The Windows Central Podcast

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

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden have news about build 18317 for Fast Ring Insiders, plus references to foldable devices have been found in development builds of Windows 10.

The big news this week: Microsoft is returning to Mobile World Congress! Dan makes the case for why they should debut HoloLens 2 at the trade show in Barcelona. Additionally, Microsoft continues to reposition Cortana as a productivity tool to complement Alexa and Google Assistant — not a competitor.

Finally, Microsoft outlines end of support plans for Windows 10 Mobile. Tune in!

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18317 (and earlier) for PCs: Everything you need to know
• Microsoft is getting ready for a coming wave of foldable Windows 10 devices
• Why it makes sense for Microsoft to debut HoloLens 2 at Mobile World Congress 2019
• Microsoft wants Cortana to complement, not compete with, Alexa and Google Assistant
• Microsoft outlines end of support plans for Windows 10 Mobile

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Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden are here with their first show of 2019! First up, there's Windows 10 build 18312 for Fast Ring Insider. Next, they dive deep into new features for Windows Mixed Reality that are coming to 19H1 along with the emergence of WebVR.

There's better integration between Cortana and Xbox One now — It's not as speedy as Kinect was, but its capabilities can grow more easily. Last but not least, Dan gives an overview of all the new Windows laptops that were shown at CES 2019.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18312 rolls out to Fast ring Insiders
• Windows Mixed Reality in Windows 10 19H1: Hands-on with all the new changes
• Xbox One's Cortana smart speaker voice commands got a boost today
• CES 2019 Coverage

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

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden close out the podcast for 2018 with news about Windows 10 build 18305. In addition, Microsoft's virtual assistant (Cortana) will be able to read your emails to you in Outlook on iOS.

They also talk about Panos Panay's recent assertion in an interview that the Surface product line is here to stay, and Daniel raves about Kensington's upcoming Surface Pro Dock.

Finally, they make a few predictions about what 2019 may hold for fans of the Windows eco-system.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18305 for PC: Everything you need to know
• Cortana will soon be able to read Outlook email to you
• Panos Panay says Surface is here for the long run, Microsoft 'hitting stride in big way'
• Kensington Surface Pro Dock review: Turn your Surface Pro into a mini Surface Studio

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

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden talk about new Windows 10 builds and multi-user support for Cortana. Then, Peter Bright of Art Technica joins Daniel Rubino for an in-depth technical discussion of Chromium and Edge.

Links:

• Windows 10 Insider Preview build 18298 now rolling out on the fast ring
• Windows 10 19H1: All the changes we know so far
• Microsoft is bringing multi-user voice recognition to Cortana
• @drpizza Peter Bright on Twitter
• Ars Technica Articles by Peter Bright

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

There's massive news in the Microsoft Cinematic Universe this week, as Redmond confirms plans to rebuild Edge using the Chromium rendering engine. Daniel Rubino reports from the field from a Qualcomm product summit to speak with Zac Bowden about Qualcomm's plans for 5G networking, along with new Snapdragon processors — including an 8-core processor capable of running Windows 10 and dual 4K displays.

We also hear more rumors about the Surface 'Centaurus' dual-screen device, and some details about Windows Lite.

Links:

• Microsoft confirms plan to rebuild Edge browser using Chromium on Windows 10
• Qualcomm's 'extreme' Snapdragon 8cx processor for Windows 10 can handle dual 4K displays
• Surface 'Centaurus' is another dual-screen Microsoft PC with Windows Core OS
• The Sams Report: What is Windows Lite?
• Microsoft plans to revamp Edge using Chromium. But what exactly is it?

This week, tragedy befalls Daniel Rubino as he announces his upcoming trip to Hawaii for the Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit. Life marches on, however, as he and Zac Bowden talk about build 18290 for Fast ring Insiders, plus lots of Surface hardware and Cortana device rumors. They also discuss updates to Office icons and the steps Microsoft is taking to refresh the UI of Windows and other applications. Finally, what in the world is Windows Lite? They're not sure, but they've invented a new version of Windows — "Aurora".

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden wind down a truncated work week due to the American Thanksgiving holiday, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to discuss! Daniel has his hands-on impressions of Surface Go with LTE and Surface Studio 2. Plus, the dynamic duo dig deep into Microsoft Launcher 5.1. It features To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, plus Cortana support.

Finally, Windows Hello now supports FIDO2 Security Keys for an added layer of convenience and protection.

Links:

• Surface Go with LTE preorders now available, starting at $679
• Which model Surface Studio 2 has the NVIDIA GTX 1070?
• Microsoft Launcher beta gets To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, 'Hey Cortana' support
• Windows Hello adding support for FIDO2 Security Keys

Windows 10 October 2018 is back! Again! Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden have the details on that along with a look at Light Mode and other features coming in 2019. Also on the software front, developers can now submit native ARM64 apps to Microsoft Store.

Additionally, Daniel provides his review of Surface Headphones, and they chat about rumors surrounding a disc-less Xbox One on the horizon for next year.

Last but certainly not least, Jared DiPane from our sister site Thrifter is here with the best Black Friday deals for Windows and gadget fans.

Links:

• Windows 10 October 2018 Update review: Little refinements make a big difference
• Top new features Microsoft is working on for Windows 10 in 2019
  • Microsoft Store now lets developers submit native ARM64 apps
• Surface Headphones review: Comfortable with awesome audio, but noise cancellation needs work
• Disc-less Xbox One reportedly set for 2019, with 'disc-to-digital' program
• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Sponsors:

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

Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden have a ton of hardware and software news to share! As usual, there's a new build for fast ring insiders. But Microsoft had an embarrassing week on the server side of things when a Windows 10 activation server caused some PCs to lose activated status.

Surface Go LTE preorders are available now — the always connected device starts at $675. Zac and Daniel clarify the confusing Core m3-based Surface device Best Buy is advertising for Black Friday. It's not a Surface Pro 6 custom manufactured for the electronics retail giant. It's a Surface Pro 5, but still an impressive bargain!

Next, the discuss the possibilities that exist with Samsung's foldable display technology, and wrap things up with the Lenovo Yoga C630. Tune in!

Links:

• Windows 10 build 18277 (and earlier) for PC: Everything you need to know
• Windows 10 activation server issue causes PCs to lose activated status (Update)
• Surface Go with LTE preorders now available, starting at $679
• No, Best Buy isn't selling a Surface Pro 6 with Core m3, but it's still a good deal
• Samsung's new Infinity Flex Display will hit mass production soon, enabling foldable phones of all kinds
• Lenovo Yoga C630 with Snapdragon 850 now available at Best Buy for $800

Sponsors:

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