An eventful week in the tech landscape has unfolded, showcasing a blend of humor, legal maneuvering, and anticipation. Bill Gates, in a light-hearted exchange with Mark Cuban, likened the decision to trade Windows 10 for Windows 11 to a significant NBA trade, suggesting that such a move might warrant him hiding from the press. With Windows 10 still commanding a notable 60.33% market share, it’s clear that many users are content to stick with the familiar.
Gates also touched upon the future of artificial intelligence, predicting its potential to replace humans in various tasks, yet humorously noting that audiences might not be eager to watch computers play baseball—perhaps a nod to the enduring charm of human athletes like Albert Pujols.
Nintendo vs Palworld
In a different corner of the gaming world, Nintendo appears to be gearing up for a legal confrontation with Pocketpair, the creators of Palworld. Despite the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejecting 22 out of 23 of Nintendo’s patent claims, the company is not backing down. Currently, no lawsuit is active regarding allegations that Palworld has copied elements from Pokémon, but Nintendo is laying the groundwork for possible future actions. They have secured a patent related to creature capturing mechanics and are pursuing additional patents, indicating that this legal saga is far from over.
Avowed Reviews
Excitement is building around Avowed, the upcoming title from Xbox Game Studios and Obsidian Entertainment, set to launch on February 18. Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with the game currently holding an impressive score of around 80 on Metacritic. Critics have praised Obsidian for successfully capturing the essence of beloved RPGs like Skyrim, highlighting the engaging combat, rich character development, and immersive world-building that await players. Our own review echoed this sentiment, awarding Avowed a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Microsoft Edge Drama
Meanwhile, Microsoft found itself in a bit of a kerfuffle regarding its Edge browser. A webpage that seemed to provide instructions on uninstalling Edge from Windows 11 turned out to be misleading, redirecting users instead to a page promoting the browser’s advantages over competitors like Chrome. Following media scrutiny, Microsoft swiftly removed the page, leaving users to navigate their options regarding Edge on their own. While uninstalling Edge is feasible under certain conditions, many users may find it simpler to leave the browser untouched, especially given the recent legislative requirements in the EEA that mandate Microsoft allow uninstallation.
HoloLens
In a quieter development, Microsoft has effectively stepped back from its HoloLens initiative, transferring the development of the IVAS militarized augmented reality headset to Anduril Industries. This transition awaits approval from the U.S. Department of Defense, but it marks a significant shift for Microsoft, which has already discontinued its Windows Mixed Reality platform and halted production of HoloLens 2. The cancellation of HoloLens 3 in 2022 further underscores the company’s pivot away from first-party mixed reality products.
Windows Central Podcast
For those who prefer auditory insights into the latest tech trends, the Windows Central Podcast offers a platform where Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino and Senior Editor Zac Bowden delve into pressing topics surrounding Windows and Microsoft. Listeners can subscribe through their preferred podcast applications to stay informed.
Reviews
This week’s reviews spotlight two standout products: the ASUS Zenbook Duo and the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Multi-Shift, both earning commendable scores of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The Zenbook Duo has been praised for its robust performance, thanks to Intel’s latest “Arrow Lake” chips, while maintaining excellent battery life and stunning OLED displays. Meanwhile, the VelocityOne Multi-Shift has been lauded as a versatile shifter, ideal for gamers seeking a premium experience that combines both H-pattern and sequential shifting capabilities.
Deals of the Week
As always, savvy shoppers will want to keep an eye out for this week’s best deals, ensuring they don’t miss out on opportunities to enhance their tech collections.
