In the latest episode of Windows Weekly (#910), hosts Leo Laporte, Richard Campbell, and Paul Thurrott dive deep into a smorgasbord of tech titillations, from Intel's latest leadership shuffle to Microsoft's constant sparring with the FTC. It’s a tech news buffet that not only looks toward Windows 11’s latest quirks but also throws open the gates on how AI, Xbox, and even retro console nostalgia are shaping the industry. Grab your favorite chair, dear reader, because there is a lot to unpack.
For Microsoft—and, by association, us Windows users—Intel’s turbulence portends larger implications. Will Intel’s ongoing technical struggles (and now leadership instability) harm Microsoft’s silicon-based ambitions, especially as AMD and Arm architectures court high praise for performance efficiency under Windows? Something for us all to keep a wary eye on.
Key reminders:
This adversarial tone also highlights broader regulatory tightening around AI and cloud platforms—a market Microsoft is aggressively investing in. With Microsoft competing hard on every tech front (cloud, gaming, AI, you name it), is it losing the goodwill that once let it operate under the radar?
On Game Pass, classics like Indiana Jones are finally getting the love they deserve. If Xbox-positive content warms your heart, you’ll be hyped for what’s coming as Xbox Studios doubles down on revamped IPs.
For now, let Patch Tuesday tide you through updates and, as ever, keep checking back for more Windows gossip and gaming geek-outs.
What are your thoughts on Intel’s shake-up or Microsoft's balancing act with the FTC? Drop your comments below, and as usual, prepare for next week's tech drama!
Source: Thurrott.com Windows Weekly 910: Intel Outside
Intel Drama: Why CEO Pat Gelsinger Was Ousted
They called it a "retirement," but the exit of Intel's CEO, Pat Gelsinger, feels more like one of those awkward breakups where “it’s not you, it’s definitely you.” According to theories circulating within the tech community, Gelsinger's leadership failed to deliver on Intel's ambitious promises, including progress with its foundry business. There’s speculation that a significant business partner might have dropped out of the race, frustrating Intel’s attempts to outpace TSMC. If you recall, Gelsinger previously held tight to the x86 architecture, even as competitors and some Intel board members pushed for diversification. Was this his undoing?For Microsoft—and, by association, us Windows users—Intel’s turbulence portends larger implications. Will Intel’s ongoing technical struggles (and now leadership instability) harm Microsoft’s silicon-based ambitions, especially as AMD and Arm architectures court high praise for performance efficiency under Windows? Something for us all to keep a wary eye on.
Windows Updates: The Quiet Before Patch Tuesday
The Windows Insider Program has been on snooze mode, thanks to last week’s Thanksgiving holiday. But hey, there’s a consolation prize! A sneak peek of updates made to the Microsoft Store in 2023, culminating in the ability for Win32 applications (traditional desktop software) to receive updates via the Store. For productivity hounds relying on legacy software, this tweak could save a lot of time hunting for piecemeal updates outside the main ecosystem.Key reminders:
- Next week brings Patch Tuesday, expected to be one of the heftier ones of the year. Make sure your devices are queued up and ready for critical fixes as Microsoft ties up remaining threads before the new year.
- Watermark Alert: Windows 11 will now visibly signal on desktops running unsupported PC configurations. Translation? Even if your machine runs great on unsupported hardware, Microsoft has zero interest in giving you a "free pass."
Microsoft vs. FTC: Who Blinked First?
Speaking of Microsoft drama, the Federal Trade Commission is scrutinizing Redmond with what feels like the energy of a grade-school shouting match. Apart from revisiting cloud licensing practices—a field where Microsoft has historically been accused of monopolistic overtones—the FTC is investigating sixteen separate practices. One has to wonder if elastic cloud pricing and licensing, which forces reliance on Azure services, might someday come back to bite consumers.This adversarial tone also highlights broader regulatory tightening around AI and cloud platforms—a market Microsoft is aggressively investing in. With Microsoft competing hard on every tech front (cloud, gaming, AI, you name it), is it losing the goodwill that once let it operate under the radar?
AI News Highlights
AI innovation reached a curious crossroads this week:- Microsoft Copilot: AI gets baked into every aspect of Microsoft's ecosystem, whether you want it or not. From organizing your inbox to drafting PowerPoint slides, Copilot seems inescapable.
- Notebook LM: This addition allows Spotify to essentially “create” a unique podcast for customers based on their preferences. An example of AI clearly winning? Customized entertainment sans human DJ drama.
- OpenAI Quandaries: Amid mounting criticism over ethical concerns, AI platforms like ChatGPT continue to find balance with monetization (hello, advertisements). Is this commercialization diluting AI’s novelty?
Xbox and Gaming Recap
For the gaming world, Microsoft treated December with tantalizing releases, including big updates for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Meanwhile, Nintendo couldn’t resist flexing with an announcement that over 160 million PlayStation 2s were sold over its product lifetime—reminding Xbox fans how far the console wars have come. Still, looking forward, Microsoft continues integrating immersive technologies into Xbox Cloud Gaming. Will platforms like xCloud hold ground against Sony and Nintendo's cult-like followings?On Game Pass, classics like Indiana Jones are finally getting the love they deserve. If Xbox-positive content warms your heart, you’ll be hyped for what’s coming as Xbox Studios doubles down on revamped IPs.
Tips, Picks, and Debatable Hot Takes
- Tip of the Week: Spread your wings! Stop hoarding your files on dusty backups and check your cloud options. With Google Drive's full-feature availability on products like Windows on ARM, it's now a no-nonsense competitor for Microsoft OneDrive.
- App Pick: Google Drive officially edges ahead for those irate about OneDrive's occasional ninja-like settings overhauls (you didn’t forget the folder-sync debacle, did you?).
- Brown Liquor Pick: If you’ve made it here, our whisky aficionados suggest Dewar's 8 Year Old Caribbean Smooth—because nothing says "tech marathon" like rum cask finishing.
Looking Ahead
December looks relatively quiet for Microsoft barring next week's stormy Patch Tuesday. But as Intel finds its next direction post-Gelsinger, we might see shifts affecting everyone reliant on its hardware. Similarly, keep an eye open for brewing tensions between major tech players like the FTC, Microsoft, and OpenAI, as battles over AI dominance and ethical concerns shape 2024's landscape.For now, let Patch Tuesday tide you through updates and, as ever, keep checking back for more Windows gossip and gaming geek-outs.
What are your thoughts on Intel’s shake-up or Microsoft's balancing act with the FTC? Drop your comments below, and as usual, prepare for next week's tech drama!
Source: Thurrott.com Windows Weekly 910: Intel Outside
