A new version of Windows 365, designed for frontline workers and shift work, is now generally available. These flexible cloud PCs will soon be integrated into Windows 365 Boot on Windows 11 so businesses can boot straight into cloud-powered virtual PCs instead of a local install. Windows 365 Frontline will also automatically power on soon prior to the start of someone’s shift, speeding up the logon process.
Judge Corley has wrapped up the closing statements and the hearing is finished. Judge Corley will now look over the submitted arguments, evidence, and testimony and make her decision in the coming days.
The order will be filed under seal, so the public won’t find out immediately but I’m sure the FTC and Microsoft will be keen to let the world know the instant this order is passed down.
Normally I’d say we’ll be back tomorrow at 8:30AM PT, but not this time. I’ll take the advice of someone we overheard in the courtroom moments ago: “get some sleep.”
Thanks for joining and stay tuned to The Verge for Judge Corley’s order as soon as we get it.
We’re finishing up here and talking about public and redacted documents. Judge Corley jokes “and no Sharpies!” referencing the incident where a Sony document was supposed to be redacted and yet you could see plenty of the confidential data.
We’re still arguing about Call of Duty here as it’s so central the case and clear that Judge Corley will rule based around Call of Duty.
Judge Corley: We wouldn’t be here if Microsoft made Call of Duty. It’s the purchasing right. We don’t benefit from just buying up each other. We benefit from keeping things separate and therefore incentivizing people to create themselves
Microsoft: That’s not true. We want smaller groups to create content, right? And the fact that someone purchased — and they’re not small anymore — Activision... they produce popular content and someone else wants to buy it to distribute it, and then someone else wants to make more content. And that’s the art that’s going on whether it’s movies, gaming, television, no one says if you don’t have this one game, or this one television program or movie, you can’t compete.
Judge Corley wants to know about the “Thor” game that gamers call God of War and wouldn’t Call of Duty on Game Pass pressure Sony to put God of War Ragnarök on PlayStation Plus?
The FTC argues that without the merger Activision could do its own Call of Duty deal for PlayStation Plus, but this deal cuts off that option.
“I don’t understand why Sony won’t make its PlayStation Plus subscription better?” asks Judge Corley, she wants to figure out this market and once again says this “all comes down to Call of Duty.” The FTC says Call of Duty is critically important.
We’re still debating the cloud gaming contracts.
Judge Corley: how is Microsoft giving Nvidia content not a positive for consumers?
FTC: It could be but we don’t know, we have no evidence
Judge Corley: That’s why in many ways I say you won. Because you and the other regulators have forced them into deals
FTC: I don’t think we won because... we have no evidence of what these agreements will lead to
The FTC says it can’t “declare victory on behalf of consumers” based on what it believes are hastily put together agreements, with some being signed on the eve of regulatory decisions.
