WW 999: Physical Goods - Acer SFF RTX Spark Desktop Design Showcased at IFA 2026

WW 999: Physical Goods - Acer SFF RTX Spark Desktop Design Showcased at IFA 2026

Author: TWiT September 3, 2026 Duration: 2:18:42

While Microsoft pushes Copilot+ PCs, NVIDIA storms into the Windows ecosystem with AI-focused Spark machines and game-changing specs, igniting new rivalries with Apple and upending expectations for what local hardware can do. Plus, Atari revives 39 Activision classics for a price that will make retro fans blink, while the Sonos saga continues as it pivots to an open AI platform that might finally win back old loyalties. Finally, Paul's Markdown book will be released sometime in the next week.

Windows

  • The mystery of 26H2 is now less mysterious
  • Last week: Week D came and went without a preview release, triggering speculation
  • Microsoft issues Windows 11 version 26H2 to Release Preview, a first
  • This means a September or October release to stable. Just guessing, but Preview Update in September, general Update in October is most likely
  • Version numbers don't matter much anymore. There are no unique 26H2 features, just a few unique 26H2 presets - These include Point-in-time restore and Memory Integrity Protection being on by default
  • Two 26H1 pre-release builds with little to speak of
  • IFA 2026 is underway in Berlin
  • Acer is first out of the gates with dozens of new PCs, including one based on the NVIDIA RTX Spark
  • EU General Court confirms that Microsoft Edge is not a gatekeeper
  • Visual Studio Code now has a full Markdown Editor experience
  • Brave now offers free email aliases, and will have a premium option soon
  • Firefox for iOS now has integrated ad blocking
  • NVIDIA - $96.2 billion in revenues, up 106 percent YOY
  • Dell - record $47 billion in revenues, but it's all from server/infrastructure
  • HP - $15.7 billion in revenues, up 12.5 percent - $11.8 billion from PCs, vs. $15 billion for all Dell client products

AI/dev

  • Sony and Warner sue Anthropic for stealing their music
  • Gemini Notebook gets first Expert Intelligence upgrade with integrated e-book support
  • Sonos announces Sonos 27 OS with major AI functionality
  • Microsoft moves WinUI development fully to GitHub ahead of open-sourcing it

XBOX and gaming

  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, more coming to Game Pass
  • Every Activision title for the Atari 2600 is being reissued in cartridge form, but it's going to cost you

Tips and picks

  • Tip of the week: Markdown: A Field Guide for Writers
  • App pick of the week: ImageGlass 10
  • RunAs Radio this week: Reimagining Intranets with Susan Hanley
  • Brown liquor pick of the week: Macaloney's Cath-Nah-Aven

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: 33

Windows Weekly (Video)
Podcast Episodes
WW 992: Gassy Jack - Largest Patch Tuesday in Microsoft History! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32:12
Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday just shattered records with hundreds of bug fixes, and AI is the force behind the surge. Are we witnessing the beginning of a safer Windows, or is this flood of vulnerabilities the new…
WW 990: Don't Be Nostalgic for Stupid - The Doom & Gloom Watch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:39:55
Windows 10's Extended Security Update program quietly gets extended for another year for consumers. Microsoft reportedly kills Surface Go products & is now selling 8 GB Surface Pro & Laptop models. And Xbox Series X & S…
WW 989: Deer Hate MSDN - Point-in-Time Restore Arrives for Windows 11 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:41:44
Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledg…
WW 988: Bubbleable - XBOX Could Be Facing a Moment of Reckoning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:51:13
With major leadership shakeups and rumors of studio closures, the future of XBOX inside Microsoft suddenly looks uncertain. Is this the beginning of a Game Pass overhaul, or could XBOX face an outright split from the com…
WW 986: Liminal AI - RTX Spark, Project Solara, Scout, & Much More! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32:00
Build 2026 is underway in San Francisco this week, and it started with a big, overly-long keynote as always. And Computex is this week, too. There's a lot going on, and some of it is fascinating. Plus, WWDC is next week…