On September 22, 2021, Microsoft revealed the second-gen Surface Duo with major hardware improvements, such as the Snapdragon 888 CPU, 5G support, improved cameras, and high refresh rate displays. Alongside the smartphone itself, Microsoft teased a redesigned Your Phone app.
Author: Taras Buria
Taras is here to cover stories about Microsoft and everything around, although sometimes he prefers Apple.
Edge Chromium is now available on Xbox
In March 2021, Microsoft stopped supporting the original Edge browser the company shipped alongside the initial release of Windows 10. Chromium-based Edge replaced Edge Legacy, providing users with better compatibility, more features, faster updates, and cross-platform support (Edge Chromium works on Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, macOS, and Linux). The only devices stuck with Edge Legacy were Xbox consoles. After a couple of months of testing with Xbox Insiders, Microsoft is now ready to replace ancient Edge Legacy with Chromium-based Edge.
Google starts testing Chrome 100 user agent string
In March 2022, Chromium-based browsers will move from two-digit to three-digit app versions. Such a change might throw a wrench into the Internet and break compatibility on millions of websites. To prepare its browser for a major shift in version numbers, Google starts testing Chrome 100 UA or user-agent string.
Microsoft: the original Surface Duo will get Android 11 before the end of the year.
Despite reports of Microsoft planning to release Android 11 for the original Surface Duo "this Summer," Microsoft failed to deliver a proper Android upgrade for its quirky dual-screen smartphone. Traditional Android smartphones are now on track to receive Android 12, but the original Surface Duo remains hopelessly stuck with Android 10 for more than a year after the initial release. Microsoft now says those owning the original Surface Duo should expect the company to release Android 11 "before the end of the year."
Disable Google Chrome Idle Detection API
You can disable Idle Detection API in Google Chrome if you are not happy with this new feature in the browser. Google Chrome 94 introduced a highly controversial API that allows web developers to get more information about users and their interactions with other applications. Called "Idle Detection," the new API is already raising concerns among privacy advocates and other browsers developers.
Use Windows 11 Cleanup Recommendations to Clean System Drive
This article will show you how to free space on drive C in Windows 11 using the Cleanup recommendations feature. In Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a new "Cleanup recommendations" feature that pulls the information about unused, safe-to-remove files and apps. It can relatively quickly show you how much space you can reclaim by cleaning the system drive.
Where to watch the Microsoft Surface event on September 22
Today, Microsoft holds a special annual hardware event, where the company expects to announce a bunch of new Surface devices. Microsoft will live stream the event, so everyone can join and watch the company unveil new tablets, smartphones, and laptops. Here is how you can watch the Surface event on September 22.
Microsoft will warn you before installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware
Microsoft tries very hard to provide clarity regarding Windows 11 hardware requirements. Recently, the company revised some of its policies and decided to let users with older unsupported computers clean-install Windows 11 using official ISOs and Media Creation Tool (it also allowed a single Intel 7th gen CPU in Surface Studio 2 to run Windows 11 officially).
Chrome 94 is out, here are the changes
Just a little over three weeks since the last "major" update to Chrome 93, Google is back with another release. This time, version 94 is available to all users in the stable channel. If you wonder why it took so little to release another version, that is because Google switched from a six-week to four-week release schedule.
Check whether your PC supports Windows 11
You can now easily check whether your PC supports Windows 11. Several weeks ago, Microsoft released a new version of its "PC Health Check" tool that checks whether a PC is compatible with Windows 11 or not. The latest release provides more clarity and a better understanding of potential compatibility issues.
