Microsoft is one step closer to removing Teams Chat in Windows 11
Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel should notice that Chat is now Microsoft Teams – Free.
Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 Beta channel builds, and the one that's usually all about bringing new features actually removes one. Indeed, Windows Insiders running Windows 11 build 22631.2338 with new features rolling out, should now notice that Microsoft is going one step closer to ditching Teams in Windows 11. In that build, the Chat is now Microsoft Teams – Free. As for Windows 11 Beta Channel build 22621.2338, it's a smaller release with just bug fixes. Both builds are getting a new focus widget.
September Windows 11 Patch Tuesday update tweaks the search box gleam, bugs with Sticky Keys
Microsoft has rolled out the September Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11. The update is a small one but it tweaks the search box.
If you're on a laptop or a desktop that runs Windows, it's time to head to Windows Update. Today is Patch Tuesday, which is the day Microsoft rolls out monthly security and bug fixes for Windows 10 and Windows 11. This month's patch is fairly small since it's just bug fixes and security tweaks, but it still is important to grab, so your PC stays secure from the latest threats.
How to update drivers in Windows 11
If you find that a peripheral attached to your PC isn't working right, or a part of your PC isn't working, you'll have to update the drivers.
Drivers are one of the most critical parts of Windows 11. They are what power your laptop and basically any PC. A driver is part of the software on Windows that helps your PC communicate with something that might be connected to it. That could be the display, a USB drive, a keyboard, or even the trackpad.
Microsoft's OneDrive for web will soon work offline
Microsoft is working on a new OneDrive feature that will allow you to perform certain important actions when you are offline.
Microsoft has major plans for OneDrive, with the company announcing many AI features in a dedicated event, set to take place next month. However, the software giant has one more feature in the works for OneDrive to make its cloud storage service more accessible even when you're not connected to the internet.
Intel announces Thunderbolt 5 with up to 120Gbps bandwidth
Thunderbolt 5 will bring big improvements including support for up to three 4K 144Hz displays and 240W charging.
Intel has been teasing Thunderbolt 5 for nearly a year now, but today, the company has finally fully unveiled the technology. Thunderbolt 5 will deliver up to a 120Gbps bandwidth, three times more than Thunderbolt 4, with support for more and faster displays as well as more powerful charging capabilities, all using a single cable.
Intel 'Raptor Lake Refresh' launch date leaked; Core i9-14900k incoming
The Raptor Lake Refresh lineup will be announced next week.
Intel is set to announce its 14th-gen Core 'Raptor Lake Refresh' desktop processors later this month as an iterative upgrade over last year's Raptor Lake lineup. Much has already been leaked about the upcoming processors, including the names and key specifications of most of the top-end SKUs like the Core i9-14900K that's expected to be the new flagship. Now, a new leak claims that the new CPUs will be available for purchase from next month.
Microsoft's Surface Duo reaches end of life
Microsoft has ended support for the original Surface Duo, three years after release. The device will no longer receive OS or security updates.
Microsoft announced the Surface Duo and Surface Neo back in October 2019 and while the latter device was canceled ahead of release, the Duo became available in September 2020. We reviewed the dual-screen Android handset and praised its hardware while still acknowledging its limitations, high price tag, and the very specific market niche that it targets. Today, Microsoft has ended support for the Surface Duo.
Skype’s Bing AI gets a massive upgrade with tone suggestions and more
Microsoft has introduced a slew of new features to Bing Chat in Skype to help you get rid of dull messages.
Microsoft is in the process of introducing the AI-based Bing Chat feature to many of its apps and services and is also putting effort into improving the AI experience across its different platforms. The latest app to get massive AI improvements is Skype, which now helps you to be more creative with your messages.
Gigabyte's latest motherboards support Intel's incoming next generation chips
The latest motherboards from Gigabyte support Intel's anticipated 14th-generation chips, which are expected to launch soon.
Intel's upcoming 14th-generation Raptor Lake refresh is something of an open secret at this point, and since they're soon to be upon us we'd expect the motherboard manufacturers to prepare not just new BIOSes for old motherboards, but also to launch new motherboards for these new chips. Gigabyte is already getting new motherboards ready for 14th-generation CPUs with two new motherboards: the Z790 Aorus Pro X and the B760M Aorus Elite X AX.
Leak reveals Intel's full 14th-gen desktop CPU lineup
The 'Raptor Lake Refresh' chips are launching later this month.
Intel is set to announce its next-gen desktop CPU lineup later this month as an upgrade over the 13th-gen 'Raptor Lake' series that was launched late last year. Called 'Raptor Lake Refresh,' the upcoming lineup has been in the news often in recent weeks, thanks to multiple leaks that have revealed some key details, including core counts and clock speeds of some of the mosts notable SKUs, including the flagship Core i9-14900K. Now, a new leak has seemingly revealed the key specifications of the entire lineup.
Samsung's 990 Pro SSDs get bumped to 4TB with latest release
Samsung's finally offering larger sizes of its popular 990 Pro SSDs, set to make their debut in October.
For some time now, Samsung has dominated the SSD market with its impressive products. This year is no different with its 990 series taking the top spot, being the best SSDs on the market you can buy right now. With that said, fans of the product have been limited in sizes, with the top end maxing out at just 2TB. It looks like that will no longer be the case as Samsung has announced new 4TB models that will be available in standard version, and also one that comes with a heat sink.
Microsoft will defend AI Copilot commercial customers against copyright claims
Microsoft has committed to defending commercial customers of its AI Copilot customers against copyright lawsuits.
Microsoft has been going all in on its AI endeavors recently. The company has been integrating its AI Copilot services across its Microsoft 365 suite of products and even Windows. However, as the Redmond tech firm expands services in this field of generative AI (GAI), there are natural concerns regarding the potential legal and regulatory hurdles, due to the technology being at a stage of relative infancy. Now, Microsoft has addressed some of the questions in this area in an attempt to assure commercial customers that they should use its GAI technologies without worrying about the legalities.
Paint for Windows 11 is getting background removal
Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels can now use the Paint App in Windows 11 to remove the background in a specific image.
The Paint app in Windows 11 just got a lot more useful, helping you avoid using Photoshop for one more thing. Now rolling out in beta to Canary and Dev Channel Windows Insiders is a new update for Paint, bringing the option to remove the background in an image in a few simple clicks.
Apple releases iOS 16.6.1 and macOS Ventura 13.5.2, here's what's new
Apple today seeded minor updates to iOS 16 and macOS Ventura with critical security updates and bug fixes. Here's what we know.
Despite rumors that Apple would skip an iOS 16.6.1 update in favor of releasing iOS 16.7 instead, the company seeded iOS 16.6.1 to users today. The release came alongside minor updates to other Apple operating systems, with iPadOS 16.6.1, watchOS 9.6.2, and macOS Ventura 13.5.2. The iOS 16.6.1 update contains "important security fixes and is recommended for all users," according to Apple.
How to add a printer in Windows 11
Hooking up your printer for the first time on your Windows 11 PC? It's super easy to get started
If you just purchased a new printer or want to hook up an old one to your new laptop, then you're in luck. Windows 11 makes the setup process really easy. Most printers are plug-and-play, so once you connect it to your USB port (or USB dock) on your laptop, you'll be good to go. But just in case that doesn't go as planned, or you run into issues, we have a look at how you can add a printer on Windows 11.
Google gives Chrome a beautiful Material You redesign for its 15th birthday
Google Chrome is turning 15 today and the browser is getting a new look and new features for its big day
The Google Chrome web browser just turned 15 years old today, and to celebrate the moment, Google has a treat. The browser is getting a new look inspired by the Material You design language, featuring fresher color palettes. Also on the way are improvements to the Chrome Web Store, and new search and Safe Browsing features. You can look forward to seeing these in the coming weeks.
Microsoft will stop offering third-party printer drivers through Windows Update soon
In a major move, Microsoft has announced that it will soon stop third-party printer manufacturers from bundling drivers in Windows Update.
With the general availability of Windows 10 version 21H2 back in April 2022, Microsoft also began offering built-in support for Mopria-compliant printer drivers interfacing through USB and internet connectivity via the Microsoft IPP Class Driver. Although this particular version of the operating system is no longer supported for most users, the change in driver implementation has carried over to newer versions of Windows too, including the upcoming Windows 11 version 23H2 too. As such, Microsoft has announced that it is winding down support for third-party printer drivers offered via Windows Update.
Opera browser's 'Aria' AI chatbot can write custom bios and give tips on how to launch a streaming career
Aria is available on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
The Opera GX browser is getting an AI chatbot called 'Aria' that could answer questions, write code, and even give you all the details you need about the latest updates to popular games. The software is aimed at largely at gamers, allowing them to get gaming news and tips directly within their browser. It comes with Opera's proprietary Composer architecture that is underscored by OpenAI's ChatGPT, but Opera states that the technology can be used to connect with other AI models to expand Aria's functionality in the future.
ChromeOS to get search filter in Launcher, lockscreen updates, and more
Google is testing a couple of noteworthy features for its ChomeOS Launcher. The company is also working on some interesting changes in Settings.
From improving the Launcher experience to making tweaks in the settings and privacy, Google is working on a bunch of new features for the future updates of ChromeOS. Of all the changes recently spotted, updates to Launcher seem to be the most exciting ones.
Surface Laptop Go 3: Release date, price, and everything we'd like to see
The Surface Laptop Go 2 is still fresh in our memories, but we're already thinking about the Laptop Go 3 and what it might look like.
The latest iteration of Microsoft's budget-oriented laptop, the Surface Laptop Go 2, is just over a year old, and while we found it pretty good in our review, it's starting to feel a little long in the tooth. It does offer a premium-feeling design with the clean Surface design language and a tall 3:2 display, but as new hardware comes out, the need for improved specs is starting to show. So while this is still a great laptop in its own right, we're eagerly anticipating a successor, presumably to be called the Surface Laptop Go 3.