Five-hundred-and-ninety-seven in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.

Microsoft will remove several apps in the Windows 11 version 24H2 feature update. The apps, Cortana, Tips, and WordPad, are deprecated and will be removed in the coming feature update.

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Early stage businesses face many challenges. Not least of these is selecting the right technology solutions, something made even more difficult by the emergence of new technologies.

We spoke to Paul Pluschkell, founder and CEO of StartupOS, to find out about how AI and other technologies can impact on new businesses.

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Today at Computex, Acer introduced a variety of new products across multiple categories, emphasizing its focus on technological innovation and design. The lineup includes high-performance gaming monitors, enterprise-ready Chromebooks, advanced 3D cameras, and smart home devices.

Each product is designed to cater to specific user needs, from gamers and photographers to professionals and home users. Here’s a detailed overview of what Acer is bringing to the market.

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Google's recent introduction of AI Overviews at Google I/O was intended to redefine how we interact with search engines, offering more intricate responses to complex queries. Initially, the reaction was positive, but the rollout has not been without its troubles. Google has stepped forward to explain these missteps, acknowledging the gap between the company’s goals and the current user experience.

AI Overviews integrate with Google's core search systems, promising accurate and useful results linked to credible sources, a huge improvement over traditional search methods and separate from typical language models. Yet, issues have arisen, particularly with how AI Overviews handle nuanced or unconventional queries. Some results have been inaccurate, leading to user confusion and concern. Misinterpretations and the incorporation of satirical content have sometimes resulted in bizarre or misleading answers.

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At this year's Microsoft BUILD conference, huge updates to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) were revealed. These updates focus on improving memory, storage, and networking capabilities, introducing a new WSL Settings GUI application, enhancing security with WSL Zero Trust, integrating WSL management into Dev Home, and offering new features for developers.

Microsoft is transitioning several experimental features to default settings in the latest pre-release version of WSL. Key updates include automatically releasing stored memory in WSL back to Windows with the default autoMemoryReclaim=dropCache setting and enhancing networking capabilities with default dnsTunneling=true on Windows 11 machines. There are also experimental features such as enabling automatic disk space reclaim with the command wsl --manage <distro> --set-sparse <true/false> and trying the new mirrored networking mode with IPv6 support via wslconfig.

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SCUF Gaming, a Corsair subsidiary known for its performance-driven gaming controllers, has announced the launch of its latest product, the SCUF Nomad. This Bluetooth controller is tailored for iPhone users, bringing SCUF's celebrated ergonomic design and gaming performance to the mobile platform.

The SCUF Nomad stands out with its "ergonomics first" design philosophy, a stark contrast to many mobile controllers that compromise on comfort. "Many mobile controllers don’t prioritize comfort, which directly affects your gaming performance and how long you can play," said Jake Tenorio, Director of Product Marketing at SCUF Gaming. "Nomad is designed to feel natural in your hands, with contoured grips and full-size triggers, offering a premium gaming experience."

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Canonical has officially launched Real-time Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, a specialized kernel for its popular Linux distribution designed to handle time-sensitive computing tasks with reduced latency and enhanced reliability. This latest release is tailored for industries where high-priority processes must be executed swiftly and with predictable outcomes, such as manufacturing, automotive, and telecommunications.

Real-time Ubuntu 24.04 LTS incorporates the PREEMPT_RT patch for both AMD64 and ARM64 architectures, a leading implementation for Linux real-time systems. This integration is aimed at improving the kernel's predictability and ensuring deterministic responses for applications with critical latency requirements. The new release builds upon the upstream v6.8 kernel and is specifically optimized for use on Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, broadening the scope for innovation and performance in embedded systems.

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Development teams are increasingly seen as the engine room of the modern digital enterprise, tasked with building the new services and capabilities that the business needs to thrive. However, with resources stretched to their limit, organizations must find a way to empower their developers to work more productively, so they can deliver newer, better digital capabilities faster and more reliably. If they fail to do so, it will be more difficult to keep pace with market demands, and many will see their competitors gain the advantage.

In response, organizations are increasingly adopting a shift left approach, to ensure that new code is tested earlier in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This reduces the risk that code could contain errors or vulnerabilities that lead to delayed innovation, as applications or features are rolled back to be reworked by developers. But shift left should not be about moving extra work “left” in the SDLC, or demanding developers assume extra responsibilities. It should be about empowering developers to work smarter, by shifting all relevant information left. Developers should have all the insight they need, when they require it, to make better decisions.

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Businesses are keen to adopt new technologies in their quest for digital transformation but often face a maze of biased information and incomplete data that hampers the decision making process.

A new report from request for proposal (RFP) specialist Olive Technologies looks at trends and requirements from real-world RFPs, managed through the Olive platform, to help organizations make data-driven, unbiased decisions when selecting IT solutions.

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Satechi has unveiled its latest offering: the Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station. Tailored for professionals, this docking station boasts cross-platform compatibility, supports up to four external monitors, and delivers up to 8K/60Hz video output along with 96W of charging power to the host device. Its sleek Space Gray design, crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with chamfered edges, features conveniently labeled ports and a slim profile that integrates seamlessly into any work environment.

Adding to its robust Thunderbolt 4 lineup, Satechi’s new docking station distinguishes itself from the 2023 Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock by including Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports and DisplayLink software for additional external monitors. The Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock remains a solid choice for those with legacy products, focusing on USB-A ports and offering vertical docking.

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JavaScript Essentials For Dummies is your quick reference to all the core concepts about JavaScript -- the dynamic scripting language that is often the final step in creating powerful websites.

This no-nonsense book gets right to the point, eliminating review material, wordy explanations, and fluff. Find out all you need to know about the foundations of JavaScript, swiftly and crystal clear. Perfect for a brush-up on the basics or as an everyday desk reference on the job, this is the reliable little book you can always turn to for answers.

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TP-Link has introduced the TL-WR1502X, a new travel router. This compact device not only offers the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology but also boasts a host of features perfect for anyone needing reliable internet on the move.

The TL-WR1502X is capable of reaching impressive dual-band Wi-Fi speeds up to 1.5 Gbps, making it perfect for high-demand online activities like 4K streaming, large file downloads, and smooth video calls. Whether traveling, camping, or working remotely, this router ensures that connectivity is never compromised.

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Astonsoft Ltd has released EssentialPIM 12.0, a major new version of its email client and organizer for Windows. Available in free and Pro versions, the latest release focuses on improving its contact management section and email tools.

There are two notable improvements to EssentialPIM’s Contact Management tool. The first is the implementation of a new default view displaying user initials or a photo next to each contact entry to aid finding the right contact. In addition, contact details have been redesigned so that a complete overview of each contact can be found in a single location.

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Two-thirds of organizations responding to a new survey list cyber risk concerns as the most important drivers for implementing a zero-trust strategy.

A new report from the Entrust Cybersecurity Institute, based on research by the Ponemon Institute, shows the pattern is even more pronounced in the US, with 50 percent of organizations citing cyber breach risk and 29 percent reporting the expanding attack surface for a combined total of 79 percent.

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Logitech has introduced its latest 'Logi for Mac' lineup, featuring cutting-edge MX series devices and ergonomic solutions designed specifically for Apple users. The newly revealed products, including the MX Keys S for Mac and Ergo Wave Keys for Mac, aim to elevate performance, productivity, and comfort for macOS and iPadOS users.

Delphine Donné, Logitech's vice president and general manager of Personal Workspace Solutions, emphasized the company's dedication to innovation and sustainability. "Our Designed for Mac portfolio is crafted to enhance the Apple user experience through improved workflow, productivity, and comfort, without compromising on Mac compatibility," said Donné.

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