Microsoft teases more Surface "surprises" to come this year
Surface A new Inside Windows Q&A video has been released that dives into the year so far for Surface, what's next, and whether or not we might see some new peripherals soon.
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Features
Windows can now play Xbox original games — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
LIVE Join Danie and Jez at 1PM ET on July 24 for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast!
Kensington’s new Expert Mouse brings 1kHz speed and a massive 55mm trackball
First look With a massive 55mm red ball, dual sensors, software-driven scroll adjustments, and multi-device switching, the classic trackball gets its biggest leap forward in years.
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Windows Wrap: Microsoft trades Bing ads for a better Windows 11 Search, and more this week
Windows 11 It took years of relentless user pushback, but Microsoft is finally rescuing Windows Search from ads and clutter.
6 new Windows 11 Insider features for July
Windows 11 Windows 11 Insider builds for early July add Cloud rebuild, Windows Search changes, Taskbar positioning, Pro Education upgrades, and recovery improvements.
Moonraker turns 10 and still looks ahead of its time
Flashback A decade later, Microsoft’s unreleased Moonraker smartwatch still feels like a glimpse into an alternate timeline.
Looking back at 2016’s “I love you, Xbox” — and how much (and little) has changed
Flashback Looking back at the 2016 editorial that captured Xbox’s growing pains and predicted the decade ahead.
Revisiting the LG Lancet, 11 years later
Flashback A look back at the LG Lancet and the era when Windows Phone 8.1 defined Microsoft’s mobile peak.
The 2016 Android‑apps warning that now echoes Googlebooks
Flashback A 2016 warning about Android apps on Chrome feels newly relevant as Googlebooks pushes Android PCs into the agentic era and challenges Microsoft again.
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Windows & Software
Microsoft Whiteboard is staying online, but personal users will lose access soon
Apps Whiteboard is moving to OneDrive for Business, cutting off personal accounts and deleting their boards in September.
Windows 11 inches closer to fixing touchpads and the Start menu
Windows 11 Windows 11 will soon have an improved touchpad and Start menu experience. The upgrades are in testing now among Windows Insiders.
Outlook is losing a free feature to another Copilot paywall
Apps Microsoft is retiring Outlook's free Meeting Insight feature in the coming months. Its replacement, "Prepare for this meeting," requires a paid Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
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PC Hardware
Microsoft and Meta are teaming up to offer Xbox Game Pass with Meta Quest VR Horizon+ sub
Xbox For all 6 Meta Quest owners reading Windows Central today, Microsoft and Xbox have a new offering for you.
Custom Manchester United Surface PCs are coming, but only supporters can win one
Surface Microsoft Surface is coming to Manchester United kit, but the limited-edition PCs are what I care about.
Ryzen 7 7700X3D’s $279 price is misleading
Hardware The new 7700X3D is cheaper than the 7800X3D ever was, but don't rush out and buy one quite yet.
Samsung is jumping back into PC silicon, but not in the way you think
Hardware Samsung is reportedly working on a new GAIA AI accelerator chip, and the standalone silicon could be yet another reason for Microsoft to scrap its Copilot+ certification program.
Deals
Microsoft’s refreshed 2‑in‑1 lands on shelves with stronger graphics and optional OLED
Deals Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro is now available with Snapdragon X2 processors, improved graphics, and optional OLED panels. Early impressions point to smoother performance and better battery life.
This laptop will save you from bad grades thanks to this Back to School sale
Deals The 16-inch version of the HP OmniBook X Flip laptop, which we rated highly for its efficient performance and detailed touchscreen display, is now on sale for Best Buy's Back to School sale
The Surface Laptop 8 is the only laptop with Windows 11's new advanced haptics
Deals The Surface Laptop 8 features impressive battery life and premium performance, but its support for Windows 11's advanced haptics changes how computing feels.
Best Buy's Back to School has a solid 16" laptop with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD for 38% off
Deals The Samsung Galaxy Book6 is a fast-performing and feature-rich laptop with a gorgeous 2K, 16-inch LED touchscreen that's now on a 38% "Back to School" discount at Best Buy
Handheld Gaming PCs
It's no big deal that Steam Deck sales are slowing down right now
News Steam Deck sales are cratering, but this should be absolutely no surprise given the current climate and the aging hardware. There's a better handheld to buy.
Gaming
Total War: Warhammer 40,000's latest gameplay deep dive has me sold
Gaming Behold the military might of the Astra Militarum faction in Total War: Warhammer 40,000's first Alpha Strike gameplay livestream, showcasing all the features and carnage of its ranged combat
Steam has made gifting easier, and I hope Xbox takes notes
Gaming Steam has announced new changes to its gifting system so that it's easier to buy and send games to friends and family. Here's how the new system works.
Xbox Live Services were down, but Halo: Campaign Evolved still has issues on Xbox
Gaming Just as Halo: Campaign Evolved has launched in early access, Xbox Live services shut down at literally the worst time possible, but Microsoft is aware of the outage and is working on fixing it.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft Copilot's free tier is quickly becoming a glorified demo
AI Microsoft is shifting key Copilot features, including Deep Research, behind paid subscriptions. Here is why the free version of Copilot is starting to feel like a glorified demo.
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Ed Zitron says Microsoft’s trillion‑dollar AI push is built on hype, fake demand
Microsoft Analyst Ed Zitron says Microsoft’s AI math is impossible and the whole strategy looks like a scam
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Bill Gates says athletes are safe from AI
AI Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates says athletes are safe from AI, arguing that no one wants to watch computers playing.
Microsoft and OpenAI face publisher lawsuits over AI copyright
AI A coalition of publishers has sued Microsoft and OpenAI for scrapping their content without their consent or compensation.
Microsoft
Windows can now play Xbox original games — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
LIVE Join Danie and Jez at 1PM ET on July 24 for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast!
Bing search hints at LeBron James returning to Miami Heat
Apps Google dropped the delisted video fast, but Bing kept the index visible, resulting in more people seeing the video.
Microsoft will shut down Copilot Podcasts and wipe your saved audio
App Microsoft is retiring its Copilot Podcasts feature on August 18, 2026. Users will lose all access to their AI-created audio, with no option to export or download files before the tool shuts down.
Critic warns Microsoft’s AI push is unsustainable
INTERVIEW Journalist Ed Zitron of the 'Better Offline Podcast' and 'Where's Your Ed At' newsletter offered us a scathing take on Microsoft's chances in the AI race.
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Peripherals & Accessories
Kensington’s new Expert Mouse brings 1kHz speed and a massive 55mm trackball
First look With a massive 55mm red ball, dual sensors, software-driven scroll adjustments, and multi-device switching, the classic trackball gets its biggest leap forward in years.
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REVIEW: Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II (Xbox, PC) — An absolutely spectacular multi-platform headset with the firm's BEST EVER audio
Review Turtle Beach has another absolute banger on its hands, with a refreshed design that looks at home either while gaming or commuting. There are a couple of minor gripes, but this otherwise flawless headset is a top-shelf pick.
