Windows Weekly 873

On this episode, Paul, Richard, and Mikah talk AI developments, Windows 10 (yes, 10), Azure egress, and even VR gaming! Is the new Microsoft AI organization an "acquisition" in disguise? How did NVIDIA's recent GTC keynote go? Plus, why it makes sense for Apple to partner with Google for Gemini on iPhone.

AI Reorg

• Microsoft has created a new Microsoft AI “organization” that reports directly to Satya Nadella
• Led by former Inflection co-founders and staffed in part by several ex-Inflection employees
• Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott, who orchestrated Microsoft’s OpenAI partnership, will continue forward in his other role as executive vice president of AI and will remain responsible for Microsoft’s overall AI strategy
• Mikhail Parakhin and the entire team responsible for Copilot, Bing, and Edge, plus Misha Bilenko and the GenAI team, will move into Microsoft AI.
• Rajesh Jha will continue as executive vice president of Experiences & Devices and will “partner closely with Mustafa and team” on Copilot for Microsoft 365.
• What does this mean for Windows? (Paul’s guess: Not much. Windows is still presumably under Jha)

Windows

• Windows 10 (Yes, 10, not 11) is getting new Sports, Traffic, and Finance cards on the lock screen for some reason
• No new Insider builds since last week! WHAAAAAT?

 

Microsoft 365

• No AI for you! Microsoft announces perpetual Office 2024 and Office 2024 LTSC for late 2024
• AI for you! Microsoft 365 web apps now support Copilot Pro users
• Better AI for you! Free Copilot gets ChatGPT-4 Turbo (previously a paid feature)
• Microsoft follows Google and AWS, ends Azure egress fees - the other European Big Tech battleground

AI

• Apple is almost certainly going to (try to) partner with Google on AI for iPhone
• How the F is Microsoft not part of this? 
• Google I/O is set for May 14, Apple WWDC will be in June, both to focus on AI (duh)
• Microsoft to host “AI and Surface event” right before Build 2024 in May
• Nvidia is determined to not just ride the AI wave, but win it
• In the wake of a subtle rebranding, Google is bringing generative AI to Fitbit
• Amazon is bringing generative AI for product pages to sellers

Xbox

• New games across Game Pass for the second half of March - including, for the first time, an Activision Blizzard title, Diablo IV
• Microsoft is killing the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox... though there is a Rewards tab on your Profile page.
• LinkedIn is experimenting with games because everything has to suck now
• Sony halts PSVR2 production because no one wants to pay $550 for VR on PS5

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Steam Sale goes through tomorrow (March 21)
• App picks of the week: Stardock ObjectDock 3, Proton Mail native app, Firefox 124
• RunAs Radio this week: From SysAdmin to Platform Engineer with Steve Buchanan
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Bull Run Oregon Single Malt Whiskey

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The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 873 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Creates New Microsoft AI Organization, Led by Outsiders
• Microsoft is Bringing Sports, Traffic, and Finance Updates to the Windows 10 Lock Screen
• Office 2024 and LTSC Version Are Coming Later This Year
• Copilot Pro Users Can Now Access the AI Assistant in the Microsoft 365 Web Apps
• Microsoft Brings GPT-4 Turbo to Free Version of Copilot
• Microsoft Finally Kills Azure Egress Fees
• Report: Apple’s iPhone AI Plans May Leverage Google Gemini
• Apple + Google (Premium)
• Google I/O 2024 to be Held May 14
• Microsoft to Hold AI and Surface Event Right Before Build 2024
• Nvidia Unveils its New Blackwell GPU Architecture Optimized for Generative AI Workloads
• Google is Bringing Generative AI to Fitbit
• Amazon’s New AI Tool Lets Sellers Create Product Pages With a Simple Link
• Diablo IV, Ark: Survival Ascended, and More Are Coming to Game Pass
• Microsoft Rewards App on Xbox to Be Discontinued in April
• LinkedIn is Experimenting With Casual Games
• Sony Has Reportedly Paused PS VR2 Production Due to Slowing Sales
• Steam Spring Sale Runs Through March 21
• Stardock Releases ObjectDock 3 for Windows 10 and 11
• Proton Releases Mail App on Windows and Mac
• Mozilla Releases Firefox 124 with Windows Jump List Improvements
• From SysAdmin to Platform Engineer with Steve Buchanan
• Oregon Single Malt Whiskey