WW 980: Running Outta Tolkiens - Hands-On With 2 Snapdragon X2 Laptops!

WW 980: Running Outta Tolkiens - Hands-On With 2 Snapdragon X2 Laptops!

Author: TWiT April 22, 2026 Duration: 2:43:31

AI is democratizing the making of things, from bespoke/custom apps to websites, designs of all kinds, and everything else you might imagine. It's a new world, and it's time to create. Plus, Helium is a new Chromium-based web browser that's completely open source, lightweight, secure, and private. There's a native version for Windows 11 on Arm, too. Also, Firefox 150 arrives with over 270 security fixes!

Windows 11

  • Reports of a Recall security vulnerability are, once again, bogus, Microsoft says
  • New builds on all channels, still on the old system
  • Xbox Mode is now available in all channels
  • Release Preview shows us the May Patch Tuesday updates: Xbox Mode, File Explorer improvements, Haptic improvements, Drop Tray renaming, Agents on the Taskbar
  • Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x - Snapdragon X2 Elite, 14-inch display impressions
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 5x - Snapdragon X2 Plus, 15.3-inch display impressions

Microsoft 365, Surface, more

  • OneDrive now supports Markdown natively
  • New Surface PCs with Intel chips coming soon
  • Microsoft is making changes to its Rewards program

AI

  • GitHub Copilot moves to token-based billing in a sign of the true cost of AI
  • Claude Design democratizes visual design on the heels of Claude Opus 4.7
  • OpenAI Codex moves into productivity
  • OpenAI releases ChatGPT Images 2.0
  • Chrome AI Mode gets a big update
  • Mozilla announces Thunderbolt, sovereign AI for businesses
  • Google brings vibe coding to Android apps with Android CLI

Xbox and gaming

  • Microsoft drops Xbox Game Pass prices (!), but also drops Call of Duty from Day One
  • Plus, Xbox teases a Game Pass Discord perk
  • More Game Pass titles for April: Kiln, Vampire Crawlers, more
  • Xbox April Update is here with that Quick Resume feature we all want
  • There's an ID@Xbox event on April 23 to highlight indie games
  • Xbox is selling Forza Horizon 6 limited edition controller and headsets
  • Starfield is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2
  • A Call of Duty movie will finally arrive in 2028
  • Try out the Modern Warfare remake on Game Pass, it's a reminder of COD's gritty past
  • PS5 Digital is down to its $399 launch price temporarily

Tips and picks

  • Tip of the week: Just make it
  • App pick of the week: Helium
  • RunAs Radio this week: The Life and Death of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit with Michael Niehaus
  • Brown liquor pick of the week: Ned Australian Whisky

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly

Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

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For anyone following the vast and often intricate ecosystem of Microsoft, Windows Weekly (Video) offers a consistently insightful look behind the curtain. Hosted by Leo Laporte of TWiT, the conversation is driven by veteran Microsoft insiders Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell, whose combined expertise provides context that goes far beyond surface-level news. While the name suggests a focus on the operating system, this podcast truly serves as a comprehensive analysis of the entire company, from its consumer-facing products like Xbox and Surface to its massive enterprise cloud services and ambitious AI initiatives. Each episode feels like a detailed briefing, unpacking the strategies, successes, and stumbles of the tech giant. The video format adds a valuable layer, allowing you to see the hosts' reactions and follow along with screen shares when they delve into technical previews or software updates. You'll hear informed speculation, historical perspective, and critical debate about Microsoft's direction, making it an essential resource for IT professionals, developers, and dedicated enthusiasts who want to understand not just what is happening, but why. This is the kind of deep dive that turns complex topics into engaging discussion, offering the only Microsoft analysis you'll likely need. For those who prefer an uninterrupted experience, ad-free audio and video feeds are available through Club TWiT.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 10

Windows Weekly (Video)
Podcast Episodes
WW 978: Pre-Peated - "Copilot Is for Entertainment Purposes Only" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:19:19
Julia Liuson is leaving Microsoft. Liuson joined Microsoft in 1992, the same year as CEO Satya Nadella (she worked on Access at first). She helped build the first version of Visual Studio and was the first female corpora…
WW 976: Full Thurrottle - Microsoft's Plan To Save Windows in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:16:31
In 2015, Satya Nadella said that he wanted users to love Windows. But Microsoft has only enshittified Windows more aggressively since then. Paul wrote a book. And now Microsoft says it's changed, baby, and it's serious t…
WW 974: DIY Crocs - Project Helix Details From GDC 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:46:57
From bug-busting AI that's transforming Firefox to personal coding breakthroughs, the team breaks down how practical applications are cutting through skepticism and reshaping developer workflows. Plus, hear why lighter P…
WW 972: I'm A Tolkien Scholar - Phil Spencer & Sarah Bond Depart Xbox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:27:57
Just last week, we asked about Phil Spencer and why he's been so quiet lately. Now we know why! Also, OneDrive for the Mac is finally going to look like it belongs on the Mac. And Google Chrome finally picks up a split v…
WW 971: Texas English - Where Does Xbox Go Next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:32
Microsoft might finally give power users what they've been demanding: the ability to move the Windows 11 taskbar wherever they want. Plus, 3 major new chapters in Paul's next book, and a strange pick that solves his big…