A different kind of update this week, because I’m on vacation, but there are a couple things I want to highlight.
GameSir X2 Bluetooth Controller Review
I posted my review of the GameSir X2 Bluetooth controller this week. I would appreciate anyone who takes the time to read it, especially if you’re interested in mobile gaming.
https://www.thewunderbar.net/blog/2021/9/1/gamesir-x2-bluetooth-controller-review
Microsoft’s Windows 11 Mess
Microsoft has made a complete mess of Windows 11. Late last week it announced that it would allow users to install Windows 11 on unsupported PC’s if they are willing and able to do a clean install of th operating system. This seemed to placate the enthusiests who are a vocal but very, very small minority. At the scale Windows has, the number of people who would do this was small. But then, the next day, Microsoft clarified that users who do install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may not receive Windows updates, inluding the vital security patches. This could be the legal department talking, but this happened less than 24 hours after the company seemed to placate that vocal group. Now that same group is even more upset than it was before.
Next, the company announced that Windows 11 will launch on October 5th, but that means that the operating system should be done and ready to go. And..... while Windows 11 is relatively stable, it is still lacking things that Windows 10 could do, making Windows 11 a bit of a step backwards, at least at launch. Microsoft will also only offer Windows 11 on new PC’s, updates to existing, supported computers likely won’t begin until 2022.
Oh, and Android App Support, one of the biggest promised features, is delayed, with no date as to when it will be available.
And lastsly, Microsoft has started kicking users who were testing Windows 11 on unsupported computers in its Insider program out of said program, telling users they will have to re-install Windows 10. Just one more slap in the face to its best, most passionate users.
Apple Making App Store Concessions and Compromises
Potential big changes coming to the Apple App Store, which are the direct result of the lawsuits and government pressure the company has been facing. In a settlement in a Class Action Lawsuit from a number of smaller developers, Apple is agreeing to make severl changes to its App Store rules.
The most notable change is that Apple will, for the first time, allow developers of “reader apps” to provide an external link from inside the app that can tell users about the ability to subscribe to a product/service outside of the app store. “Reader apps” are defined as applications that allow users to subscribe to or purchase content that cannot be otherwise purchased in the app. This will affect services like Netflix. Since Netflix’s entire product is a subscription streaming service, that will allow Netflix to link to it’s own website from the iPhone or iPad app so users can subscribe there. There are many other apps that will benefit from this, Amazon Kindle, for example, should be able to link to the amazon store so users can buy books. This has been a huge sticking point for many developers for almost a decade, and Apple is finally conceding.
Apple will also make smaller change to the in app purchase platform, mostly around number of price points, but none of the other changes are as big as the external linking change.
There was a ton more news over the past week, but I’m going back to my vacation now. More from me next week.