Microsoft 365 just got more expensive thanks to Copilot
Microsoft 365 plans now include Copilot. It allows you to access AI-powered features in multiple apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and more. The subscription also brings two new apps to the table, the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and Microsoft Designer. While Copilot in other Office apps allows you to quickly create documents, Designer lets you create/generate images based on prompts, and has an AI tool that you can use to easily erase unwanted objects from photos. Can do.
That’s where the good news ends, because Microsoft has extended Microsoft 365 price $3 per month in the US, £3 in the UK, and €3,00 in Europe. This affects both Microsoft 365 Family and Personal plans. The price change is global and takes effect immediately, and users are already complaining that Microsoft should have offered an option that doesn’t include Copilot. Subscribers have some limitations on how they can use Copilot, with usage restricted by AI credits that will be allocated on a monthly basis. Those who need additional access will need to subscribe to CoPilot Pro+.
Bitwarden improves password autofill feature
Bitwarden has been updated with some major improve quality of lifeOpen source password managers have made it easy to use the autofill feature in browsers. You no longer need to click the Fill button next to a Vault entry to fill the corresponding password on the web form. Bitwarden’s browser extensions can now automatically autofill username and password fields on login pages. This feature is not enabled by default, but it is easy enough to toggle.
Another nice improvement that the update brings is related to the way it handles TOTP codes, Bitwarden’s autofill makes it easier to input TOTP codes. The password manager recently introduced a major change to its UI, but not everyone seems to be a fan of it, with some users speaking out against the new design.
Google fixes 16 security issues in Chrome 132 update
google chrome 132 update has been released, and it comes with security fixes for 16 different vulnerabilities. Some of these security patches have a security rating of medium, high or low, that is, none critical or critical. Bugs related to the JavaScript engine, Skia 2D graphics library, extensions, navigation, and other components of the browser were identified and fixed.
It appears that none of these security flaws have been wildly exploited by hackers, as Google has not mentioned a word about such incidents. Chrome users are advised to update the browser on Windows, Linux, Mac, ChromeOS, and Android. Updates should also be available for other Chromium-based browsers like Microsoft Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, and Opera.
Windows users may get an unexpected message about BitLocker settings
BitLocker, the encryption technology that protects user data on Windows PCs, has had a checkered past. This has caused SSDs to slow down by up to 45%, a corrupted Windows update that caused PCs to boot into BitLocker recovery. A security researcher recently demonstrated how easy it is to break secure boot encryption technology.
Now a new bug related to this has surfaced to trouble the users. Microsoft has published a support document on its website, called the Knowledge Base Page KB5051141says that users may unexpectedly get a message on the Windows Control applet for BitLocker. The message reads, “For your security, some settings are managed by your administrator.” This may confuse users who have a computer that is not managed by the IT department, for example home users.
This bug affects Windows 11 as well as Windows 10. There is no known fix for this bug, and Microsoft says it is investigating the issue, and will provide a fix for it in the future.
January 2025 Windows security updates have been released
Chrome is not the only software that has received security patches, Microsoft has released Windows Security update for January 2025The updates include a total of 159 security updates for various Microsoft products and 2 security updates for non-Microsoft products. Of these 120 vulnerabilities, 5 are critical, while 115 have been marked as critical for Windows 10 version 22H2 through the KB5049981 update, and Windows 11 version 22H2 and 23H2 through the KB5050021 update. Security updates are also available for Windows 11 version 24H2 through the KB5050009 update, which includes 9 patches for critical issues and 46 critical updates.
Microsoft has warned users that there are several known issues related to the update, such as OpenSSH failing to start, Roblox games not launching on ARM devices via the Microsoft Store. There are workarounds for both bugs. Citrix software users must apply a workaround before installing the update.
Nintendo Switch 2 officially revealed
Gamers, enjoy! nintendo switch 2 is officially revealed In a trailer video released by the company. It will be the successor to the original Switch which debuted in 2017. The upcoming handheld console features a larger touchscreen, measuring 7 inches in size. Rumors suggest that the console has an LCD screen instead of OLED technology, and that the device is powered by Nvidia’s T239 SoC. The Switch 2 has two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The Nintendo Switch 2 supports backward compatibility with games that were available for the original handheld, and it also supports physical versions. Interestingly, the detachable controllers, called Joy Cons, now attach to the Switch 2 via magnets. There is a new button on the controller, although its functionality remains a mystery. The Nintendo Switch 2 should offer some serious competition for the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and other PC-based handheld consoles.
Google’s new advertising policy is a nightmare
Google has announced a controversial change that will allow advertisers to use digital fingerprinting To track users on the Internet. This news came to light through Google Marketing Platform Help Support website. The search giant, which relies heavily on its advertising business, says that to protect the advertising ecosystem from harmful activities, the policies were updated to clarify the activities it prohibits. It also says the policies are less prescriptive for partners in how they target and measure ads.
The main problem with this technology is that personal data such as the user’s IP address, location, device information, language, etc., is collected without the user even knowing it is happening, bar consenting to the tracking policy. It is a distant matter. Such data is stored remotely, and cannot be deleted by the user. The digital fingerprinting policy will go live on February 16, 2025.
