Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

RARE PHOTOS: Windows central | Rare Historical Photos

Why Xbox (and others) are considering the role of "ads" on console — it's more complicated than simple "greed," unfortunately

Even before the current memory crisis and various other crises, the volume of players spending literally *nothing* on consoles like Xbox and PlayStation is increasing. When you're selling hardware at a loss, that's a problem.

Windows Central

Xbox exec clarifies that Netflix-style in-game ads that interrupt gameplay would be a bad idea, actually

"Ads should be used to offer more affordable alternatives alongside today's ad-free experiences"

GamesRadar

GPUs are still shipping at a frantic rate despite market pressure — I didn't expect Intel to post the only growth

New findings from Jon Peddie Research indicate that GPU shipments held strong in Q1 2026, but there's more to the story than just a flat market.

Windows Central

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Inside Xbox's margin crush: A string of misses at Xbox Game Studios, misguided Game Pass decisions, and the memory rout at its core

Microsoft's gaming division is facing a margin crisis, although not in a vacuum. The entire industry is struggling to figure out a healthy path forward in a universe where memory has become scarce.

Windows Central

I just started Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and I already see why everyone gets a flight stick for it — so here's what I'm getting and why

I've just got into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and it's already clear how much value even a budget flight stick is to the experience. Here's what I'm getting and why.

Windows Central

"Not only viable but quite enjoyable": I used Windows 11 with 8GB of RAM to see if it's as bad as everyone says

I'm seeing a lot of negativity recently about running Windows 11 on 8GB of RAM, so I thought I'd test it out myself to see what the experience is really like. Here's what I found out.

Windows Central

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader secures another amazing DLC expansion — if you enjoy playing as a Heretic, rejoice, because this DLC has made it more rewarding

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader has released its 3rd DLC expansion, The Infinite Museion, adding over a dozen hours of new storylines, a new companion, and drastic gameplay additions and changes that make the entire game more enjoyable, especially for players who enjoy Heretical playthroughs.

Windows Central

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

I tried Windows 11's new customizable Start menu: I'm shocked at how much control Microsoft is finally giving us

Windows 11 is getting a new customizable Start menu, and I've gone hands-on to see just how configurable it is.

Windows Central

3 features the Surface Laptop needs to borrow from the Surface Laptop Ultra

The Surface Laptop Ultra shows what Microsoft can achieve at the high end, and several of its features could make the standard Surface Laptop a stronger option for everyday users.

Windows Central

Dell XPS 13 (2026) vs. MacBook Neo: The XPS wins in more categories than you’d expect

Dell's new XPS 13 for 2026, announced at Computex, is the new best competition for the MacBook Neo. But how exactly do the two laptops compare? I break things down to help discover where the XPS fills in the Neo's blind spots.

Windows Central

Windows just had an amazing week: Between silicon, devices, and OS improvements, I am excited to be a Windows user again

Great, affordable Windows laptops, powerful high-end silicon, platform improvements, and more came together this week to send a message: Windows is back.

Windows Central

Acer Swift Air 14 is the first Acer in years that I actually might want to use: Another $699 Windows laptop trades blows with MacBook Neo

Acer’s new affordable clamshell laptop is beautiful and high-quality in most of the areas that count, all for $699.

Windows Central

Xbox's CEO just defined her mission: "My mandate is not 30% accountability margins, it’s to be the number one."

It seems the historically high profit margins no longer apply to the new CEO.

Windows Central

Lost 50th Anniversary Surface repaired and returned to owner — what went wrong and how Microsoft fixed it

A rare 50th Anniversary Surface Laptop went missing during repair, exposing a gap in Microsoft’s service workflow. After the story gained traction, Microsoft tracked down the original unit, fixed it, and updated its process.

Windows Central

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

Windows Central

"We want this to be their first XPS": I found out more about Dell's XPS 13 strategy — and why it's the perfect starter PC

Dell's new XPS 13, announced at Computex 2026, is getting a lot of attention for its $599 student pricing. But there's a whole lot more going on behind the scenes, which I found out in a Dell and Intel roundtable discussion.

Windows Central

Xbox Games Showcase 2026: Predictions, hopes, dreams — and what I think you should expect

The Xbox Games Showcase is pulling into view. Every year, people talk about how important these shows are for Microsoft, but with Xbox's 25th anniversary and a new direction ... there's a lot riding on this one.

Windows Central

ASUS finally gives us the mini PC we've been begging for, packed with a Snapdragon X2 Elite

In a joint announcement at Microsoft Build and Computex, ASUS has revealed its first mini PC powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite and answered our prayers in the process.

Windows Central

Microsoft says Windows 11’s Defender is enough for most users but admits some third‑party tools still offer extras

Microsoft says Windows 11’s built‑in Defender offers solid protection for most users, though third‑party antivirus tools provide extra features.

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

Windows Central

I tried Microsoft's incredible Surface Laptop Ultra: This might be the best laptop ever made, and RTX Spark is seriously impressive

I went hands-on with Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Ultra ahead of launch later this year, and I've been blown away by its design and, more importantly, performance.

Windows Central

'Flydigi Vader 5S' wired Xbox controller review — It's a bit ugly, but it has some fantastic features I wish more Xbox controllers had by default

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is especially true for the Flydigi Vader 5S, whose gaudy and incongruous design betrays some pretty awesome features that I wish more controllers had.

Windows Central

Haptics make racing games feel so real that I can't believe I was actually indoors using a PC and not on a racetrack

I tried a haptic seat targeted at sim racing, and the experience is unlike anything I've ever had before. This is the next big step in immersion in video games.

Player One

Xbox Game Pass Just Added 3 Great Games Including 'Escape the Backrooms' and More

Xbox Game Pass has added "Escape the Backrooms," "The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition," and "Echo Generation 2." Here's what players can expect from these new releases.

Windows Central

HP’s Windows 10 holdouts show just how hard Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade push really is

Despite Microsoft’s push for Windows 11, millions of HP users are sticking with Windows 10

Windows Central

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma warns tough decisions are ahead, raising questions about Helix, Xbox Game Studios, and exclusives

Xbox's new CEO revealed that Xbox is in a tough spot in a new memo shared by The Verge. What could the "tough decisions" be on the horizon for Asha Sharma?

Windows Central

"I think we're in a good place": Infinity Ward's multiplayer team talks with us about the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

Jack Hoppus and Jacky Reynolds from Infinity Ward sit down with Windows Central for an exclusive interview to discuss the importance of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's unique identity, development process, and changes to weapon loadouts.

1 2 3 4 5

People

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Organisations

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Topics

Places

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.