Notepad uncovers the secrets and strategy behind Microsoft’s era-defining bets on AI, gaming, and computing. Each week, The Verge’s Tom Warren will publish influential scoops, insightful interviews, and must-read analysis just for subscribers.
Subscribers get exclusive analysis and deep-dive breakdowns of the biggest Microsoft stories of the moment. All new monthly and annual subscriptions come with a 30-day free trial. You can also sign-up for free to get top highlights most weeks. See our FAQ for more.
Select Newsletter Plan
Monthly
Pay monthly
$7 / month after 30-day free trial
Get every issue of Notepad straight to your inbox, every week. The first month is free.
Annual
Pay yearly
$70 / year after 30-day free trial
Get a year of Notepad at a discounted rate. The first month is free.
Bundle
Pay yearly
$100 / year / person
Get one year of both Notepad and Command Line by Alex Heath at a discounted rate. The first month is free.
We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Already a subscriber? Manage your subcription.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25290359/STK048_XBOX_C.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25290359/STK048_XBOX_C.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/14130271/vpavic_190131_3213_0046.jpg)
HoloLens is the latest victim of Microsoft’s hardware struggles
Microsoft’s mixed reality dream is now in the hands of Meta.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25193260/microsoft_copilot_app_logo.png){kind=logo}
How Microsoft is thinking about the future of Copilot and AI hardware
Microsoft executives drop hints at where AI companions are heading.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25652460/copilothed.jpg)
Microsoft gives Copilot a voice and vision in its biggest redesign yet
Copilot is transforming into a more personalized AI assistant thanks to Inflection.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25297841/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT__A.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25297841/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT__A.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25357666/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT_2__A.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25357666/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT_2__A.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25290361/STK048_XBOX_D.jpg)
Microsoft’s Xbox turmoil isn’t slowing down
Another round of painful layoffs affect 650 Microsoft Gaming employees.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24002573/acastro_STK094_02.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24002573/acastro_STK094_02.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25283723/STK048_XBOX_B.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25283723/STK048_XBOX_B.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25297823/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT_E.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25297823/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT_E.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25040001/rogallyxboxapp_twarren.jpg)
Microsoft is now in a handheld gaming PC race
Valve is getting ready to capitalize on its impressive SteamOS work.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25564355/Copilot_PC_Hero_1918x1080_1.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25564355/Copilot_PC_Hero_1918x1080_1.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24347781/STK095_Microsoft_03.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24347781/STK095_Microsoft_03.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25357653/STK264_MICROSOFT_TEAMS_V2_CVIRGINIA_D.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25357653/STK264_MICROSOFT_TEAMS_V2_CVIRGINIA_D.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25537884/STK275_CROWDSTRIKE_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25537884/STK275_CROWDSTRIKE_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25357670/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT_2__D.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25357670/STK259_MICROSOFT_COPILOT_2__D.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25283724/STK048_XBOX_C.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25501065/DSCF7721.jpg)
Windows on Arm puts Intel on notice
Microsoft and Qualcomm have delivered some real Intel competition.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25481481/windowsrecall.jpg)
Microsoft’s embarrassing Recall
Copilot Plus PCs launched this week, but a lack of reviews and the AI-powered Recall mess has overshadowed a big moment for Windows on Arm.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25283724/STK048_XBOX_C.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25485116/STK048_XBOX2__B.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25485116/STK048_XBOX2__B.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25481481/windowsrecall.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25480192/247141_NOTEPAD_X_BOX_CVIRGINIA.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25472150/2153352890.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25472150/2153352890.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25470856/Copilot_PC_Hero.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25470856/Copilot_PC_Hero.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25456896/DSC07538.JPG)
Microsoft’s big bet on building a new type of AI computer
AI chips are at the core of Microsoft’s new Copilot Plus PCs, and Microsoft thinks they could change the way we use computers.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25456849/RW1iUuD.jpeg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25456849/RW1iUuD.jpeg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19249909/akrales_190930_3688_0196.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25439012/NOTEPAD_CHORUS_LEDE_2040x1360.jpg)
Welcome to Notepad, a newsletter on Microsoft’s era-defining bets
Notepad will include analyses and scoops from a veteran Microsoft reporter.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25438498/FireVapor_Canvas_JPG_e97eac7b7fa59195c6d9_1900x1080.jpg)
Inside Microsoft’s Xbox turmoil
Microsoft is making tough Xbox decisions amid a game industry that’s hurting.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25299208/STK453_PRIVACY_E_CVirginia.jpg)
Microsoft needs to win back trust
Years of security issues and mounting criticism have left Microsoft needing to overhaul its cybersecurity.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23926023/acastro_STK048_02.jpg)
The future of the Xbox looks a lot like a PC
Microsoft’s gaming chief has been dropping a lot of hints about the future of Xbox recently.