Software

A bill proposed by Colorado lawmakers aims to integrate age checks into operating systems, which will then be shared with apps. Understandably, folks online are not thrilled about it, and have pointed out several interesting loopholes.

According to a reliable source, WhatsApp is developing a feature which will finally allow users to schedule messages to be sent at a later date and time, without having to resort to non-native workarounds.

Garmin offers a paid premium service for its wearables. Many users have strongly criticized this kind of paywall, but it probably won’t go away anytime soon.

Google is phasing out Android’s longtime Weather app experience and redirecting users to a redesigned Google Search results page instead. While the new interface still shows forecasts, air quality, and AI-generated summaries, it lacks the fast, native feel of the original full-screen weather view. The change leaves most Android users without a proper first-party weather app, unless they own a Pixel.

Motorola has begun rolling out the Android 16 update to two of its 2025 foldable smartphones in the US. The update is being rolled out by Verizon and T-Mobile, but there are no reports of it rolling out to the Razr+ 2025.

Google has shipped newer Chrome 145 Stable builds after the CVE-2026-2441 zero-day fix, adding three more security patches, updating Extended Stable, and prompting a CISA KEV listing for the exploited flaw.

While Samsung has yet to roll out One UI 8.5 widely, work on One UI 9 appears to be progressing in parallel. A leak has surfaced online that points to a new software feature for the upcoming Android 17-based custom skin.

A new update for the Rivian app brings a companion app for the Apple Watch. The watch app allows users to lock and unlock car doors, set cabin temperature, and view battery status right from their wrists.

Garmin has finally released its long-awaited next stable update for one of its high-end smartwatches. Available globally, the new firmware differs from a similar update that recently debuted on other smartwatches in key areas. The new update should reach the Tactix 8 as an OTA download.

Google has released Gemini 3.1 Pro in preview across the Gemini app, NotebookLM, Vertex AI, and the Gemini API. Google highlights a 77.1% verified ARC-AGI-2 score and calls it a step forward in core reasoning.

Nintendo has released a free Mario app for mobile devices as well as the Switch and Switch 2 handhelds. The internet-free app allows kids and their guardians interact with Mario in several fun ways.

Insiders have been trying out new features that will be rolled out to all other users in the next update for Windows 11 from Microsoft. These include a network speed test integrated into the taskbar.

Windows 11 KB5077181 (OS Builds 26100.7840/26200.7840) shipped on Feb. 10, 2026. On a Lenovo LOQ test system, KB5077181 installed Feb. 11 (Build 26200.7840) and was followed by Wi-Fi instability, Bluetooth disconnects, stutter, and slow shutdowns.

With Lyria 3, Google is integrating a music generation tool into the Gemini app for the first time. Users can create 30-second songs complete with automatically generated lyrics, sung vocals, and cover artwork simply by entering a text prompt or uploading an image. The feature is currently available in the Gemini beta.

Windows 10 ESU update KB5075912 (Build 19045.6937) is rolling out for February 2026, addressing a shutdown/hibernation restart issue on some Secure Launch-capable PCs and carrying Secure Boot rollout targeting data.

Android 17 Beta 1 is now rolling out to supported Google Pixel devices. Here’s the official device list, how to install the beta, and what Google says is new in Beta 1.

An early leak has surfaced regarding Android 17-based custom skins for Oppo and OnePlus smartphones. ColorOS 17 and OxygenOS 17 are tipped to include improvements to performance, animations, and camera features.

An alternative operating system is intended to breathe life into older smartwatches. A new version is now available and adds new features and comes with a mix of major and minor changes.

Google has announced the expansion of AirDrop support via Quick Share to more Pixel smartphones. Previously exclusive to Pixel 10 smartphones, the feature will soon be making its way to older models too. Unfortunately, Google has decided to restrict the functionality to flagships only.

Garmin has launched a new update for many of its high-end smartwatches. Available globally, the update is the second v26.xx firmware and replaces the company's recent Beta Version 26.02 release for the Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro and other smartwatches.

Nvidia has released Linux driver 580.126.18, a recommended update that fixes a kernel module build issue affecting Linux kernel v6.19. Here’s what changed and who should update.

Intel Arc B580 and Arc A770 have been tested with XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation. Using 4x MFG, the Intel Arc B580 and Arc A770 show strong performance gains, achieving over 200% better FPS in some games. Intel has also reportedly done a good job with managing latency through XeLL.

Valve’s Steam client beta adds optional PC specs labels to game reviews and an opt-in setting to share anonymized framerate data focused on SteamOS devices, helping add context to performance complaints.

Activision has confirmed Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will go offline on April 17, 2026. The game is already delisted, real-money purchases ended in May 2025, and unused COD Points won’t be refunded.

Garmin has now released a new update to many of its high-end smartwatches. The first truly new stable update in months, System Software 21.25 contains almost two-dozen new features, improvements and bug fixes. All are available across Fenix E, Fenix 8, Enduro 3 and Quatix 8 series smartwatches.

TeamSpeak confirmed that the spike in activity has been so strong that hosting capacity in several regions, especially in the United States, reached its limit.

Garmin has been spotted rolling out a new stable update to high-end smartwatches like the Fenix 8 Pro. Still unofficial for the time being, System Software 21.25 should introduce dozens of new features and bug fixes over System Software 20.29.

Apple has finally added a long-awaited feature to macOS 26.4 Tahoe, which should allow MacBook users to prolong the lifespan of their MacBook's battery. However, the developers behind apps such as AlDente will now have some re-thinking to do.

With iPadOS 26.4 and macOS 26.4, Apple has seemingly brought back a nifty Safari feature that went missing after the introduction of macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26.4 last WWDC. Clearly, Apple does appear to hear user voices, provided that they are loud enough.

Windows 11’s February 2026 cumulative update, KB5077181 (Builds 26100.7840/26200.7840), is drawing fresh gamer complaints about in-game stuttering, with some users reporting a workaround: disabling Fullscreen Optimizations.

Google has released an emergency security update for Chrome Desktop to address CVE-2026-2441, a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability in the browser's CSS component.

The developers behind the PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 have shared a new compatibility update. This emulation software is now closer than ever to getting all PS3 games not only to boot but also to get past the menus.

Xiaomi is almost done rolling out the HyperOS 3 update to all the eligible global devices, and after this, the company will soon announce its Android 17 beta program. Ahead of the announcement, a full list of eligible phones and tablets has emerged.

GameHub, the popular PC emulation app on Android will be available soon for macOS. GameSir says the software will allow users to natively run Windows and Steam games on their Macs.

Garmin has begun offering what appears to be the final update in its latest beta cycle for multiple high-end smartwatches. Rolling out with Aviation, Dive and ECG features enabled, the new beta should transition to stable System Software 21.25 soon with dozens of new features and improvements over Garmin's current stable software.

Provider routers are convenient—but that’s exactly their biggest problem. Poor Wi-Fi coverage, limited control, questionable privacy, and technical limitations are everyday issues for many users. In this new series, I’ll gradually replace my provider’s all-in-one device (the Vodafone Station) with a modular setup using an OpenWRT router, access point, and switch. In part 1, I’ll explain why I’m taking this approach and how the project is structured.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is around the corner, and Xiaomi is apparently planning to take a break from rolling out HyperOS updates during this holiday period. This hiatus will reportedly start on February 15 and expire on March 03, 2026.

OnePlus is rolling out a massive February 2026 OxygenOS update, bringing powerful new video editing tools and an enhanced AI Eraser to its smartphone lineup. The update rollout has already begun for eligible devices ranging from the new OnePlus 15 series down to the OnePlus 8.

Microsoft warns that 2011 Secure Boot certificates expire in June 2026. Is your PC ready? We look at the OEM roadmap and how to verify your firmware status.

GitLab has released urgent patch updates for its Community and Enterprise editions, addressing multiple high-severity vulnerabilities including an 8.0-rated Web IDE flaw that could allow token theft and unauthorized access to private repositories.

Garmin is offering a new beta update to many of its high-end smartwatches, including the Fenix 8 Pro. Rolling out now, Beta Version 21.24 should be one of the final v21.xx updates that Garmin offers on its Beta Program before moving to a long-awaited stable build.

Garmin has delivered a new update for many of its older high-end smartwatches. The first of its kind, Beta Version 26.02 introduces a new feature while also addressing numerous outstanding bugs.

According to official information, Android 17 – codenamed “Cinnamon Bun” – is set to launch shortly. This comes as a surprise, as a developer preview is usually released before the beta phase begins. However, Google appears to be skipping that step and is expected to roll out the beta to the first Pixel devices in the coming days.

Garmin has started issuing a new update for one of its recent LTE smartwatch releases. Rolling out globally, Software Version 16.23 contains several new features and addresses multiple outstanding bugs.

Nintendo Switch emulator Kenji-NX has been updated, and it's a major one. The latest version brings a range of changes, and improvements for the Snapdragon 8 Elite phones are among the highlights.

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 is rolling out to Pixel devices with CP11.251209.009 builds, the 2026-01-05 patch level, and Google Play services 25.47.33, according to Google’s official release notes.

Microsoft has issued new guidance warning that 2011 Secure Boot certificates begin expiring in June 2026. Windows updates are rolling out 2023 replacement certificates, with some PCs requiring OEM firmware updates.

The Home Assistant app for iOS has been updated to version 2026.2. The change log for this release lists 14 new features, improvements and bug fixes. These are linked to entities and the entity picker, the quick search functionality and Assist, the brand’s voice assistant technology.

While researching alternatives to Acer’s NitroSense and PredatorSense software, we came across two tools: NotebookFanControl and Fan Control. Both are open-source applications, primarily distributed via GitHub. Unfortunately, neither of them meets our requirements.

Discord will soon force all users to complete ID verification or be shut out from age-restricted servers and features. In March, chatters must upload a video showing their faces or other qualified IDs. The company outlined privacy protections following an attempted October 2025 data breach.