WW 988: Bubbleable - XBOX Could Be Facing a Moment of Reckoning

With major leadership shakeups and rumors of studio closures, the future of XBOX inside Microsoft suddenly looks uncertain. Is this the beginning of a Game Pass overhaul, or could XBOX face an outright split from the company? Plus, PowerToys 0.100 (yes, point one hundred) arrives with so many improvements. And the Windows Insider program is leaving even seasoned users scratching their heads over Microsoft's so-called "simplification."

Windows

• Windows Insider Program: Microsoft releases a record 7 builds to the allegedly simpler Insider Program
• You can't tell the players without a program
• Experimental: Less disruptive Windows Update, Windows Search improvements
• Beta 26H1: Screen tint
• Beta 25H2: Screen tint, quieter Widgets, Magnifier zoom controls
• Release Preview 25H2: Screen tint, quieter Widgets, Magnifier zoom controls, Bluetooth connectivity improvements
• All (?) get Voice access and Voice typing improvements, and new right-click Touchpad settings
• Good God, Microsoft

Hardware

• Microsoft announces Snapdragon X2-based Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Laptop 13 and the prices are eye-watering
• Samsung announces Snapdragon X2-based Galaxy Book6 Edge and, yes, the prices are eye-watering
• The component crisis is a disaster but limitations are driving innovation, as they always have
• Google releases Android 17 alongside a new Pixel Drop, setting the stage for Googlebooks

Software

• Microsoft Edge to follow Chrome to a two-week development schedule because we all love updating our web browsers
• Mozilla releases Firefox 152 and a new roadmap for the browser

AI

• FINALLY AN AI-FREE WEEK

XBOX and gaming

• Fear & loathing at XBOX! The Microsoft fiscal year ends in two weeks, and big changes are coming
• XBOX leadership set to reveal "hard truths" that will absolutely include layoffs and studio and game closures
• Microsoft is looking at all options for XBOX, including a spin-off
• XBOX Studios CEO and chief of staff announce their departures ahead of expected layoffs
• XBOX reportedly closing Ninja Theory, makers of the Hellblade games
• Compulsion Games is likely on the chopping block too
• XBOX is coming to Gamescon this year
• Xbox June Update arrives with new boot animation, more while Microsoft continues testing minor UX changes in the Insider Program
• COD: Vanguard, EA Sports FC 26 and more coming to Game Pass in the second half of June
• Rockstar Games is giving free GTA V upgrades to Xbox One and PS4 players

Tips and picks

• Tip of the week: Don't doomscroll, learnscroll instead
• App pick of the week: PowerToys 0.100
• RunAs Radio this week: 47 Day Certificates with Todd Gardner
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Thornæs Kagerup

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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