New data: Xbox Play Anywhere is steadily gaining traction, but challenges remain
Xbox New data shows Xbox Game Pass adoption has improved in recent months, but big app gaps remain. Can Microsoft do more to boost it?
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Features
Windows Wrap: Microsoft put the cart before the horse with Surface PCs with 8GB of RAM
Windows 11 Microsoft has promised fixes for bloated Windows 11 context menus and to optimize the OS for 8GB of RAM, which makes me ask why low-memory Surfaces are already for sale.
Where to find the lowest Xbox Series X|S prices
FOMO Prices have risen sharply since August 1 — and may rise again in 2027 as hardware costs continue to climb.
American and Euro Truck Simulator have cured my gaming burnout
PC Gaming I've been feeling a little burned out by gaming of late, despite the raft of great titles out there to play. But getting into truck simulators has been the perfect remedy.
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6 apps I personally recommend to improve Windows 11
Apps Microsoft’s default Windows 11 apps often fall short. These six apps are what I install to improve Windows 11 and replace Microsoft's default apps.
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
Windows Wrap: Microsoft put the cart before the horse with Surface PCs with 8GB of RAM
Windows 11 Microsoft has promised fixes for bloated Windows 11 context menus and to optimize the OS for 8GB of RAM, which makes me ask why low-memory Surfaces are already for sale.
Microsoft is finally fixing Windows 11's slow context menu problem
Windows 11 A new feature coming soon to Windows 11 will overhaul the context menu system on Windows 11 with a new compact design that users can customize themsevles.
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What convinced a Linux loyalist to try Windows 11
Windows 11 A lifelong Linux user switched to Windows 11, and the Reddit discussion reveals why compatibility still outweighs platform loyalty for many users.
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I use these 7 Windows 11 shortcuts more than any other — and so should you
Windows 11 My essential shortcuts speed up OS setup, fix common issues, and streamline everyday tasks, all turning you into a Windows 11 power user.
I talked to the developer of Endstate, an app that restores your Windows app settings after a clean install
Apps I spoke with the developer of Endstate, a new free and open-source tool for Windows 11 that uses WinGet and Chocolatey to reinstall your apps and modules to restore your customized settings.
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PC Hardware
HP's Omen Max 45L is powerful, but its quality doesn't match the PC's price
Review I love the PC's performance and cooling, but at the asking price, HP could be paying more attention to small details.
6 apps I personally recommend to improve Windows 11
Apps Microsoft’s default Windows 11 apps often fall short. These six apps are what I install to improve Windows 11 and replace Microsoft's default apps.
ASUS ExpertBook Ultra review: The business laptop that isn't boring
Review ASUS' latest flagship business-class laptop is a true sight to behold, with a Tandem OLED 3K display, a beautiful design that turns heads, and a high price tag to match.
I tested HyperX's new RTX 5070 gaming laptop, and its OLED display stole the show
Review NVIDIA's DLSS keeps the RTX 5070 competitive in this HyperX OMEN 15 laptop, but OLED stands out as the killer visual feature — if you can live with the noise.
Deals
Microsoft’s Snapdragon X2 Surface Pro gets its first major price correction — up to $450 off
Deals Microsoft’s newest 2-in-1 delivers a performance bump, and back-to-school sales bring its high starting price back down to earth.
JLab's "Epic" mouse is rated as a smarter buy than a common winner
Deals Best Buy is offering a 14% discount on JLab's Epic Wireless Mouse for those looking for an ergonomic option for work and play.
Type school reports with this stellar keyboard our colleagues at TechRadar loved
Deals JLab flagship Epic Wireless Keyboard is enjoying a limited-time discount at Best Buy for typists looking for an affordable keyboard with stellar responsiveness and long battery life.
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.
Handheld Gaming PCs
I cut off my dbrand Xbox Ally X case with scissors and replaced it with this — absolutely no regrets ✂️
REVIEW The dbrand Killswitch case for the Xbox Ally isn't bad, but the JSAUX Mod Case absolutely blows it away — better feel, features, and value.
Gaming
Where to find the lowest Xbox Series X|S prices
FOMO Prices have risen sharply since August 1 — and may rise again in 2027 as hardware costs continue to climb.
American and Euro Truck Simulator have cured my gaming burnout
PC Gaming I've been feeling a little burned out by gaming of late, despite the raft of great titles out there to play. But getting into truck simulators has been the perfect remedy.
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Gears of War: E-Day's multiplayer packs chaos beyond what I imagined
Xbox Coalition has released a massive gameplay overview of Gears of War: E-Day's PvE and PvP multiplayer modes, and they're looking to blow their predecessors out of the water.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft Editor is failing writers, so I replaced it with AI
AI Copilot and Gemini caught mistakes Word missed, making me switch to AI for proofreading.
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
Microsoft stock price rips on earnings, jumping a 'record breaking' 18%
Microsoft Microsoft's FY26 earnings report came in, and it has been taken extremely well on Wall Street, as investors reward $MSFT stock with a 20% bounce in less than a month.
Why Asha Sharma had to kill Phil Spencer's "every screen is an Xbox" vision
QOTD Phil Spencer once envisioned an Xbox on every screen. Here is why new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had to abandon that multiplatform strategy and double down on dedicated console hardware.
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Windows Central Podcast recaps the week in tech
Podcast On this week's episode: Daniel Rubino and Jez Corden discuss the recent announcements around Xbox backward compatibility, Windows adware, and Samsung foldables.
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.
Peripherals & Accessories
Razer’s first Hall Effect Magnetic Huntsman brings true 8KHz polling, and adjustable actuation
Review Razer’s first Hall Effect Magnetic Huntsman brings true 8KHz polling, adjustable actuation and a suite of movement-focused features — a precision-focused esports keyboard that’s as much about micro‑control as it is about bragging rights.
