Microsoft is giving Windows 11 users the option to install apps directly from the Start menu
Having already started to redesign the Windows 11 Start menu, Microsoft has revealed that there are even more changes afoot. As part of an upgrade to Windows Search, it will soon be possible to find and install apps from the Start menu.
What is happening is that the Microsoft Store is being integrated into the Start menu -- thanks to the fact that it is going to be integrated into Windows Search. The idea is that it reduces friction and makes it quicker and easier to get hold of apps that have not yet been installed.
Google is using machine learning to help Android users avoid unwanted and dangerous notifications
Notifications are part and parcel of life, being both useful and interesting. But they can also be problematic. Google is aware that the notifications generated by websites can be “spammy or even deceptive”.
The worst offenders can attempt to trick people into sharing personal information or downloading dangerous software. Google is using machine learning to fight back, launching warnings about warnings of unwanted notifications.
Meta expands its advertising options across its social platforms, including video ads on Threads
For all of the talk about establishing and maintaining connections, for the companies behind them social media platforms are about making money. Advertising plays a massive role in this, and Meta is looking for new ways to grab users’ attention.
The company has announced it is testing video ads on Threads as it explores expanding its portfolio of ad formats. There are also new ad options for creators and brands on Facebook and Instagram, as well as the slightly unusual sounding “trending ads” feature.
Spoiler alert! Meta has some great new features for Threads
Meta has announced some interesting new features for its Threads social platform, and there are other unannounced ones that have been spotted as well.
In the name of transparency, Account Status is starting to roll out so users can find out more about violations they have been committed and if any posts have been demoted.
ADATA launches TRUSTA brand to shake up the enterprise SSD market with fast storage for AI and servers
ADATA is moving beyond its usual consumer gear and entering the enterprise solid state drive market. The company today announced a new brand called TRUSTA -- this is ADATA going all-in on enterprise SSDs built for real-world AI, data center, and server demands.
The new TRUSTA lineup arrives with two series of SSDs: the high-performance T7 and the more efficiency-focused T5. These drives are built to handle heavy workloads like AI training, vector databases, virtualization, and server booting. That’s a pretty wide range, and ADATA’s clearly betting that TRUSTA can fill in the gaps for businesses trying to keep up with rising storage demands.
Linux Mint 22.2 and LMDE 7 codenames revealed
The Linux Mint team has just announced the official codenames for its next two operating system releases. The upcoming version of Linux Mint based on Ubuntu will be called “Zara,” while the new Debian-based LMDE release will go by the name “Gigi.”
Linux Mint 22.2 “Zara” will build off the recently released Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, bringing with it updated packages, a polished Cinnamon desktop, and the familiar focus on usability. LMDE 7 “Gigi,” on the other hand, stays rooted in Debian and gives users an alternative that skips the Ubuntu base entirely.
Forget CCleaner -- BleachBit 5.0 is here to remove junk, broken files and bloat from Windows 10/11 and Linux
Open-source system-cleaning tool BleachBit 5.0 has been released for Windows and Linux users. The tool, which is used to clean up drive space and shred sensitive data, provides a way for users to remove unwanted and unused data from their machines.
Version 5.0 comes with the promise of new and improved cleaners alongside numerous other updates and security fixes.
Enterprises rush to adopt AI but struggle to measure its value
New research shows that enterprises are going beyond AI experimentation and into large-scale production but that return on investment is taking a back seat in the process.
The report from Domino Data Lab shows that while 88 percent of organizations report improved ability to move AI from experimentation to production, nearly 60 percent expect less than 50 percent ROI in the rapidly changing areas of machine learning (60 percent) or Gen AI (57 percent).
New edge appliances allow organizations to deploy AI securely
Enterprises and governments share a common interest in safeguarding private information, but often the rollout of AI systems can unwittingly put sensitive data at risk.
Trusted AI specialist Seekr is announcing a new all-in-one AI system -- built for government agencies -- to ensure that AI can be deployed in air-gapped environments, standalone data centers, and contested environments.
Lenovo Legion 9i 18-inch laptop with RTX 5090 and glasses free 3D display is designed for gamers and creators
At its Tech World event in Shanghai today, Lenovo officially unveiled one of the most impressive laptops I’ve ever seen. You see, the new Legion 9i (18”, 10) isn’t just for playing the latest video games -- it’s designed to help developers create them too. And yes, it’s also quite beautiful.
The 18-inch display here is absolutely massive, and it comes in two versions. The 2D model pushes a stunning 3840x2400 resolution at 240Hz with a 3ms response time. It’s bright at 540 nits, supports Dolby Vision, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and is certified by both TÜV Rheinland and VESA DisplayHDR 400.
Majority of cyber insurance ransomware claims are due to BEC
A new report from cyber insurance specialist Coalition finds the majority of 2024 claims (60 percent) originated from business email compromise (BEC) and funds transfer fraud (FTF) incidents, with 29 percent of BEC events resulting in FTF.
Ransomware claims did stabilize in 2024 but they remain the most costly and disruptive type of cyberattack.
Google Maps can now use your screenshots to help you plan trips thanks to Gemini AI
Screenshotting stuff can seem like a great way to remember something for later, but captures soon get lost and forgotten. Google is looking to change this by bringing new Gemini-powered features to Google Maps.
The company thinks that it can help you to make sense of the “travel blogs, news articles or social media posts” you’ve screengrabbed while researching a trip. Turning to AI to make sense of a heap of images is Google’s solution. Here’s how it can help you.
Spotify reveals new tools to give you greater control over your music discovery journey -- and banish earworms
Spotify remains one of the most popular music streaming services currently available, but popularity does not mean perfection. There are many things that Spotify users complain about, such as the oddities of the discovery algorithms. The company is getting better at listening to feedback and is taking steps to improve things.
Spotify has just announced new tools and controls to help with music discovery, playlist curation and recommendations. There’s something for everyone to benefit from, so let’s take a look at what’s new.
Microsoft wants you to ditch Windows 10 for Windows 11, but End Of 10 thinks Linux is a better option
With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 in just a few short months, the company is busy trying to get users to either upgrade directly to Windows 11, or purchase a new system -- ideally a Copilot+ PC.
It is obvious that Microsoft would prefer Windows 10 users to move to Windows 11, but this is far from being the only option available. A team of Linux enthusiasts has come together in the End Of 10 project, the aim of which is to promote Linux as a logical replacement for unsupported Windows 10.
System76 Serval WS Linux laptop gets NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti and 240Hz display
System76 just pulled the curtain back on its newest Linux laptop, and this one’s an absolute beast! The company’s Serval WS is getting a monstrous 2025 refresh, and it’s clear the company isn’t messing around this time.
The display features a 2560x1600 resolution packed into a 16:10 panel that refreshes at 240Hz. And the graphics are handled by NVIDIA’s new RTX 5070 Ti. It’s built to handle AAA games, AI workloads, and GPU-accelerated tasks without breaking a sweat.
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