Microsoft has confirmed that it is going on holiday break for Windows 11 updates, indicating that any major software features won’t be released until January 2025.
The company rolled out its latest software update, OS Build 26100.2314 on November 12, and it largely addressed security issues. It also detailed that there won’t be any preview updates released in December 2024, outside of monthly security releases.
“Because of minimal operations during the Western holidays and the upcoming new year, there won’t be a non-security preview release for the month of December 2024. There will be a monthly security release for December 2024. Normal monthly servicing for both security and non-security preview releases will resume in January 2025,” Microsoft said on its support website.
Typically, Microsoft releases a Preview Build OS version of Windows 11 monthly to its Windows Insiders users in the Dev (developers) and Beta channels. The builds include unique features that may have the potential to release to public versions of Windows software, but don’t always get to see final builds. Microsoft is halting the progress of this program during the holiday season, as many staff members will be on break.
Recently, a Windows Insider user found a universal share button feature buried within the code of a Preview Build. The feature was disabled by default, but once enabled, it allows for a Share button throughout the Windows 11 operating system. Users will be able to send files, links, or text conveniently from their desktops, including in the taskbar and Start menu. Another Preview Build feature is Rewrite for the Notepad app, which allows you to generate alternative text to fit your specific needs, including modifying text to be longer, shorter, or to be written in a certain tone or format.
However, it is vital that Microsoft’s security software updates continue as usual. In its recent security update, Microsoft addressed 91 vulnerabilities in Windows 11. The update includes four zero-day vulnerabilities, that remain actively exploited by hackers: CVE-2024-43451, CVE-2024-49039, CVE-2024-49040, and CVE-2024-49019.
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.