MSFT Unboxed POD EP:032 – Microsoft’s AI bid for businesses

In their latest podcast, David and Kareem discussed several key tech updates: Microsoft’s new Fluent illustrations designed for inclusivity, Apple’s FDA-approved sleep apnea detection feature for the Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Watch Ultra 2, and the end of Microsoft’s 15-year-old Xbox Ambassador program.

They also covered the release of new Windows apps aimed at boosting productivity, Microsoft’s new AI-driven business Copilot features, Intel’s decision to spin off its Foundry business to focus on core competencies, and the release of the LTSC version of Office 2024, which offers long-term support for organizations.

Topics Covered:

Microsoft’s New Fluent Illustrations: David and Kareem discussed Microsoft’s introduction of new Fluent illustrations, which aim to enhance user experience with more engaging and visually appealing graphics. These illustrations are designed to be more inclusive and diverse, reflecting a broader range of users.

Apple’s FDA Approval for Sleep Apnea Detection: The hosts highlighted Apple’s recent achievement in getting FDA approval for sleep apnea detection on the Apple Watch. ⁠This feature will be available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Watch Ultra 2, using the built-in accelerometer to monitor sleep disturbances and notify users if they show signs of sleep apnea⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Microsoft Shutting Down Xbox Ambassador Program: After 15 years, Microsoft has decided to shut down the Xbox Ambassador program. David and Kareem reflected on the program’s history and its impact on the gaming community, noting that it was a platform for gamers to help each other and promote positive gaming experiences.

New Windows Apps Officially Available: The podcast covered the release of new Windows apps, which are now officially available. These apps are designed to improve productivity and user experience, with updates to existing apps and the introduction of new ones.

Microsoft’s New Wave of Business Copilot Features: Microsoft has rolled out a new wave of Copilot features aimed at businesses. These features leverage AI to assist with tasks such as drafting emails, generating reports, and providing insights, making business operations more efficient.

Intel Spinning Off Its Foundry Business: Intel’s decision to spin off its Foundry business was another key topic. The hosts discussed how this move is part of Intel’s strategy to focus on its core competencies and drive innovation in semiconductor manufacturing.

LTSC Office 2024 Release: Finally, David and Kareem talked about the release of the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) version of Office 2024. This version is tailored for organizations that require a stable and unchanging software environment, providing long-term support and updates.

#windows #xbox #intel

EP.114 – AI Not Ready, Too Expensive, We'll Wait – MSFT Unboxed

Amazon just killed the Fire tablet. Microsoft put an NVIDIA chip in a $2,600 laptop. PC shipments dropped 20% in a single quarter. This week on MSFT UNBOXED POD, Kareem and David go through all of it, plus Google’s Googlebook mess and a Windows search box that finally does something useful.Amazon first. The Fire name is gone after 15 years, and the replacement is a trio of Alexa Tablets running regular Android with the Play Store. Panos Panay told Bloomberg the old ones weren’t giving customers what they asked for, which seems to mean Google apps, nicer hardware, and fewer ads on the lock screen. You pay for that, though: $229 to start, $499 for the 12 Pro, versus $155 for the Fire HD 10 it’s replacing. Amazon is betting people will pay more for Alexa+.The Surface Laptop Ultra is Microsoft’s answer to the MacBook Pro. It starts at $2,599, runs on NVIDIA’s RTX Spark chip, and tops out at 128GB of unified memory, enough to run models up to 120 billion parameters without touching the cloud. It’s Windows on Arm, so whether your apps and games survive the trip is a fair question. Pre-orders are live, and it ships October 16.Googlebook versus Chromebook Plus is where David and Kareem spend a good chunk of the episode, mostly because Google has now got three laptop tiers and a name that gets mangled into “Google Books” half the time. Googlebook starts at $899, blends Android and ChromeOS, and wires Gemini deeper into the OS. Chromebook Plus is cheaper and already has plenty of the same AI stuff. Who the new one is for isn’t obvious.IDC’s Q3 numbers are ugly. 62.7 million PCs shipped, down 20.1% from last year, and HP fell almost 31%. Part of it is buyers and vendors stocking up early in the year ahead of memory price hikes, and part is that memory is just expensive now. IDC thinks Q4 looks about the same, and don’t count on bargains coming back.Also, Windows Insiders on the Experimental channel can try the rebuilt taskbar search: faster, less cluttered, and it’ll toggle dark mode or Bluetooth, mute your PC, or snap windows when you ask. English only for now, and the Start menu version waits until next year.Buying anything on this list? Drop it in the comments.#MSFTUnboxedPod #TechNews #Amazon #AlexaTablet #SurfaceLaptopUltra #NVIDIA #RTXSpark #Googlebook #Chromebook #Windows11 #PCMarket #TechPodcast

1. EP.114 – AI Not Ready, Too Expensive, We'll Wait 01:31:27
2. EP.113 – Xbox For Sale, Clipping Hawking Crypto, WSL Updates 57:29
3. EP.112 – Big Copilot Pivot, Xbox Glass Cliff, Pixelbook vs Chromebook 01:30:53
4. EP.111 – Your New Copilot Coworker, More Windows Headaches, Time To Slow AI 01:00:42
5. EP.110 – The Foldable debate heats up, and other Microsoft News 01:25:48