ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Paul Thurrott gets hands-on with NVIDIA's new RTX Spark AI PCs and reveals why all that power isn't translating into practical results for certain users. Expect strong opinions and a few surprises about the state of local AI on computers. Plus, Tolaria is a free, open source, vibe-coded replacement for Notion that's based on Markdown files. And now it's on mobile too! Llama Windows is also free/open source and natively supports Windows 11 on Arm and RTX Spark. It may be the easiest way to interact with local AI on Windows.
Windows
- Microsoft discusses second round of pain points updates for Windows 11, starting with a new Photos app plus the ability to work well with just 8 GB of RAM
- Six (!) new builds, including two to the Release Preview Channel
- Microsoft Edge is working towards no-reboot updates
- Opera Air gets a nice refresh
- The Proton roadmap is spectacular
- RTX Spark: HP OmniBook Ultra 16
- RTX Spark: Lenovo Pro 9n 15
- RTX Spark: ASUS ProArt P16 arrives with 128 GB of RAM
Microsoft 365
- OneDrive is getting a Copilot-infused upgrade for files and photos in the AI era
AI/dev
- RTX Spark hands-on: Local AI is more frustrating than useful
- Microsoft is working on a comprehensive strategy to secure AI agents
- OpenAI releases an AI coding model for Visual Basic, other older programming languages
XBOX and gaming
- Report: Project Helix starts with a gaming handheld in 2027, not a console, with a new console in 2028
- Microsoft reveals standalone Cloud Gaming costs - 10 hours for $3.99, 25 for $7.99, 50 for $11.99
- ASUS ROG XBOX Ally X20 is here for $1300 and up
- ASUS ROG XBOX Ally X20 is here for $1300 and up
- AMD is bringing FSR Upscaling 4.1 to XBOX consoles, ROG XBOX Ally
- Final Fantasy VII Remake is the star of the late October Game Pass releases
- NVIDIA touts games already optimized for RTX Spark
- XBOX highlights new indie titles coming to PC, console, and Game Pass over the next year
- EA is shutting down BioWare
Tips and picks
- App pick of the week: Tolaria
- App pick of the week #2: Llama Windows
- RunAs Radio this week: OWASP Top 10 for Agentic Applications with Will Velida
- Brown liquor pick of the week: Ardnahoe Inaugural Release 5 Year Old
Hosts: Paul Thurrott, Richard Campbell, and Mikah Sargent
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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