Use these hacks to unlock hidden taskbar and Start menu search options in Windows 11
Microsoft has been gradually evolving Windows 11, and the insider builds are where much of the innovation is to be found. But even for eager users who install the latest builds as soon as they are available, sometimes a little extra legwork is needed.
And this is true of two hidden search features -- one for the taskbar and one for the Start menu. These secret options can only be enabled using a special third party tool, and they give a very interesting glimpse into what Microsoft has planned for Windows 11 in the future.
Apple TV, Apple Music and Apple Devices apps all launch in beta for Windows 11
They have been a very long time coming, but there are finally Apple TV and Apple Music apps available for Windows 11, meaning that PC users now have an alternative to the web versions of the services.
Both apps are listed as being "preview" versions -- essentially betas -- so what you see now is not necessarily the finished product. Apple has also launched a preview of the Apple Devices app, which can be used to manage iPhones and iPads from Windows 11.
AMD-powered System76 Pangolin Linux laptop gets major redesign
Earlier today, System76 announced its AMD-powered Pangolin Linux laptop is getting a significant redesign. The computer comes with either Ubuntu Linux 22.04 LTS or the Ubuntu-based Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS. The laptop has a 144Hz 15.6-inch matte display with a max resolution of 1080p.
The refreshed notebook now comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800 processor and 32GB of RAM (LPDDR5 @ 6400 MHz). You can configure the computer with up to 16TB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state storage. You get three USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) ports and a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) port.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 25276 with new Task Manager features
With the holidays becoming a distant memory, Microsoft is back to its weekly Windows 11 release schedule for Insiders in the Dev Channel.
Today's new flight, Build 25276, comes with the usual set of improvements and fixes, and includes a change for Task Manager and adjustments to the Settings account page. This build also sees the Network Troubleshooter being replaced with a new network connectivity troubleshooting experience through the Get Help app.
Why the mobile experience is important for eCommerce
Mobiles have become a pivotal part of the shopping experience. With each passing year, the statistics favoring mobile shopping increase, further underlining the importance of having an online store configured for mobile shopping. But why is mobile such a key aspect of shopping online? Here, we examine the power of mobile and why your online store should ensure it's optimized for more than one device.
According to Statista, mobile use numbers have grown impressively year on year. There are increasingly more users accessing the web and buying products and services from their smartphones than at any previous point in history, increasing from 52.45 percent of all eCommerce sales in 2016 to an all time high in 2022. This trend in increased m-commerce can been seen globally for example in the US 78 percent of sales traffic came from smart phones.
New security tools aim to protect enterprises from phishing attacks
A new set of zero trust email security solutions from Cloudflare are aimed at protecting employees from multichannel phishing attacks, preventing sensitive data from being exfiltrated via email, and helping businesses speed up and simplify deployments,
Compatible with any email provider, the protection is integrated into Cloudflare's platform, helping to secure all of an organization's applications and data.
Microsoft needs to improve Nearby Share to include mobiles
Microsoft introduced Nearby Share in Windows 10 as a way to quickly transfer files between PCs that support it wirelessly. The system uses Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for the functionality and is supported on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Microsoft improved Nearby Share on Windows 11 by adding sharing over a private Wi-Fi network to the functionality.
Almost half of people think cyberattackers shouldn't be prosecuted -- provided they hand back some of their proceeds
New research from cybersecurity company Naoris Protocol finds 48 percent of people surveyed think criminals who break into computer networks with malicious intent should be paid a percentage of the funds they steal and face no prosecution if they return the majority of their spoils.
The survey of over 500 people working in the cybersecurity and web arenas found just 38 percent saying they disagreed with not prosecuting malicious hackers, while 13 percent were unsure.
Why UK healthcare organizations need a multi-layered approach to protect against ever-evolving threats
Today, England’s aging population, the growth in chronic conditions and co-morbidities, a shortage of young people entering the profession, the deployment of new technologies, processes and treatments, an explosion in data, as well as an escalating threat landscape all contribute to the UK’s healthcare challenges. This complex combination is creating opportunities for threat actors to take advantage of weaknesses in systems security and technology as attention is diverted elsewhere.
Until COVID-19 struck, UK healthcare was structured around face-to-face interactions between patients and clinicians in hub settings such as hospitals and GP surgeries. When the pandemic made this approach too high-risk, it ushered in an era of virtual consultations on a scale never previously attainable.
Microsoft is rolling out an energy-saving software update to Xbox consoles
Anyone with an Xbox Series X or S can expect to see a software update from Microsoft in the near future that will change the way their console uses energy-saving power modes.
The company has announced that it is rolling out an update that should dramatically reduce power consumption when an Xbox is not in use. The update will switch consoles to using Shutdown (energy saving) mode, which Microsoft says can cut power usage by up to 20 times.
Responsible use of tech is seen as a pressing business need
According to a new report, 73 percent of business leaders think responsible technology use will become as important as business or financial considerations when making tech decisions.
The study from Thoughtworks is based on a survey of 550 senior executives from nine countries around the world. When asked about the tangible business benefits of adopting responsible technology, the top response was better customer acquisition/retention (47 percent).
Microsoft is launching Teams Premium and some features that are currently free will be paywalled
Back in October, Microsoft announced plans to launch Microsoft Teams Premium, a paid-for version of its meeting and collaboration software. Now we know that the Premium tier is due to launch next month, and that as of February some of the features and options that are currently available to everyone for free will only be available to Premium users.
Although a precise launch date has not yet been revealed, Microsoft has told partners that the current schedule has Microsoft Teams Premium launching in "early February 2023". The company has also said that "some Teams features will move from Teams licenses to Teams Premium licenses".
New Microsoft 365 Basic tier includes 100GB of cloud storage, ad-free Outlook, Windows 11 help and more for just $2 per month
Microsoft has announced a new low-cost Microsoft 365 tier, giving access to a cloud storage boost and more. Priced at just $1.99 per month, Microsoft 365 Basic includes 100GB of cloud storage, removes advertising from the mobile and web versions of Outlook, and also includes access to the free web-based versions of various Office components.
Microsoft 365 Basic is replacing the current OneDrive Standalone 100GB plan, with existing users being automatically migrated later this month. Microsoft is quick to point out that while there is no change to plan costs, there are now more benefits for the same price -- including technical support for Windows 11.
Nine out of 10 companies plan to grow their investment in automation
More than nine in 10 IT leaders have invested in process automation over the past year, and 91 percent say their organization plans to increase investment in process automation over the next 24 months, compared with 88 percent when asked the same question a year ago.
These findings come from a new report published today by Camunda, based on research carried out by Regina Corso Consulting, but the study also finds there are concerns, as 69 percent say that as more tasks become automated, it's harder to visualize end-to-end processes.
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