The Windows Central Podcast

Microsoft's Surface Event is set for October 2 — Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden are reasonably certain that the 'Centaurus' foldable PC will be announced. They also talk about what other products to expect (and not expect) at the event.

20H1 build 18985 now rolling out to Fast ring Insiders, and there are future Windows build being referenced in other nooks and crannies of the Internet as well. The fellows wrap up the episode with reviews of Fitibt Versa 2, and Daniel has gotten his hands on the Elite Dragonfly 2-in-1 from HP.

Links:

• Everything we think we know about Microsoft's Surface 'Centaurus' foldable PC | Windows Central
• How to watch the Microsoft Surface event live stream on October 2 | Windows Central
• Windows 10 20H1 build 18985 now rolling out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central
• The Fitbit Versa 2 is its most refined smartwatch yet, but $10/month Fitbit Premium service is more interesting | Windows Central
• HP Elite Dragonfly is a droolworthy business 2-in-1 with serious style | Windows Central

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Daniel and Zac have returned from IFA in Berlin and have a roundup of hardware announcements from the trade show. They also look at 20H1 build 18980, Microsoft To Do's fresh design, and Your Phone for Windows 10 and Samsung users.

Links:

• Windows 10 20H1 build 18980 now rolling out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft To Do gets fresh design that taps into its Wunderlist roots | Windows Central
• First Look: Making phone calls using Your Phone on Windows 10 (video) | Windows Central
• Don't trust those 'leaked' Microsoft Surface benchmarks (or any benchmarks) | Windows Central

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden look forward to Microsoft's event scheduled for October 2 in NYC. There's a lot of announcements to expect along with things to NOT expect. And, as aways, they chat about new Windows 10 builds. They also briefly discuss some upcoming dark mode options and laptops Dan has been testing.

Links:

• All the new Surface hardware we're expecting to see announced October 2 in NYC | Windows Central
• Microsoft pushes new Windows 10 19H1 and 19H2 builds to Release Preview Insiders | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 18970 hits the Fast ring with new tablet experience for 2-in-1 PCs | Windows Central
• Microsoft is all aboard the dark mode hype train | Windows Central

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden deliver a super-sized edition of the show with news about 19H2 and 20H1 builds, and the roll out of a Beta Channel for the new Chromium-based Edge browser.

They also talk about why Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 is a great smartphone option for users heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, plus Daniel shares his experience visiting the Huawei factory in China. Finally, the duo have a chat about a host of other general tech topics, particularly wearables and wishful thinking about a Surface Watch.

Links:

• Windows 10 19H2 builds 18362.10014 and 18362.10015 roll out to Slow ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Windows 10 20H1 build 18965.1005 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Microsoft rolls out Beta Channel for the new Chromium-based Edge browser | Windows Central
• Windows 10 'Your Phone' screen mirroring works on any PC with the Galaxy Note 10 | Windows Central
• Cortana cut from Johnson Controls' GLAS thermostat | Windows Central

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Zac Bowden have news about Windows 10 build 18956 and go into detail regarding the expanded partnership between Samsung and Microsoft — thanks in large part to the new Galaxy Note 10. Samsung has also unveiled the Snapdragon 8cx-equipped Galaxy Book S.

They also have a great conversation about the expectation of privacy and reports that Microsoft contractors listen to portions of Skype calls.

Daniel teases his upcoming trip to visit Huawei's facilities in China and previews some upcoming laptop reviews.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18956 (and earlier): Everything you need to know | Windows Central
• Microsoft and Samsung expand partnership, including Microsoft apps and services integrating with the Galaxy Note 10 | Windows Central
• Samsung announces Galaxy Book S with Snapdragon 8cx for $999 | Windows Central
• Microsoft contractors reportedly listen to Skype phone sex calls | Windows Central

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Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubino have the scoop on Intel's new 10th Generation mobile processors, Build 18950 for Fast ring users, and the end of major software updates for the original HoloLens. They also talk about the Razer Blade 15 vs. Surface Book 2 and other laptops, and Microsoft is paying big money for Ninja to stream on Mixer.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18950 rolls out to the Fast ring, brings Snip & Sketch improvements | Windows Central
• Microsoft and Samsung step up their partnership ahead of next week's Unpacked event | ZDNet
• Intel launches first 10th Gen 'Ice Lake' CPUs for laptops, 11 chips in all | Windows Central
• The original HoloLens will no longer receive major OS updates | Windows Central
• I ditched my Surface Book 2 for a Razer Blade 15 — but will I go back? | Windows Central
• Mixer's deal with Ninja is a huge game streaming coup for Microsoft — but why? | Windows Central

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Daniel Rubino is back as he and Zac Bowden look at a 20H1 Fast ring build that includes the new Cortana experience. They also examine an unintentionally leaked build that revealed a new Start menu for Windows Lite.

There's also a new dashboard coming for Xbox, and Zac gives the lowdown on his time with the unreleased HP Pro x3 Windows Phone.

Links:

• Windows 10 20H1 build 18945 hits Fast ring with new Cortana experience | Windows Central
• Leaked internal Windows 10 build reveals new Start menu experience | Windows Central
• Hands-on with the shiny new dashboard in Xbox build 18362 | Windows Central
• HP Pro x3 review: This unreleased Windows Phone could have been awesome | Windows Central

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Zac Bowden is joined this week by special guest Mary-Jo Foley to talk about their hopes and dreams for a Surface Phone and Windows Core OS. They also look at features in 19H2 and 20H1 and discuss the possible emergence of Microsoft 365 as the company's dominant 'brand'.

Links:

• Making the case for a Microsoft Surface Phone that runs Android | Windows Central
• Best Windows Phone in 2019 | Windows Central
• Windows Core OS: The complete guide | Windows Central
• Windows 10 19H2: What is it, and what's included? | Windows Central
• Windows 10 20H1 build 18941 now rolling out for Insiders in the Fast ring | Windows Central
• Microsoft unveils second preview build of Windows 10 19H2; tests new features being off by default | ZDNet
• All About Microsoft | ZDNet
• Mary Jo Foley (@maryjofoley) | Twitter

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Zac Bowden delivers a solo episode this week, covering the launch of the Microsoft Store in London and a new build in the Fast Ring. He also brings the latest news on xCloud and Microsoft Teams reaching a milestone with 13 million daily active users.

Links:

• Microsoft's new London flagship store is magnificent | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 18936 hits Fast ring, phone mirroring comes to more Surface devices | Windows Central
• Microsoft launching Project xCloud public preview in October | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams hits 13 million daily active users, potentially more than Slack | Windows Central

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden talk about the Microsoft Windows 1.0 and Stranger Things connection. They also look at the next 12 months of Windows updates and new features with 19H2 and 20H1.

Links:

• Microsoft's mysterious Windows 1.0 social stunts will come to a head on July 8 | Windows Central
• Stranger Things 3: The Game launches on Xbox One | Windows Central
• Microsoft finally details its plans for Windows 10 19H2 | Windows Central
• Microsoft should make every Windows 10 H2 release like 19H2 | Windows Central
• Windows 10 20H1 build 18932 hits Fast ring with new notification settings, more | Windows Central

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