Microsoft Concludes a Challenging Week

In mid-January, Microsoft found itself in hot water. The tech titan faced not only sharp criticism from Salesforce but also stirred controversy by changing the branding of some of its well-loved apps. On top of that, they upped the cost of Microsoft 365 while adding Copilot to the mix for numerous paying users. Even what should have been positive news for Microsoft was tinged with negativity, as a long-awaited Windows 11 taskbar addition mimicked features that smartphones have had for years.

As if that weren’t enough, Rich Miner, a key player in the creation of Android, pointed fingers at Bill Gates for costing Microsoft a whopping $400 billion due to their failure in the mobile market.

They say all press is good press, and it looks like Microsoft is putting that theory to the test.

### Microsoft 365 Price Hike

For the first time in over a decade, the price of Microsoft 365 has gone up. While Microsoft isn’t blaming this increase directly on Copilot, the AI tool is now part of the Personal and Home plans, albeit with some limitations.

This bump means you’ll shell out an extra $3 each month: $9.99 for Microsoft 365 Personal and $12.99 for the Family plan. With the increase, subscribers will get a limited number of Copilot credits. To access Copilot without limits, you’ll need the separate Copilot Pro plan, which costs an additional $20 monthly.

If Copilot doesn’t appeal and you’re looking to save, you can switch to a “classic” subscription tier, though this option is only on the table for a limited period.

### Microsoft Rebrands Office Apps

This month, Microsoft 365 got a fresh coat of paint—figuratively. The apps are keeping their core names, but now feature the title “Microsoft 365 Copilot” on iOS, Android, and Windows. This replaces the previous “Microsoft 365 (Office)” label, likely because many still search for “Office” in app stores.

Launched on January 15, 2025, this update comes with a new app icon and URL, coinciding with the AI credits being introduced to Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Not everyone is thrilled with the rebranding. Jez Corden, our executive editor, shared his thoughts: “Microsoft 365 itself was a wild idea, discarding decades of brand strength for what seems more like an ideological choice than a rational one. Naming it Microsoft 365 Copilot before Copilot is a well-known brand is downright perplexing.”

Many align with Corden, seeing this as a risky move to build Copilot’s identity by tying it to Microsoft’s most iconic offerings.

### Salesforce CEO Slams Microsoft

Salesforce’s chief, Marc Benioff, didn’t hold back in his critique of Microsoft. The CEO is a vocal critic of Microsoft’s AI ventures and recently took another shot at them.

“Microsoft has let everyone down with their approach to AI,” Benioff remarked in a recent discussion. “With Copilot, they essentially rebranded OpenAI and inserted it into Excel.”

Not long ago, Benioff dubbed Copilot the next Clippy, so his continued criticism isn’t surprising. It’s worth remembering, though, that Salesforce and Microsoft are fierce rivals in the AI arena, so these critiques might need a bit of salt.

Salesforce’s fresh advertising push during the NFL playoffs presents Agentforce as “AI at its finest.” While Microsoft and Copilot aren’t named directly, the campaign’s spirit mirrors Benioff’s sentiments.

### Windows 11 Showcases Better Battery Indicators

Soon, Windows 11 users will see a feature that many might have assumed was already there. Last week, Microsoft began testing the ability to display a PC’s battery percentage in the taskbar. It’s a staple on most macOS, iPadOS, iOS, and Android devices but has been missing from Windows 11.

Currently a hidden feature in the latest Windows Insider build, it’s expected to become available more broadly if testing goes smoothly. Fingers crossed for a speedy release!

### Missed Opportunities in Mobile

Microsoft’s slip-up in the mobile market, costing an estimated $400 billion, is often labeled Bill Gates’ “greatest mistake.” Android co-founder Rich Miner has a take on this piece of tech history.

“I helped create Android to prevent Microsoft from dominating phones like they did PCs,” recalled Miner. “It’s always amusing hearing Gates lament over losing the mobile race to Android.”

Miner adds, “Sorry, Bill, you bear more responsibility for that $400B loss than you might realize.”

Both Gates and Miner’s views hold weight, despite their differing tones.

### Reviews and Deals

Each week, our team dives into the latest in tech and gaming. Recently, the AVerMedia Elite Go GC313Pro caught our attention—a dual-purpose device combining a capture card with a charging brick.

“The AVerMedia Elite Go GC313 Pro is the ultimate crossover,” notes Cole Martin. “It reimagines accessories by merging them into a pocket-sized must-have for gamers on the move.”

We also reviewed items like Tomtoc’s latest laptop bag, a long-lasting gaming headset from HyperX, and Lenovo’s ThinkPad X12 Detachable.

As always, we’re spotting great deals to help keep your tech spending savvy. Whether it’s laptops, apps, or games, don’t miss out on saving a few bucks.