The latest IT news from the tech world
Follow the latest news from the IT world, software and hardware with us. We cover products from Google, Microsoft, Facebook, OpenAI and more. We’ll also feature IT news from hardware giants Intel, Nvidia, AMD, as well as tech news from robotics, smartphones and gaming.
In the article you will learn:
April 2025
Sony will increase the quality of photos – preparing 200 Mpx sensor
Sony is preparing a new 200 Mpx image sensor, which will have a higher resolution than previous solutions and will bring better low-light performance, more detailed images and better zoom. The sensor will not be exclusively used for its own models, but will also be available for other smartphone manufacturers. By focusing on higher image quality, Sony wants to compete with Samsung, which dominates in the high-resolution field. With a 1/1.3-inch sensor size and advanced technologies, the news is expected to improve autofocus, night vision and noise reduction. The first flagship models with this sensor could appear at the end of 2025.
Source: notebookcheck.net/Sony-s-new-200-MP-sensor-to-crush-the-opposition-and-be-adopted-by-next-gen-flagships.985233.0.html
Gmail improves email search with AI
Gmail is now using AI to improve search results. It offers users the ability to toggle between seeing the most relevant and most recent emails, increasing the chances that the email they want will show up right at the top. The new feature is available in the web version as well as in the Android and iOS apps. When assessing relevance, the AI takes into account, for example, topicality, frequently clicked messages or frequent contacts. The feature is gradually being rolled out to all users and will later be available for corporate accounts as well.
Source: blog.google/products/gmail/gmail-search-update-relevant-emails/
Gemini AI will make programming easier with new Canvas feature
Google introduced the Canvas feature within Gemini, which allows for easier editing of code and text. Canvas provides a clear interface with a question and answer split, and the resulting code can be easily copied and edited. The feature is available for Gemini and Gemini Advanced and works with the 2.0 Flash model. It allows you to mark specific sections of text to adjust tone, length or format. Programmers will appreciate the ability to test HTML and React codes in the interactive preview. Created documents can be exported to Google Docs.
Source: blog.google/products/gemini/gemini-collaboration-features/
ChatGPT improved image generation in the GPT-4o model
OpenAI has improved the ability to generate images directly in ChatGPT, including support for editing images directly in the chat interface. The feature uses the GPT-4o model, which better understands assignments and can work with multiple objects at once. Users can generate images without logging in, but get more options after logging in. The images contain C2PA information that records the origin and edit history. While the feature is not yet perfect, especially for complicated posters or text, it greatly expands the graphic creation capabilities in ChatGPT.
Source: openai.com/index/introducing-4o-image-generation/
Windows 11 and Copilot – Microsoft unveils roadmap of new features
Microsoft has published a clear roadmap of upcoming features for Windows 11 and Copilot Assistant to provide a transparent view of the system’s evolution and prepare IT professionals for the upcoming changes. The planned new features include features such as automatic tab refresh in Explorer, web widgets for developers, and improved CPU load calculation in Task Manager. Each feature in the table is labeled according to completion and availability status – for example, for the Insider program only or in the broader rollout phase. Among the features already available, for example, is Cocreator in the Copilot+ Device Sketchpad.
Source: microsoft.com/en-us/windows/business/roadmap
Gorilla Glass Ceramic – the next generation of display protection
Corning has introduced a new display protection technology – Gorilla Glass Ceramic, which uses ceramic materials to increase durability and has the ambition to replace existing variants such as Victus or Victus 2. The new Gorilla Glass Ceramic has an increased proportion of ceramic and can withstand repeated drops from a height of one metre onto a hard asphalt-like surface. This is in response to the frequent damage to displays, which is one of the most common reasons for replacing phones. The first device with this technology is expected to come from Motorola, and ceramic solutions are expected to become standard in the most premium models.
Source: androidauthority.com/corning-gorilla-glass-ceramic-3539449/
Bill Gates on AI: Three professions that won’t lose their jobs (yet)
Bill Gates predicts that artificial intelligence will dramatically change the job market in the next decade, but some professions remain safe for now. These are programmers, energy engineers and biologists.
Gates points out that while AI will replace many tasks, it still needs humans to be creative, solve complex problems and oversee its development. Programmers are important for creating and debugging code, power engineers work with overly complex systems, and biology still requires human inventiveness for research and discovery.
Source: windowscentral.com/software-apps/bill-gates-says-ai-will-replace-humans-for-most-things
Microsoft Office will speed up start – first in Word
Starting in May, Word will start up faster thanks to the Task Scheduler initializing the application at startup. A new feature called Office Startup Boot will allow Word to load faster by starting its initialization components as soon as the computer is turned on. It will only activate on devices with at least 8GB of RAM and 5GB of free disk space. The feature is optional and will not run when power saving mode is enabled. Although it would be more suited for Excel, Microsoft is testing it in Word first.
Source: zdnet.com/article/your-microsoft-office-apps-will-soon-launch-faster-but-the-speed-boost-is-optional/
Google Maps steps up fight against fake reviews
Google is improving its systems to detect fake reviews using artificial intelligence and Gemini technology, with measures being rolled out globally. Google Maps has long sought to curb review abuse (such as buying five-star reviews without visiting the establishment) and editing business profiles. In 2024, the company has already removed more than 240 million fake reviews and 12 million fake profiles, most of which were detected by algorithms before they were published. The new Gemini-based AI model can identify fraudulent behavior based on several new patterns of abuse, helping to block thousands of suspicious edits to company profiles, and can increase the credibility of reviews.
The new security measures are already in place in the US, UK and India, but will be rolled out globally from next month. Users will be alerted to removed reviews and suspicious profiles. With these measures, Google wants to ensure that Maps remains a trusted tool for millions of users around the world.
Source: 9to5google.com/2025/04/07/google-maps-fake-reviews/
Microsoft celebrates 50 years – special wallpapers, themes and bonus content
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding, Microsoft has prepared limited edition graphic themes and retro elements for Windows and Xbox users.
Microsoft was founded on 4 April 1975 and today marks its half-century anniversary. On a special Unlocked page, it has published a review of its history and offered fans the chance to download special anniversary wallpapers for Windows and Xbox that pay tribute to iconic games and apps like Solitaire and Sketchpad. In addition to the backgrounds, the reverse of the cards can also be changed in the Microsoft Solitaire Collection available in the Microsoft Store.
The Microsoft Edge browser has been given a special nostalgic anniversary theme that’s available exclusively for the browser. Plus, the Clipchamp video editor has added anniversary elements like retro icons, nostalgic windows, and high-resolution graphics that you can embed in your videos. So Microsoft is offering modern users the chance to reminisce about the old days with a modern design.
Source: unlocked.microsoft.com/50th/
Google is moving to a single Google.com domain
Google is unifying search under a single domain – google.com, ending the era of national domains such as google.sk or google.fr. The change is mainly technical and will not affect the location of search results.
Starting in April 2025, Google will globally redirect all of its national search engines to google.com. Although you will no longer see a domain like google.sk, results will still be tailored to your location. That’s because Google has been using the physical location of your device, not the domain, to determine your location since 2017. So for the user, the change is purely cosmetic – the only difference is that only google.com will be displayed in the browser. In some cases, you may have to re-set your language or region.
With this move, Google is simplifying the management of its global service, reducing technical complexity and better responding to an era where mobile devices and AI locate users much more accurately than URL domains.
Source: 9to5google.com/2025/04/15/google-com-search/
Snipping Tool for Snipping in Windows gets text recognition (OCR)
Windows 11 gets a handy enhancement – text recognition(OCR) directly in the Snipping Tool . The feature will allow you to extract text from images without the need to use external tools. Microsoft is adding a new text extraction button to the tool that will make OCR mode available. The user will be able to select specific text using the cursor or mark the entire area, and the application will automatically recognize and copy the text. There will also be options to remove line breaks, which will make subsequent editing easier in Notepad or Word, for example.
The new feature is only available for Insiders in version 11.2503.27.0 for now. You open the tool as always via the Win + Shift + S shortcut, while OCR mode allows you to extract text quickly and without having to save the image to disk.
Source: blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/04/15/text-extractor-in-snipping-tool-begins-rolling-out-to-windows-insiders/
Meta AI has officially arrived in Slovakia and the Czech Republic
Meta has finally launched its Meta AI for users in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, expanding the tool’s availability across Europe.
You can try out Meta AI via Meta.ai, and you may need to log in via Facebook or Instagram to access it. The tool offers features such as generating images, answering questions or helping with various tasks, making it a competitor to well-known solutions such as ChatGPT, Copilot or Gemini. Although the service is available in a limited mode for now, it is the next step in the development of AI tools available to ordinary users.
Source: meta.ai/
YouTube celebrates 20 years – the first video is still online
23.4.2025 marks exactly 20 years since the first video was uploaded to YouTube. The platform that fundamentally changed the way we consume content online is marking this milestone with special features and a return to its roots.
The first YouTube video was Me at the zoo, uploaded by co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. The video is only 18 seconds long and shows him at the San Diego Zoo talking about elephants. Although YouTube today has videos in 4K, 8K or VR format, this 240p pre-flood video remains a symbol of the platform’s early days. In 2025, it already has more than 355 million views and 17 million likes. To mark the anniversary, YouTube has added a digital cake and an elephant as a tribute to its history.
Today, YouTube has 2.7 billion active users who watch videos at least once a week. On top of that, there are tens of millions of video creators who regularly feed YouTube. Over three million channels are signed up for the affiliate program and Google shares ad revenue and premium subscriptions with them. In the last three years alone, it has paid them over $70 billion.
Source: androidauthority.com/youtube-first-video-upload-20th-anniversary-3547053/
March 2025
Firefox extends support for Windows 7 until 2025
Mozilla has decided to extend support for the legacy Windows 7 operating system through a special version of Firefox – ESR 115. This extended support version will receive security updates until at least September 16, 2025, and a decision will be made in August this year on a possible further extension. This is good news for Windows 7 users, as most browsers have already discontinued support for this system. The ESR version of Firefox will allow you to continue using the browser securely, but without the latest feature updates. This model is especially beneficial for businesses and those who prefer stability over frequent software changes.
Source: whattrainisitnow.com/release/?version=esr
FreeTube brings ad-free and private YouTube
The FreeTube app offers you a way to watch YouTube videos without ads and without having to sign in. It works on a variety of platforms, including ARM devices, and offers a portable version that you can run directly from a flash drive. The user interface is reminiscent of YouTube, but it’s minimalistic and free of distractions. You can play videos directly or download them and watch them offline. FreeTube allows you to create playlists and watch channels without linking to a Google account, increasing your level of privacy.
Source: github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube
Google Gemini enables free analysis of (even scanned) documents
Google Gemini now makes it possible to analyze a variety of documents without having to pay, making this feature available to a wider audience. Users can upload images, PDFs, and Word documents directly through the web interface or mobile app. However, paid accounts still offer more options – such as support for Excel spreadsheets or a larger contextual window.
The Gemini 2.0 Flash model is also suitable for programming, but the accuracy of the answers depends on a clearly defined task. The AI tool Grok from X (formerly Twitter) is often mentioned in this context, which produces different results depending on the accuracy of the requirements.
Source: x.com/GeminiApp/status/1892678157406281931
Antropic releases Claude 3.7 – the most intelligent AI available for free
A new version of Claude 3.7 Sonnet, which is significantly more powerful than the previous version 3.5, offers advanced reasoning and faster answers to users of the free version, while subscribers gain the ability to adjust the accuracy and length of answers up to 128,000 tokens.
In benchmarks, this model outperforms competitors such as DeepSeek and OpenAI o1 by more than 12%. Anthropic is also developing a Claude Code model for analysis and code generation, which is currently only available in a test version and is not free.
Source: anthropic.com/news/claude-3-7-sonnet
Microsoft tests ads in Office apps
Microsoft is experimenting with displaying ads in the free version of its office suite, Microsoft 365 Copilot. The ads appear on the right-hand side of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and can’t be removed unless you subscribe to the paid version as a user.
So far, it’s just a testing, and the ads mainly promote Microsoft products such as Designer. Documents in this version of Office can only be stored on OneDrive, and free users have 5GB of storage. Despite the ads and restrictions, users can still edit documents after the trial period has expired, which was not possible before.
Source: beebom.com/microsoft-free-ad-supported-office-quietly-launched/
Copilot offers AI conversation on mobile for free
Microsoft Copilot is the latest to offer free access to voice interaction and “Think Deeper” features that were previously only available to paying users. As a user, you can have a natural conversation with the AI without having to reactivate it. This functionality is already familiar from ChatGPT, but in the case of Copilot, all you need to do is download the app and start using the AI to search for information or learn languages.
Competitor Perplexity offers a similar “Deep Research” feature for in-depth analysis. The paid version of Copilot Pro still comes with benefits such as higher query limits or image generation, but many features that were until recently chargeable are now available for free.
Source: microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/2025/02/25/announcing-free-unlimited-access-to-think-deeper-and-voice/
Microsoft unveils Majorana 1 quantum chip
Microsoft has unveiled its first quantum chip, called Majorana 1, which marks an important step in quantum computing. This chip is designed to be scalable up to a million qubits, which could significantly change the field of computing in the future. Quantum computers can perform calculations much faster than traditional computers and could bring breakthroughs in modeling chemical reactions, developing new materials, or finding ecological solutions.
Although fully functional quantum computers are still a thing of the future, Microsoft’s development has focused on the stability of qubits using a so-called topological conductor, a special material that allows the topological state of matter to be created. This should make quantum computing more stable and powerful. Quantum computers may have future applications in a variety of fields, including healthcare, agriculture, and ecology, and may help, for example, in the development of catalysts for the decomposition of plastic waste or the production of regenerative materials.
Source: news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microsofts-majorana-1-chip-carves-new-path-for-quantum-computing/
Microsoft plans to end Skype after more than 21 years
According to the latest beta version of Skype for Windows, Microsoft plans to discontinue this popular communication service in May this year. Users are advised to switch to the free version of Microsoft Teams, which has gradually taken over the functions of Skype.
Skype has been the main tool for video calls over the internet for many years, but in recent years it has been overshadowed by modern applications such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Despite Microsoft’s constant improvements to Skype, its future has been uncertain since Teams’ launch in 2017. Although the company hasn’t officially announced the end of Skype yet, source code information suggests that its end is near.
Source: microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/
Neural AI rendering coming to DirectX
Microsoft is adding Cooperative Vectors technology to DirectX to enable AI integration directly into the graphics pipeline. This technology will be supported on GPUs from Nvidia, AMD, Intel and Qualcomm and will enable cross-platform neural rendering.
The news is closely related to the so-called Neural Shaders, which are a feature of the new generation of Nvidia Blackwell GPUs. It allows developers to combine traditional shader computations with AI inference on tensor cores without the need to switch the GPU to a special mode. Developers will be able to use AI models to more realistically simulate materials, lighting, or physical effects in games. Cooperative Neural Vectors support will appear in the DirectX SDK as early as April 2025, but we’ll have to wait longer to see it actually used in games.
Source: devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/enabling-neural-rendering-in-directx-cooperative-vector-support-coming-soon/
Windows 11 gets a new battery indicator with coloured statuses and percentages
Microsoft tweaks the battery indicator in Windows 11 to make it clearer and more practical. The new version will add colour differentiation for battery status and the ability to display percentages right next to the icon. The battery will have four colour modes: green (charging and good condition), yellow/orange (power saving mode at ≤20%), red (critically low battery), and standard white (normal condition). The battery percentage display will be optional and can be turned on in the settings. The change is only available for the Insider version of Windows 11 for now, but it’s likely to make its way to the stable version in a future update.
Source: blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/02/28/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-27802-canary-channel/
Google introduces the new Gemma 3
Gemma 3 is Google’s latest multimodal AI model that handles text, image, and video analysis. It has better math skills, structured responses, and supports over 140 languages.
Running on a PC is possible via Ollama.com, where versions (1B, 4B, 12B, 27B) are available depending on the performance of the device. The most powerful variant offers a contextual window of 128,000 tokens. Community versions optimized for specific tasks, such as programming assistance, are also being developed.
Source: developers.googleblog.com/en/introducing-gemma3/
Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot mimics human movements
The latest video shows that the humanoid robot Atlas can already mimic human gait and movements. Boston Dynamics used motion tracking of real people to help the robot learn natural movement, which is more challenging than acrobatic stunts. Atlas is a prototype for now, but the technology is improving all the time and moving toward a commercial version. However, competition is growing – several startups are working on bipedal robots for warehouses and homes, and Nvidia has developed Jetson Thor, a specialized computer to control them.
Source: Boston Dynamics
February 2025
Vivaldi 7.1 – a browser with better personalisation and privacy protection
Vivaldi, the browser known for its focus on privacy and customisability, has released version 7.1, which brings new features and improvements. Highlights include a weather widget integrated into the browser interface, better Dashboard personalisation options, and simplified adding of pages to the Quick Menu. It also allows users to quickly share tabs between devices using the “Send Tab to Device” feature. To maintain its independence, Vivaldi has changed some of the default search engines, with Startpage, Ecosia, DuckDuckGo and Qwant among the supported ones. The new version is also more stable and can recover from unexpected crashes. Vivaldi 7.1 is available for Windows, macOS and Android, with the Windows version already ready for download.
Source: vivaldi.com/new/
YouTube bug brought unskippable ads even an hour long
A bug on YouTube is causing ads to run for over an hour without the option to skip them. According to YouTube, this is due to ad-blocking tools that cause ads to display incorrectly and may hide the skip button. Normally, non-skippable ads are up to 15 seconds long, or up to 60 seconds in the case of the smart TV app.
YouTube has long restricted ad-blockers, forcing users to either accept ads or subscribe to YouTube Premium. Those who continue to use blockers may face unexpected problems, such as extremely long ads or the inability to skip them. The era of convenient ad-free YouTube viewing with ad-blockers seems to be slowly coming to an end.
Source: androidauthority.com/youtube-long-unskippable-ads-problem-3519957/
Sony ends Blu-ray disc production after 18 years
Sony will close its last factory producing recordable Blu-ray discs, MiniDV tapes and MD Data media this month. However, Blu-ray technology is not completely finished – production of pre-recorded movie and game discs continues, and Sony will retain production lines for business partners as long as it is economically sustainable. Blu-ray originally gained traction thanks to the PlayStation 3 and the support of movie studios, but is now taking a back seat to the growing popularity of cloud services and digital distribution of games and movies.
However, optical discs still have advantages, especially for storing large amounts of data for long-term backup. Other manufacturers such as Panasonic, Pioneer, Verbatim and Ritek remain on the market and will continue to produce recordable discs, even if in more limited quantities. Physical media will not become completely obsolete, but their role in the consumer segment will continue to decline.
Source: tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/after-18-years-blu-ray-media-production-draws-to-a-close-sony-shuts-its-last-factory-in-feb
Google Gemini 2.0 is coming – a new model focused on AI agents
Google has launched Gemini 2.0, the latest version of its AI model designed for the “agent era”. This model brings advanced multimodal capabilities, including native image and audio generation, as well as integration with tools such as Google Search and coding features. Gemini 2.0 Flash, an experimental version of the model, is already available to developers through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, with wider availability planned for early next year.
In addition, Google is showcasing projects such as Astra and Mariner, which demonstrate the potential of real-time AI agent systems. The company highlights its commitment to responsible AI development, implementing safety measures and working with external experts to test and improve the model.
Source: blog.google/products/gemini/
EU regulates AI – new regulation brings bans and penalties
The European Union is responding to the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) with a new regulation that bans the use of AI in areas considered high-risk. The Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) came into force on 2 February 2025 and imposes strict rules on the development and use of AI in the EU.
The ban covers manipulative AI systems, social assessment of citizens, non-targeted collection of CCTV data, and biometric analysis in public places. AI systems must also not be used to monitor emotions in workplaces or schools. The regulation also applies to large AI models (e.g., IBM Granite, Meta Llama 3) and sets high fines for breaches – up to 7% of a company’s global annual turnover. Personal and scientific AI systems are exempt.
Source: ibm.com/think/topics/eu-ai-act
Meta faces accusations of using pirated books to train AI
Meta is facing accusations of copyright infringement after it emerged that it used pirated books downloaded from torrents to train its LLaMA AI models. Internal emails uncovered during the lawsuit indicate that the company downloaded approximately 81.7 terabytes of data from shadow libraries, such as LibGen and Z-Library, through a site called Anna’s Archive. Some employees raised concerns about the ethics and legality of such actions.
Meta defends itself by claiming that, although it downloaded the material, it took measures to prevent its further distribution (seeding) during torrenting. The company also argues that the use of this data for AI training falls under ‘fair use’. However, the authors, including Ta-Nehisi Coates and Sarah Silverman, claim that Meta knowingly used pirated versions of their works without permission, which constitutes copyright infringement. This case highlights the growing tension between content creators and tech giants over the use of protected materials to train AI systems.
Sources: arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/02/meta-torrented-over-81-7tb-of-pirated-books-to-train-ai-authors-say/ and arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/02/meta-defends-its-vast-book-torrenting-were-just-a-leech-no-proof-of-seeding/
Google appreciates Chinese AI. DeepSeek impressed with efficiency, but didn’t bring anything groundbreaking
Google DeepMind’s CEO, Demis Hassabis, called DeepSeek’s AI model “probably the best work out of China”. However, despite the overwhelming response, he stressed that the model does not represent a major scientific advance, as it uses techniques already known in the field of AI. DeepSeek impressed by claiming that it trained its model at a significantly lower cost and on less powerful Nvidia chips, sparking debates about the efficiency of spending by large AI companies.
However, Hassabis cautioned that these costs may actually be higher than the company is reporting. He also noted that Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash models are more efficient. The artificial general intelligence (AGI) debate is gaining momentum, with Hassabis estimating its arrival within five years, which will require the company to prepare thoroughly for its implications.
Source: cnbc.com/2025/02/09/deepseeks-ai-model-the-best-work-out-of-china-google-deepmind-ceo.html
Google Chrome could automatically change our passwords for us in the future
Google is working on a new feature for Chrome that could significantly improve user security. This involves automatically changing passwords when a data leak is detected. Chrome would track information about security incidents and offer an instant password change option in the event of an account breach. This process would be fully automated and would complement Google’s current password manager. Users wouldn’t have to change their passwords manually – Chrome would take care of it for them. The new feature is still under development, and it is not known when it will be available to the public.
Source: androidheadlines.com/2025/02/google-chrome-change-passwords-automatically.html
OpenAI is preparing new models – GPT-4.5 Orion coming soon, GPT-5 later
OpenAI is preparing new versions of its language models. Sam Altman announced that GPT-4.5 Orion will be coming in a few weeks and will be the last model that does not take the previous context into account.
GPT-5 will bring significant enhancements such as an expanded context window and multimodal capabilities, allowing you to work with text, images, and audio. It is expected in a few months. OpenAI also plans to merge models with the “o” attribute, and non-paying users will gain access to GPT-5, although with limited features. The paid Pro version will offer enhanced capabilities such as unlimited voice interaction and advanced features in the Sora video creation tool.
Zdroj: com/sama/status/1889755723078443244
Windows 11 wil upgrade Snap Panel – a more convenient window layout
Microsoft is planning improvements to the “Snap” feature in Windows 11, which allows you to quickly arrange windows on the screen. The new floating bar visual will be clearer, and Microsoft wants to encourage the use of the Win+Z keyboard shortcut, which doesn’t work yet. The changes appeared in Insider Preview Build 22635.4805. Window snapping has evolved from a simple feature in Windows 7 to the current half- or quarter-screen customization options. Users can arrange windows not only with the mouse, but also with the Win + left/right arrow keys shortcut for more efficient multitasking.
Source: blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/01/24/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22635-4805-beta-channel/
Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered – Lara Croft returns in a new guise
Remastered versions of the next three Tomb Raider episodes are here, bringing improved graphics, new features, and fidelity to the original gameplay. Players can switch between the old and new visuals with a single press of the F1 key.
The games retain the classic controls, but also offer a modernized scheme for more comfortable gameplay. From the beginning, the developers at Aspyr Media planned a remaster of the entire six-part series from Core Design. Improvements include redesigned lighting, better object visibility, and the ability to display boss health. Players can also look forward to the “Times Exclusive” bonus level, which many fans of the original games haven’t played.
Source: rockpapershotgun.com/tomb-raider-iv-vi-remastered-review
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – the best historical RPG?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is the sequel to the successful historical role-playing game from Czech studio Warhorse Studios, released on 4 February 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The game is set in 15th-century medieval Bohemia and follows the story of Henry, the son of a blacksmith from Skalica, who once again embarks on an epic adventure just two days after the end of the first instalment.
The game has received mostly positive reviews from critics, with an average score of 88% on Metacritic and even 92% from over 40,000 players on Steam. Reviewers praise the game’s realistic depiction of the medieval world, detailed environments, and deep story. For example, the Dexerto server gave the game a full 5/5 rating, praising the gorgeous open world and the improved combat system. Similarly, Windows Central awarded 5/5, highlighting the excellent combat and unexpected twists in the story.
The game was also commercially successful, selling more than a million copies on its first day and over 2.5 million copies within three weeks. This success confirms players’ high interest in quality historical RPG titles.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II offers a vast open world that faithfully recreates the Czech landscape, including areas like Český ráj, Trosky Castle, and Kutná Hora. Its focus on realism—requiring players to manage sleep, diet, and hygiene—deepens immersion into medieval life.
Regarded as a milestone in the RPG genre, the game blends historical accuracy with compelling storytelling and complex mechanics.
Source : indian-tv.com/reviews/other-dil-is-the-best-thing-to-kingdom-come-deliverance-kvv307
January 2025
Free web search with ChatGPT for all users
ChatGPT now allows all users to search the web, greatly enhancing its ability to provide comprehensive answers. The feature, which was previously only available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers or users with priority access, now allows the chatbot to search for information on websites, social networking sites or the YouTube platform. Users can verify these sources through links provided by the chatbot. This innovation is particularly useful in an academic environment, where it makes it easier for students to access verified resources.
The feature is available on both the web and mobile interfaces and can be activated by clicking on the globe icon next to the search bar. ChatGPT thus offers new ways of working with information, regardless of whether the user has a subscription or not.
Source : theverge.com/2024/12/16/24322665/chatgpt-search-engine-rolling-out-free-users
Elon Musk prepares Xmail – a new email client with interesting features
Elon Musk, known for his ambitious technology projects, is planning to unveil a new email client called Xmail. The aim is to provide a simple and friendly environment that could compete with Google’s dominant Gmail. Xmail was mentioned on Platform X (formerly Twitter), where Musk responded to a user request for a less formal and complicated email system. Although specific details and a launch date have yet to be announced, Xmail is expected to offer unique features that could attract users.
Xmail’s success will depend on its ability to deliver revolutionary innovations that overcome long-standing Gmail user habits. One tempting feature could be the ability to use shorter email addresses in the form of user@x.com, which could appeal to technology enthusiasts. Musk’s ambition to dethrone Google shows that he has big plans for email too.
Source: androidheadlines.com/2024/12/elon-musk-hints-at-working-on-xmail-a-new-dm-style-email-service.html
Qualcomm wins dispute with ARM
Qualcomm has won an important victory in a legal battle with ARM over licensing agreements following its acquisition of startup Nuvia in 2021. A US federal court ruled that Qualcomm had not breached the licensing agreements, allowing it to continue developing and selling chips based on Nuvia’s technology. Despite the ruling, the judge warned that the verdict was not conclusive and that the question of ARM’s royalty and legal claims remained open.
This controversy is significant for the future of Qualcomm’s chips, particularly its new flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite with Oryon cores, which uses Nuvia’s Phoenix architecture. This allows Qualcomm to continue its expansion in the AI-focused computer chip market, but the threat of further legal action from ARM could affect the long-term development of the technology.
Source: reuters.com/legal/us-jury-deadlocked-arm-trial-against-qualcomm-still-deliberating-2024-12-20/
Instagram launches long-awaited message scheduling feature
Instagram launches long-awaited message scheduling feature Instagram, which has evolved from a photo-sharing platform to a full-blown social network, is finally introducing a feature that users have been asking for for years – the ability to schedule messages. Users can now write a message and schedule it to be sent up to 29 days in advance. This feature is perfect for those who don’t want to send messages at inconvenient times, or for those who want to set reminders without worrying about forgetting.
Message scheduling is available on both Android devices and iPhones. Simply press and hold the send button, select the date and time from the scroll bar and the message is ready to send. Users can edit or cancel a scheduled message at any time via a notification in the conversation. As part of Instagram’s suite of New Year’s Eve features, this new feature makes it easy to prepare holiday wishes or other important messages in advance without stress.
Source: businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/instagram-launches-dm-scheduling-feature-letting-users-plan-messages-up-to-29-days-ahead-457687-2024-12-18
USB-C connector made mandatory by the European Union
The European Union has introduced EU Directive 2022/2380, which requires all new devices on the EU market to use a USB-C charging port from 28 December 2024. This decision aims to simplify the use of chargers and reduce e-waste. The regulation applies not only to smartphones, but also to tablets, e-book readers, computer peripherals and headphones. Most smartphones already use USB-C and Apple has adapted its new iPhones to the standard. Laptops have a longer transition period and will not need to support charging through the USB-C port until 28 April 2026. Despite the widespread adoption of USB-C, questions remain about the compatibility and performance of chargers, as new devices often support super-fast charging, which may require the purchase of additional accessories. However, the move is seen as a significant shift towards a greener and more user-friendly technology environment.
Source: commission.europa.eu/news/eu-common-charger-rules-power-all-your-devices-single-charger-2024-12-28_en
OpenAI introduces a new o3 model for ChatGPT
ChatGPT will launch a new model called o3, which is expected to reach the level of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), meaning that it will surpass human capabilities in many aspects. The model will be available in several versions, including o3 and o3-mini. The move comes as a successor to the o1 models, omitting the o2 version to avoid trademark disputes with UK operator O2. The model is expected to be launched at the end of January 2025.
The new model focuses on accuracy and justification of results, particularly in maths, physics and science. Interestingly, tests have shown that the o3 model tends to be more convincing at lying (hallucinating), which represents a form of optimization in an attempt to strike a balance between efficiency and accuracy of answers. The o3 version will also allow users to adjust the length of time the model spends ‘reasoning’, thus adapting to different needs and requirements.
Source: techcrunch.com/2024/12/20/openai-announces-new-o3-model/
Facebook stops fact-checking. Freedom of speech or the road to misinformation?
Facebook (Meta) has announced that it is ending its fact-checking program, which verified the accuracy of posts on the platform. According to Mark Zuckerberg, the move is intended to promote freedom of expression, as the social network’s algorithms often mistakenly censor legitimate posts. Fact-checking will be replaced by ‘community notes’, similar to those used by X (formerly Twitter). The withdrawal of cooperation with journalists and organizations such as PolitiFact raises fears of an increase in misinformation and fraud on the platform.
The change comes against a backdrop of past criticism, particularly from Donald Trump, who has accused Facebook of interfering in elections. Experts warn that the decision could lead to an even greater spread of fake news and propaganda, which could impact elections and global events. As the fact-checking program ends in the US, a similar change is expected to gradually spread to other countries, including Slovakia.
Source: tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/01/07/meta-ending-third-party-fact-checking-partnership-with-us-partners/
Microsoft Office ends with updates to Windows 10
Microsoft has announced that support for Microsoft 365 apps on the Windows 10 operating system will end on 14 October 2025. This date also marks the end of official support for Windows 10. After this date, both the Office apps and the system itself will still work, but they will no longer receive updates, which could make them more vulnerable to security threats over time.
Microsoft is also urging users to migrate to Windows 11, which is considered a stable and secure platform. However, some users may experience compatibility issues with their devices, mainly due to processor and TPM 2.0 chip requirements. While it is currently possible to work around these restrictions, the company plans to tighten the rules in the future.
Source: support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what-windows-end-of-support-means-for-office-and-microsoft-365-34e28be4-1e4f-4928-b210-3f45d8215595
The PC market grew only moderately in 2024
In 2024, the PC industry grew slightly by 1.3%, with total shipments reaching 245.3 million units. Despite manufacturers’ efforts to push new technologies such as artificial intelligence and Windows 11, the market remains overshadowed by the post-pandemic downturn. The biggest winners were Asus, Lenovo, and Apple, which saw the most significant gains in market share. Conversely, HP and Dell experienced slight declines.
Although marketing around AI-enabled laptops and the Snapdragon platform has made progress, consumer interest in these features has been lukewarm. Microsoft and Google are trying to increase appeal by integrating AI into software, but they have not made significant progress. As a result, the PC market is not expected to gain momentum until 2025, when innovation and the opening of Windows on Arm to new chip platforms could provide the expected boost.
Source: gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-01-15-gartner-says-worldwide-pc-shipments-increased-1-point-4-percent-in-fourth-quarter-of-2024
Android 16 brings new multitasking features to tablets
Google is preparing Android 16 with Baklava, which is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2025 and will reach platform stability as early as March. A major innovation will be improved multitasking for tablets, allowing up to three apps to be displayed simultaneously on a single screen. This feature will significantly improve the use of large screens, which until now could only be fully exploited by devices with their own add-ons, such as Samsung Galaxy tablets.
The new flexible multitasking system, already available in Android 16 Developer Preview 2, is designed to make it easier to view apps on larger screens. The Android 16 beta program, scheduled for later this month, could reveal more details. The feature is aimed at increasing productivity and convenience for tablet and foldable device users.
Source: 9to5google.com/2025/01/16/android-16-split-screen-mode-tablets-upgrade-rumor/
TSMC opens its first semiconductor factory in the USA
Taiwan-based TSMC, a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, is opening its first factory in the US, specifically in Arizona, with production scheduled to begin in 2025. The fab will use 4 nm technology and is currently in pilot production. In 2028, TSMC plans to open a second fab for more advanced 3 nm and 2 nm processes, with the possibility of further expansion by the end of the decade. Key customers will be companies such as Nvidia and Apple.
Despite the expansion, most production, including high-end technology, remains in Taiwan. TSMC CEO C.C. Wei pointed to the challenges and higher costs associated with US production, with a total investment of $65 billion for the three US plants. The move is a significant contribution to diversifying and securing global supply chains in the semiconductor industry.
Source: reuters.com/technology/tsmcs-us-plant-unlikely-get-latest-chip-tech-before-taiwan-ceo-says-2025-01-17/
35 years since the first ransomware
At the turn of 1989 and 1990, the first ransomware, called AIDS, appeared. This malware was physically distributed by mail on 5.25-inch floppy disks and targeted DOS-based PC users. AIDS encrypted file names after 90 computer boots and demanded a ransom of $189 or $378 to unlock them, to be sent to a post office box in Panama.
The ransomware was stopped in January 1990 when expert Jim Bates created a tool to remove it. The author was Dr Joseph Popp, an evolutionary biologist involved in AIDS research. He was charged with extortion, but his mental health landed him in a psychiatric ward rather than prison. This event is now seen as a historic milestone in the field of cyber threats.
Source: edition.cnn.com/2021/05/16/tech/ransomware-joseph-popp/index.html
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