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 Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, is now accessible to X users for free. The move, which allows non-Premium subscribers to send up to 10 messages to Grok every two hours, was observed by a number of users on Friday. Grok, a "humorous AI assistant," was only accessible to Premium users when xAI first released it last year. Grok was given a text-to-image generating feature by xAI in August, and it proved to be able to generate some dubious-looking graphics.




Last month, TechCrunch revealed that Musk's xAI has begun testing a free Grok version in select areas. Expanding Grok's reach might help it compete with chatbots that are already free, such as Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Anthropic's Claude. According to a Wall Street Journal story, xAI, which collected $6 billion in its most recent funding round, is also thinking of releasing a stand-alone app for Grok, something that ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude already have.

Grok AI now available to all users.

 



The fifth Big Tech business to come under such scrutiny in recent years is Microsoft, which is the subject of a comprehensive antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. The agency is investigating Microsoft's AI offerings, cybersecurity services, and cloud and software licensing operations. The Verge verified the investigation with an individual with knowledge of the situation, who was given anonymity to talk to a confidential investigator after Bloomberg broke the story first.




Hundreds of pages of material are needed, and the request is the result of more than a year of unofficial conversations with Microsoft partners and rivals. One area of emphasis, according to the source, is how Microsoft bundles security and productivity tools with its Azure cloud. After multiple security problems affecting Microsoft's products, the FTC became more interested in the company's cloud business, especially since Microsoft is a major software provider to US government organizations. Microsoft and the FTC declined to comment.






"Microsoft's security culture was inadequate and requires an overhaul, particularly in light of the company's centrality in the technology ecosystem," the federal Cyber Safety Review Board found earlier this year. "If you're faced with the tradeoff between security and another priority, your answer is clear: Do security," CEO Satya Nadella wrote in a message sent to staff members shortly after.






Microsoft would find itself in a familiar, albeit outdated, situation if the FTC filed a lawsuit against the business. In the late 1990s, the Department of Justice filed an anti-monopoly case against the corporation for combining its web browser with the Windows operating system. However, in recent years, Microsoft has largely avoided the same kind of antitrust scrutiny that has been placed on Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Google—all of which are battling government accusations of monopoly.

FTC Launches Antitrust Investigation Into Microsoft: What It Means for the Tech Giant

 



After several years of arduous work, Sam Porter Bridges has finally made it to Xbox. Today, Kojima Productions revealed that the Xbox Series X/S now has the director's cut of Death Stranding. The port will be offered at launch for 50% off for "a limited time." 2019 saw the release of Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima's first independent game after a tumultuous breakup with Konami. The game has been ported to PC, Mac, and iOS, and two years later, the director's cut—which isn't truly a director's cut—was released on the PS5. The company also released the game on Luna, Amazon's new game streaming service, as part of today's announcement.






The announcement coincides with Kojima Productions' significant growth after the original Death Stranding's popularity. A24 is working on a live-action movie and a sequel, both of which are scheduled for release in 2025. In a press release, the company stated that it "now has full ownership of the Death Stranding IP" and that it will keep expanding the game's reach to "more platforms and audiences." In addition to Death Stranding, Kojima Productions is working on a mystery new tactical spy game and the horror game OD.

Surprise Launch: Death Stranding Makes Its Way to Xbox!


 Microsoft is updating Windows 11's Windows Hello authentication, which incorporates fingerprint and face recognition. Passkey enhancements, new iconography, and visual modifications are all part of the redesigned Windows Hello experience, which is currently in beta testing with Windows Insiders. In addition to the Windows 11 login screen, this new user interface will also show up when you use passkeys to access websites and applications.


 According to the Windows team, "We redesigned Windows security credential user experiences for passkey, creating a cleaner experience that supports secure and quick authentication." "Users will now be able to choose passkeys and devices more easily and switch between authentication options."





Although Microsoft still supports passkeys in Windows 11, using one from a mobile device requires scanning QR codes and has an antiquated user interface. As part of this Windows Hello UI redesign, a new sign-in user interface for passkeys and Microsoft account authentication will significantly enhance this. Microsoft has also developed a new API for third-party passkey and password managers that enables developers to integrate this contemporary Windows Hello experience natively. 




Additionally, it will enable Windows 11 users to authenticate with PC apps and websites using a passkey from a mobile device. Additionally, this new passkey experience will allow you to sync your passkeys to your Microsoft account or save them to third-party apps.

Microsoft Revamps Windows Hello with Enhanced Passkey Support and Modern UI

 



According to Amazon, plastic air pillows are no longer used in its warehouses. In a blog post on October 9, the e-commerce behemoth stated, "As of October 2024, we've removed all plastic air pillows from our delivery packaging used at our global fulfillment centers." After years of pressure from environmental organizations to prevent plastic garbage from entering the water, this is a good shift. In its packaging, the corporation is still trying to use fewer single-use plastics overall.



In a statement following Amazon's announcement, Matt Littlejohn, senior vice president of strategic projects at the NGO Oceana, stated, "It is great news for the world's oceans that the largest e-commerce company in the world has made plastic air pillows history globally." According to Oceana, plastic film, the substance that goes into those once-commonplace air pillows, is the most common form of plastic waste found close to beaches. For huge mammals like whales and dolphins that might consume it, that film is also the "deadliest" kind of plastic pollution, according to Oceana.




Amazon’s announcement comes after it pledged in June to get rid of plastic air pillows in North America by the end of the year. The company swapped out plastic air pillows and single-use delivery bags for paper and cardboard alternatives in Europe in 2022. It also ditched plastic film packaging at its facilities in India in 2020.


The US is Amazon’s largest market, and the company hasn’t managed to fully eliminate plastic packaging in North America just yet. It says it plans to reduce the amount of deliveries containing “Amazon-added plastic delivery packaging” in North America to just one-third of shipments by December, down from two-thirds in December 2023.




Amazon says it's getting rid of plastic air pillows





The evolution of libraries has been rapid in recent years as digital platforms become a central part of modern life. Access to an entire world of literature is no longer bound by geography or physical limits. With just a few clicks readers can dive into books across genres, time periods and languages. Find and explore your favorite authors on Zendy where the variety of stories waiting to be discovered is endless. Now more than ever the stories of the world are right at your fingertips.





The Advantages of Digital Libraries

The rise of digital libraries has transformed the reading experience in ways unimaginable just a few decades ago. No longer do readers need to worry about carrying heavy books or being in one location to access the knowledge they seek. With a digital library your personal collection can be stored on your phone or laptop giving you access to thousands of books wherever you are. Moreover many digital libraries provide features like search functions, bookmarks and customizable reading preferences that make reading a seamless experience.



Another important benefit is the democratization of information. Digital libraries bring access to materials that might have been previously difficult to obtain. Rare historical texts, international fiction and niche genres are all just a few clicks away. This accessibility has leveled the playing field for researchers, students and casual readers alike offering vast possibilities for exploration.



Other benefits are:

● Instant Access: With digital libraries there is no waiting time between discovering a book and diving into it. This immediate access has revolutionized how we approach reading.

● Portability: A digital library fits in your pocket. Whether you are traveling or just commuting you can bring an entire library with you wherever you go.

● Customizable Features: Many platforms let you adjust text size font and background making reading comfortable for everyone.

● Search and Find: Quickly locating a specific passage or keyword is easy with digital libraries. This makes research more efficient.

● Sustainability: By opting for digital resources readers reduce the need for physical paper contributing to environmental preservation.





The Types of Digital Libraries Available

There are different kinds of digital libraries that suit various needs and preferences. Some libraries focus on academic texts and research materials which are indispensable for students and professionals. Others aim to provide popular fiction non-fiction and even multimedia content. Zendy for instance offers a wide variety of books covering countless subjects making it a hub for casual readers and scholars alike.



Subscription-based platforms offer exclusive content and benefits like early access to new releases. Some also feature audiobooks catering to those who prefer listening over reading. Publicly funded libraries have also started offering digital memberships where users can borrow e-books for a set period much like they would with physical books. These different models ensure that everyone finds what they are looking for.





A Global Community of Readers

One of the most significant impacts of digital libraries is how they have created global communities. As readers worldwide access the same stories in real-time conversations about those books now transcend national and cultural boundaries. Reading has become a shared experience enabling discussions and deeper connections with others from different walks of life.



In this interconnected world readers have never been more empowered to discover and share their love for books. Whether you are uncovering a classic for the first time or rediscovering a favorite tale from childhood the options are endless. Digital libraries are bridging gaps and allowing more people to engage in the wonderful world of storytelling.



How Digital Libraries Are Putting the World’s Stories Right on Your Screen




 Google Docs is getting tabs to help with organization and finding information in lengthy documents. Although it might take a few weeks to emerge, the functionality, which was first revealed in April, is now progressively being made available to all Google Workspace users as well as personal Google accounts. In its most recent Workspace upgrade, Google declared that "you can now use tabs to draft and build content in a way that makes it possible for you to find what you're looking for quickly and stay on task." "Moreover, readers can easily scan your document and concentrate on the sections that are most important to them."




The bullet-point icon in the top-left corner of the document screen on the Gdocs desktop online editor can be used to access tabs. When hovered over, the sign that read "show document outline" now reads "Show tabs & outlines," giving users the ability to add and manage multiple tabs, including subtabs to create customisable categories. For instance, Google advises users to make a "budget" tab with subtabs for particular costs like transportation and meals.





Up to three levels of nested subtabs can be added using this feature. To create a subtab, drag a tab into another tab to make it automatically become a subtab, or choose "Add subtab" from the tab settings menu. Users can give each tab and subtab a distinct label and emoji to instantly identify them. When a document has two or more tabs, the tab navigation menu will open by default. Users can click the three dots next to each tab to share links to individual tabs.




Renaming, copying, and deleting tabs are among the tab editing features that are exclusive to people with editor access to the document. In suggestion mode, tabs can be viewed and navigated but not changed otherwise.

Google Docs Introduces New Tabs Feature for Seamless Information Organization Within a Single Document



 If recent rumors are true, Intel appears to have changed its plans for desktop CPUs and no longer has an Arrow Lake refresh in the works. You may remember that Intel's next generation of CPUs, called Arrow Lake, is set to debut (October, supposedly). Rumor has it that Team Blue's upcoming silicon generation will be an Arrow Lake Refresh. As per Everest's X-ray, Arrow Lake Refresh has been canceled, according to leaker Panzerlied, a frequent contributor of hardware-related theories from the Chiphell forums.




What will take its place, then? Panzerlied says that absolutely nothing will happen; in 2025, Intel just won't bother developing new desktop chips. If the leaker is accurate, Team Blue will instead just look to release brand-new Nova Lake CPUs in 2026. Of course, this is all subject to some interpretation.


Intel usually releases new desktop CPUs every year, or roughly every other year. If a complete range of processors isn't released, Intel will still release a basic update, like the Raptor Lake Refresh, as was the situation with the current generation. According to Intel's previous plans, the reports of an Arrow Lake Refresh appeared to make sense as a prelude to the real next generation, Nova Lake; however, it doesn't appear like this is how things will work out.





Though there is much room for speculation, if we accept this most recent report at face value, it indicates that Intel will only be offering desktop processors from Arrow Lake for the next two years. As previously mentioned, in 2026, the desktop train will stop at Nova Lake. We had assumed that Nova Lake, the location of Intel's massive Royal Core project, would debut later in 2026. However, since there won't be a new desktop CPU lineup in 2025, it's possible that Intel will want to introduce Nova Lake earlier in 2026.


Naturally, a significant upgrade from Intel is required to compete with AMD's Zen 6 CPUs (Ryzen 10000?; perhaps a name change is necessary). primarily because Zen 6—which is anticipated to launch in 2026—is anticipated to represent a significant advancement for AMD in a manner akin to Zen 2 (Ryzen 3000), which was a significant step toward moving from the original Zen's 14nm process to a 7nm one.





It is possible that Intel is content to depend on the Arrow Lake desktop processor for the next two or three years, or that this is a reflection of Team Blue's growing emphasis on laptops and improving the efficiency of mobile processors (Lunar Lake sounds pretty awesome), rather than focusing on raw performance. Or, as we've already mentioned, this could all be useless chitchat from the gossip mill that proves to be untrue. In either case, proceed with caution.


Intel CPU Roadmap: No New Desktop Chips After Arrow Lake Until Nova Lake in 2026?



 Now, without needing to unlock their phone first, Halide users with iOS 18 or later iPhones may easily open the advanced camera app from the lockscreen. That method was the only convenient option to access the native iOS camera app previously.




Apple's camera app was always quicker to activate thanks to its lockscreen shortcut, even though Halide offers more sophisticated capabilities like manual shutter speed tweaks and a "Process Zero" option that produces photographs without any AI processing. A lockscreen widget could be used to provide access to Halide, but in order to use the third-party camera software, an iPhone had to be unlocked with Touch ID, Face ID, or a passcode.




After installing the new Halide 2.16 version on iOS 18, iPhone users can swap out the default camera or flashlight shortcut with one that opens Halide right away without requiring an unlock. You tap the “Customize” button and then the lockscreen again after long-pressing the iPhone's lockscreen. After that, you can choose to delete the built-in flashlight or camera shortcut and replace it by hitting the "+" key that remains. Other possibilities are the built-in iPhone apps, such as the calculator or magnifier, although Halide should now be mentioned in the Capture area.

Apple iOS18 Gets a Halide Update



 To help with multitasking, Google is testing a new feature for Android tablets that will allow you to flexibly rearrange and resize apps on your screen. Apps that enable it allow you to run several instances of the "desktop windowing" functionality, which is currently available as a developer preview. 


Android tablets currently come pre-installed with full-screen apps. Apps that are enabled for the new mode will show up in a window with buttons to move, maximize, and close them. Your open apps are also displayed in a taskbar at the bottom of the screen.




It seems similar to the Stage Manager feature on the iPad, which allows you to move and resize windows on your screen, or it could be any desktop operating system. As part of its DeX experience, Samsung has been providing Android apps on Galaxy phones and tablets with desktop-like window management for years.


You may activate the feature by tapping and holding the window handle located at the top of an app's screen once it's made available to all users. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows, Command, or Search + Ctrl + Down to enter desktop mode if a keyboard is connected. (You can escape the mode by dragging a window to the top of your screen or by closing all of your open programs.)




Apps that are locked to portrait orientation can still be resized, according to Google, which could have odd visual effects if some apps aren't optimized. Google intends to fix this in a later release, though, by scaling non-resizable apps' user interfaces without changing their aspect ratios. For the time being, users with the most recent Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for Pixel Tablets can access the developer preview. It is currently unknown when the feature will be available to all users or whether it will work with the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Google Experiments with Desktop Windowing: A New Era for Android Tablets

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