Software
* Google has published an English support page confirming users can change their @gmail.com address. * When you change addresses, your old email becomes an alternate and you’ll receive mail at both addresses. * Account data (Photos, Drive, Messages) stays intact; you can revert but face a 12‑month restriction on
Software
• LockStar v8.5.00.8 brings fully customizable unlock animations to One UI 8.5. • Users can choose effects like Slide, Expand, Spread, Wave, Warp, and Ripple and tweak speed, distortion, and physics. • LockStar also adds manual Always On Display (AOD) brightness control, overriding auto-brightness on compatible devices. • This update
Software
* Instagram has activated “Your Algorithm” controls for all English-speaking users worldwide, letting people add or remove Reels topics. * Controls are accessible from the Reels feed via the top-right slider icon; users can preview example videos for each interest. * Instagram also lets users set three top interests for 2026 to guide
Software
* Key Takeaways: * Leaked Android 17 build shows an option to split Notifications and Quick Settings into separate panels. * New gestures: swipe from top-left for notifications, top-right for Quick Settings; combined classic view remains optional. * UI tweaks include a large clock on Notifications, a QS top-sheet with a volume slider under
Software
* Single subscription for Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor and MainStage. * Price: $13/month or $129/year; students/educators $3/month or $30/year; Family Sharing for up to six. * Launches January 28 with a one-month free trial and AI features like Beat Detection and Montage Maker.
Software
* Key Takeaways: * Microsoft released Windows 11 KB5074109 (January 2026 Patch Tuesday); it advances 25H2 to Build 26200.7623 (24H2 to 26100.7623). * The update is mandatory and will download/install automatically unless updates are paused; offline .msu installers are available from the Microsoft Update Catalog. * KB5074109 focuses on bug fixes
Software
* Key Takeaways: * The iOS 26.3 beta includes references that suggest carriers could support end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages. * That groundwork points to possible native, encrypted iPhone-to-Android messaging via RCS in the future. * Any shift depends on carriers, Google’s RCS ecosystem, and Apple updating Messages to use RCS
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