Google Play to allow app developers to use alternative billing systems in Europe
Google has announced that app developers in Europe -- and only Europe -- will be able to implement alternative billing systems for apps and games listed in Google Play.
On top of this, the company says that although any developer that does choose to use a different billing system will still be required to pay a service fee, it will be a reduced fee. The changes are in response to the recent Digital Markets Act.
There is a huge problem with Netflix's ad-supported subscription tier -- and it's not the ads
We've known for a little while that there was a cheaper subscription tier coming to Netflix. We have also been aware that the price to pay for a reduction in price is the requirement to view ads -- Netflix has teamed up with Microsoft as its advertising partner.
But the inclusion of ads is not the only downside to the cheaper tier. Netflix has now revealed that ad-supported subscriptions will not be able to access all of its video content.
Netflix has found a way to get money out of users who share passwords
Netflix has been battling dropping subscriber numbers for a while, and the company has been looking for ways to either recoup the money lost through a shrinking userbase, or to increase the number of people willing to pay for access.
To provide a cheaper point of entry, Netflix has plans to introduce a lower-cost, ad-supported subscription tier, but the company has also talked about clamping down on people who share passwords and access to their account with friends. And with the newly announced "extra home" option, we've finally learned just how this is going to work.
Microsoft changes its policy against the sale of open source software in the Microsoft Store
Having previously upset software developers by implementing a ban on the sale of open source software in its app store, Microsoft has reversed its decision.
The company says that it has listened to feedback -- which was vocal and negative -- and has updated the Microsoft Stores Policies, removing references to open source pricing. Microsoft has also clarified just why it put the ban in place.
KB5015814 update is causing Start menu problems and 0x8007007e errors in Windows 11
The release of the KB5015814 update for Windows 11 earlier this week was supposed to fix problems with PowerShell as well as addressing security issues. But as has become disturbingly common, there have also been unwanted side effects for those who jumped on the update and installed it as soon as it was offered up.
Some users are experiencing problems with the Start menu, with complaints indicating that the menu is being interrupted by an app opening and closing. There are also complaints about errors appearing after a failed installation of the KB5015814 update -- specifically error codes 0x8000ffff, 0x8007007e and 0x80073701.
Microsoft teams up with Netflix to offer cheaper, ad-supported subscriptions
Netflix has previously confirmed plans to introduce an ad-supported tier that would provide a lower cost subscription entry point. Details have been somewhat lacking, but it has just been announced that Microsoft is partnering with the streaming video service as it introduces cheaper plans.
The company has signed a deal with Netflix, with the streaming giant describing Microsoft as "our global advertising technology and sales partner".
Wordle finally offers to sync your game stats between devices
Word-guessing game Wordle took the world by storm, so it was little surprise when it was snapped up by a big name -- the New York Times. There were promises that the game would not be changed and that it would remain free, and players raised a collective eyebrow skeptically.
Anyone playing the game in the last few days will probably have noticed something. While the NYT is not going back on the promises it made, players are being encouraged to create a New York Times account. The carrot being dangled as an incentive is the ability to have game statistics synchronized between devices.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.60.1 update with important bug fixes for Windows 11 users
It is only a week since Microsoft released PowerToys v0.60.0, complete with various changes, fixes and additions -- many of which were focused on Windows 11. Now the company has pushed out the PowerToys v0.60.1 update with a handful of important fixes.
Microsoft describes this as a patch release, but this almost makes it seem unimportant when that is very much not the case. It addresses compatibility issues that existed with PowerRename and ImageResizer in Windows 11, as well as fixing context menu problems and crashes.
Microsoft warns Windows 8.1 users that 'this version of Windows is nearing the end of support'
Windows 8.1 is very much in its twilight years, and it is only a matter of months before the operating system no longer receives updates from Microsoft.
There are, of course, still plenty of people using Windows 8.1, and they need to be made aware of the fact that they are using software that will not be supported for much longer. We knew the nag screens were coming, but following the installation of this month's updates for Windows 8.1, users can expect to see a warning screen informing them: "This version of Windows is nearing the end of support".
Microsoft treats Windows 10 users to the release of KB5015807 and KB5015811 updates
We've already spoken about Microsoft releasing the KB5015814 security update for Windows 11, but Windows 10 users have not been forgotten this month. These are security updates that should be installed as soon as possible.
The KB5015811 update is available for Windows 10 version 1809, while the KB5015807 update is designed for Windows 10 versions 20H2, 21H1 and 21H2. Just as with the Windows 11 update, these both address a problem with PowerShell as well as fixing various security issues and introducing numerous improvements.
Microsoft releases KB5015814 update for Windows 11 to fix security flaws and PowerShell issues
For July's Patch Tuesday, Microsoft has released the KB5015814 update for Windows 11. This security update takes Windows 11 up to build 22000.795 and addresses a number of issues with the operating system. To accompany the release, Microsoft has also provided a handful of Windows 11 tips.
The company points out that this particular update includes the improvements that were introduced with last month's KB5014668 update. Importantly, it also addresses a PowerShell issue with blank transcript logs and lost passwords.
Microsoft launches Windows Autopatch for Windows 10 and Windows 11
Having previously released a public preview earlier this year, Microsoft has announced the general availability of Windows Autopatch. Aimed at enterprise users of Windows 10 and Windows 11, the service helps to automate the process of keeping critical software updated.
In addition to Windows itself, Windows Autopatch will also keep Microsoft Edge and Office software up to date, helping to eliminate -- or at least reduce -- the risk of bugs and security issues. As well as ensuring all of the latest patches and updates are installed, the service simplifies the process of rolling back changes should a problematic update be rolled out.
Microsoft warns that Outlook Search might not display recent emails in Windows 11, again
For the second time in the last year, Microsoft is investigating an issue that is preventing Outlook Search from showing recent emails in results in Windows 11.
The last time the problem arose, it was found to be the fault of an update for Windows, but Microsoft is not yet sure what the root cause is this time around. The issue affects people using POP, IMAP and offline Exchange accounts which make use of the Windows Search service to index emails. There is currently not a proper fix for the problem, but there is a temporary workaround.
Elon Musk pulls out of Twitter purchase, but Twitter plans to sue to force the deal
When the richest person on Earth offered to buy Twitter for $44 billion, the eyes of the world pivoted to Elon Musk to watch the drama unfold. And the drama did not disappoint, played out over several month.
There has been speculation for some time that Musk's plans to buy Twitter would fall through, and those who predicted this may just have been proved right. Musk's lawyers have written to the social media company to say that the deal is now off, citing Twitter'ss failure to provide information that had been requested. Twitter has responded saying that it intends to sue Musk and force him to complete the merger.
Microsoft performs an about-face on Office macro security policy -- albeit a temporary one
VBA macros in Microsoft Office are an incredibly common means of delivering malware, and this is precisely why Microsoft made an announcement earlier this year that macros would be blocked by default. But now the company has changed its mind.
The change will not be permanent, however. Microsoft still plans to block macros in documents obtain from the internet -- it's just not quite clear when. The company says that the change of heart is a result of user feedback, and while macros will remain enabled by default for the time being, this will change at some point in the future; it's just not happening as soon as we thought.
Sofia Elizabella's Bio
Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson is a queer, transgender journalist based in Poland. She has been writing about technology for more than two decades, and after years working for magazines, her writing moved online. She is fueled by literature, music, nature, and vegetables. You can find her on Bluesky and Mastodon. If you like what you read, you can Buy her a Coffee!
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