Windows Weekly 920: Celebrity Condiments – Detailed Summary
Release Date: February 19, 2025
In this episode of Windows Weekly hosted by Leo Laporte alongside Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell, the trio delves into the latest updates in the Windows ecosystem, explores significant advancements in AI and quantum computing, and takes a lighthearted detour into the world of celebrity-branded condiments.
1. Windows Updates and Insider Builds
The discussion opens with Paul Thurrott providing an overview of recent Windows Insider builds. He highlights the introduction of color-coded battery icons in Windows 11, enhancing user experience by indicating battery health statuses: green for good, yellow for low, and black for normal.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [04:18]: "It's so funny how small these updates, really."
Paul also touches upon the alignment of the Dev and Beta channels, causing some confusion among users. The team expresses uncertainty over Microsoft's communication regarding these changes, reflecting ongoing internal shifts.
Notable Quote:
Richard Campbell [07:53]: "Filling into insiders and see how people react to it."
Paul Thurrott [09:30]: "I feel like some middle management walked away from the job and no one ever replaced them."
2. Deprecation of Windows Features
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Microsoft's strategy of deprecating certain Windows features. The recent removal of the "location history" feature, previously tied to Cortana, is discussed. The hosts clarify that while some location-based services remain, specific APIs used by deprecated features are being phased out.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [17:18]: "The feature they've just deprecated is called location history, which sounds like yikes."
3. Microsoft Edge UI Enhancements
Paul Thurrott announces that Microsoft has revamped parts of the Edge browser's user interface using a new framework called Web UI 2.0. This redesign promises a 40-75% increase in performance, making the browser more responsive and visually appealing.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [20:22]: "If you open Edge and launch Browser Essentials, you'll see this thing comes on as fast as you can blink."
4. Clipchamp Evolves into a Prosumer Tool
The conversation shifts to Clipchamp, Microsoft's video editing tool. Paul praises its evolution from a simple editor to a more professional-grade application, noting improvements in the user interface and added functionalities like video asset grouping.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [24:22]: "It's starting to look more like what it is, which is a very powerful app for editing video."
5. Quantum Computing Breakthrough by Microsoft
One of the standout topics is Microsoft's announcement of a breakthrough in quantum computing. The company introduced a new material enabling the creation of topological qubits, which promise enhanced stability and scalability. The hosts discuss the potential impact of achieving a million qubits, positioning Microsoft at the forefront of quantum supercomputing advancements.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [46:30]: "Qubits can store much more information. Every time you add a qubit, it doubles its performance."
Despite the excitement, the team remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the significant challenges that lie ahead in making quantum computing a mainstream reality.
Notable Quote:
Richard Campbell [48:43]: "With each of these strategies, as the number of qubits goes up, it's exponentially more difficult to keep them stable."
6. ExpressVPN Adopts Rust for Enhanced Security
ExpressVPN has revamped its proprietary Lightway protocol by rewriting it in Rust, a programming language known for its memory safety and performance. This transition aims to bolster security and efficiency without altering the protocol's functionality.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [41:04]: "It's more secure than C. But what they're saying is the code it creates is more lightweight."
The hosts commend ExpressVPN's move, emphasizing the benefits of Rust in developing robust and secure applications.
7. AI Integration in Windows and Beyond
The episode delves deep into the integration of AI within the Windows ecosystem. Paul Thurrott criticizes Microsoft's native AI features like Copilot, comparing them unfavorably to third-party solutions such as Grammarly and Language Tool. He advocates for AI tools that offer broader compatibility across applications, highlighting his personal preference for Language Tool due to its versatility.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [55:35]: "I use language tool in part because it's better than Grammarly and it works everywhere."
The discussion extends to the broader adoption of AI tools, addressing user resistance and the necessity of embracing AI to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [62:07]: "I think you should look for that aha moment. You’re going to find it."
8. Celebrity Condiments: A Lighthearted Segment
True to the episode's title, the hosts venture into the niche market of celebrity-branded condiments. They share anecdotes about various celebrity-endorsed alcohol brands, particularly focusing on Crystal Head Vodka by Dan Aykroyd. The conversation highlights the blend of celebrity influence and product quality, noting how certain brands maintain authenticity through active involvement of the endorsing celebrities.
Notable Quote:
Richard Campbell [156:21]: "But Ackroyd's involvement seems more interesting, interested in what he's making there."
9. PlayStation Sales Surge
In a surprising twist, the team discusses the latest PlayStation sales figures. Contrary to expectations that newer console generations often underperform initially, the PlayStation 5 has reported its best quarterly sales ever, matching the PlayStation 4's performance at the same lifecycle stage.
Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [135:24]: "Sony has since put out their latest quarterly financial results and they actually just had the best quarter that PlayStation 5 has ever had."
The hosts speculate on the factors contributing to this success, debating marketing strategies and product offerings.
Conclusion
In Windows Weekly 920: Celebrity Condiments, Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Windows, AI integration, and quantum computing breakthroughs by Microsoft. Balancing technical discussions with engaging personal anecdotes, the episode offers valuable insights for both tech enthusiasts and casual listeners. The detour into celebrity-branded condiments adds a refreshing and entertaining dimension to the show, showcasing the hosts' ability to blend diverse topics seamlessly.
Final Notable Quote:
Paul Thurrott [142:07]: "We're in an interesting time right now where that's the case with a lot of stuff...We're all pushing forward."
For listeners seeking to stay updated with the ever-evolving tech landscape, this episode delivers a rich and informative experience that underscores the dynamic interplay between technology advancements and their real-world applications.