Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade messaging is confusing

As we head into the July 29th launch date for Windows 10, the messaging on who is eligible for a free Windows 10 update seems to be getting more convoluted. Microsoft said a week ago that testers of the Windows 10 Preview, who are in essence helping  Redmond with the debugging and field testing of the new OS and antidote to the poorly received Windows 8 OS, would be 'getting the final release build which would remain activated.' Many read this as, 'Windows 10 Preview copies would be upgraded for free.' 

Microsoft has since backtracked and removed the "remain activated" part, while explaining that only owners of a genuine Windows 7 or 8.1 copy would get the next version for free. You know your version is eligible because it should show a 'Get Windows 10' icon on your taskbar which will walk you through the process of 'reserving' the OS for when it finally ships on July 29.

This is still confusing and as we barrel towards the launch date, I'm hoping Microsoft will issue clear instructions and explain how to best prepare for the installation of this much anticipated update to Windows. Microsoft did announce some changes to the Insider program (which issues the previews), check out the full details at Thurott.com

Source: Microsoft, Thurott.com

Update on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 4:35PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

A recent entry in the Microsoft blog aims to clarify who gets what for free. 

Strong iPhone 6 sales power Apple's earnings with a net profit of $13.6 billion

Stronger than expected iPhone sales have bolstered Apple's strong second quarter earnings. The company announced earnings of $13.6 billion, or $2.33 per share, in its second quarter, up by 33 percent from the same time last year. Apple's revenue rose to $58 billion, compared with $45.6 billion a year ago.

The growth was fueled by record second quarter sales of iPhone and Mac and all-time record performance of the App Store. Apple sold 61.6 million iPhones for the quarter. Introduced last year, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have been the biggest departures to apple's smartphone line.

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SlideShow: Canadian International Autoshow in Focus

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Toronto - The 2015 Canadian International Auto Show media day kicked off today in anticipation of the weeklong celebration of all things automotive and motoring related. Here are some of the first shots of production cars and prototypes on display at the show that I captured during my early walkaround. Stay tuned for a special story on the Tesla Model S which I was able to test in a closed course earlier today.

VW Golf is North American Car of the Year at Detroit Auto Show

It's been an impressive start of the year for Volkswagen as the company's venerable Golf won the 2015 Car of the Year award at the Detroit Auto Show just one week after it demoed one of the most compelling visions for the future of car infotainment at Internetional CES.

"The Volkswagen Golf gains fuel efficiency, safety and functionality while simultaneously costing less than the car it replaces....If the 2015 Golf signifies where VW is headed the German automaker's future looks bright indeed," says Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, also a NACTOY juror.

Volkswagen is thrilled to start 2015 with the Golf and Golf GTI taking home the incredible North American Car of the Year title," said Michael Horn, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. VW previously won the show in 1999 when it launched the New Beetle.

Ford's F-150 took the Truck of the Year award at the show.

Source: USA Today