Surface Update 2/12/2013

This release will address several 'Limited' Wi-Fi connections issues.

Contains driver updates improving performance with Windows, Volume and Power buttons

Source: MS Community

That's pretty limited information. I've not had any problem with the wifi, nor lag of the buttons. Lucky me?

VMWare View on Surface RT

Around the first of February, 2013, we finally got a Surface RT app for VMWare View. For me, this turns the device into a work capable device. The app isn't perfect, no PCoIP support, but it's better than nothing.

Citrix did a good job releasing the Citrix Receiver app last year. Kudos to them.

Windows RT Surface update 1/8/13

It's always nice to have a Windows Update... Odd I know, but it's exciting to find out what has been fixed or added.

The update today (Jan 8, 2013) involved security updates mostly, but also included some firmware updates for stability.

First off, the Windows RT Flash Player is not updated by Adobe. The Flash player is version 10 and updated by Microsoft. The downside is that Flash player on Windows RT is always behind and may not work on some sites. Although it is rare, I have run into this already. The upside is that I don't get an almost daily update from Adobe.

But in today's update, the Flash player was updated for IE10. This was done to fix a security hole. Benefit for me. I am seeing some improvement on sites that have required a higher version of flash.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/advisory/2755801

The security stuff includes update for the .NET Framework, SSL vulnerability, elevation of privilege vulnerability, MSXML core services,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2750149 (non-security)


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2785220
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2778930
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2757638

Nothing exotic, nothing exciting.

Surface RT Windows Mail issue is fixed!

As I laid out in this post on November 5th, the mail client on the Surface RT had some configuration issues that would not allow some of us to send email.

There was an update released on 12/20/2012 that updated the mail client and required a reboot. This seems to have fixed the issue, which is great! I can now send email from my personal email account on the Surface RT.

I initially tried to simply change/reapply my settings, and it did not work for me. I eventually had to delete the account from the mail app, reboot, and re-add the account. That worked.

Finally.

Microsoft Surface network printing

Today I needed to print something that is on the microSD card in the Surface and it struck me that I hadn't tested the printing. In fact. I've never had the opportunity or need to print from a tablet. I did try to get that working from my Windows Phone 7 with no luck. This is something I feel that Microsoft could excel at if they'd just do it. Productivity is the realm of the PC.

Anyway, I went to the control panel and to devices. I clicked on "add printer" and it immediately picked up my Brother 2170n. Next, ok, etc... print from Word 2013. Worked perfectly the first time.

I am a bit surprised. I don't know why this would be EASIER than in Windows 7, but it was. The only prompt I got was to use some sort of generic print driver (OK/Cancel).

Now granted, basic print drivers are pretty standardized... mostly the added features and benefits of OEM drivers are the extra stuff like ink level checking, etc. I have always hated the extras because they are generally buggy and bloated. So this tactic of using a simple, basic driver for "most" printers suits me just fine as long as the printed page looks like it should.

Before this simple network printer install, the default printer was OneNote. There is also an option for XPS in there. Neither of these options are good. I feel like XPS is a waste of time. We don't need another goofy format from Microsoft that will just go unsupported ASAP.

Surface RT firmware update #1

Office 2013 Home and Student final is out as of October 31 , 2012. 586MB!
I've been using Office 2013 several times a week since the Surface came out, and I like it. Not a huge update of 2010, but it works well.

The updates today (11/13/2012) didn't fix the mail issues I am still experiencing, and no use of POP mail either.

Here is the list:
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-delivers-operating-system-updates-for-surface-rt-7000007354/

Nice, but needing more.

Windows Live Mail IMAP problem on the Surface

I have several email accounts, and it looks like the non-standard accounts do not send email through IMAP from Windows 8 RT.

A day or two after I received the device there was a windows update that changed the email app. I noticed because the "Add New Account" screen looks different. There is a "POP3" option which simply tells us that POP3 is not supported at this time.

IMAP receives email, but does not send.
I tried this same account setup in Thunderbird, and I had to choose the outgoing mail server, port 587, and STARTTLS as the authentication type.

The Live Mail app does allow me to change the port, but the auth type cannot be changed. Maybe it's another issue. Regardless, Microsoft seems to know about it, and hopefully we will receive an update soon. Not being able to send mail from my primary email account is annoying.
 
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_rt-ecoms/cant-send-imap-mail/66d40d6d-2936-443d-8d21-350f88aa4637