro 3 also has but a single USB port. Of course, it has a separate power port, which helps, but nevertheless, if you’re a Surface Pro 3 owner, you’ve probably got a USB hub as well.

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Halo: Spartan Strike: Differences between iOS and Windows

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By Rich W Woods

I was super excited when I heard that Halo: Spartan Strike was released. I was excited when it was announced and disappointed when it was delayed. I was even more excited when I saw that it was available on both iOS and Windows.

When deciding whether to buy the Windows version or the iOS version, someone on Google+ gave me the answer. Buy them both and compare them. It’s a good thing I did, because there are some pros and cons to each version. Check it out.

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Microsoft Lumia 435 Review

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By Rich W Woods

When Microsoft first announced the Microsoft Lumia 435, I was skeptical, to say the least. I mean, really, click the backlink. Skeptical is an understatement. After all, I remember when the Nokia Lumia 530 came out. I reviewed it and it was terrible. I still joke about it with my friend at the Microsoft Store. He even tells me that he tells customers not to buy it.

When Microsoft asked me to review the Lumia 435, I was still skeptical. It uses a dual core processor while the Lumia 530 uses the same processor, except quad core. It uses a 2 MP fixed focus camera. Could I really find something good to say about this thing? As it turns out, I can.

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Windows 10 Technical Preview for Phones: All You Need to Know

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By Rich W Woods

By now, I’m sure you have heard about the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones and small tablets. Well, it’s not for small tablets just yet. It’s really just for phones. Well, it’s not for most phones. It’s really just for the Nokia Lumia 630, 632, 635, 638, 730, and 830. You’ve probably also heard that you can get it to run on unsupported phones. You’ve probably also heard that it’s not worth it.

You could go out and flash the Windows 10 Technical Preview to your Nokia Lumia 1520, but you shouldn’t. Just don’t do it, if only for the reason that there is a solid chance that you’ll brick your phone. If you happen to have a Lumia 530 lying around, feel free to give it a go. Decide for yourself after I go over the features.

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