The Digital Markets Act mandates that gatekeepers like Apple and Google display alternative browser options to users on new devices through dedicated selection screens, rather than exclusively promoting their own browsers.

Where Firefox’s New Users Are Coming From

Firefox has experienced a 113% rise in users within Apple's ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. In contrast, the increase among Android users has been only 12%. Mozilla explains the difference by how each operating system handles browser selection.

When iPhone and iPad users open Safari for the first time, they see the browser choice screen, making the selection part of their usual experience. On Android devices, the selection screen appears only during initial setup or after a factory reset, which means fewer users encounter it during regular use.

How Browser Choice Screens Are Shaking Up Competition

DuckDuckGo has reported a 40% increase in browser usage on Android since the introduction of the choice screens. Opera, Vivaldi, and Aloha have also seen growth, although specific numbers have not been disclosed.

The browser choice screens are currently available only in the European Union. Mozilla and DuckDuckGo are advocating for similar requirements to be introduced in the United Kingdom. Both organizations see this regulatory approach as essential for challenging the dominance of preinstalled defaults on mobile devices.

Why Mobile Browser Gains Matter on Desktop

Mobile devices now make up more than half of internet traffic. The increased use of independent browsers on phones and tablets helps ensure that these browsers remain relevant on desktops as well, thanks to brand recognition, user accounts, and bookmarks syncing across devices. Mobile usage also influences desktop browsing patterns, even for users who initially discovered browsers through the phone.

Firefox currently has roughly 3% of the global browser market. The additional 6 million users are a notable rise from a low baseline but do not significantly alter the competitive landscape, which is still dominated by Chrome worldwide.

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This announcement comes a week after Meta removed end-to-end encryption from regular Instagram DMs on May 8, which sparked criticism over user privacy. Incognito Chat differs from traditional messaging by applying a different model specifically to AI interactions rather than person-to-person conversations.

How Meta’s Incognito Chat Uses Private Processing to Protect AI Conversations

Incognito Chat offers a private, temporary conversation between the user and Meta AI. Messages are processed in a secure environment that Meta claims it cannot access. Conversations are not stored, and messages automatically disappear after the chat ends.

Meta notes that this is different from incognito modes in other AI apps, which often still allow the provider to see incoming questions and outgoing responses. According to Meta, Incognito Chat is designed so that even Meta itself cannot read the messages.

Meta has announced an upcoming Side Chat feature for WhatsApp, which will also be protected by Private Processing. Side Chat is intended to offer private AI assistance within an ongoing WhatsApp conversation without interrupting the chat or exposing its content to the AI in an insecure way.

Both Incognito Chat and Side Chat will be gradually rolled out on WhatsApp and the Meta AI app. Meta has published a technical whitepaper explaining how Private Processing manages AI conversations, available through its AI documentation.

The company has not specified whether Incognito Chat will be launched globally or in select regions first, or if the same Private Processing method will be applied to other Meta platforms.

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The ability to move the Taskbar was a frequently requested feature since Windows 11 removed the Taskbar positioning options in 2021.

This change was part of the Windows K2 initiative, Microsoft's effort to address long-standing complaints about Windows 11.

Movable Taskbar and New Smaller Mode

The Taskbar can now be moved to different positions through Settings, Personalization, Taskbar, Taskbar behaviors. You can choose to place it at the bottom, top, left, or right of the screen.

Tooltips, flyouts, and animations still originate from the Taskbar in each position. Most customization options, including the small Taskbar setting and the option to never combine icons, work across all locations.

However, some features are not yet available in the alternative positions. Touch gestures, the Search box, and Ask Copilot are still being developed. Auto-hidden and touch-optimized Taskbar modes are not supported when the Taskbar is moved.

A new option to show smaller taskbar buttons is now available in Settings under Personalization, Taskbar, Taskbar behaviors. When enabled, it reduces both the size of icons and the overall height of the Taskbar. Start, Search, and the system tray scale together to keep everything aligned.

The default Taskbar appearance remains unchanged for users who do not enable this setting. Microsoft has indicated that further adjustments to Taskbar resizing are currently in development.

Widget Updates and Smarter Windows Search

The color of widget badging now matches the Windows accent color instead of always appearing red. Microsoft says this change helps reduce the sense of urgency for non-critical updates.

The company is also testing a feature where users with low widget engagement will automatically experience a quieter widget experience, which includes turning off taskbar badging.

Microsoft has started rearranging Search Box results so that files and apps appear before web suggestions when the user's query matches them more closely.

Fluid Dictation Upgrades and New System Spinners

Fluid Dictation now supports Spanish and French for Windows Insiders. The feature automatically corrects grammar, punctuation, and filler words during voice dictation. It runs on small on-device language models and can be used through Windows voice access or Voice typing with Win + H.

Microsoft has replaced the old loading visuals with uniform solid donut spinners across the Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Update screens. Each scenario now includes status text alongside the spinner, displaying messages like "Restarting," "Working on updates," and "Welcome."

Reliability Improvements and Performance Fixes

The build introduces the first in a series of ongoing logon performance optimizations that Microsoft plans to release over the next few months.

It also brings several other improvements, including enhanced reliability when switching between multiple desktops, more consistent notifications from the Simple Service Discovery Protocol, and greater stability of the dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth command.

Additionally, there are fixes for issues such as a PC not staying asleep after updates and problems where the Properties window was not opening correctly for the Recycle Bin and some other scenarios. The refreshed Run dialog now navigates through history with arrow keys on first launch.

Build 26300.8493 is currently being rolled out to the Experimental channel. Microsoft has not announced when these changes will be available to broader Windows 11 users.

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These Steam figures only reflect players on that platform. The game is also available on Xbox Series X|S and via the Microsoft Store on Windows, with Xbox Game Pass offering day-one access starting May 19 when the full public launch takes place.

Forza Horizon 6 Early Access Player Surge and Launch Details

Forza Horizon 6 entered early access on May 14 for players with the Premium Upgrade or Premium Edition. The full release for the public is scheduled for May 19 and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC through the Microsoft Store and Steam, as well as through Xbox Game Pass.

During the early access period, owners of the premium edition can play for three days before the standard editions and Game Pass subscribers gain access.

Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan and marks the first major release in the series since Forza Horizon 5 came out in 2021. Developer Playground Games has confirmed the PC system requirements ahead of launch, which are divided into four tiers. The highest tier supports 4K gameplay with ray tracing enabled.

The early access period has seen a much higher number of concurrent players than Forza Horizon 5 reached even before the game officially becomes available through Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft does not disclose combined player numbers from Xbox consoles, Microsoft Store on Windows, and Steam. However, Steam's numbers alone suggest that Forza Horizon 6 is experiencing one of the strongest opening performances for an Xbox Game Studios title.

The game is scheduled for a full launch on May 19 across all platforms.

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Forza Horizon 6 PC System Requirements Across All Performance Tiers

The requirements are divided into four categories: Minimum, Recommended, Extreme, and Extreme Ray Tracing. A PS5 version is planned for later this year, but a release date has not yet been confirmed. All tiers require Windows 10 or Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer, along with an SSD for storage.

Minimum (Low Preset, 1080p at 60 FPS)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT, or Intel Arc A389
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: SSD

Recommended (High Preset, 1440p at 60+ FPS)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc A580
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: SSD

Extreme (Extreme Preset, 4K at 60+ FPS)

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
• RAM: 24GB
• Storage: NVMe SSD

Extreme Ray Tracing (Ray Tracing Enabled, 4K Upscaled at 60+ FPS)

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
• RAM: 32GB
• Storage: NVMe SSD

The PC version of Forza Horizon 6 supports Nvidia DLSS 4, AMD FSR 3 and 4, and Intel XeSS 2.1 upscaling technologies. It features uncapped framerates, ultrawide monitor compatibility, ray-traced reflections, and global illumination. The game also offers controller and racing wheel support, and has been verified to work with Steam Deck and Xbox ROG Ally handheld devices.

Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC on May 19, with the game available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. The setting for this installment is Japan.

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The mode has been available for several years and can be enabled by adding the URL parameter &udm=14 to a search query. Manually adding the parameter to each search is cumbersome. However, Chrome users can set the Web mode as their default search engine, which applies it automatically to every search.

How Set Web Mode as Default in Chrome on Desktop

1. Paste chrome://settings/searchEngines into the address bar.
2. Click Add next to Site Search.
3. In the dialog box, enter the following:
   • Name: Google Web Mode,
   • Shortcut: @web,
   • URL with %s in place of query: {google:baseURL}search?q=%s&udm=14.
4. Locate Google Web Mode in the search engines list, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Make default.

Google Search will now run all queries through Web mode by default.

How To Do It for Android

1. Open TenBlueLinks.org in Chrome for Android.
2. Open a new tab and perform any Google search.
3. In the search results, tap the three-dot menu and go to Settings.
4. Under Search engine, Google Web should now appear at the bottom.
5. Select it to set it as the default search engine.

TenBlueLinks.org uses an XML configuration that registers the Web mode search engine with the &udm=14 parameter. The site does not see search queries or participate in the search process. The same approach works in Chrome for iOS.

What Google Search Web Mode Changes and What It Doesn’t

Web mode does not enhance search quality, ranking, or freshness. It simply filters out the extra Google-built content that appears above or alongside organic results.

Users searching for things like hotels, flights, or product comparisons will see standard websites in the results instead of Google's integrated tools.

The udm=14 parameter is among several URL parameters that affect how Google Search displays results. While documentation for the others exists, the Web mode parameter offers the most noticeable difference for users who prefer a results page without AI summaries or feature panels.

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In mid-March, Google quietly updated its wording around the included storage, replacing the previous unconditional statement of 15GB with a "up to" 15GB.

A Google spokesperson confirmed to How-To Geek that the company is testing this new storage policy for new accounts in some regions. Google did not specify which regions are currently affected.

Why Google Is Tying 15GB of Free Storage to Phone Number Verification

Google says the phone number requirement exists to ensure that the 15GB of free storage is added once per person. The policy aims to stop a long-standing pattern of users creating multiple accounts to combine free storage and avoid paying for Google One subscriptions.

The company states that this change will help continue to provide a high-quality storage service and encourage users to improve their account security and data recovery methods.

AI tools and automation have made it easier to scale multi-account abuse, including potential use by malware operators who could store stolen data across free accounts without paying.

This change also assists Google in managing storage infrastructure costs, especially at a time when DRAM and NAND prices have risen significantly due to demand from AI applications.

What New Google Users Need to Know About the Storage Change

For new account registration in the affected regions, users have two choices: they can link a phone number during setup to receive the full 15GB of free storage, or skip the phone link and accept a 5GB storage limit.

Existing Google accounts created before the policy change are not affected, based on current reports.

Google has not clarified whether the policy will be rolled out to additional regions or if existing accounts might eventually face similar requirements.

Privacy and Practical Concerns Around Google’s New Storage Policy

The change impacts users who prefer not to share their phone numbers with major platforms. While Google offers phone-number-free two-factor authentication through authenticator apps, its storage policy specifically requires a number for full access.

Small business owners creating separate accounts for work-related storage might also encounter difficulties, especially if they want to keep their personal phone numbers separate from their professional accounts.

Google One subscriptions start at $20 per year for 100GB, offering an alternative for users who prefer not to share a number or need more than 5GB of storage.

Google has not provided a timeline for when the policy might expand beyond the current test regions or if the 5GB cap for unlinked accounts will be changed.

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The removal of Copilot Mode does not mean less AI integration in Edge; instead, it distributes it more evenly across the browsing experience.

Copilot Features Move Into Edge on Desktop and Mobile

The desktop version of Edge introduces several new AI-powered features that were previously part of Copilot Mode. These include a Study and Learn mode, a writing assistant, Copilot quizzes, and a feature that converts open tabs into a podcast for listening. All of these features are now integrated directly into the default Edge interface, eliminating the need for users to switch to a dedicated mode.

The mobile versions of Edge for iOS and Android have been updated to bring them closer to the features available on the desktop browser:

• Copilot can now analyze open tabs to answer questions and collect information from multiple sources.
• Journeys, which organizes browsing history by topic and suggests next steps, is now available on mobile devices. Support for
• Vision and Voice have been added, allowing users to interact with Copilot through voice commands while the assistant analyzes on-screen content.

Additionally, the new tab page design from the desktop version of Edge has been rolled out to mobile.

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This mechanism aims to fill a gap in the current driver recovery process. When a driver distributed via Windows Update is found to have quality issues, fixing the problem currently relies on hardware partners submitting an updated driver or users manually uninstalling the problematic one. This can leave devices running on low-quality drivers for an extended period.

How Microsoft’s Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery Works

Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery is started by Microsoft from the Hardware Dev Center Driver Shiproom when a driver update request is rejected during shiproom review for quality reasons.

This recovery process replaces the problematic driver on devices via the Windows Update system, restoring the previous driver version or the next best available one from Windows Update.

The system operates through the existing Windows Update infrastructure, requiring no additional client software, partner tools, or user actions. Devices that cannot find a driver approved by the Driver Shiproom will not attempt Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery.

What Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery Affects and What It Doesn’t

This feature is only relevant for drivers identified as having quality issues during the shiproom evaluation. Drivers that are published and functioning properly will not be impacted. Recovery efforts are limited to devices and hardware targets associated with the specific driver shipping label and do not extend to unrelated hardware configurations or other drivers.

Hardware partners are not required to take any action. Microsoft manages the recovery process entirely. Partners will be informed through existing shiproom communication channels whenever a recovery action is taken on one of their submissions.

After a recovery, partners can submit an updated driver via the usual Hardware Dev Center publishing process. Once the updated driver passes shiproom evaluation, it will be published to Windows Update as always.

Why Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery Matters for Windows Users

End users will now benefit from automatic recovery if they encounter problematic driver releases, eliminating the need to identify the faulty driver or manually undo updates.

This change addresses a common source of post-update instability, where a single defective driver could cause crashes, hardware issues, or system failures for days or even weeks before a fix is released.

Microsoft has not announced a specific rollout date in September or clarified whether the update will be available for all Windows versions at once or in stages.

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Microsoft has not yet acknowledged the bug or provided an official fix. Restarting the PC often resolves the problem, but there is a faster workaround that takes about 30 seconds.

How to Restore the Missing Emoji Picker Search Box in Windows 11

The issue seems to be related to UI rendering in Windows Explorer. Restarting the Explorer process usually refreshes the affected interface elements and restores the search box functionality.

To do this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Locate Windows Explorer in the list of processes. Right-click on it and choose Restart.

The taskbar will disappear briefly and then reload as Windows Explorer restarts. Once it reappears, open the emoji picker with Win + . (period) should display the search box correctly.

How Widespread the Windows 11 Emoji Picker Bug Appears to Be

The bug has been reported by Windows Central writers testing Insider Beta channel builds. It is still unclear whether the issue is limited to Insider builds or if it also appears in stable Windows 11 releases. The frequency of the bug varies from one machine to another, with some users experiencing it repeatedly and others not seeing it at all.

Microsoft has not provided a fix or a timeline for when a solution might be available. Until a permanent fix is released, restarting Windows Explorer remains the quickest workaround.

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The following Doom titles are on sale through May 15:

• Doom (2016) for $2, a 90% discount
• Doom and Doom 2 together for $4, a 60% discount
• Doom 3 for $4, a 60% discount
• Doom 64 for $2, a 60% discount
• Doom Eternal for $10, a 75% discount
• Doom: The Dark Ages for $23.09, a 67% discount

The 2016 reboot is the lowest-priced game in the sale, even though it is also one of the most well-received entries in the series. It features fast-paced melee finishers, glory kills, and a soundtrack that has influenced the FPS genre since its release.

The sale ends on May 15. Prices in other regions are available on the Steam store pages for each title.

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Home Screen Widgets and Gemini Integration in Android Auto

The new home screen now supports widgets that display important information without needing to leave the main screen. Currently available widgets include shortcuts to favorite contacts, a one-tap garage door opener, and weather summaries.

Native Gemini integration will be available in Android Auto later this year. Users with Gemini set up on their phones will be able to access it through Android Auto for sports scores, weather updates, and live traffic information. A partnership with DoorDash also enables food ordering directly within Android Auto.

Vehicles with Google built in will see more extensive Gemini features that go beyond standard Android Auto capabilities. In these vehicles, Gemini can try to diagnose dashboard warning lights, measure physical objects to check if they will fit in the trunk, and use the front-facing camera to advise drivers on when to change lanes.

Adaptive Google Maps for More Screen Types

The Google Maps interface in Android Auto has been redesigned to span edge-to-edge on any type of infotainment display, including rectangular, ultra-wide, and circular screens.

The update introduces 3D rendering of buildings and overpasses, along with detailed elements such as lanes, traffic lights, and stop signs to improve navigation accuracy.

Full HD Video Streaming and Dolby Atmos Support in Android Auto

Android Auto now supports Full HD video streaming at 60 frames per second with Dolby Atmos spatial audio. For safety, video playback is only available when the vehicle is parked. When the vehicle begins to move, the system automatically switches to audio-only playback.

This Full HD video feature is expected to arrive later this year in vehicles from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata, and Volvo.

Dolby Atmos support will first be available in cars, trucks, and SUVs from select brands before being expanded to more vehicles.

Android Auto Update Rollout and Availability

Google has not announced a specific release date for the update. Most of the new features are expected to arrive in vehicles later this year, with availability depending on the manufacturer and model.

The Material You-inspired design refresh and home screen widgets should be rolled out broadly through standard Android Auto updates.

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This funding is designated for specific KDE projects rather than general development expenses. Previously, the same fund provided a 1 million euro boost to GNOME, another major Linux desktop environment.

What Germany’s KDE Funding Will Support

KDE has announced a list of specific work items that funding will support, including improvements to KDE Plasma and KDE Linux QA infrastructure, enhancements to Plasma's recoverability mechanisms, and the implementation of factory reset functionality for KDE Linux.

Additional focus areas include strengthening security infrastructure for organizational use across KDE Plasma, improving data backup and restore systems, and enhancing configuration management as a core desktop feature.

The plan also involves refining the network shares experience, building QA infrastructure for KDE PIM and end-to-end testing for IMAP4 and WebDAV, and supporting IMAP4rev2 and WebDAV push notifications.

Standardizing account configuration and improving desktop integration for KDE PIM Suite through Flatpak-based delivery are also part of the agenda.

Why Germany’s Investment in KDE Matters Beyond the Linux Desktop

KDE Plasma serves as the default desktop environment on the Steam Deck and is also available as a first-class option on Fedora, Bazzite, CachyOS, Kubuntu, openSUSE, and KDE Linux. The KDE community maintains several popular applications, including the Dolphin file manager, Kdenlive video editor, Krita art program, and the Discover software store.

In response to recent funding, KDE issued a statement criticizing major US tech platforms. The organization highlighted its software as an alternative for personal, corporate, and public infrastructure, emphasizing that it is "competitive, publicly auditable, and freely available," with no subscriptions, user tracking, or training of AI models on user data.

How KDE Funding Fits Into Europe’s Broader Tech Sovereignty Push

The funding aligns with a broader European effort to update regulations and infrastructure in order to reduce reliance on US-based technology companies.

The European Commission is working on a Tech Sovereignty Package set to be announced later this month, which could place restrictions on Microsoft, Amazon, and Google from handling certain sensitive public sector data. Recently, France mandated the migration of administrative IT systems to Linux through the DINUM directive.

Any improvements developed through this funded work will be accessible to all KDE users worldwide, as the resulting code remains under the same open-source license.

While Linux desktop market share remains relatively small compared to Windows and macOS, this investment is part of several recent initiatives indicating ongoing government and institutional interest in open-source alternatives.

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At the time of this report, sign-up options were not yet available, and the beta program had not appeared on monitored Galaxy S26 devices. Samsung has not provided a timeline for expanding the program to other markets or earlier Galaxy models.

What One UI 9 Adds to the Galaxy S26 Beta

The Samsung Notes app now includes decorative tapes and additional pen line styles. The Contacts app has been updated to link directly to Creative Studio for creating custom profile cards, although Creative Studio still requires a separate download and a Samsung Account login.

The Quick Panel has been redesigned to let users adjust brightness, sound, and media controls independently. It also offers more size options for each control.

Accessibility and Security Changes in One UI 9

Accessibility updates in One UI 9 include adjustable mouse key speed for smoother cursor control and a new TalkBack package that combines the previous Samsung and Google TalkBack implementations. A new Text Spotlight feature displays selected text in a larger floating window, making on-screen reading easier without the need to change system-wide font settings

One UI 9 now actively blocks high-risk apps. When the system detects suspicious behavior, it issues a warning, stops the app from running or being installed, and suggests deleting it.

Samsung has not shared details on how high-risk apps are identified or how users can review or override the system's decisions.

How Samsung’s One UI 9 Beta Enrollment Works

Users with eligible Galaxy S26 devices in the launch countries can sign up for the beta through the Samsung Members app once registration opens.

Samsung has not provided details on how long the beta period will last or when stable One UI 9 updates will be widely available. Meanwhile, stable releases of One UI 8.5 for earlier Galaxy devices are still being rolled out.

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A Reddit spokesperson told Ars Technica, "We recently started running a test for a small subset of frequent logged-out mobile users that prompts them to download the app after visiting the site."

The test is being rolled out in phases. Some mobile users can still access reddit.com normally, while others are seeing the blocking prompt.

What Reddit Says the Logged-Out Mobile App Prompt Is Meant to Do

Reddit explains that switching from the mobile website to the app will enhance user experience through improved search, a personalized feed, and better visibility of updates from subscribed communities. The company hasn't disclosed what user behaviors trigger the prompt, how the group of "frequent logged-out mobile users" is defined, or how long the test will last.

The test is limited to logged-out users on mobile devices. Logged-in users and desktop users are not affected at this time.

How Users Are Reacting to Reddit’s New Mobile App Test

The change has received significant criticism on Reddit, especially in communities like r/enshittification, and on X. Some users have said they will stop using Reddit entirely if the app becomes the only option for mobile access.

Others have brought up unrelated issues, such as the platform's auto-refresh feature, which can cause posts to disappear before users have a chance to see them, as well as reports of duplicate posts appearing in feeds after being upvoted.

Why Reddit Has Business Reasons to Push Mobile Users Into Its App

Reddit has around 121 million daily active users but continues to face questions about how it makes money since going public. The platform relies heavily on advertising revenue, and its app environment gathers more direct user tracking and engagement data than the mobile web.

The trial follows a broader industry trend where platforms like X and Instagram have gradually limited functionality on their mobile websites to encourage users to switch to native apps.

Reddit has not confirmed whether this prompt will be shown to logged-in users or if it will become permanent based on the test results.

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Positioned above the existing Chromebook lineup, which currently ranges from $200 to $500 in the US, Google aims to enter the premium consumer laptop market, which is largely dominated by Windows and macOS devices.

Googlebooks OS and Gemini AI Integration

Google Books runs an operating system that Google describes as a combination of ChromeOS and Android. The Android codebase serves as the core, with plans confirmed by Android head Sameer Sama last year.

Gemini AI is integrated directly into the OS rather than running as a separate app. Demonstrations by Alexander Kuscher, Google's Senior Director of Laptops and Tablets, include features such as the Magic Pointer. This tool activates when the cursor moves and displays contextual AI suggestions based on what is hovered over. For example, hovering over a date in an email offers options to view the schedule, draft a reply, or suggest meeting locations via Google Maps.

Another feature is drag-and-drop image composition, which allows users to select multiple images and generate a composite without opening a separate AI tool. The system also supports Android apps, which run in their original portrait format on the desktop, similar to Apple's iPhone mirroring.

Google has not commented on whether user photos or other content processed by these AI features can be used for training.

Googlebooks Hardware, Chromebook Questions, and Other Google I/O Announcements

Google describes the laptops as being built with "premium craftsmanship and materials" by its partner manufacturers. The lid features a Google-branded glowbar.

When asked, Google did not comment on the future of the Chromebook line. Chromebooks are widely used in education and are expected to continue serving that market. Alongside the Googlebook reveal, Google announced more features:

Gemini Intelligence is expanding to high-end Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. This includes functions like filling out online forms, summarizing websites, and rewriting voice-to-text messages to remove pauses and natural speech artifacts.

Pause Point, a new Android 17 feature, allows users to mark specific apps as distracting. When these apps are opened, the phone prompts users to pause and reconsider before continuing.

Screen Reactions is another new Android feature that lets users record videos of their device screen with a camera overlay of themselves in the corner, designed for social media reaction-style content.

Googlebooks Launch Context and Market Challenges

Google is launching Google Books amid a decline in PC demand. IDC forecasts that PC shipments will drop 11.3 percent in 2026. The shortage of DRAM and NAND chips, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, has increased component prices across the industry.

Samsung recently warned of its first potential quarterly loss in its mobile division, while Nintendo has raised the price of the Switch 2 by $50. Details such as pricing, full hardware specifications, and a confirmed launch date for Google Books have not yet been announced.

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Free Launch Hero Skins and Other Overwatch Anniversary Rewards

Blizzard is offering 21 purple-themed launch hero skins for the original Overwatch roster. The skins are available for characters including Bastion, Cassidy, D.Va, Genji, Hanzo, Junkrat, Lucio, Mei, Mercy, Pharah, Reaper, Reinhardt, Roadhog, Soldier 76, Symmetra, Torbjorn, Tracer, Widowmaker, Winston, Zarya, and Zenyatta.

To obtain the skins, players need to log in during the event and complete quick in-game challenges. Players in China will also receive additional Mythic skins that are not available in the global pool.

Items handed out during the Anniversary event include:

• 15 Anniversary Loot Boxes,
• 33 2D cosmetics such as emotes and victory poses, five weapon charms, including a 10-year edition,
• Anniversary-themed player titles and weekly community rewards are earned through global player wins and completing challenges.

How to Claim Overwatch 10th Anniversary Rewards and Play Returning Arcade Modes

Players need to log in during the event window and play matches to receive login rewards. Weekly Challenges offer additional unlocks, which appear in the career profile once unlocked. Community challenges track global wins, hero selections, and survival times, providing extra drops to all participating players once targets are reached.

The event features returning Anniversary Arcade modes such as Lockout Elimination and Total Mayhem, both offering increased XP during the event period. The Overwatch tenth anniversary celebration will end on June 2, 2026.

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The rollout will take place gradually over the coming weeks in regions where it is available. Existing Nitro subscribers will be able to see the new perks in the Nitro Home section once they log into their accounts. Some rewards may vary depending on regional availability and eligibility criteria.

Xbox Game Pass Starter Comes to Discord Nitro

The headline addition is Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition, now included with Discord Nitro at no extra cost. Discord states that Nitro members can access a rotating library of more than 50 games across PC and Xbox consoles, with 10 hours of cloud gaming available to stream select titles without downloading.

Launch titles include Fallout 4, Stardew Valley, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, Grounded, and Overcooked 2. Discord also notes that more titles will be added to the Game Pass library periodically.

Hardware Discounts and More Orbs for Nitro Subscribers

Discord has partnered with three gaming hardware brands to offer launch discounts through Nitro Rewards. Customers can get up to 30% off Logitech G gaming gear, up to 20% off KontrolFreek products, and up to 15% off SteelSeries headsets and accessories. The company plans to add more partners and rotating offers over time. These discounts apply to a range of products including gaming mice, keyboards, headsets, and controllers.

Nitro members will now earn 250 Orbs each month just by keeping their active subscription. An Orbs Multiplier also increases the number of Orbs gained through regular Quests for Nitro subscribers. These Orbs can be used in Discord's Shop to buy profile cosmetics and other digital rewards.

What Discord Nitro Rewards Adds to the Existing Subscription

Previously, Nitro concentrated on Discord-specific features such as HD streaming, larger file uploads, custom profiles, animated emojis, and server enhancements. Nitro Rewards expands these benefits beyond the platform to include game subscriptions and hardware discounts.

Discord describes Nitro Rewards as the start of a larger program, with additional partnerships expected throughout 2026.

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The restrictions are expected to cover financial, judicial, and health-related data, according to two unnamed Commission officials cited by CNBC. A Commission spokesperson described the initiative as "about Europe waking up and getting its act together."

What the EU’s Tech Sovereignty Package Would Cover

The restrictions, as described by sources within the Commission, are expected to target public organizations specifically. Private companies will still be free to select any cloud platform they prefer for handling their proprietary data. The main focus appears to be on US-based cloud providers, which currently dominate European public sector cloud workloads.

The Commission sees the package as a way to support European cloud providers and boost sovereign cloud options. One commissioner said the goal is to create opportunities for EU-based companies to grow and reach institutional users who are currently reliant on US cloud platforms.

Additionally, plans include reforming public procurement to offer more diverse cloud and AI service options for European public bodies.

How It Fits Into Europe’s Broader Regulatory Push

The Tech Sovereignty Package is being developed alongside two other major regulatory initiatives: the Cloud and AI Development Act and Chips Act 2.0. These efforts are part of a broader European effort to reduce reliance on US-based technology infrastructure.

European authorities have been working for years to create a sovereign cloud market. The proposed restrictions on US providers mark a more significant intervention than previous voluntary frameworks and could impact existing contracts held by Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud with European public sector bodies.

What Remains Unclear About the EU’s Tech Sovereignty Package

The Tech Sovereignty Package has yet to be formally introduced. Commission members are still reviewing the specific provisions before the package is published. Details such as the scope of restrictions, the categories of data involved, the implementation timeline, and any transition provisions for existing public sector contracts have not been finalized.

The EU has not made any comments on how these restrictions might interact with existing data protection frameworks or with US companies offering EU-based data residency services designed to comply with GDPR and related regulations.

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The Controlled Feature Rollout system, which Microsoft previously used to conduct A/B testing with a limited number of users, has been discontinued for announced features in the Beta channel. Insiders in the Beta experience now receive these announced features by default.

How to Access and Use the New Feature Flags Page in Windows 11

The Feature flags page can be found in the Experimental experience section of the Windows Insider Program. To access it, open Settings, then go to Windows Update.

(Source: WindowsCentral)

1. Select the Windows Insider Program option.
2. Make sure the device is set to the Experimental experience under "Select your experience."
3. Next, open Advanced Options and verify the operating system version, such as 25H2.
4. From there, open the Feature flags page.

For each experimental feature listed, you have three options: enabling the feature will turn it on regardless of CFR status, no override lets Windows manage its availability, and disabling turns the feature off on the device.

After adjusting the options, click Apply Changes and then Restart now to apply the new settings.

What Windows 11 Feature Flags Can and Cannot Control

The Feature flags page lists experimental features that Microsoft has officially announced. Multiple features can be turned on at the same time. Features that exist in the build but haven't been announced by Microsoft are not listed and require tools like ViveTool to enable.

This update addresses a longstanding issue where Windows Insiders could install preview builds but still find some advertised features unavailable due to CFR throttling.

The Feature flags page is now available to users enrolled in the Windows 11 Insider Program who are running version 25H2 in the Experimental experience. Microsoft has not indicated whether the page will eventually be available to the Beta channel or to stable Windows 11 releases.

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Levin explained that this "killswitch" enables a privileged operator to make a chosen kernel function return a predetermined value without running its code. The purpose is to provide a temporary mitigation for security vulnerabilities during the period between disclosure and the release of a proper fix.

The proposal is aimed more at enterprise Linux deployments rather than typical desktop systems, with the goal of reducing exposure to known security issues during patch development.

What the Linux Kernel Killswitch Proposal Is Meant to Solve

When a security issue becomes public, Linux systems are often more vulnerable until a fix is released. The killswitch would allow administrators to disable a specific vulnerable function in the kernel rather than running a system with a known flaw or rolling back to an older kernel version.

Levin argues that this tradeoff is acceptable for many production environments: "For most users, the impact of 'this socket family stops working for the day' is much smaller than the risk of running a vulnerable kernel until the patch is available." The proposal comes after the disclosure of Copyfail, a recent Linux root exploit that enables privilege escalation by replacing code.

While patches were issued, there was a window between the disclosure and the deployment of updates where systems remained at risk. The killswitch is designed for situations like this.

How the Linux Community Is Responding to the Killswitch Proposal

The proposal has received mixed reactions. Some Linux administrators see it as a last-resort measure that could be useful in emergencies. Others are concerned that operators might rely on the killswitch instead of applying proper patches or could disable functions without fully understanding the consequences, potentially causing unexpected issues with production workloads.

Critics describe the approach as a "nuclear option" that could sometimes be worse than the vulnerability itself, especially if it results in disabling functions long-term rather than prompting timely patching.

The killswitch is still a proposal that's under discussion. It hasn't been merged into the Linux kernel yet, and there's no set timeline for when it might be included.

Whether the mechanism is adopted will depend on the review process by the kernel maintainers and broader discussions within the Linux community.

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Users searching for "Claude mac download" might see sponsored Google search results directing them to Claude.ai, with the URL appearing legitimate. These links lead to publicly shared Claude chats that appear as official "Claude Code on Mac" installation guides supposedly from Apple Support. The chats instruct users to open Terminal and paste a command, which then silently downloads and executes malware.

At the time of reporting, two separate Claude shared chats involved in this attack were accessible publicly, each using different domains and payloads but sharing an identical social engineering approach.

How the Claude.ai Malvertising Attack Works

The command being pasted downloads a shell script that is encoded in base64 from domains controlled by attackers. One version, flagged by BleepingComputer, fetches a script called loader.sh from bernasibutuwqu2[.]com, while another, identified by Albayrak, uses customroofingcontractors[.]com.

This loader runs entirely in memory, which means it leaves minimal traces on the disk. The server delivers a uniquely obfuscated version of the payload for each request, a technique known as polymorphic delivery. This approach makes signature-based detection much more difficult.

In one variant, the attackers perform victim profiling before sending the main payload:

• It checks if the machine has Russian or CIS-region keyboard input sources configured. If so, the script exits and sends a cis_blocked status ping to the attacker's server.
• It also gathers the external IP address, hostname, operating system version, and keyboard locale, which it then transmits back to the attacker.
• Afterward, it downloads a second-stage payload that runs through osascript, macOS's built-in scripting engine. This allows the attacker to execute remote code without dropping a traditional binary.

The variant flagged by Albayrak skips the profiling step and proceeds directly to execution. It harvests browser credentials, cookies, and contents of the macOS Keychain, then exfiltrates this data to the attacker's server. Albayrak identified this variant as part of the MacSync macOS information stealer family.

Why This Claude.ai Malware Campaign Is Harder to Detect

Most malvertising campaigns rely on lookalike domains that imitate the real product's website. In this case, the campaign uses the legitimate claude.ai domain, as the malicious instructions are hosted within Claude's own shared chat feature.

There is no fake URL to flag as suspicious, and the service's destination shown in the Google ad appears genuine. A similar campaign that exploited ChatGPT and Grok shared chats was reported in December.

Avoid clicking on sponsored search results when looking for software downloads. Instead, go directly to claude.ai to access the official Claude app. Be cautious with any instructions that ask you to paste terminal commands, no matter where they appear.

The legitimate Claude Code CLI is available through Anthropic's official documentation and does not require pasting commands from a chat interface.

If a shared chat from Claude prompts you to run terminal commands attributed to support, treat it as malicious.

BleepingComputer contacted Anthropic and Google for comment before publishing. Neither company has issued a public statement regarding the misuse of shared chats and ad placements at this time.

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Apple has officially deprecated AFP in macOS 15.5 and confirmed that macOS 27 will require TLS 1.2 or higher for network connections. Time Capsules only support AFP and SMB version 1, both of which are expected to be incompatible with the upcoming operating system release.

Why Apple Time Capsules Are at Risk in macOS 27

Apple introduced the first Time Capsule in 2008 and discontinued the entire AirPort product line in 2018. The fifth and final generation was released in 2013. All Time Capsule models rely on AFP, the default Mac file-sharing protocol since System 6, and SMB1, the original Server Message Block version from 1987. Samba removed support for SMB1 in 2022.

macOS 26.4 already displays warnings for Time Capsule users and has known network issues with Time Machine and these devices. Apple has advised system administrators to prepare for more restrictive security requirements in macOS 27, though it has not specified which protocols or products will be affected.

How TimeCapsuleSMB Adds Modern Samba Support to Legacy Time Capsules

Time Capsules run NetBSD internally. The first four generations of the flat square models use NetBSD 4, while the fifth-generation tower models use NetBSD 6. Since it's open source, the operating system allows for the installation of additional software not provided by Apple.

TimeCapsuleSMB compiles Samba 4.8 from 2018 to run on the device's ARM processor. This version includes the vfs_fruit module needed for Time Machine support. The choice of Samba 4.8 was driven by hardware limitations, as the devices have about 900 KB of free disk space and a 16 MB RAM disk.

The setup process has some limitations. On the first four generations of Time Capsule, the modified Samba binary must be manually reloaded after each reboot. The fifth-generation tower models can reload the software automatically.

The Time Capsule hardware continues to work well after more than ten years. iFixit offers guides for replacing the internal hard drive in both the flat square and tower models. This makes it possible for users to upgrade to newer drives if the original fails or to increase storage capacity.

The TimeCapsuleSMB documentation, which includes detailed notes on workarounds needed to run modern Samba within the device's storage and memory limits, is available through the project's README.

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The new tools expand voice functionalities from basic turn-based interactions to include real-time reasoning, multi-language translation, and live streaming transcription.

OpenAI’s New Realtime Audio Models: GPT-Realtime-2, Translate, and Whisper

GPT-Realtime-2 is OpenAI's first live voice model with reasoning capabilities comparable to GPT-5. It is designed to handle complex requests, call tools, and recover from interruptions during ongoing conversations. Key updates from GPT-Realtime-1.5 include an adjustable reasoning effort with settings for minimal, low, medium, high, and very high, with low as the default.

Its context window has been expanded from 32,000 to 128,000 tokens, supporting longer workflows. The model can call multiple tools in parallel, providing audible status updates such as "checking your calendar" or "looking that up now." It also includes preambles that allow it to say short phrases like "let me check that" before completing a request.

Improvements have been made to its understanding of domain-specific vocabulary, including proper nouns and healthcare terminology. Additionally, the model offers more controllable tone and delivery.

GPT-Realtime-Translate offers live translation from over 70 input languages into 13 output languages, keeping pace with the speaker. It is intended for use in cross-border customer support, live events, education platforms, and creator tools serving global audiences. Deutsche Telekom is testing the model for multilingual customer support, while Vimeo is experimenting with translating product education videos in real time as they are played.

GPT-Realtime-Whisper is a streaming speech-to-text model designed for low-latency transcription. It transcribes audio as it is spoken, making it suitable for applications such as live captioning, meeting notes that update during conversations, voice assistants that require ongoing understanding, and post-call workflows in sectors like customer support, healthcare, and sales.

The pricing details include several options:

GPT-Realtime-2, the cost is $32 per million audio input tokens, $0.40 per million cached input tokens, and $64 per million audio output tokens.

GPT-Realtime-Translate charges $0.034 per minute.

GPT-Realtime-Whisper costs $0.017 per minute.

The Realtime API features active classifiers that can stop conversations that violate OpenAI's content policies. Developers can enhance safety by adding extra guardrails using the Agents SDK. The API also supports EU Data Residency for applications based in the EU and complies with OpenAI's enterprise privacy standards.

According to OpenAI's usage policies, developers are required to inform users when they are interacting with AI, unless the context clearly indicates this.

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According to Google, the feature will be available on Chrome for desktop in the coming months. No specific release date has been provided for the desktop version.

How Chrome’s New Approximate Location Permission Works on Android

When a website asks for your location, Chrome now shows two options along with the usual allow and block buttons. You can choose between precise, which shares your exact coordinates, or approximate, which only provides your general neighborhood.

This gives users more control over which sites get detailed location data and which only receive a broader regional estimate. For example, a recipe site or weather page might only need approximate location, while a food delivery service or map app can access precise coordinates if necessary.

New Developer APIs for Approximate Location Requests

Google is introducing new APIs that enable web developers to specify whether their site needs precise location data or can work with approximate information. Google is recommending that developers opt for approximate location requests when exact coordinates are not necessary.

This update comes after broader location privacy changes introduced in Android 17, which gave users more control over which apps can access their precise location and when.

Google has not announced when the approximate location feature will be available to all Chrome for Android users or which Chrome version will have the change enabled by default.

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There is no opt-out from the transition. Starting today, Google is sending push notifications and in-app pop-ups to Fitbit users about the rebrand ahead of the May 19 update.

What Changes in the New Google Health App

The Google Health app launches with four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep, and Health. The interface is customizable, allowing users to pin metrics to the dashboards at the top of the Today and Health pages.

New functionality includes:

• A redesigned sleep tracking model that Google states is 15% more accurate
• Health Coach, an AI-powered training feature previously tested as Fitbit Health Coach, requiring a paid subscription
• Nutrition logging with personalized calorie and water intake targets
• The ability to display data alongside uploaded medical records, with Ask Coach answering questions using that information
• Expanded leaderboards for step tracking and cardio load comparisons with friends
• Updated cycle tracking with improved navigation, logging, and an interactive calendar

The app supports devices beyond the Fitbit and Google ecosystems through Health Connect and Google Health APIs, including Apple Health, Peloton, and MyFitnessPal integration.

Google Health Premium Pricing and What Happens to the Fitbit Brand

Google Health Premium is the new name for Fitbit Premium. The monthly fee stays at $9.99, but the annual subscription price has increased from $79.99 to $99.99, a move that raises the cost by $20. The basic Google Health experience remains free, offering activity tracking, sleep tracking, health monitoring, and manual wellness logging.

Google Health Premium is included free for users of Google AI Pro and Ultra in more than 30 countries. Previously, under Fitbit Premium, this benefit was only available in the United Kingdom.

Fitbit will continue to operate as a hardware brand. The recently announced Fitbit Air features the Fitbit name along with the Google Health app for companion functionality. The brand transition mainly impacts software and subscription services rather than the device lineup.

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Encrypted messaging on Instagram was never enabled by default. Users had to opt in to encrypted chats individually. That option has now been removed for all users.

What Instagram’s DM Encryption Removal Means for Users

End-to-end encryption guarantees that only the sender and recipient can access the message content, preventing the platform itself from reading it. Without encryption, Meta can access messages stored on its servers and may use that data for purposes such as moderation, content analysis, and potentially ad targeting based on conversations.

Meta says the change was driven by low adoption of encrypted chats and aims to improve moderation efforts against child exploitation, fraud, and harassment - issues that, according to the company, are more difficult to detect with encryption in place.

Users on Instagram will see prompts explaining how to download existing messages and media if they want to keep them. The download option saves message history but does not restore encryption for ongoing conversations. For those who need end-to-end encrypted messaging, Meta recommends WhatsApp, which continues to support default encryption.

While WhatsApp is owned by Meta, it operates under a different encryption model that remains unchanged.

What Changes in Instagram DMs After Encryption Ends

The existing Instagram Direct Message features, including message threads, reactions, voice notes, and media sharing, continue to function as they did before. The only technical change involves the encryption status. Conversations that were previously stored with end-to-end encryption have now been migrated to storage accessible by Meta.

Meta has not committed to any specific timeline for how long DM content will be retained. It also has not provided details on how message data might be used for moderation, training, or other purposes, or whether DMs could be used for ad targeting in the future.

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In Canada, the Switch 2 will cost $679.99. In Europe, the price rises to €499.99. The price change in Japan begins earlier, on May 25, and applies not only to the Switch 2 but also to the original Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite, all of which will be more expensive.

Price Increases in Japan and Why Nintendo Is Raising Prices

Nintendo will increase the prices of its Switch Online and Expansion Pack memberships in Japan starting July 1, citing the need for alignment across regions. The company is also adjusting prices for Nintendo playing cards in Japan, citing higher costs and increased material prices.

The price hike is largely blamed on the ongoing memory shortage driven by demand for AI infrastructure, which has led to higher prices for DRAM and NAND across the consumer electronics industry. In late April, Samsung's mobile division warned that it could see its first net loss on smartphones due to the rising costs of memory.

Nintendo initially launched the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, at a price of $449.99, which was already $150 higher than the original Switch at launch. Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser explained that the increased price was due to enhanced features and technological upgrades.

The September price increase marks a break from the usual trend of console prices decreasing over a hardware generation. Nintendo has not announced any timeline for a possible review or reversal of the price increase if memory market conditions improve.

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Valve acknowledged the launch issues in a post on Steam, noting that while they saw a high level of interest, many users found the buying experience frustrating.

How Valve’s Steam Controller Reservation Queue Works

Once reservations open, users enter a queue and are assigned a place based on the order in which they reserved. When stock becomes available, order confirmation emails are sent out in the same sequence. Recipients have 72 hours to complete the purchase through Steam after receiving the email. Each Steam user can reserve only one Steam Controller.

Customers who already received a Steam Controller during the May 4 launch are not eligible to reserve another at this time.

Steam’s Anti-Scalper Requirements And When Will Valve Start Fulfilling Controller Reservations

To prevent scalpers from creating new accounts to flood the queue, Valve has set two requirements for accounts. First, the Steam account must be in good standing. Second, the account must have made a purchase on Steam before April 27, 2026.

These conditions exclude new accounts and those without prior purchase history, which were mainly used for scalper-driven bulk orders during the May 4 launch.

Valve plans to start fulfilling reservations as early as next week in the United States and Canada. Reservations in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia will be processed in the following weeks. No specific delivery dates have been announced. The reservation system aims to address bots causing sellouts but does not tackle the underlying supply issues.

Valve has not provided a detailed production timeline or indicated how long it will take to clear the reservation queue.

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For the first time, the Google Health app allows users to pair both a Fitbit Air and a Pixel Watch at the same time. This makes it possible to switch between devices or wear both without losing data continuity.

Fitbit Air Sensors, Health Tracking, and Sleep Features

The Fitbit Air features an optical heart rate sensor for continuous monitoring, along with red and infrared sensors to track blood oxygen levels. It also includes a device temperature sensor to monitor skin temperature changes, a three-axis accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a vibration motor. The device does not have built-in GPS and depends on a paired phone for location data.

Tracked metrics include steps, distance, calories burned, heart-rate variability, cardio load management, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and alerts for high and low heart rates. The device automatically detects activities and processes this data through the Google Health app.

A new Sleep Score feature is included, which Google states is 15% more accurate than previous Fitbit sleep tracking thanks to a new machine learning model. The Smart Wake feature uses the vibration motor to wake users during an optimal point in their sleep cycle.

Fitbit Air Design, Battery Life, and Band Options

The Fitbit Air measures 8.3mm in thickness and weighs 5.2 grams without a band, or 12 grams when a band is attached. The bands are interchangeable, with a fabric Performance Loop Band included, while silicone Active Bands and Modern Bands are sold separately. Available colors at launch include Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry.

Battery life is estimated at about one week on a full charge. Charging for five minutes can provide roughly a day’s worth of use. A full charge takes approximately 90 minutes using the included magnetic charger, which can be connected in any direction.

Fitbit Air Subscription Features and Google Health Premium

Most Fitbit Air features are accessible with a free Google account. Google Health Coach, an AI-powered training and tips tool that evolved from the previously announced Fitbit Health Coach, requires a Google Health Premium subscription. The premium service costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually, which is $20 more than the previous Fitbit Premium annual price.

Google Health Premium is offered free for Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers. The Fitbit Air is set to launch on May 26.

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Trusted Contact expands on the existing parental controls and safety notifications for linked teen accounts and offers a similar option for all adult users on an opt-in basis.

How ChatGPT’s Trusted Contact Feature Works

The feature involves several steps before it becomes active:

1. The user adds an adult as a Trusted Contact through ChatGPT settings.
2. The nominated contact receives an invitation explaining the role and must accept within one week.
3. If the contact declines, the user has the option to nominate a different adult.
4. When automated monitoring detects a potential serious self-harm concern, ChatGPT notifies the user that the Trusted Contact may be informed and offers conversation starters for reaching out.
5. A small team of trained reviewers assesses the situation before any notification is sent.
6. If reviewers determine there is a serious safety concern, ChatGPT sends the Trusted Contact a brief notification via email, text message, or in-app alert if they have a ChatGPT account.

OpenAI states that the company aims to review safety notifications within one hour. Users can update or remove their Trusted Contact at any time, and Trusted Contacts can also remove themselves through the help center.

What ChatGPT Shares With a Trusted Contact and How It Fits Into OpenAI’s Safety System

Notifications are intentionally limited. They briefly explain why self-harm was mentioned in a potentially concerning way, encourage checking in with the user, and provide a link to expert guidance on handling sensitive topics. Chat details and transcripts are not shared with the Trusted Contact, even when a notification is sent.

Trusted Contact adds an extra layer of protection alongside existing safeguards rather than replacing them. ChatGPT still encourages users to reach out to emergency services, crisis helplines, or mental health professionals when needed. The system is designed to refuse requests related to suicide or self-harm and to guide users toward local crisis resources.

OpenAI says the feature was developed with feedback from its Global Physicians Network, which includes more than 260 licensed doctors across 60 countries, as well as its Expert Council on Well-Being and AI and external organizations such as the American Psychological Association.

Trusted Contact is being introduced gradually, and OpenAI has not announced when all eligible accounts will gain access.

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At the close, Intel's market capitalization hit a record 543.71 billion dollars, with after-hours trading adding another 4.76 percent. The stock has increased more than 174 percent in 2026 and roughly 433 percent from a year earlier, rebounding from a 52-week low of 18.96 dollars.

Both Samsung, Apple, and TSMC declined to comment on the report.

What Bloomberg Reported About Apple’s Chip Talks

According to Bloomberg, Apple executives have directly discussed foundry services with Intel and visited a Samsung facility in Texas that is under development for producing advanced chips. The report notes that these discussions are still in the early stages, with no firm orders placed. Apple might choose not to move forward with any manufacturing partner outside of TSMC.

Currently, Apple depends on TSMC's 3-nanometer process for the system-on-chip processors used in iPhones and Macs. CEO Tim Cook recently mentioned that Apple has "less flexibility in the supply chain than we normally would," citing chip shortages that have impacted the production of some products.

Additionally, Apple is working with TSMC to increase US production in Arizona, although these facilities are expected to supply only a small part of the global demand.

Why Apple Is Exploring US Chip Manufacturing

The discussions about Apple following several months of strategic moves at Intel under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who took over after Pat Gelsinger's departure in December 2024, are notable.

• July 2025, Reuters reported that Tan was reworking Intel's foundry strategy to focus on the next-generation 14A process to attract outside customers
• August 2025, the US government acquired approximately a 10% stake in Intel through an $8.9 billion investment
• September 2025, Bloomberg reported that Intel had approached Apple about securing an investment and closer collaboration. Nvidia also invested $5 billion in Intel
• December 2025, analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu suggested that Intel could start producing Apple-designed chips before the end of the decade, with Kuo indicating that base M-series chips for Macs and iPads could be available as early as 2027.

Intel’s Recent Rally, Strategic Moves, and Analyst Caution

Intel's stock increased by 114 percent in April 2026, marking its best single month on the Nasdaq in 55 years. The rise was linked to an expanded partnership with Google, Intel's plans to join Elon Musk's Terafab project, and the announcement that it would buy back the 49 percent stake it does not already own in its Fab 34 facility in Ireland for $14.2 billion.

Despite the recent rally, Wall Street remains cautious. The average analyst price target is $79.05, which is still below current trading levels, and most analysts are maintaining a hold rating. Intel's forward price-to-earnings ratio is 125, leaving little room for any issues with execution.

Technical indicators suggest the stock is overbought, and part of the recent increase has been linked to short-squeeze activity, which has been amplified on social media.

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The company has described the removal as part of an effort to simplify Edge. Its support document confirms that Copilot will not be affected, and Microsoft states it is "continuing to improve and enhance" the feature.

Users have started a petition asking Microsoft to keep the Sidebar as it is. Complaints have also been submitted through the company's feedback portal. However, neither has prompted a public response from Microsoft.

What Microsoft Is Removing From the Edge Sidebar

The Sidebar used to let users pin web apps and websites for quick access from any browser tab. That feature is being removed entirely. Existing pinned apps will be deleted in a future update.

Copilot remains accessible through the Sidebar area, which effectively makes it a shortcut to Copilot once the web app pinning is gone. Microsoft has not said whether other Sidebar features will be kept.

Why Edge’s Sidebar Changes Are Frustrating Some Users

The sidebar's previous version existed before Copilot was introduced in Edge. Microsoft has not addressed user concerns that removing web app pinning while keeping Copilot available reduces the browser's flexibility and emphasizes its own AI assistant. The company has not provided detailed technical reasons for this change, offering only a general explanation about simplifying Edge.

This update does not impact Copilot's availability or functionality, which remains accessible through the same part of the browser interface.

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Consumers who purchased eligible iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 devices between June 2024 and March 2025 may be eligible for payments of up to $95 per device. Apple has denied any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

What the Apple Intelligence Lawsuits Alleged

The complaints centered on the difference between how Apple promoted Apple Intelligence during its June 2024 launch and what was actually available on the iPhone 16 in September 2024. During demonstrations, Apple described a proactive assistant that could track context across apps, summarize notifications, improve writing in Messages and Mail, and offer a significantly enhanced Siri.

When the iPhone 16 was released, many of those features were not yet ready. Apple released them gradually, and some arrived in a state that did not function as intended. For example, notification summaries often produced inaccurate interpretations of news headlines, leading Apple to disable the feature. The more advanced Siri update, which plays a key role in Apple's AI plans, was delayed until March 2025 due to quality concerns.

One of the lawsuits claims that Apple misrepresented the capabilities of the iPhone 16 series and misled millions of consumers into spending hundreds of dollars on a phone that they didn’t need, based on features that were not actually available.

What Happens Next in Apple’s $250 Million Settlement

The settlement doesn’t address Apple's larger challenges in AI development. John Giannandrea, Apple's head of AI, retired in December. In January, Apple announced it would incorporate Google's Gemini models into parts of its AI systems, including Siri, which means relying more on external technology.

Apple spokeswoman Marni Goldberg said the company resolved the issue to stay focused on its product roadmap. She also noted that since the initial Apple Intelligence launch, the company has introduced dozens of features across many languages.

Details about eligibility, claim filing procedures, and payment schedules have not been made public. Affected users will need to wait for court approval and official claim notifications before applying.

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Microsoft explains that the goal of Point-in-Time Restore is to "minimize downtime and simplify troubleshooting when disruptions occur." The feature appears in the Windows Recovery Environment troubleshooting window when a PC encounters issues and can also be accessed and configured from the Windows Settings app.

What Point-in-Time Restore Backs Up and How Snapshot Scheduling Works

Unlike System Restore, which backs up system files, registry settings, drivers, and installed applications, Point-in-Time Restore includes user files, applications, settings, passwords, secrets, certificates, and keys. Files stored in OneDrive or other cloud services are not affected by the restore.

Reverting to a Point-in-Time snapshot restores the entire PC, so any local changes made after the snapshot will be lost. This includes local file edits or new files saved outside of cloud storage.

Point-in-Time Restore follows an automated schedule instead of offering the option for manual snapshot creation. Snapshots are kept for up to 72 hours and can be set to retain for shorter periods such as six, twelve, sixteen, or twenty-four hours. Depending on user preferences, new snapshots can be created every four, twelve, sixteen, or twenty-four hours.

Storage Requirements and the Windows 365 Enterprise Version

On PCs with at least 200GB of drive space, Point-in-Time Restore is enabled by default. Devices with smaller drives need to be set up manually. Storage usage is set to 2% of the total drive capacity, with options for different percentage allocations. At least 2GB must be reserved for the feature to work properly. For consumer Windows installations, this feature is optional and can be turned on or off by the user.

A different version of Point-in-Time Restore is available for Windows 365 Enterprise cloud PCs managed via Intune. This enterprise feature is always active, keeps restore points for up to a month, allows for manual creation of restore points, and relies on scalable cloud storage instead of local drive space.

Remote Management Support and Availability

Remote management support for Point-in-Time Restore is in development but not yet available in the current preview. Microsoft has said it will be included in future updates, although no specific timeline has been announced. The feature is now limited to Windows 11 Insider Experimental channel builds.

Microsoft has not provided any information on when Point-in-Time Restore will be accessible to a wider group of Windows 11 users.

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The remake keeps the original level structure from the Nintendo 64 version, featuring a mostly linear campaign with a series of missions and alternative routes to new levels. The Star Fox crew has been redesigned, maintaining the puppet-style aesthetic from the original game. Additionally, new mission briefings expand on Star Fox lore between stages.

What’s New in Nintendo’s Star Fox 64 Remake for Switch 2

The remake introduces new difficulty settings and a challenge mode that allows players to replay stages with optional objectives not available in the main campaign. The multiplayer battle mode is also back as a 4v4 online dogfighting feature, spanning three stages. Mouse controls are supported for aiming, offering an alternative to traditional controller input.

The reveal was rumored to happen in April but was only shown during the May Direct. The Star Fox character has recently gained more attention, partly due to an appearance in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Nintendo seems to be leveraging this by reintroducing the franchise to new audiences.

Star Fox will be released exclusively on Switch 2 on June 25, 2026. Nintendo has not announced a price.

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The files are stored in a folder named OptGuideOnDeviceModel. On Windows 11, the path is %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\OptGuideOnDeviceModel.

What Chrome’s 4GB Gemini Nano Download Is Used For

The 4GB folder isn't used for Chrome's main AI features. The AI Mode that appears in the address bar and in Google Search runs on Google's servers, not from the locally stored weights. The downloaded model is only used for writing assistance and a few other features that are accessible through several menus in the browser.

Users who haven't enabled or looked for those features might have the model stored on their device without realizing it serves any function they use.

How to Check for and Remove Chrome’s AI Model

Deleting the OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder doesn’t stop Chrome from redownloading it. The most reliable way to remove it is to uninstall Chrome completely.

If you want to disable the download without removing Chrome, you can try the following:

1. Type chrome://flags into the address bar.
2. Search for "Enables optimization guide on device on Android."
3. Set the dropdown to Disabled.

This flag also shows whether a device is eligible for the feature. Older hardware might not qualify, and the download seems to be limited to newer machines.

Alexander Hanff, a computer scientist and lawyer who verified the behavior through macOS kernel file system logs, has formally accused Google of violating European privacy laws by forcing users to download large amounts of data without their knowledge or consent.

Hanff estimates that distributing 4GB to hundreds of millions or even billions of Chrome users could amount to several exabytes of data transfer and result in between 6,000 and 60,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

Google has not publicly responded to these claims or explained why users are not notified before downloads begin.

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The details were shared in a post on the Google Nest Community forum and also covered in a Google blog post.

Gemini 3.1 and Camera Upgrades in the Google Home App

Users enrolled in the Gemini for Home early access program are receiving an upgrade to Gemini 3.1. Google describes the model as its most advanced for home use, with better reasoning that is designed to handle multi-step requests in a single command.

Users can link tasks such as adding items to a list while updating existing ones or combining alarm setting, calendar updates, and smart home controls in one instruction rather than issuing separate commands.

The Nest camera experience within the Google Home app is getting a series of updates:

• Event notifications now automatically crop and zoom to focus on the subject that triggered the alert, instead of showing the full frame.
• The new user interface provides faster navigation and smoother video scrubbing. Additionally, the event list can be scrolled through without closing the video player
• Some of these new features are being extended to older Nest camera models, not just the latest hardware.

Ask Home on Web and Expanded Automation Controls

A new feature called Ask Home on Web is arriving soon in public preview for desktop and ChromeOS users. It will enable users to search through camera history, check device statuses, and create home automations directly from a browser, without needing to open the mobile app.

The update introduces support for more precise device states as automation triggers. New conditions now include the status of robot vacuums, appliance cycles, door lock states, and device battery levels. The notification improvements feature Quick Action buttons that take users directly to the relevant device panel and automatically switch between homes in the background for those managing multiple properties.

Additionally, users can opt into Public Preview features through the Google Home app settings.

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Scalpers acted quickly, with eBay listings ranging from $200 to $280 for most units. The highest listed price currently stands at $556, representing a 461% markup over Valve's retail price.

Some sellers are also listing older original Steam Controllers alongside Steam Link bundles, likely to take advantage of search traffic generated by the launch.

Early Reception and Valve’s Design Rationale

Reviews published around launch have been largely positive, praising the controller's comfort, dual trackpads, gyro controls, TMR magnetic thumbsticks, four rear grip buttons, and the Grip Sense feature, which detects where the player's hands are touching the controller.

The $99 price and reliance on Steam's ecosystem are the main criticisms. Valve's programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais and mechanical engineer Steve Cardinali told Tom's Hardware that the controller was developed based on how Steam Deck users were using the device docked to a TV, often losing access to the built-in inputs. The Steam Controller aims to replicate that layout in a standalone design.

Platform Support and Driver Limitations

On Windows and macOS, the controller mainly acts as a mouse and keyboard input device unless Steam is running. Valve chose not to develop a kernel-level driver for these systems, citing concerns over system stability. Linux, on the other hand, has native kernel support for gamepads. As a result, the Steam Controller is less versatile as a universal gamepad outside of Steam compared to Xbox or PlayStation controllers.

The included Puck accessory functions as both a wireless receiver and a charging dock. Valve states that the custom wireless protocol can support up to four controllers at the same time without the latency issues sometimes associated with multiple Bluetooth connections.

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