Dec 11th 2024
Windows Weekly 911
A Back-End Guy
Recall impressions, Copilot Vision preview, x86's future
Records live every Wednesday at 2:00pm Eastern / 11:00am Pacific / 19:00 UTC.
This week, Paul, Richard, and Leo go over the changes and features of the last Patch Tuesday of 2024! Afterward, the hosts comment on Recall's UI and UX, speculate on Intel's sinking future, and look back at retro computer games like Marathon. Plus, Copilot Vision rolls out to some Copilot Pro users, Apple Intelligence gets a wave of updates, and the Red Ring of Death becomes wearable!
Windows 11
- The final Patch Tuesday of 2024 arrives with new features for 24H2: Jump lists in Start, shortened Taskbar date/time by default, Android sharing in File Explorer (over Wi-Fi), and a few other things
- Microsoft is changing Copilot for Windows 11 for the 17th time (roughly): “Native” app with system tray icon, always-on-top Quick View with Alt + Space keyboard shortcut, now in all Insider channels
- Recall comes to AMD/Intel Copilot+ PCs in the Dev channel
- iPhone is getting file sharing support in Phone Link
- New Canary build today but nothing to see here
- Microsoft is bringing “the full Windows 11 experience” to Meta Quest 3/3S
- Yet another 24H2 issue: Google Workspace sync plug-in for Outlook
- Microsoft Store gains more Win32 app updating features via winget
- Rethinking a few reviled Microsoft apps. Edge and Outlook are both the subject of withering criticisms, but... shocker. Both have gotten quite good. It’s time for another look
Calling it
- After two-plus weeks of Recall being out in the public, not a single security issue has emerged
- Microsoft made no substantive changes to the Recall security model despite claiming otherwise
- But Recall is problematic. And the reasons are all security-related. The UX suffers from this
- There is too much stupid in the world. The Windows 11 watermark threat is not new
- Intel is dead, x86 is next, and it’s time to embrace our new Arm-based masters
Surface and Microsoft 365
- Microsoft officially kills Surface Studio 2+ after douchey Ignite presentation when they semi claimed otherwise
- Plus, rumors of Lunar Lake-based Surface Pro and Laptop in early 2025 that obviously make sense
- Skype continues its downward spiral: No more Skype credit, but plenty of spam and now subscriptions
AI and more
- Copilot Vision is now available to Copilot Pro subscribers in the US
- Apple Intelligence, Take 2: iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS 15.2 arrive with ChatGPT integration, new Writing Tools, um, tools, Image Playground app, Genmoji, Image Wand in Notes, and Visual Intelligence in Camera
- Side note: The final build was tested for less than two days. Taking a cue from the Windows 11 playbook, apparently
- Now Paul really won’t pay for AI: OpenAI introduces $200 per month ChatGPT tier for researchers
- OpenAI delivers Sora just days after Google announces Veo preview
- Google goes agentic with Gemini because of course it is - Also, Google CEO rips on Microsoft AI, hilarious
- Lots more Gemini coming to Android 15, Pixel devices
Xbox
- You can now get official Xbox replacement parts for Series X|S consoles
- Fortnite is adding a 5v5 first-person mode this week
- Microsoft expands stream your own game capabilities to more Xbox Insiders
- Valve is almost certainly bringing back third-party Steam machines
- Google’s Stadia Controller gets another year for Bluetooth Conversion Therapy
- Apple Vision Pro to get Sony PS5 controller compatibility. Apple blew it with game makers by not making a controller, though it tested one
- Video game preservation has emerged as a big trend in 2024. Open source is playing a role in this too
Tips and Picks
- Tip of the week: The year-end wrap-ups begin
- App pick of the week: Stardock Multiplicity 4 is here
- RunAs Radio this week: M365 Copilot in Government with Angela Dugan
- Brown liquor pick of the week: Tobermory Ledaig 10
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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com
The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.
Links
- Microsoft Releases December 2024 Patch Tuesday Updates
- Microsoft is Updating Copilot for Windows … Again
- Recall and Click to Do Preview Come to AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs
- Windows Insiders Can Now Share Files between Their iPhone and PC
- Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27764 (Canary Channel)
- Immersive productivity with Windows and Meta Quest
- Windows 11 Version 24H2 Has Compatibility Issue With Google Workspace Sync Outlook Plugin
- 2024 Winds Down with a Fresh Look at the Microsoft Client Stack (Premium)
- Windows 11 Microsoft Store Can Now Update More Win32 Apps
- The Real Problem with Recall (Premium)
- The Windows 11 Watermark Isn’t New
- Intel is Dead and x86 is Next (Premium)
- Microsoft Ends Production of its Surface Studio 2+ All-In-One PC
- Skype Stops Selling Skype Credit In Favor of Monthly Subscriptions
- Copilot Vision Starts Rolling Out to Copilot Pro Subscribers in the US
- Apple Releases iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2
- Not Yet, Apple Fans, Not Yet
- OpenAI Launches $200/Month ChatGPT Pro Subscription With Exclusive o1 Pro Mode
- OpenAI Delivers Sora AI Video Generator
- Google Launches ‘Veo’ AI Video Generator
- Google Launches Flagship Gemini 2.0 AI Model Designed for the “Agentic Era”
- Google Releases Major Updates for Android 15, Pixel
- iFixit is Now Offering Official Xbox Series X|S Repair Parts
- Fortnite Goes Ballistic Next Week
- Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on Xbox Consoles
- Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on Xbox Consoles
- Valve May Soon Bring Back Third-Party Steam Machines
- Google Stadia Controllers Can Be Switched to Bluetooth Mode For Another Year
- Apple Vision Pro is Reportedly Getting PSVR 2 Controller Support
- Open Source Takes on Video Game Preservation
- My Favorite Podcasts of 2024 (Premium)
- My New Apps, Services, and Games of 2024 (Premium)
- Stardock releases Multiplicity 4
- M365 Copilot in Government with Angela Dugan
- Tobermory Ledaig 10