New AppleCare One makes it cheaper to protect up to three devices
Apple has launched a new tier of its device protection, support and insurance scheme called AppleCare One. This new level of subscription is aimed at those who have fully bought into the Apple ecosystem, as it makes it possible to cover up to three devices with a single plan.
As well as simplifying the process of getting service and support for Apple devices, AppleCare One addresses one of the key complaints levelled against the program – price. Any three devices are covered by a single $20 plan, which could represent a big saving for some people.
YouTube is experimenting with comment threading
Following the lead of just about every website and social platform, YouTube is introducing comment threading. But before you get too excited about gaining the ability to view nested replies and being able to follow conversations more easily, there are a couple of quirks.
Firstly, this is – for now, at least – limited to the iOS and Android apps, so if you access YouTube via a web browser, you are out of luck. Secondly, this is an experiment so try not to get too attached to it.
iOS 26 beta 4 includes warning-laden Apple Intelligence news summaries
Apple has released the latest beta versions of its operating systems to developers – iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. Among the changes are the return of Apple Intelligence news summaries which was the subject of controversy several months ago.
With the first public (non-developer) beta versions expected to land in the next week or so, these developer previews give us a very good idea of what to expect. As such, the appearance of Apple Intelligence news summaries and tweaks to Liquid Glass are very much in line with what we’d expect at this stage.
Business users can soon get a Surface Laptop 5G from Microsoft
Microsoft’s range of Surface devices quickly developed a following of business users, with Surface Laptop proving popular. But there were complaints about the absence of a key connectivity option; now with the Surface Laptop 5G this is being addressed.
As the name suggests, this is a 5G version of the Surface Laptop, and Microsoft says that it is “built for business”. While users will see the addition of 5G connectivity as a way to eliminate phone tethering, Microsoft is instead billing it as a way to “stay continuously connected to Microsoft 365 Copilot and other cloud tools”.
Windows Resiliency Initiative hits Windows 11 in KB5062660 update
Microsoft has released the KB5062660 preview update for Windows 11 ahead of next month’s Patch Tuesday. Being a preview update, it is optional and does not include security fixes, but it is packed with new features including the Windows Resiliency Initiative.
This initiative is something Microsoft spoke about back at Ignite 2024 and it aims to boost security and reliability. The update delivers two components of this. It sees the arrival of Quick machine recovery as well as the new Black Screen of Death.
The Windows 11 transfer tool is not as impressive as Microsoft made out
So keen is Microsoft for everyone to embrace Windows 11 that it has gone as far as developing a dedicated tool to simplify the process of getting a new PC. The company has not said as much, but the data transfer tool is a clear acknowledgement of the fact that when Windows 10 support end later this year, a large proportion of users will not be able to upgrade their current system to Windows 11 because of not meeting hardware requirements.
Which means there are going to be a lot of new PCs sold from this point forward, and Microsoft has made much of being there to hold the hands of those who fear losing data as they migrate to a new computer. But it seems that the transfer tool is not as impressive as has been suggested thus far.
Microsoft tests unifying gaming libraries across devices
Microsoft has new options for gamers signed up to the Xbox Insider program looking for more from their gaming libraries. In addition to a cross-device play history that can be accessed from Windows and Xbox, there is also a significant update to the Xbox PC app.
Following an earlier library update, Microsoft says that it remains committed to making it “the go-to destination for your games” by adding cloud-playable console titles to the Xbox PC app.
Microsoft will use snooping telemetry to help speed up Windows 11
Windows 11 users have something of a strained relationship with telemetry, with many people viewing Microsoft’s collection of data as invasive. This has not stopped the company from gathering more and more information from users, and in the most recent Insider builds of the operating system, things are being taken up a notch.
This time around, telemetry is not only optional, but its collection is for a good cause, one that just about everyone can get onside with – improving performance. In short, Microsoft is looking to speed up Windows 11.
WhatsApp is ditching its native Windows app for a crappy web wrapper
There is some disappointing news for WhatsApp users who like to work with the desktop app. In what appears to be part of a streamlining process, Meta is dropping the UWP app in favor of a web wrapper.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this, but few people who have compared the native Windows app with the web-based version off WhatsApp can have failed to notice the performance difference. The WhatsApp UWP app has always been snappier, more responsive, and used fewer resources, so in some ways it feels like a backwards step to switch to a web wrapper.
Microsoft makes it easy to play Windows 11 audio through multiple devices
If you have ever wanted to output sound from Windows 11 to more than one set of speakers, you will be aware that it can be tricky. Yes, you can splice together cables, use various adaptors or fiddle with a confusing selection of settings – but it is not a quick and easy task by any means.
But this looks set to change. While some might think that using more than one set of speakers at a time is something of a niche thing, enough Windows 11 users appear to want it for Microsoft to start working on a way to achieve this simply.
Microsoft is no longer selling or renting movies and TV content
Out of the blue, Microsoft has killed off its digital storefront for movies and TV shows. The sudden change means that the Microsoft Store can no longer be used to buy or rent this type of content on Windows or Xbox.
There has been no big announcement about the decision to stop offering such content, but a support document makes Microsoft’s decision clear. The company stresses that anything that has been paid for will remain accessible.
Microsoft releases emergency fixes for actively exploited SharePoint security flaws
Microsoft has released emergency patches for two remote code execution vulnerabilities in SharePoint. The CVE-2025-53770 and CVE-2025-53771 security flaws are addressed by KB5002768 and KB5002754.
The issue was discovered by security researchers back in May, when it was found that the vulnerability allows for RCE attacks dubbed ToolShell. Microsoft had tried to plug the security holes earlier in the month with the July Security Update, but this only partly addressed the problem – hence the need for the emergency, out-of-band patches.
New emoji coming this fall when Unicode 17.0 launches
Emoji are unavoidable these days, regardless of whether you hate them, tolerate them, love them, or write using nothing else. The launch of new emoji is an event that is greeted by excitement, shrugs and shaken fists, and the Unicode Consortium has just unveiled some of the latest additions.
In all, eight new emoji have been revealed. They are scheduled to arrive in Unicode 17.0 later this year, but it is likely that they will be joined by other new images as well.
Apple battles Wordle with new Emoji Game
Newspapers have long been associated with all manner of games and puzzles, including crosswords, sudoku and so on. This is something that has endured the crossover from print to digital, with the likes of Wordle from the New York Times remaining incredibly popular.
Now Apple is looking to get in on the action, announcing a new puzzle called Emoji Game. The puzzler is just the latest addition to the Apple News+ collection, giving subscribers a new challenge every day.
Google Chrome address bar – are you a top or a bottom?
Across all platforms, Google Chrome remains one of the most popular – if not the most popular – web browser. But while the desktop version of the software is versatile, customizable and flexible, the same cannot be said of the mobile apps.
And this is why an announcement made by Google several weeks ago caused a flurry of excitement. On the face of things, the news that it would be possible to move the address bar from its familiar position at the top of the browser may not seem huge, but now that it is rolling out, it is becoming clear that it is actually pretty significant for Android users.
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. She is currently training to be an LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapist. You can find her on Bluesky and Mastodon. If you like what you read, you can Buy her a Coffee!
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