The price increase is also reflected internationally, with the 1TB model now priced at $1,349 in Canada before sales tax.

Valve explains that the price hikes are due to rising costs for components and logistical challenges, rather than any changes to the hardware itself.

The company stated, "Steam Deck itself hasn't changed; these new prices reflect the current state of component costs and other global logistical challenges across the industry as a whole."

What Drove Valve’s Steam Deck Price Increase

The recent increase in prices reflects wider industry trends affecting hardware costs. Memory, SSDs, and GPU components have all seen sharp price rises, mainly driven by demand for AI infrastructure.

Prices for DRAM and NAND flash have especially climbed throughout 2026, with industry officials, including a Team Group executive, warning that prices are likely to continue rising.

This cost pressure has impacted pricing across the PC hardware market and has led to recent increases in other areas.

Valve cited global logistical challenges as a factor, pointing to supply chain disruptions such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the conflict between the United States and Iran. These disruptions have affected component supplies across the industry, with no clear timeline for resolution.

Current Steam Deck Pricing and What It Means for the Upcoming Steam Machine

The US prices have been updated as follows: the Steam Deck 512GB OLED now costs $789, up from $549, and the 1TB OLED model is priced at $949, compared to $649 previously.

Prices in other regions have increased proportionally. These new prices apply to all current Steam Deck purchases.

The price increase raises concerns for Valve's upcoming Steam Machine, the SteamOS-powered gaming PC announced in 2025. Valve recommitted to a 2026 launch in March but has not announced a specific price or release date.

Similar component cost pressures affecting the Steam Deck suggest that a competitively priced Steam Machine in 2026 may be challenging. If component costs do not improve, a delay into 2027 remains possible.

The price hikes come after Valve acknowledged that the $99 Steam Controller was launched at a higher price than initially planned, citing similar cost pressures.

Steam Decks are now back in stock and available for purchase directly from Valve at the new prices. The price increase may cause some potential buyers to hold off on their purchase, especially since there are expectations that component costs could rise further before they eventually stabilize.

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The platform is also reworking how it labels long-form and short-form videos, adding internal signals that can automatically apply labels without requiring input from creators.

Where YouTube’s New AI Labels Appear and How Automatic Detection Works

The placement of the new labels varies depending on the video format. For long-form videos, the AI disclosure label is now positioned directly below the video player and above the description. In contrast, for Shorts, the label appears as an overlay directly on the video itself.

These labels apply to photorealistic content as well as content that has been meaningfully AI altered or generated. Although YouTube describes the new positions as more noticeable, the labels are still relatively small in the platform's own promotional video and may be easy to overlook during regular viewing.

The main change is the introduction of new internal signals that help YouTube automatically identify AI-generated content. Creators are currently required to manually disclose when they use realistic AI, but not everyone does so consistently.

The new detection technology allows YouTube to automatically label content that involves significant photorealistic AI use. Creators still have some control over these labels.

If they believe their content was wrongly identified as AI-generated, they can update the disclosure status in YouTube Studio.

When AI Labels Can’t Be Removed and Why This Update Matters

YouTube specifies that in certain situations, disclosures will stay permanent regardless of what the creator prefers. This includes content created with YouTube's own AI tools such as Veo or Dream Screen, and content that contains C2PA metadata showing it was fully generated by AI.

In these cases, the label cannot be removed through YouTube Studio. The changes come amid increasing concerns about the amount of AI-generated content on YouTube. A recent study found that over 20 percent of videos shown to new users were AI-created low-quality content.

Separate research shows that as the technology improves, viewers are increasingly finding it difficult to tell apart AI-generated videos from genuine footage.

The label update is part of several recent YouTube efforts related to AI, including expanding likeness detection to all creators aged 18 and above and launching Gemini Omni for Shorts remixing.

YouTube has not specified when the relabeling and automatic detection will be fully available to all users and regions.

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The feature was first spotted by Windows Latest and is gradually being rolled out to users. It brings Copilot’s interface closer to its original Windows 11 sidebar design from 2024.

By default, Copilot still opens as a standalone app. The new docking options can be accessed through a drop-down menu in the title bar.

How the New Windows 11 Copilot Docking Works

(Credit: WindowsLatest)

Hovering over the new menu in the Copilot title bar reveals layout options specific to Copilot, separate from the native Snap Layouts used for standard app windows.

The available layouts are: the current experience, where Copilot appears as a standalone app; the existing picture-in-picture mode, where Copilot stays as a small window on top of other apps; a new option to dock Copilot to the left side of the screen; and a new option to dock Copilot to the right side of the screen.

When Copilot is docked, the Windows 11 interface automatically resizes to accommodate it. Other open apps reposition to fill the remaining space. Windows Latest reported that even a full-screen File Explorer window resizes to leave room for a docked Copilot panel.

Once docked, Copilot remains pinned to the screen edge, and the desktop adjusts around it. Unlike the original 2024 sidebar, this version offers more control over placement, including options to dock on the left or right or to use picture-in-picture mode.

A Return to the Original Copilot Sidebar Design and What It Means for Users

Copilot has undergone several redesigns on Windows 11. The latest update introduces a new docking layout that restores the original 2024 sidebar concept, where Copilot sits alongside apps rather than floating as a separate window.

The original sidebar was built using web technologies and had limited integration with other applications, which led to its replacement by a standalone Copilot app.

This app was later converted back into a web-based version. According to Windows Latest, the current version of Copilot on Windows is an Edge-based wrapper that includes a private copy of Microsoft Edge. The reason for bundling a separate Edge instance is not clear, but it may be intended to support the new docking experience.

The docking option is optional. Users who prefer not to have Copilot taking up screen space can continue using it as a standalone app or close it completely.

For those who want Copilot visible alongside their work, including features like Copilot Vision that analyze on-screen content, the docked layout ensures it stays accessible without the need to manually resize windows.

Microsoft has not confirmed whether Copilot will automatically dock when certain features like Copilot Vision are enabled. The rollout of the feature is gradual, so not all users will see the docking options right away.

Microsoft has also not published a full timeline or detailed documentation for this change.

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The studio recently announced that Destiny 2 will receive its last update in June 2026, marking the end of active development after nine years. The final update is named Monument of Triumph.

Gafner posted on X that he appreciates the tributes fans have shared and is passing them along to the development team. "Thank you to everyone who has reached out.

Thank you to everyone who's been sharing what Destiny means to them," he wrote, adding that he is forwarding "photos, videos, art pieces, everything" to the team as they come in.

What Happens to Destiny 2 After the Final Monument of Triumph Update

Bungie has announced that active development on Destiny 2 will conclude after the June update. The game will still be playable, but it will no longer receive new content updates.

The final update, called Monument of Triumph, marks the end of a franchise that started with the original Destiny in 2014, roughly 12 years ago.

The end of active development has sparked considerable discussion within the community about a possible Destiny 3. A petition calling for a sequel has gained hundreds of thousands of signatures, with several voice actors from the series supporting the campaign.

The effort seems partly aimed at pressuring Bungie's owner, Sony, to approve a new installment.

Currently, a sequel does not seem likely. Reports suggest that Destiny 3 is not in active development and that Bungie has no projects approved beyond Marathon, the extraction shooter the studio released earlier in 2026.

Significant layoffs at Bungie are reportedly expected after Destiny 2's final update, as the studio shifts its focus to Marathon.

Why Destiny 3 Looks Unlikely, for Now

Destiny 2 is winding down as it joins PlayStation Plus.

Sony announced that the Destiny 2: Legacy Collection, which includes The Final Shape expansion and is set for release in 2025, will be available to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members starting June 9. This is the same day the final update for the game is expected.

Bungie has not revealed any plans for a new Destiny game. The studio's current focus is on Marathon, which has experienced a challenging launch period.

It remains unclear whether the Destiny franchise will continue in any form beyond Destiny 2's current playable but static state, as neither Bungie nor Sony has made further statements.

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The amendment, published on May 18, 2026, introduces language that excludes any operating system or application distributed under license terms allowing copying, redistribution, and modification from the definition of "operating system provider."

If approved, Linux distributions, FreeBSD, and other open source operating systems would not be required to implement age verification at installation or first launch.

The amendment is identified as AB 1856, introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks in February as an update to the original law (AB 1043), which was signed into law in October 2025.

What the Original Digital Age Assurance Act Requires

The Digital Age Assurance Act mandates that operating system providers, app stores, and application developers verify user ages. Distributors of operating systems are required to offer an accessible interface during account creation for users to input their birth date, age, or both.

The law aims to protect children from cyberbullying, sextortion, and mental health issues. It applies to residents of California and will take effect on January 1, 2027.

The relevant amendment language states that an "operating system provider" does not refer to a person or entity that distributes an operating system or application under license terms allowing the recipient to copy, redistribute, and modify the software.

This wording aligns with common open source licensing terms, such as GPL, MIT, Apache, and BSD licenses. As a result, Linux vendors would not be required to implement age verification at the installation of their distributions under this exemption.

Unresolved Edge Cases for Hybrid and Partially Open Source Systems

The exemption raises questions about hybrid products. Valve ships its proprietary Steam Client on top of Linux-based SteamOS.

It is unclear whether SteamOS as a whole qualifies for the exemption or if the proprietary Steam Client imposes additional obligations on Valve, as the current amendment text does not address this clearly.

MidnightBSD briefly included a clause in February that banned California residents from using the operating system, instead of implementing an age verification system. The project later began exploring an age verification mechanism. Other open source projects had also considered similar options before the amendment was proposed.

So far, at least 25 state laws requiring age verification have been passed in the United States. Next month, a new age verification law in West Virginia is set to take effect. Colorado has also approved a bill on age verification, which is currently awaiting the governor's signature.

According to System76 founder Carl Richell, the Colorado bill provides exemptions for open source operating systems, applications, code repositories, and containers.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has criticized AB 1043, arguing it shifts censorship responsibilities to app developers and solidifies the dominance of major operating system and device makers.

The group contends that such regulations could harm users' and developers' rights to free expression, digital liberties, and privacy.

The Practical Cost of Age Verification and What Happens Next for Open Source Projects

Santa Clara University law professor Eric Goldman recently wrote a blog post examining how age verification affects website traffic. The refusal rate, or bounce rate, varies by site but can be as high as 99 percent on some platforms, including Pornhub.

The Age Verification Providers Association estimated in 2021 that the yearly revenue from selling age verification services to OECD countries could reach around $11.4 billion within 10 to 15 years. This estimate came before many state-level age verification laws started being implemented across the United States.

The open source exemption proposal still needs to pass legislation before it can become law. Linux distributors and open source project maintainers should keep an eye on the progress of the amendment through the California legislature ahead of the January 1, 2027, effective date for AB 1043.

Projects that are considering implementing age verification mechanisms may want to hold off until the amendment's final status is confirmed.

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After that date, Samsung Gallery will no longer sync photos to OneDrive, and OneDrive will stop being the default cloud service for photo backups on Galaxy devices.

This change marks the end of part of the partnership between Microsoft and Samsung that began in 2019. The collaboration included making OneDrive a built-in cloud option for Samsung phones and integrating deeper Phone Link features. Samsung is now shifting to its own cloud service for backing up photos.

What Happens on September 30 and What Samsung Users Need to Do

After September 30, 2026 Samsung Gallery will no longer sync photos to OneDrive and photos that were previously synced to OneDrive will disappear from the Samsung Gallery app.

However, the existing photo backups will still be stored in OneDrive and can be accessed through the app or the website. Photos taken with the Samsung Camera will not automatically back up to OneDrive through Gallery anymore.

Microsoft has clarified that the photos are not being deleted. They remain in users' OneDrive accounts and stay accessible. The change only affects the in-app integration that allowed viewing and managing these photos from within Samsung Gallery.Users who want to continue backing up photos to OneDrive need to update their settings before September 30, 2026.

The steps are straightforward:

• Install the OneDrive app from the Google Play Store if it's not already installed
• Sign in with the same Microsoft account used for Samsung Gallery sync
• Then open OneDrive settings and enable Camera Upload or Camera Backup.
• Users can also configure backup preferences, including selecting which folders to include and whether to use mobile data.

Once Camera Upload is enabled in the app, photos and videos will automatically back up to OneDrive as they are taken. This process is similar to how backups work on any Android device without Samsung integration.

Those who prefer to keep using Samsung Gallery as their main photos app will need to switch to Samsung Cloud for backups. Samsung's cloud service will become the default option going forward.

What Photos to Check Before September 30?

Anyone relying on Samsung Gallery's OneDrive integration should check two things before September 30. First, verify that all previously backed-up photos are now available directly in OneDrive.

Open the OneDrive app or website and ensure the Pictures folder contains the expected files.

Second, make sure Camera Upload is enabled in the OneDrive app so that new photos are automatically backed up through that service before the Gallery integration is discontinued.

After September 30, any photos taken without an active OneDrive Camera Upload setup or Samsung Cloud backup will no longer be saved automatically to any cloud service.

Why Samsung Is Dropping OneDrive Sync From Galaxy Gallery

Samsung is now hosting its own cloud services for photo backups instead of relying on OneDrive. This move is part of Samsung's broader effort to unify its ecosystem services under its own brand, similar to how Samsung Internet, Messages, and Pay function as Samsung-controlled alternatives to Google’s offerings on Galaxy devices.

The partnership with Microsoft remains in place for other services, including promotional features related to Microsoft 365 on Samsung devices and continued access to OneDrive through the standard Android app. The Phone Link integration with Windows also continues to operate.

Microsoft has not announced any changes to OneDrive on other Android devices or to its standalone functionality on Samsung devices beyond the removal of Gallery sync.

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Meanwhile, EA Sports FC 26 will stay available as a monthly game until June 16, in line with the start of the World Cup. This marks the first update since Sony increased PlayStation Plus prices recently.

June 2026 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games Lineup

The following titles will become available starting June 2:

• Grounded Fully Yoked Edition (PS5, PS4) - Microsoft's survival co-op game is now available on PlayStation Plus.
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 (PS5, PS4) - A platform fighter featuring characters from Nickelodeon.
• Warhammer 40,000 Darktide (PS5) - Fatshark's co-op action game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Darktide will arrive shortly before the launch of the new Skitarii class on June 23. Since its initial release in 2022, the game has received regular updates and is now in a stable state.

The available classes include factions beyond the Space Marines, such as the Skitarii from the Adeptus Mechanicus, Ogryns from the Astra Militarum, and others.

Destiny 2: Legacy Collection Coming to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium

Sony confirmed through a PlayStation Blog post that Destiny 2: Legacy Collection 2025, which includes The Final Shape expansion, will be available to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium/Deluxe members starting June 9. The rest of the Game Catalog lineup for June will be announced next month.

The release of Destiny 2 coincides with Bungie’s confirmation that it will release the final content update for the game. The studio is winding down active development on Destiny 2, leaving some uncertainty about Bungie's future amid ongoing layoffs and the underperformance of the recent release Marathon.

Price Increase Context and What Subscribers Should Know

The June lineup is the first update since Sony increased PlayStation Plus prices for new subscribers starting May 20. The new prices affect one-month and three-month subscriptions, while the 12-month option remains the same.

The current pricing is as follows: One-month subscriptions are $19.99 for Premium, $16.99 for Extra, and $10.99 for Essential. Three-month subscriptions cost $54.99 for Premium, $43.99 for Extra, and $27.99 for Essential. These price changes do not generally affect existing subscribers in most markets unless they upgrade or let their subscription lapse.

Subscribers in Turkey and India are excluded from this protection. The unchanged annual rates encourage longer-term subscriptions over monthly plans.

PlayStation Plus members have until June 2 to add Wuchang Fallen Feathers and Nine Sols to their game library before these titles rotate out of the Monthly Games selection.

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NVIDIA RTX PRO users will continue to receive support for the Control Panel until professional features are moved to the NVIDIA App.

The removal does not delete the Control Panel from existing installations. Users who already have the Control Panel installed can keep using it on their current systems, and it remains available for download through the Microsoft Store for those who prefer the older interface. However, no new features, updates, or fixes will be added in the future.

What Happens to Existing NVIDIA Control Panel Installations

Users with the current Control Panel installed won't see the software removed automatically from their systems.

The application stays on the PC unless the user performs a clean installation of NVIDIA drivers, which will remove the Control Panel. Those who want to retain the Control Panel after a clean driver install can still download it from the Microsoft Store.

NVIDIA has confirmed it will host the legacy software for users who prefer to keep it, but the application will no longer receive updates.

NVIDIA App as the Replacement and What This Means for GPU Users

NVIDIA recommends that GPU users install the NVIDIA App, which offers similar functions with a redesigned interface. The biggest change for those used to the Control Panel is the way the menu is organized. The 3D settings, formerly under Manage 3D Settings, are now located in Graphics, Program Settings.

Display options and other settings have been moved to the System tab. While the core capabilities remain similar to the Control Panel, the layout and navigation have changed. Users transitioning from the Control Panel will need to familiarize themselves with the new structure to access familiar options such as resolution, refresh rate, multi-monitor setups, and per-program 3D settings.

For most NVIDIA GPU users, the impact will be gradual. Those who have not performed a clean driver install will find that the Control Panel remains unchanged. New users installing drivers for the first time will not get the Control Panel by default and will need to download it separately from the Microsoft Store if they want to use it.

The retirement of the Control Panel marks the end of a tool that has been part of NVIDIA drivers since 2006. It has served as the main configuration interface for NVIDIA GPUs across multiple hardware generations and Windows versions.

NVIDIA has not announced a date for when professional features will fully move to the NVIDIA App for RTX PRO users, so for now, the Control Panel remains the supported tool for that group.

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The developer has indicated that the price will increase once the game leaves Early Access, which is expected to happen in roughly two years, according to its Steam page.

This launch comes as the Sims franchise appears to have slowed down, with The Sims 4 expansion content now costing nearly $1,500 to purchase in full. Additionally, the next mainline Sims game has been confirmed as a mobile-only release.

What Paralives Includes at Launch

Paralives is a life simulation game similar to The Sims. In the game, characters are called Paras. Players can create and customize these characters in detail, including layered clothing, layered makeup, and adjustable height. They can also build and decorate homes with a wide range of options.

Paras can be sent to work, develop hobbies, and interact with other townsfolk. The game allows for forming friendships, romantic relationships, and family units within a small-town environment. A recent eight-minute trailer showcased character creation, home building, and the core simulation systems.

Paralives Studio emphasizes its commitment to offering only free expansions for the game, setting it apart from The Sims. The studio has stated that there will be no paid downloadable content. Features that in The Sims are typically part of paid expansion packs will be included in Paralives as free updates.

Features Coming in Future Paralives Updates

Paralives Studio has announced that several features will not be available at launch but are planned for free updates later on. These include family trees, pets such as dogs, cats, and horses, pools, gardening, cars, weather effects, and social events like parties and weddings.

The developer explained on the Steam page that releasing in Early Access allows players to use the current systems while providing feedback to help improve the game before its full release.

The team at Paralives Studio is small, and they consider Early Access to be the most practical approach given the wide range of features they aim to support.

Why Paralives Matters for Life Simulation Fans

The Sims has maintained a dominant position in the life simulation genre for many years. Paralives has cultivated a dedicated following during its lengthy development process, thanks to active community engagement and a focus on accessibility and customization options that fans of The Sims have long requested.

For those thinking about switching, the Early Access price of $39.99 grants access to the current build along with all upcoming free updates. The two-year Early Access period allows the game to receive significant updates before it reaches its final version.

Paralives is now available on Steam in Early Access for both Windows and macOS.

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The floating Copilot button recently became the default in Office apps, leading to user criticism. Many users found it obstructed data on the screen, especially in Excel, where the button overlapped the workspace and could not be dismissed.

What Was Wrong With the Floating Copilot Button and What Changes Now

The floating button was positioned in the lower right corner of Office applications, similar to where chatbot widgets typically appear in web interfaces. Users argued that Office isn’t a web app and that the ribbon, which has traditionally housed Office tools, was the more appropriate location.

A reader comment commented: "The placement of the Copilot button is the worst decision I've seen. I understand the reasoning behind putting it in the lower right corner, a common spot for chatbots and live chat buttons in web UIs for years, but Excel isn't a web app.

There’s no need for the button to be in the lower corner and it can cover usable workspace." Users also noted that the button obstructed screenshots used for data validation and other workflows that require the full screen to be visible.

The upcoming update will allow users to move Copilot back to the ribbon, restoring its position to match how Office tools have traditionally been organized. Users who prefer the floating button can continue using it. The change is optional and not enforced in either direction.

Microsoft said the company has been working to make Microsoft 365 more connected and integrated with Copilot, and that it is listening, learning, and making improvements along the way.

Why Microsoft Pushed the Floating Copilot Button in the First Place

Microsoft has acknowledged that interactions with Copilot and user engagement increased after the floating button was set as the default option. The data indicates that the placement effectively boosted usage, but it also negatively impacted the experience for users who did not want the AI assistant taking up that space.

The overall picture shows that Microsoft has been actively promoting Copilot adoption across its product lineup. CEO Satya Nadella recently announced that the company has 20 million enterprise customers paying for Copilot, a 33% increase from 15 million in January.

However, separate reports suggest that less than 3.3% of Microsoft 365 and Office 365 users who interact with Copilot Chat are actually paying for it, despite Microsoft having spent $37.5 billion on AI in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026.

How to Move Copilot Back to the Ribbon

Microsoft has not yet provided detailed instructions for the upcoming change. Once rollout is complete, users will be able to find an option to move Copilot back to the ribbon within Word and Excel settings.

Microsoft is also expected to offer new options to control how prominently Copilot appears in the interface, building on existing settings to disable Copilot in Office applications entirely.

The rollout is scheduled to start in the last week of May 2026 and will be phased in gradually as is typical with Office app updates.

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What’s Actually Changing in ChromeOS 148

The main update involves migrating the Certificate Provisioning system. Google is transitioning administrators from the old certificate enrollment methods to the new Certificate Provisioning API, which was first introduced in ChromeOS 142. This legacy system will be completely phased out by the end of 2026.

This change is most relevant for enterprise and school IT administrators who manage large numbers of Chromebooks. Administrators affected by this update should ensure their network authentication is migrated to the new API before the deprecation deadline. Failing to do so could result in devices losing access to certificate-based network authentication.

In addition to this, the update includes routine bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches.

Why ChromeOS 148 Is a Quiet, Security-Focused Release

The absence of new user-facing features matches Google's preparations for ChromeOS 150, which is scheduled for release on July 21, 2026. ChromeOS 150 will be the next Long-Term Candidate, serving as the baseline for the Long-Term Support channel.

This LTS channel is mainly used by schools and enterprises to keep devices on a stable software baseline for an extended period, with only critical security updates backported, rather than regular feature updates every four weeks. Google engineers typically freeze the code base ahead of an LTC release to ensure stability.

Leading up to that freeze, as seen with ChromeOS 148, the focus is on tightening security and fixing bugs rather than adding new features that could introduce instability to the upcoming baseline.

What ChromeOS Users and Admins Should Do Next

Users should install ChromeOS 148 once it appears in Settings under About ChromeOS. This update includes security patches, and skipping it could leave devices vulnerable to known issues addressed in the release.

Enterprise administrators managing certificate-based networks should review the Certificate Provisioning API documentation if they haven't already migrated, especially with the end-of-2026 deadline for the legacy system approaching.

The update doesn't require any action from users beyond the usual process. Google has not announced when the next feature-focused stable release will be released.

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The company acknowledged that no organization, including Anthropic, has yet developed safeguards strong enough to prevent misuse or potential harm from such models. It did not specify what timeframe constitutes the near future for the public release.

Additionally, Anthropic intends to expand Project Glasswing to include more partners, such as US and allied governments, before making the models widely available.

What Anthropic’s Mythos Model Is and What It Has Found So Far

Mythos is an AI model created by Anthropic, known for its ability to identify security vulnerabilities in software code. It was first introduced in early April. Instead of a public release, Anthropic limited access to select organizations through Project Glasswing, citing concerns that cybercriminals could use unrestricted access to quickly find and exploit flaws before they could be fixed.

Participants in Project Glasswing have reported that Mythos is effective at spotting many vulnerabilities, although the volume at times exceeds their capacity to patch them all in a timely manner.

Anthropic reports that Mythos has scanned over 1,000 open-source projects that support much of the internet and Anthropic's own infrastructure. The findings so far include a total of 23,019 flaws identified, with 6,202 estimated to be high or critical severity vulnerabilities.

Of the 1,752 high or critical vulnerabilities verified by Anthropic, 90.6% (1,587) were confirmed as valid flaws. Among these, 62.4% (1,094) were confirmed as high or critical severity.

One critical flaw uncovered by Mythos affected the wolfSSL cryptography library, which is used by billions of devices. Anthropic states that Mythos was able to construct an exploit allowing attackers to forge certificates, potentially impersonating banks or email providers.

The flaw has been patched, and Anthropic plans to publish a detailed technical analysis in the coming weeks. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-5194.

Disclosure and Patching Challenges From Mythos’s Vulnerability Flood

Anthropic verifies each flaw with the security community before reporting it to maintainers, then writes detailed reports for the affected projects. Out of 530 high or critical vulnerabilities reported, 75 have been patched and 65 have public advisories.

The company attributes the low fix rate to still being early in the 90-day Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure window. It also notes that patches occurring without public advisories are likely undercounted.

The volume of Mythos findings is adding pressure to maintainers, who are already overwhelmed by a high volume of low-quality bug reports generated by AI. Some maintainers have asked Anthropic to slow down its rate of disclosures to give them more time to develop patches.

Why It Matters for Everyday Users and Defenders

Even before a public release of Mythos-class models, the broader implication is that lesser AI models are already capable of finding software vulnerabilities. Defenders should expect attackers to weaponize more flaws more frequently, including before patches are available.

Several governments have already responded to Mythos's existence. Japan ordered a sweeping security review, and Indian authorities demanded patching efforts at financial institutions.

Anthropic suggests overwhelmed security teams use AI tools, including its own Claude model with developer-focused capabilities, to accelerate patch development.

A timeline for public release of Mythos-class models has not been provided.

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The update also addresses multiple issues reported in previous builds.

New Screen Tint Accessibility Setting in Windows 11 Build 26300.8497

A new Screen Tint setting adds a color overlay across the entire display to help reduce screen brightness. Microsoft describes it as a tool for users who experience eye strain or light sensitivity during long periods of use.

The setting can be found in Settings under Accessibility in the Vision section. Users can select from six preset colors or customize their own, and adjust the tint strength from a gentle wash to full intensity.

Screen Tint works independently of Night Light. While Night Light reduces blue light to support sleep cycles, Screen Tint decreases overall screen brightness to lessen eye fatigue during the day. Both features can be used at the same time.

It is important to note that Screen Tint cannot be enabled at the same time as Color Filters. Turning on one will automatically disable the other. Users who depend on Color Filters should keep Screen Tint turned off.

Plug-and-Play Braille Display Support in Narrator

Narrator now supports refreshable braille displays that use the HID open industry standard. HID-compatible displays connected via USB work immediately as plug-and-play devices, without the need for extra drivers or setup.

Bluetooth pairing is supported through Settings, Bluetooth and devices. Compatible models include the Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40.

HID braille displays can now also be used during the initial Windows setup process over USB. This update enables users who are deaf-blind to set up a new Windows 11 PC independently from the first screen. Braille input and output preferences can be adjusted in Settings, Accessibility, Narrator, Braille.

Bug Fixes in This Build and Availability

The build addresses several issues from earlier versions. It fixes a recurring crash in explorer.exe that caused the screen or taskbar to refresh repeatedly:

• The Energy Saver quick setting no longer appears twice. Both
• Win + X and right-clicking on the Start button in the taskbar now function as intended.
• An issue that caused audio to be muted unexpectedly on some devices has been resolved. The update also improves the reliability of Simple Service Discovery Protocol notifications and enhances the stability of the command dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth.

Build 26300.8497 is now rolling out to the Windows 11 Insider Experimental channel. Microsoft has not announced when the new accessibility features will be available to broader Windows 11 users outside the Insider Program.

The full release notes, including known issues, are available through Microsoft's Insider documentation.

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This update brings Firefox closer to feature parity with Chromium-based browsers, which have supported Web Serial for several years. Mozilla views this change as mainly useful for developers, makers, educators, and embedded device communities rather than the general user base.

What the Web Serial API Enables in Firefox 151

Web Serial enables web pages to connect and communicate with hardware devices over a serial connection. Common uses include programming microcontrollers directly from a browser, configuring development boards through web-based tools, reading sensor data into a web app, and updating firmware on embedded devices.

Previously, many of these tasks required users to use Chrome or Chromium-based browsers, as Web Serial was not available in Gecko. However, with Firefox 151, these workflows are now possible in Firefox without additional setup for many projects.

Adafruit Collaboration Brings Browser-Based Hardware Workflows to Firefox

Mozilla is launching the feature alongside a collaboration with Adafruit, the open-source hardware community known for CircuitPython, programmable microcontrollers, and education-focused electronics kits. Adafruit's browser-based hardware workflows, including its WebSerial ESPTool, now work directly in Firefox.

Users can experiment with projects involving CircuitPython programming, board flashing, sensor input, and microcontroller communication without leaving the browser or installing dedicated client software.

Mozilla has published a detailed engineering post on Hacks.mozilla.org for developers interested in the implementation details behind Web Serial support in Gecko.

Availability of Web Serial in Firefox 151

Web Serial support is now available in Firefox 151 on desktop. Mozilla has not announced if the API will be added to Firefox on Android or iOS, where browser engine restrictions on iOS limit how Web Serial could be implemented even if Mozilla decided to include it.

The update also includes other features in Firefox 151, such as VPN location selection, expanded language support for Shake to Summarize, and a one-click private browsing reset button.

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The change was first reported by WABetaInfo. Meta has not provided an official announcement regarding regional availability or a timeline for when the feature will be rolled out to all WhatsApp users.

How WhatsApp Status Lists Work

A list is a custom group of contacts created manually by the user. When posting a status update, the user can choose which list should see it, enabling different audiences to receive different content. For instance, family members might see one type of update, while colleagues see another.

WhatsApp automatically generates a default list called Close Friends. Users can add their most personal contacts to this list for quick sharing of private updates without needing to select individuals each time. The list can be edited at any moment by adding or removing contacts.

WhatsApp does not inform others when a list is changed. Updates to list membership are kept private, similar to how blocking and muting functions work on the platform.

What Changes for Users and When Status Lists Will Be Available

The feature simplifies choosing status audiences by providing a quick shortcut. Users no longer need to go into privacy settings before each post to adjust who can see it. Instead, they can select a pre-made list directly from the status sharing interface.

For those who typically post the same status to all contacts but occasionally want a more private audience, this offers a faster way to manage that workflow. For users already using the manual "Only share with" controls, the update replaces a multi-step process with a single selection.

The feature is being gradually rolled out on both iOS and Android devices. Meta has not yet specified which regions will see it first or when it will be available more broadly. Users should check the status sharing interface for the new option as the rollout reaches their account.

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The trailer featured in-engine Rocket League gameplay with enhanced vehicle detail and cinematic camera work, followed by the Unreal Engine 6 logo. Epic described the announcement as marking "a new era" and introducing "a new engine" for the vehicular soccer game.

Why Rocket League Is the First Unreal Engine 6 Title and What It Means for the Industry

Rocket League currently runs on Unreal Engine 3, the same generation of engine that powered many Xbox 360 games. Most major Epic games have already been updated to newer engines, but Rocket League has continued to use its original tech. Moving Rocket League from Unreal Engine 3 to Unreal Engine 6 would be one of the largest engine upgrades for any live service game.

Fortnite, Epic's flagship live service, transitioned from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 without disrupting its in-game economy or ongoing operations. A similar upgrade process is expected for Rocket League, though Epic has not provided a timeline.

Unreal Engine is among the most widely used game engines in the industry. Some studios, such as CD Projekt, which previously built proprietary engines, have shifted to Unreal in recent years. The engine is also used in film and visual effects, with Disney among the studios utilizing it for CGI production.

Unreal Engine 5 launched in 2021 with a real-time Matrix demo that attracted attention for its visual quality. It has been used in titles like Star Wars Jedi Survivor and Avowed, but has also faced criticism over performance and optimization issues. Whether these issues originate from the engine itself or how developers implement it is debated, but they have influenced the public perception of Unreal Engine 5.

Comments on the potential Unreal Engine 6 release include calls for Epic to address Unreal Engine 5 performance problems before progressing further.

What Unreal Engine 6 Reveals About Epic’s Strategy

The Unreal Engine 6 reveal trailer showcased Rocket League alongside other Epic-owned games such as Fortnite and Lego Fortnite. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has previously described Fortnite as a model for a broader platform vision, where independent developers and multiple interoperable games can coexist within a single ecosystem. Unreal Engine 6 is positioned as a foundation for expanding this model beyond Fortnite itself.

Compared to the Unreal Engine 5 reveal in 2021, which included a free open-world demo of Matrix Awakens for consoles, the announcement of Unreal Engine 6 is a more modest teaser. Epic has not yet released a public technical demo, performance benchmarks, or a list of supported platforms for the new engine.

The timeline for Unreal Engine 6’s release, including when developers will be able to start using it and when Rocket League will transition to the new engine, has not been announced.

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The issue appears to have been fixed, although Trump Mobile has not publicly confirmed the vulnerability or responded to media inquiries.

The Register reported on the claim. Louis described himself as "just a nerd between jobs with too much time on my hands" and declined to be called a security researcher.

What Data Was Exposed and How the Trump Mobile Flaw Worked

Louis claims to have accessed data that includes first and last names, primary and secondary addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, customer and account numbers, and enrollment IDs such as pre-order numbers.

The data also indicates whether the order was placed by phone or online. Based on his description, the data did not appear to include payment card numbers or other directly financial credentials.

Louis explained that the issue was not due to a SQL injection or a more sophisticated attack. He said that by sending a simple HTTP POST request to the website's API endpoint from a browser console, he was able to retrieve customer records directly.

The endpoint returned ten records at a time, with each record containing a customer number that could be used to access additional records. Louis estimated that his script collected roughly 5,000 customer records in about an hour. He confirmed that the issue was valid and subsequently deleted the data collected by his script.

Disclosure Attempts, Trump Mobile’s Silence, and the T1 Phone Launch

Louis tried to disclose the findings to Trump Mobile and other parties who could take action but received no response. The vulnerability seems to have been fixed despite the lack of communication.

When he was unable to reach Trump Mobile through standard channels, he shared his findings with two YouTube creators known to have ordered the Trump T1 phone: Stephen "Coffeezilla" Findeisen and Charles "penguinz0" White Jr.

Their videos about these findings have collectively garnered millions of views. The Register also said it contacted Trump Mobile and did not get a response.

The disclosure comes as the Trump T1 smartphone begins reaching pre-order customers this week, after initially being scheduled for release in August 2025. The device is priced at $499 as part of a promotional offer.

Although the brand promoted the device as "Made in America" when it was announced in June 2025, customers who have received it confirm that it is a reskinned HTC U-24 Pro. This mid-range Android phone was originally released by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC in June 2024. The "Made in America" label has since been removed from Trump Mobile's marketing.

The phone features an American flag embossed on the back, but it has only 11 stripes instead of the usual 13. The T1 comes with 512GB of storage, a 120Hz display, a Snapdragon 7 chip, and has Truth Social pre-installed.

What Affected Trump Mobile Customers Should Do Now

Customers who pre-ordered through Trump Mobile should stay alert for potential phishing attempts using the leaked information. Email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses from this data set are often exploited in targeted scam campaigns.

Users might also consider setting up identity monitoring through their bank or credit card provider, and should be cautious of any unexpected calls or messages referencing Trump Mobile orders. Trump Mobile has not issued a public notice to affected customers nor confirmed the extent of the data exposure.

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Around 1.7 million of the sales were from players who purchased the Premium Edition for $120 to access early on May 15, three days before the public release.

Forza Horizon 6’s First-Week Sales Breakdown

Steam sold around 2.8 million copies, while the Xbox storefront accounted for 2.1 million copies, representing 42% of the total sales. Elliott noted that the Xbox-side performance was notably strong for a 2026 release, especially considering the broader trend of Xbox games selling better on Steam than on Microsoft's own platform.

Although Steam sold more copies overall, Xbox generated 51% of the total revenue compared to Steam's 49%. This difference reflects Xbox's mostly Western user base paying higher regional prices than Steam users in regions where prices tend to be lower.

How Xbox Game Pass Added 3 Million Players

In addition to the 4.9 million paid copies, more than 3 million players accessed Forza Horizon 6 through Xbox Game Pass on launch day. Elliott argues that this access cannibalized direct sales on both Steam and Xbox, with both versions of the game expected to have sold better without day-one Game Pass inclusion.

The counterargument Elliott raises is about subscription lifetime value. The 3 million players who started or renewed Game Pass subscriptions for Forza Horizon 6 generate ongoing revenue through their subscription payments, which could offset lost direct sales over time. This reasoning has supported Microsoft's day-and-date Game Pass strategy for more than five years.

Elliott contends that, despite the lifetime value calculation, this approach is no longer accurate given current subscription growth conditions, which he describes as stagnating.

What Forza Horizon 6’s Launch Means for Xbox’s New Strategy

The recent strong sales align with new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's efforts to reposition the platform. Recent changes include renaming Microsoft Gaming back to Xbox, reducing the price of Game Pass Ultimate from $30 to $23 per month, and removing Call of Duty from the list of games available on launch day. The early performance of Forza Horizon 6 is seen as a positive sign during a transitional period for Microsoft's gaming division.

Forza Horizon 6 is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC through Microsoft Store and Steam, and via Xbox Game Pass. A version for PlayStation 5 is expected later this year, though no specific release date has been announced.

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The new features expand on Live Updates for flight tracking that Google introduced to Wallet last month, which now display flight status information directly on the lockscreen or always-on display.

Frequent Flyer Programs Directly From a Google Wallet

Google Wallet now allows users to sign up for airline frequent flyer programs directly from a boarding pass. The option appears within the boarding pass interface, so there's no need to find and install an airline's app or visit a separate website.

Google describes the change as a way to make enrollment easier when travelers are most interested, at the time of boarding rather than long after a flight.

Auto Linked Passes Expand to Boarding Passes, Baggage Tags, and Travel Offers

Auto Linked Passes is being updated to automatically add related travel passes to a user's Google Wallet. Brazil's Azul Airlines is already using the feature to push boarding passes to customer Wallets after check-in completes on mobile, web, or at the airport.

The expanded Auto Linked Passes also support sending baggage tags directly to the Wallet and surfacing offers linked to a boarding pass or loyalty card.

Google has not announced which additional airlines are integrating Auto Linked Passes beyond Azul or when broader airline support will be rolled out globally.

Availability and Airline Support

The new features for Google Wallet were announced at Google I/O 2026. Google has not provided specific availability dates for the frequent flyer sign-up feature or the expanded Auto Linked Passes capabilities beyond the existing Azul Airlines integration.

These features will become available as airlines adopt the updated Google Wallet APIs that support these functions.

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Meta has not made any formal announcement about the launch and describes it as part of its usual process of testing new products publicly to see what works.

To use Forum, you need a Facebook account, and your existing Groups membership, profile, and activity are seamlessly transferred from Facebook into the new app.

What Does Forum Differ From Facebook Groups

Forum removes most of the Facebook feed and mainly focuses on conversations within Groups. The main feed is centered around Group discussions, rather than mixing posts from friends, Pages, and algorithmic suggestions.

The app uses anonymized usernames similar to Reddit. Group admins can see a user's real identity, but other members only see the username they chose during interactions.

New users are asked to select topics they’re interested in, so Forum will show content from Groups they’re not yet part of. Anything shared through Forum still appears in the relevant Facebook Group, and posts made directly on Facebook are also visible inside Forum.

AI Features Built In, Context, and Meta’s Previous Groups App Attempt

The forum features two AI tools. One, called Ask, combines responses from multiple groups to deliver answers without users needing to search each community individually. The other is an AI assistant for group administrators, aimed at helping with moderation and community management.

Meta has not provided details about the underlying model or clarified whether content from groups is used for training the AI.

Meta launched a standalone Facebook Groups app in 2014 but shut it down in 2017, saying it would focus on integrating Groups into the main Facebook app. Recent signals suggest that Meta has reversed that decision, now viewing Groups as a distinct product that merits its own dedicated space again.

The move positions Groups against Reddit, highlighting its value as a place for user-driven recommendations, advice, and niche knowledge. Many users often add "Reddit" to Google searches for such content. Meta already manages millions of Groups covering similar topics, and the new Forum app aims to offer a more discussion-oriented experience of that content.

Forum App Availability on iOS and What Comes Next

The forum app is currently available on the iOS App Store in the United States. Meta has not announced when it will be released on Android or in other regions. The company describes the app as one of many products it tests publicly to gauge user interest, suggesting that its launch may still be at an experimental stage.

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Custom scenes and seat assignments will also be removed when Together mode is phased out. Organizations that previously used these features for branded virtual environments will need to adopt branded backgrounds, which are still supported.

Why Is Microsoft Removing Together Mode?

Together mode was introduced in 2020 during the early stages of widespread remote work, aiming to make video calls feel more natural by placing participants in a shared virtual space instead of separate video tiles.

Microsoft notes that the meeting landscape has evolved since then, with many companies returning to in-person work and Teams introducing new features such as an expanded gallery view.

According to a Microsoft blog post, the company is retiring Together mode to simplify the meeting experience and allow engineering resources to focus on improvements that benefit all Teams meetings.

Microsoft explains that the variety of meeting view options has increased cognitive load for users and caused experience fragmentation across devices. The company expects this change to result in fewer clicks, smoother meetings, and faster development of new features.

Recommended Alternatives and What They Mean in Practice?

Microsoft recommends several existing Teams features for users who want to maintain some of the social cues that Together mode provided. These include pinning speakers to keep specific attendees visible, spotlighting presenters to emphasize the active speaker, using multiple displays to keep gallery views and content side by side, and applying branded backgrounds for a consistent visual environment across meetings.

Anyone currently using Together mode for recurring meetings should plan to switch to the gallery view or one of the recommended alternatives before June 30. Custom scenes created or licensed by some organizations will no longer work after that date, and any scheduling templates set to default to Together mode should be updated.

Microsoft has not stated whether elements of Together mode might return in a different form. The retirement appears to be part of an ongoing effort to streamline the Teams meeting interface, rather than a temporary change.

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Ask YouTube is currently available to YouTube Premium members aged 18 and over in the United States through youtube.com/new. Broader availability to all users is planned for the future.

The remixing feature with Omni is being rolled out today at no cost in YouTube Shorts Remix and the YouTube Create app, with an upcoming release on AI Playground.

How Ask YouTube’s Conversational Search Works

YouTube now supports natural-language search queries that go beyond simple keyword matching. Users can ask questions like how to teach a child to ride a bike or request reviews of cozy games to play before bed. The system allows follow-up questions to refine results during a search session.

This feature pulls relevant videos from across YouTube's entire catalog, including long-form videos and Shorts. Instead of showing a typical list of search results, it presents an interactive, structured response.

Gemini Omni Brings AI Remixing, Watermarking, and Creator Controls to Shorts

Gemini Omni is a new tool designed for AI-assisted remixing of eligible YouTube Shorts. Users can add their own prompts and images to an existing Short to create a new version, such as giving a scene a 1990s look or placing themselves alongside a creator, all while preserving the original video's context.

Google explains that Gemini Omni handles complex video and audio adjustments automatically, reducing the technical skills needed to produce a polished remix. The model is also said to better understand user intent and maintain story coherence compared to previous remixing tools on the platform.

All Shorts remixed through Gemini Omni include digital watermarks and identifying metadata, which link back to the original video. The watermarks are created using Google's SynthID system designed for AI-generated content.

Creators maintain control over their work and can choose to opt out of visual remixing in Shorts at any time. These new remixing tools are being rolled out alongside YouTube's expansion of its Likeness Detection tool to all creators aged 18 and over, announced earlier this week.

This tool allows creators to identify and request the removal of unauthorized AI-generated videos that feature their face.

Where Ask YouTube, Gemini Omni, and Likeness Detection Are Available

Ask YouTube: Premium members aged 18 and over in the US can now access a new feature through youtube.com/new, with a broader rollout planned.

Gemini Omni is being remixed into Shorts Remix and the YouTube Create app, which are rolling out today at no cost. An

AI Playground integration with Omni is expected soon.

Likeness Detection is expanding to all creators aged 18 and older.

Google has not provided a specific timeline for the global rollout of Ask YouTube or for expanding it beyond Premium subscribers.

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The game will be available in early access for those who pre-ordered the Digital Deluxe Edition on May 26, 2026, with a wider release scheduled for May 27, 2026.

The game will launch simultaneously on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, while a Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned for a later date.

Global Launch Times for 007 First Light

Launch times are scheduled at the same hour of the day for both the early access and public release dates. Both versions go live at the designated times in each region on May 26 and May 27, respectively:

• Los Angeles (PDT): 7:00 AM
• Dallas (CDT): 9:00 AM
• New York (EDT): 10:00 AM
• São Paulo (BST): 11:00 AM
• London (BST): 3:00 PM
• Paris (CEST): 4:00 PM
• Berlin (CEST): 4:00 PM
• Istanbul (TRT): 5:00 PM
• Beijing (CST): 10:00 PM on May 26 and 11:00 PM on May 27
• Seoul (KST): 11:00 PM
• Sydney (AEST): 12:00 AM on May 27 and 12:00 AM on May 28
• Auckland (NZST): 2:00 AM on May 27

Times for early access follow the same schedule as the public release but are shifted forward by one calendar day.

What 007 First Light Is and When You Can Play It

007 First Light is being developed by IO Interactive, the studio best known for the Hitman series. The game is positioned as an origin story for James Bond rather than an adaptation of any existing film, exploring how the character became MI6's most recognized agent. Pre-orders for the Digital Deluxe Edition unlock access on May 26, three days before the standard launch on May 27.

A Nintendo Switch 2 version has been confirmed but does not yet have a release date. IO Interactive has not announced post-launch content plans, additional editions, or pricing differences between platforms.

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While Microsoft has not set a specific date for the transition, it is introducing a redesigned authentication process that encourages users to set up a passkey during sign-in.

Why Microsoft Is Phasing Out SMS Codes for Personal Accounts And What It Recommends Instead

Microsoft considers SMS-based authentication a security risk. The company points out that attackers can exploit plaintext mobile messages for fraud, phishing, and SIM swapping. Additionally, SMS authentication faces reliability issues, with codes sometimes not arriving or arriving late.

This change puts Microsoft in line with a broader industry trend away from SMS two-factor authentication, which security organizations like NIST have recommended deprecating for several years.

When users sign into a Microsoft account, they will notice a new option called "sign in faster" that creates a passkey on the device. Passkeys are cryptographic credentials that authenticate the user without needing a password or SMS code. They are linked to a specific device and can be unlocked using biometrics or a device PIN.

Microsoft's guidance explains several ways to store passkeys. Users can save the passkey in a password manager, store it on a smartphone for cross-device authentication, or use Windows Hello biometric hardware for local access.

Account recovery is changing to rely on verified secondary email addresses. Microsoft states these are more resilient than SMS for users who change phone numbers or lose access to their original device.

Potential Friction for Existing Users and How to Set Up a Passkey

The phase-out could disrupt users who currently rely on SMS verification for their Microsoft accounts. Those without a passkey or verified secondary email will need to set one up before SMS support is fully discontinued. Users on older devices that don't support passkey storage may have to use a password manager that supports passkeys or switch to a verified email recovery method.

Microsoft has not set a deadline for when users must move away from SMS authentication, but the company has emphasized its goal of improving security standards through secure-by-default experiences.

To prepare for the eventual removal of SMS, users can set up a passkey for their Microsoft account by following Microsoft's official instructions. This process supports creating passkeys on Windows 11, Android, iOS, and macOS devices, with the passkey synchronized through the user's preferred storage method.

Additionally, verified secondary email addresses can be added via account security settings as a backup recovery option.

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Google announced Continue On in the developer documentation rather than during the I/O 2026 keynote. The feature is set to launch alongside Android 17. Initially, it will support mobile-to-tablet handoff, with broader device support expected to follow.

How Android 17’s New Continue On Feature Works

When a user is working in a supported app on one Android device, picking up another nearby device that also supports the feature will show a suggestion in the taskbar to open the same app. Choosing this suggestion opens the app and picks up right where the user left off on the first device.

Handoff works both ways. Google says there is no primary device hierarchy. Any Android device with Continue On enabled can send and receive activity from any other Continue On-capable device.

Google’s developer documentation includes examples such as:

• A Google Doc open on a phone resumes in the same tab when the user picks up a tablet.
• A Gmail thread open on a phone opens on Gmail’s web interface on a tablet.

App-to-Web Fallback and Where Continue On Will Be Available

Continue On allows users to transfer from an app to the web version of a service. Whether an app uses a web fallback is up to the developer, but this mechanism also acts as a backup if the device does not have the relevant app installed. This means handoff can still work if the user has the app on their phone but not on their tablet, with the web version opening instead.

Continue On will be introduced as part of Android 17. Initially, support is limited to transitions between mobile devices and tablets. Google has not announced when support will expand to other device pairings or a final release date for Android 17.

The operating system is currently in beta, with QPR1 Beta 1 already available to Pixel users. Developer documentation for Continue On is now accessible for app developers preparing to implement support ahead of the Android 17 launch.

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Unlike many recent browser releases, this version does not introduce new AI features, such as AI search, summaries, or chatbots.

What Vivaldi’s New Unified Design Changes

In earlier versions of Vivaldi, tabs, toolbars, and side panels appeared as separate visual blocks surrounding the web content. With Vivaldi 8.0, these boundaries have been removed, creating a unified interface where all core elements form a single seamless surface. This change is purely visual and structural, with no impact on functionality.

Users who prefer the previous layout can switch back at any time. Vivaldi continues to support its longstanding approach of making interface options optional rather than mandatory.

The update also introduces a new set of default themes to highlight the unified design. These themes range from minimalist options to designs inspired by Norwegian heritage. If users do not find a suitable default, they can create their own themes or choose from more than 7,000 community-submitted options available in the Vivaldi theme gallery.

Navigation Options And No New AI Features in Vivaldi 8.0

Vivaldi 8.0 allows users to navigate using gestures, keyboard shortcuts, or command-line commands. It also includes integrated tools like email, calendar, feeds, and notes, which can be accessed directly from the browser without needing to switch between tabs or apps.

The release does not introduce AI-driven search, summarization, chatbot integration, or AI-assisted writing tools. This is in contrast to recent updates from other browser developers.

Google added AI Mode and AI Overviews in Search, Microsoft expanded Copilot integration in Edge, and Mozilla has been including AI features in Firefox while providing users the option to disable them.

Vivaldi's approach remains consistent with its long-standing privacy-first philosophy. The browser has historically avoided telemetry, third-party tracking, and bundled services, and the 8.0 release continues to follow this stance without incorporating AI features.

Vivaldi 8.0 Availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Vivaldi 8.0 is now available for download from the official Vivaldi website. Existing users will find the update delivered through the browser's standard update process.

This release is limited to desktop platforms; updates for Vivaldi's mobile apps on Android and iOS will be released separately.

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The main cause appears to be limited free space in the EFI System Partition. Devices with 10MB or less available space are most likely to experience this issue.

What Windows 11 KB5089549 Installation Failures Look Like

In addition to the rollback message, affected systems might display related entries in C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log that point to insufficient free space on the EFI System Partition. Examples of these log entries include:

• SpaceCheck: Insufficient free space
• ServicingBootFiles failed. Error = 0x70
• SpaceCheck: used by third-party or OEM files outside of Microsoft's boot directories

These messages indicate that the issue is related to space rather than a broader problem with the installation process.

Microsoft’s Known Issue Rollback Mitigation And Workaround for Persistent Errors

e has implemented a mitigation using Known Issue Rollback (KIR) for consumer and unmanaged business devices. In many cases, simply restarting the computer and checking for updates again will allow the update to install normally without any additional steps.

For devices managed by an organization, network administrators need to manually deploy a Group Policy workaround to apply the mitigation.

For systems that continue to experience issues after applying the KIR mitigation, Microsoft has provided a registry workaround. This reduces the reserved padding that Windows uses inside the EFI partition during servicing.

Editing the registry can be risky and may cause damage to the system if done incorrectly. It is advisable to back up the entire system before making any changes.

To implement the workaround, open the Start menu, search for Command Prompt, right-click on the top result, and select Run as administrator.

1. Type the given command and press Enter. After that, restart the computer.
2. Next, open Settings and navigate to Windows Update.
3. Click on Check for updates. The update

KB5089549 should now download and install successfully after the registry change has been applied.

Permanent Fix in Development and Other 2026 Windows 11 Update Issues

Microsoft has announced it is working on a permanent fix for the issue, which will be included in a future Windows update. No specific timeline has been given for when the fix will be released.

This problem is the latest in a series of issues affecting Windows 11 updates in 2026. The April update caused third-party backup software to break due to a vulnerable driver block, and in the same month, Windows Server 2025 systems experienced BitLocker recovery prompts and failures during update installations.

Devices with older hardware or upgraded system configurations tend to be more affected by these partition and servicing issues.

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The case focuses on Counter-Strike 2's weapon cases, which players receive periodically. Each case contains a random skin from a specific collection, and opening a case requires purchasing a key for $2.49. Players also have the option to receive other rewards that do not require keys.

Valve’s Core Legal Arguments Against New York’s Loot Box Lawsuit

Valve's filing presents three main arguments against labeling their activity as gambling:

First, Valve claims that there is no real "stake" or "risk" involved, since "every player always receives exactly what he paid for, one skin per mystery box." The filing notes that although users may value skins subjectively, they are not considered money, property, tokens exchangeable for money or property, credits, or promises under New York gambling law.

Second, Valve compares these cases to popular collectibles such as baseball cards, Labubus, comic book grab bags, cereal box toys, and Happy Meal prizes. The filing states, "People enjoy surprises. Part of the appeal of many collectibles, from baseball cards to cereal boxes, is the chance of opening a sealed package and getting a rare item. No legislature or court has ever deemed that act illegal gambling."

Third, Valve argues that a ruling in favor of New York could lead to broad consequences. The filing asks whether parents could buy packs of baseball cards for their children, or families go to Chuck E. Cheese to play games of chance and exchange tickets for prizes.

It raises the concern that such actions, like a child reaching into a cereal box and grabbing a surprise toy, could become chargeable crimes under the state attorney general's interpretation of gambling.

Why Valve Compares Counter-Strike Loot Boxes to Baseball Cards, and What New York Wants

New York's case argues that Counter-Strike skins have monetary value because players can resell them through Steam and third-party trading sites, with some weapon skins reportedly trading for very large sums. Valve's response applies the same reasoning to collectibles.

The record sale for a baseball card is a 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Aaron Judge rookie card, which was sold privately for $5.2 million. The filing notes that the existence of a secondary market does not transform an item into gambling currency.

The state's lawsuit seeks damages equal to three times Valve's profits from loot boxes and requests a court ruling that Valve cannot sell loot boxes in New York in the future. Valve is asking the court to dismiss the case with prejudice, which would prevent it from being brought again.

Existing Counter-Strike 2 Loot Box Changes

Valve has made changes to the Counter-Strike 2 loot box system over the past few years. Players now have the option to receive weekly rewards and can avoid opening randomized item boxes if they prefer.

Some of these changes were driven by regulators rather than being voluntary. In Germany, Valve was required to include an item that shows the contents of a case before opening it to comply with German gambling laws. This requirement does not currently apply in the United States or other markets.

A decision on Valve's request to dismiss the case has not yet been scheduled. Meanwhile, a separate class-action lawsuit over loot boxes against Valve is ongoing in another court.

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VPN Location Selection in Firefox’s Free Built-In VPN

(Source: Blog-Mozilla)

The built-in VPN in Firefox now allows users to select their location in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada. People in these countries can route their browsing through any of these supported locations. By default, Firefox recommends the closest location, but users can change it at any time.

Mozilla has said that more locations are planned for future updates. Browsing will still be subject to the local laws and content restrictions of the region chosen.

Mozilla also reports that over one million users have signed up for the free Firefox VPN since its launch about two months ago.

Expanded Mobile AI Controls on Firefox for iOS and Android

After launching AI controls on Firefox desktop earlier this year, Mozilla has now expanded their availability to iOS and Android devices. The options available vary depending on the device and region, and include features like translations, voice search, and Shake to Summarize. Users can update their preferences at any time through Firefox’s settings.

Shake to Summarize, which provides a brief summary of a webpage when the device is shaken, is now available on Android in English. More languages for Android will be introduced later. On iOS, the feature is accessible in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Japanese.

One-Click Private Browsing Reset and What’s Coming in Firefox Nightly

A new flame-shaped button for private sessions now appears to the right of the address bar in Private Browsing windows. Clicking it instantly clears the current private session, including cookies, browsing history, logins, and other session data, and then starts a new session without the need to close and reopen the browser.

Firefox is testing a redesigned settings page in Nightly with better navigation, clearer organization, and updated labels. Your existing preferences won’t change, and a new search feature helps you find settings that might be listed in different sections. The new settings page will be enabled by default for Nightly users later this week before a wider rollout.

Firefox 151 is now available through the regular update channel or as a direct download from Mozilla.

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The introduction of the new $100 tier causes some overlap in naming, as Google now offers two plans both called Ultra at different price points.

What the New $100 Google AI Ultra Plan Includes and How It Changes at $200

The AI Ultra plan offers up to five times the usage limits of the Pro plan. It also includes

• 20 terabytes of Google storage, which is four times more than what is included with AI Pro.
• Subscribers receive a YouTube Premium Individual subscription
• $40 in monthly Google Cloud credits. Additionally, users get 10,000 Flow Credits for use across Google's AI-powered creative tools.
• Access to Gemini Spark will be available later this year when it launches.

Google is maintaining its previous top-tier Ultra plan but has reduced the monthly price from $250 to $200. The plan offers 20 times the usage limits of AI Pro, which is double the multiplier of the new $100 tier.

The price adjustments align with Google's strategy to compete with similar offerings at comparable price points. ChatGPT Pro costs $100 per month, while Claude Max is priced at $200 per month, both providing high-volume usage options for power users and developers.

AI Pro Now Bundles YouTube Premium Lite

Google's $20 per month AI Pro plan now includes YouTube Premium Lite at no extra cost. Normally, YouTube Premium Lite costs $8.99 a month and offers a mostly ad-free YouTube experience, excluding music videos and Shorts. Users who don’t use YouTube Music can find added value in the bundle.

This change follows recent upgrades to the AI Pro tier, which now includes an increase in storage from 2TB to 5TB.

The new pricing and plan details are effective immediately. Google has not announced a specific launch date for Gemini Spark beyond mentioning it will arrive later this year.

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They are also beginning to remove client code that supported unencrypted fallback. The platform currently has around 690 million registered users and over 200 million monthly active users.

What Discord Now Encrypts End-to-End by Default

End-to-end encryption is used for direct messages, including voice and video calls, group direct messages, voice channels, and Go Live streams.

Stage channels are the only exception, as they are meant for large public broadcasts rather than private conversations. Encryption is automatically enabled on all supported platforms, such as desktop, mobile, web browsers, PlayStation, Xbox, and Discord SDKs, without requiring any opt-in.

How Discord’s DAVE Protocol Powers End-to-End Encryption

The encryption in Discord is based on DAVE, an open-source protocol that was first introduced in September 2024. DAVE was developed with help from security firm Trail of Bits, which also conducted audits. The protocol uses WebRTC encoded transforms, Messaging Layer Security for scalable group key exchanges, and ephemeral identity keys. Its design aims to improve privacy while reducing latency and call disruptions when participants join or leave a session.

Discord engineers note that extending DAVE to all supported platforms without causing noticeable latency is a technical challenge. One example they mentioned is a compatibility issue with Firefox, which was addressed through direct collaboration with Mozilla rather than by dropping support for Firefox.

Why Discord’s Text Messages Still Aren’t Encrypted End-to-End

Discord has confirmed that DAVE will not be expanding to include text-based communications for now. The company explains that their text features were originally developed with the assumption that messages are not encrypted. As a result, adding end-to-end encryption to text would require significant engineering efforts.

This means that direct messages, group chats, and channel texts remain accessible to Discord on their servers, while only voice and video calls are now protected with end-to-end encryption. The encryption feature is currently available for all users.

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All Six Forza Horizon 6 Loyalty Reward Cars

The system rewards save data from several Forza games:

• Forza Horizon 1 (2012) grants a 2013 Dodge SRT Viper GTS,
• Forza Horizon 2 (2014) offers a 2014 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4,
• Forza Horizon 3 (2016) provides a 2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4, and
• Forza Horizon 4 (2018) gives a 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan, replacing the original McLaren Senna cover car, likely due to licensing issues.
• Forza Horizon 5 (2021) rewards a 2021 Mercedes-AMG ONE, and
• Forza Motorsport (2023) offers a 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.

How to Unlock Your Forza Horizon 6 Loyalty Rewards

The unlocks happen automatically. Players should sign in to the same Xbox Gamertag used for previous Forza games, complete the introductory race in Tokyo with Mei, and progress through the prologue until the first house and garage are unlocked. It’s also helpful to check the Cars tab in the pause menu to verify that loyalty cars are in the garage.

The system checks for save data on each qualifying title. You don't need to complete campaigns or specific milestones; simply launching the game and finishing the opening race is enough to register save data.

Limitations for New Players and How Loyalty Cars Work in Forza Horizon 6

Most previous Forza games are no longer available for download in 2026. The games from Forza Horizon 1 through 4 have been delisted from the Xbox Store due to the expiration of music and brand licensing. Additionally, all Forza Motorsport titles released before 2023 have been removed.

Currently, only two of the eligible games are accessible: Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Motorsport (2023). Both are included in Xbox Game Pass. Players wishing to unlock the Mercedes-AMG ONE or the Corvette E-Ray need to launch each game and complete the opening race to generate save data prior to starting Forza Horizon 6 for the first time.

Loyalty cars can be used in free roam and open-world events such as Danger Signs and Drift Zones right from the start. Race events are locked behind Wristband tiers, with faster car classes only available in later campaign stages. Until those tiers are unlocked, the loyalty cars are best suited for exploration and skill point farming.

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As a result, Microsoft's remaining claims were dismissed as a matter of law following the jury's decision on the OpenAI claims. The jury reached its verdict in around two hours after a three-week trial that featured testimony from Musk, Altman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and other figures from the tech industry.

What Elon Musk’s Lawsuit Actually Claimed

Musk claimed that Altman violated the original non-profit agreement of OpenAI by shifting the ChatGPT developer toward a for-profit structure after Musk donated $38 million in the company's early days.

He argued that this change was deceptive because OpenAI's initial goal was to create AI for the benefit of humanity, not for profit. However, the jury decided that the statute of limitations had expired, so it was not necessary to assess the validity of either claim.

How Musk, OpenAI, and Microsoft Responded to the Verdict

Musk responded on X shortly after the verdict, saying that the decision amounted to "a free license to loot charities if you can keep the looting quiet for a few years." He also criticized the judge, calling him a "terrible activist" who was using the jury "as a fig leaf."

That post was later deleted. In a follow-up message, Musk said he plans to appeal, claiming the jury did not decide "on the merits of the case" and that the outcome was based on a "calendar technicality."

OpenAI spokesperson Sam Singer described the verdict as "a tremendous victory" and suggested that the lawsuit was "an effort by Mr Musk to slow down a competitor." William Savitt, OpenAI's lawyer, added that the jury found Musk lied during his testimony about the company's origins.

Microsoft, which was also named in claims related to aiding and abetting OpenAI's transition, said: "The facts and the timeline in this case have long been clear," and reaffirmed its commitment to working with OpenAI.

Appeal Prospects and the Origins of OpenAI

Legal experts cited in the reporting expressed skepticism about Musk's chances on appeal. Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, noted that the jury's decision was very fact-based and pointed out that appellate courts rarely overturn jury verdicts like this.

Raffi Melkonian, an appellate lawyer, added that winning an appeal of a jury verdict is generally very difficult. Musk's lawyer, Marc Toberoff, told reporters outside court, "This war is not over, and I would sum it up in one word: appeal."

OpenAI was established in 2015 by Musk, Altman, and others as a non-profit research organization. Musk stepped down from the board in 2018 after his co-founders rejected his attempt to gain control of the company. Altman testified that Musk supported the move to a for-profit model but wanted control over the new entity, reportedly suggesting at one point that control might pass to his children after his death.

The verdict concludes one of the highest-profile legal disputes in the AI industry so far, though the planned appeal means the case could drag on further.

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In the United States, a one-month Essential subscription will go up from $9.99 to $10.99, while in Europe, the price will increase from €9.99 to €10.99. In the UK, it will rise from £7.99 to £8.99. These changes represent about a 10 percent increase.

The three-month subscription price will also go up from $24.99 to $27.99 in the US, from €27.99 to €30.99 in Europe, and from £21.99 to £24.99 in the UK. This amount reflects roughly a 12 percent increase.

What About the 12-Month PlayStation Plus Essential Plan?

Sony's announcement doesn't explicitly say that the 12-month Essential subscription is changing. The current price of $79.99 per year remains the best value among the three available durations. Subscription providers often aim to keep users locked into longer-term plans at stable prices, and the wording implies the annual plan isn't affected for now.

What PS Plus Essential Actually Includes

PlayStation Plus Essential offers subscribers online multiplayer access, exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store, Share Play, cloud save storage, and a selection of free games each month. The larger, more static PS Plus Game Catalog is not included in the Essential tier and is available only with the Extra and Premium plans.

The price increases reflect a broader trend of rising costs in gaming. Nintendo recently raised the Switch 2 price by $50 in multiple regions starting September 1. Sony has also increased PS5 console prices. Last week, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that another PS5 hardware price hike is not currently planned, though he did not guarantee that prices won't change in the future.

Sony has not specified when market conditions might allow for prices to stabilize or go down. Meanwhile, existing PS Plus subscribers will keep their current pricing until they decide to change or cancel their subscriptions.

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In a support document, Microsoft acknowledged the problem, noting that "customers who depend on the Right Ctrl key or Context menu key for keyboard shortcuts or assistive technologies, such as screen readers, faced challenges in their workflows when using these devices."

How Windows 11’s New Copilot Key Remapping Will Work

Once the update is released, users will be able to remap the Copilot key through Settings, Bluetooth and devices, Keyboard. The dropdown menu will allow users to select between Copilot, Right Ctrl, Context menu, or other supported options.

This new feature will work across all Windows 11 PCs equipped with a Copilot key, regardless of the manufacturer. Some PC makers already provide remapping options through their own software, but the upcoming change introduces native, OEM-independent control directly within Windows.

Existing Copilot Key Options and Why the New Update Matters for Accessibility

Microsoft previously introduced an option to remap the Copilot key to open Windows Search or another app installed on the system. However, currently, no third-party apps support launching via the Copilot key natively, which limits the usefulness of that feature for users who prefer not to launch Copilot directly.

Screen readers and other assistive technologies on Windows often use the Right Ctrl key for navigation and commands. Replacing that key with the dedicated Copilot key disrupted workflows for users relying on these tools. The upcoming update restores compatibility while still allowing users to use the Copilot key if they prefer.

Microsoft is making several changes to Windows 11 in response to user feedback. Recent updates include restoring a movable Taskbar, adding expanded pause controls for Windows Update, removing Copilot branding from Notepad, and canceling plans to integrate Copilot into Windows 11 Settings and File Explorer.

The company has not announced a specific release date for the Copilot key remapping update, only confirming that it will arrive later this year.

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The update was announced on the YouTube community by Google, which described likeness detection as a first of its kind in YouTube Studio. It’s designed to help creators see and manage how AI is used to depict them on the platform.

What YouTube’s Likeness Detection Tool Actually Does

After a creator enrolls, YouTube's systems work to identify videos on the platform that may include altered or synthetic uses of the creator's facial likeness. Creators can then see where their likeness appears in AI-generated or modified videos and request the removal of unauthorized content that violates YouTube's privacy guidelines directly through YouTube Studio. This helps reduce the chance of viewers being misled by videos that seem to feature them.

The system uses facial scans and government-issued ID verification to confirm the creator's identity before enabling detection.

How Creators Can Enroll in Likeness Detection

The feature will be gradually rolled out to creators aged 18 and over. Once available, enrollment can be completed through YouTube Studio on a desktop: Open the left menu, select content detection, likeness, and click start now.

Grant YouTube permission to use likeness detection technology. Then, complete a one-time verification process that takes a few minutes.

After setup, creators may not see any flagged videos immediately. YouTube explains that the feature works in the background, and a lack of detected videos simply means no unauthorized AI uses of the creator's likeness have been found so far.

Likeness detection addresses concerns over AI-generated deepfake content. The tool provides creators with a way to monitor and respond to misuse of their image, rather than relying only on YouTube's content moderation or takedown requests.

Google has stated that the tool will continue to improve during the rollout. The company has not yet announced a date for full availability or expansion beyond the United States.

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Access is provided through the Meta Wearables Device Access Toolkit, which includes native SDKs for both Android and iOS. Web apps can be hosted via standard URLs without the need for a dedicated app store.

This dual approach gives developers the option to choose between native app integration and web-based deployment.

What Developers Can Build With the Ray-Ban Display Toolkit

The toolkit supports user interface elements such as text, images, buttons, and video on the in-lens display. Early use cases include guides, streaming tools, and minigames. Apps can also integrate with the Neural Band gesture control system that comes with Ray-Ban Display.

Meta has not specified any restrictions on the types of apps that can be submitted or whether a review process is in place for third-party submissions. The preview status indicates that the developer access program is likely to develop further before becoming available to a wider audience.

New Features Rolling Out to All Ray-Ban Display Owners

Alongside the developer preview, Meta is introducing four new features for existing Ray-Ban Display users. These include:

• Neural Handwriting, which enables gesture-based text input using the Neural Band;
• Display recording that captures what appears on the in-lens screen
• Expanded turn-by-turn navigation coverage in the United States and major European cities
• And broader live caption support. Additionally,

Muse Spark, Meta's first proprietary AI model developed by Superintelligence Labs, will be available on Ray-Ban Displays this summer. This update is expected to bring improved conversational abilities, shopping tools, and support for multi-agent tasks, similar to features being introduced across Meta's other smart glasses.

Why Meta Is Opening Ray-Ban Display to Third-Party Apps Now

The Ray-Ban Display was launched in September 2025 and has received several updates since then, including new widgets, media controls, and messaging tools. The move to open the platform to third-party developers comes ahead of upcoming smart glasses launches from Google, Samsung, and other partners using Google's Android XR platform.

Meta has not announced when the developer preview will leave its testing phase or when third-party apps will be available to all Ray-Ban Display users.

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With this feature, ChatGPT can access balances, transactions, investments, and liabilities through linked accounts. However, it cannot see full account numbers or make changes to the accounts. Connections are established via Plaid, with support from Intuit expected soon. At launch, more than 12,000 financial institutions are supported.

How to Connect Your Financial Accounts Inside ChatGPT

To start using the feature, users can either open the Finances tab from the ChatGPT sidebar and click Get started or type "@Finances, connect my accounts" in any conversation.

ChatGPT then guides users through linking their accounts via Plaid. Once authenticated, the synced and categorized data appears in a dashboard that provides an overview of portfolio performance, spending categories, subscriptions, and upcoming payments. The initial sync process may take a few minutes.

Users also have the option to add Financial memories, which save context such as a savings goal, a mortgage, an outstanding loan, or a planned major purchase. ChatGPT uses these memories to improve the relevance of future finance-related conversations.

What ChatGPT’s Personal Finance Dashboard Can Do With Your Data

The feature defaults to GPT-5.5 Thinking for finance conversations, while GPT-5.5 Pro is available to ChatGPT Pro users for more accurate responses. OpenAI's internal benchmark scores GPT-5.5 Pro at 82.5 out of 100 on a personal finance test, with GPT-5.5 Thinking scoring 79. Outdated models scored lower, with GPT-5.4 Thinking at 76.6 and GPT-5.5 Instant at 65.1.

The benchmark was developed in collaboration with over 50 finance professionals to assess response quality across complex personal finance tasks. OpenAI emphasizes that the experience is meant to inform and not replace professional financial advice.

Privacy Controls and Action-Oriented Features Through Ecosystem Partners

Conversations with connected accounts follow the user's training settings, which can be adjusted via Settings and Data controls.

Users have the option to disconnect financial accounts at any time through Settings, Apps, Finances, or directly from the Finances page. Any synced data is removed from OpenAI’s systems within 30 days. Users can also delete individual financial memories at any time from the Finances page. Temporary chats are available that do not access connected financial account data and do not appear in conversation history.

OpenAI recommends enabling multi-factor authentication on the ChatGPT account to provide extra protection.

OpenAI is expanding the capabilities of its finance feature beyond simple Q&A. Through partnerships with companies like Intuit, the company is developing use cases such as providing a credit card recommendation followed by an estimate of approval odds and an application process, or helping with tax estimates and scheduling a session with a local tax expert directly within ChatGPT.

The personal finance feature is now available to ChatGPT Pro users in the United States on web and iOS. OpenAI plans to roll it out to Plus subscribers next, with the ultimate goal of making it widely available. No specific timeline has been announced for a broader rollout or for availability outside the United States.

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"The ongoing flood of AI reports has made the security list nearly unmanageable, with a lot of duplication because different people are finding the same problems with the same tools," Torvalds explained.

He added that maintainers are spending most of their time just forwarding reports to the right people or pointing out that an issue was already fixed weeks or months earlier, often referencing the public discussion.

Why Torvalds Says the Private Security List Is the Wrong Place for AI Bug Reports

Torvalds pointed out that bugs identified by AI are not suitable for discussion on the project's private security mailing list because the same tools used to detect them are available to everyone. He explained that AI-detected bugs are generally not secret, and discussing them privately would be a waste of time for everyone involved.

He also noted that keeping this process private can make the problem of duplicate reports worse, since reviewers cannot see each other's submissions.

How Torvalds Wants Developers to Use AI for Kernel Security

Torvalds clarified that he does not want AI tools to be excluded from kernel development. Instead, he encourages researchers to use these tools more effectively. "If you find a bug using AI tools, chances are someone else has already found it," he wrote. "To add real value, read the documentation, create a patch, and build on what the AI has provided.

Avoid simply submitting a report without understanding the issue." He also directed contributors to the project's security documentation, which outlines the expectations for reports.

Maintainers Clash Over the Value of AI-Generated Reports

Torvalds' comments differ from recent remarks by fellow kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman. In March, Kroah-Hartman told The Register that AI bug reports had shifted from low-quality submissions to genuinely useful contributions.

This disagreement highlights ongoing questions within open-source projects about how to incorporate AI-assisted security research without overwhelming maintainers.

The issue is further underscored by a separate proposal from Nvidia engineer Sasha Levin. Levin suggested a Linux kernel killswitch mechanism to allow administrators to disable vulnerable functions temporarily while waiting for patches. Both points reflect increasing pressure on the kernel security workflow as AI tools become more widely used by external researchers.

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The first batch of controllers began arriving this week. Valve launched the reservation system on May 8, after the controller sold out in less than 30 minutes at its May 4 debut.

How to Claim Your Steam Controller Reservation

Everyone with a reservation should check their email and spam folder. Reports from the r/SteamController subreddit indicate that Valve is not sending reminder messages. Missing the purchase window means losing the reservation entirely.

The purchase window is currently 72 hours from the time the email is received. Once confirmed and paid, fulfillment is expected to begin in the United States and Canada first, followed by the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia over the coming weeks.

The reservation system operates in a generally chronological manner but isn’t strictly ordered. For example, one Reddit user reserved at 9:59 AM PST on May 8 and received an email, while another user who reserved at the same time has yet to get one.

A third user reportedly reserved 40 seconds before the official window opened and is still waiting. Valve has not publicly explained how the emails are being sent. The Steam Deck reservation rollout in 2022 experienced similar inconsistencies, which were attributed to server batching, regional processing, and the way email queues are managed.

What the Reservation System Means for Late Buyers

Reservations don’t expire if a user is not in the current wave. Anyone still waiting remains in line for future batches. Valve has not announced when subsequent batches will be sent out or how long it will take to clear the full reservation queue.

Resale prices on eBay remain high, with Steam Controller listings well above the retail price of $99. The anti-scalper requirements introduced alongside the reservation system, such as needing a Steam account in good standing with a purchase before April 27, 2026, are limiting secondary market activity but not preventing it.

The Steam Controller was launched on May 4 at a retail price of $99. It features TMR magnetic thumbsticks, dual trackpads, gyro support, four rear grip buttons, and a Puck accessory that functions as both a charger and a 2.4GHz wireless receiver.

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