Windows Weekly 997

For years, the checkbox to get a PC out of the Insider Program when that Windows version shipped in stable did absolutely nothing. That’s no longer the case.

Windows

• A new context menu for File Explorer heads out to Insiders along with five new preview builds
• There are lots of other like UX changes happening with little communication. Will Microsoft really touch (and update) all the ancient UIs in Windows 11?
• New Release Preview builds point at next Week D and Patch Tuesday updates: New Taskbar, New Start, new Windows Search, many minor changes throughout

Hardware

• Now we know more about Snapdragon C ahead of IFA, where we may see the first laptops
• Google is holding a PixelBook reviewers event in mid-September
• You know that Commodore is back, but now the Amiga is back too!
• Lenovo surges on AI spending, but it’s now engaged in financial shenanigans too. More like Spotify than Big Tech, but still bad

AI

• Big Tech spending on AI is finally getting more scrutiny from financial/business publications
• It’s happening: Microsoft “pulls a Teams” and will consolidate its Copilot (consumer) and Microsoft 365 Copilot (business apps) into a single app, evolve it in a “super app”
• OpenAI’s new strategy: Get ‘em while they’re young
• Mozilla provides a progress report on Smart Window for Firefox, details new AI search partnership
• Alexa+ is now free on all FireTV devices in the U.S., no Prime required

XBOX

• Resonance: A Plague Tale and more are heading to Game Pass during the second half of August
• XBOX August Update is here with more Achievements details, Game Hubs now support Xbox 360 titles, Game Pass subscribers can now stream a game while it installs in the background
• XBOX Insiders can now test Home Improvements, local save game management, and profile badges
• Apple makes major App Store concessions in the EU. But Epic Games says it is not enough.
• The new Call of Duty has a public beta on Friday, and there will be a single-player episode for the first time

Tips and picks

• Tip of the week: Yes, Virginia, you can exit the Insider Program now
• App pick of the week: Brave
• RunAs Radio this week: Automatic Attack Disruption with Liz Tesch
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Red Bank Premium Blended

Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly

Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 997 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Ships Five New Insider Builds With a Major File Explorer Update
• Microsoft Issues New Release Preview Channel Builds
• Qualcomm Shares the Full Snapdragon C Specifications
• [Update] Google to Hold Googlebook Event on September 15
• The Amiga is Back, Too!
• Lenovo Revenues Jump 43 Percent to $26.9 Billion
• The $martest Guys in the Room ⭐
• Microsoft is Unifying its Consumer Copilot App and Microsoft 365 Copilot into a Single App
• OpenAI Launches ChatGPT for Teens
• Mozilla Evolves Smart Window in Firefox Ahead of General Release
• Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is Coming to Game Pass on Day One in August
• Xbox August Update is Out With Game Hubs and Cloud Saves Improvements
• New Xbox Insider Update Adds Local Game Saves Management and More
• Apple Makes Major Concessions on Third Party App Store Fees in the EU
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Early Access Beta to Kick off on August 21
• Brave Adds Protections Against GPU Fingerprinting
• Automatic Attack Disruption with Liz Tesch
• Red Bank Premium Blended