Microsoft shakes up Windows Update with third-party app integration while AI features flood into Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool. Plus, the browser wars heat up as Arc pivots to agentic AI and Opera launches Neon, while Richard calls in from Cape Town with whiskey wisdom.
It's Week D! Microsoft issues preview updates for 23H2/22H2 - Windows Key + C for Copilot, Drag tray, FAQs in Settings, Lock screen widget customization, IT admin controls for TaskbarCanary - Microsoft adds support for asymmetrical key encryption that won't be vulnerable to quantum computing attacksBeta (24H2) - New Microsoft 365 text actions in Click to Do, Lock screen widget customization, multiple dashboards in Widgets, App recommendations in Open with dialog, PC to PC migration experience in Windows BackupNew Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool features in Canary and Dev - Paint sticker generator and Object select tool, Snipping Tool perfect screenshot and color picker, Notepad writing tools (draft from prompt, rewrite text, etc.)Now Windows Update is going to update third-party apps too. Thoughts? Many misunderstand this to negatively impact the Microsoft Store.As promised last week, Notion is now available in the Microsoft StoreSignal will explicitly prevent Recall from screenshotting the appRelated: Why is Lenovo doing so well financially? Also related: IDC predicts 4.1 percent growth in PC market this year to 274 million unitsAI and Web Browsers, Oh My
The Browser Company says it will no longer offer functional updates to Arc as it focuses on DiaOpera announces Neon, its agentic AI web browserHand-wringing as OpenAI buys Jony Ive's newish companyDuck.ai if you ask it nicely (and use the right model)Yes, Google is going to put ads in Search AI ModeVivaldi 7.4 arrives for desktop and for mobileFirefox 139 is a minor update - maybe it's time to move to a 6 week schedule?Xbox's Copilot for Gaming Launches on iOS and Android in BetaFTC drops its bid to unwind Microsoft acquisition of Activision BlizzardSony discounts PS5 and peripherals temporary to undercut Switch 2Tip of the Week: 'Fear and Loathing in Seattle' and 'More Fear and Loathing in Seattle'App Pick of the Week: Instapaper Plus: Fences 6 is GA on Windows 11RunAs Radio This Week: How to Talk to Security with Sarah YoungBrown Liquor Pick of the Week: Aerstone 10 Sea CaskHosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell
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