Windows Weekly 960: Snow & Claus
Pavan Davuluri only spoke at one Ignite 2025 session, and it did not deserve the hate he got. But what did he really say?
Copilot is a front-end for apps and cloud AI services, agents are background processes.
Apps in Windows need to become programmatic so AI and agents can control them.
You are in control. You being IT and the user. These experiences are off by default, opt-in, and optional. This is the end of whatever BS argument anyone has about this stuff.
Copilot Voice because AI is better when you babble and is often more natural than typing
Key concept: Apps, CLIs, etc. expect exact commands, AI is all about intent, just do what I want, not exactly what I say. This is why, yes, people WILL want to talk to their PCs (and other devices)
UIs for these new features will look/feel natural in Windows
Search box in Taskbar is getting updated to orchestrate between local/web search and Copilot capabilities, including agents
Agents will appear as app icons in Taskbar when fired, can be check in on, can post notifications for you to attend to
Integration of M365 Copilot capabilities with Windows - Better together story, with things like Writing Assistance for every text box
Accessibility updates thanks to AI - Fluid Dictation, which is what makes Copilot Voice make so much sense
All the security, privacy, and IT management the audience expects
Windows Insider Program
Dev and Beta builds include Full Screen Experience on all PCs, new Notepad app, more
Hardware - Earnings
Lenovo PC business up 12 percent to $15.1 billion, 25.6 percent unit share
HP up 4 percent to $14.6 billion, but job cuts for AI are coming
Dell PC business up 3 percent to $1.41 billion
AI and Stuff
Microsoft releases local Fara-7B agentic model for computer use
ChatGPT's new coding model is optimized for Windows
Dear God, you must see Nano Banana Pro to understand Google's lead
Google is bringing AirDrop to Android, starting with Pixel. This is what happens when regulators "force design changes on OS makers."
Xbox and Gaming
Xbox Cloud Gaming usage is up 45 percent YOY. Sure. What's 45 percent of 3 people?
Xbox Cloud Gaming is adding per-game resolution settings, to 1440p for Game Pass Ultimate customers
ROG Xbox Ally is getting default game profiles, in preview for 40 titles now
Microsoft open sources the source code for Zork, Zork II, and Zork III
New Chromebook buyers get one year of Nvidia GeForce NOW with Fast Pass
Tips and Picks
Tip of the week: Finding experts is more important than ever
We live in the age of stupid. Find the smart and never let go
Also, Xbox is having a good Black Friday sale
App pick of the week: Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge
Also: Perplexity Comet on Android
RunAs Radio this week: Christmas Gifts for SysAdmins with Joey Snow and Rick Claus
https://runasradio.com/Shows/Show/1012
Brown liquor pick of the week: Sidetrack Stone Whisky
https://www.huskdistillers.com/shop/sidetrack-stone-whisky
These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/960 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell
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