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As Microsoft gets ready to sunset Windows 10, security support is scheduled to end in October. You can get a one-year extended security update for $30. But if you want to stick with Windows 10 for another year, you might be better off with Microsoft's free option -- you'll just need to use cloud backup and connect it with your OneDrive account. The ability to get free updates on Windows 10 is a pretty big deal because it is still the most widely used Windows OS, accounting for just over 53% of
Microsoft is implementing an age verification system on Xbox accounts to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act, and in a new blog post announcing the move, the company suggests it'll come to other countries, too. Players in the UK who indicate on their account that they're 18 years or older will now "begin seeing notifications encouraging them to verify their age," Microsoft says. The process is optional for now, and players will be able to enjoy playing Xbox games until "early 2026," when ver
With demand for AI-powered browsers on the rise, Microsoft on Monday launched a new feature in its Edge browser called Copilot Mode, which allows users to browse the web while being assisted by AI. The idea is that the AI can become a helper that can understand what the user is researching, predict what they want to do, and then take action on their behalf. How well it works in practice remains to be seen, but Microsoft notes that Copilot Mode is still considered an experimental feature. It’s a
Attackers could use a recently patched macOS vulnerability to bypass Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) security checks and steal sensitive user information, including Apple Intelligence cached data. TCC is a security technology and a privacy framework that blocks apps from accessing private user data by providing macOS control over how their data is accessed and used by applications across Apple devices. Apple has fixed the security flaw tracked as CVE-2025-31199 (reported by Microsoft'
Microsoft / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Microsoft's on a relentless quest to embed its Copilot AI into every software product it owns. That campaign takes another big step forward today with the addition of some new generative AI features in the company's Edge browser. Today's release beefs up the capabilities of Copilot Mode, the chat-based search interface for Edge, on Windows PCs and Macs. You can use natural voice commands to navigate pages, and the chatbot can see all the open tabs in th
is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft is starting to test a new experimental Copilot Mode inside its Edge browser today. The AI-powered mode allows Copilot to search across all your open tabs and handle tasks like booking a restaurant, and it brings the Copilot chatbot to your new tab page. Copilot Mode is somewhere between the limited Gemini integration that Google is testing in Chrome and the AI-powere
is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft is starting to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act by prompting Xbox players to verify their age today. The prompts will be shown to Xbox players who indicate they’re over the age of 18 and will be shown when you sign into an Xbox account in the UK. Microsoft says it’s also exploring bringing similar age verification tools to other countries in the future. To powe
Microsoft has detailed a serious macOS vulnerability that could allow malicious apps to bypass system privacy protections. Dubbed “SploitLight,” the flaw exploited how Spotlight indexes plugin data to access sensitive files and Apple Intelligence metadata. Apple addressed the issue in macOS in March, but users on older versions could be at risk. Microsoft alerted Apple to the exploit upon discovery, leading to its fix in macOS earlier this year. From Microsoft’s security blog: Microsoft Threat
The Moft Tripod accessory. Kayla Solino/ZDNET Everyone loves affordable upgrades. And MagSafe accessories are the easiest way to elevate your phone's design and function. At ZDNET, I test dozens of MagSafe accessories, from battery packs to wallets, phone cases, tripods, and more. And as a mobile accessory expert, there are genuinely a few that I reach for nearly every day that stand out from the mountains of MagSafe gear I've tried. The Moft MagSafe Tripod and the Moft MagSafe wallet are two
ZDNET's key takeaways The Kindle Colorsoft retails for $279. It has a bright display (even in direct sunlight), customizable color settings, and zippy performance while browsing titles and turning pages. It could be a bit larger to get the full effect of the color display. $279.99 at Amazon $279.99 at Target more buying choices The Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle is $30 off on Amazon right now. The bundle comes with the device, a fabric cover of your color choice, and a 9W power adapter--a
is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft will let Gamescom attendees play a demo of the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong on the new ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. It’s part of more than 20 titles that will be available at the Xbox booth at Gamescom, including a new theater experience to demonstrate The Outer Worlds 2. Silksong will be available to play on the new Xbox Ally devices at Gamescom, just months aft
What just happened? Microsoft is facing one of the most turbulent phases in its history, balancing massive investments in artificial intelligence and infrastructure with significant job cuts, creating a climate of uncertainty within the company. On Thursday morning, CEO Satya Nadella addressed employees in a memo that directly acknowledged the contradictions they are experiencing. "I want to acknowledge the uncertainty and seeming incongruence of the times we're in. By every objective measure,
The big picture: Since its announcement last year, Windows Recall has faced mounting criticism from privacy experts who have labeled it a potential surveillance tool – despite Microsoft's assurances of airtight security. Now, some developers are taking matters into their own hands, leveraging built-in Windows features to shield users from what many advocates view as a serious intrusion into personal privacy. Signal was one of the first apps to block Windows Recall from capturing screenshots of
Why it matters: A week ago, we highlighted the surprising interview Valve co-founder Gabe Newell gave to a little-known YouTube channel, where he revealed his unconventional daily routine and passion for scuba diving. But beyond the lifestyle quirks lies a deeper, more instructive story – how a chance encounter with Steve Ballmer at Microsoft pulled Newell away from Harvard and into a 13-year tenure at the software giant. That decision not only shaped Newell's personal trajectory but also helped
Acer Swift 16 AI ZDNET's key takeaways The Acer Swift 16 AI is available now starting at $1,250. Its 16-inch OLED display, well-designed lightweight form, and marathon battery work together to create a laptop that feels more premium than its price would suggest. Its speakers, however, leave much to be desired, and it has its fair share of bloatware. $1,299 at Walmart $1,249.99 at Best Buy more buying choices Acer's Swift 16 AI is a thin and light laptop with a gorgeous OLED display, nice full
I just moved into an unfurnished apartment and my professional woodworker friend just got a plywood-sheet-sized CNC router, so I’ve been designing myself a bedframe. The rough scope / requirements: fit a 200 cm x 180 cm mattress have 50 cm of clear space underneath for storage visually hide this space from the front (required) and sides (nice-to-have) CNC-cuttable from a single sheet of baltic birch (2440 mm x 1220 mm) maybe use Ikea LÖNSET slats Christoffer Martens’s Siebenschlafer bed is
Back Services & Software All the news and tips you need to get the most out of services, apps and software you use every day.
I just moved into an unfurnished apartment and my professional woodworker friend just got a plywood-sheet-sized CNC router, so I’ve been designing myself a bedframe. The rough scope / requirements: fit a 200 cm x 180 cm mattress have 50 cm of clear space underneath for storage visually hide this space from the front (required) and sides (nice-to-have) CNC-cuttable from a single sheet of baltic birch (2440 mm x 1220 mm) maybe use Ikea LÖNSET slats Christoffer Martens’s Siebenschlafer bed is
Megan Ellis / Android Authority I may not be that big of a productivity nerd, but I do like my things organized, and I go to great lengths to find a system that works for me. My style is that I don’t control every minute of my day — so I’m less of a calendar person and more of a to-do list guy. That’s a subtle way of saying that I’ve tried a lot of to-do apps before zeroing in on one. I have an unbeatable favorite that works perfectly for my workflow, but there are several others that are equal
Aviation is a poster child for economic stagnation. Yes, airline travel has gotten cheaper and safer—great. But every other aspect of aviation has struggled or even regressed. As I’ve noted many times, we had supersonic travel across the Atlantic from 1976 to 2003. Today, not even the world’s richest travelers can fly that fast. Another part of aviation that has suffered over the last half-century is general aviation, particularly its low-end segment, personal aviation, in which people fly them
Back Services & Software All the news and tips you need to get the most out of services, apps and software you use every day.
Back Services & Software All the news and tips you need to get the most out of services, apps and software you use every day.
is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme. Point-and-click adventure games often tell silly, lighthearted stories. For me, the mishaps of the pirate Guybrush Threepwood in the Monkey Island series come to mind. The nature of the genre — wandering around, talking to people, and trying to solve puzzles — lends itself well to humor, as every interaction with a person or object offers an opportunity for a joke. The Drifter
That trade-off lets the Watch 3 Pro purportedly last 13 days on a single charge, a slight bump over its predecessor (the new watch lasts 4.5 days if you have the always-on display enabled). There's a new dual-band GPS for more accurate route tracking, 131 sport modes with a personalized running coach, and a new heart-rate sensor that CMF claims is more accurate across workout intensities and skin tones. Naturally, there's a dose of “AI-powered” post-workout summaries. The CMF Watch 3 Pro can no
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority All of these offers are available from Amazon. As such, all the freebies are Amazon gift cards (or Amazon credits, in the case of the Galaxy Watch 8). The deals are available for all available color versions. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE The main difference now, compared to when the pre-order deals were available, is that you no longer get the storage upgrade for free. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 gift card has been reduced
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Microsoft is investigating an ongoing outage blocking Microsoft 365 administrators with business or enterprise subscriptions from accessing the admin center. While the company has yet to disclose which regions are currently affected by this ongoing service degradation issue, it's currently tracking it on its official service health status page to provide impacted organizations with access to up-to-date information. "Microsoft is investigating a potential issue that may be preventing administra
Microsoft Microsoft has a new experiment, called Copilot Appearance, that's designed to bring its AI assistant to life -- visually, anyway. Also: Microsoft's Copilot Vision can now see and analyze your entire Windows desktop Available now as an early preview in Copilot Labs, this feature layers real‑time facial expressions and non‑verbal cues onto Copilot's voice interactions. The goal is to make conversations with Microsoft's AI feel more natural, human‑like, and animated. What is Copilot A
Speaking about xrandr . I tried some GUI applications, like arandr, to switch between various multimonitor configurations — but found that they all are using just a limited subset of xrandr features. For example, I can't use mixed DPI settings or scale some outputs with arandr, but I can do it with xrandr: https://mas.to/@evgandr/114394277310057344. Yes, the X can do that! The well-known rumors (usually spreaded by Wayland fans) that only Wayland can do such things — looks like a fake. There a