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

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Windows Weekly (Audio)

WW 865: You Don't Drink the Bottle! - Midnight Blizzard, $3 trillion market cap, AI in Reading Coach