Microsoft entered the storm of headlines this past week, and boy, it wasn’t for the best of reasons. It’s as though the tech juggernaut played a game of How Many Hornet’s Nests Can We Poke? From controversial price hikes to app rebranding blunders, and even getting a verbal smackdown from competitors, this was a week where one misstep tumbled right into the next. And sure, there were silver linings, but they were more like sprinkles on a burned cupcake. Let’s dissect this drama-filled week and understand what it truly means for Windows users.
The central headline referred to Microsoft’s decision to increase the subscription cost for their bread-and-butter Microsoft 365 apps (formerly Office 365). Brace yourself: this marks the first price bump the service has seen in 12 years. On the surface, it’s a $3/month increase—Microsoft 365 Personal now sits at $9.99/month, while Family plans climb to $12.99/month. But of course, the plot thickens.
Bill Gates’ old house isn’t paying for AI development by itself. This price hike conveniently coincides with the inclusion of Microsoft Copilot, the company’s AI assistant. Copilot is a brainchild of OpenAI tech, which has been rewrapped and sprinkled across Word, PowerPoint, and other productivity mainstays. Microsoft sweetened the price hike pill by granting limited AI Copilot tokens as part of standard subscriptions. However, unlimited usage (hello, real utility) requires an additional premium subscription tier called Copilot Pro, which runs an eye-watering extra $20/month.
And if you’re not buying into this AI hype, don’t worry—you can stick to the “classic” plans. But here’s the kicker—the classic tier will only be available temporarily. Microsoft has made it clear: either you board the AI revolution wagon or get left in the dust. With rising costs and limited consumer choice, Microsoft’s loyalists may find themselves debating whether nostalgia for “just-Office-please” is worth $39.99/year alternatives like Office 2024.
But let’s ask ourselves a serious question: Is Copilot worth betting the farm on? Sure, it’s potentially groundbreaking for professionals—visual studio code users, hardcore Excel enthusiasts, or PowerPoint designers automating tedious tasks are already seeing merit. But should everyday Personal and Home plan users be forced to bankroll this experiment? If this makes you feel like Microsoft is trying to sell you floorspace in an as-yet-unfinished building, you’re not alone.
If you recall Microsoft axing the "Office" branding in favor of “Microsoft 365” years back, you might shake your head at this oddly recursive trend. The latest update smacks of desperate push marketing for its Copilot AI—literally attaching the word "Copilot" to apps most of us call Word, Excel, or PowerPoint anyway. Business-minded individuals lament their Excel mainstay being swallowed under shifting names, while AI skeptics grumble about "AI creep," where features appear less about utility and more about data gathering or user lock-in.
Predictably, the move drew hate. Jez Corden, a well-known tech journalist, minced no words: “[This rebrand] strikes me as completely odd. Copilot as a name isn’t even functional yet for the average user.” The side of the aisle that previously defended Microsoft’s rebranding rationale began wondering if “Copilot” was really a force-fed branding experiment.
Microsoft, let’s find a balance between branding Copilot everywhere and respecting users’ pre-Copilot workflows!
Coming from the CEO of a direct AI competitor—Salesforce aptly pitches its own Agentforce AI—this criticism seems entirely self-served. But it does highlight valid critiques of Microsoft leaning on OpenAI tools rather than delivering their "own" AI magic. Salesforce’s ad campaigns, airing during watch-heavy NFL slots, subtly pummel this perspective by repeating, “We’ve built what AI was supposed to be.”
Whether Benioff is right or simply positioning Salesforce as Copilot's classy rival remains to be proven.
This feature—currently buried in the Windows Insider Dev Channel builds—is expected to trickle out soon. Pros indicate clarity over public battery levels—and perhaps useful perks for portable workers. Yet the wait emphasizes user priorities sometimes take a weird backseat behind bolder ventures (AI-first priorities?).
As portable OS innovations unfolded mid-2000s, Gates allegedly downplayed the importance of phone compatibility. Minor summarized tech innovators' revolt succinctly: “We built Android explicitly to curb any PC-like Microsoft monopoly aspirations for phones. Sorry, Bill!”
The result was what Gates himself mournfully called, “Microsoft losing its biggest opportunity.”
Source: Windows Central Microsoft just wrapped up a week of nightmares
Microsoft 365: Price Hikes with an AI Cherry on Top
The central headline referred to Microsoft’s decision to increase the subscription cost for their bread-and-butter Microsoft 365 apps (formerly Office 365). Brace yourself: this marks the first price bump the service has seen in 12 years. On the surface, it’s a $3/month increase—Microsoft 365 Personal now sits at $9.99/month, while Family plans climb to $12.99/month. But of course, the plot thickens.Bill Gates’ old house isn’t paying for AI development by itself. This price hike conveniently coincides with the inclusion of Microsoft Copilot, the company’s AI assistant. Copilot is a brainchild of OpenAI tech, which has been rewrapped and sprinkled across Word, PowerPoint, and other productivity mainstays. Microsoft sweetened the price hike pill by granting limited AI Copilot tokens as part of standard subscriptions. However, unlimited usage (hello, real utility) requires an additional premium subscription tier called Copilot Pro, which runs an eye-watering extra $20/month.
And if you’re not buying into this AI hype, don’t worry—you can stick to the “classic” plans. But here’s the kicker—the classic tier will only be available temporarily. Microsoft has made it clear: either you board the AI revolution wagon or get left in the dust. With rising costs and limited consumer choice, Microsoft’s loyalists may find themselves debating whether nostalgia for “just-Office-please” is worth $39.99/year alternatives like Office 2024.
Analysis: What’s the Deal with Price Hikes?
Inflation? Corporate greed? Or honest-to-goodness R&D funding? Microsoft hasn’t overtly blamed AI Copilot for this price increase, but we’re not cracking any Enigma machines here—a Copilot integration isn’t cheap. Generative AI requires intensive cloud computing power and, by nature, ongoing development costs.But let’s ask ourselves a serious question: Is Copilot worth betting the farm on? Sure, it’s potentially groundbreaking for professionals—visual studio code users, hardcore Excel enthusiasts, or PowerPoint designers automating tedious tasks are already seeing merit. But should everyday Personal and Home plan users be forced to bankroll this experiment? If this makes you feel like Microsoft is trying to sell you floorspace in an as-yet-unfinished building, you’re not alone.
Microsoft Rebrands Office Apps... Again
Did anyone ask for this? Microsoft went back to the drawing board and decided that Microsoft Office (365) is no longer cutting-edge enough. Cue another rebrand: Microsoft 365 Copilot. Alongside this change, app icons, URLs, and even branding schemes shifted.If you recall Microsoft axing the "Office" branding in favor of “Microsoft 365” years back, you might shake your head at this oddly recursive trend. The latest update smacks of desperate push marketing for its Copilot AI—literally attaching the word "Copilot" to apps most of us call Word, Excel, or PowerPoint anyway. Business-minded individuals lament their Excel mainstay being swallowed under shifting names, while AI skeptics grumble about "AI creep," where features appear less about utility and more about data gathering or user lock-in.
Predictably, the move drew hate. Jez Corden, a well-known tech journalist, minced no words: “[This rebrand] strikes me as completely odd. Copilot as a name isn’t even functional yet for the average user.” The side of the aisle that previously defended Microsoft’s rebranding rationale began wondering if “Copilot” was really a force-fed branding experiment.
Why It Feels Forced
Think of it this way: if every product Microsoft sells comes with “Copilot” branding, it risks devaluing its core product—and alienating traditionalists who relish simplicity. Moreover, as adoption stabilizes, tie-ins should happen more organically. The speed of transition seems closer to "manic rush hour" than "thoughtful growth strategy."Microsoft, let’s find a balance between branding Copilot everywhere and respecting users’ pre-Copilot workflows!
Salesforce CEO: Microsoft's AI Isn’t It
If that wasn’t painful enough, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff gleefully dumped some salt in Microsoft’s wounds by tearing into Copilot’s AI credentials. His jab? He dismisses Copilot as "basically OpenAI software duct-taped into Excel." For added drama, Benioff doubled down by comparing Copilot to everyone's favorite symbol of corporate ridicule, Clippy, and labeled Microsoft’s approach lackluster.Coming from the CEO of a direct AI competitor—Salesforce aptly pitches its own Agentforce AI—this criticism seems entirely self-served. But it does highlight valid critiques of Microsoft leaning on OpenAI tools rather than delivering their "own" AI magic. Salesforce’s ad campaigns, airing during watch-heavy NFL slots, subtly pummel this perspective by repeating, “We’ve built what AI was supposed to be.”
Whether Benioff is right or simply positioning Salesforce as Copilot's classy rival remains to be proven.
Windows 11 Taskbar Update: Progressively Obvious?
Amid pricing drama and leadership roasting, there’s one win for Windows 11 this week— finally introducing taskbar battery percentage display. Seriously, Microsoft, what took so long? Apple enthusiasts smugly pointed out that macOS and iOS had this feature ages ago. Meanwhile, Android systems have already had their taskbar juice meters rolled out for over a decade.This feature—currently buried in the Windows Insider Dev Channel builds—is expected to trickle out soon. Pros indicate clarity over public battery levels—and perhaps useful perks for portable workers. Yet the wait emphasizes user priorities sometimes take a weird backseat behind bolder ventures (AI-first priorities?).
Remember the “$400 Billion Mistake”? Gates' Mobile Regret
Let’s wrap it up with a trip to Microsoft’s haunted memories vault: the moment it lost the mobile platform wars. Android co-founder Rich Miner—and Bill Gates—recently shared spicy commentary reigniting this blunder’s cultural mythos.As portable OS innovations unfolded mid-2000s, Gates allegedly downplayed the importance of phone compatibility. Minor summarized tech innovators' revolt succinctly: “We built Android explicitly to curb any PC-like Microsoft monopoly aspirations for phones. Sorry, Bill!”
The result was what Gates himself mournfully called, “Microsoft losing its biggest opportunity.”
Takeaways
- For Windows enthusiasts, last week's erratic sourness carries strong aftershocks. Since our connected lives now demand fewer brand shifts OR expensive AI lock-ins like Copilot Pro—legacies dissolve quickly mismanaging crowd approval noise.
$400-Bln oversight’pro tagging,endtool-seams.RIGHT-query.sharepoint-extension-market-reaching-out.=Prediction Copliantomorrow-Source: Windows Central Microsoft just wrapped up a week of nightmares
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