Windows Weekly 955

Microsoft is promising a bold AI-infused future for Windows 11, as the company aims to turn the OS into an AI-powered “agentic” hub. Amid all the Copilot hype, the hosts ask the tough questions: Are these AI features solving real problems, or is Big Tech just chasing a revenue gold rush? Tune in for sharp takes on AI skepticism, notable buzzwords, and the practical impact of Microsoft’s ambitious new direction. 

Windows 11… Windows.ai??

• Microsoft announces several new Copilot and AI features in Windows while redefining the term “AI PC” out from under Intel
• New features: Hey Copilot wake phrase (and goodbye), Copilot Vision is GA, new features coming soon include Copilot replacing Search in the Taskbar, Copilot Actions for local files, Manus AI agent and Filmora integration with File Explorer AI Actions, Zoom integration with Click to Do
• This is about Windows transforming into an “AI native” agentic OS
• Which ties into Paul’s AI is the End of Apps editorial, where apps became programmable so that they can be controlled by AI - You can see baby steps in Windows 11 in-box apps now
• Microsoft explains how it will secure agents in Windows because Recall what happened last time
• Microsoft releases so-called emergency update for Windows 11 after the October Patch Tuesday updates killed USB mouse and keyboard supports in the Windows Recovery Environment (WRE).
• Windows Insider Program: Mobile devices settings improvements, File Explorer improvements, Drag Tray improvements, and other changes head to Dev (25H2) and Beta (24H2) channels
• New Start menu, battery icons, Copilot Vision integration in Taskbar, File Explorer improvements, Voice access improvements, and Click to Do improvements (Copilot+ PC only) head to Release Preview, indicating they will be a Week D preview and then Patch Tuesday release in November
• Restyle rolling out in Paint across most Insider channels
• Open AI finally launches long-expected web browser, but only on the Mac because FU, Microsoft
• Facebook Messenger for Windows is retiring, will chase rabbits on a farm upstate

Microsoft

• What does Microsoft’s annual report say about its relationship with consumers?
• Three core consumer businesses: Windows, Microsoft 365 Consumer, Xbox/gaming
• Xbox/gaming smallest (500m) but also the most engaged - and also the most discussed in the report
• Not clear what % of users/revenues is consumer based, but it’s not a small number (guessing its at least one-third of each)

AI

• Copilot for Education is coming in December, $18 per student per month
• Anthropic Claude is coming for Copilot in Microsoft 365 commercial
• Copilot has AI competition on Samsung smart TVs now
• Opera Neon is getting an AI research agent

Xbox and gaming

• Xbox president says next console will be “very premium”. You know, like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
• ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are now available for purchase
• New wave of games coming to Game Pass across PC, console, and cloud, including Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, The Outer Worlds 2, and more
• Following console price hikes, Xbox Development Kit gets a 33 percent price increase thanks to insane U.S. tariffs

Tips & Picks

• Tip of the week: Laptops are upgradeable again and life is good
• App pick of the week: A grab bag of apps for Windows users
• RunAs Radio this week: Becoming a Cybersecurity Expert with Paula Januszkiewicz
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Laphroaig 10

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• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 955 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Wants to Redefine “AI PCs” with Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision on Windows 11
• Microsoft Says Windows 11 Will Be AI-Native
• AI is the End of Apps ⭐
• Microsoft Explains How It Will Secure AI Agents in Windows 11
• Windows 11 Emergency Update Addresses Mouse and Keyboard Issues in Recovery Environment
• Microsoft Issues New Windows 11 Dev and Beta Builds
• Windows 11’s Redesigned Start Menu is Now Available for Release Preview Testers
• OpenAI’s New ChatGPT Atlas Web Browser Launches on macOS
• Meta is Sunsetting its Messenger Apps for Windows and Mac
• Do Consumers Matter to Microsoft At All? ⭐
• New Microsoft 365 Copilot for Education Offering is Coming in December
• Anthropic Claude Now Integrates with Microsoft 365
• Perplexity AI Joins Microsoft Copilot on Samsung Smart TVs
• Opera Neon is Getting a Deep Research Agent
• Xbox President Teases “Very Premium” and “Curated” Next-Gen Experience
• Asus’ ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Are Now Available in 45 Countries
• The Outer Worlds 2, Football Manager 26, and More Are Coming to Game Pass
• Report: Microsoft is Raising the Price of Xbox Development Kits by 33%
• Operation SSD Swap is a Success ⭐
• Epic Games store
• Beta Release: New MSIX Installer for 1Password for Windows (1Password is a sponsor)
• balenaEtcher
• Zorin OS 18 is Here to Replace Windows 10
• First Steps: Zorin OS 18 ⭐
• Becoming a Cybersecurity Expert with Paula Januszkiewicz
• Laphroaig
• Samorost 3