WW 997: Bear Swamp & The Boathouse - New Context Menu Customization Debuts for Insiders

For years, the checkbox to get a PC out of the Insider Program when that Windows version shipped in stable did absolutely nothing. That's no longer the case.

Windows

• A new context menu for File Explorer heads out to Insiders along with five new preview builds
• There are lots of other like UX changes happening with little communication. Will Microsoft really touch (and update) all the ancient UIs in Windows 11?
• New Release Preview builds point at next Week D and Patch Tuesday updates: New Taskbar, New Start, new Windows Search, many minor changes throughout

Hardware

• Now we know more about Snapdragon C ahead of IFA, where we may see the first laptops
• Google is holding a PixelBook reviewers event in mid-September
• You know that Commodore is back, but now the Amiga is back too!
• Lenovo surges on AI spending, but it's now engaged in financial shenanigans too. More like Spotify than Big Tech, but still bad

AI

• Big Tech spending on AI is finally getting more scrutiny from financial/business publications
• It's happening: Microsoft "pulls a Teams" and will consolidate its Copilot (consumer) and Microsoft 365 Copilot (business apps) into a single app, evolve it in a "super app"
• OpenAI's new strategy: Get 'em while they're young
• Mozilla provides a progress report on Smart Window for Firefox, details new AI search partnership
• Alexa+ is now free on all FireTV devices in the U.S., no Prime required

XBOX

• Resonance: A Plague Tale and more are heading to Game Pass during the second half of August
• XBOX August Update is here with more Achievements details, Game Hubs now support Xbox 360 titles, Game Pass subscribers can now stream a game while it installs in the background
• XBOX Insiders can now test Home Improvements, local save game management, and profile badges
• Apple makes major App Store concessions in the EU. But Epic Games says it is not enough.
• The new Call of Duty has a public beta on Friday, and there will be a single-player episode for the first time

Tips and picks

• Tip of the week: Yes, Virginia, you can exit the Insider Program now
• App pick of the week: Brave
• RunAs Radio this week: Automatic Attack Disruption with Liz Tesch
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Red Bank Premium Blended

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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