Microsoft celebrated its 50th anniversary, faced a protester accusing it of aiding genocide, and announced the next evolution of Copilot — all within one hour

Microsoft just wrapped up quite the week. The tech giant celebrated its 50th anniversary by announcing a slew of new Copilot features. During that event, we saw some of the biggest names in Microsoft history.

A Minecraft Movie also hit cinemas recently. While the film received mixed reviews, it broke box office records for a movie based on a video game.

Microsoft 50th Anniversary Copilot Event

When you've been around for 50 years as a tech giant, there's a lot to celebrate. Microsoft marked the occasion with a major event.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella were all on stage. Phil Spencer, the Microsoft CEO of Gaming was also there, and he was sporting a stylish Minecraft jacket.

In addition to being a celebration of five decades of operation, Microsoft's event served as a platform for several Copilot announcements. The AI tool now supports memory and will be able to interact with apps.

Copilot is also gaining support for Actions, such as making dinner reservations. Multiple shopping features are also on the way to Copilot.

You can relive the Microsoft 50th Anniversary Copilot Event through our live blog, which is now a handy timeline of all the announcements.

Protester accuses Microsoft of powering genocide

Near the beginning of Microsoft's 50th Anniversary Copilot Event, a protester interrupted Microsoft Copilot CEO Mustafa Suleyman. It has since been confirmed that the protester was Ibtihal Aboussad, a Microsoft employee.

Aboussad accused Microsoft of being a "war profiteer" and "using AI for genocide." Aboussad's claims centered around accusations of selling services to the Israeli military.

I covered the incident as it happened and added as many details as I could find following the event. Aboussad sent an email to hundreds, or possibly thousands, of Microsoft employees after the protest.

A Minecraft Movie

A Minecraft Movie premiered in cinemas last week. Though critics gave the film poor scores, audiences rated it more favorably, and it still managed to break box office records for its category.

Despite harsh critiques of A Minecraft Movie, the film broke box office records for its category. It had the best opening weekend ever for a movie based on a video game.

Xbox handheld tease

Following our exclusive reporting of an Xbox handheld codenamed "Project Kennan," people have wondered what the device would look like. We now have a bit of an idea thanks to a tease by ASUS and a meme from Microsoft.

The video doesn't actually show what the device will look like physically, but we can now make a more educated guess.

The clip from ASUS shows an ROG Ally and an Xbox controller going inside a container, presumably to merge together.

The Xbox account on X responded to that video with the side-eye monkey puppet meme, showing team Xbox is in on the reference.

Windows Central Podcast

Each week our experts host the Windows Central Podcast to discuss the biggest topics in tech. This week, our Senior Editor Zac Bowden was joined by our Senior Editor Ben Wilson to celebrate Microsoft's 50th anniversary.

• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Pocket Casts
• Subscribe via RSS

Reviews

Our experts go hands-on with the latest gadgets and games each week. Recently, our team looked at a pair of gaming earbuds, the new Razer Blade 16, and a line of backpacks from Razer.

• SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Razer Blade 16 (2025) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• South of Midnight ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Razer Rogue Backpack V3 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
• ASUS Zenbook A14 (2025) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Deals of the Week

Expansion

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: was $250 now $199.99 at Amazon

The Xbox Series consoles do at least come with up to 2TB of storage now (in the case of the Series X) but even that isn't really enough with the size of some of today's games (looking at you Call of Duty). So adding a storage expansion card is a must, and when they're discounted by this much, it really is a no-brainer.

<p> 👉<strong>See at: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB09BJYXMDW%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20">Amazon

crafty coat

Adidas Originals Minecraft Track Top: $90 at Adidas US

The jacket for mining diamonds by day and hitting the clerb at night. A Minecraft tracksuit jacket so pixel-perfect, even Phil Spencer himself is rocking it to the Microsoft 50th Anniversary event. Blending creeper-core and executive chic in one zippable package.

Ergonomic

Logitech ERGO K860 Keyboard: was $129.99 now $104 at Amazon

<p>This keyboard allows your wrists and hands to rest at a natural angle, which reduces strain and fatigue. It features a full number pad, a full row of function keys, and can swap between three devices with shortcuts.<p><strong>✅Perfect for: Those who want a comfortable keyboard that reduces strain and fatigue when typing.<p><strong>❌Avoid if: You do not like keyboards with split-key designs or require backlit keys.

Limited time!

Microsoft 365 Personal (12 months): was $99.99 now $69.99 at Walmart

<p>This is the best deal on Microsoft 365. Right now, you can get 12 months of Microsoft 365 for $69.99. That includes access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with 1TB of OneDrive storage.<p>Notably, this subscription does not include AI credits, which are included in newer Microsoft 365 subscriptions.<p><strong>✅Perfect for: Anyone who wants the best experience for Microsoft 365 or its Office applications. This subscription grants access to a large library of applications across several devices.<p><strong>❌Avoid if: You need Microsoft 365 for more than one person or need AI credits for Copilot.

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma Controller
Was: $149.99
Now: $83.16 at Walmart.com

<p><em>"An excellent controller with arguably superior sticks and buttons than the official Xbox controller itself. The extra features sweeten the deal, with a sensitivity clutch aspect that feels almost too good to be true." — Jez Corden, Managing Editor<p><a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/razer-wolverine-v2-chroma-review-razers-xbox-controller-almost-feels-like-cheating-if-you-dont-mind-the-cable" target="_blank"><strong>Windows Central review<strong> ⭐⭐⭐⭐<p><strong>✅Perfect for: Xbox and PC gamers searching for a wired controller with pinpoint accurate controls, comfy ergonomics for long hours of gaming, and customization options to remap the controllers to a user's preferences. <p><strong>❌Avoid if: You want a wireless controller. The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is wired-only and needs to be plugged in order to function.<p><strong>👉See at: <a href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/1943169/568844/9383?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FRazer-Wolverine-V2-Chroma%2F416633691%3FclassType%3DVARIANT%26from%3D%2Fsearch" target="_blank"><strong>Walmart.com<p><strong>Return period: 90 days (Walmart) / 30-days (Marketplace). <strong>Price match? Yes (Only in-store, only for Walmart online pricing). <strong>Free shipping: $35 minimum. <strong>Membership: <a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/walmart-plus-memberships-explained-benefits-cost-deals-and-more" target="_blank">Walmart Plus w/ free shipping & deliveries, exclusive deals & deal early access, & more.<p><strong>🤩Alternative deal: <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FRazer-Wolverine-Chroma-Gaming-Controller-x%2Fdp%2FB09CKFSRK7%3Fcrid%3DTCX6PS0NDJMK%26dib%3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fVvvW_cMVt3x3skvuVpSCqk0zsbPjMwOwVto3wtNZc_q4cuy4CS96EDyvUojYqjwrAhU-VfZzrr6SMFIESvY93ViJKzpaYCgcIU0e83PD9pY_yZNJvK7tOxj4jz_7HSxXf-dpBVt7FsSk2aX7iCnUpNoBvPAErFEPPdJ7nQKdXpzhCACOGK_nnot_MWxO9ZhkQ2xmk-HJIvizgQ-f9LWCDxRznwsDMb06kdifBKSQJI.2MWxMq-PLAlsBd0pOcz_cXJFJ5e0g3T6F1L8505MGLM%26dib_tag%3Dse%26keywords%3Drazer%252Bchroma%252Bv2%26qid%3D1742292322%26sprefix%3DRazer%252BChroma%252Caps%252C163%26sr%3D8-3%26th%3D1%26tag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"><strong>$86.00 at Amazon.com

An excellent bundle

Verizon 5G Home Plus
Now: from $55 / month
Bundled with free: 43-inch 4K Samsung TV OR Meta Quest 3S

<p><strong>✅Perfect for: Those who want high-speed internet from a well-known provider and a free 4K Samsung TV or Meta Quest 3S.<p><strong>❌Avoid if: Verizon does not have 5G Home Plus in your area.<p><strong>Download speed: Up to 1,000 Mbps. <strong>Upload speed: Up to 75 Mbps. <strong>Data caps: No.<p><strong>👉See at: <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-6361382-17038710?sid=hawk-custom-tracking"><strong>Verizon<p><strong>Price lock: 3-year price guarantee. <strong>Guarantee: 30-day money back guarantee. <strong>Discount for Verizon Mobile customers: Yes. <strong>Offer valid through: April 30, 2025.

Fiber optic

Verizon Fios Home Internet
Now: from $74.99 / month
Bundled with free: 43-inch 4K Samsung TV OR Meta Quest 3S

<p><strong>✅Perfect for: Those who want a high-speed internet connection built on a fiber-optic network and want a free 4K Samsung TV or Meta Quest 3S.<p><strong>❌Avoid if: You prefer Verizon 5G Home Internet or a different internet provider.<p><strong>Download speed: Up to 940 Mbps. <strong>Upload speed: Up to 880 Mbps. <strong>Data caps: No.<p><strong>👉See at: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-17038709?sid=hawk-custom-tracking"><strong>Verizon<p><strong>Price lock: 4-year price guarantee. <strong>Guarantee: 30-day money back guarantee. <strong>Discount for Verizon Mobile customers: Yes. <strong>Offer valid through: April 30, 2025.