Software

Microsoft has released an out-of-band security update to fix an actively exploited Microsoft Office vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-21509. The flaw allows attackers to bypass Office security protections via malicious documents and has been added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

In this second part of the series, we take a closer look at Asus gaming laptops. The open-source alternative this time is called G-Helper. While Asus Armoury Crate weighs in at a staggering 4 GB, G-Helper comes in at a ridiculous 5 MB — yet remains extremely powerful.

Blizzard Entertainment is kicking off 2026 with a large wave of announcements. To mark the company's 35th anniversary, the games developer and publisher, which is part of the Microsoft division, is organizing a series of "showcase" events in the coming weeks. Starting at the end of January, the teams from World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone and Diablo will provide a detailed overview of plans and updates for the current year in various live streams.

Windows 11’s KB5074109 January 2026 update is causing FPS drops and instability on some Nvidia GeForce gaming PCs, forcing players to choose between performance and security.

Valve is facing a major legal battle in the UK after a £656 million class-action lawsuit against Steam was cleared to move forward. The case claims Steam’s pricing and commission rules may have caused UK gamers to pay more than they should.

Meta has officially confirmed that the company is testing new subscriptions for Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook that will grant access to a range of exclusive features. These subscriptions are primarily intended to promote productivity and creativity through AI features.

Control center apps from major laptop manufacturers such as Asus Armoury Crate or Lenovo Vantage have grown into bloated, resource-hungry packages packed with ads and tracking. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Slim open-source tools, often just a few megabytes in size, can offer a very similar feature set—without the bloatware. In this new article series, we take a close look at the best open-source alternatives for gaming laptops and explain who actually benefits from switching.

After initial tests with selected users in channels, status images, and status videos, even more users could soon encounter ads in WhatsApp. Now, a beta version has revealed that these ads might be avoidable for users who are willing to pay for a subscription.

Microsoft’s troubled Windows 11 KB5074109 January 2026 update is now under investigation for causing UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME boot failures on some systems. Affected PCs refuse to start and must be recovered via WinRE, adding a serious new symptom to an already messy Patch Tuesday.

The free Beyerdynamic Headphone Lab plugin for DAWs turns DT‑series headphones into studio-monitor substitutes with adjustable virtual room settings and speaker placement. The virtual environment enables accurate stereo mixing on the go.

A new app for Garmin smartwatches not only tracks your caffeine intake but also estimates your current blood-caffeine level. This feature could help you determine the optimal time for your last cup of coffee.

Microsoft releases emergency Windows 11 update KB5078127 to fix major bugs from January patch KB5074109 that caused crashes, Outlook hangs, and more.

Windows 11 KB5074109 uninstall is failing with error 0x800f0905, leaving users stuck between rollback issues and ongoing black screens, app errors, and Outlook hangs.

Google has revealed that Chrome 150 will be the last version of the browser to support Macs running macOS 12 Monterey. Most Intel Macs launched prior to 2018 will be affected by this update, forcing users to either purchase a new Mac, or switch to a different browser to keep up with security updates.

The Windows 11 KB5074109 update is causing crashes, black screens, and app failures, prompting Microsoft to advise affected users to uninstall it.

Following a recent software update, many users have reported severe issues with their Garmin smartwatches. In some cases, devices appear to have lost a significant portion of their functionality, effectively rendering them unusable as smartwatches.

Garmin has just launched a new chronograph globally. To mark its arrival, the company has issued a new update for many of its recent smartwatches that adds support for the Xero C2 in the process.

Garmin has launched a new update for many of its upper mid-range smartwatches. Rolling out now, the update should arrive as an over-the-air (OTA) download within the next few days.

Garmin has released a new update for many of its older high-end smartwatches. Rolling out globally now, the new update introduces 20 changes and improvements that should improve compatible smartwatches in numerous areas.

A new Shelly Solar Platform for photovoltaic systems has been announced. So far, the company has shared a couple of screenshots of the upcoming subscription software. In a recent forum post, Shelly announced that it was looking for a group of community members to beta test its new solution.

A range of TP-Link security cameras are affected by a security vulnerability, according to a recent statement from the brand. A list of over 60 Vigi models has appeared on a support page, which details the issue. Impacted users are advised to download the relevant software update as soon as possible.

Amazon has launched a web-based interface for its new Alexa+ AI assistant at Alexa.com, letting Early Access users chat with Alexa in a browser much like other AI chatbots.

Oppo is expanding the rollout of its Android 16–based ColorOS 16 to six more smartphones, bringing the update to several popular Reno and F-series models. The release delivers a refreshed design, smoother system animations, and new personalization and AI features as Oppo continues updating older devices.

The recent ColorOS updates reportedly introduce a hardware-level Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB). It's like what Samsung implemented with Knox and can brick the OnePlus 15 and 13 if you attempt to downgrade or install a custom ROM.

The latest security update for Windows 11 is causing significant issues on numerous systems. Reports indicate that the KB5074109 package is resulting in a black screen immediately after system startup on certain hardware configurations. Affected users have several options for restoring functionality.

A new update is rolling out to the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2. Currently available for users in China, this HarmonyOS release brings a new feature to help users monitor their risk of heart disease. It also brings a new wheelchair activity tracking mode, and improvements for Skiing and Outdoor Cycling activities.

Garmin has launched a new beta update for many of its recent flagship smartwatches. A beta update for now, the build is said to improve the navigation experience across smartwatches like the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Pro while also refining Portal watch face readability.

Garmin has released a new stable update for some of its older smartwatches. The first of 2026, the new update should improve the scrolling and touchscreen experience in some cases while also addressing Garmin Coach Plans issues too.

OnePlus is kicking off 2026 with fresh OxygenOS updates for the OnePlus 13, OnePlus Nord 5, and Nord 4. The rollout adds practical upgrades like bypass charging on the OnePlus 13, smarter Photos and Home screen features on the Nord 5, and the January 2026 Android security patch across all supported devices.

Buyers may find it surprising that not even free games can dent the dominance of Steam. In the latest example, the Epic Games Store offered Blood West at no cost during the holidays. Loyal to Valve’s convenience and social features, gamers nevertheless boosted its sales on Steam.

Valve has made a small but important update to how AI-related information is handled on Steam. The change is meant to clear up confusion around what developers are expected to share with players.

Garmin has issued a new stable update for many of its latest high-end smartwatches. Rather than the culmination of recent beta development, Garmin has return to its older development branch with a fresh set of urgent bug fixes.

Spotify has rolled out another subscription price increase in the US, following similar hikes in other regions late last year. The music streaming giant's cheapest paid plan now costs $6.99 a month.

Fortnite players are slamming the "Steal the Brainrot" map for adding $40 loot boxes and gambling wheels. See why Epic’s new UEFN payout rules are facing a massive backlash.

Volvo is flexing its muscles ahead of the world premiere on January 21, 2026. The new Volvo EX60 boasts specs that are sure to turn heads. In addition to an enormous range of over 800 kilometers, the SUV features extremely high charging capacity and comes with its own AI supercomputer.

Stop Windows 11 battery drain with the new KB5074109 update. Patch 114 security vulnerabilities and fix NPU power issues on your laptop.

Garmin has launched a new update for several of its older high-end smartwatches. Arriving in the wake of new smartwatch releases, the update is said to resolve a frustrating Wi-Fi connectivity issue that has plagued recent builds.

Apple Creator Studio includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and supporting tools across Mac and iPad, alongside premium features in Apple’s iWork apps. Available from January 28, the bundle offers standard and discounted education pricing while keeping one-time purchase options in place.

Garmin has introduced a new update for its current batch of high-end smartwatches. A rather confusing update, Beta Version 21.16 follows a build from last week that has left Beta Program participants scratching their heads.

Apple recently suffered a landmark ruling in the UK. In sum, the ruling requires Apple to repay up to £1.5 billion to around 36 million British customers. Now, the tech giant is appealing the decision.

Garmin has delivered new firmware for older smartwatches, including the Fenix 7 and smaller Fenix 7S. The second v25.xx update released to date, Beta Version 25.08 introduces several new improvements to Garmin's older high-end smartwatches with several aimed at improving the maps app experience.

Chinese tablet manufacturer Teclast installs its own ArtOS operating system, designed for creative work, on its tablets. But does it really confer advantages in drawing and editing?

Ambitious athletes are likely to benefit from a new way of displaying individualized workouts, provided they use Strava and pay for the service.

Microsoft is killing off a little-known Kindle feature that let Microsoft Word users send documents straight to their e-reader with a single click. The Send to Kindle integration will stop working in February 2026, likely due to low adoption, though users can still upload Word files using Amazon’s web-based Send to Kindle tool.

Three Amazfit products are set to receive their last round of new features and improvements in 2026. The end-of-life product list on a Zepp Health website names two smartwatches and one other wearable, which are currently on a two-year update cycle. However, there are some circumstances under which there could be future updates.

Volkswagen Group and Qualcomm Technologies are working toward a long-term supply agreement related to future software-defined vehicle platforms.

Zepp Health recently made a public statement about the (upcoming) functionality of two smartwatches. Both the Active 2 and the Bip 6 will receive a new feature that many users have been eagerly awaiting and that should already be available on the devices.

Home Assistant 2026.1 is rolling out to users of the open-source smart home automation software. This latest release brings improvements for the Home dashboard on mobile and more purpose-specific triggers. It also includes a range of new integrations and a reorganized Settings page.

Smartwatch manufacturer Suunto is currently rolling out a very comprehensive software update for several wearables. This update not only includes various bug fixes but also improvements and new features.