In this episode of Windows Weekly, Leo, Richard, and Paul discuss the successful acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the questionable success of Windows 11 adoption, new Windows Insider program builds, and updates on AI integration in Microsoft/Google products.


Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard


This came in the wake of the UK CMA accepting the Microsoft concessions
The FTC is still being a sore loser despite facts and logic
No AB titles on Game Pass until 2024, Phil Spencer says
Bethesda's Pete Hines is leaving the company

Windows 11


Microsoft leak reveals that there are 400 million PCs running Windows 11
This tells us a few things. That there are 1 billion PCs still running Windows 10
What did Windows 10 adoption look like at 2 years? What different factors impact both adoption rates? What will happen when Microsoft retires Windows 10 in two years? Why was Microsoft so transparent about Windows 10 adoption and so non-transparent about Windows 11 adoption?
New Beta build landed last Friday with some more interesting news for Europe
Back on October 12, a new Release Preview channel build arrived with a quiet change we never noticed or discussed. There is a new System Components section in Settings > System
New Dev build today: Copilot support for multimon, more File Explorer relability fixes
New Canary build today: Mail and Calendar no longer installed on clean install, Bluetooth LE support for hearing aids, new location functionality
It's official: Windows 7/8 keys can no longer activate Windows 11
There are THREE new Dave Cutler interviews on YouTube!

Microsoft


Microsoft owes $29 billion in back taxes

AI


Google releases new smartphones and all the mainstream press can talk about is faux nonsense worries about photo editing altering reality. Let's be more sophisticated here, please
Microsoft Edge 118 adds an AI-powered Find on Page feature
Google will also indemnify users for AI
Google Search Generative Experience can now generate images

Xbox


More Game Pass titles for October
Microsoft announces new accessibility features for Xbox
Xbox Series S starter bundle is just Xbox Series S + 3 mos of Game Pass

Tips & Picks


App pick of the week: DuckDuckGo browser
App pick of the week: AllDup
RunAs Radio this week: Large Language Models for IT Pros with Seth Juarez
Brown liquor pick of the week: Quinta do Portal 20 year Tawny Port

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell


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