Month: June 2021

Enlarge / Xbox interface on Windows 11. (credit: Microsoft)

Like many of Microsoft's PC-specific announcements over the years, today's sprawling Windows 11 unveil included a gaming-specific component—and at least one with major, next-gen performance in mind.

Arguably the biggest component is DirectStorage, a DirectX 12 Ultimate API that had been previously announced (and then launched) as part of the Xbox Series X/S consoles. This API requires a higher-speed SSD drive, as it redirects I/O calls for 3D graphical assets directly to the GPU, and it leverages the higher average throughput of no less than PCI 3.0 speeds to do so at a rate that fast-moving software like games can take advantage of. This isn't just a matter of faster loading times. Visual elements like draw distances, texture variety, and instant asset introduction become possible, instead of having 3D worlds interrupted by narrow hallways, elevators, and other in-game trickery. With that boost, game makers can reimagine the scope of their virtual worlds.

Today, we've learned that this API will land as a Windows 11 exclusive and will require substantial hardware to toggle. First, your gaming PC will need a compatible SSD, which Microsoft describes as "1 TB or greater NVMe SSD to store and run games that uses the 'Standard NVM Express Controller' driver." However, NVMe is a protocol, not a speed rating. And while we hope this means that NVMe PCI 3.0 drives will be compatible—since they're cheaper and more commonplace—we're still waiting for clarification on that point. (Xbox Series X/S both rely on drives rated for PCI 4.0 speeds.)

Enlarge / Omar Sy returns as Assane Diop, who seeks to avenge his father's death by drawing inspiration from fictional gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. (credit: Netflix)

French actor Omar Sy returns in another knockout turn as self-styled "gentleman thief" Assane Diop in Part 2 of Netflix's surprise French hit series Lupin. In my review earlier this year, I called Part 1 a "delightful contemporary reimagining of a classic character in French detective fiction, Arsène Lupin—a gentleman thief and master of disguise who was essentially the French equivalent of Sherlock Holmes." I was delighted to discover that Part 2 is even better, with twists, turns, and surprise reveals galore—all without sacrificing those crucial character-enriching quiet moments that add a bit of depth. It's the best series of 2021 thus far.

(Spoilers for Part 1 below.)

Lupin's original creator, Maurice LeBlanc, featured his gentleman thief in 17 novels and 39 novellas, so there is plenty of source material to work with. The Netflix series is the creation of Louis Leterrier, who directed the 2013 heist thriller Now You See Me, in which a band of magicians pulls off ingenious robberies. So it's easy to see why he was drawn to this project. Per the official premise, "As a teenager, Assane Diop's life was turned upside down when his father died after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit. 25 years later, Diop will use Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar as his inspiration to avenge his father."

Enlarge / The latest Windows focuses heavily on improved task management, prettier UI, and a much more ambitious Microsoft Store. (credit: Microsoft)

Earlier this morning, we got our first official look at Windows 11 by way of Microsoft's What's New For Windows event. The new OS offers several significant, functional changes to what we've become accustomed to in Windows 10—this isn't just the same old operating system with a fresh coat of paint.

However, Windows 11 absolutely does get that fresh coat of paint. Its new desktop environment makes heavy use of translucent window dressing with rounded corners, an effect which brings to mind panes of frosted glass. In many ways, the new look is reminiscent of compiz-based Linux desktop environments circa 2010—but with significantly higher resolution and a more coherent overall theme.

Microsoft Chief Product Officer Panos Panay ties the new look to eyebrow-raising statements about emotion: "We understand the responsibility of [functionality and practicality] more than ever before, but it must also be personal—and maybe most importantly, it must feel emotional."