The Windows Central Podcast

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden have the latest news on Windows 10 19H1 — It's now officially known as Windows 10 May 2019 Update! They also discuss a merger of Fast Ring and Skip Ahead Ring.

Microsoft is erring on the side of caution by implementing significant changes to functionality of Windows Update, and the company is removing books from the Microsoft Store. Finally, 'Xbox Game Pass Ultimate' may combine Game Pass and Xbox Live to help players save money on both services.

Links:

• Windows 10 May 2019 Update gets official, late-May planned release | Windows Central
• Windows 10 build 18362.30 hits Fast and Slow ring Insiders with three fixes | Windows Central
• Windows 10 will no longer auto install feature updates twice a year | Windows Central
• Microsoft is removing books from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 | Windows Central
• 'Xbox Game Pass Ultimate' may combine Game Pass and Xbox Live for cheaper | Windows Central

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden look forward to a Surface Hub 2 event on April 17, where pricing, availability, and more details are expected. They also talk about the leaked version of Microsoft Edge and reasons why Chrome users will want to switch once the official release is available.

Additionally, the Cortana bot says 'goodbye' to Skype, and 19H1 is getting closer to release. They also consider which departments at Microsoft have the most fun!

Links:

• Surface Hub 2 availability, pricing, and more expected on April 17 | Windows Central
• Microsoft's new Edge browser must court IT crowd to steal Chrome's crown | Windows Central
• Cortana bot says 'goodbye' to Skype, but you'll still get suggested replies | Windows Central
• Windows 10 19H1 build 18362 is rolling out for Insiders in the Fast ring | Windows Central

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Windows 10 19H1 inches closer to release as Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden discuss build 18362. They also talk about a firmware update for Surface Headphones and use the opportunity to look at how these cans compare to other noise canceling headsets.

In the gaming world, Xbox One S All-Digital is expected to launch on May 7. Based on mock ups created by our own Jez Corden, the console will like share the same industrial design as its blu-ray equipped cousin. Rounding out the episode, the gang chat about Google Stadia and what threat it poses (if any) to Xbox.

Links:

• Windows 10 19H1 build 18362 is rolling out for Insiders in the Fast ring | Windows Central
• Microsoft Surface Headphones get first quality-improvement firmware update (Updated) | Windows Central
• First look at Xbox One S All-Digital box art; May 7, 2019, launch planned | Windows Central
• Is Google Stadia REALLY a threat to Xbox? This and more on #AskDanWindows 58. | Windows Central

Sponsors:

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden have the latest news for Windows fans. Microsoft is starting to warn users about end-of-support for Windows 7. You've got about 10 months to replace or upgrade your system before it becomes for vulnerable to viruses and malware.

Microsoft is also starting to test screen mirroring for Android phones on Windows 10 19H1. It's an extremely limit subset of hardware right now, but hopefully the options will expand over time. Also, Groove Music is killing OneDrive track streaming on March 31. Time to give up and move to Spotify?

Zac has some Halo news to share, and they discuss Project xCloud game streaming. Finally, Daniel has quite a few laptop reviews on the site and YouTube for you to check out!

Links:

• Microsoft to start warning users about Windows 7 end-of-support deadline | Windows Central
• Microsoft starts testing phone screen mirroring with Your Phone on Windows 10 19H1 | Windows Central
• Groove Music killing OneDrive track streaming on March 31 | Windows Central
• Halo The Master Chief Collection on PC: Everything you need to know | Windows Central
• Xbox Project xCloud Game Streaming: Everything We Know | Windows Central
• Huawei MateBook X Pro (2019) review: More powerful and practically perfect | Windows Central

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden pour one out for Microsoft Band and the Health Dashboard, which are being shut down on May 31. They also discuss rumors of a disc-less Xbox One S — 'Maverick'. This leads to a great conversation about cord cutting and the role of Xbox for video streaming.

Windows Core OS is still a hot topic! Zac shares his intense efforts in creating a guide to make sense of what the upcoming operating system will be all about.

Links:

• Microsoft Band apps and Health Dashboard getting the ax on May 31 | Windows Central
• Disc-less 'Xbox One S All-Digital Edition' is a natural progression for Microsoft | Windows Central
• Windows Core OS: The Complete Guide | 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 why Windows 10 20H1 is already available for Skip Ahead ring Insiders. Looking ahead, there's only one keynote address scheduled for Build 2019. Is Microsoft saving the good stuff for the sessions?

Daniel shares his hand-ons experience with HoloLens 2 from Mobile World Congress — he and Zac discuss why this new device isn't intended for consumers. Yet.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18348 heads out to Fast ring Insiders | Windows Central
• Windows 10 20H1 build 18845 now rolling out for Insiders in the Skip Ahead ring | Windows Central
• Microsoft Build 2019: 5 things we're dying to see | Windows Central
• HoloLens 2 infiltrates enterprise, but does it have a real consumer future? | Windows Central

Sponsors:

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Daniel Rubino takes break from packing for Mobile World Congress to speak with Zac Bowden about some hot new topics for Microsoft users. First up, 'Santorini' is the new codename for the upcoming 'Windows Lite' OS. There's also an official Windows 10 Timeline extension for Google Chrome.

In relation to 'Santorini', they discuss the promise and potential of foldable devices, UWP, and PWA apps. And even though the announcement may be official by the time you listen, they dissect some last minute HoloLens 2 rumors. Check it out!

Links:

• 'Santorini' is Microsoft's new 'Windows Lite' OS codename | Windows Central
• Microsoft releases official Windows 10 Timeline extension for Google Chrome | Windows Central
• HoloLens 2 images leak ahead of official announcement at MWC 2019 | Windows Central

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This week's episode is all about looking towards the future for Microsoft and Windows. Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden discuss what they hope to see at the Build developer conference in May. Microsoft themselves are providing a glance of the road ahead with 20H1 changes in the Insider Skip Ahead ring.

There's also a teaser video for 'HoloLens 2', and Daniel reviews the insanely light LG gram 17 Ultrabook.

Links:

• Microsoft announces Build developer conference for May 6 to 8
• Microsoft flights Windows 10 build 18836 to Skip Ahead Insiders with 20H1 changes
• Microsoft 'HoloLens 2:' Everything we know so far
• LG gram 17 review: A massive Ultrabook that's light as a feather

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 have news about Windows 10 build 18334 for Fast ring Insiders, plus the latest information on Microsoft's Build developer conference!

They also go deep into the importance of product names — specifically 'Windows Lite' and why that may be a poor choice for the upcoming OS.

Outlook is receiving an emo makeover with a true dark mode, and Xbox Live is expanding its reach to more platforms. Check it out!

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18334 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders
• Microsoft announces Build developer conference for May 6 to 8
• Why 'Windows Lite' would be a bad name for Microsoft's upcoming OS
• Windows 10 Mail app finally gets real dark mode with the latest Release Preview update
• Microsoft wants to bring Xbox Live cross-platform gaming to Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and more

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden are here with a little bit of chat about our web site's new logo, then dive deep into the future of Windows 10 live tiles and recent questions from listeners about Windows Lite and plans for always connected devices.

Cortana is getting smarter with new 'scenes' and 'rules' for smart home setups. This leads into an epic Dan rant about the relative usefulness of all digital voice assistants. In short, he lives the smart home dream, but he still doesn't get all the fuss.

Finally, Microsoft has announced new hardware configurations for the education market. Join Us!

Links:

• Say hello to Windows Central's new modern logo and design | Windows Central
• Are Windows 10's live tiles dead? | Windows Central
• Cortana gets smarter with new 'scenes' and 'rules' for smart home setups | Windows Central
• Microsoft debuts new hardware for education, including Surface Go Classroom Pen | Windows Central
• Will Microsoft release an Android phone? This and more on #AskDanWindows 56. | Windows Central