Mary Jo Foley

Microsoft's Build conference was a firehose: in-house AI models, agent-first devices, new coding tools, and a Copilot "super app" that got teased but never shown. Todd Bishop and Mary Jo Foley sort through what's real and what's not quite fully baked, from Project Solara and the Scout agentic assistant to Microsoft's push for AI self-sufficiency and the mounting pressure on GitHub. Related Stories: Inside Microsoft’s Project Solara: A new platform for devices that run AI agents instead of apps Microsoft unveils seven homegrown AI models in new bid for ‘long term self-sufficiency’ Mary Jo Foley: No Copilot ‘Super App’ at Microsoft Build, but plenty of agentic fodder Microsoft’s OpenClaw team takes on the personal assistant challenge Edited by Curt Milton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Jo Foley , celebrated tech journalist and current Editor in Chief at Directions on Microsoft, joins the podcast to delve into the rise of AI and Copilot at Microsoft and the ever-increasing pace of change. Mary Jo's journey from tech journalism to leading content strategy at Directions on Microsoft Insights into how enterprise organizations are navigating Microsoft's swift AI advancements The impact and challenges of Microsoft's Copilot and agent offerings on enterprise licensing and strategy Challenges understanding the complexities of Microsoft's pricing and licensing models, particularly regarding new AI services Thanks to AudioCodes , this episode's sponsor, for their continued support.

Today, we're talking to Mary Jo Foley, Editor in Chief, Directions on Microsoft, and Mike Jones, VP at US Cloud. We discuss four myths about Microsoft support that waste thousands of dollars every year, why Microsoft is investing $80b into AI, and why Mary Jo told Steve Jobs to leave her first interview with Bill Gates. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about US Cloud, check out their website here . To learn more about Directions on Microsoft, check out their website h ere .

Is there a strategy for buying software licenses? Richard talks with Mary Jo Foley about her new role at Directions on Microsoft, including her experiences around the multi-day workshops on effectively buying software licenses today. Mary Jo talks about understanding the entire landscape of software licenses your organization needs, how they are used, and how you can build a strategy to negotiate a better licensing cost for your organization. You already do much of the work for this, but bringing everything together is a challenge - but worth it! Links: Directions on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot for Microsoft 365 Microsoft Purview Microsoft Priva Microsoft Security Copilot Licensing Boot Camp Recorded December 14, 2023

On the Windows Weekly podcast, Richard Campbell, Paul Thurrott, Leo Laporte, and Mary Jo Foley discuss the confirmation that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will be departing the company on December 29, 2023 following Microsoft's recent $68 billion acquisition. Full episode at http://twit.tv/ww860 Hosts: Paul Thurrott , Leo Laporte , and Richard Campbell Guest: Mary Jo Foley You can find more about TWiT and subscribe to our podcasts at https://podcasts.twit.tv/ Sponsor: INFO.ACILEARNING.COM/TWIT - code TWIT100

On the Windows Weekly podcast, Richard Campbell, Paul Thurrott, Leo Laporte, and Mary Jo Foley discuss the confirmation that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will be departing the company on December 29, 2023 following Microsoft's recent $68 billion acquisition. Full episode at http://twit.tv/ww860 Hosts: Paul Thurrott , Leo Laporte , and Richard Campbell Guest: Mary Jo Foley You can find more about TWiT and subscribe to our podcasts at https://podcasts.twit.tv/ Sponsor: INFO.ACILEARNING.COM/TWIT - code TWIT100

Mary Jo Foley moves on! No, not entirely from Microsoft - away from writing several times a week about the latest enterprise topics. MJ is going to Directions on Microsoft, where she will spend more time on analysis but still communicate it to the world. The conversation digs into current subjects like the state of the cloud and Microsoft's focus on building industry-specific cloud implementations, and precisely what is happening with Windows these days? Lots of great thinking from MJ, as usual, and a hint of what's to come! Links: Mary Jo Foley Leaves ZDNet Directions on Microsoft Microsoft Industry Cloud Windows 10 22H2 Windows Server 2022 Azure Arc Google Anthos Recorded November 11, 2022

Windows 11 Ships! So now what? Richard chats with Mary Jo Foley about her thoughts around the release of Windows 11. Mary Jo talks about how quiet the conversation has been around Windows 11, other than a few bits of outrage like the TPM requirements - which, as it turns out, aren't actually required. Is there a reason to move to Windows 11? Most IT folks seem happy to wait for further updates - there's nothing wrong with Windows 10. Maybe operating system releases just aren't as exciting as they used to be? Links: Upgrading to Windows 11 Windows Weekly All About Microsoft Recorded October 22, 2021

Microsoft's profits rose 33% in the December quarter as CEO Satya Nadella touted a “second wave of digital transformation." But what does the future really hold for the tech giant? What will be the next big opportunity for Microsoft? And what are the biggest threats it faces? We discuss all of that and more this week with veteran technology journalist and Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley, who writes the All About Microsoft blog for ZDNet . She is the author of “Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft Plans to Stay Relevant in the Post-Gates Era,” and is also the cohost of the “Windows Weekly” podcast with Paul Thurrott on the TWiT network. Nadella's tenure at Microsoft has brought a new approach, doubling down on the company's traditional strength in enterprise software, pulling of successful acquisitions, and moving the Office productivity platform into a new era with products such as the Microsoft Teams collaboration software. Discussing Microsoft opportunities and potential areas for future acquisitions, Mary Jo points to security and artificial intelligence as two key sectors for the company. She sees Microsoft Teams as another big area of opportunity. The company’s goal is to make Teams into even more of a platform -- an operating system for work, essentially. One open question: How can Microsoft leverage its momentum with the Xbox game platform to create a stronger benefit for the rest of the company? Microsoft's Project xCloud could be one way, giving the company more of a presence on other platforms. GeekWire's John Cook, citing his son as an example, sees Microsoft's presence in gaming as a long-term benefit to the brand, as the next generation of consumers and IT decision-makers become adults. On the subject of the biggest threats to Microsoft, Mary Jo points out that Google remains a formidable (and perhaps underestimated) rival to Microsoft in cloud productivity software. And then there’s Windows. What’s up with Microsoft’s flagship operating system? Is it truly “back,” as Microsoft would have you believe? Mary Jo has some thoughts … and some doubts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas time with COVID! Richard invites Mary Jo Foley on the show to celebrate a bit of Christmas and reflect on what a crazy year 2020 has been. Mary Jo talks about the early days of the pandemic when the tech companies sent everyone home and the challenge of keeping the internet and cloud providers working while the loads went up... it may have been a near thing! The conversation ultimately turns to gratitude for friends, family, and a great career in this industry. All the best to you and yours! Links: All About Microsoft

Join me for episode 181 of the Mobile Tech Podcast with guest Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet -- brought to you by Audible. In today's episode, we review Microsoft's Surface Duo and discuss the pros and cons of dual screen phones. We also recap a couple recent launches (Moto Razr 5G and Poco X3 NFC), and cover news from Apple, Google, and Huawei. Enjoy :) Episode Links - Donate: https://tnkgrl.com/tnkgrl/ - Support the podcast with Audible: http://AudibleTrial.com/MobileTech - Mary Jo Foley: https://twitter.com/maryjofoley - Mary Jo's Surface Duo review: https://www.zdnet.com/article/surface-duo-review-why-im-still-confused-about-microsofts-dual-screen-device/ - Mary Jo's Surface Laptop 3 experience: https://www.zdnet.com/article/review-microsofts-intel-based-surface-laptop-3-third-times-the-charm/ - Affordable Surface Laptop rumors: https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-sparti-budget-clamshell-laptop - Apple event Sept 15: https://www.engadget.com/apple-iphone-12-5g-2020-event-date-152149865.html - Android 11: https://www.engadget.com/android-11-review-screen-recording-messaging-bubbles-170001960.html - Moto Razr 5G: https://9to5google.com/2020/09/09/moto-razr-5g-first-impressions-roundup-a-slightly-improved-novelty/ - Poco X3 NFC (€199): https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/09/07/xiaomi-announces-poco-x3-nfc-the-first-phone-with-qualcomms-snapdragon-732g-gaming-chip/ - My Poco X3 NFC unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab8PS1yqPP8 - Huawei MateBook X and 14: https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/10/21430285/huawei-matebook-x-14-2020-intel-i7-amd-ryzen-4800h-touchscreen-thin-and-light - Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro and FreeBuds Pro: https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/10/21429139/huaweis-watch-gt-2-pro-smartwatch-freebuds-pro-true-wireless-earbuds-features-specs

In this jam-packed show, Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet joins me to talk Microsoft Build 2018, what we're expecting at Computex 2018, my HTC U12+ impressions, my OnePlus 6 verdict and a bunch of news items from LG's G7 price to Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 710. Show Links: Support the podcast with Audible: http://AudibleTrial.com/MobileTech Mary Jo Foley: https://twitter.com/maryjofoley Microsoft and smarter meetings: https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-looks-to-cortana-teams-ambient-intelligence-for-smarter-meetings/ Smaller Microsoft Surface rumors: https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-to-launch-smaller-low-cost-surface-devices/ Windows 10 on Snapdragon gains 64-bit support: https://www.pcmag.com/news/360547/windows-on-qualcomm-gets-64-bit-app-support Asus gaming phone rumors: https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-gaming-smartphone-855559/ HTC U12+ launched: https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/23/htc-u12-plus/ My HTC U12+ hands-on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBMmhcVOOGc OnePlus 6 review: https://www.androidcentral.com/oneplus-6-review My OnePlus 6 unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqqbjzeWRQk Huawei MateBook X Pro available in the US: https://mashable.com/2018/05/21/huawei-matebook-x-pro-us/#r8K92kMrXiqw My Huawei MateBook X Pro unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvOfOjunwh4 LG G7 price disappointment: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/5/21/17375904/lgs-g7-thinq-galaxy-s9-t-mobile-price My LG G7 review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8Gw3hkC7oU ZTE update: https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/22/the-us-will-help-save-zte-even-though-it-broke-international-law/ Alcatel 3V launching in the US: https://www.androidcentral.com/alcatel-3v-launching-us RED Hydrogen hands-on: https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/19/17372510/red-hydrogen-one-smartphone-hands-on-photos-video Vivo all-screen phone coming soon: https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/23/vivos-all-screen-phone-with-a-flip-up-camera-could-arrive-in-june/ Qualcomm Snapdragon 710: https://www.androidauthority.com/qualcomm-snapdragon-710-868761/ Tesla Model 3 dual-motor: https://jalopnik.com/tesla-model-3-dual-motor-specs-released-in-series-of-el-1826176543