In a concession that isn’t going to earn Microsoft any trust in the larger computing community, Microsoft has publicly admited its will issue and install “silent” updates to its Windows Update software on end-users computers, even in some cases where users have specifically chosen not to have Microsoft software updates downloaded and installed automatically. The updates in question are revisions to Microsoft’s Windows Update feature, rather than patches or changes to any other component of the Windows operating system; Microsoft claims these silent updates are necessary if Windows Update is to continue functioning as users expect.
Although Microsoft is not explicitly apologizing for updating software on users’ computers without their explicit permission, Microsoft’s Nick White writes in the Windows Vista team blog: “We do recognize that we should have been clearer in our explanation of this process earlier in the game.”
According to Microsoft, Windows Update does not automatically update itself if users have selected not check for automatic updates. However, if users have configured Windows Update to either check for updates and prompt the user to download and install them, or automatically download updates and prompt the user for permission to install them, Windows Update may automatically download and install updates to itself. According to Microsoft, this self-update is necessary to enable Windows Update to continue to poll for updated software; thus, the self-update is necessary to carry out the users’ configured wishes to poll for other updated Windows software.
However, some information contradicts Microsoft’s description of the self-update procedure. Windows Secrets says it has seen Windows Update update its own software even when users have Windows Update disabled, and Microsoft’s Nick White wrote the self-updates happen “regardless of whether the user has enabled automatic checking, download and/or installation of updates.”
Windows Update is widely used by consumers and small businesses as a mechanism to make sure they have the most recent Windows software components; however, it is not widely used in large organizations or enterprises, which use centralized software management tools to control software installed on enterprise computers.
The concern over Windows Update’s self-upgrading feature is two-fold: one concern is that it presents yet another possible vector for attack: if worm writers or other malware authors can find a way to take advantage of this automatic behavior, they may be able to compromise users’ PCs. The second concern is perhaps more troubling to Microsoft: despite the company’s much publicized dedication to resolving security issues within Microsoft Windows over the last several years, and their commitment to publicly document Windows features and enable users to control their own computers, the company never disclosed this self-updating functionality. At the very least, it’s egg on the software giant’s face.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.