The Windows Central Podcast

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden talk about changes to the Windows Insider Program along with updates to Edge. Plus, what are the advantages of Microsoft Store apps vs. PWA? They also recap some the biggest stories of the year for Microsoft users, then chat about their hopes and expectations for 2020.

Links:

• Microsoft is making significant changes to how it tests Windows 10 with Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft releases Windows 10 build 19536 to Insiders in the Fast ring | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge's Dev channel now includes ARM64 builds | Windows Central

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Windows 7 support is ending on January 15, so what's the next step for the 300+ million devices still running it? Microsoft may ship the Surface Hub 2X with a version of Windows 10X. In the biggest news of the week, the Xbox Series X was unveiled at The Game Awards on December 13, 2019. The beastly, monolithic device represents "Project Scarlett," as a flagship console set to power the next-generation of console games.

Links:

• Microsoft will begin warning Windows 7 users that support has ended on January 15 | Windows Central
• Microsoft may ship the Surface Hub 2X with a version of Windows 10X | Windows Central
• Everything we know about Xbox Series X: Launch titles, specs, updated design, and more | Windows Central

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Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubino check out the most recent build of Windows 10 20H1 before discussing Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 7c and 8c processors and other announcements from the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit.

They also report on rumors about a release of MS 365 for Consumers, and Daniel gives a quick roundup of some recent hardware reviews. Tune in!

Links:

• Windows 10 20H1 build 19037.1 heads to Fast and Slow ring Insiders | Windows Central
• The Snapdragon 865: The new chip where everything really is new and improved | Android Central
• Razer Raptor 27 review: The perfect display for working hard and gaming harder | Windows Central

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• Wix Creation without limits. Visit wix.com/podcast and get 10% Off Your Wix Premium Plan — enter the code WIXPROMO at checkout.

Windows 10 20H1 inches closer to reality with a new build in the Fast ring. Cortana mobile apps are going away for users in most markets, except for the United States. The release of Surface Earbuds has been delayed until Spring 2020, possibly to address their value compared to other Bluetooth earbuds?

Zac also reviews Google Stadia as he and Daniel discuss the company's image problem. And speaking of image problems, Apple is attempting to address their own issues with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro. They're also actively hiring developers to work on Windows UWP apps.

The guys close out the episode with speculation about Surface Book 3 — or maybe Microsoft will shift strategies to release a 'Surface Laptop Pro'.

Links:

• Windows 10 20H1 build 19030 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft confirms Cortana is going away on Android and iOS in certain markets | Windows Central
• Microsoft pushes Surface Earbuds release back to spring 2020 | Windows Central
• Google Stadia doesn't run Destiny 2 and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 4K resolution, exhibits more input lag than Xbox One X | Windows Central
• Apple working on 'next generation of media apps for Windows' | iMore
• 16-inch MacBook Pro — Clickity-clack, the good keyboard is back! | iMore

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden are back with the latest news for Microsoft users. Along with the recent release of Windows 10 November 2019 Update, there are new Fast ring builds of 20H1. There's also a Canary build of the Edge web browser for ARM processors.

The company has confirmed some changes for Cortana, but additional rumors are circulating about future directions for Cortana. In the hardware realm, Daniel provides a taste of his Surface Pro X review and shares his thoughts on what the device is good (and maybe not so good) for.

Links:

• Windows 10 November 2019 Update review: Service Packs are cool again | Windows Central
• Windows 10 20H1 build 19025 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft confirms Cortana is going away on Android and iOS in certain markets | Windows Central
• Microsoft Edge built for ARM PCs now available in Canary channel | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Wix Creation without limits. Visit wix.com/podcast and get 10% Off Your Wix Premium Plan — enter the code WIXPROMO at checkout.

Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubio talk about the new RTM schedule and their experiences with some new laptops. They also discuss Microsoft's victory in securing a $10 billion U.S. Government 'JEDI' cloud contract.

Plans for xCloud console streaming could bring the experience to even more places. Finally, Dan and Zac fears have been realized — Google is purchasing Fitbit for $2.1 billion.

Links:

• Microsoft's Windows 10 20H1 release will be first to RTM in December under Azure schedule | Windows Central
• Microsoft wins $10 billion Pentagon 'JEDI' cloud contract, beats Amazon | Windows Central
• Razer Junglecat and xCloud could make my 'Xbox Switch' dream a reality | Windows Central
• Google has officially purchased Fitbit for $2.1 billion | Windows Central
• Why Google buying Fitbit is a rotten deal for everyone | Windows Central
• Microsoft Ignite's session catalog is live and here to help you plan | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Wix Creation without limits. Visit wix.com/podcast and get 10% Off Your Wix Premium Plan — enter the code WIXPROMO at checkout.

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden talk about Microsoft's Q1 earnings along with forthcoming updates to Windows 10 before diving into their reviews of Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3.

They provide advice on who should upgrade to which models and compare the AMD-based consumer version of the 15-inch Laptop 3 vs. the Intel-based business edition. Additionally, Daniel professes his love for Alcantara. But as Zac reminds him: humans are gross.

Links:

• Microsoft Q1 earnings: $33.1 billion in revenue as the cloud continues to shine | Windows Central
• Here's why 'Instant On' is a huge deal for Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 | Windows Central
• Surface Laptop 3 13.5-inch first impressions: Powerful CPU, improved trackpad impress | Windows Central
• Internal Windows 10X documentation leaks, revealing new OS details | Windows Central
• Windows 10 May 2019 update picks up another round of optional fixes | Windows Central
• Windows 10 20H1 build 19002 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Surface Laptop 3 15-inch review: Loads of good looks, very little substance | Windows Central
• Surface Pro 7 review: Microsoft's king of the 2-in-1s retains its crown | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Wix Creation without limits. Visit wix.com/podcast and get 10% Off Your Wix Premium Plan — enter the code WIXPROMO at checkout.

In the wake of Microsoft's Surface event, there's still a lot of news to discuss. Windows 10 19H2 has officially become Windows 10 November 2019 Update. Dona Sarkar is moving on from the Insider program for a position within Developer Relations.

Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubino also talk about where Microsoft is likely to head with Windows 10X, and address the rationale behind the OS choices for Surface Neo and Duo. Finally, Daniel makes the case for a Surface Watch, and why the company shouldn't just buy Fitbit.

Links:

• Windows 10 November 2019 Update: What is it, and what's included? | Windows Central
• Dona Sarkar moving on from leading the Windows Insider program | Windows Central
• Why Microsoft put Android on Surface Duo and Windows 10X on Surface Neo | Windows Central
• Beyond foldables: Where Microsoft is headed with Windows 10X | Windows Central
• 3 reasons why Microsoft needs a 'Surface Watch' for the Surface Duo | Windows Central

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Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubino have gone hands on with the products announced at Microsoft's epic Surface event in New York. The presentation was a combination of what is soon to become available combined with a glimpse of what the future holds for Microsoft users. Their enthusiasm is palpable in this jam-packed episode of the the show!

Links:

• Microsoft's fall 2019 Surface event | Windows Central

Sponsors:

• Wix Creation without limits. Visit wix.com/podcast and get 10% Off Your Wix Premium Plan — enter the code WIXPROMO at checkout.

Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubino chat about their 11th hour expectations for Microsoft's event on October 2. They also discuss the milestone of 900 million Windows 10 devices. Finally, they review iPhone 11 from the perspective of a Microsoft user.

Links:

• Surface Pro 7 reportedly getting new design with nearly borderless screen | Windows Central
• Windows 10 on 900 million devices, on pace for 1 billion in 2020 | Windows Central

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