The Windows Central Podcast

There are proposed changes to the Windows 10 Start Menu that will make some people unhappy. But how is that different from any other new feature? COVID-19 continues to have a profound impact on Microsoft and the tech industry at-large as conferences are canceled and employees are asked to work from home.

Daniel and Zac discuss a name change for Cortana and a new wave of apps for Edge. Daniel also provides his review of the HP Elite Dragonfly — A high-end business oriented 2-in-1.

Links:

• Do you like Microsoft's 'redesigned' Windows 10 Start menu concept? | Windows Central
• Microsoft shows off new Windows 10 Start menu — and it sure is pretty | Windows Central
• Use this excellent COVID-19 coronavirus tracker and Microsoft Edge to keep informed | Windows Central
• Coronavirus concerns push Microsoft to encourage remote work for employees | Windows Central
• How to read Kindle books using the new Microsoft Edge for Windows 10 | Windows Central
• 5 reasons why Microsoft should rebrand 'Cortana' to 'Clippy' | Windows Central
• HP Elite Dragonfly is a droolworthy business 2-in-1 with serious style | Windows Central

There are loads of smaller stories in the Microsoft universe this week, and a great big one too — Surface Duo may be shipping far sooner than the previously announced 'holiday 2020' timeframe. Daniel and Zac make a strong case for why it benefits Microsoft and end users alike to get the device into the hands of developers and early adopters. But the continued specter of COVID-19 may make Microsoft's desire to do so impossible.

Links:

• Cortana support going away in Windows 10 versions at 'end-of-support' dates | Windows Central
• Microsoft Launcher for Android losing Cortana by 'end of April' | Windows Central
• Microsoft wants to launch Surface Duo sooner than holiday 2020 | Windows Central
• Microsoft warns Windows, Surface won't hit revenue guidance due to coronavirus | Windows Central
• Everything we know about Xbox Series X: Launch titles, specs, design, price, and more | Windows Central
• LG gram 17 (2020) review: The best big Ultrabook around just got even better | Windows Central
• Samsung's Galaxy Book S is here. Ask us anything about this Windows on ARM laptop! | Windows Central
• New Microsoft Edge begins automatic rollout for Release Preview Insiders | Windows Central
• Windows Central app for Windows 10 fixes logins, snags new icon in latest update | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Zapier: Connect Your Apps and Automate Workflows. Zapier moves info between your web apps automatically, so you can focus on your most important work. Try Zapier free by visiting zapier.com/wcp for your free 14-day trial.

What seemed to be a slow news week turned into plenty to talk about! Microsoft is looking into reports from some Surface Laptop 3 owners about cracked screens, and another round of update problem affected some Windows 10 users.

Windows 10X icons are being rolled out to Windows 10 desktop insiders. Daniel and Zac both purchased the Galaxy Z Flip and share their experiences using it with Microsoft Your Phone. They also revisit Surface Pro X and how it can fit into a computing workflow.

Finally, they check out the lofty promises of the Emperion Nebulus — A Windows 10 on ARM phone from a new, unknown company.

Links:

• Some Surface Laptop 3 owners reporting cracked screens, Microsoft investigating | Windows Central
• Microsoft's latest Windows 10 update blunder seems particularly bad | Windows Central
• Windows 10X icons begin rolling out on Windows 10 desktop for Insiders | Windows Central
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, Microsoft Your Phone could change the way you use mobile tech | Windows Central
• I switched from Surface Book 2 to Surface Pro X, and I'm in love. Here's why. | Windows Central
• 5 things about the Emperion Nebulus (Windows 10 on ARM phone) that worry us | Windows Central

We know significantly more about Windows 10X now thanks to a presentation by Microsoft for developers this week. In addition to the Galaxy Book S, The foldable Z Flip has caught the eye of both Daniel and Zac.

MWC 2020 has been cancelled, but Microsoft has promised to deliver news from their planned presentation at some point in the future. Sony's PS5 may have a hard time competing with pricing on Xbox Series X because of DRAM pricing.

Links:

• Windows 10X in images: Microsoft's new OS is gorgeous | Windows Central
• Samsung Galaxy Book S now available for $999 with Snapdragon 8cx | Windows Central
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip initial review: A foldable that instills confidence, despite fresh durability controversy | Android Central
• Sony allegedly 'struggling' to keep PlayStation 5 price down. What's it mean for Xbox Series X? | Windows Central
• Spotify client Spotimo will soon be removed from the Microsoft Store | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Zac Bowden delivers a solo episode while Daniel suns himself in parts unknown! It was a big week for Microsoft as their Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, will now head a combined Windows UX and Surface team. With hardware and software initiatives becoming more closely aligned, there's potential for renewed excitement about the future of Windows.

There's also more to be said about last week's late breaking news regarding the possible non-future of Surface Hub 2X. Additionally, Windows Search was broken temporarily, even for local searches, due to a server issue on Microsoft's end.

Surface Duo has been spotted in the wild and looks to possibly have a front-facing flash. Plus, Zac's hearing that the Duo might be ready sooner than you think!

Links:

• Thinking about the new 'Windows + Devices' team under Panos Panay at Microsoft | Windows Central
• Microsoft isn't sure if it'll ever ship a Surface Hub 2X | Windows Central
• Windows Search down for many — here's the fix | Windows Central
• Microsoft Surface Duo spotted in the wild with possible front-facing flash | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Zapier: Connect Your Apps and Automate Workflows. Zapier moves info between your web apps automatically, so you can focus on your most important work. Try Zapier free by visiting zapier.com/wcp for your free 14-day trial.

Microsoft will hold a press event at Mobile World Congress later this month. Daniel and Zac speculate on what announcements may be forthcoming. They also talk about the movement away from UWP to web apps and why it isn't bad news.

Along with Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2 rumors, Daniel compares folding displays to dual screen designs by looking at the pros and cons of each. Also this week, they revisit the potential of Surface Pro X, thanks to an article by Dieter Bohn over at The Verge. Finally, all signs point to Microsoft halting development of Surface Hub 2X.

Links:

• Microsoft will hold a press event at Mobile World Congress, likely about the HoloLens | Windows Central
• UWP apps to lose Microsoft Ad Monetization platform this June | Windows Central
• Folding displays vs. dual screens: Comparing pros and cons for PCs and phones | Windows Central
• Microsoft’s Surface Pro X is the world’s most extravagant Chromebook - The Verge
• Microsoft isn't sure if it'll ever ship a Surface Hub 2X | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Developers can start writing apps for Surface Duo thanks to a newly released SDK, and the Windows 10X SDK isn't far behind. Enthusiasts can even check out a Surface Duo emulator on Windows 10 to get a feel for what the device will be like.

Some people are very concerned about the potential camera quality, but Daniel isn't worried and he explains why.

Zac and Daniel also talk briefly about the ports on a leaked Xbox Series X prototype, and the dock from Kensington for Surface Go. They close the episode with build 19551 and its lack of new features as the next version of Windows inches ever closer to release...

Links:

• As an early adopter, I really don't care if Surface Duo's camera is bad. Here's why. | Windows Central
• 5 things we're hoping to see in Microsoft's Surface Duo | Windows Central
• How to install Surface Duo emulator on Windows 10 | Windows Central
• See the Microsoft Surface Duo's dual-screen Android OS in action | Windows Central
• Microsoft announces dual-screen preview SDK for Surface Duo | Windows Central
• Xbox Series X prototype leaks, reveals ports | Windows Central
• Kensington SD6000 Surface Go Docking Station review: Max productivity on a mini PC | Windows Central
• Windows 10 preview build 19551 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

There's renewed interest and speculation about Surface Duo thanks to a photo of Satya Nadella showing off the upcoming device. Windows 7 support has officially ended, but there are still hundreds of millions of machines in service running the OS.

In other software news, Windows 10 build 18546 has arrived for Fast ring insiders with a cool new graphing calculator, and Edge is out of beta. Additionally, there's a public preview available for Microsoft Launcher 6.0 for Android.

Daniel and Zac close out the show with a few morsels of Xbox news and rumors.

Links:

• Satya Nadella poses for the camera with Surface Duo in hand | Windows Central
• Windows 7 support officially ends today, more than 10 years since its release | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 19546 arrives for Fast ring Insiders with graphing calculator | Windows Central
• The new Microsoft Edge review: A browser that could rival Google's Chrome | Windows Central
• Microsoft Launcher 6.0 for Android enters public preview with new UI and more | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Daniel Rubino just flew back home from CES 2020, and boy are his arms tired! He teams up with Zac Bowden to share some of the most interesting products and concepts from the show floor, including a deluge of new PC laptops. The guys also look at some of the latest intel on Xbox Series X.

Links:

• CES 2020 | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Join Zac Bowden for a special episode of the Windows Central Podcast in which he chats with Microsoft's Jason Howard from the Windows Insider Program about the Insider Podcast and Webcast, two incredibly important aspects of the Insider Program that community members should know about!