Microsoft is giving Settings a much-needed revamp in Windows 11
In design terms, Windows 11 is pretty chaotic. There are various visual styles within the operating system, as it seems Microsoft was unable to adopt a uniform approach. But there are also areas of the OS that are just a bit messy.
The Settings app is a good example of this, with related settings and options being scattered hither and thither. Now Microsoft is tidying up some of these, starting off with search-related settings.
Google brings scheduling options to its Gemini AI app
Google continues to innovate in the field of artificial intelligence, and this is evident in its Gemini app. The most recent update sees the company rolling out support for scheduled action in the app, making the AI-powered assistant even more useful when thinking about the future.
Gemini’s support for scheduled actions goes far beyond what could be achieved with Google Assistant. Google proclaims that it will “proactively handle your tasks”, but it’s not something that comes for free.
Microsoft is going to slow down Windows 11 later this year – but it’s for your own good
With the release of an update to Windows, there are generally a few things that people hope for – problems to be fixed, feature to be added, and performance to be improved. But with Windows 11 25H2, Microsoft is introducing a feature that actually reduces performance.
Strangely enough, this could be a good thing, particularly for laptop users. The reason is that this performance reduction comes as a result of a new feature called User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management – which may or may not be AI-driven.
Microsoft's latest campaign to push Windows 10 users to Windows 11 has a sinister feel to it
The end is nigh! By which we mean the end of support for Windows 10 is nearing. Microsoft has reminded us of this time and time and time again as it tries to encourage users to make the move to Windows 11, but now things are taking a slightly darker turn.
It is common knowledge that the end of Windows 10 support means that there will be no more security updates. Microsoft is now using this fact in a slightly more sinister way, telling users they should upgrade to Windows 11 (or buy a new PC) in order to “stay on the right side of risk”.
The Microsoft Store is now faster, more personalized... and injected with AI
Microsoft has unveiled major updates to the Microsoft Store app as the company continues to try to convey an image of being one that listens to feedback. While new additions, such as a personalized home page and faster performance, are likely to be welcomed, other changes are catalysts for ambivalence.
While announcing the update to the Store app, Microsoft says that “we use the feedback you send to ensure we’re focusing on the most important things our customers care about”. It is hard to imagine that there was a lot of feedback from Windows 11 users that begged “oh, please given us more Copilot AI”... and yet this is one of the additions proudly unveiled.
Elon Musk tries to avoid EU wrath by revealing how meaningless X verification is
While the blue checkmark of verification used to be something prized by Twitter users, the takeover of the platform by Elon Musk, and the introduction of the option to buy a checkmark rendered it less valuable or meaningful.
More than this, last year the European Commission voiced concerns about the potential for confusion, suggesting X was violating the Digital Services Act. Now, in what appears to be an attempt to stave off legal action or fines, X is displaying a message that downplays the value of the checkmark.
Google is rolling out a curious change to Android’s Circle to Search tool
Android users have an update to Circle to Search to look forward to. Currently only available in the latest beta version of the Google app (version 16.18, specifically) there is a significant change to the way in which the AI-powered search tool works.
Previously, the name of the feature was a perfect description of how it worked -- activate Circle to Search and then draw a circle to perform a web search using selected on-screen data. Now an unannounced change sees the search feature automatically capturing the entire content of the screen. As with most big changes -- and this is a big one -- there are plusses and minuses.
In the latest Windows 11 Canary build, Microsoft introduced major Start menu and Taskbar changes that can't roll out fast enough
The Canary builds of Windows 11 are very much the cutting edge of Microsoft’s operating system development, and the latest release includes numerous welcome changes and additions, as well as fixing problems.
Not only does Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27871 see Phone companion for the Start menu rolling out once again, but it is rolling out in an improved form with new features. There are also tweaks to the Taskbar, and new energy saving options in Microsoft InTune.
Microsoft announces European Security Program to help protect the EU from cyber threats for free
Microsoft is launching a new cybersecurity initiative in the EU and associated regions to help governments bolster their protections. The European Security Program is needed, the company says, because of the growing threat posed by AI, as well as increasingly complex and numerous cyberattacks from the likes of Russia and China.
The new program builds on Microsoft's existing Government Security Program, but is tailored to the specific needs of Europe. In a move that will be well-received by the EU, the European Security Program is free of charge and includes important new components.
Meta is going nuclear with AI
While it is undeniable that artificial intelligence is changing the shape of so many industries, it cannot be ignored that this comes at a cost. As well as resulting in lost jobs, AI is also incredibly energy hungry.
Just as there were concerns about the energy and environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, the transformations brought about by AI require astonishing amounts of power. Looking to try to solve this problem, Meta is turning to nuclear power as it aims to match its electricity usage with “100% clean and renewable energy “.
Google Wallet is dropping PayPal support next week, so take action now
If you live in the US and have a PayPal account linked to your Google Wallet, you only have a few days left to use it for making payments.
Back in April, Google stopped users from being able to link their PayPal accounts to the Wallet app, but payments have still been possible. But come June 13, this is no longer going to be the case – here’s what you need to know.
Quick Machine Recovery is Microsoft’s latest tool for fixing Windows 11 boot problems
Microsoft is testing a new option within Windows 11 Settings called Quick Machine Recovery. The feature was first revealed at Ignite 2024 as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative.
When enabled, the feature kicks in should Windows 11 fail to start, automatically attempting various recovery methods to fix the problem. The idea is to make system recovery tools more accessible, with the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) seen as too intimidating for some users.
Adobe launches Photoshop for Android… and it’s free!
There have been various Photoshop offshoots available for mobile devices over the years, but now Adobe is taking things seriously. Having already released an iPhone version of Photoshop earlier this year, the company has now followed up with an Android app.
The arrival of Photoshop on Android is indicative of many things – the increased power of phones, Adobe’s interest in capturing more of the mobile market, and the growing demand of creatives to be able to work with powerful tools across more devices. What is particularly enticing about Photoshop for Android is the fact that it’s free.
Elon Musk confirms everyone is getting the 'all new' XChat this week, complete with 'Bitcoin style encryption'
Looking to compete with the likes of Signal, Elon Musk is ready to rollout XChat to all users of his X social platform. Rather than being a separate app for chatting, however, XChat is essentially just direct messaging within X -- so who is it for, and what does it have to offer?
Taking inspiration from numerous sources, Musk says that in addition to text-based messaging, there is also video and audio calling. Other features include vanishing messages, the option to “send any kind of file”, and an undetailed encryption system.
Microsoft is making huge changes to Windows 10 and 11, cutting out nagging to use Edge... for some
There can be few Windows users who have not been frustrated by notifications suggesting that they use Microsoft Edge as their browser. Microsoft’s heavy-handed promotion of its own web browser has been the source of annoyance, frustration and lawsuits for some time.
Now the company is relenting, making sweeping changes across Windows 10 and Windows 11 that will stop some of the pestering to use Edge, and also make it easier to change default browsers. More than this, it is making changes to Windows Search, the Microsoft Store and many other apps... but not for everyone, and not because it wants to.
Sofia Elizabella's Bio
Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson is a queer, transgender journalist based in Poland. She has been writing about technology for more than two decades, and after years working for magazines, her writing moved online. She is fueled by literature, music, nature, and vegetables. You can find her on Bluesky and Mastodon. If you like what you read, you can Buy her a Coffee!
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