David and Kareem discuss Microsoft’s new ARM-based gambit to leave some Windows users in the dust as well as a new faster Microsoft Store, Surface designer retiring, another potential deepfake issue forming, and more.
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MSFT UNBOXED
Friday, May 15, 2026
AI
Edge’s Latest Improvements Bring Copilot Deeper Into Your Browsing
The latest updates across desktop and mobile present a more unified approach than previous releases.
WinUI 3 Could Be the Reset Windows Has Needed for Years
Project K2 is essentially a deep clean of the OS, stripping out legacy layers and what Microsoft engineers bluntly call “AI slop” to make Windows feel fast again.
Lenovo’s New ThinkPads Bring Big AI Gains for Business
Under the hood, the jump to Intel Core Ultra Series 3 or AMD Ryzen AI PRO 400 processors brings a noticeable lift in responsiveness, especially in AI‑assisted workflows.
Android Gets New AI Automation with Google Gemini
This transition as a way to help people “stay a step ahead” by letting their devices work proactively throughout the day while keeping privacy and control intact.
Legal
Microsoft Reorganizes Israel Branch Following Defense Surveillance Fallout
The rerouting to France signals a desire for tighter oversight from a market that operates under some of the strictest privacy and surveillance regulations in the world.
Microsoft Q3 FY26 Shows $54.5B Cloud Strength but Ongoing Xbox and Surface Declines
At Microsoft’s scale, triple-digit growth is rare, and Nadella clearly wanted investors to see this as validation that the company’s early and aggressive AI bets are paying off.
OpenAI Turns to AWS Hours After Its Microsoft Reset
Amazon announced that OpenAI’s latest models are coming to Amazon Bedrock, along with Codex and a new set of OpenAI-powered managed agents for enterprise customers.
Slack and Salesforce Hit Microsoft Again Over Teams Bundling
Salesforce and Slack are once again aiming for Microsoft’s habit of bundling Teams with Office,
OpenAI and Microsoft Announce a “Simplified” Partnership
One of the biggest changes is that Microsoft’s once exclusive license to OpenAI’s intellectual property is now non-exclusive,
Microsoft 365
Microsoft Adds Agentic AI to Outlook’s Email and Calendar
The goal is to reduce the amount of manual oversight required to keep both inboxes and calendars organized.
Microsoft Brings Agentic AI to the Core Office Apps
It’s impressive, and it also arrives at a very convenient moment for a company that recently raised prices on its productivity suite
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
Windows
Microsoft Unveils New Driver Quality Initiative to Boost Windows Reliability
The company highlighted the need for more consistent validation across vendors to reduce regressions and ensure that drivers meet baseline expectations before reaching customers.
WinUI 3 Could Be the Reset Windows Has Needed for Years
Project K2 is essentially a deep clean of the OS, stripping out legacy layers and what Microsoft engineers bluntly call “AI slop” to make Windows feel fast again.
Patch Tuesday Just Cleaned Up Some Major Windows 11 Pain Points
The most notable carryover from the April previews is Microsoft’s continued work on Secure Boot. Devices now receive additional high‑confidence targeting data
Microsoft Tests Low Latency Mode to Speed Up Windows 11
Those boosts can lead to up to 40 percent faster app launches for built‑in apps and up to 70 percent faster responses from the Start menu and context menus.
EP.95 – AI Overload
Discover why uninstall rates are skyrocketing and how Xbox is keeping gaming fun by ditching AI. Are these tech giants helping us, or just complicating our lives? Tune in and stay ahead of the curve!
Reviews
Dell Got Its Groove Back: XPS 14 (2026) Review
For podcast cover art, social graphics, and editorial photography, this panel is legitimately production capable.
The Best GUNNAR Models for Women: Reviewing Elin, Sofia, and Erika
It is fascinating to see how the brand has evolved from its "gaming" roots into a legitimate fashion statement for women.
Absolum Review: A Roguelite That Understands Real Life
The setup feels like a lost fantasy cartoon from the early nineties, complete with richly inked environments and expressive character animations.
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.
Editorials
Why Everyday Users Are Ditching AI as Datacenters Explode
The consumer side of AI is not just cooling. It is shrinking and shrinking fast.
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.
Gaming
Three titles to keep you busy for Free Play Days
Gamers can clear their schedules this weekend to try...
Xbox and Discord Are Getting Closer, and Game Pass Starter Edition Is the Latest Signal
tarter Edition gives Nitro members access to more than fifty PC and console games, including familiar favorites like Stardew Valley, Fallout 4, Grounded, and DayZ.
Free Play Days is a double header this weekend
Let's jump right in and talk about two great...
Microsoft’s New College Bundle Might Be the PC Market’s Smartest Summer Move
It’s a rare moment where the PC ecosystem is trying to add real value instead of just shouting about specs.
Xbox’s New CEO Ends Copilot on Console to Put Games Back at the Center
This wasn’t about AI. It was about identity. It was about Xbox deciding what it wants to be again.
Deals
Microsoft’s New College Bundle Might Be the PC Market’s Smartest Summer Move
It’s a rare moment where the PC ecosystem is trying to add real value instead of just shouting about specs.
Bose Levels Up Home Audio with the New Lifestyle Ultra Series
It’s a lineup that feels like Bose reclaiming its place in the living room, not by repeating the past but by modernizing the formula that made the original Lifestyle systems iconic.
The Best GUNNAR Models for Women: Reviewing Elin, Sofia, and Erika
It is fascinating to see how the brand has evolved from its "gaming" roots into a legitimate fashion statement for women.
Valve’s New Steam Controller Is Finally Real
You get dual trackpads for mouse‑like precision, TMR magnetic thumbsticks designed to avoid drift, full gyro support, and four rear grip buttons that give you extra inputs without lifting your thumbs.
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
Software
WinUI 3 Could Be the Reset Windows Has Needed for Years
Project K2 is essentially a deep clean of the OS, stripping out legacy layers and what Microsoft engineers bluntly call “AI slop” to make Windows feel fast again.
Android Gets New AI Automation with Google Gemini
This transition as a way to help people “stay a step ahead” by letting their devices work proactively throughout the day while keeping privacy and control intact.
EP.95 – AI Overload
Discover why uninstall rates are skyrocketing and how Xbox is keeping gaming fun by ditching AI. Are these tech giants helping us, or just complicating our lives? Tune in and stay ahead of the curve!
Researcher Finds Edge Exposes Saved Passwords at Startup
Not after you log in. Not after you autofill something. Immediately at startup.
Slack and Salesforce Hit Microsoft Again Over Teams Bundling
Salesforce and Slack are once again aiming for Microsoft’s habit of bundling Teams with Office,
AI
Edge’s Latest Improvements Bring Copilot Deeper Into Your Browsing
The latest updates across desktop and mobile present a more unified approach than previous releases.
WinUI 3 Could Be the Reset Windows Has Needed for Years
Project K2 is essentially a deep clean of the OS, stripping out legacy layers and what Microsoft engineers bluntly call “AI slop” to make Windows feel fast again.
Lenovo’s New ThinkPads Bring Big AI Gains for Business
Under the hood, the jump to Intel Core Ultra Series 3 or AMD Ryzen AI PRO 400 processors brings a noticeable lift in responsiveness, especially in AI‑assisted workflows.
Android Gets New AI Automation with Google Gemini
This transition as a way to help people “stay a step ahead” by letting their devices work proactively throughout the day while keeping privacy and control intact.
Legal
Microsoft Reorganizes Israel Branch Following Defense Surveillance Fallout
The rerouting to France signals a desire for tighter oversight from a market that operates under some of the strictest privacy and surveillance regulations in the world.
Microsoft Q3 FY26 Shows $54.5B Cloud Strength but Ongoing Xbox and Surface Declines
At Microsoft’s scale, triple-digit growth is rare, and Nadella clearly wanted investors to see this as validation that the company’s early and aggressive AI bets are paying off.
OpenAI Turns to AWS Hours After Its Microsoft Reset
Amazon announced that OpenAI’s latest models are coming to Amazon Bedrock, along with Codex and a new set of OpenAI-powered managed agents for enterprise customers.
Slack and Salesforce Hit Microsoft Again Over Teams Bundling
Salesforce and Slack are once again aiming for Microsoft’s habit of bundling Teams with Office,
OpenAI and Microsoft Announce a “Simplified” Partnership
One of the biggest changes is that Microsoft’s once exclusive license to OpenAI’s intellectual property is now non-exclusive,
Microsoft 365
Microsoft Adds Agentic AI to Outlook’s Email and Calendar
The goal is to reduce the amount of manual oversight required to keep both inboxes and calendars organized.
Microsoft Brings Agentic AI to the Core Office Apps
It’s impressive, and it also arrives at a very convenient moment for a company that recently raised prices on its productivity suite
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
Windows
Microsoft Unveils New Driver Quality Initiative to Boost Windows Reliability
The company highlighted the need for more consistent validation across vendors to reduce regressions and ensure that drivers meet baseline expectations before reaching customers.
WinUI 3 Could Be the Reset Windows Has Needed for Years
Project K2 is essentially a deep clean of the OS, stripping out legacy layers and what Microsoft engineers bluntly call “AI slop” to make Windows feel fast again.
Patch Tuesday Just Cleaned Up Some Major Windows 11 Pain Points
The most notable carryover from the April previews is Microsoft’s continued work on Secure Boot. Devices now receive additional high‑confidence targeting data
Microsoft Tests Low Latency Mode to Speed Up Windows 11
Those boosts can lead to up to 40 percent faster app launches for built‑in apps and up to 70 percent faster responses from the Start menu and context menus.
EP.95 – AI Overload
Discover why uninstall rates are skyrocketing and how Xbox is keeping gaming fun by ditching AI. Are these tech giants helping us, or just complicating our lives? Tune in and stay ahead of the curve!
Reviews
Dell Got Its Groove Back: XPS 14 (2026) Review
For podcast cover art, social graphics, and editorial photography, this panel is legitimately production capable.
The Best GUNNAR Models for Women: Reviewing Elin, Sofia, and Erika
It is fascinating to see how the brand has evolved from its "gaming" roots into a legitimate fashion statement for women.
Absolum Review: A Roguelite That Understands Real Life
The setup feels like a lost fantasy cartoon from the early nineties, complete with richly inked environments and expressive character animations.
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.
Editorials
Why Everyday Users Are Ditching AI as Datacenters Explode
The consumer side of AI is not just cooling. It is shrinking and shrinking fast.
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.
Gaming
Three titles to keep you busy for Free Play Days
Gamers can clear their schedules this weekend to try...
Xbox and Discord Are Getting Closer, and Game Pass Starter Edition Is the Latest Signal
tarter Edition gives Nitro members access to more than fifty PC and console games, including familiar favorites like Stardew Valley, Fallout 4, Grounded, and DayZ.
Free Play Days is a double header this weekend
Let's jump right in and talk about two great...
Microsoft’s New College Bundle Might Be the PC Market’s Smartest Summer Move
It’s a rare moment where the PC ecosystem is trying to add real value instead of just shouting about specs.
Xbox’s New CEO Ends Copilot on Console to Put Games Back at the Center
This wasn’t about AI. It was about identity. It was about Xbox deciding what it wants to be again.
Deals
Microsoft’s New College Bundle Might Be the PC Market’s Smartest Summer Move
It’s a rare moment where the PC ecosystem is trying to add real value instead of just shouting about specs.
Bose Levels Up Home Audio with the New Lifestyle Ultra Series
It’s a lineup that feels like Bose reclaiming its place in the living room, not by repeating the past but by modernizing the formula that made the original Lifestyle systems iconic.
The Best GUNNAR Models for Women: Reviewing Elin, Sofia, and Erika
It is fascinating to see how the brand has evolved from its "gaming" roots into a legitimate fashion statement for women.
Valve’s New Steam Controller Is Finally Real
You get dual trackpads for mouse‑like precision, TMR magnetic thumbsticks designed to avoid drift, full gyro support, and four rear grip buttons that give you extra inputs without lifting your thumbs.
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
Software
WinUI 3 Could Be the Reset Windows Has Needed for Years
Project K2 is essentially a deep clean of the OS, stripping out legacy layers and what Microsoft engineers bluntly call “AI slop” to make Windows feel fast again.
Android Gets New AI Automation with Google Gemini
This transition as a way to help people “stay a step ahead” by letting their devices work proactively throughout the day while keeping privacy and control intact.
EP.95 – AI Overload
Discover why uninstall rates are skyrocketing and how Xbox is keeping gaming fun by ditching AI. Are these tech giants helping us, or just complicating our lives? Tune in and stay ahead of the curve!
Researcher Finds Edge Exposes Saved Passwords at Startup
Not after you log in. Not after you autofill something. Immediately at startup.
Slack and Salesforce Hit Microsoft Again Over Teams Bundling
Salesforce and Slack are once again aiming for Microsoft’s habit of bundling Teams with Office,
MSFT Unboxed
Latest Articles
Three titles to keep you busy for Free Play Days
Gamers can clear their schedules this weekend to try...
Microsoft Unveils New Driver Quality Initiative to Boost Windows Reliability
The company highlighted the need for more consistent validation across vendors to reduce regressions and ensure that drivers meet baseline expectations before reaching customers.
Edge’s Latest Improvements Bring Copilot Deeper Into Your Browsing
The latest updates across desktop and mobile present a more unified approach than previous releases.
Most Popular
Googlebook Is the First Real Laptop Rethink in Years
Googlebook, by contrast, is trying to redefine the baseline rather than iterate on it.
Three titles to keep you busy for Free Play Days
Gamers can clear their schedules this weekend to try...
Microsoft Tests Low Latency Mode to Speed Up Windows 11
Those boosts can lead to up to 40 percent faster app launches for built‑in apps and up to 70 percent faster responses from the Start menu and context menus.
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