Software
• Key Takeaways: * Google Home added 20 new "starter" conditions and actions to build finer-grained automations. * New triggers include media playback and volume levels; actions include arming security, device on/off, blinds and appliance controls. * The changes appear in Google Home v4.6.55.1 for Android as a
Software
* Apple launches Creator Studio subscription on Jan 28: $13/month or $130/year, with a one-month free trial. * Includes Mac (and where applicable iPad) versions of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage. * Adds premium content and OpenAI-powered generative features for Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and Freeform;
Software
• Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena” is available now with Cinnamon 6.6, Xfce 4.18 and MATE 1.26. • Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and shipping with Linux kernel 6.14 for improved hardware support. • New System Information and System Administration tools, Timeshift snapshot pause, and XApp Symbolic Icons
Software
* Budgie 10.10 is officially released and marks the desktop's migration from X11 to Wayland. * The release note on GitHub declares the move and signals the team will now focus on Budgie 11. * A preview shipped in November; the final release is available on the BuddiesOfBudgie GitHub releases
Software
* IT admins can now remove Microsoft Copilot on managed Windows 11 devices using a new policy. * The RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp policy is rolling out to Dev and Beta Insiders in Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046). * The policy applies when Copilot wasn’t user-installed and hasn't been launched in 28 days; users
Software
* Microsoft released the first Windows 11 preview build of 2026, expanding Copilot+ PC features to more users. * The update introduces a new mobile "Resume" workflow to continue tasks from phone to PC. * The build is available through the Windows Insider preview channel and focuses on Copilot integrations, cross-device
Software
* Google Photos is rolling out an Expressive UI redesign for Backup settings. * APK teardown (v7.58.0.853810532) reveals a new "Backup schedule" option under Backup tools. * The feature could let you pick specific times or frequencies (daily, weekly, monthly) for uploads. * This is an early signal; APK
Software
* Key Takeaways: * Google’s Phone app beta (v204.0.852029473) includes a new "My Calling Card" feature. * Users can set a personal call screen image, font, size, and color, and choose visibility (Everyone or Contacts). * If a contact has already set a calling card for you, that card
Software
* Key Takeaways: * ReactOS synced its MSVCRT implementation with Wine 10.0, marking a major step toward Windows NT6 (NT 6.0) compatibility. * The rebase reduced API test failures by about 29.6% (roughly 7,574 of 25,517 failures). * Work is tracked in ReactOS GitHub merge request #8204 and was
Software
* Apple Fitness+ posted an Instagram Reel promising “something big” arriving in 2026. * The teaser shows fictional newspapers with headlines hinting at new content and a January reveal. * The post follows Apple’s Fitness+ market expansion with AI dubbing and reports the service was under review. What the teaser shows Apple’
Software
* Reading Mode in Chrome for Android has been rebuilt for easier access and persistent customization. * The redesign appears in Chrome version 143 and was first reported by 9to5Google. * New controls live in the three-dot menu; you can change fonts, sizes, and colors and keep those settings across pages. * The feature
Software
* Show Reading mode is moving to the three-dot menu for manual activation. * New bottom-sheet Reading mode keeps the Omnibox and uses Material 3 styling. * Customization includes fonts (Sans/Serif/Mono), text size up to 250%, and Light/Sepia/Dark backgrounds. * Feature is appearing in Chrome 143 stable on some devices;