David and Kareem discuss Google charging for AI, Xbox replacing customer support with robots, Snapdragon X-Elite chip hands on, and more.
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MSFT UNBOXED
Monday, April 20, 2026
AI
Google Chrome’s AI Mode Update Adds Side‑by‑Side Browsing and Smarter Search
The company’s latest update to AI Mode in Chrome aims to break that cycle of tab hopping by turning the browser into a more conversational, context-aware companion.
Gemini prepay billing will help you keep your AI budget under control
AI is growing more expensive by the day, and...
Microsoft Launches MAI‑Image‑2‑Efficient for Faster AI Image Generation
That earlier launch is a milestone for the company’s Foundry initiative, and the follow‑up suggests the pace is not slowing down.
Google’s Desktop App for Windows Is Out Worldwide
Most AI related desktop apps debut on macOS these days, but Google went straight for Microsoft’s backyard.
EP.92 – Microsoft’s Copilot Overload
You’ll discover why Microsoft’s heavy-handed copilot branding might be backfiring, and what it says about their long-term vision for AI.
Legal
Snap Cuts 1,000 Jobs and Blames AI For The Shake‑Up
The memo framed the cuts as an “incredibly difficult” but necessary step toward profitability.
How the Iran Conflict Endangers Microsoft and Other US Tech Investments in the Gulf
The Gulf region is not just a convenient expansion zone for American tech companies. It has become one of the world’s fastest‑growing AI infrastructure corridors.
$373 Million Verdict Raises New Questions About Meta’s Teen Safety Practices
After a lengthy investigation and a trial that pulled back the curtain on Meta’s internal decision-making, jurors ruled that the company deceived teens and their families about the safety of its platforms.
The Global RAM Crisis Is Getting Worse and AI Is to Blame
He said it takes four to five years just to secure additional wafers, which means the industry is locked into this trajectory
Microsoft Says Amazon’s $50B OpenAI Deal Violates Azure Exclusivity
The unresolved question is whether the original contract can stretch far enough to accommodate the company OpenAI has become.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft’s Recall Problem Isn’t Just Technical. It’s Trust.
The vault door is titanium, but the wall next to it is drywall.
Microsoft uses its ecosystem to counter MacBook Neo
It's no secret that MacBook Neo has shaken the...
Microsoft’s AI Bill Is Coming Due, and Investors Are Losing Their Patience
Microsoft’s stock is “on track for its worst quarterly performance since the global financial crisis” as concerns mount over its AI spending
Unofficial ChatGPT Use Forcefully Halts Seattle’s Microsoft Copilot Pilot
Mayor Wilson expressed concerns about whether the city was truly prepared for the long-term implications of these tools.
Copilot Cowork Steps In Where Your Calendar Gave Up
Copilot Cowork is Microsoft’s new system for turning a request into a structured plan, then carrying out that plan across Outlook, Teams, Excel, and the rest of Microsoft 365.
Windows
Microsoft’s Recall Problem Isn’t Just Technical. It’s Trust.
The vault door is titanium, but the wall next to it is drywall.
Google’s Desktop App for Windows Is Out Worldwide
Most AI related desktop apps debut on macOS these days, but Google went straight for Microsoft’s backyard.
Windows Insider Program Becomes Simpler
If something breaks, it is not just a staged rollout issue anymore. It is also a configuration problem you opted into.
Microsoft’s Notepad Steps Back From Copilot
The newest Notepad build for Insiders removes the Copilot icon entirely. In its place is a simple pen symbol and a renamed menu called writing tools.
Windows Insider Meetups Are Back, and So Is Microsoft’s Interest in Windows
It humanized the people behind Windows and reminded Insiders that their feedback wasn’t just disappearing into a void.
Reviews
Bose SoundLink Micro 2 Review: Rugged, Clear, and Surprisingly Loud
No one is giving the trophy to a Bluetooth speaker, but watching that tiny blue square help steady a team in the final stretch of preparation said a lot about its real‑world usefulness.
A Dancers Review of Gunnar’s Themed Eyewear Collection
Her favorite part was the case. She said it looks like something her students would immediately try to steal, which is probably true.
Gunnar’s New Fallout Designs Feel Pulled From the Wasteland
These glasses feel like artifacts from the show that somehow slipped into our timeline.
First Impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Pro
It’s not perfect, but it’s easily one of the strongest Windows laptops of early 2026 and a sign that Intel’s comeback narrative might actually be real this time.
Review: The Tecra A60-M and Dynabook a brand to know
Introduction
The life of a tech journalist is ever-changing and...
Editorials
Microsoft’s AI Pivot From Partner to Proprietor
The practical consequence is simple and expensive. Microsoft is effectively paying for access to the fastest external models while also investing in building its own. That buys optionality, but multiplies cost, complexity, and internal coordination challenges.
Dire Warning: Microsoft’s AI Gambit and the Dawn of Tech’s Next Big Bubble
Deutsche Bank calculates that, without tech-related investment (read: AI and data center spending), the U.S. would already be in a recession in 2025. In other words, AI is currently propping up GDP, just as telecom CapEx did before the dot-com crash.
Initial Hands‑On With The Dell XPS Premium 14 With GeForce RTX 4050
It trades ultralight portability for a more robust build and better performance under load, and Dell’s software lets you tune that balance.
A Trojan Horse of Trade Paves the Way for More Control of Chip Makers
One trade lawyer, as cited in the report, noted that this arrangement looks "a lot like the government is skimming a little bit off the top."
Gaming
Free Play Days is a two game mix this week
I enjoy covering our weekly Free Play Days; sometimes...
Microsoft Admits Xbox Game Pass Costs Have Gone Too Far
Game Pass has become too expensive for players and that the company needs a better value equation.
Amazon Luna Gives Up on Game Ownership, Fully Embraces the Subscription Future
Luna is no longer pretending to be a flexible, player friendly cloud platform.
Xbox Is Refreshing Achievements, and Insiders Get the First Look
Now Microsoft is giving that system a thoughtful upgrade, and Xbox Insiders are the first to try it out.
Undead Labs Launches State of Decay 3 Alpha Playtest Registration
That philosophy is built directly into the playtest itself, which will feature four player co-op, new base building and resource strategies, and what Fitzgerald described as “a whole lot of combat.”
Deals
Alienware 27 QD‑OLED Monitor Brings Premium Gaming to a Mid‑Range Price
Now packaged for gamers who want flagship performance without the flagship price
ASUS Zenbook A16 Proves Windows on ARM Laptops Can Deliver Real Value
The version offering 48GB of RAM for 1,599 dollars stands out as one of the most aggressively equipped Windows laptops in its class
Amazon Spring Savings on Smart Home Gear and Everyday Essentials
There is also a bundle option for the NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 with pen and case at $179.88
GUNNAR Optiks Introduces Novato, a Modern Take on the Classic Aviator
It is a frame built for people who spend long hours in front of screens or in the sky, and it brings a level of refinement that feels right at home in both worlds.
Bose SoundLink Micro 2 Review: Rugged, Clear, and Surprisingly Loud
No one is giving the trophy to a Bluetooth speaker, but watching that tiny blue square help steady a team in the final stretch of preparation said a lot about its real‑world usefulness.
Software
Stardock lauches Connection Explorer 1.0
Stardock has officially released Connection Explorer 1.0, a Windows...
Microsoft’s Notepad Steps Back From Copilot
The newest Notepad build for Insiders removes the Copilot icon entirely. In its place is a simple pen symbol and a renamed menu called writing tools.
The Copilot Everywhere Era and the Slow Creep of AI Apathy
We have reached the point where slapping an AI label on something is easier than explaining what it actually does.
Your Outlook Links Are About to Meet Copilot Before the Web
It simply states that Microsoft is introducing a new experience where links clicked in Outlook will open in Edge and pass through Copilot.
The Slow Farewell Tour of The Windows Control Panel
For decades, it was the place where every knob, toggle, and obscure configuration lived. But in 2026, the Control Panel is looking more like a museum exhibit than a living part of Windows.
AI
Google Chrome’s AI Mode Update Adds Side‑by‑Side Browsing and Smarter Search
The company’s latest update to AI Mode in Chrome aims to break that cycle of tab hopping by turning the browser into a more conversational, context-aware companion.
Gemini prepay billing will help you keep your AI budget under control
AI is growing more expensive by the day, and...
Microsoft Launches MAI‑Image‑2‑Efficient for Faster AI Image Generation
That earlier launch is a milestone for the company’s Foundry initiative, and the follow‑up suggests the pace is not slowing down.
Google’s Desktop App for Windows Is Out Worldwide
Most AI related desktop apps debut on macOS these days, but Google went straight for Microsoft’s backyard.
EP.92 – Microsoft’s Copilot Overload
You’ll discover why Microsoft’s heavy-handed copilot branding might be backfiring, and what it says about their long-term vision for AI.
Legal
Snap Cuts 1,000 Jobs and Blames AI For The Shake‑Up
The memo framed the cuts as an “incredibly difficult” but necessary step toward profitability.
How the Iran Conflict Endangers Microsoft and Other US Tech Investments in the Gulf
The Gulf region is not just a convenient expansion zone for American tech companies. It has become one of the world’s fastest‑growing AI infrastructure corridors.
$373 Million Verdict Raises New Questions About Meta’s Teen Safety Practices
After a lengthy investigation and a trial that pulled back the curtain on Meta’s internal decision-making, jurors ruled that the company deceived teens and their families about the safety of its platforms.
The Global RAM Crisis Is Getting Worse and AI Is to Blame
He said it takes four to five years just to secure additional wafers, which means the industry is locked into this trajectory
Microsoft Says Amazon’s $50B OpenAI Deal Violates Azure Exclusivity
The unresolved question is whether the original contract can stretch far enough to accommodate the company OpenAI has become.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft’s Recall Problem Isn’t Just Technical. It’s Trust.
The vault door is titanium, but the wall next to it is drywall.
Microsoft uses its ecosystem to counter MacBook Neo
It's no secret that MacBook Neo has shaken the...
Microsoft’s AI Bill Is Coming Due, and Investors Are Losing Their Patience
Microsoft’s stock is “on track for its worst quarterly performance since the global financial crisis” as concerns mount over its AI spending
Unofficial ChatGPT Use Forcefully Halts Seattle’s Microsoft Copilot Pilot
Mayor Wilson expressed concerns about whether the city was truly prepared for the long-term implications of these tools.
Copilot Cowork Steps In Where Your Calendar Gave Up
Copilot Cowork is Microsoft’s new system for turning a request into a structured plan, then carrying out that plan across Outlook, Teams, Excel, and the rest of Microsoft 365.
Windows
Microsoft’s Recall Problem Isn’t Just Technical. It’s Trust.
The vault door is titanium, but the wall next to it is drywall.
Google’s Desktop App for Windows Is Out Worldwide
Most AI related desktop apps debut on macOS these days, but Google went straight for Microsoft’s backyard.
Windows Insider Program Becomes Simpler
If something breaks, it is not just a staged rollout issue anymore. It is also a configuration problem you opted into.
Microsoft’s Notepad Steps Back From Copilot
The newest Notepad build for Insiders removes the Copilot icon entirely. In its place is a simple pen symbol and a renamed menu called writing tools.
Windows Insider Meetups Are Back, and So Is Microsoft’s Interest in Windows
It humanized the people behind Windows and reminded Insiders that their feedback wasn’t just disappearing into a void.
Reviews
Bose SoundLink Micro 2 Review: Rugged, Clear, and Surprisingly Loud
No one is giving the trophy to a Bluetooth speaker, but watching that tiny blue square help steady a team in the final stretch of preparation said a lot about its real‑world usefulness.
A Dancers Review of Gunnar’s Themed Eyewear Collection
Her favorite part was the case. She said it looks like something her students would immediately try to steal, which is probably true.
Gunnar’s New Fallout Designs Feel Pulled From the Wasteland
These glasses feel like artifacts from the show that somehow slipped into our timeline.
First Impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Pro
It’s not perfect, but it’s easily one of the strongest Windows laptops of early 2026 and a sign that Intel’s comeback narrative might actually be real this time.
Review: The Tecra A60-M and Dynabook a brand to know
Introduction
The life of a tech journalist is ever-changing and...
Editorials
Microsoft’s AI Pivot From Partner to Proprietor
The practical consequence is simple and expensive. Microsoft is effectively paying for access to the fastest external models while also investing in building its own. That buys optionality, but multiplies cost, complexity, and internal coordination challenges.
Dire Warning: Microsoft’s AI Gambit and the Dawn of Tech’s Next Big Bubble
Deutsche Bank calculates that, without tech-related investment (read: AI and data center spending), the U.S. would already be in a recession in 2025. In other words, AI is currently propping up GDP, just as telecom CapEx did before the dot-com crash.
Initial Hands‑On With The Dell XPS Premium 14 With GeForce RTX 4050
It trades ultralight portability for a more robust build and better performance under load, and Dell’s software lets you tune that balance.
A Trojan Horse of Trade Paves the Way for More Control of Chip Makers
One trade lawyer, as cited in the report, noted that this arrangement looks "a lot like the government is skimming a little bit off the top."
Gaming
Free Play Days is a two game mix this week
I enjoy covering our weekly Free Play Days; sometimes...
Microsoft Admits Xbox Game Pass Costs Have Gone Too Far
Game Pass has become too expensive for players and that the company needs a better value equation.
Amazon Luna Gives Up on Game Ownership, Fully Embraces the Subscription Future
Luna is no longer pretending to be a flexible, player friendly cloud platform.
Xbox Is Refreshing Achievements, and Insiders Get the First Look
Now Microsoft is giving that system a thoughtful upgrade, and Xbox Insiders are the first to try it out.
Undead Labs Launches State of Decay 3 Alpha Playtest Registration
That philosophy is built directly into the playtest itself, which will feature four player co-op, new base building and resource strategies, and what Fitzgerald described as “a whole lot of combat.”
Deals
Alienware 27 QD‑OLED Monitor Brings Premium Gaming to a Mid‑Range Price
Now packaged for gamers who want flagship performance without the flagship price
ASUS Zenbook A16 Proves Windows on ARM Laptops Can Deliver Real Value
The version offering 48GB of RAM for 1,599 dollars stands out as one of the most aggressively equipped Windows laptops in its class
Amazon Spring Savings on Smart Home Gear and Everyday Essentials
There is also a bundle option for the NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 with pen and case at $179.88
GUNNAR Optiks Introduces Novato, a Modern Take on the Classic Aviator
It is a frame built for people who spend long hours in front of screens or in the sky, and it brings a level of refinement that feels right at home in both worlds.
Bose SoundLink Micro 2 Review: Rugged, Clear, and Surprisingly Loud
No one is giving the trophy to a Bluetooth speaker, but watching that tiny blue square help steady a team in the final stretch of preparation said a lot about its real‑world usefulness.
Software
Stardock lauches Connection Explorer 1.0
Stardock has officially released Connection Explorer 1.0, a Windows...
Microsoft’s Notepad Steps Back From Copilot
The newest Notepad build for Insiders removes the Copilot icon entirely. In its place is a simple pen symbol and a renamed menu called writing tools.
The Copilot Everywhere Era and the Slow Creep of AI Apathy
We have reached the point where slapping an AI label on something is easier than explaining what it actually does.
Your Outlook Links Are About to Meet Copilot Before the Web
It simply states that Microsoft is introducing a new experience where links clicked in Outlook will open in Edge and pass through Copilot.
The Slow Farewell Tour of The Windows Control Panel
For decades, it was the place where every knob, toggle, and obscure configuration lived. But in 2026, the Control Panel is looking more like a museum exhibit than a living part of Windows.
MSFT Unboxed
Latest Articles
Free Play Days is a two game mix this week
I enjoy covering our weekly Free Play Days; sometimes...
Google Chrome’s AI Mode Update Adds Side‑by‑Side Browsing and Smarter Search
The company’s latest update to AI Mode in Chrome aims to break that cycle of tab hopping by turning the browser into a more conversational, context-aware companion.
Microsoft’s Recall Problem Isn’t Just Technical. It’s Trust.
The vault door is titanium, but the wall next to it is drywall.
Most Popular
Microsoft Launches MAI‑Image‑2‑Efficient for Faster AI Image Generation
That earlier launch is a milestone for the company’s Foundry initiative, and the follow‑up suggests the pace is not slowing down.
Microsoft Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8: Specs Up, Prices Up
Microsoft is preparing new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models with upgraded chips, better displays, and improved haptics.
Microsoft Increases Surface Prices Across the Board Due to Memory Costs
We’re talking jumps of $250 to $300 depending on the model. The entry-level Surface Pro 12 inch now starts at $1,049.99, up from $799.
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