Observed Tech PODCAST Richard Hay

This is just our second episode of the year - yes you read that right - just our second show this year. I will explain that and then catch everyone up on my journey of formation and discernment for the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church. Following that we will talk extensively about Windows 11 and the first Windows Insider Preview release and then cover some highlights on the new space race that has recently pulled in the headlines.

Happy New Year! It has been too long but after a three-month hiatus we are back with a slightly tweaked format to make the show a little more succinct. Thanks for your patience. We catch-up on the last three months of formation for myself and our cohort, look a little towards what is coming up in the next few months, and share some background on those classes. For the tech segment I cover updates on #WindowsInsiders and #EdgeInsiders builds and speculate where things will move in the next couple of weeks as we begin this new year. I also hit on some key tech headlines before moving on to the space section of the podcast. In space, we talk about some year in review content from NASA, SpaceX, and other agencies which included some real record setting stuff. 

Back after a couple of busy weeks but ready to share the latest across the entire spectrum of the show leading off with a couple of articles about pandemic swindles for those looking for work and why we can't just stick to what we know in this day and age. I then catch everyone up our Rite of Candidacy last week and our class schedules for online and local classes. Tech begins as it always does with the latest builds for #WindowsInsiders and #EdgeInsiders plus I share my thoughts about the approaching Windows 10 (Version 20H2) release and how that will impact all the Insider developer channels. Tech headlines from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and others. In gaming Microsoft grabs a new game studio, GamePass grows by 50% during the pandemic, Cloud Gaming is now in full beta with GamePass, and Microsoft wants to be more transparent about data on your consoles. I also discuss the very poor pre-orders for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and RTX 3080. In space the Moon, Orion, a new space toilet, HoloLens and NASA, and how NASA benefits the economy. Wrapping up space I try to explain the flow of the next four launces that are coming up.

In this show we open with a discussion about the return of the Gateway computer brand selling Windows and Android devices in Walmart. In the faith section, classes have begun for year two and I share some details about what the Rite of Candidacy Mass signifies in our formation process towards the Permanent Diaconate. In tech we begin with a full review of the last week for updates and new builds for Windows and Edge Insiders as we get closer to the release of Windows 10 Version 20H2 in the next month or so. The big news in tech is all about the release and reviews of Surface Duo which are high on the hardware but frustrated with the software. No surprises around a first-generation device. Then I talk about the unexpected announcements around Xbox Series S and some other related news after a video of the device including its pricing and release date was leaked. The response by the Xbox team was stellar though and grabbed a lot of solid attention. Under the space banner we have NASA moon dirt news, a ULA Delta IV Heavy launch date, and a failed launch for a small upcoming launch provider.

We open this show covering Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020's huge release and my own hands on with Surface Duo including the two aspects of the device that really surprised me. In faith, an update on our online class now that we have a syllabus to see how the 12 weeks of Fundamental Theology will move along. I also share about the recently released Fatima movie and an excellent editorial about being less disagreeable when we disagree. Under tech we catch up on the latest builds for Windows and Edge Insiders, some Windows 10 annoyances and how to fix them, deprecated features in Windows 10, hands on with Project Moca and Transcribe for Word. Edge is also testing a new Web Capture feature in the Canary Channel, plus there is news about the end of Adobe Flash in Edge. In other tech news, Microsoft retains the huge JEDI contract with the Pentagon after a review but Amazon is not happy about it, Zoom has a huge quarter and we discuss whether than momentum sticks after the pandemic, and Walmart launches their Amazon Prime competitor. Space news includes NASA SRB tests in the desert for Artemis, searching for new Flight Directors, and a twin Mars rover right here on earth. ULA is still looking into their aborted Delta IV Heavy launch, SpaceX makes a couple more launches themselves including a history making one, and Rocket Lab successfully returns to flight.

Here at the very end of August in a quite different year than we all expected when it started, there is still plenty to discuss about faith, tech, and space. We kick this episode off with a discussion around returning to movie theaters to watch movies during this active pandemic plus an update an update about my recent PC Build and SSD drives. Next is the final couple of weeks in the summer break for my cohort's continuing formation and classes beginning in just a couple of weeks. In tech, we layout new builds for Windows and Edge Insiders including a significant upcoming milestone. Surface Duo review are in the hands of reviewers and influencers but it is everyday folks without embargos that are going into Best Buy and AT&T stores to give full operational demos of the dual-screened devices ahead of schedule. IN other tech headlines there is more on the Epic vs Apple app store fight, talk about the Amazon Halo, TikTok, tech scam insider information to help awareness, and big changes in real estate in the pandemic. In space we have launches and scrubs and we wrap up reminiscing about the 25 year anniversary of Windows 95, Office, 95, and of course this website!