Windows Weekly 851

In this episode of Windows Weekly, Leo, Richard, and Paul discuss the successful acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the questionable success of Windows 11 adoption, new Windows Insider program builds, and updates on AI integration in Microsoft/Google products.

Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard

• This came in the wake of the UK CMA accepting the Microsoft concessions
• The FTC is still being a sore loser despite facts and logic
• No AB titles on Game Pass until 2024, Phil Spencer says
• Bethesda’s Pete Hines is leaving the company

Windows 11

• Microsoft leak reveals that there are 400 million PCs running Windows 11
• This tells us a few things. That there are 1 billion PCs still running Windows 10
• What did Windows 10 adoption look like at 2 years? What different factors impact both adoption rates? What will happen when Microsoft retires Windows 10 in two years? Why was Microsoft so transparent about Windows 10 adoption and so non-transparent about Windows 11 adoption? 
• New Beta build landed last Friday with some more interesting news for Europe
• Back on October 12, a new Release Preview channel build arrived with a quiet change we never noticed or discussed. There is a new System Components section in Settings > System
• New Dev build today: Copilot support for multimon, more File Explorer relability fixes 
• New Canary build today: Mail and Calendar no longer installed on clean install, Bluetooth LE support for hearing aids, new location functionality
• It’s official: Windows 7/8 keys can no longer activate Windows 11
• There are THREE new Dave Cutler interviews on YouTube!

Microsoft

• Microsoft owes $29 billion in back taxes

AI

• Google releases new smartphones and all the mainstream press can talk about is faux nonsense worries about photo editing altering reality. Let’s be more sophisticated here, please
• Microsoft Edge 118 adds an AI-powered Find on Page feature
• Google will also indemnify users for AI
• Google Search Generative Experience can now generate images

Xbox

• More Game Pass titles for October
• Microsoft announces new accessibility features for Xbox
• Xbox Series S starter bundle is just Xbox Series S + 3 mos of Game Pass

Tips & Picks

• App pick of the week: DuckDuckGo browser
• App pick of the week: AllDup
• RunAs Radio this week: Large Language Models for IT Pros with Seth Juarez
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Quinta do Portal 20 year Tawny Port

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 851 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Completes its Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
• A Brighter Future for Xbox and All Gamers (Premium)
• The UK’s CMA Approves Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Acquisition
• FTC is still salty about the deal
• Activision Blizzard Titles Won’t Come to Game Pass Until 2024
• Bethesda Head of Publishing Pete Hines is Leaving the Company
• https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-11/291128/numbers-dont-lie-people-do
• Windows 11 Insider Build 22635.2483 is Now Available on the Beta Channel
• Releasing Windows 11 Build 22621.2500 to the Release Preview Channel
• New Windows 11 Insider Builds Are Available for Canary and Dev Channel Testers
• You Can No Longer Use Windows 7/8 Keys to Activate Windows 11
• New Dave Culter interviews (!!) on YouTube
• IRS Says Microsoft Owes $29 Billion in Back Taxes
• Microsoft Edge 118 is Here With an AI-Powered Find on Page Update
• Google Will Indemnify Customers for Generative AI Use
• Google Search Generative Experience Now Lets Users Create Images
• F1 Manager 2023 and City: Skylines II Are Headed to Game Pass in October
• Google and Xbox Announce New Accessibility Features
• New Xbox Series S Starter Bundle Includes 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
• DuckDuckGo
• Large Language Models for IT Pros with Seth Juarez
• QUINTA DO PORTAL
• AllDup