Windows Weekly 865

In this episode of Windows Weekly, Leo, Paul, and Richard cover Microsoft's recent hack, new Windows Insider updates, Copilot Pro's image creativity, various browsers, education's compatibility with generative AI, Halo Infinite's slowdown, Notion's calendar service, and Japanese whisky.

Microsoft was hacked

• A Russia-backed hacker group infiltrated a legacy system and gained access to executive emails
• This is triggering an escalation in Microsoft’s security makeover either way

Windows 11

• Beta channel: USB 80 Gbps/USB4 v2 support, bug fixes
• Dev channel: Teams (commercial) meeting integration in Start, new mobile device management interface
• New Surface event rumored for March. Possibly two waves of Pro and Laptop releases
• Microsoft Bing and Edge are obviously not dominant platforms, and will not be subject to EU DMA
• Microsoft Mesh is here for all your legless meeting needs

AI

• Microsoft hits $3 trillion market cap on the strength of its AI moves
• Paul used Copilot Pro and you’re never going to believe what happened next
• Microsoft is bringing more AI to education. And so is Google
• Would you pay for an AI-infused Alexa?

Web browsers, oh my

• Chrome is updated with new AI features
• Firefox version 122 is out
• Brave will simplify fingerprint protection. What is fingerprint protection?
• Opera will pay a brand ambassador $10,000 to spend a month on a deserted Icelandic island

Xbox

• Microsoft reveals several new games for 2024, key among them an Indiana Jones title
• 343 slows down Halo Infinite updates dramatically. Is this just about Halo or a hint at a looming new trend?

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Is it even possible to prevent online tracking?
• App pick of the week: Arc browser
• RunAs Radio this week: AI for IT with Gil Pekelman
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Hibiki Harmony
   

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The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 865 Transcript

Links

• State-Sponsored Russian Hacking Group Attacked Microsoft Over Two Months
• New Windows 11 Insider Beta Build is Out With USB 80Gbps Support
• New Windows 11 Dev Channel Build Improves Teams and Phone Integration
• Report: Microsoft’s Next Surface Event Could Be Held in March
• Report: Microsoft’s Bing and Edge May Not Fall Under DMA Regulation
• Microsoft Teams Now Offers 3D Meetings Powered by Microsoft Mesh
• $3 TRILLION
• Surprise! Microsoft Copilot Pro is Magical (Premium)
• Microsoft is Bringing More AI to the Education Market
• Amazon is Working on a Paid AI Version of Alexa
• Google Chrome Gets 3 New Experimental AI Features
• Mozilla Releases Firefox 122
• Brave is Simplifying Its Fingerprinting Protections
• Opera is Offering the Coolest Job in the World, Literally
• Xbox Exclusive Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Gets its First Gameplay Reveal
• Halo Infinite, Game Updates, and the Future of Xbox (Premium)
• Report: Facebook Users Are Tracked by an Average of 2,230 Advertisers
• Arc Browser for Windows Review
• Notion Announces Notion Calendar
• AI for IT with Gil Pekelman
• HIBIKI WHISKY
• Google Brings AI to the Classroom