Windows Central

This Xbox controller can literally transform itself for shooters or fighters ? and I highly recommend it
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:33:28 +0000
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot, a controller that can transform its controls to optimally play 3D or 2D games, has seen its steep $139.99 MSRP cut down by 29% to a price that further justifies its advanced tech.

Microsoft claims "2026 is the moment" for AI PCs, but its essay-length beginner explanation only creates more confusion ? Is it any wonder adoption is slow?
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:08:20 +0000
Microsoft recently published an AI PC beginner's guide on its Learning Center blog, and it's a bit of a mess that will almost definitely confuse consumers rather than convince them to buy.

Xbox?s leadership shift proves it: the gamer era is over, AI runs the show now
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:39:21 +0000
As the former lead of CoreAI at Microsoft steps in to replace Phil Spencer, the question remains. What does the future of Xbox and its relationship with AI look like?

I tried Winhance to debloat and optimize my Windows 11 PC, and I wish I'd done it sooner
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000
I've tried different Windows 11 debloat tools in the past, but I think Winhance might be the best of the bunch. In part, because it's so simple to use.

Step aside, Battlefield 6 ? Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was January 2026?s best-selling game in the US on PlayStation
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:45:43 +0000
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 topped US PlayStation sales in January 2026, according to Circana data. Battlefield 6 remained competitive across platforms, while Xbox and PC charts showed varied results.

Former Xbox director Larry Hryb 'Major Nelson' has advice for the new Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma ? and what he said is absolutely right
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:42:51 +0000
Asha Sharma has replaced Phil Spencer Microsoft Gaming's CEO, and former Xbox director Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has shared some advice for her.

Oof, Roblox has as much player engagement as Steam, PlayStation, and Fortnite combined ? and now it's even nipping at Netflix's heels
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 23:29:09 +0000
A new report reveals that the free-to-play game Roblox has enough player engagement to match that of Steam's, PlayStation's, and Fortnite's combined.

Amazon's Fallout TV show writers wanted to do New Vegas right away, but Bethesda's Todd Howard said wait for Season 2 ? "there?s a million ways to f**k that up"
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:37:36 +0000
Bethesda's Todd Howard revealed the Fallout TV show was originally going to start in New Vegas, but he told the writers to wait to do it until Season 2.

Phil Spencer retires as Microsoft appoints Asha Sharma CEO of Microsoft Gaming; major Xbox leadership reshuffle announced
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:33:46 +0000
Xbox enters a new era as Phil Spencer retires and Asha Sharma takes over

This week in Call of Duty: Lunar New Year in Black Ops 7, Warzone LTM, 2XP, and more
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:28:59 +0000
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Warzone has a constant stream of content and new events, so here's a roundup of everything you can play this week.

Even Microsoft says that AI chatbots get dumber the longer you talk to them ? a paired study with Salesforce shows reliability tanks by 112% over 200,000 chats
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:23:29 +0000
Microsoft and Salesforce analyzed 200,000+ AI chats, finding models lose reliability in multi?turn dialogue despite strong single?prompt performance.

This doorbuster deal flips off skyrocketing GPU and RAM prices ? RTX 5070 Ti + 32GB RAM for $1,570 off
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:04:49 +0000
Sky?high GPU and RAM prices have made upgrading painful in 2026, but this Lenovo doorbuster cuts $1,570 off a Legion Tower 7i with an RTX 5070 Ti and 32GB of RAM.

I asked ASUS about "Windows 11 pure OS" spotted in its laptop announcement ? Here's what it really means (and why you shouldn't get excited)
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:54:43 +0000
ASUS unveiled a new ExpertBook B5 G2 laptop this week, and in the marketing documents is mention of "Windows 11 pure OS." I spoke with the company to figure out exactly what it means.

Microsoft is set to kill a confusing Outlook email feature ? as the longstanding but unpopular tool had years of complaints
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:41:44 +0000
Microsoft is removing Contact Masking from Outlook on March 31, 2026, after years of user confusion. The feature, which hid suggested contacts across Microsoft 365 services, will disappear across desktop, mobile, and web.

Microsoft invented "escrow builds" to launch functional apps ? that's internal 'Microspeak' jargon for quality control
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:18:36 +0000
Here's Microsoft's quirky release vocabulary for products, including bug bars, bake time, and escrow.


  • Sn This one

  • Nascar

    Spire confirms hire of Chris Gabehart, who lawyers up after Gibbs lawsuit
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:57:25 +0000
    Spire Motorsports made it official on Saturday morning with a confirmation that it has indeed hired former Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart to serve as Chief Motorsports Officer, a role that will oversee multiple disciplines.
    The hire, in part, has served as the basis for a lawsuit by JGR against Gabehart, whom the team alleges accessed proprietary information while ...Keep reading

    Recovering Brad Keselowski has road ace Joey Hand on standby for COTA
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:53:53 +0000
    Brad Keselowski continues to recover from a broken right femur, suffered while slipping on ice during a family skiing trip in December, but his first real test was positive as he experienced a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 without aggravating the injury.
    And he finished fifth, too. 
    Overall, last weekend did not provide any addition discomfort beyond getting in and out of the ...Keep reading

    Fatal Hamlin house fire ruled accidental; cause unknown
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:12:16 +0000
    The house fired that claimed the life of Dennis Hamlin, the father of NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, has been ruled accidental with the precise cause of the December 28 incident remaining unknown.
    This is according to a final report in the aftermath of an investigation by the Gaston County Fire Services. The fire started in a bedroom but the report also stated that the heat source, type ...Keep reading

    Atlanta NASCAR Cup qualifying cancelled, Tyler Reddick on pole
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:32:51 +0000
    Unfortunately, rain showers and lightning prevented NASCAR from holding Cup Series qualifying on Saturday morning. Instead, the metric will set the starting lineup. The system was slightly altered for 2026, so now it's just an average of the car's place in the owner standings (30%), and the entry's finish in the most recent race (70%). 
    As a result, championship leader and Daytona 500 winner ...Keep reading

    Two NASCAR Cup car chiefs ejected after Atlanta inspection failures
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 03:26:22 +0000
    Following NASCAR Cup Series inspection at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta), the Sanctioning Body has revealed that two Chevrolet teams failed pre-qualifying inspection multiple times.
    The first was Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Car chief Ryan Chism has been ejected and can take no further part in the race weekend from the track, and the team will lose pit stall ...Keep reading

    Chris Gabehart 'emphatically denies' Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit allegations
    Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:36:30 +0000
    One day after being sued by Joe Gibbs Racing over an alleged 'brazen scheme' to steal data from the organization while negotiating his employment separation and a job opportunity with Spire Motorsports, Chris Gaebhart responded with a statement that suggests he intends to challenge his longtime employer in court.
    ?Yesterday afternoon, Joe Gibbs Racing filed a lawsuit claiming - falsely - that ...Keep reading

    How to watch 2026 NASCAR Atlanta: Weekend schedule, weather, start time, TV
    Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:05:02 +0000
    Tyler Reddick leads the championship standings after winning the 68th running of the Daytona 500 for 23XI Racing, avoiding two last-lap crashes and surging from third to first in the final seconds of the race.
    NASCAR now heads to EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) for a triple-header weekend. Christopher Bell is the defending winner of this event, while Chase Elliott is the most recent winner at ...Keep reading

    Joe Gibbs Racing seeks $8 million in damages from ex-competition director Chris Gabehart
    Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:45:34 +0000
    Until November 10, 2025, Defendant served as one of JGR?s most senior leaders with respect to all competitive aspects of the business. After his demands for additional authority were rebuffed by JGR?s owner, Defendant immediately embarked on a brazen scheme to steal JGR?s most sensitive information and use it for the benefit of a direct competitor in NASCAR?Spire Motorsports. In this ...Keep reading

    JGR files lawsuit against Chris Gabehart for 'brazen scheme to steal sensitive information'
    Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:43:17 +0000
    At the beginning of December, it was reported that Chris Gabehart had left Joe Gibbs Racing in a surprising exit. He worked at JGR for 13 years, and won 22 Cup races as a crew chief for Denny Hamlin between 2019 and 2024. Most recently, he worked as the Director of Competition for the elite organization. 
    Since his departure, there has been no word regarding why Gabehart left, or where he ...Keep reading


    Fox News Headlines

    Eric Dane's friends launch $250K GoFundMe for daughters after 'Grey's Anatomy' star loses ALS battle
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 20:31:15 GMT
    Family friends launch $250,000 GoFundMe for Eric Dane's daughters after the "Euphoria" star's death, honoring his advocacy for ALS awareness.

    Democrats have ?done Jasmine Crockett dirty,? in attempt to wound campaign, GOP strategist tells MS NOW
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 20:27:33 GMT
    GOP strategist Matthew Bartlett appeared on MS NOW Saturday, where he argued Democratic staffers and "The Late Show" staff did Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, "dirty" last week.

    Former Illinois governor slams Pritzker for ?malpractice? as Bears look to flee to red state
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:57:18 GMT
    Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich accused Gov. JB Pritzker of "gubernatorial malpractice" as Chicago Bears consider moving to Indiana for new stadium.

    United States wins its most Winter Olympics gold medals ever
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:48:25 GMT
    The United States set a new Winter Olympics record with its 11th gold medal led by victories in women?s hockey, speedskating, freestyle skiing and the mixed aerials team.

    Tim McGraw stood firm against industry elites who tried to cancel his 'controversial' hit
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:28:45 GMT
    Country star Tim McGraw fought his record label to include "Indian Outlaw" on his album, turning the rejected song into his first top 10 platinum hit.

    German soccer team Werder Bremen cancels Minnesota trip over Trump immigration enforcement: report
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:25:25 GMT
    German soccer club Werder Bremen canceled its Minnesota trip, citing unrest from ICE actions and unclear U.S. entry requirements for players, reports said.

    Colombian nationals allegedly ran fake law firm, impersonated federal judges to defraud migrants out of $100K
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:13:24 GMT
    Four Colombian nationals arrested allegedly posed as immigration judges and officials in scheme targeting vulnerable migrants with fake proceedings.

    Texas mom who spoke at White House 'so grateful' to Trump for advancement of school choice policies
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:00:22 GMT
    School choice scholarships saved her family, Greta Alexander told Fox News Digital after her son died from addiction while daughter thrived in private school through ACE program.

    French President Macron says free speech defense is ?pure bulls---? without algorithm transparency
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:58:32 GMT
    French President Emmanuel Macron attacked social media giants' "free speech" defense as "pure bulls---" after demanding for algorithm transparency.

    Hidden virus inside gut bacteria linked to doubled colorectal cancer risk, study finds
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:56:49 GMT
    Scientists discover hidden virus in gut bacteria that may be linked to colorectal cancer development, offering new insights into cancer research.

    Gwen Stefani accused of 'MAGA makeover' after promoting Lent prayer challenge
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:55:37 GMT
    Pop icon Gwen Stefani sparks heated debate as fans accuse her of a "MAGA makeover" after promoting religious content, while defenders push back strongly.

    Why a credit freeze isn?t the end of identity theft
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:51:09 GMT
    Credit freeze after data breach? It won't stop all identity theft. Learn what gaps remain and how fraudsters bypass credit checks to steal your identity.

    Your bartender may be deceiving you with illegal bottle trick that breaks federal law
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:45:49 GMT
    Bartenders illegally "marrying" liquor bottles puts customers at risk, experts say. Learn the warning signs of this prohibited practice and how to spot it at bars.

    AI dating cafes are now a real thing
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:44:44 GMT
    People brought AI companions on real dates at a New York cafe, chatting with screens instead of humans. This AI dating event shows virtual relationships.

    Mamdani promotes NYC where 'every family can afford a home,' rips ICE's 'cruelty' amid budget blowback
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:44:01 GMT
    New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke Saturday about home affordability and ripped ICE as he faces criticism for floating potential property tax hike.


    Indy Car Racing

    Indy 500 veteran Simona de Silvestro turns to speed of Olympic bobsleigh
    Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:17:40 GMT
    The 2010 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year is competing in two events at the Milan Cortina Games.

    Romain Grosjean rejoins Dale Coyne Racing, returns to full-time IndyCar competition
    Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:12:52 GMT
    ?Grosjean will drive the No. 18 Honda and be partnered with 2025 Indy NXT champion and IndyCar rookie Dennis Hauger.

    James Hinchcliffe making NASCAR debut in Truck Series race at St. Petersburg
    Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:54:38 GMT
    Hinchcliffe joins Dario Franchitti as former IndyCar drivers competing in the first street race in NASCAR Truck Series history.

    IndyCar announces historic deal with Honda, Chevrolet
    Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:27:49 GMT
    Each Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) agreement will begin in 2027 and run for several years.

    Phil Krueger, 2-time Indy 500 starter, dies at 74
    Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:22:14 GMT
    Krueger, who entered ten Indy 500s from 1981 through 1991, died Feb. 9 after sustaining injuries from a fall at his home in Freetown, according to his obituary.

    President Trump announces new IndyCar race in Washington, DC
    Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:18:50 GMT
    An executive order says the Freedom 250 will run near the National Mall in conjunction with the celebration of America's 250th birthday.

    Tim Cindric returns to Team Penske as Scott McLaughlin's race strategist
    Thu, 29 Jan 2026 22:56:09 GMT
    Cindric had previously been the team president and race strategist for Josef Newgarden.

    Indy 500 champ Josef Newgarden is still getting acclimated to seeing former teammates in new places
    Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:36:15 GMT
    Newgarden is still trying to get acclimated to seeing longtime teammate Will Power and Ron Ruzewski, Penske?s ex-managing director, working together at a rival team.

    Alex Palou ordered to pay McLaren Racing $12M in breach of contract suit
    Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:07:19 GMT
    It is not clear if Chip Ganassi, the team owner Palou drives for in IndyCar, is covering any of the losses.

    Why Colton Herta is leaving IndyCar for junior series F2
    Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:43:19 GMT
    Herta says he hopes to race in the Indianapolis 500, despite potential conflicts with his F2 schedule.

    Will Power is determined to make Penske regret writing him off as he joins Andretti
    Mon, 19 Jan 2026 03:19:50 GMT
    Power's determination and experience are expected to boost Andretti's performance this season.

    Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon receives a knighthood from New Zealand
    Wed, 31 Dec 2025 19:22:56 GMT
    ?I?ve been called a lot of things, but I never thought that ?Sir? was going to be one of them," Dixon said.

    Rahal Letterman Lanigan adds Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champ, to 2026 IndyCar lineup
    Wed, 26 Nov 2025 19:13:24 GMT
    Mick Schumacher is coming to America to jump-start his racing career.

    Valentino Rossi passes on McLaren's Indy 500 seat, Ryan Hunter-Reay steps in
    Sat, 22 Nov 2025 19:34:06 GMT
    Rossi is considered one of the greatest motorcycle racers ever and is the only road racer to have competed in 400 or more Grands Prix.

    Indy 500 winner Alex Palou has likeness unveiled on Borg-Warner Trophy
    Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:13:54 GMT
    As he has for every winner of the "500" since 1990, renowned sculptor Will Behrends crafted Palou's image for the Borg-Warner Trophy.

    Ryan Hunter-Reay joins Arrow McLaren for 2026 Indianapolis 500
    Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:25:31 GMT
    Hunter-Reay, the 2014 winner of the "500" and 2012 IndyCar Series champion, will drive the No. 31 Chevrolet.

    AJ Foyt Racing signs Indy NXT runner-up Collet for full 2026 IndyCar campaign
    Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:56:35 GMT
    Caio Collet will drive the No. 4 Chevrolet with backing from Brazilian logistics company Combitrans Amazonia in all 17 IndyCar races.


    ESPN Sports Headlines

    Tkachuk on Canada rivalry: 'There's hatred there'
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    On the eve of the Olympic gold medal game, Brady Tkachuk said for the U.S. to win its ultimate goal, his teammates will have to take down Canada, the team they both envy and despise.

    Mayweather set to unretire after Tyson exhibition
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    Former boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he is unretiring and will resume his undefeated career after his planned exhibition bout against Mike Tyson.

    Michigan, Duke top NCAA's early bracket preview
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    Michigan was the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament men's basketball selection committee's bracket preview, revealed on Saturday, followed by Duke and Arizona.

    Yankees' Judge slugs 2 HRs, 'excited' about WBC
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit two homers in his spring debut on Saturday as he gears up for next month's World Baseball Classic with Team USA.

    Cactus cameo: Dodgers play Ohtani before WBC
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to play a couple of Cactus League games for the Dodgers before he joins Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.

    Mazeroski, known for 1960 WS walk-off HR, dies
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    Bill Mazeroski, the Hall of Fame second baseman who won eight Gold Glove awards for his steady work in the field and the hearts of countless Pirates fans for his historic walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, has died at the age of 89.

    Klaebo 1st athlete to win 6 golds at Winter Games
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:42 EST
    Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo completed his historic gold medal sweep of the men's cross-country skiing events Saturday by winning his sixth race and set the record for the most golds by one athlete in a single Winter Olympics.

    Smith-Njigba: Believe I deserve to be top-paid WR
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he isn't overly concerned about getting a new deal done with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. But when he does, the 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year believes he should be the league's highest-paid wide receiver.

    ? Deepest, thinnest positions of NFL offseason
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:50:43 EST
    NFL teams looking for edge rusher help are in good shape this offseason; the free agent and draft classes have options. But what about the other 10 positions?

    2026 Winter Olympics: U.S.' first-ever mass start medal, women's freeski halfpipe final postponed
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:26:19 EST
    Saturday at the Olympics is headlined by U.S. women's curling going for bronze and a first-ever medal for Team USA in the mass start.

    Men's Bubble Watch: Indiana slips after rout at Purdue
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:14:10 EST
    Indiana's second straight loss -- by almost 30 points -- drops the Hoosiers from their solid position.

    Men's Bracketology: Houston unseats UConn as final No. 1 seed
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:14:09 EST
    The Cougars crack the top line after the Huskies' loss. Plus, how Miami (Ohio)'s fate could take shape.

    MLB.TV on ESPN: Subscription cost, game coverage, more facts
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:01:35 EST
    ESPN is the home of MLB.TV! Learn how to sign up for a subscription, watch your favorite games and take full advantage of this exciting product now.

    How does an NFL player decide to retire? 'I'm not done'
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 06:00:23 EST
    Eric Weddle, Tony Jefferson and Andrew Whitworth share stories of their journeys in and out of retirement.

    Michigan rode a supersized frontcourt to No. 1 -- now it hopes a title is next
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:28:14 EST
    Starting lineups featuring three former centers? How Dusty May and the Wolverines cracked a winning code.

    X factors, key players to watch and picks for USA-Canada
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:41:09 EST
    It has all come down to one game for ultimate glory in the 2026 Olympic men's hockey tournament.

    College football's 100 best quarterbacks of the 2000s
    Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:20:27 EST
    Make way for Fernando Mendoza and others on Bill Connelly's updated list of the greatest quarterbacks of the century.

    Four teams with pass-rush needs, four trade offers for Maxx Crosby: Our experts play out his market
    Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:25:40 EST
    Could edge rusher Maxx Crosby get traded this offseason? Where could he land? And what might the Raiders get for him? Let's project his market.