Software & Apps News - Page 16

Microsoft is bringing a new feature to its Copilot AI in Windows 11 that could prove a handy addition in terms of help for the average user.

It goes by the name of 'Add a screenshot' and we're told that this is now rolling out to Windows 11 users across the globe - but as ever, it's a phased process, so you may not see this for a while yet.

Windows Latest discovered the capability, which consists of the ability to take a screenshot of Windows 11 and get Copilot to explain the content of that grab (in the same vein as a standard image query).

NVIDIA is partnering with Twitch and OBS for something special for content creators and streamers: the ability to stream multiple encodes concurrently to give viewers the 'optimal viewing experience.'

GeForce RTX GPUs power the new Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting beta, which solves an issue with Twitch streaming: choosing between higher resolution or more reliable lower bandwidth streaming for older devices. Server-side transcoding is only available for the top-performing channels, with most streamers left with a single-stream solution. So, if someone doesn't have enough bandwidth to watch a 1080p or higher stream, they're out of luck.

With Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting (the beta coming later this month), using NVENC hardware in GeForce RTX and GTX GPUs, streamers can broadcast up to three resolutions simultaneously - up to 1080p. And that's just the first version; there's an update coming that will support up to 5 concurrent streams using the new and improved AV1 codecs for GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs, up to 4K.

Twitch has updated its attire policy once again, effectively putting an end to the viral topless streams and any other implied nudity on its site.

This change is in response to the rise of popular new topless streams, or "black bar" meta as they are also known, in which streamers would imply they are nude, but cover up any of the areas that would make them nude through the use of clever camera angles, framing, or just using black censor bars to cover their breasts or genitals. These streams were very controversial in the Twitch community and were tagged for "sexual themes," although they didn't actually breach Twitch's attire policy in which the site forbids streamers to display nudity.

As per the new policy set in place on Wednesday, streamers are no longer allowed to "Imply or suggest that they are fully or partially nude," Streamers are also not permitted to show visible outlines of genitals covered or not, with an additional prohibition on covering either breasts or genitals with objects or censor bars. Female streamers must have their nipples covered but are allowed to show cleavage as long as "it is clear that the streamer is wearing clothing."

If you've been following Windows 11 in terms of its battle with adoption, you'll have doubtless noticed that Microsoft's desktop operating system has very much struggled to recruit fresh users - and some new stats underline exactly how wonky progress has been in one major aspect.

We're talking about attracting upgrades from Windows 10 users, in the light of the latest monthly figures for December 2023 which have just been published by Statcounter.

Those stats show that Windows 11 has basically remained flat for its market share in terms of worldwide Windows versions (for the last three months, in fact).

Valve has announced that as of January 1, 2024, Steam no longer officially supports the Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 operating systems. This means that the Steam Client running on PC hardware with these outdated Microsoft operating systems will no longer receive updates, including those focusing on security.

As for the reasoning, this isn't a decision spearheaded by Valve, as Steam relies on an embedded version of Google Chrome, "which no longer functions on older versions of Windows." In addition, future Steam Client updates will require features and security updates that are only available in Windows 10 and higher.

On that note, Microsoft ended its security updates for Windows 7 in January 2020, and Windows 8.1 security updates ended in January 2023. "Computers running these operating systems, when connected to the internet, are susceptible to new malware and other exploits which will not be patched," Valve writes in the Steam Support update.

Researchers from a technology research firm have warned that Microsoft's announcement of Windows 10's scheduled end-of-life (EOL) may result in up to 240 million PCs becoming obsolete.

It was only earlier this month that Microsoft announced it was ending support for its most popular operating system, Windows 10. The company announced it will be severing support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and its recent announcement is undoubtedly a push to move Windows 10 users over to Windows 11. Notably, Windows 10 remains the dominant Operating System with a massive 71.64% market share, according to data from StatCounter.

Now, technology firm Canalys has warned that when Microsoft moves to stop support for Windows 10 in 2025, it could result in up to 240 million PCs being sent to landfill sites due to Windows 11's strict hardware requirements. PCs that are unable to meet the Operating System's hardware requirements will become obsolete, which would create the equivalent of about 320,000 automobiles of e-waste.

Windows 11 got a pretty nifty feature this year in the form of Dynamic Lighting controls which provide a centralized hub to cater for all the devices with RGB lighting attached to your PC - and ASRock now supports this.

Naturally, a new feature is all well and good, but not much use until vendors support the functionality, so it's good to see a motherboard manufacturer come forward in this respect with Dynamic Lighting.

ASRock announced that its motherboards now support the Dynamic Lighting hub, which allows for all your (supported) RGB lighting to be synced via Windows - thus avoiding having to install multiple pieces of software to configure your lighting.

Only a few days after making its announcement, Twitch has officially walked back its content policy changes that permitted sexual content on the platform.

Twitch has issued an update to its controversial content policy that expanded the possibilities of what type of content is allowed on the livestreaming platform. According to the update, which has since been revoked, Twitch permitted sexual content if it was appropriately categorized under the new "Sexual Themes" label.

Additionally, the revoked policy allowed for "fully exposed female-presenting breasts and/or genitals or buttocks regardless of gender," and content that "deliberately highlight[s] breasts, buttocks or pelvic region" as well as "body writing". Moreover the rules allowed for dances such as "twerking, grinding and pole dancing." These changes were very divisive for the livestreaming community, with one group of people raising the question - how will this now-permitted sexualized content impact the younger audience on Twitch?

Twitch has announced that it is updating its policies on what content is allowed on its platform and what isn't, with the online streaming platform now widening the possibilities for content that contains sexual themes.

The new changes involve the acceptance of content that contains sexual themes if it is appropriately labeled. More specifically, the new rules accept content containing "artistic" depictions, meaning drawn, sculpted, or animated, of "fully exposed female-presenting breasts and/or genitals or buttocks regardless of gender". Furthermore, this content needs to be labeled with a "Sexual Themes" label, while fictionalized sexual acts such as masturbation remain prohibited.

Additionally, Twitch's new rules allow content that "deliberately highlight[s] breasts, buttocks or pelvic region" as well as "body writing". Moreover, the new rules pass content such as dances like "twerking, grinding and pole dancing" and don't require any label. If you are wondering about nudity, Twitch has made no changes to its policy regarding that topic, along with its rules regarding nudity and games, sexual violence, or sex.

Adobe tells investors that it is facing an FTC probe for its widely-contested cancellation fees.

Digital creative software giant Adobe could be facing considerable fines from US regulators. The Federal Trade Commission is currently investigating the cancellation policy for Adobe's subscription-based software suite.

The consumer protection agency is scrutinizing Adobe under the lens of the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, a new law passed in 2023 that requires businesses to clearly identify the terms of subscriptions, including any cancellation fees, upon consumer signup. The FTC recently filed a complaint alleging that Amazon's policies violate ROSCA.