Microsoft's holiday sweater tradition has taken a decidedly digital turn, with the company's AI-powered Copilot assistant making an unwelcome appearance on this year's retro-themed sweaters. The "Artifact" holiday sweater, priced between $60 and $80, features a dizzying array of pixelated icons from Microsoft's past, including Notepad, Reversi, Paint, MS-DOS, Internet Explorer, and the iconic MSN butterfly logo.
However, what sets this year's design apart is the inclusion of a subtle yet unmistakable Copilot icon - a monochrome symbol that can't be ignored. It appears on the right sleeve of the sweater, rendering it an unapologetic advertisement for Microsoft's AI technology.
Not all of the icons are from Microsoft's past, with a sunglasses-wearing emoji, a "50" in the style of the old flying Windows icon, and a Minecraft Creeper face adding some modern flair. However, the Copilot presence is jarring, leaving some to wonder if this is more than just a playful nod to Microsoft's AI ambitions.
In an effort to cater to nostalgic fans, Microsoft has also released black-and-lime-green Xbox-themed and Zune-themed sweaters, complete with back and play/pause buttons. But for those who are looking for a more traditional holiday sweater experience, there may be some disappointment in store.
As usual, Microsoft's limited-edition sweaters have flown off the shelves, with most sizes of the Artifact sweater already sold out. While buyers can still place orders, it remains to be seen whether the company will meet demand once the stock becomes available.
However, what sets this year's design apart is the inclusion of a subtle yet unmistakable Copilot icon - a monochrome symbol that can't be ignored. It appears on the right sleeve of the sweater, rendering it an unapologetic advertisement for Microsoft's AI technology.
Not all of the icons are from Microsoft's past, with a sunglasses-wearing emoji, a "50" in the style of the old flying Windows icon, and a Minecraft Creeper face adding some modern flair. However, the Copilot presence is jarring, leaving some to wonder if this is more than just a playful nod to Microsoft's AI ambitions.
In an effort to cater to nostalgic fans, Microsoft has also released black-and-lime-green Xbox-themed and Zune-themed sweaters, complete with back and play/pause buttons. But for those who are looking for a more traditional holiday sweater experience, there may be some disappointment in store.
As usual, Microsoft's limited-edition sweaters have flown off the shelves, with most sizes of the Artifact sweater already sold out. While buyers can still place orders, it remains to be seen whether the company will meet demand once the stock becomes available.
Microsoft's move might just be an attempt to learn from their past and create a new tradition – but some people might still be stuck on what they already know, 
. The fact that the sweater is selling out fast makes me wonder if we'll see another design like this next year... 
. Like, if you're gonna rep your Copilot on holiday sweaters, own it, right? But for those who are nostalgic about the old-school Microsoft vibes, I feel bad - this sweater's definitely got an...unsettling vibe 
.
.
. I mean, Microsoft is trying to be nostalgic with all these old-school icons, but adding Copilot to the mix just feels like a blatant ad 
. I get it, they want to celebrate their tech heritage and all that jazz, but can't they just leave out the sales pitch? It's like they're wearing their marketing hat next to their holiday sweater 
.
. But for the rest of us who just want a chill holiday sweater experience, maybe next year they can leave the Copilot out of it 
.
Still, I guess if you're a die-hard Microsoft fan, these sweaters might be kinda cool 
.
.
. My only concern is that Microsoft might be alienating some fans with this digital twist. Either way, these sweaters have been flying off the shelves, so I guess you could say they're a hit 
!
. And what's with the Xbox and Zune sweaters? Are those really just random throw-ins or are there some fans out there who are super into that old-school gaming/MP3 stuff? 
But hey, I guess it's kind of cool that they included some modern emojis, like that sunglasses-wearing face 
...