Tech Gumbo

News and Updates:

• Microsoft backtracks in Europe — Windows 10’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) will be free for an extra year in the European Economic Area (EEA), lasting until October 14, 2026. After pushback from Euroconsumers under the Digital Markets Act, Microsoft dropped its requirement to enable Windows Backup (and OneDrive) for access. Users in the EEA still need to log in with a Microsoft account every 60 days, but n...

News and Updates:

• Pope Leo XIV rejected a proposal to create an AI-powered “virtual pope,” calling the idea of a digital clone horrifying. He warned that deepfakes, automation, and artificial substitutes erode trust, strip dignity from work, and risk turning life into “an empty, cold shell.” His stance echoes concerns as layoffs at Microsoft and Salesforce mount amid AI adoption.
• OpenAI released its first major study on ChatGP...

News and Updates:

• Apple iOS 26 delivers one of the biggest iPhone upgrades in years. The new Liquid Glass interface adds a translucent, holographic look, while Spatial Scenes uses AI to turn photos into dynamic 3D wallpapers. Major app redesigns include a cleaner Camera for one-handed use, a simplified Photos layout, customizable Messages with polls and chat backgrounds, and an upgraded Lock Screen. New Battery Settings now es...

News and Updates:

• A Boston medical study found smartphone use on the toilet raises hemorrhoid risk by 46%. Phone users stayed seated far longer — often 6–15 minutes — amplifying pressure that leads to painful swelling. While causation wasn’t proven, doctors warn the habit may be fueling the condition.
• Taco Bell is rethinking AI drive-thrus after viral failures, like glitchy bots repeating orders or a prank request for 18,000 c...

News and Updates:

• In 2025, “computer literacy” means more than navigating systems — it’s about collaborating with AI, exercising critical thinking, and adapting to rapid change. While most job postings still only ask for basic skills, AI fluency is emerging as the new digital divide. Experts warn that overreliance on tools like ChatGPT risks eroding foundational skills, but argue AI can strengthen capability when paired with j...

News and Updates:

• Waymo begins robotaxi testing in New York City, deploying up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Brooklyn with safety drivers until Sept. 2025. While Alphabet hails it as a milestone, critics like former mayor Bill de Blasio and union leaders slam the move as unsafe and job-killing. DOT insists safety rules will keep pedestrians protected. Waymo is eyeing Dallas, DC, and Miami for 2026 after logging 10M+ rides...

News and Updates:

• Microsoft’s Windows chief Pavan Davuluri says the next version of Windows—possibly Windows 12—will be an “ambient, multi-modal” OS powered by AI. Voice will become a primary input alongside keyboard and mouse, with context-aware features that understand what’s on your screen. Microsoft calls it an “agentic AI” future, blending local and cloud compute, though privacy concerns loom.
• Excel is testing a new =COPI...

News and Updates:

• Digital publishers are losing traffic as Google’s AI Summaries siphon clicks. A survey from Digital Content Next found median referral traffic from Google Search down 10% year-over-year in May and June, with some outlets seeing drops of 25%. Pew data shows only 8% of users click links when AI Overviews appear vs. 15% with standard results. Publishers are calling for transparency, licensing, and regulation, wa...

News and Updates:

• Australia will ban social media accounts for anyone under 16 starting December 10, making it the first country to enact such a rule. The law, passed with 77% public support, puts enforcement on tech companies and aims to boost youth mental health, though teens and advocates argue it removes spaces for connection rather than fixing harmful features.
• The U.S. autonomous vehicle industry is stuck in limbo after ...

News and Updates:

• Disney will fully integrate Hulu into Disney+ in 2026, creating a single streaming app while still offering standalone subscriptions. Internationally, Hulu will replace the Star brand in fall 2025. Disney expects the merger to cut costs, lower churn, and boost ad sales. Hulu + Live TV will merge with Fubo under a JV but remain separate until its own Disney+ integration in 2026. The move follows Disney’s $9B b...

News and Updates:

• Delta defends AI pricing system after lawmakers accused it of “surveillance pricing” to inflate fares. Delta says it does not use personal data for individualized prices—AI only analyzes aggregated demand, competitor offers, and route performance. About 3% of domestic flights now use AI pricing, with plans for 20% by year’s end. Critics say vague early explanations fueled public mistrust.
• FBI warns of QR code...

News and Updates:

• “Vibe coding” is redefining software development by letting AI handle most coding tasks — even architecture — through natural-language prompts. Tools like Windsurf, Replit, and Microsoft Copilot let pros and hobbyists alike generate entire apps, but the code still needs close review. Google recently acquired Windsurf’s CEO for $2.4B, highlighting AI’s growing role in dev workflows.
• The UK and 24 U.S. states n...

News and Updates:

• The Republican-led FCC is moving to kill its 1Gbps broadband speed goal, arguing that such benchmarks unfairly disadvantage satellite and fixed wireless services like Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet. Chair Brendan Carr says the current 100/25 Mbps standard is more "technologically neutral," though critics warn the move could hinder fiber rollout and inflate broadband availability stats.
• Microsoft Office 2...

News and Updates:

• A Purdue University study found anti-phishing training may be worse than ineffective. Testing 12,000+ fintech employees, researchers saw no reduction in phishing link clicks — and in some cases, trained staff clicked slightly more often. Experts say companies should shift focus from costly training to technical defenses.
• TikTok is reportedly developing a new U.S.-only app, codenamed “M2,” to sidestep a pendin...

News and Updates:

• SpaceX slapped a $1,000 “demand surcharge” on new Starlink Residential subscribers in parts of Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho, pushing startup costs as high as $1,349. The fee aims to slow adoption and prevent network congestion — a sharp climb from $100 last year.
• Windows 11 has finally overtaken Windows 10 in global desktop market share. Statcounter data shows Windows 11 now holds 52%, after nearly ...

News and Updates:

• Google Earth turns 20 — Google celebrates two decades of Earth exploration with historical Street View now added to Google Earth. Highlights include viral launches, disaster response after Katrina, aiding scientific discoveries, the Saroo Brierley story from Lion, and the viral #somewhereonGoogleMaps trend.
• 400 million Windows PCs vanished — Microsoft quietly revealed Windows active devices dropped from 1.4B ...