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Today’s topics include the arrest of a National Security Agency contractor on charges of stealing classified documents, Microsoft’s plan to fix a glitch that causes Windows 10 updates to get stuck in a perpetual loop, how Intel is supporting the development of the latest wearable devices and Microsoft’s decision to stop marketing the Fitness Band 2.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland revealed on Oct. 5 that a National Security Agency contractor was arrested on Aug. 27 on charges of stealing classified documents.
Charged is 51-year-old Harold Thomas Martin III on allegations that he removed and retained classified government documents. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Martin’s property on Aug. 27 and found documents that the government labeled top-secret.
According to the Justice Department, six classified document were recovered that were originally produced by U.S. intelligence officials in 2014.
On Sept. 29, Microsoft released a cumulative update for Windows 10 Anniversary Edition that promised to fix a long list of issues and improve the performance of several of the operating system’s components.
After the update started reaching the general public, users started hitting the Windows 10 Early Access and Support forums with a barrage of complaints that their Windows 10 machines were stuck in a perpetual update loop.
As a workaround, Microsoft suggested that users visit the Windows 10 upgrade page, download the media creation tool and select the “Upgrade This PC Now” option while choosing to “keep everything.”
This workaround allows users to update their PCs while keeping their data files, settings and applications intact. Another, more involved option involved tinkering with the registry.
Intel officials view the wearable space as a significant growth area for the company as it aggressively moves away from its legacy as primarily a PC chip maker to become a major technology supplier for an increasingly connected world.
Intel has been showing off its latest innovations for connected wearables over the past several weeks. Most recently, Intel and Luxottica Group this week unveiled the Oakley-branded Radar Pace smart eyewear, which essentially acts as a virtual coach for wearers while running or cycling.
The smart glasses, which sell for $449 on the Oakley website, connect to free smartphone apps for Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android mobile operating systems and use Intel’s Real Speech technology to communicate with the wearer.
Microsoft is apparently taking its 2-year-old Band fitness wristband product line off the market. The 2-year-old Band 2 was recently removed from the online Microsoft Store and has not been slated for a new model replacement.
The Band 2, which previously was listed in the online store with a variety of other brands, including Fitbit, is no longer listed on the web page. Microsoft confirmed the move in an Oct. 5 reply to an eWEEK inquiry.
“We have sold through our existing Band 2 inventory and have no plans to release another Band device this year,” a spokesman told eWEEK. “We remain committed to supporting our Microsoft Band 2 customers through Microsoft Stores and our customer support channels and will continue to invest in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices.”