The Windows Central Podcast

Links

• Microsoft readies app folders in Start, new gestures, and more for Insiders on Windows 11 | Windows Central
• NVIDIA's $40 billion purchase of Arm terminated, confirms SoftBank | Windows Central
• HoloLens 3 may not be dead after all, suggests device's creator | Windows Central
• New report sheds light on future of Microsoft's AR strategy now that HoloLens 3 is 'canceled' | Windows Central -Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 leaked benchmarks look like good news for Windows on ARM PCs | Windows Central
• Xbox Kinect was good. There I said it. | Windows Central

This week, we examine changes to the way Microsoft is testing Windows 11 preview builds with Insiders, HoloLens 3, Satya Nadella's thoughts on the metaverse, and more.

Links

• Microsoft is changing the way it tests Windows 11 preview builds with Insiders | Windows Central
• New report sheds light on future of Microsoft's AR strategy now that HoloLens 3 is 'canceled' | Windows Central
• Microsoft's HoloLens 3 's--t show' proves it still doesn't understand the consumer market | Windows Central
• Microsoft CEO discusses metaverse, Activision Blizzard, and how the company will create the next internet | Windows Central
• Surface Laptop Go 2: Everything we know so far | Windows Central
• Microsoft Surface Laptop SE review: What EDU and budget PCs should strive for | Windows Central
• Google's Flutter introduces support for Windows apps, uniting them with Android, iOS, Linux, and more | Windows Central

On this week's episode, Zac and Dan discuss new Windows 11 features coming to all users in February, the Surface Duo 2's big January Update, Android 11 for Surface Duo 1, Microsoft earnings, and more!

It was a "slow" news week that turned out to be not very slow at all! We have new Windows 11 builds, Surface Pro 8 LTE, Surface Go 3 in matte black, and a new Start app. Dan and Zac also cover marketshare reports from Gartner and more.

Links

• Windows 11 Build 22000.466 arrives in Release Preview and Beta Channels | Windows Central
• Windows 11 Build 22533 video: Microsoft finally updates the volume UI | Windows Central
• Surface Pro 8 with LTE is now available to order from the Microsoft Store | Windows Central
• Microsoft's Surface Go 3 with 4G LTE is coming to AT&T on January 7 | Windows Central
• Microsoft's Surface Go 3 now available in matte black and with LTE | Windows Central
• Start11 adds folder support to its customizable Windows 11 Start menu | Windows Central
• Microsoft Modern Headsets review: Wired or wireless conferencing | Windows Central
• PC shipments not expected to decline to pre-pandemic levels 'for at least 2-3 years' | Windows Central
• Report: Record-breaking 341 million PCs shipped in 2021, highest since 2012, with 'digital acceleration' for 2022 | Windows Central

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CES 2022 was huge for PC enthusiasts and fans of the Microsoft ecosystem. Dan and Zac break it all down for you. Plus, in the "Thing of the Week" segment, they review 'The Matrix Resurrections'!

Links

• Windows Central's Best of CES 2022 | Windows Central
• The ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED is the first foldable PC you'll definitely want to buy | Windows Central
• PlayStation VR2 appears ready to compete with the full VR market. That's bad news for Windows Mixed Reality. | Windows Central
• Google's 'Fast Pair' announcement for Windows shows everything that's wrong with Google | Windows Central
• Microsoft: Android 11 for Surface Duo will begin rolling out 'in the next few weeks' | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Surfshark: All you need in a VPN — and more. Go to Surfshark.deals/WCP and use code WCP to get 83% off plus 3 extra months for free when you sign up! Check it out: Surfshark.deals/WCP.

Happy Holidays! In our final episode of the year, Zac reviews the Xbox documentary: 'Power On', which is available to watch for free on YouTube. He and Dan also talk about the OPPO Find N, expectations for Microsoft in 2022, and the Surface Adaptive Kit.

Links

• Hands-on with Microsoft's brilliantly simple Surface Adaptive Kit | Windows Central
• Power On: The six-part series documenting Xbox history is now on YouTube | Windows Central
• OPPO's new Find N combines Galaxy Fold 3 and Surface Duo 2 concepts into one | Windows Central

Dark mode is coming to Notepad on Windows 11, and the December update to Surface Duo 2 brings a ton of enhancements. Google Play Games will be available on Windows PCs in 2022, plus Zac provides his review of Halo Infinite.

Links

• New Notepad app with dark mode arrives for Windows 11 Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft releases big Surface Duo 2 update: Improves touch, camera, Bluetooth, and adds new features | Windows Central
• Google Play Games is coming to Windows PCs in 2022 | Windows Central
• Halo Infinite campaign review: A masterpiece that's familiar, yet fresh, in all the right ways | Windows Central

Qualcomm has announced new chips that will be making their way into PCs next year. Dan and Zac also discuss the icky new shopping features built into Microsoft Edge, Windows 11 updates, haptic trackpad technology, and more.

Links:

• Qualcomm announces 5nm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 with 85% performance improvement | Windows Central
• Should Microsoft Edge have shopping features built in? | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge integrating buy now, pay later is predatory and disappointing | Windows Central
• Hands-on with Windows 11 build 22509: Improved Start menu, new emojis, and updated Settings app | Windows Central
• Windows 11 build 22509 brings improved Start menu layout and more | Windows Central
• Surface Duo 2 gets multi-PC support fix for Your Phone (beta) | Windows Central
• Surface Duo, Surface Duo 2 pick up long-awaited inking support in Outlook | Windows Central
• Windows 11 laptop trackpads take big step toward competing with Apple's Force Touch | Windows Central
• Nokia Lumia 800 Review | Windows Central

Thanksgiving is coming up in the U.S., but there's plenty of news. Daniel reviews the Dell UltraSharp Webcam. He and Zac have both received the Surface Duo 2 Pen Cover. As well, Windows 10 'November 2021 Update' is here along with the new Media Player app for Windows 11, and more.

Links:

• Surface Duo 2 Pen Cover is available now, here's where to buy | Windows Central
• Dell UltraSharp Webcam review: Excellent hardware, but image quality can't beat Logitech | Windows Central
• Is your PC getting the Windows 10 November 2021 Update right away? | Windows Central
• The Windows 10 'November 2021 Update' is now generally available | Windows Central
• Windows 11's new Media Player app is rolling out to Insiders now | Windows Central
• Xbox 20th Anniversary: Everything Microsoft announced | Windows Central
• Qualcomm's Nuvia-based advanced ARM chip for PC to rival Apple by 2023 | Windows Central
• WhatsApp Beta appears in the Microsoft Store, including ink and multi-device support | Windows Central