The Windows Central Podcast

Riding the wave of new hardware products, Dan and Zac continue to evaluate Surface Earbuds, Surface Go 2, and Surface Book 3. They also discuss Zac's scoop about Surface Duo's specs. It's not just about what it has, but what it doesn't have as well. They wrap up the episode by pointing out some interesting sessions scheduled for Microsoft Build.

Links:

• Surface Headphones 2, Surface Earbuds preorders now available at Best Buy
• Surface Go 2 review: Core m3 makes all the difference, but it's just barely enough | Windows Central
• Benchmarks: Surface Book 3 15-inch with GTX 1660 Ti shows promising boost in performance | Windows Central
• Surface Duo specs: 11MP camera, Snapdragon 855, 6GB RAM and more | Windows Central

New Surface products are real and available soon! Zac and Daniel cover the announcements and share their favorite features from the devices. They also chat about the future of Windows 10X, the recent and upcoming Xbox Series X events, and the Surface Duo emulator for software developers.

Links:

• Windows 10X will now launch first on single-screen PCs | Windows Central
• Xbox 20/20 events will show the future of Xbox each month, Xbox Game Studios showcase coming in July | Windows Central
• Surface Duo Emulator
• Microsoft's new Surface Book 3 arrives May 21 with new Intel, NVIDIA hardware | Windows Central

There's plenty of news this week in the world of Microsoft! The company generated $35 billion in revenue for Q3 2020, and Build 2020 registration is now open.

There's an Xbox event coming up May 7 to showcase upcoming games. Surface Headphones 2 are on the way along with some new Earbuds. Daniel and Zac also discuss why Zoom isn't really a competitor to Teams, and they outline 5 things PC makers should be doing in 2020.

Links:

• Microsoft Q3 2020 earnings: $35 billion in revenue, 'minimal impact' from COVID-19 | Windows Central
• Virtual Microsoft Build 2020 free registration is now open for all | Windows Central
• Xbox Series X gameplay showcase coming May 7, Assassin's Creed Valhalla present | Windows Central
• Surface Headphones 2 potentially spotted online with Bluetooth 5.0 support | Windows Central
• Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams: Which should you use for your video conferences? | Windows Central
• 5 key features every laptop should have in 2020 | Windows Central
• Xbox's 'Project xCloud' starts rolling out to testers in Western Europe | Windows Central

Daniel tests RTX Voice from NVIDIA — It provides realtime, AI-based noise reduction for live streaming and other applications. In fact, this week's episode has no additional processing on his voice other than volume leveling to match Zac.

New Surface product announcements are coming soon, so the dynamic duo discuss what to expect. Leaked images of the upcoming Dell XPS 15 confirm design changes. They wrap up with a conversation about Apple's likely transition to ARM processors for their macOS-based systems and what that could mean in the Windows universe.

Links:

• How to set up and use RTX Voice on all NVIDIA GPUs — including older GeForce GTX cards | Windows Central
• Surface Go 2 specs allegedly leak, showing significant internal upgrades | Windows Central
• XPS 15, Latitude leaked images confirm suspected design changes | Windows Central
• Why Apple is right to dump Intel for ARM in some MacBooks | Windows Central

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is now available! Daniel and Zac have more to share on it along with a new build for Fast ring Insiders. Spec rumors are circulating for Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2.

Additionally, Microsoft has landed a deal with the NBA, and their JEDI contract with the US government seems to have passed scrutiny. HP has refreshed their entire ENVY laptop product line, the guys finish out the episode with talk about the OnePlus 8 and new iPhone SE.

Links:

• Surface Go 2 to feature larger 10.5-inch display and thinner bezels | Windows Central
• All the new Surface hardware we're expecting to see this spring | Windows Central
• Windows 10 preview build 19608 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders (Update) | Windows Central
• Windows 10 May 2020 Update review: Welcome improvements to everyday essentials | Windows Central
• Windows 10 May 2020 Update hands-on video: All the features and changes | Windows Central
• Pentagon IG says Microsoft JEDI contract awarded fairly, but review not definitive | Windows Central
• Microsoft inks deal with NBA to use Surface, Azure in digital push | Windows Central
• HP refreshes its ENVY Ultrabooks, including two x360 convertibles with 2020's AMD Ryzen 7 | Windows Central
• U.S. Department of Defense reportedly quickening deployment of Microsoft Teams amidst COVID-19 | Windows Central

Daniel reviews the Dell XPS 13 (9300) and explains why it's the perfect 13-inch Ultrabook. There are some leaks to support rumors a re-designed XPS 15 will follow suit.

Zac provides details on a new Windows 10 build for Slow ring insiders. In one of this week's major stories, Windows 10X and Surface Neo may be delayed beyond 2020. However, Surface Duo may still come earlier than anticipated, and the fellows speculate on what could be announced at an upcoming hardware event.

Links:

• Dell XPS 13 (9300) review: Literally a perfect 13-inch Ultrabook | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 19041.173 ships out to Slow ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft may have delayed Windows 10X and Surface Neo beyond 2020 | Windows Central
• Brad Anderson shows off his Surface Duo and Surface Earbuds at home | Windows Central

There's a ton of news for Microsoft users this week as Daniel and Zac talk about features in Microsoft 365 and Edge. In a world of Zoom security nightmares, Skype Meet Now can be a safer alternative.

Daniel reviews the HP Spectre x360 and ASUS ROG Zepyrus G14 laptops. While Zac reports on the finished but as-of-yet unreleased Windows 10 version 2004. They finish out the episode with some info about Minecraft Dungeons and new processors from AMD and Intel.

Links:

• Microsoft 365: Everything you need to know about Microsoft's new productivity subscription | Windows Central
• Meet Now feature on Skype makes it easy to invite anyone to a Skype call | Windows Central
• HP Spectre x360 13 review: The best value convertible Ultrabook money can buy | Windows Central
• Based on benchmarks, ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 with AMD 8-core Ryzen 9 4900HS is a gamechanger | Windows Central
• Windows 10 version 2004 review: Welcome improvements to everyday essentials | Windows Central
• Minecraft Dungeons (Beta) Review: A big win for Microsoft | Windows Central

Microsoft has appointed a new leader for the Windows Insider Program, and CEO Satya Nadella says their hardware supply chain is 'getting back on rails'. Slack is working on calling integration with Microsoft Teams, and there are also new updates to the Bing COVID-19 tracker.

Daniel previews the new Dell XPS 13, and they discuss 'Home Premiere' movie rentals and possible permanent changes in the movie theatre business.

Links:

• Microsoft's hardware supply chain 'getting back on rails,' says CEO Satya Nadella | Windows Central
• AMD Ryzen Mobile 4000 U-series is ready to topple Intel's Ultrabook dominance | Windows Central
• Best AMD CPUs in 2020 | Windows Central
• Coronavirus forces several new movies to release early as digital rentals, watch them now | Windows Central
• Slack working on calling integrations with Microsoft Teams, CEO says | Windows Central
• Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 vs. XPS 13: Which PC is a better buy? | Windows Central
• Microsoft appoints new Windows Insider Program lead ahead of 'new era' for Windows 10 | Windows Central
• Microsoft updates Bing coronavirus COVID-19 tracker with 32 languages, location support and more | Windows Central
• Rent movies still in theaters with 'Home Premiere' now on the Microsoft Store | Windows Central

Windows 10 has surpassed 1 billion devices and Teams has reached 44 million daily users. Zac and Daniel also discuss Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 as more details have been announced for both consoles. Also in the gaming realm, Daniel has been enjoying Doom Eternal.

Microsoft has a consumer subscription announcement happening on March 30 that will bring MS 365 to the masses. They also chat about the need for Microsoft to develop creative tools that can help lure users away from Apple and MacBook fans. And speaking of Apple, Daniel makes the case for why the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro makes it more like a Surface.

Links:

• Windows 10 surpasses 1 billion monthly active devices worldwide | Windows Central
• Microsoft teases new Windows 10 UI in video celebrating 1 billion users | Windows Central
• As Xbox Series X and PS5 specs get official, the spotlight shifts to games | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams surges to 44 million daily users amid coronavirus outbreak | Windows Central
• Doom Eternal and Doom 64 launch on Xbox One and PC | Windows Central
• DOOM Eternal review: Much-needed goretastic catharsis | Windows Central
• Everything we know about Microsoft's consumer subscription announcement on March 30 | Windows Central
• Microsoft needs a Movie Maker 'X' to lure Apple creators and MacBook Pro fans | Windows Central
• Apple's iPad Pro becomes more like a Surface, and that's a problem for Microsoft | Windows Central

Microsoft Build 2020 has been canceled and reborn as a digital event due to coronavirus, but Microsoft still has plenty of announcements planned for the year. An online Surface event could possibly happen in April.

Daniel and Zac chat about new features found in the latest build of Windows 10X and emphasize that Windows 10X is a completely separate product from traditional Windows 10. Daniel reviews the Samsung Galaxy Book S — Awesome battery. Meh keyboard. But there's a lot more to say about it than that.

Links:

• Microsoft Build 2020 gets canceled, becomes a digital event in lieu of coronavirus | Windows Central
• Hands-on with Windows 10X build 19578 showcasing new changes and enhancements | Windows Central
• Samsung Galaxy Book S review: Excellent battery, slim design, but just OK keyboard | Windows Central