Microsoft is promising a bold AI-infused future for Windows 11, as the company aims to turn the OS into an AI-powered "agentic" hub. Amid all the Copilot hype, the hosts ask the tough questions: Are these AI features solving real problems, or is Big Tech just chasing a revenue gold rush? Tune in for sharp takes on AI skepticism, notable buzzwords, and the practical impact of Microsoft's ambitious new direction.

Windows 11... Windows.ai??

Microsoft announces several new Copilot and AI features in Windows while redefining the term "AI PC" out from under Intel
New features: Hey Copilot wake phrase (and goodbye), Copilot Vision is GA, new features coming soon include Copilot replacing Search in the Taskbar, Copilot Actions for local files, Manus AI agent and Filmora integration with File Explorer AI Actions, Zoom integration with Click to Do
This is about Windows transforming into an "AI native" agentic OS
Which ties into Paul's AI is the End of Apps editorial, where apps became programmable so that they can be controlled by AI - You can see baby steps in Windows 11 in-box apps now
Microsoft explains how it will secure agents in Windows because Recall what happened last time
Microsoft releases so-called emergency update for Windows 11 after the October Patch Tuesday updates killed USB mouse and keyboard supports in the Windows Recovery Environment (WRE).
Windows Insider Program: Mobile devices settings improvements, File Explorer improvements, Drag Tray improvements, and other changes head to Dev (25H2) and Beta (24H2) channels
New Start menu, battery icons, Copilot Vision integration in Taskbar, File Explorer improvements, Voice access improvements, and Click to Do improvements (Copilot+ PC only) head to Release Preview, indicating they will be a Week D preview and then Patch Tuesday release in November
Restyle rolling out in Paint across most Insider channels
Open AI finally launches long-expected web browser, but only on the Mac because FU, Microsoft
Facebook Messenger for Windows is retiring, will chase rabbits on a farm upstate

Microsoft

What does Microsoft's annual report say about its relationship with consumers?
Three core consumer businesses: Windows, Microsoft 365 Consumer, Xbox/gaming
Xbox/gaming smallest (500m) but also the most engaged - and also the most discussed in the report
Not clear what % of users/revenues is consumer based, but it's not a small number (guessing its at least one-third of each)

AI

Copilot for Education is coming in December, $18 per student per month
Anthropic Claude is coming for Copilot in Microsoft 365 commercial
Copilot has AI competition on Samsung smart TVs now
Opera Neon is getting an AI research agent

Xbox and gaming

Xbox president says next console will be "very premium". You know, like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are now available for purchase
New wave of games coming to Game Pass across PC, console, and cloud, including Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, The Outer Worlds 2, and more
Following console price hikes, Xbox Development Kit gets a 33 percent price increase thanks to insane U.S. tariffs

Tips & Picks

Tip of the week: Laptops are upgradeable again and life is good
App pick of the week: A grab bag of apps for Windows users
RunAs Radio this

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/955

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

Sponsors:

Arrival Film Analysis | State Of The Arc Podcast