Microsoft’s latest campaign to push Windows 10 users to Windows 11 has a sinister feel to it
The end is nigh! By which we mean the end of support for Window 10 is nearing. Microsoft has reminded us of this time and time and time again as it tries to encourage users to make the move to Windows 11, but now things are taking a slightly darker turn.
It is common knowledge that the end of Windows 10 support means that there will be no more security updates. Microsoft is now using this fact in a slightly more sinister way, telling users they should upgrade to Windows 11 (or buy a new PC) in order to “stay on the right side of risk”.
The Microsoft Store is now faster, more personalized... and injected with AI
Microsoft has unveiled major updates to the Microsoft Store app as the company continues to try to convey an image of being one that listens to feedback. While new additions such as a personalized home page and faster performance are likely to be welcomed, other changes are catalysts for ambivalence.
While announcing the update to the Store app, Microsoft says that “we use the feedback you send to ensure we’re focusing on the most important things our customers care about”. It is hard to imagine that there was a lot of feedback from Windows 11 users that begged “oh, please given us more Copilot AI”... and yet this is one of the additions proudly unveiled.
Google Chrome smashes Speedometer 3 record with massive performance gains
Google is flexing its engineering muscles today by announcing a record-breaking score on the Speedometer 3 benchmark with its Chrome browser. If you’ve felt like the web got snappier lately, this could be why.
According to the search giant, Chrome’s latest performance improvements translate to real-world time savings. Believe it or not, that could potentially add up to 58 million hours saved annually for users. That’s the equivalent of about 83 human lifetimes not wasted waiting for web pages to load!
How real-time analytics is powering innovation [Q&A]
Real-time analytics has rapidly emerged as a transformative technology, empowering businesses to harness immediate, actionable insights that drive personalized customer experiences, optimize operations, and manage risks in real time.
We spoke with Kishore Gopalakrishna, co-founder and CEO of StarTree to discuss the innovations behind this and how real-time analytics is becoming a cornerstone for innovation.
Enterprise SIEMs are detecting only 21 percent of threat techniques
Enterprise security information and event management (SIEM) tools miss 79 percent of the MITRE ATT&CK techniques used by adversaries, according to a new report.
The study from CardinalOps draws on an expansive dataset of 2.5 million total log sources, over 23,000 distinct log sources, more than 13,000 unique detection rules and hundreds of production SIEM environments, and finds that a significant portion of existing detection rules -- 13 percent on average -- are non-functional and will never trigger due to issues such as misconfigured data sources and missing log fields.
Navigating operational resilience regulation in cloud computing
The rate of adoption for cloud computing has grown steadily across many industries, driven by the need for flexibility, innovation and cost efficiency.
One of the key verticals that has fully embraced cloud technology is the financial services sector. Cloud is particularly suited to this industry as it allows for more efficient storage, faster processing of large amounts of data, and consolidation of records which gives firms the ability to accurately analyze data.
AI can transform the supply chain but adoption is slow
A new survey of 300 supply chain and procurement decision-makers in the UK reveals that while 36 percent are in the process of implementing AI, almost a third (32 percent) are either just considering adoption or have no plans to adopt AI at all.
The study from Ivalua indicates a growing divide between businesses moving ahead with AI and those lagging behind, with those that have deployed AI already reaping the benefits, including improved data analysis for decision-making (85 percent), task automation (83 percent), and demand forecasting (79 percent).
Is SaaS adoption making life easier for cybercriminals? [Q&A]
It's common knowledge that technology adoption outpaces security controls. But SaaS applications may be the biggest example of this, and cybercriminals have caught on.
We spoke to Cory Michal, CSO at AppOmni, about how we've made things easier for attackers, decreased our visibility and limited the effectiveness of our controls by the wholesale adoption of SaaS products over the past few years, and how the scale can be tipped in the opposite direction.
The quiet revolution in European Tech -- and how it could shake the global cloud market
The reaction to U.S tariffs last month was almost instant. Across the whole world, markets were sent into a frenzy, and very few sectors -- if any -- escaped unscathed. Tech moves faster than most sectors at the best of times, so it’s no surprise that commentators are still trying to assess the impact of ‘Liberation Day’ on the future of the cloud, AI, and countless other industries.
GPU shortages had already become a severe problem for many businesses beginning AI projects, and it’s possible that uncertainty around tariffs will cause further delays. On top of this, the Trump administration has suggested it may adjust the Biden era Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion due to come into force mid-May, further calling into question exactly how global supply chains for IT hardware will look this time next year.
Anniversary of GDPR: Is it still relevant 7 years on?
Seven years after its implementation, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) continues to serve as a pivotal framework for data privacy across Europe. Widely regarded as a landmark piece of legislation, it set a global benchmark for the protection of personal information in the digital age. However, as technology continues to advance, so does the threat landscape.
Rising cyberattacks, data breaches, and the involvement of AI all raise the question -- does GDPR still represent the gold standard in data protection? GDPR may have adapted to meet emerging challenges, but whether these developments are enough in today’s digital landscape is still up for debate.
Elon Musk tries to avoid EU wrath by revealing how meaningless X verification is
While the blue checkmark of verification used to be something prized by Twitter users, the takeover of the platform by Elon Musk, and the introduction of the option to buy a checkmark rendered it less valuable or meaningful.
More than this, last year the European Commission voiced concerns about the potential for confusion, suggesting X was violating the Digital Services Act. Now, in what appears to be an attempt to stave off legal action or fines, X is displaying a message that downplays the value of the checkmark.
Google is rolling out a curious change to Android’s Circle to Search tool
Android users have an update to Circle to Search to look forward to. Currently only available in the latest beta version of the Google app (version 16.18, specifically) there is a significant change to the way in which the AI-powered search tool works.
Previously, the name of the feature was a perfect description of how it worked -- activate Circle to Search and then draw a circle to perform a web search using selected on-screen data. Now an unannounced change sees the search feature automatically capturing the entire content of the screen. As with most big changes -- and this is a big one -- there are plusses and minuses.
In the latest Windows 11 Canary build, Microsoft introduced major Start menu and Taskbar changes that can't roll out fast enough
The Canary builds of Windows 11 are very much the cutting edge of Microsoft’s operating system development, and the latest release includes numerous welcome changes and additions, as well as fixing problems.
Not only does Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27871 see Phone companion for the Start menu rolling out once again, but it is rolling out in an improved form with new features. There are also tweaks to the Taskbar, and new energy saving options in Microsoft InTune.
Microsoft announces European Security Program to help protect the EU from cyber threats for free
Microsoft is launching a new cybersecurity initiative in the EU and associated regions to help governments bolster their protections. The European Security Program is needed, the company says, because of the growing threat posed by AI, as well as increasingly complex and numerous cyberattacks from the likes of Russia and China.
The new program builds on Microsoft's existing Government Security Program, but is tailored to the specific needs of Europe. In a move that will be well-received by the EU, the European Security Program is free of charge and includes important new components.
Belkin goes all in on Nintendo Switch 2 with new gaming accessories
After decades of making chargers, cables, and other essentials, Belkin is finally diving into gaming. The company has revealed a new set of accessories designed for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Yes, the same Belkin that’s been making gear since the 1980s is now trying to win over gamers.
This isn’t some half-baked cash grab either. Belkin’s new lineup was made with actual care, featuring high-end materials and smart design choices. Everything is built under its “Future Ventures” umbrella, which is basically Belkin’s way of saying “we’re trying new stuff.” The accessories aim to give Switch 2 owners better portability, charging, and screen protection.
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