From retro gaming to AI-powered spreadsheets, this week’s Microsoft Unboxed coverage was packed with innovation, controversy, and a few surprises. Here’s your digest of the biggest stories:
Gaming Gets Personal and Portable
• Pac-Man Free Play Days: Xbox celebrates Pac-Man’s 45th anniversary with free access to Pac-Man World Re-Pac, Museum+, and Mega Tunnel Battle from Aug 21–24.
• Gamescom 2025 Begins: Xbox livestreams behind-the-scenes content from the gaming expo, teasing upcoming titles and developer insights.
• ROG Xbox Ally Launches Oct 16: ASUS’s handheld console promises high-performance mobile gaming with full Xbox integration.
• PS5 Price Increase: Sony raises prices by $50 across all models starting Aug 21, citing rising production costs.
• RTX 5080 Joins GeForce NOW: NVIDIA’s latest GPU hits the cloud gaming platform, boosting performance for remote players.
AI Evolves — From Search to Spreadsheets
• Semantic File Search for Copilot+ PCs: Microsoft previews a new AI feature that finds files based on meaning, not just keywords. It’s fast, private, and built into Windows 11.
• Excel Gets Smarter: Copilot now lives in the formula bar, letting users describe what they want instead of memorizing syntax.
• Microsoft Teams Blocks Malicious Files: A new security update prevents risky file types from being shared, bolstering workplace safety.
Transparency, Ethics & Environmental Impact
• Microsoft Pay Disclosure Movement: Employees are sharing salaries internally, revealing major disparities and sparking calls for equity.
• OneNote for Windows 10 Retires: Microsoft ends support for the UWP version, consolidating around the desktop app.
• Google’s AI Water Use: A report reveals each Gemini AI prompt uses ~5 drops of water for cooling—raising concerns about sustainability at scale.
• Google’s Pixel 10 & PixelSnap: The new Pixel phones feature magnetic accessories and AI-enhanced cameras.
• AI Search Under Scrutiny: Google’s AI-powered search faces backlash for misinformation risks and lack of source transparency.
Sports Meets Silicon
• Microsoft & NFL Extend Partnership: The two giants kick off a new era of AI-powered sports analytics, enhancing player performance and fan engagement.
