One of the new features of Chrome 130 is the ability to freeze tabs in Energy Saver mode that consumes a lot of system resources. This will greatly extend battery life of your device. Google is going to gradually enable it in Chrome 131, but you can give a try to this useful feature right now.
Author: Sergey Tkachenko
Windows 11 24H2 greatly speedups Windows Update due to several optimizations
The latest OS from Redmond, Windows 11 24H2, installs updates much faster than 22H2 and 23H2, thanks to several Windows Update improvements. The servicing stack enhancements lead to installation times that are 45.6% faster, restart times that are 39.7% quicker, and over 15% reduced CPU usage during cumulative update installations.
Microsoft has revealed its new Xbox Wireless Headset with Dolby Atmos
Microsoft has unveiled the Xbox Wireless Headset with Dolby Atmos support. The new version of the Xbox Wireless Headset is completely black without any green elements. Otherwise, the design has not undergone significant changes. Volume and sound balance are still adjusted using the rotating discs on the ear cups.
Photos app with Super Resolution and OCR is rolling out to Insiders
Microsoft is rolling out a new version of the Photos app for Windows 11. Build 2024.11100.17007.0 of the app brings Super Resolution for Copilot+ PC devices. Also, all Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices are getting optical character recognition (OCR), and other performance improvements. The update is available in all Insider channels.
Super Resolution in Photos on Copilot+ PC
This update includes a preview of Super Resolution on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC devices. This feature uses artificial intelligence to enhance and enlarge images up to 8x their original size. Super Resolution is great for improving low-quality images, preparing photos for printing or display on larger displays, and cropping without losing resolution.
Super Resolution uses the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in Copilot+ PC devices to quickly enhance images. All operations are performed locally, without uploading data to the cloud.
OCR support on Windows 11 and Windows 10
The Photos app now has optical character recognition (OCR), which is designed to increase productivity and simplify interaction with text information in images. With OCR, the app will detect text in an image, be it a document, note, or screenshot, and allow you to copy it to the clipboard. You can copy all the text or individual fragments for pasting into other applications.
The OCR function supports over 160 languages. When text is detected, a special OCR icon will appear at the bottom of the window.
This feature works on all computers running Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Other changes
- Now images in the Gallery can be opened with a single mouse click, making navigation more efficient. Double-click opening also works.
- The zoom has been improved. Large images are now automatically adjusted to fit the viewing window. In addition, the synchronization between the zoom slider and the zoom indicator has become more accurate.
- Fixed bugs in the "Image creator" and "Restyle image" options on Copilot+ PC devices.
Here are the changes in KB5044380 Preview for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2
Microsoft has released optional cumulative update KB5044380 (builds 22621.4391 and 22631.4391) for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2, which brings with it bug fixes and various improvements. Here are the list of changes.
How to Enable Mica in Firefox
Months after Chrome and Edge, Mozilla Firefox is getting support for the Mica effect on Windows 11. With Mica enabled, the browser looks more consistent and fancy in the latest OS from Redmond. Here's how to give it a try.
Chrome 130 starts killing uBlock Origin but offers several new features
Google Chrome 130 has reached the stable channel. The infamous change in this update is ManifestV3 that has become available to more users, and it makes uBlock Origin unusable. The rollout of the change has reached some critical stage, so a lot of users now find their manifestV2 extensions disabled. Besides this unfortunate move, Chrome 130 has several new features to offer to the user. Let's dive into the details.
Windows 11 Build 22635.4371 (Beta) updates Snipping Tool, Narrator, and more
Insiders in the Beta channel are getting Windows 11 Build 22635.4371, KB504498. It applies to version 23H2 and brings with it several new features and improvements. Traditionally, some of them are only coming to Insiders with the Get the latest updates as soon as they're available option enabled in Settings > Windows Update. Here are the changes.
Windows 11 Build 26120.2130 (Dev) adds Gamepad layout to Touch keyboard, improves Start
Microsoft today released Windows 11 Build 26120.2130 to Insiders in the Dev channel. Some of its changes first coming to Insiders with the the "Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available" option enabled in Settings > Windows Update. Here are the details.
Microsoft Edge 130 stable is out with several improvements
Microsoft Edge 130.0.2849.46 is now available in the stable channel. The release is notable for much improved Settings > Appearance section. Also, the browser has got a bunch of new group policies for fine grain tuning of its features. Finally, there are also a number of quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes.
