The Windows Central Podcast

We're back in the saddle this week as Dan and Zac discuss a canceled mid-range Surface Duo device. There's also a great interview with members of the Dell XPS 13 Plus product management team, and a ton more.

Links

• More Windows 11 design and taskbar improvements roll out to Insiders in the Beta Channel | Windows Central
• Microsoft tests new Windows 11 'spotlight' theme with Insiders in the Dev Channel | Windows Central
• Canceled mid-range Surface Duo leaks with dual-camera array and plastic exterior | Windows Central
• Microsoft News Roundup: Four Windows Insider builds, in-person Ignite, Intel losing $500 million, and more | Windows Central
• Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: Easily the best low-profile, high-performance optical gaming keyboard | Windows Central
• Dell XPS 13 Plus vs. XPS 13 (9315) | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Zocdoc: In the chaotic world of healthcare let Zocdoc be your trusted guide to find a quality doctor in a way that is surprisingly pain free. Go to Zocdoc.com/wcp and download the Zocdoc app for FREE, then start your search for a top-rated doctor today. Many are available within 24 hours.

This week, Dan and Zac report on the huge news that Microsoft is moving to a new development cycle for Windows. We can now expect a major new release every three years. They also talk about a partnership with Netflix, layoffs at Microsoft, and more.

Links

• Microsoft moves to new Windows development cycle with major release every three years, feature drops in between | Windows Central
• Could Microsoft buy Netflix? At least one analyst seems to think so. | Windows Central
• Windows 11 Build 22000.829 brings new notification option to Insiders in Release Preview Channel | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Indeed: Choose Indeed and join 3 million companies worldwide who use Indeed to hire great people and help grow their teams faster. Get started right now with a free $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/wcp. Offer valid for a limited time. Terms and conditions apply.

Some Android apps are being updated to take advantage of dual screen phones, particularly Surface Duo. Dan and Zac talk about this along with new Windows 11 beta builds, a leaked version of OneDrive, watches, and more.

Links

• Microsoft brings new 'Suggested Actions' feature to Windows 11 Insiders in the Beta Channel | Windows Central
• Microsoft Surface Duo 2 picks up July update with more improvements for the camera, night mode, and more | Windows Central
• Microsoft Store killing open-source app sales, angering developers (Updated) | Windows Central
• Microsoft responds to controversial store policy change | Windows Central
• Microsoft OneDrive Windows 11 makeover shown off in leaked images | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Manscaped: Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code WCP at Manscaped.com.

This week, Dan Zac talk about Surface Neo—the device unveiled by Microsoft that apparently wasn't meant to be. They also talk about some new laptops, a lite version of Outlook for Android, and more.

Links

• It’s been 1000 days since Microsoft unveiled the Surface Neo | Windows Central
• Microsoft has a new version of Outlook for Android in the works | Windows Central

End of support for Windows 8.1 is coming in January 2023. If you've been holding out, t's time to upgrade if you want a more secure computing experience. We also revisit Surface Duo 2, make predictions for the fall Surface lineup, and more.

Links

• Windows 11 build 25145 rolls out to Dev Channel Insiders with more improvements | Windows Central
• Windows 8.1 users will start seeing 'end of support' warnings soon | Windows Central
• It’s been 1000 days since Microsoft unveiled the Surface Neo | Windows Central
• Best Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard | Truly Ergonomic
• Microsoft Surface Duo 2 re-review: I get it now - The Verge
• Xiaomi Book S 12.4" runs Windows 11 on ARM and is available for preorder this week | Windows Central

Sponsors:

Zocdoc: In the chaotic world of healthcare let Zocdoc be your trusted guide to find a quality doctor in a way that is surprisingly pain free. Go to Zocdoc.com/wcp and download the Zocdoc app for FREE, then start your search for a top-rated doctor today. Many are available within 24 hours.

We celebrate 10 years of Surface products by sharing our favorite models from the last decade. You can officially say farewell to Internet Explorer, but it will live on (for awhile) as a compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge. Plus there's a new build of Windows 11, a $40 Surface Pen alternative, a review roundup, monitor talk, and much more.

Links

• Windows 11 preview build 25140 rolls out to Insiders in the Dev Channel | Windows Central
• We're celebrating 10 years of Microsoft Surface all week at Windows Central! | Windows Central
• What’s the point of Surface? 10 years on | Windows Central
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 7) review: Hotter than ever, in more ways than one | Windows Central
• Microsoft reiterates Patch Tuesday updates are here to stay | Windows Central- Check out this new $40 Surface Pen alternative from Adonit | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Indeed: Choose Indeed and join 3 million companies worldwide who use Indeed to hire great people and help grow their teams faster. Get started right now with a free $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/wcp. Offer valid for a limited time. Terms and conditions apply.

This week, our intrepid reporters look at the current state and future of Windows on ARM processors. Speaking of Windows, the Windows 11 Fall Update is here via the Release Preview Channel. There's a big update for Surface Duo 2 users, Surface Laptop Go 2 is available, and Dell has re-designed its XPS laptops. WWDC took place recently, so the guys evaluate what's happening in the Apple ecosystem.

Links

• Surface Laptop Go 2 review: Faster, longer battery life, and now more affordable | Windows Central
• Apple may be copying Microsoft’s Surface strategy (again) with rumored new 12- and 15-inch MacBooks
• Apple Stage Manager pushed me to purchase an iPad over a Windows 11 PC | Windows Central
• Windows 11 Insider Build 25136 hands-on video: Tabbed File Explorer, dynamic widgets content, and more | Windows Central
• Windows 11 22H2 update accidentally being offered to unsupported PCs, confirms Microsoft | Windows Central
• Windows Notepad picks up ARM64 support, while Media Player can now sort songs and albums by date added | Windows Central
• Microsoft PowerToys now runs natively on Surface Pro X and other ARM PCs | Windows Central
• Windows 11 version 22H2 now available through Release Preview Channel | Windows Central
• Surface Duo 2 picks up 3rd party messaging app support for Glance Bar, Slim Pen 2 enhancements, improved charging, and more | Windows Central
• Dell announces all-new redesigned XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 premium laptop and folio PCs for 2022 | Windows Central
• Microsoft's Head of HoloLens is resigning; Mixed Reality Hardware goes under Windows & Devices division while its future is unclear | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Manscaped: Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code WCP at Manscaped.com.

There were a number of very interesting announcements at Build 2022, including an ARM-based developer kit named Project Volterra, along with changes to Windows and some other tidbits. Microsoft is working on a streaming device for Xbox content codenamed "Keystone". Additionally, allegations have surfaced that some executives at the company have engaged in verbal abuse and sexual harassment of employees.

Links

• Microsoft News Roundup: Xbox streaming device, Build 2022, harassment allegations, and more | Windows Central
• Lumina AI Webcam review: Perhaps the smartest 4K webcam on the planet | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Manscaped: Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code WCP at Manscaped.com.

Surface Duo 3 won't arrive in 2022, but speculation is already heating up. Dan and Zac also talk about a big update to Windows Subsystem for Android, new laptops from HP, and more.

Links

• Microsoft tests new Windows 11 feature drop for Insiders in the Release Preview channel | Windows Central
• Windows Subsystem for Android gets major Insider update, including Android 12.1 | Windows Central
• Microsoft applies for patent on device with reverse foldable display right as LG invents one | Windows Central
• HP’s new Spectre x360 13.5 and Spectre x360 16 laptops with 12th Gen Intel are going to be bangers | Windows Central
• Laptop News, Reviews and Buying Guides | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Indeed: Choose Indeed and join 3 million companies worldwide who use Indeed to hire great people and help grow their teams faster. Get started right now with a free $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/wcp. Offer valid for a limited time. Terms and conditions apply.

Microsoft's Ability Summit featured several new announcements for Windows 11 along with hardware accessories and resources for game development. Zac and Dan also set expectations for the upcoming Build 2022 conference, they check out the new Lumina AI Webcam, and more.

Links

• Microsoft releases Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621 to the Beta Channel | Windows Central
• Microsoft begins testing new Suggested Actions feature in Windows 11 build 25115 | Windows Central
• Microsoft rolls out new Sound Recorder preview app for Insiders on Windows 11 | Windows Central
• Microsoft outlines Edge accessibility features at Ability Summit | Windows Central
• Microsoft unveils new adaptive PC accessories with modular components | Windows Central
• Microsoft highlights new accessibility features coming soon to Windows 11 | Windows Central
• Microsoft shares resources on making Xbox games more accessible | Windows Central
• Microsoft Build 2022 session details now available | Windows Central
• Lumina AI Webcam review: Perhaps the smartest 4K webcam on the planet | Windows Central