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Microsoft Azure, the cloud computing solution from the Redmond, Washington company turns 8 years old today and is in the middle of a significant growth spurt.  The solution was officially launched in 2010 and is a combination of Windows and Linux computing power with client-based SDKs that can be used to access the solution.

Although it started with humble beginnings, Azure has been growing rapidly.  It is now just shy of being a $29 Billion part of Microsoft’s overall revenue.  While Azure doesn’t get as much limelight as Google Cloud Platform or even Amazon’s AWS, it is a powerful and robust cloud solution for enterprises.

The much anticipated update to Chrome 64 has arrived in the Chrome OS Stable channel.  The new version is build 64.0.3282.134 (Platform version: 10176.65.0) and it contains several new features along with the normal bug fixes and security updates that come with every new build of Chrome OS.

Here is the rundown of the new features in this build:

• Take screenshots faster on Chromebooks with a 360-degree hinge by pressing the power and volume down buttons at the same time
• Revamped Intent Picker for Play Applications (Same window by default with override)
• Lockscreen Performance Improvements
• Enable VPN for Google Play Apps
• Enhancements to our protected media pipeline for Android
• Android Container Auto Update Optimizations
• Touchscreen pairing settings

In addition to these new features, there is now a flag you can set to enabled split screen viewing.  This was something that was found in a commit last month.  Android apps can now run in the background too.

YouTube TV is soon to be an option on Roku devices, including Roku enabled TVs and the companies dedicated streaming boxes.  It will be an app that subscribers to Google’s TV service can access a channel guide and watch content.

YouTube TV was launched last year and the $35/month television streaming service has done well.  Google reports over 300,000 subscribers since its April 2017 launch which may not sound like much, but given the limited markets that are available, it is pretty impressive.  The addition of the service on Roku streaming devices should help grow that number further.

File this under the “better late than never” category.  Over a year after releasing the ability to manage iOS devices, even those without a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile, Google has added the same functionality for Android devices in G Suite.  The feature means that admins can set basic security requirements on Android devices without requiring the BOYD owner to install a MDM profile on their phone.

When Basic Mobile Management is enabled, admins can:

• Enforce a device screen lock. (Lollipop or later)
• Wipe a corporate account (but not the entire device).
• View, search, and manage their device inventory.

It is unclear why it took Google so long to add this functionality for Android devices but likely has to do with the shear number of devices that are out on the market with various configurations.