WW 889: Works Best With Netscape - OneDrive calms down, Surface firmware, Field Guide resize

In this episode, Paul seems to be sitting in a familiar room! Could this be a sign that a game-changing enhancement to Notepad is rolling out? That's not all, as OneDrive seems to be undergoing some behavioral changes in a positive direction. After 3 weeks since the Copilot+ PC launch (2 weeks since Paul got his 1st model), the future of Intel and x86 may not be as dire as some think. Plus, Affinity announced that its award-winning Photo, Designer, and Publisher apps are now free for 6 months with no obligation to buy!

The Morning After

The end of Intel and the x86 era? You guys are cute
Comparing the HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft entries: A few differentiators, but these things are very, very similar. There's a reason why
IDC throws cold water on the AI PC/Copilot+ PC parade
We still need official Windows 11 on Arm ISOs, Microsoft. Until then, there are workarounds.

Windows 11

GAME CHANGER: Notepad FINALLY supports spell-checking and auto-correct!
ACTUAL GAME CHANGER: Microsoft is apparently stepping back some of the OneDrive terribleness in Windows 11 version 24H2
Patch Tuesday: BIG deal for Windows 11 22H2, 23H2 with 24H2 features
Nothing to speak of for 24H2, as predicted - just security updates
It's nice when things happen as expected for a change
Canary: Lock screen widget changes
Paul put the Windows 11 Field Guide on a diet - and then the other books too
PDF went from 377 MB to 107 MB, EPUB went from 344 MB to just 86 MB (!)
Similar gains for Windows Everywhere, Windows 10 Field Guide
Updated the Win10 add-in that comes with the Windows 11 Field Guide too

Surface

Surface Laptop 7 and Pro 11 get second firmware updates

AI

The OpenAI drama consumes Microsoft
Opera brings Aria AI features to its GX gaming browser too

Xbox

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gets a price hike
Xbox Cloud Gaming is now available on newer Fire TV Sticks. Also, free Fortnite!

Tips and Tricks

Tip of the week: Get all three Affinity apps on all three platforms for free for six months!
App pick of the week: Firefox 128 and Vivaldi 6.8
RunAs Radio this week: The Hardware of Azure with Rani Borkar
Brown liquor pick of the week: Raasay Single Malt

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

Guest: Mary Jo Foley

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