Windows Weekly 973: Bob's Rumor Store (March 4, 2026)

Episode Overview

Theme:
This week’s Windows Weekly dives into the latest in the Windows ecosystem and beyond. Host Micah Sargent (subbing for Leo Laporte) is joined by Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell for a relaxed but in-depth discussion of Windows 11 developments, third-party passkey support, cloud PCs, the AI landscape, developer tools, Xbox news, the latest on big tech earnings, and much more. The episode balances current industry updates, analysis, nostalgia, and a touch of irreverent humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Windows Insider Updates & Copilot AI Tools

• Edge Canary Copilot Integration ([02:45])

  • Edge Canary now surfaces Copilot writing help tools, but only in AI chatbot text boxes (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini).

  “Apparently if you install Edge Canary...and you click in the text box in any AI chatbot...it gives you Copilot writing help tools.”
  —Paul Thurrott [02:45]

  • Still awaiting official comment—unsure if it's an intentional feature, limited experiment, or a bug.
  • General enthusiasm for Copilot, mixed with skepticism.

  “Everyone loves Copilot. Yeah, that’s what I hear. Anyway, I'm going with it.”
  —Micah Sargent [03:58]

• Windows 11 Passkey Sign-In with Bitwarden ([04:38])

  • Bitwarden appears to be the first third-party password manager allowing passkey-based Windows sign-in, albeit for Entra ID-joined (enterprise) devices only.
  • Paul wants to confirm if Bitwarden can integrate with Windows Hello (facial/fingerprint unlock) from the lock screen.
  • Discussion highlights the growing importance of portable passkeys and third-party ecosystem support.

  “If it could work on the device itself, that's amazing, right? That would be great.”
  —Richard Campbell [09:15]

  • Portability and security for enterprise are underscored, but broader consumer use is forthcoming.

• Windows Insider Builds ([12:13])

  • Small features land in Canary channel: network speed test, recovery improvements, camera controls.
  • New batch file security mode—a nod to legacy tech.
  • Paint update (freeform rotate) rolls out to beta.
  • Reflection on the odd timeline of feature releases across Insider channels.

• Windows 365 Cloud PC Devices: ASUS & Dell Join ([13:55])

  • Expansion beyond Microsoft’s own device; new "nuc-like" models are ultra-thin clients meant for streaming Windows from the cloud.
  • Appeal is mainly for managed IT environments, not consumers.

  “I more likely call this the most impersonal PC.”
  —Richard Campbell [18:20]

  • The team weighs pros and cons, likening the approach to old-school thin clients and raising security/support rationales over general computing needs.

2. Browser Update Cadences & Constant Updates

• Chrome/Chromium Moves to Two-Week Releases ([19:15])
  • Both Google and Microsoft (and other Chromium browser vendors) must adjust to a faster update schedule.
  • Shorter cycles may mean less disruption per update, but contribute to overall update fatigue.

  “We're in a world of just constant updates. So I'm not worried about it.”
  —Paul Thurrott [22:04]

  • Richard notes this eliminates separate “security patches” in favor of continual iteration.

3. Big Tech Earnings: AI Drives the Market ([23:32])

• Dell: ([24:07])
  • AI/data center growth (up 73%, now larger than PC division).
• Nvidia: ([25:16])
  • Record $68B quarter (up 73% YoY), $43B net income; fueled by AI hardware demand.

  “Their margins are like 65%...that's better than Apple.”
  —Paul Thurrott [25:45]

• Takeaway: AI infrastructure demand outpaces traditional hardware and delivers massive profits.

4. The Current State of AI: Copilots, Tasks & Agents

• OpenAI Valuation/Bubble ([30:29])

  • OpenAI’s valuation jumps to $730 billion; ChatGPT has 900 million weekly users.
  • Paul questions revenue rationale but acknowledges real adoption.

• Copilot Tasks & AI Agents ([32:27])

  • Microsoft brings Copilot “Tasks” (multi-agent workflows) to consumers, matching OpenAI’s “Agent Mode” and Anthropic’s approaches.
  • User interface and terminology (“agents”, “programmatic”, “semantic”, “app functions”) remain hurdles for mainstream adoption.

  “This feels like a complex thing to me. I’m not really sure how normal people are going to react to this.”
  —Paul Thurrott [33:20]

• Android App Functions/Integration ([37:25])

  • Google introduces “App Functions” in Android 15, mirroring Microsoft’s programmatic approach for AI interaction with apps.
  • There’s a consensus: all major OSs are moving in this direction, trailing Apple.

5. Developer & Admin Experience: CLIs, AI & Nostalgia

• Windows App Development CLI and Store CLI ([41:25])

  • New command-line tools for app development and Microsoft Store integration reflect a shift to CLI “first” development, with CLI being more AI- and automation-friendly.

  “LLMs work way better with CLIs.”
  —Richard Campbell [42:13]

• CLI vs GUI Philosophy ([43:44–53:00])

  • Nostalgic and practical debate on the merits of building CLI-first and Gui-later, referencing PowerShell and historical cycles in Microsoft’s tooling.
  • Command line is “back,” beloved by power users, and increasingly targeted by Microsoft for both utility and retro appeal.

  “I love it...It works like all your keyboard shortcuts were aimed at you.”
  —Paul Thurrott [52:09], re: new Edit CLI text editor

• Microsoft Build 2026 Moves to San Francisco, Overlaps with WWDC ([53:55])

  • Now a two-day, invitation-only event at a smaller venue (Fort Mason), Build will run concurrently with Apple’s WWDC.

  “That's like saying Mars is too hot, let's go to Mercury.”
  —Paul Thurrott [53:46] (on moving from Seattle to SF to avoid logistical issues)

  • Less developer guidance/tickets, not a “bold” overlap with Apple, just a logistical outcome.

6. Xbox & Gaming Updates

• Game Pass News ([58:42])

  • New titles: Cyberpunk 2077 (console, cloud), Hollow Knight Silk Song, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, more.
  • Indie Select program highlights high-quality indie games—many with cinematic visuals.

• Recap & Mobile Announcements ([59:59], [61:41])

  • AI-powered game recaps roll out on Xbox Rog Ally and Lenovo Go gaming handhelds.
  • Lenovo demos a concept foldable-screen gaming handheld, praised for innovation.

• Sony & PC Games Rumors ([66:30–73:57])

  • Bloomberg reports Sony may curtail or delay PlayStation PC releases as Xbox moves toward full PC parity.
  • Team questions business logic—wider platform is always better for gamers.

  “From the human, the person playing the game, it's always better to have this thing, be the game, be on as many platforms as possible every time.”
  —Paul Thurrott [71:38]

• Epic vs Google: Settlement News ([74:22])

  • Settlement allows third-party billing and stores, benefiting consumers and competition.

  “This is kind of the outcome you want...it's definitely consumer friendly.”
  —Richard Campbell [77:14] “They fought this all the way to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court told them to go screw themselves.”
  —Paul Thurrott [77:36]

  • Epic’s fight seen as a win not only for themselves, but for all app store competitors and users.

7. Tips & Picks, Nostalgia & Security

• App/Game Pick: Resident Evil Requiem ([85:13])
  • Paul reflects on the evolution of graphics and storytelling in games, but laments how key/puzzle mechanics from ‘90s (e.g. Doom) still persist.

  “It’s bizarre to me that this is still how these games are made. Like, they’re beautiful… but we still… find the yellow card… now you can go to the yellow area… come on.”
  —Paul Thurrott [89:29]

• Security Tip: Use BitLocker! ([94:48])
  • Paul is exasperated by users who skip BitLocker out of ‘distrust’, noting you can store your recovery key locally or on paper.
• Audible Tip: New lower-cost streaming plan launched, more competitive with Spotify.

8. Brown Liquor Pick of the Week: St. Augustine Florida Bourbon ([100:24])

• Detailed historical and technical rundown on St. Augustine Distillery, their craft bourbon (60% corn, 22% barley, 18% wheat), and regional flavor profile.
• Only sold in Florida—$50/bottle, praised for its approachable, fruity/citrusy qualities.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Paul Thurrott [25:45] (On Nvidia's margins):

  “Their profit or their margins are like 65%...that’s better than Apple. That’s crazy.”

• Richard Campbell [18:24] (On cloud PCs):

  “I more likely call this the most impersonal PC.”

• Paul Thurrott [71:38] (On games across platforms):

  "From the human, the person playing the game, it's always better to have this thing, be the game, be on as many platforms as possible every time."

• Richard Campbell [77:14] (On Epic/Google settlement):

  “At the same time this is actually beneficial for the consumer... More stores, 100%.”

• Paul Thurrott [89:29] (On game design nostalgia):

  "It’s bizarre to me that this is still how these games are made. Like, they’re beautiful... but we still… find the yellow card… now you can go to the yellow area… come on."

• Richard Campbell [100:47] (On St. Augustine bourbon):

  “This is legit bourbon. It drinks really nice. It’s got its own character to it from a company you will like... I like good people, and these guys got them both.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:45] Edge Canary’s Copilot AI & Bitwarden Passkey news
• [13:55] Windows 365 Cloud PC devices from ASUS & Dell
• [19:15] Browser update frequency (Chrome/Edge moving to two-week cycles)
• [23:32] Tech earnings: Dell & Nvidia
• [30:29] OpenAI valuation, AI agents, Copilot Tasks, and Google’s App Functions
• [41:25] Windows App Development CLI and the resurgence of CLIs in developer/admin tooling
• [53:55] Microsoft Build 2026 (San Francisco, June, overlaps WWDC)
• [58:42] Xbox Game Pass news and gaming handheld innovations
• [66:30–73:57] Sony rumors, cross-platform gaming logic, market reflections
• [74:22] Epic vs Google Play Store settlement details
• [85:13] Resident Evil Requiem, puzzle nostalgia
• [94:48] BitLocker tip & advice
• [100:24] Brown Liquor Pick: St. Augustine Florida Bourbon

Tone & Takeaway

The conversation is a seamless blend of current events, technical analysis, and humor, with Paul’s wry observations and Richard’s deep historical and technical context. There’s a recurring theme of "everything old is new again"—from CLI nostalgia, to persistent video game tropes, to tech business cycles. The episode is informative, opinionated, playful, and accessible to both tech-savvy and curious listeners.

For anyone following Microsoft, Windows, the broader tech landscape, or just in need of a fun, insightful recap of tech’s shifting tides, this episode of Windows Weekly is a must-listen.