The Windows Central Podcast

Zac and Dan sit down for one more podcast episode in 2021. They begin with an analysis of rumors that Microsoft is creating their own Arm chips for servers and Surface devices. Also on the docket is the near and longer term future of Surface Duo, the greatness of TikTok, and a new beta of the Edge browser.

Cyberpunk 2077 continues to generate controversy, especially on consoles. Dan review the HP EliteBook x360 G7, and Zac reports on what we can expect from Windows 10 in the first half of 2021. All that, plus their things of the week!

Links:

• Microsoft reportedly creating its own ARM chips for servers and Surface PC | Windows Central
• Surface Duo officially coming to Canada, France, Germany, and the UK in 2021 | Windows Central
• TikTok updated with support for Surface Duo's dual-screen displays | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge Beta now lets you sync tabs and history across Android and Windows 10 | Windows Central
• List of Cyberpunk 2077 known bugs and launch issues | Windows Central
• HP EliteBook x360 1040 G7 review: Thinner, lighter, but still shy of greatness | Windows Central
• Surface and Windows 10: What to expect in the first half of 2021 | Windows Central

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It's a super-sized episode this week as Daniel and Zac talk about x64 emulation for Windows 10 on ARM, and the possible roadmap for Windows 10 and Surface products in 2021.

They also check in on Surface Duo after 3 months of use, HP's Reverb G2 VR headset, and the release of Cyberpunk 2077. Our very own Jez Corden says it may be one of the best video games ever made!

Links:

• x64 emulation rolls out for Windows 10 on ARM in latest Dev Channel release | Windows Central
• Surface and Windows 10: What to expect in the first half of 2021 | Windows Central
• Surface Duo 3 months on: How is Microsoft's dual-screen Android experience going? | Windows Central
• HP Reverb G2 review: Incredible visual and aural experience with inferior controllers | Windows Central
• Cyberpunk 2077 review: Joining industry legend as a contender for best game ever made | Windows Central
• Microsoft Authenticator might soon work as a password manager on iOS | Windows Central

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We've got an incredibly packed episode for you this week! Daniel just took delivery of a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold, and Zac reports on what to expect for Windows 10 in 2021. They also discuss Android apps coming to Windows 10 along with Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop 4 rumors.

All that, plus Edge news, PS5 vs Xbox Series X performance, and more.

Links:

• The foldable PC era begins as Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Fold goes live for preorders | Windows Central
• 2021 is shaping up to be a big year for Windows 10 | Windows Central
• Microsoft's 'Project Latte' aims to bring Android apps to Windows 10 | Windows Central
• Microsoft's upcoming Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop 4 show up in leaked images | Windows Central
• EufyCam 2 review: A year's battery, and no monthly plan – this home security camera is almost perfect | Windows Central
• Honey integration removed from Microsoft Edge on iOS and Edge beta on Android | Windows Central
• Why is the PS5 beating the Xbox Series X in power comparisons? Microsoft responds. | Windows Central

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Xbox Series S and Surface Duo are among the year's best inventions, according to TIME. Daniel and Zac talk about what makes them great products. Microsoft Teams for personal use is rolling out to the web and desktop.

Intel is developing a reference design 15" laptop for release in 2021, the guys have a hands-on look at xCloud streaming on Windows 10, and Daniel has more to say on Apple Silicon.

Links:

• Xbox Series S and Surface Duo make TIME's 'Best Inventions of 2020' list | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams for personal use rolls out to the web and desktop with 24-hour calling | Windows Central
• Intel will launch a laptop to compete with the likes of the Dell XPS 13 and HP Spectre x360 | Windows Central
• Exclusive: First hands-on video with xCloud Xbox game streaming for Windows 10 PC | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge Dev and Canary now let you comment on PDFs | Windows Central
• Apple brings the heat with its M1 ARM processor, but takes different direction than Microsoft | Windows Central

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Surface Duo's November update is rolling out now. Zac and Daniel talk about Apple's M1 processor for Macs and the influence it might have on the overall PC market. They also talk about the launch of Xbox SeriesX/S, updates to the Bing and Microsoft News apps on Android, and Daniel's review of the Dell XPS 17.

Links:

• Surface Duo's November update now rolling out for unlocked devices; here's what's new | Windows Central
• Apple brings the heat with its M1 ARM processor, but takes different direction than Microsoft | Windows Central
• Where to buy Xbox Series X/S: How to find in-stock consoles | Windows Central
• First look: Bing and Microsoft News turn into one-stop hubs on Android with new look, more features | Windows Central
• Dell XPS 17 (9700) review: A wall of pixels and raw power wherever you go | Windows Central

Zac and Daniel have a look at Microsoft's rumored 'Cloud PC' service, and what might tech might included in Surface Pro 8.

Razer continues to evolve their product line. They've got a $500 gaming chair that Daniel has had a chance to review. Plus, the company has introduced Razer Book 13, which is their first non-gaming laptop.

SwiftKey works across both displays on Surface Duo, and good deals abound on the device. They finish out the show with our reviews of Xbox Series X and Series S.

Links:

• Leaked details shed light on Microsoft's rumored 'Cloud PC' service | Windows Central
• Potential Surface Pro 8 engineering prototype shows up for sale with 11th-gen Intel processor | Windows Central
• Razer Iskur review: When a $500 gaming chair is totally worth it | Windows Central
• Razer Book 13 is the company's first non-gaming laptop, and it's a beauty | Windows Central
• Microsoft SwiftKey now supports thumb typing across both displays on Surface Duo | Windows Central
• Xbox Series X review: Powerful and bold — with a games lineup that's uncertain | Windows Central
• Xbox Series S review: Next-gen goes back to basics | Windows Central

Zac and Daniel look at the future of Windows 10 and discuss the imminent launch of Xbox Series X. Microsoft continues to deliver strong revenue and profitability. That makes Wall Street happy, but their success also fuels product development for enthusiasts like us.

Additionally, Daniel reviews the updated Surface Pro X and shares a new chapter in his Twitter tech-support nightmare.

Links:

• Microsoft plans big Windows 10 UI refresh in 2021 codenamed 'Sun Valley' | Windows Central
• Xbox Series X, Series X unboxing: First look at Microsoft's next-gen consoles | Windows Central
• Microsoft beats Q1 earnings expectations with big cloud, Surface, Xbox growth | Windows Central
• Surface Pro X (2020) review: Minor changes for the best ARM PC | Windows Central
• My Twitter tech-support nightmare (again) | Windows Central

Zac and Dan share the top 5 new features in the Windows 10 October 2020 Update, and talk about a temporary $200 discount on Surface Duo.

The Xbox Media Remotes will work with Xbox Series X and Series S thanks to IR receivers in the next-gen consoles. They also discuss product roadmap issues that are affecting Intel's bottom line, but the company is likely to remain a major power in the computer industry.

Links:

• Top 5 new features in the Windows 10 October 2020 Update | Windows Central
• Windows 10 October 2020 Update review: Subtle, but necessary | Windows Central
• Surface Duo on sale for $200 off from Microsoft Store | Windows Central
• The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S still have IR receivers, will work with Xbox One Media Remotes | Windows Central
• Intel operating margins drop in Q3 2020 despite rising PC sales | Windows Central

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Surface Pro X with the new SQ2 processor is here, and it's the most platinum platinum computer Microsoft has ever made. Dan and Zac review Surface Laptop Go and talk about a new Windows 10 build for Insiders, plus using Bing on Xbox.

They also evaluate Apple's lineup of iPhone 12 models and how they stack up for Microsoft users. Finally, they introduce a new segment called "Thing of the Week"!

Links:

• Surface Pro X in platinum with new SQ2 processor arrives October 13th for $1,499 | Windows Central
• Surface Laptop Go review: This delightful mini PC gets (almost) everything right | Windows Central
• New Windows 10 build rolls out to Insiders, but it's just a test without features | Windows Central
• Bing has a new Xbox app, and you might actually want it | Windows Central
• iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12: Release date, price, features, and more | iMore

Dan and Zac talk about the Windows 10X out-of-box experience, which may be coming to Windows 10, and there's an update to Edge that adds a price checker for online shopping.

The Surface Duo October update corrects many initial issues with the device and represents the first in a long road of future improvements. The guys also touch briefly on Microsoft's new Xbox marketing campaign.

Links:

• Windows 10X out-of-box experience may be coming to Windows 10 | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge is adding a nifty price checker feature to Collections to make shopping smarter | Windows Central
• Surface Duo's October update explained: What's fixed and improved | Windows Central
• Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ad encourages players to Power Your Dreams | Windows Central

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