Author: Clinton

Today’s Deal comes from Choetech on their durable USB-C cables.  Right now you can pick up a 3-pack of the nylon braided cables for $12.99 on Amazon.  That’s a $7 savings off the regular price.

The 3-pack of cables includes two 1m (3.3′) cables and one 2m (6.6′) cable, all of which support up to 5Gbps transfer speeds and USB 3.0.  All of the cables are USB-A to USB-C and are, of course, backwards compatible to older USB 2.0 and 1.1 connectors (but you lose the transfer speeds).

Microsoft Groove, the Redmond, Washington company’s music app and service, has a solid update rolling out for Android users.  The update is version 11.0925.1507 for those keeping score at home and brings two new features that, frankly, should have already been in the app.

The first new feature is the ability to search your music that you have stored in your OneDrive account and search it only.  Previously, the app would only bubble up music tracks that were in the Groove library itself.  That’s fine right up until you have that song or album that isn’t in the library.  Admittedly, it isn’t often, but that Indie band’s CD you ripped into OneDrive from the bar last weekend?  Yeah, that’s probably not there.  Now it is no big deal as you can search your own OneDrive library for songs.

Nokia has been clear that all of their current line up of devices, the Nokia 3, 5, 6 and 8, would be receiving an update to Android Oreo.  The question, as is always the case with manufactures, was when that would happen.  Now we know and it is this year.

In an interview today, HMD Global’s General Manager for ANZ (Australia and New Zealand), Mark Trundle confirmed that the Nokia 3, 5 and 6 will get getting the Oreo update before the end of the year.  As for the Nokia 8, the Android Oreo update is already in a limited rollout.

Today, Amazon launched their new-for-2017 Amazon Echo.  The new smart speaker powered by Amazon Alexa was unexpected, at least right now, and it caught pretty much everyone by surprise.

The new Echo is smaller than the original, sports new wood grain or fabric finishes and supports multi-room audio.  The new Echo is $99 and available on Amazon.  Buy a 3-pack and you save $50.  It will be available starting October 31st.

The US territory Puerto Rico was for all intents-and-purposes destroyed a couple of weeks ago by Hurricane Maria.  Millions are without power and even basic human needs like food and water are scarce.  One of the challenges is for people here in the US to get in contact with friends & family on the island since the hurricane but Microsoft is trying to help.

Until further notice, calls to Puerto Rico landlines and mobile numbers will be free via Skype.  The company announced the waiving of fees this morning and it is in effect for both domestic and international calls via Skype.

It looks like the long awaited inclusion of LTE is coming to the Microsoft Surface Pro.  The current version of the 2-in-1 style device was released back in May and at the time, it was indicated that an LTE version of it would be available.  To date, that hasn’t happened but it looks like the end of the wait may be in sight.

Neowin is reporting that the LTE enabled version of the Surface Pro will be available on December 1st.  It will be initially available for the Intel i5 equipped models but could make its way to the i7 models at a later date.