How Microsoft is Gaming Influencers and Algorithms with the Surface Duo

It’s a little bit brilliant.

I’ve written several editorials voicing my concerns about popularity algorithms and the responsibility of reviewers. We can’t escape the fact that online content creators need to be compensated for their work, but YouTube and Facebook style algorithms are designed to manipulate viewers into staying on a platform as long as possible. When those two objectives meet, it creates an echo chamber, a reinforcing cycle of confirmation bias which highlights and celebrates the most popular options. Any product outside the algorithm zeitgeist is dismissed as efficiently as possible.

Precious few smaller-volume sellers have successfully broken through this popularity trap.

What’s a manufacturer to do? Play the influencers against themselves! Continue reading “How Microsoft is Gaming Influencers and Algorithms with the Surface Duo”

Surface Duo Headphone Dongle? Hard Pass.

It’s not great.

I’m still excited to take a Surface Duo for a test drive, but Microsoft’s headphone adapter is not one of the highlights. You can watch the video for more info, but the TLDR is “It’s not worth the $12”. Continue reading “Surface Duo Headphone Dongle? Hard Pass.”

Microsoft Office and the Future of Dual Screen Phones

Microsoft has been busy.

Office recently got an update where it combined multiple apps into one Office platform. It’s a handy upgrade, not having to swap apps to look through documents or reference spreadsheets.

On top of that, we know Microsoft is working aggressively on future hardware form factors, with a particular focus on dual screen devices.

The platform which runs the service seems less important to Microsoft than whether people are using their services. When a dual screen Surface phone arrives, it’ll run Android.

Microsoft’s services need to be ready to go at launch though. If an expensive gadget sporting the Surface brand stumbles on core Microsoft services, it’ll be an embarrassing misstep for a company which has struggled with their mobile strategy since the rise of the iPhone.

Thankfully, folks don’t need to wait for the Surface Duo launch to get a taste of Microsoft’s dual screen strategy. Current dual screen devices are ready to go. Continue reading “Microsoft Office and the Future of Dual Screen Phones”

Your phone is faster than a laptop.

Well, your phone is PROBABLY faster than a laptop. I don’t know exactly what phone YOU own. The line between pocket computer, and portable computer is getting really blurry. Chances are pretty good that your phone is powerful enough to meet most (or all) of your computing needs. More than just “covering the basics”, let’s see what a smartphone can REALLY do… Continue reading “Your phone is faster than a laptop.”

Microsoft Surface Event Reaction: We’re FINALLY Getting a Surface Phone!

A HUGE surprise during today’s Microsoft Surface event. Showing off two products shipping in 2020, Microsoft took the wraps off the Surface Neo tablet, and the Surface Duo phone.

Dual screen, running Android, stylus support. We have a LOT of questions, but it’s just refreshing to be taken by surprise. I don’t think anyone really saw this coming! Continue reading “Microsoft Surface Event Reaction: We’re FINALLY Getting a Surface Phone!”

Huawei MateBook 13 Long Term Review: Pushing the laptop right up to the edge…

Huawei MateBook 13 Long Term Review! It sucks when political drama gets in the way of a good gadget review. I’m totally guilty of letting time pass on this laptop, when I had every intention of revisiting it sooner. How has it held up? Were too many compromises made to reach a lower price? Can laptops like this still compete against ARM powered phones and tablets? Let’s check it out! Continue reading “Huawei MateBook 13 Long Term Review: Pushing the laptop right up to the edge…”

#SGGQA 039: NVIDIA Ends GPP, Tesla vs Contractors, Net Neutrality Vote May 9, LG G7 Reactions – Monday Morning Tech Chat!

Get your tech week started off right!

NVIDIA kills the GPP amid backlash and bad press, but still doesn’t disclose what the program included. Nokia is selling Withings health hardware back to Withings. I share my reactions to LG G7 reactions. Facebook matching algorithms might be helping extremists and terrorists find each other. Cambridge Analytica is re-branding as Emerdata. Tesla Motors is looking to cull contractors, but is rapidly improving battery manufacturing.

There’s a HUGE vote for Net Neutrality heating up May 9th, here’s the recent news on the federal front, state initiatives in Connecticut, New York, and California. Plus we take a look at some of the lies ISPs use to push anti-competition legislation in city and state governments.

Download this week’s podcast – SGGQA 039 (RSS subscription links below)

Stories this week:

Continue reading “#SGGQA 039: NVIDIA Ends GPP, Tesla vs Contractors, Net Neutrality Vote May 9, LG G7 Reactions – Monday Morning Tech Chat!”

#SGGQA 036: California Net Neutrality, Huawei Leaves USA, and MORE Windows Phones? Monday Tech Chat!

Get your tech week started off right!

Yahoo sells Flickr to SmugMug. Google walking away from Allo? Asus intros a new brand for AMD GPUs. Apple cutting HomePod production. New Surface Phone Rumors surface as Windows Phone disappears. AT&T and Verizon allegedly colluded to prevent eSIM. California voting on state Net Neutrality bill. Huawei is leaving the USA? Whew… That’s a lot…


Download this week’s podcast – SGGQA 036 (RSS subscription links below)

Stories this week:

Continue reading “#SGGQA 036: California Net Neutrality, Huawei Leaves USA, and MORE Windows Phones? Monday Tech Chat!”