Microsoft has fixed an issue that left the Smart App Control security feature grayed out and unable to be turned on for some Windows 11 24H2+ devices after installing the October 2026 KB5127648 update. The company says the fix is included in the KB5127936 preview update released October 28, 2026, and devices that already had Smart App Control enabled were never affected. Microsoft also published a registry-edit workaround for enterprise admins who prefer to wait for next month's cumulative update rather than install the preview patch.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-11-02
Android Authority found code in ChatGPT's latest Android app build (v1.2026.300) referencing several Health Connect permissions, including reading historical health data and background data access. The permissions also cover metrics like body weight, basal metabolic rate, body fat, lean muscle mass, and bone mass, suggesting OpenAI is preparing to link ChatGPT Health with Google Health on Android. ChatGPT Health already supports Apple Health on iOS, but no equivalent Android integration currently exists.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-11-02
Samsung smart TV owners can install new apps by searching from the home screen's search bar or browsing the apps menu by category. After installation, apps can be pinned to the home screen, and existing apps can be rearranged, moved, or deleted by pressing and holding the select button to open a menu.
engadget.com
· 2026-11-02
A roundup identifies five Spotify settings—covering audio quality, content recommendations, and privacy—that remain in default states for many users but can noticeably change the listening experience. Most of these options are limited to Spotify Premium subscribers and can be adjusted through the app's settings and privacy menu on mobile or desktop.
engadget.com
· 2026-11-01
Steve Yedlin, the cinematographer behind Knives Out and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has released Chromagraph Camera, an iPhone-only app that applies his own film-grade color processing to still photos. The app shoots RAW image data and processes it after capture rather than relying on Apple's built-in camera pipeline, and costs a one-time $13 fee with no video support yet. It became the top paid app in the iOS store after director Rian Johnson promoted it on social media in late October.
wired.com
· 2026-11-01
Apple's smart-home screen interface, HomeView, departs from the traditional App Store-centric approach that defined the iPhone era. Instead of requiring users to download individual apps, the system is built around Siri as the primary way to interact with connected devices. The design reflects Apple's deep integration with its existing ecosystem while signaling a different approach for home-based AI interfaces compared to its rivals.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-11-01
A free indie Mac app called Pumpkin Lights adds a ray-traced jack-o-lantern to the menu bar that can be clicked or pulled to switch between light and dark mode. The app offers customizable pumpkin designs and colors, realistic hanging physics, and alternate actions like opening apps, running shortcuts, muting sound, or keeping the Mac awake, with an optional hanging light bulb as an alternative design.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-31
TikTok launched a new in-app restaurant discovery feature called 'Must Eat,' which pulls from more than 40 million posts and comments to let users browse and filter restaurant recommendations by city, cuisine, price and rating. The company has also been spotted testing a feature that would let users send money to each other via direct messages, building on earlier additions like TikTok Shop, local maps and expanded search.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-31
Govee's Christmas Lights 2, a budget pick for smart holiday lighting, are currently discounted 25% on Amazon. Prices range from $25 off the 66-foot version to $100 off the 328-foot length, with the deal reportedly matching last year's Black Friday pricing. The lights are IP67-rated, controllable via the Govee app, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Matter-based smart home systems.
wired.com
· 2026-10-31
Molly, an Android fork of the Signal messenger popular for extra privacy and security features, has reportedly not received an update in roughly three months, leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched. The issue was raised in a community post warning users that the app may currently be exposed to security risks it was originally designed to avoid.
piefed.world
· 2026-10-31
An Android Authority writer says they bypass Samsung's default camera app on Galaxy phones in favor of Open Camera, a free, open-source, ad-free app under 5MB available on Google Play. The reviewer cites Samsung's heavy post-processing, buried manual controls, and bloated interface as reasons for switching, saying Open Camera's raw sensor access gives more natural colors and finer exposure control.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-31
Security researcher Robert Wiggins found a hardcoded database password buried in the source code of Applebee's Android app, which has over a million downloads. The credential granted access to a customer database containing names, emails, birth dates, phone numbers, ZIP codes and veteran status. Applebee's confirmed to TechCrunch it has fixed the issue, and TechCrunch verified the flaw before publishing.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-30
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