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Zac Bowden
Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows 10 on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.
All Articles by Zac Bowden
Build video
Hands-on with Windows 10 build 21354 showcasing new changes and features
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We're back with another Windows Central build video walkthrough. Today, we're taking a look at Windows 10 build 21354 that was just released in the Insider Dev Channel. It's the first co_release build, but that doesn't mean there aren't new changes to check out.
New build!
Microsoft Paint gets a new icon with today's Windows 10 Preview build
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Microsoft has rolled out a new Windows 10 preview build for Insiders in the Dev Channel today that brings with it a handful of notable new changes and enhancements. The biggest changes in today's build include a reshuffling of the apps list in the Start menu, hiding some system folders, and promoting legacy utility apps to the main apps list such as Paint and Snipping Tool.
Buyer's guide
This is the best Windows 10 tablet you can buy right now
There are many Windows 10 tablets on the market, but it's hard to sort through the rubbish. Here's our picks for the best Windows 10 tablets you can buy right now. At the top of our list is the Surface Pro X, which we think is the best due to its ARM processor, large display, and thin form factor while still packing good battery life and excellent performance.
A Grand Plan?
On this week's podcast ... HoloLens Army Edition, and Surface Headphones 2+
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We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Zac and Daniel talk about Microsoft's lead in mixed reality computing and their massive $22 billion contract with the US Army. They also look ahead to the Spring Surface lineup and the $499 B&O headphones for Xbox. Plus, the Xbox mini fridge is a reality!
What to expect
Rumor roundup: Everything we know about this spring's Surface lineup
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It’s that time of year again! Microsoft is rumored to be gearing up to release new Surface hardware, and I’ve rounded up everything we’re expecting to see get announced this spring. It sounds like this spring will be a minor refresh for existing product lines, with no new form factor products expected.
Buyers Guide
All our picks for the very best laptops with USB-C ports
Looking for a new laptop that has USB-C ports? Perhaps you need Thunderbolt 3, or maybe Thunderbolt 3 isn't a requirement for you. Either way, we've rounded up what we think are the best USB-C laptops available to buy today.
Dark mode but for Surface Book
Mysterious black Surface Book appears in advertisement for Microsoft 365
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An advertisement image for Microsoft 365 has been spotted on Facebook featuring what appears to be a black Surface Book device of some kind. The ad itself simply takes you to the Microsoft website, but it's interesting to see a black version of the Surface Book in center frame even though the product isn't available for sale.
Where are they?
The amount of 'good' all-in-ones from PC makers is lacking in 2021
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I love the all-in-one form factor, but the all-in-one market for Windows 10 PCs just isn't great. There was a brief period of great PC all-in-ones from HP, Dell, and Lenovo in 2017 and 2018, but many of those products haven't been updated and aren't even sold anymore. Where did they go?
Shopping Spree
On this week's podcast ... Microsoft buying Discord, Windows 10, and more
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We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, it appears that Microsoft is set to buy Discord as part of its recent shopping spree. Daniel and Zac also chat about Razer possibly releasing an AMD-powered laptop, new icons in File Explorer, a WPA version of the Spotify app, and more.
Acquire the chats
WSJ: Microsoft and Discord could agree on acquisition deal next month
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A new report from Wall Street Journal is claiming that Microsoft is in exclusive talks to acquire Discord for $10 billion, and that a deal could be agreed as soon as next month. This news comes just days after it was revealed that Discord was looking to sell, and that Microsoft was a potential buyer alongside Epic Games and others.
Beta build
Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 21H1 build 19043.906 to Insiders
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Microsoft is rolling out a new update for Insiders in the Beta Channel that brings with it one new fix. The update applies to the 21H1 release of Windows 10, which is expected to begin rolling out this spring. 21H1 so far is a relatively minor update, with a focus on business critical changes and enhancements.
Workout while you tweet
This desk from FlexiSpot has an exercise bike built into it
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I'm a big fan of FlexiSpot and the products they build. I've tested and reviewed a handful of their products at this point, and I've come away being super happy with every single one. So when the company reached out and asked if I wanted to check out their new desk with an exercise bike built in, I simply couldn't say no. It's a desk... with a bike built in! What more could you possibly want during a pandemic where many of us are still working from home?!
Motion Sickness
On this week's podcast ... Intel vs Apple, Windows 10, and more
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We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, AMD's Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors are here as Intel goes after Apple with an ad featuring Justin Long. Daniel and Zack Also have news in Windows 10 build 21337, Surface Duo March 2021 update, a review of the Xbox Wireless Headset, and more.
Discord acquisition?
Bloomberg: Microsoft wants to acquire Discord for more than $10 billion
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Earlier today, news broke that Discord was looking to sell to a willing buyer for more than $10 billion. The report was light on details regarding which companies were interested, but now Bloomberg is reporting that Microsoft is in the running. The report claims that the Redmond is nowhere near completing a deal, but that it's in currently in talks with Discord and definitely interested.
Back to normal?
Microsoft will partially reopen its Redmond campus next week
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Microsoft is planning to partially begin reopening its Redmond campus starting March 29 after instituting a mandatory 'work-from-home' policy to all company employees in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Seattle and surrounding areas. Globally, Microsoft has been working with government COVID guidelines to reopen offices, and it thinks that it's now ready to do the same...
Skype vs WhatsApp
WhatsApp exodus shines light on Microsoft's mishandling of Skype
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With the recent uptick in people wanting to move away from WhatsApp, you may have heard about several other chat platforms such as Telegram or Signal being viable alternatives for privacy conscious people. Interestingly, and unsurprisingly, one such platform you didn’t hear about as a viable alternative to WhatsApp is Skype, but why is that?
Dual-screen gaming!
Xbox Game Pass is getting dual-screen support on Surface Duo
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Microsoft has rolled out an update to the Xbox Game Pass Beta app that adds support for dual-screen devices like the Surface Duo. Games with dedicated touchscreen controls are supported, and it brings to life the dream of having a portable Xbox console in your pocket.
Complete Changelog
This is everything coming in the next Windows 10 feature update
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Microsoft's next big Windows 10 feature update is on the way. Just like the Windows 10 October 2020 Update, this upcoming release will be delivered as a cumulative style update for those running the current latest version of Windows 10. This means the update won't take long to install, and isn't as big as normal Windows 10 feature updates.
Coming soon?
Microsoft hopes to launch Windows 10X later this year
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Microsoft has remained incredibly tight-lipped regarding its plans for Windows 10X. After announcing that the platform would be shifting strategy from dual-screen to single-screen PCs, the company has gone silent about when or what to expect from Windows 10X when it launches.