Microsoft Shocks Fans: Windows Trades, Edge Drama, and HoloLens Exit Dizzy the Tech World

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This past week in tech brought excitement as Bill Gates likened trading Windows 10 to an NBA trade, while early reviews of Avowed sparked anticipation for the game. The headlines also featured potential legal action by Nintendo against Palworld developers, the apparent demise of HoloLens from Microsoft, and a bit of confusion over how to uninstall Microsoft Edge. As you enjoy your extended weekend in the US or start a fresh week elsewhere, catch up on all the latest news stories related to Windows and Microsoft with our roundup!

Bill Gates on Windows and AI

Would you consider switching from Windows 11 to Windows 10? Even Bill Gates, in a recent conversation with Mark Cuban, indicated he wouldn’t. In fact, he jokingly suggested that he might need to avoid the media if he were to make such a trade-off, opting instead for the latest operating system.

Bill Gates’ comment might genuinely represent his sentiments, but it’s important to remember that he was joking. Mark Cuban’s question, on the other hand, was playfully sarcastic and compared the hypothetical trade of Luka Dončić to the LA Lakers with a highly debated and controversial event in basketball history. This trade received significant backlash from fans, supporters of the Dallas Mavericks, and even led to protests against Dončić’s former team. Cuban, no longer being the owner of the Mavericks, used this opportunity to make a light-hearted dig at the current management of his former team.

Even though Gates’ comment was meant humorously, there’s a growing sense of strong feelings towards the issue, as Windows 10 nears its end-of-life support. People are expressing their dissatisfaction more openly about being forced to transition to Windows 11. The fact that Windows 10 still holds a significant market share of 60.33% suggests it’s not just a small group holding out on Windows 10 for as long as they can.

Regarding Gates and sports, he further elaborated on the point that AI could take over many tasks, yet it’s doubtful people would enjoy watching robots play baseball. It seems that Gates may not have witnessed Albert Pujols perform live or the amusing ESPN commercial depicting Pujols as a mechanical player.

Nintendo vs Palworld

Although the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) dismissed 22 out of 23 patent applications from Nintendo, it seems that Nintendo may be preparing for a potential legal dispute with Pocketpair, the inventor of Palworld. At present, no active lawsuits have been filed regarding allegations that Palworld imitated Pokemon. However, Nintendo appears to be setting up the framework for future legal proceedings.

Nintendo has already secured a patent for features like targeting and catching game characters, and they are actively pursuing additional patents as well.

Jennifer Young recently analyzed the current situation surrounding potential lawsuits Nintendo might face and their patent victories (and setbacks) regarding Palworld. Given the global popularity of Pokemon, it’s clear that these legal conflicts may persist for some time.

Avowed reviews

Announcing that “Avowed,” the newest title from Xbox Game Studios and Obsidian Entertainment, is set to release on February 18th. Prior to its official launch, critics have been given a sneak peek at this much-anticipated game. Across the board, reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Currently, “Avowed” holds an 80/100 score on Metacritic, which aligns with our own review of the game, awarding it a 4 out of 5 stars.

In his critique, Zachary Boddy commends Obsidian Entertainment for skillfully replicating the captivating essence of role-playing games similar to Skyrim, where delving into every nook becomes an enjoyable adventure, and stepping into this realm feels remarkably effortless. He acknowledges the game’s impressive combat, character development, and world construction. Given Boddy’s extensive gaming background, playing hundreds of titles, especially many top-tier RPGs, it’s advisable to read his full review for a more comprehensive understanding.

Microsoft Edge drama

If Microsoft Edge doesn’t suit your preferences, the most practical solution might be to simply overlook the browser. Contrary to initial impressions, Microsoft has not provided guidelines for removing Edge from Windows 11.

Last week, multiple sources noticed an unusual webpage titled “Why Microsoft Edge Beats Chrome.” Surprisingly, when users clicked on a Bing search result linking to this page, they were redirected to a different one that discussed the advantages of using Edge over Chrome. Instead of instructions for uninstalling Edge from Windows 11, there were charts showcasing its unique features.

Following the media’s flagging of the site, it appears that Microsoft has taken down the page entirely. Now, when you search for instructions on uninstalling Edge, you are primarily directed to a broader topic page discussing the browser instead.

In certain situations, you can choose to uninstall Edge, but typically, it’s more convenient to keep it as-is. The main concern about the webpage wasn’t about Edge’s presence on Windows 11, but rather the misleading title. However, due to legal requirements, Microsoft has made it feasible to remove Edge in European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

HoloLens

As an analyst, I find myself reflecting on the recent development regarding Microsoft’s HoloLens. It seems that Microsoft has chosen to transfer the development of their Integrated Visual Augmented System (IVAS) military augmented reality headset to Anduril Industries. Pending approval from the U.S. Department of Defense, this partnership could signal a shift in Microsoft’s focus away from first-party Mixed Reality products. If the deal goes through, it appears that Microsoft may be moving on from their primary mixed reality product offerings.

It is not surprising that Microsoft has stopped developing its Mixed Reality line of products, as they have previously discontinued the Windows Mixed Reality platform, ceased production on HoloLens 2, and canceled HoloLens 3 in 2022.

Windows Central Podcast

If you enjoy listening to tech discussions or seek professional perspectives in the technology sector, don’t forget to tune into the most recent episode of the Windows Central Podcast. Here, our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino and Senior Editor Zac Bowden delve into current trends and contentious matters related to Windows and Microsoft.

Reviews

Each week, our team thoroughly tests out the newest devices and games. This week’s top-rated items are the ASUS Zenbook Duo and Turtle Beach VelocityOne Multi-Shift, each receiving a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.

As a dedicated fan, I can confidently say that the Zenbook Duo (2025) has not disappointed! Just like its predecessor, it’s a marvel, but this time around, it’s even more potent. The secret lies in Intel’s “Arrow Lake” processors under the hood.

The battery life continues to impress, and the keyboard and touchpad are nothing short of exceptional. But what truly steals the show are the stunning OLED displays that adorn this device.

Our Michael Moglund shared some fun wordplay in his review of the VelocityOne Multi-Shift:

An exceptional controller that elevates gaming on Xbox and Windows PCs. If you’re looking for a high-end shifter but can’t decide between H-pattern and sequential, the VelocityOne Multi-Shift offers the best of both options. It will prove to be a valuable asset in your gaming arsenal.

Our team ran a bunch of devices and games through their paces, so make sure to check them all out!

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2025-02-17 22:13