The Windows Central Podcast

Microsoft is hosting an event on June 24 to announce the next generation of Windows. Will it be called Windows 11, or something else? We discuss, along with Xbox at E3 2021, new laptops, and more.

Links:

• Microsoft will unveil 'the next generation of Windows' on June 24 | Windows Central
• Xbox E3 2021: Our expectations and predictions (and hopes and dreams) | Windows Central
• Samsung and Qualcomm announce Galaxy Book Go and Galaxy Book Go 5G, starting at $349 | Windows Central
• HP Elite Dragonfly gets Intel 11th Gen and adds new 'Max' edition for those stuck in meetings | Windows Central
• Watch this now: Here's why Windows no longer has its famous startup sound | Windows Central
• Surface Duo with 256GB of storage down to an incredible price | Windows Central

Zac and Dan share some highlights from Microsoft Build 2021. The May update is available for Surface Duo, which includes some Android security fixes and a firmware update. They also chat about the newly announced Arm v9 instruction set, new chips from Qualcomm, a slew of Acer laptops, and more.

Links:

• Microsoft Build 2021: Top 5 biggest announcements | Windows Central
• Why I wasn't disappointed in Microsoft Build 2021 | Windows Central
• Surface Duo's May 2021 Android security and firmware update is now available | Windows Central
• Arm unveils Armv9 Cortex CPUs that will power the next generation of smartphones and PCs | Windows Central
• Qualcomm announces budget-friendly Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 Compute Platform | Windows Central
• Hands-on: Acer Swift X packs the power of AMD and RTX 30 Series into a 3lb portable monster | Windows Central
• Best Razer Keyboards 2021 | Windows Central

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Windows 10 May 2021 is now available, assuming you hadn't already checked it out via the Windows Insider program. Dan and Zac discuss the update along with the idea of developing Windows 11 . They also commemorate the seventh anniversary of Surface Pro 3 and why it was such an important landmark device. All that and loads more on this week's episode!

Links:

• Windows 10 May 2021 Update now generally available | Windows Central
• Microsoft confirms Windows 10X is not coming in 2021, and likely never will | Windows Central
• Why it's time Microsoft made a Windows 11 | Windows Central
• Seven years ago, Microsoft released the era-defining Surface Pro 3 | Windows Central
• Xbox is ready to start playing dirty | Windows Central

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Zac and Daniel discuss the future of Windows 10 now that Windows 10X is on hold, plus more of the week's news.

Links:

What does the future hold for Windows if it isn't Windows 10X? | Windows Central

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Windows 10X has been put on hold for now so Microsoft can work to revamp Windows 10 desktop. Daniel and Zac also talk about what's going on with chip fabs and the global shortage, plus productivity on Xbox via Edge, and tons more.

Links:

• Windows 10X is on ice as Microsoft focuses efforts on rejuvenating Windows 10 desktop instead | Windows Central
• 60 Minutes' Intel CEO interview breaks down the chip shortage and global dependency on Asia | Windows Central
• Microsoft introduces new Segoe UI Variant font in latest Windows 10 preview build | Windows Central
• Microsoft releases new Edge Beta 91 for iOS with a unified desktop codebase | Windows Central
• You can now use Samsung's SmartThings on your Windows 10 PC | Windows Central
• Epic Games v. Apple: Here's everything we've learned so far | Windows Central
• With the new Microsoft Edge, you can almost use the Xbox Series S/X for productivity | Windows Central

Microsoft is planning changes to how games are sold on PC, which could include a reduction of their cut of net sales revenue of third party titles to 12%. Daniel and Zac cover the company's impressive earnings report and some new Windows laptops from Samsung. They also discuss ongoing competition between Intel and AMD, and how Apple is winning PC converts with MacBook.

Links:

• The Microsoft Store giving 88% of net sales revenue to developers isn't enough to shake Steam | Windows Central
• Microsoft exploring reduced Xbox store revenue cut, internal documents reveal | Windows Central
• Microsoft Q3 2021 earnings: $41.7 billion in revenue, large growth amidst pandemic | Windows Central
• Samsung announces ultra-light and thin Galaxy Book Pro and Book Pro 360 Windows laptops | Windows Central
• Samsung and Intel's partnership reveals why it's so hard for AMD to break through | Windows Central
• Apple's surge in first-time MacBook buyers should worry the PC industry | Windows Central
• How to get the Windows 10 May 2021 Update final release before anyone else | Windows Central

What's up with all the inexplicable whining about the upcoming Windows 10 Taskbar feature 'News and Interests'? Zac also delivers an exclusive report on Microsoft's work to revitalize the app store for Windows 10. Daniel has his full review of Surface Laptop 4, plus they chat about the latest Surface Duo update, GroupMe, iMac, and more.

Links:

• Windows 10's new Taskbar feature 'News and Interests' begins public rollout in a few weeks | Windows Central
• Microsoft is building a new app store for Windows 10 in major revitalization effort | Windows Central
• Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) review: AMD Ryzen shines, but Microsoft could still do much more | Windows Central
• Surface Duo's April 2021 Android security and firmware update is here (Update: Changelog) | Windows Central
• Microsoft's GroupMe (beta) is finally getting the ability to delete messages | Windows Central
• Apple's new iMacs may look silly, but it's the price that's killer | Windows Central

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Surface Laptop 4 is officially here and available in Intel and AMD-based variants. Daniel and Zac have the details along with Microsoft Edge Canary for Android, a new Windows Insider build, and more.

Links:

• Microsoft releases Edge Canary for Android matching desktop OS browser and features | Windows Central
• Microsoft announces Surface Laptop 4 with AMD Ryzen 4000 and Intel 11th Gen processors | Windows Central
• Microsoft unveils Surface Headphones 2 Plus for Business with new 'Teams Certified' dongle | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 21359 rolls out to Insiders with a lengthy list of changes and fixes | Windows Central
• Microsoft to purchase Nuance, the AI giant that helped create Apple's Siri, for $19.7 billion | Windows Central

Microsoft will be rolling out a variety of updates to Windows 10 over the next several months. Should you upgrade to an Insider build now or wait for final release? Daniel shows of the Razer Anzu smart glasses while he and Zac talk about new features to Microsoft Teams and more Surface patent filings. They also do a review roundup of the Razer Naga X mouse, HP ENVY 14, several Dell laptop announcements, and more.

Links:

• Windows 10 | Windows Central
• Razer just made smart glasses for people who work all day and they look awesome | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams will copy Zoom to make it easier to join meetings | Windows Central
• Microsoft files 'airplane mode' design patent to protect its Surface Pro design | Windows Central
• Which Dell laptop is right for you? | Windows Central
• Dell XPS 15 vs. Inspiron 15 7000: Which is best for you? | Windows Central
• Dell's G15 and G15 Ryzen Edition both offer the elusive RTX 3060 and much more | Windows Central
• Razer Naga X Review: The king of MMO gaming mice improves on the basics | Windows Central
• HP ENVY 14 review: An excellent creator's laptop that won't break your back (or wallet) | Windows Central
• Goodbye to LG, a fallen titan of experimentation and bootloops | Android Central

This week, Zac and Daniel talk about Microsoft's lead in mixed reality computing and their massive $22 billion contract with the US Army. They also look ahead to the Spring Surface lineup and the $499 B&O headphones for Xbox. Plus, the Xbox mini fridge is a reality!

Links:

• Microsoft scores U.S. Army contract to produce augmented reality headsets | Windows Central
• With Apple and other rivals in the wings, mixed reality is Microsoft's race to lose | Windows Central
• All the new Surface hardware we're expecting to see in spring 2021 | Windows Central
• Bang & Olufsen unveils $499 Beoplay Portal headset for Xbox | Windows Central
• Xbox's latest console is the Xbox Series Mini Fridge | Windows Central
• Razer Laptop Stand Chroma V2 review: Ridiculously priced, but ridiculously awesome | Windows Central