Windows Weekly 934

Microsoft shakes up Windows Update with third-party app integration while AI features flood into Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool. Plus, the browser wars heat up as Arc pivots to agentic AI and Opera launches Neon, while Richard calls in from Cape Town with whiskey wisdom.

Windows 11

• It’s Week D! Microsoft issues preview updates for 23H2/22H2 - Windows Key + C for Copilot, Drag tray, FAQs in Settings, Lock screen widget customization, IT admin controls for Taskbar
• Windows Insider Program
  • Canary - Microsoft adds support for asymmetrical key encryption that won't be vulnerable to quantum computing attacks
  • Beta (24H2) - New Microsoft 365 text actions in Click to Do, Lock screen widget customization, multiple dashboards in Widgets, App recommendations in Open with dialog, PC to PC migration experience in Windows Backup
  • New Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool features in Canary and Dev - Paint sticker generator and Object select tool, Snipping Tool perfect screenshot and color picker, Notepad writing tools (draft from prompt, rewrite text, etc.)
  • Now Windows Update is going to update third-party apps too
  • As promised last week, Notion is now available in the Microsoft Store
  • Signal will explicitly prevent Recall from screenshotting the app
  • Related: Why is Lenovo doing so well financially?
    • Also related: IDC predicts 4.1 percent growth in PC market this year to 274 million units

AI and Web Browsers, Oh My

• Browsers go agentic
  • The Browser Company says it will no longer offer functional updates to Arc as it focuses on Dia
  • Opera announces Neon, its agentic AI web browser
• Hand-wringing as OpenAI buys Jony Ive’s newish company
• Duck.ai if you ask it nicely (and use the right model)
• Yes, Google is going to put ads in Search AI Mode
• Vivaldi 7.4 arrives for desktop and for mobile
• Firefox 139 is a minor update - maybe it’s time to move to a 6 week schedule?

Xbox and Games

• Xbox’s Copilot for Gaming Launches on iOS and Android in Beta
• FTC drops its bid to unwind Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard
• Sony discounts PS5 and peripherals temporary to undercut Switch 2

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the Week: 'Fear and Loathing in Seattle' and 'More Fear and Loathing in Seattle'
• App Pick of the Week: Instapaper
  • Plus: Fences 6 is GA on Windows 11
• RunAs Radio This Week: How to Talk to Security with Sarah Young
• Brown Liquor Pick of the Week: Aerstone 10 Sea Cask

Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly

Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 934 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Drops May Optional Update for Windows 11 Versions 23H2 and 22H2
• Microsoft Drops New Windows 11 Canary and Beta Builds
• New Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad Features Are Rolling out to Canary and Dev Testers
• Windows Update is Going to Update Third-Party Apps, Too
• Notion is now available in the Microsoft Store
• Signal Windows App Now Protects Conversations From Screenshots by Default
• Lenovo Revenues Jump 23 Percent to $17 Billion
• IDC Predicts PC Market to Grow Over 4 Percent in 2025 to 274 Million Units
• The Browser Company Discusses the Future of Arc, Dia, and the Web
• Opera Announces Neon, a Fully Agentic Web Browser
• OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s AI Device Startup for $6.4 Billion
• Duck.ai Adds GPT-4o Mini with Web Search Capabilities
• Ads Are Coming to Google Search’s AI Mode
• Vivaldi 7.4 Brings Simplified UIs, Prioritized Keyboard Shortcuts
• Vivaldi 7.4 for Mobile is Now Available with Floating Tabs, More
• Firefox 139 Arrives with Custom Wallpaper, More
• Xbox’s Copilot for Gaming Launches on iOS and Android in Beta
• FTC Finally Drops Bid to Unwind Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
• PlayStation 5 and its Accessories Get Limited-Time Discounts
• Tip of the week: Fear and Loathing in Seattle (Premium)
• Tip of the week: More Fear and Loathing in Seattle (Premium)
• Mozilla Kills Pocket and Fakespot
• App pick of the week: Instapaper
• App pick of the week: Fences 6 is GA on Windows 11
• RunAs Radio this week: How to Talk to Security with Sarah Young
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Aerstone 10 Sea Cask