Microsoft's AI business is falling apart

This week Microsoft pulls back Copilot features from Windows 11 to reduce slop, they might start a lawsuit against OpenAI and Amazon over a $50bn contract, Google's new Advanced install flow for "sideloading" apps goes live and Samsung re-builds its foldables. Episode 293 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ►►► News & product links ◄◄◄ Copilot scaled back in Windows 11: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-quietly-scraps-plans-to-bring-copilot-to-notifications-and-settings-on-windows-11-as-it-moves-to-reduce-ai-bloat-across-the-os Microsoft legal action against OpenAI & Amazon: https://www.ft.com/content/e814f4c3-4fb5-4e2e-90a6-470044436b39 Microsoft Rejigs Copilot team: https://www.reuters.com/business/microsoft-unifies-copilot-commercial-consumer-product-teams-unit-rejig-2026-03-17/ Android app install flow: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/android-developer-verification.html Samsung TriFold cancelled: https://9to5google.com/2026/03/17/galaxy-z-trifold-officially-being-discontinued-likely-wont-be-restocked-online/ Samsung foldables leaks: https://9to5google.com/2026/03/18/samsung-reportedly-preparing-galaxy-z-trifold-sequel-slideable-phone-for-2027/ If a line starts with "*" it's an affilate link. I earn a commission if you buy through it. BMW i3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98qr4Z26mbA Apple Airpods Max Gen 2: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-airpods-max-2-powered-by-h2/ *Spigen LS Classic Magsafe: https://geni.us/q0sLU *Spigen Aipods case: https://geni.us/jsswUyF *Spigen's full collection: https://geni.us/Fq3tITc Casio S100X: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTwESBcgoyQ Nvidia DLSS5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJACkKbN-Eo Instagram e2e encrypted DMs: https://piunikaweb.com/2026/03/13/instagram-to-stop-supporting-end-to-end-encrypted-dms-after-may-8/ FBI buys from databrokers: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/18/fbi-buying-data-track-people-patel-00834080 Moscow mobile internet shutdown: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-telegram-mobile-internet-problem/33708173.html Firefox free VPN: https://blog.mozilla.org/en/firefox/firefox-148-149-new-features/ Gemini personal intelligence: https://9to5google.com/2026/03/17/gemini-personal-intelligence-free/ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ►►► TechAltar links ◄◄◄ https://patreon.com/techaltar Social media: https://mas.to/@techaltar https://threads.net/@techaltar https://bsky.app/profile/techaltar.bsky.social https://instagram.com/TechAltar https://discord.gg/npKQebe ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ►►► Attributions & Time stamps◄◄◄ Writing & Research: Tristan Rayner Music by Edemski: https://soundcloud.com/edemski Stock assets: Getty Images 0:00 Intro 0:23 Microsoft's AI troubles 2:09 Android sideloading 3:28 Samsung rejigs foldables 4:41 Release Monitor 5:56 The Brief 8:23 Q&A