Windows Weekly 973: "Bob's Rumor Store – ASUS & Dell Unveil Windows 365 Cloud PC Devices" March 4, 2026

Overview

In this episode of Windows Weekly, Micah Sargent fills in for Leo Laporte, joining regulars Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell (reporting live from the Threat Locker conference in Florida). The discussion traverses a range of Microsoft-centric topics: from intriguing new developments around Windows 365 Cloud PCs from ASUS and Dell, Copilot AI enhancements, Chrome's rapid release cycle, the future of cloud-based endpoints, and Windows app development tools, to forward-looking conference news and the perennial push-and-pull of PC gaming exclusives. Additional highlights include a deep dive into password/passkey security, the consumer-empowering results of Epic's antitrust battle with Google, and even a Florida bourbon recommendation.

1. Windows & Security Updates

Latest on Windows 11 & Passkeys

• Bitwarden as a Windows 11 Passkey Manager (04:38–11:57)
  • Bitwarden has become the first third-party password manager to (potentially) allow passkey-based sign-ins directly to Windows 11.
  • There is curiosity over whether this applies to on-device (Windows Hello) sign-in without needing a phone.
  • Initial rollout is for devices using Microsoft Entra ID in managed/business environments with FIDO2 enabled.
  • Quote:
    • Paul: “I'm a little iffy on, but I believe they are the first third party password manager to support passkey-based sign-in to Windows 11, the operating system.” (06:47)
    • Richard: “How do you get Bitwarden running that early? You're not even logged in, right?” (07:17)
    • Paul: “The device bound passkey that Windows 11 itself creates is only on that device... but with Bitwarden, your passkeys are portable.” (08:28)
• Windows Hello & Device Security Concerns (10:19–11:57)
  • Discussion about the future where Bitwarden or similar apps might support personal Microsoft Accounts, not just managed scenarios.

Windows Insider Program, New Builds

• Insider Builds: Minor Week (12:13–15:30)
  • Updates are mostly previously seen features moving into new rings, not headline-grabbing this week.
  • Paint’s freeform rotate feature is rolling out inconsistently; coming to Stable soon.
  • Recent years’ announcements resurfacing: Windows 365 Cloud PC devices are now being picked up by ASUS and Dell.

2. Devices: Cloud PCs & The Thin Client Future

Windows 365 Cloud PC Devices

• Expansion Beyond Microsoft:
  • ASUS and Dell have released their versions of Windows 365 Cloud PC devices—NUC-like endpoints for streaming Windows from the cloud.
  • Devices are purpose-made thin clients with minimal local compute, targeting highly managed enterprise environments.
  • Quote:
    • Paul: “These are just... for huge organizations. But enthusiasts look at it and say, ‘oh, I want one’—but you can't really run Windows on it locally.” (14:46)
    • Richard: “It's just an endpoint... You can fully secure it.” (16:39)

“Impersonal” PCs & Security

• Cloud PCs are ideal for temporary, secure workspaces—think student labs or remote reset scenarios.
• Not “the future” for all, but a strong option for certain verticals.
• Richard: “I more likely call this the most impersonal PC. The I does not stand for Internet, it stands for Impersonal.” (18:24)

3. Browsers & Rapid Updates

Chrome’s New 2-Week Release Cadence

• Implications for Edge, Chromium Browsers (19:15–22:37)
  • Google Chrome will shift to a 2-week release cycle (from 4) starting in September; all Chromium browsers, including Edge, will need to follow suit.
  • Frequent updates mean smaller, less disruptive changes, but some worry about “update fatigue.”
  • Quote:
    • Paul: “The way Google described it was this means each version will not be as big of a deal... should actually be less chaotic.” (21:00)
    • Richard: “You don't need to do a special update if you know you got one coming every two weeks.” (21:56)

4. AI Ecosystem Explodes

Copilot & Multi-Agent Tasks

• Copilot Tasks arrives for consumers (30:29–34:10)
  • Microsoft’s Copilot can now spin off background agents to handle multiple tasks at once, a feature first seen for enterprise/devs, now previewing for consumers.
  • Concerns about usability: The new AI “agent” paradigm may be confusing or intimidating for regular users.
  • Quote:
    • Paul: “We have AI agents that to my knowledge have never done anything for anybody... Not sure how normal people are going to react to this.” (32:27)
    • Richard: “We've yet to see good user interfaces for these sorts of things.” (34:10)

App Functions in Android (and Parallels to Windows)

• Developers can now expose app features to AI agents in Android Beta, similar to in-Windows integration. (35:52–38:36)
  • “All operating systems are going to do this,” notes Paul.
  • “I wish these companies would settle on terms… It's confusing enough already.” (38:29)

5. Developer News

Windows App Dev CLI, Command-Line Renaissance

• Increased CLI investment for AI automation, developer onboarding, and package management. (40:29–48:28)
  • The Windows App Development CLI (winapp) is getting .NET support and store integration.
  • Richard: “LLMs work way better with CLIs.” (42:22)
  • The show explores the cycle of command-line vs. GUI-first development, noting the trend back toward CLI and automation (especially for AI agents).
  • Nostalgic reflections on the return of classic command-line text editors like EDIT.

Build Moves to San Francisco (June, Overlapping WWDC)

• Build 2026 announced for San Francisco, June; coincides with Apple’s WWDC. (53:53–58:03)
  • “That's like saying ‘Mars is too hot, let's go to Mercury.’” (53:46)
  • Smaller venue (Fort Mason), likely more exclusive, possibly with significant overlap in developer audience.

6. Industry & Business Insights

OEMs & AI Gold Rush

• Dell & NVIDIA Earnings (23:32–27:29)
  • Dell’s growth now comes mostly from AI-driven data center infrastructure (73% YoY growth in that segment).
  • NVIDIA's profit margins approach 65%, with net income of $43B on $68B revenue quarter.
  • Quote:
    • Paul: “That’s better than Apple. I mean, that’s crazy.” (25:16)

OpenAI, Valuations & Market Bubbles

• OpenAI raises $110B, $730B valuation, despite ‘just’ $20B run rate. (30:29–31:03)
  • Speculation about whether Anthropic is poised to take a “Google” role vs. OpenAI’s “Netscape.”

Epic vs. Google Play: Settlement & the New Mobile Reality

• Historic settlement opens Android to competing app stores and alternative payment models globally. (74:22–81:58)
  • Major win for developers and consumers—expected to spark a rush (e.g., Steam Store) to Android.
  • Quote:
    • Richard: “You know how quickly everyone’s going to load a Steam Store out of their phone? Are you kidding?” (77:28)
    • Paul: “[Epic] fought this fight not just for themselves, but to get this for all competing stores… a net positive literally for the world.” (81:58)
  • Discussion on antitrust strategy: “You need to work with regulators… if you allow court come back to you, you’ll get what happened to Apple.” (78:11)

7. Xbox & Gaming

Xbox & PC Game Announcements

• Game Pass Additions, Indie Select, and Gaming Handheld Innovations (58:42–66:36)
  • Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy III, and Hollow Knight: Silk Song among new Game Pass drops.
  • Indie “Selects” showcase the remarkable evolution of quality in small-team games, including FMV horror title “Heart of the Forest.”
  • AI-based game recaps rolling out to Xbox handhelds (and more broadly).
  • Lenovo’s concept for a foldable Legion Go gaming handheld highlights future device convergence.

Console vs. PC: Sony Rumors and Platform Fragmentation

• Sony rumored to pull back on PC releases of first-party games as next Xbox is speculated to be ‘just a PC.’ (66:36–73:57)
  • The classic debate: maximizing audience vs. protecting console exclusives.
  • Quote:
    • Paul: “From a gamer's perspective... it's always better to have the game be on as many platforms as possible.” (71:34)
    • Richard: “The conflict of interest of owning the console and also being the game publisher...” (67:57)

8. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Cloud PC Devices:
  • “I more likely call this the most impersonal PC.” (18:24, Richard)
• On Browser Updates:
  • “The way Google described it was this means each version will not be as big of a deal… less chaotic.” (21:00, Paul)
• On Career Nostalgia:
  • “When you’ve been around long enough… you’re like, we’ve done this before… and after a while it’s just irritating.” (48:56, Paul)
• On Epic/Google Antitrust Settlement:
  • “Epic is to Google what I am to Epic. They’re nothing. So the fact that these guys fought this fight not just for themselves… is what makes this amazing.” (80:00, Paul)

9. Notable Timestamps

• Bitwarden’s Windows 11 Passkey Sign-in: 04:38–11:57
• Windows 365 Cloud PC expansion: 14:40–18:06
• Chrome’s new release schedule: 19:15–22:37
• Copilot Tasks & multi-agent AI: 30:29–34:10
• AI Integration in Android Apps: 35:52–38:36
• Developer CLI tools: 40:29–48:28
• Build conference moves to SF: 53:53–58:03
• Epic & Google Play settlement: 74:22–81:58
• Sony PC game rumors: 66:36–73:57

10. Back of the Book: Picks & Tips

• Game/App Pick: Resident Evil Requiem (Paul’s impressions on horror game design stagnation and modern graphics) (85:13–93:56)
• Pro Tip: Use BitLocker (don’t fear Microsoft holding your keys; you can store locally or print) (94:51–96:30)
• Audible Standard Plan: New $8.99/month option for audio streaming (97:12)
• RunAs Radio: Hiring in AI era & tech industry practices (98:04)
• Brown Liquor Pick: St. Augustine Florida Straight Bourbon — small batch, only sold in Florida, with a history lesson included (99:54–110:15)

Summary & Tone

The episode is lively, insightful, and grounded in the pragmatic humor and honest skepticism of its hosts. Paul and Richard balance sharp technical observations with “we’ve seen this before” perspective, while Micah’s open, curious tone keeps the conversation accessible. Listeners receive both breaking news (Edge Copilot, Epic/Google) and context-heavy analysis, with plenty of quotable asides and historical perspective.

For New Listeners:
This episode is a microcosm of Windows Weekly: deep technical dives, timely industry news, candid takes, and a little whiskey to finish. Whether you’re a sysadmin, developer, gamer, or just a Microsoft-watcher, you’ll walk away smarter, and probably chuckling.