The Windows Central Podcast

It appears that Microsoft is set to buy Discord as part of its recent shopping spree. Daniel and Zac also chat about Razer possibly releasing an AMD-powered laptop, new icons in File Explorer, a WPA version of the Spotify app, and more.

Links:

• Microsoft could close on $10 billion Discord acquisition as soon as next month | Windows Central
• Razer seems set to join team red with an AMD-powered laptop | Windows Central
• Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 21H1 build 19043.906 to the Insider Beta Channel | Windows Central
• Windows 10 Insider build 21343 brings new icons to the File Explorer | Windows Central
• It might be time for an 'Xbox Game Pass Lite' | Windows Central
• Say goodbye to the clunky Spotify desktop app for Windows 10 | Windows Central
• Halo Infinite voice actor leaks potential November 2021 release date [Update] | Windows Central
• LG Gram 17 (2021) review: Small changes make this ultra-big laptop ultra-impressive | Windows Central

AMD's Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors are here as Intel goes after Apple with an ad featuring Justin Long. Daniel and Zack Also have news in Windows 10 build 21337, Surface Duo March 2021 update, a review of the Xbox Wireless Headset, and more.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 21337 rolls out to Insiders with improvements to Virtual Desktops and File Explorer | Windows Central
• How to pick the right AMD Ryzen 5000 Mobile processor | Windows Central
• Xbox Wireless Headset vs. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 2): Battle of the Bluetooth | Windows Central
• 'I'm a Mac' guy swaps to PCs in Intel's latest set of attack ads | Windows Central
• Surface Duo receives its March 2021 Android security and firmware update | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams gets trashed by Wirecutter, highlights lingering issues with consumer push | Windows Central

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Cortana has died more times than Jason Voorhees and Freddie Krueger combined. Surface Laptop 4 specs have leaked online — Daniel and Zac have the details. A new Microsoft webcam is reportedly on the way as well. Additionally, Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 build 21332 to Insiders in the Dev Channel.

The guys also dig into some gaming news. 20 Bethesda Softworks titles are coming to Xbox Game Pass, and Halo Infinite developers have offered insight into the game's day/night cycle, weather, different biomes, and more. All that, plus Daniel's review of the Dell XPS 8940 SE desktop!

Links:

• Harman Kardon confirms Cortana cutoff dates for Invoke speaker | Windows Central
• Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 CPU specs leak online | Windows Central
• Microsoft webcam will reportedly be announced alongside Surface Laptop 4 this spring | Windows Central -Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 build 21332 to Insiders in the Dev Channel | Windows Central
• 20 Bethesda Softworks games are joining Xbox Game Pass, some will benefit from Xbox FPS Boost | Windows Central
• Microsoft officially welcomes Bethesda to the Xbox family, some new titles to be Xbox exclusive | Windows Central
• Halo Infinite devs detail day/night cycle, dynamic weather, different biomes, and more | Windows Central
• Dell XPS 8940 SE review: A powerful but minimalist desktop PC with NVIDIA RTX graphics | Windows Central

Zac and Daniel deliver a roundup of announcements from Ignite, including some insight into the next generation of Windows. GroupMe could be expanding its feature set, Razer has announced smart glasses, a Lumia and iPhone expert has joined the Microsoft Surface team, and more!

Links:

• Microsoft introduces new Outlook features to improve calendar and schedule tasks | Windows Central
• Microsoft helps with Google's Flutter 2 update to improve apps on Surface Duo | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams is getting new security, privacy, and compliance features | Windows Central
• 'Holoportation' is now a reality thanks to Microsoft Mesh, Azure, and HoloLens 2 | Windows Central
• Panos Panay teases 'next generation of Windows' is coming in fireside chat at Ignite 2021 | Windows Central
• Lumia and iPhone imaging expert, Ari Partinen, joins Microsoft's Surface team | Windows Central
• Alexa for Xbox app pops up in Microsoft Store, though it doesn't work yet | Windows Central
• Microsoft's GroupMe looks to expand into finding groups, voice, and video calls like Telegram, Signal | Windows Central
• It's time: Xbox's achievement system is due for an upgrade | Windows Central
• Razer just made smart glasses for people who work all day and they look awesome | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge on iOS, Android about to get more features faster than ever | Windows Central

The week has been packed with news on a wide range of topics for Microsoft fans, including Windows 10 build 21322, Razer's Kiyo Pro webcam, and Zac's look at Sun Valley. He and Daniel also discuss SSD replacement kits for Surface Pro 7+, and a rumor that Samsung will release a laptop with Exynos and AMD processors.

Daniel reviews the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 keyboard, Bioware's cancelation of Anthem Next, process on Halo Infinite, and more.

Links:

• Razer announces its juggernaut Kiyo Pro full HD webcam packed with low-light tech | Windows Central
• Hands-on with Windows 10 build 21322 showcasing new features and changes | Windows Central
• Windows 10 Sun Valley: Everything we know so far | Windows Central
• Surface Pro 7+ gets SSD replacement kit, Microsoft hints at more to come | Windows Central
• Samsung reportedly set to launch a Windows 10 laptop with Exynos and AMD inside | Windows Central
• HyperX Alloy Origins 60 review: Red linear switches, RGB, and oh so compact | Windows Central
• RIP Anthem: Incredible potential that was never reached | Windows Central
• Anthem Next officially canceled, development efforts shifting to the next Dragon Age and Mass Effect | Windows Central
• Halo Infinite world design details shown off in new update | Windows Central

There's so much news this week, including Microsoft's announcement of Windows 10 21H1, a fresh Dev Channel build, updates to Edge, and an inking app called Journal. Dan and Zac also cover the $99 Xbox Wireless Headset, Duo updates, and a pair of laptop reviews!

Links:

• Microsoft announces Windows 10 version 21H1 with security and quality improvements | Windows Central
• Microsoft will finally solve this annoying issue with the Windows 10 clipboard | Windows Central
• Microsoft reimagines Journal, an inking app that's 20 years in the making | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge has a new way of dealing with notification requests | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge's Add-ons page now has third-party themes | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge Canary has a new Office Viewer for quickly viewing files | Windows Central
• Microsoft starts testing Kids Mode for Microsoft Edge | Windows Central
• Microsoft is releasing an official Xbox Wireless Headset for $99, now available for preorder | Windows Central
• Windows reportedly lost almost 5% market share in 2020 according to IDC | Windows Central
• Microsoft Surface Duo picks up February Android security update | Windows Central
• Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 review: The most badass 2-in-1 PC gets a welcomed refresh for 2021 | Windows Central
• VAIO Z review: An insanely expensive blend of ultra-light meeting ultra-powerful | Windows Central

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Dan serves up his full review of Surface Pro 7+ for Business, and Surface Duo is headed to more markets in the next week. The guys also check out a new Dev Channel build, investigate a patent for interchangeable backs on Surface Laptop, Oculus Quest 2, and more.

Links:

• Surface Pro 7+ for Business review: LTE and Intel 11th Gen make a huge difference, even if the rest is boring | Windows Central
• The Surface Duo's international release date is set for February 18th | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 21313 rolls out to the Insider Dev Channel with new changes | Windows Central
• Microsoft patents design for interchangeable backs on Surface Laptop | Windows Central
• Microsoft CEO claps back at Slack, asks if Slack would exist without Windows | Windows Central
• Microsoft, Google, and Qualcomm complain to US antitrust regulators regarding NVIDIA's purchase of Arm | Windows Central
• Thoughts on the Oculus Quest 2: Should Xbox make a run at VR? | Windows Central

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We're back with more follow up on Surface Pro 7+, and Zac spells out what Microsoft could be doing to improve Surface Duo. He and Daniel also take on Windows 10X, haptic touchpad, HP's Omen 15 gaming laptop, and more.

Links:

• Surface Pro 7+ vs. Surface Pro 7: What's the difference? | Windows Central
• Microsoft needs to step up for Surface Duo to be taken seriously | Windows Central
• You can install Windows 10X on unsupported PCs using this new tool | Windows Central
• Haptic touchpads are finally coming to Windows laptops. Here's why it matters. | Windows Central
• HP Omen 15 (2020) review: A generational refresh turns this gaming laptop into one of the best values around | Windows Central

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• IPVanish Online security made easy. Help secure your private information like your location data, personal identity, and browsing history when you use the internet on any computer or mobile device. IPVanish is offering an incredible 65% off – just $3.49 for the first month or $27.99 for the year. Go to IPVANISH.com/windowscentral

Zac and Dan catch up on Microsoft's Surface Pro 7+ for Business and tour an as-yet-unreleased version of Windows 10X for single-screen PCs. Microsoft Edge 88 is here as well, plus confusion and consternation regarding Xbox Live Gold. The guys also check out some of the best announcements from CES 2021.

Links:

• Microsoft announces Surface Pro 7+ for Business: 4G LTE, 32GB of RAM, and 11th Gen Intel | Windows Central
• Hands-on with Windows 10X for single-screen PCs (video) | Windows Central
• Windows 10 Sun Valley: Everything we know so far | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge 88 arrives with new privacy, security, and productivity features | Windows Central
• Xbox Live Gold price increase reversed, Gold no longer required for free to play games | Windows Central
• Windows Central's Best of CES 2021 | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• IPVanish Online security made easy. Help secure your private information like your location data, personal identity, and browsing history when you use the internet on any computer or mobile device. IPVanish is offering an incredible 65% off – just $3.49 for the first month or $27.99 for the year. Go to IPVANISH.com/windowscentral

Zac and Daniel look forward to new Windows features in 2021, some of which can be seen in the latest build for Insiders in the Dev Channel. They also talk about a new web powered version of Outlook for Windows and Mac, and a preview of new products being announced at CES 2021.

Minecraft Earth is shutting down in June, and Daniel shares his experience upgrading the SSD in his Surface Pro X.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 21286 rolls out to Insiders in the Dev Channel | Windows Central
• Microsoft is building a new Outlook app for Windows and Mac powered by the web | Windows Central
• CES 2021 | Windows Central
• Minecraft Earth is officially closing down in June 2021, releases final update | Windows Central
• Surface Pro X: How to upgrade the SSD in a few simple steps | Windows Central