Software

Making Android better is not always about making it faster, smoother or more packed with AI. Going some way to prove this, Google has unveiled no fewer than seven new accessibility focused features for its mobile operating system.

The features take into account the varying needs and expectations of users. Google says that the additions are designed to help “make it easier to see your screen, communicate with others and interact with the world”. So, let’s take a look and see what has been added.

A survey of over 2,000 IT and security decision-makers finds that 71 percent of in-house IT builds are eventually abandoned. In heavily regulated industries like manufacturing and finance this rises to 83 percent, which underscores how complexity and compliance pressures make homegrown systems difficult to sustain.

The study from Exclaimer calls this ‘The DIY Mirage’, a false sense of control and efficiency that fades as maintenance demands, compliance risks, and long-term costs grow.

Stardock has launched a new application for Windows called Connection Explorer, a beta tool designed to reveal and visualize every network connection made by a PC. Aimed at improving data transparency, it allows users to monitor, understand, and control how their devices communicate online.

The software maps out every connection a computer makes, transforming complex background activity into a readable visual interface. Stardock says the goal is to give users direct insight into how data flows between their systems and the internet, removing the guesswork from identifying unfamiliar or unwanted activity.

Ashampoo has released Privacy Inspector 3, a new version of its Windows privacy management software. The latest release gives users more transparency about what data their systems store, as well as how activity logs, device histories, and hidden files could leak personal information.

Privacy on Windows is a big concern for a lot of users as the OS and related applications gather information in order to improve functionality and deliver personalized experiences (as well as serving up personalized ads).

IObit has launched Advanced SystemCare 19, the latest version of its popular all-in-one PC optimization software. The new release promises faster performance, improved cleaning, and stronger protection for Windows users.

There have been a number of big changes made, starting with Junk File Clean which can now detect and remove a greater range of obsolete data types, including leftovers from Microsoft Store apps.

Fastmail users can now access their email inboxes, calendars, and contacts directly from the desktop. The privacy-focused email provider has released its first dedicated desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux, delivering the familiar Fastmail experience in a standalone format that works even when offline.

The app looks and feels like the web version but behaves like a true desktop client. It can be pinned to the dock or taskbar, opened from the app switcher, and set as the default email handler so that clicking an email link automatically launches a new message in Fastmail.

It’s been a long time coming, but Windows 10 is now only days away from reaching the end of its lifecycle, marking the end of updates and security support for one of Microsoft’s most widely used operating systems.

For millions of users still running the OS, this change raises an important question: what’s next? While upgrading to Windows 11 seems like the natural path forward, not every PC meets Microsoft’s stringent system requirements.

Piriform has released CCleaner 7, the latest version of its popular PC maintenance software. Key features of this update include a streamlined interface, dark mode options, and improved cleanup tools designed to give users better control over performance and storage.

The redesigned layout offers a cleaner and more responsive experience and users can now choose between light, dark, or automatic themes.

Ashampoo has launched Photo Commander 19, the newest version of its photo management and editing software. The update focuses on data protection, compatibility with a greater range of modern formats, and improved reliability.

Photo Commander 19 adds automatic encryption for databases, backups, and registry entries to help protect stored information. There’s also an optional screenshot protection feature to prevent unauthorized capture by external software.

AdGuard Ad Blocker is now available through the Microsoft Store, giving Windows users a new way to install the software.

The app is as one of the first full-featured system-wide ad blockers to reach the Store, giving Windows users who prefer centralized app management a direct installation option.

MiniTool Software has rolled out version 4.5 of its Windows video conversion tool.

MiniTool Video Converter can convert video files between formats, record on-screen activity, and compress clips. It supports a wide range of video and audio formats, with adjustable settings for resolution, bit rate, and frame rate.

Vivaldi has released version 7.6 of its Chromium-based browser, introducing a customizable tab bar, a new button for managing tabs, and a number of other smaller, but welcome improvements across the interface.

The customizable tab bar allows users to decide which tools appear and where they are placed. This change makes it possible to create either a minimal interface or one with more visible controls, depending on your preference.

A new report shows that 60 percent of organizations use AI in the software testing process, compared to just 30 percent last year, but 80 percent lack in-house AI testing expertise.

The study from Applause, based on a global survey of more than 2,100 software development and testing professionals, finds 92 percent of organizations are finding it challenging to keep pace with rapidly changing requirements.

MiniTool has released version 13 of its free Windows partitioning solution, Partition Wizard. The new iteration introduces updates to the data recovery tools and visual improvements for users on high-DPI displays (which is most of us these days).

The software is designed for managing large hard drives and SSDs, including resizing, copying, and converting partitions.

Among all the new hardware that Apple announced today -- including iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone Air, and Apple Watch Series 11 -- the tech giant also had something for professional video creators with the launch of Final Cut Camera 2.0.

The updated app, available for free on the App Store, introduces ProRes RAW capture and genlock on iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, alongside expanded support for the new Center Stage front camera across the latest iPhone lineup.