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Ina poston Microsoft’s Support blog, the company warns that typing in a recent version of classic Outlook can lead to highCPU usage. The issue could cause CPU usage to spike by up to 50%, and the company recommends switching to the Microsoft 365 Apps update channel as a temporary workaround.
The problems occur when composing an email in Version 2406 (Build 17726.20126) on the Current Channel, Monthly Enterprise Channel, orInsider Channels. Affected users report CPU usage increases between 20% and 50%, which can also raise power consumption. Microsoft says the Outlook team is investigating and will provide further updates as they become available.
Microsoft also suggests a workaround that involves switching to the Semi-Annual Channel, where the issue has not been detected. The affected users say that possible solutions, such as turning off add-ins, graphics acceleration, and spell-check, did not fix the problem. The software giant provides a guide with the necessary steps to switch to a different channel to avoid these problems. You can also use the registry command to switch to the Semi-Annual Channel by opening the Command prompt window as an administrator > paste reg add HKLMSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftoffice16.0commonofficeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d SemiAnnual > press Enter> add the registry key > choose File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now. Once you complete these steps, the process should begin.
Even high-end systems aren’t immune. Some users with Intel Core i9-14900HX processors report CPU temperatures hitting 95 degrees Celsius, with nothing more than a ‘New Message’ window open. These reports go back as far as November of last year, but we hope a permanent solution is found soon since an overheated CPU can cause all sorts of issues, such as crashes and freezes. These problems can be devastating when working on important projects since you risk losing your work unless you create a backup.
Google is moving to the google.com domain for Search around the world.
Previously, Google used country-coded domains for regions outside the U.S.
The experience of using Google Search won’t change, as Google has been using physical location to localize Search since 2017.
Google has long used country-coded domains for non-U.S. regions, like google.co.uk for the United Kingdom or google.ng for Nigeria. For a while, these country-specific URLs were crucial in providing locally-relevant results in response to user queries.
However, since 2017, Google has been using your real-time location to provide relevant results — making the country codes redundant. As such, the companyannouncedtoday, April 15 that it is phasing out country code top-level domain names (ccTLD).
Beginning now, Google will be moving country-specificSearchdomains to the main google.com URL. The process will be part of a gradual rollout lasting “over the coming months.”
The change is intended to streamline the experience of using Google Search regardless of your country or location, per the company. Search itself isn’t changing, but as part of the switch, users may have to enter some of their preferences again for the new domain.
As has been the case since 2017, Google will use your physical location to localize your search results. For instance, if you’re living in the U.S., you will get the Search experience for France if you travel to Paris. When you go back, you’ll automatically be switched to the U.S. experience again.
“It’s important to note that while this update will change what people see in their browser address bar, it won’t affect the way Search works, nor will it change how we handle obligations under national laws,” the company said in the blog post.
When linking up screens and devices, which connectivity option should you choose? We compare the two most popular, HMDI vs. USB-C, in this article
Over the years, connectivity options have increased when it comes to linking up screens, multiple monitors and a selection of different devices, includingbest laptops for video editing.
Central to this is the fact that newer modes of connectivity, such as USB-C, can also offer data transfer as well as video and audio signal – we’ll discuss the merits of each system in this article, as well as how in the realm of digital creativity, understanding these systems and how to make the most out of them is paramount.
As HDMI and USB-C interfaces determine how you connect to thebest monitors for video editing, transfer data and power devices, they directly impact workflow efficiency and output quality as well, so it’s worthwhile having a grasp on them. So, let’s get into it!
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an audio and video interface that was introduced in 2003, largely to replace the increasingly outmoded DVI format. HDMI was designed to transmit uncompressed video and audio data and since the early 2000s has become the standard for connecting high-definition devices. It supports various resolutions, from standard definition to 4K and beyond, and is commonly found in almost any monitor, television and projector on the market, as well as a wide array of consumer electronics. Like any technology, time sees the platform upgraded, so over the year HDMI has evolved, with versions like HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 offering enhanced bandwidth and features such as higher refresh rates and dynamic HDR.
Designed to replace the first incarnation of the USB port, USB-C, or Universal Serial Bus Type-C, is a very versatile connector standard that’s emerged over the course of the last decade. It’s Characterised by its small, reversible design, which unlike USB-A makes it very easy to use on the go. What’s also useful is that it support a multitude of functions, including data transfer, video output and power delivery and its adaptability has led to widespread adoption across a number of small devices from smartphones to laptops and docking stations. For creatives it’s also notable and interesting because USB-C can also support different protocols through alternate modes, so DisplayPort can be used to power screens, and Thunderbolt for high-speed data transfer and video output capabilities.
HDMI Compatibility
HDMI’s widespread adoption over the course of the last twenty years ensures compatibility across a broad spectrum of devices, so it’s unlikely many devices on the market at the moment won’t come with an HDMI option. Whether connecting a laptop to a monitor, a games console to a TV or a PC to a projector in a conference room, HDMI is still the fail-safe go-to and provides a reliable and straightforward solution. Its plug-and-play nature means devices typically recognise connections instantly, minimising setup time, but it’s worth bearing in mind that they only support video and audio and not data transfer, so additional cables will be required for other functions. HDMI is also now an older platform and it’s time may be limited. Some devices, most significantlyApple’s MacBooks started shipping a few years ago with USB-C connectivity only.
For devices that offer USB-C, its versatility extends beyond connectivity and its ability to transmit data, deliver power and support several video outputs makes it a multifunctional interface that’s here to stay. There’s a design and aesthetic benefit too, as one cable that provides a multitude of functions reduces clutter, simplifies setups and means you have far less lead management to carry out.
The caveat to all of the above, however, is that not all USB-C ports are created equal, and the capabilities of a USB-C port depends on the specific protocols it supports. For example, some USB-C ports may support DisplayPort Alternate Mode for video output, such as on a Mac, while others might include Thunderbolt 3 or 4 support that offering higher data transfer rates and enhanced display capabilities. Some may only offer one or the other, or a lower transfer rate.
Compared to HDMI, there are more variables to content with and a larger array of setups on offer, which makes it useful to know your requirements as a creative before you take the plunge on a USB-C only setup.
Which is best for creatives?
So, in conclusion, if you’re a creative professional and you’re looking at these two different interfaces, how do you know which one to choose or favour over the other? It really hinges on your specific needs and device capabilities. If you’re a photo editor, for example, HDMI offers robust and reliable transmission, making it ideal for straightforward display connections and accurate representation of colour across industry standards. It also opens you up to more screens and cheaper display options, such as its ubiquity.
However, as technology progresses, there’s no doubt that USB-C, with its multifaceted data and power capabilities, provides a more comprehensive solution. Its ability to handle multiple things through a single port can streamline workflows and reduce the number of cables required, and this consolidation is particularly beneficial if you’re a creative who juggles multiple devices and peripherals. It’s also a more future-proof platform, and if I was a video editor or content creator, I would spend a little more money to purchase kit with high-speed USB-C compatibility to ensure compatibility with emerging technologies. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to ensure that your USB-C ports support the necessary protocols, such as DisplayPort Alternate Mode or Thunderbolt, to fully leverage these benefits.
Generally, USB-C’s versatility and expanding adoption make it a more adaptable choice for creatives today, but if you’re working on older hardware, or would like to link up multiple screens, HDMI still provides a workable and ubiquitous option that can be operated for a fraction of the cost, too.
Everything you need to know about the cutting-edge RTX feature showcased in the new Zorah tech demo.
(Image credit: Nvidia)
Nvidiahas been at the forefront of recent advances in graphics. After all, it makes many of thebest graphics cards.
It’s pioneered the introduction of programmable shaders, real-time ray tracing, and AI-powered technologies like DLSS and RTX Neural Shaders. Nvidia’s neural rendering is the next advance – as demonstrated in an update to its Zorah tech demo.
Nvidia describes neural rendering as the next era of computer graphics, integrating neural networks into the rendering process, to offer a leap forward in performance, image quality, and interactivity.
Part of the RTX Kit, neural rendering uses AI to enhance graphics by compressing complex shader code and textures. The aim is to enable cinema-quality visuals at game-ready frame rates, and with supporting features like RTX Neural Materials and DLSS 4.
Nvidia RTX Neural Shaders add small neural networks into programmable shaders. The technology framework enables the training and deployment of neural networks directly within shaders, enabling users to compress game data and shader code and approximate film-quality materials, volumes, geometry, and more in real time.
Nvidia’s Zorah tech demo
(Image credit: Nvidia)
Nvidia has updated its Zorah tech demo with new scenes that it says “push the boundaries of RTX real-time path tracing” and showcase the stunning power of neural rendering on new Blackwell-poweredGeForceRTX 50 Series GPUs.
For the new scenes, Nvidia’s Lightspeed Studios created procedural materials inSubstance 3D Designerand highly detailed textures inSubstance 3D Painterin what it describes as its “most ambitious tech demo yet.”
“Our goal with the RTX Neural Materials demo was to demonstrate how AI-accelerated rendering can enhance PBR textures and BSDF materials,” it says. “We were able to render complex real-world visual phenomena that would typically be challenging to achieve traditionally in real-time.”
Substance 3D Painter played an important role to achieve highly detailed textures, using its ability to handle complex geometries, detailed asset texturing and UDIM support.
The team first modeled and sculpted inBlender. They created a set of tile materials using Substance 3D Designer with multiple variations of details and exported to the Painter shelf. Texturing was done in Painter using a composition of multiple layers from base stone adding accents of gold and different layers of dirt and weathering to make the asset look like a real-life scan.
Finally, the UVs were done using 6 x 4k UDIMs textures and exported toUnreal Engine. It used the new RTX Mega Geometry technology, RTX Global Illumination and NVIDIA RTX Path Tracing. You can read the full breakdown onAdobe’s websiteand you can learn more about the tech in theNvidia Developer Technical Blog.
Sony has begun raising PS5 prices worldwide in response to the current economic situation caused in part by the Trump trade tariff increases, which has affected the yen and price of components.
Sony has increased PS5 prices across the EU, Australia, and New Zealand due to tariff and yen trade conditions. (Image source: Sony)
Sony has announced price changes to the Playstation 5 and Disc Drive for PS5 due to current market conditions, which are being affected negatively for Japanese console makers by US tariffs and a poorer yen trade currency market. Readers who fear prices on imported game consoles will keep rising should consider buying a Playstation 5 Pro at today’s prices here on Amazon.
The Trump administration has increased tariffs on almost all countries it trades with over the past weeks, with increases as high as 145% for China. This has had a dramatic effect on the yen to foreign currency trade as well as the price of components imported and consoles exported from Japan.
In response to current market conditions, Sony will on April 14 make the following PS5 price changes:
Europe – Increase price of PS5 Digital Edition to €499.99
UK – Increase price of PS5 Digital Edition to £429.99
Australia – Increase standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive to AUD $829.95
Australia – Increase PS5 Digital Edition to AUD $749.95
New Zealand – Increase standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive to NZD $949.95
New Zealand – Increase PS5 Digital Edition to NZD $859.95
The current price of the PS5 Digital Edition in the UK is £339.99, so the planned price increase to £429.99 is a 26.5% increase.
Use and demand for games delivered on physical optical media, from DVDs to Blu-Rays to PS5 games, has declined in recent years with the shift to digital delivery. Sony will on April 14 make the following Disc Drive for PS5 price changes:
Europe – Decrease price to €79.99
UK – Decrease price to £69.99
Australia – Decrease price to AUD $124.95
New Zealand – Decrease price to NZD $139.95
The current price of the Disc Drive for PS5 in the UK is £99.99, so the planned price decrease to £69.99 is a 30.0% decrease.
How to set up Loss of Pulse Detection on your Pixel Watch 3
(Image credit: Google)
When theGoogle Pixel Watch 3first launched in 2024, one of its marquee new health features — Loss of Pulse Detection — wasn’t available for U.S. customers.
Despite this, thePixel Watch3 still impressed us enough to earn a spot on ourbest smartwatchlist. Now, seven months after the U.S. release date, Google’sLoss of Pulse DetectionisFDA-approvedand rolling out to U.S. Pixel Watch 3 customers from Sacramento to Bangor.
A potentially life-saving tool, Loss of Pulse Detection is a first-of-its-kind feature for a smartwatch. While other models can alert you to signs of sleep apnea or atrial fibrillation (AFib), Google’s tool is aimed at getting you help during a cardiac emergency.
Similar to fall or crash detection, it can automatically contact emergency services if a cardiac event is logged and you’re unresponsive.
Best of all, setting up Loss of Pulse Detection on your Google Pixel Watch 3 is a quick and easy affair. Follow along and I’ll show you how to do it in seven steps.
To access Google’s new Loss of Pulse Detection feature, you’ll want toensure that your Pixel Watch 3 is running the latest version of Wear OS. As of writing, that’s 15.1. It’s also a good idea tomake sure your companion Pixel phone is also up-to-dateon the software front.Android 15is the newest release. Need a refresher on the update process? Here’s everything you need to know aboutupdating Android.
With both your smartwatch and smartphone up-to-date, it’s time to enable Loss of Pulse Detection. To do this,head to the Personal Safety app on your Pixel Watch 3. Once there,scroll down until you see ‘Loss of Pulse Detection.’Go ahead andtap on it. If you’re not seeing Loss of Pulse Detection listed, try restarting your Pixel Watch and checking again.
3. Open the Watch app on your phone and tap ‘Loss of Pulse Detection’
After tapping on ‘Loss of Pulse Detection’ in the Personal Safety app, a message should appear instructing you to open your phone. Go ahead andunlock your phone.The Watch app should automatically openanda brief summary of the setup process should appear. Note: The rest of the Loss of Pulse Detection process takes place on your phone.
4. Read about the setup process and tap ‘Continue’
Read through the info on the screen (if you like). When finished, scroll to the bottom and tap ‘Continue.’
5. Verify your eligibility and tap ‘Continue’
You’ll now need to verify your eligibility to use Loss of Pulse Detection. Go ahead andenter your date of birth in the first field. Nextanswer the yes or no question. When complete,head to the bottom right and click ‘Continue.’
6. Read through the info and click ‘Continue’ on the next two screens
The app will then present a couple of screens with information on data usage and limitations of the feature.Read through these two screens(again, if you like) andtap ‘Continue’when you’re done.You’re almost there!
7. At the bottom of ‘Things to Remember’ tap ‘Turn on’
The final screen in the setup process shows you a list of ‘Things to Remember’ about Loss of Pulse Detection. When finished reading through the bulleted points,head to the bottom of the screen and tap ‘Turn on.’Voila, you’re done.
There you have it, Google’s innovative new Loss of Pulse Detection is up and running in just seven easy-breezy steps. Now you can wear your Google Pixel Watch 3 with even more confidence knowing that it can help you out during a medical emergency.
Of course, in addition to Loss of Pulse Detection, the Pixel Watch 3 offers all sorts of other useful safety features worth exploring including Fall and Car Crash Detection, an Emergency SOS function, real-time location sharing and more.
Razer’s new streaming service is allegedly the easiest PC-to-mobile streaming service to use.
(Image credit: Razer)
Razer has launchedRazer PC Remote Play, a new streaming platform that allows PC gamers to stream their PC games to their iOS or Android devices. The platform supports all mobile gaming controllers compatible with the aforementioned operating systems and uses AV1 encoding to provide a high-quality, low-latency gaming experience.
Razer PC Remote Play makes all your (supported) PC games easily accessible from your mobile device within the Razer Nexus app. Currently, the platform supports Steam, PC Game Pass, Epic Games “and more.” Razer’s remote software requires a Windows 10 host PC and a mobile device equipped with iOS 18 or Android 14 (or newer) to be the streaming device.
One perk Razer has over its competitors is full support of a mobile device’s display capabilities. Typically, PC-to-mobile streaming services are limited to the output of the host PC’s video specifications. However, Razer’s PC remote play platform can automatically adjust display resolution and refresh rate to match the streaming device. This is very beneficial for smartphones, which typically have an aspect ratio of around 21:9.
Beyond support for all mobile gaming controllers, Razer offers additional haptic support (dubbed Razer Sensa HD Haptics) for its Razer Kishi Ultra controller, a mobile gaming controller built for Android devices. iPads also get additional peripheral support and are fully compatible with keyboards, mice, and trackpads.
According to a Razer product developer on Reddit, Razer tailors its remote play platform around user-friendliness and ease of use compared to its competitors. Most other platforms, such as Moonlight orSteam Remote Play, require user tinkering to dial in the optimum settings. However, Razer PC Remote Play is allegedly a lot more straightforward. As previously mentioned, it automatically quits games when you’re done playing them and automatically adjusts resolution and refresh rate.
The streaming service is free to use; you just need to download the Razer PC Remote Play and Razer Nexus apps on your mobile device and the Razer Cortex app on your PC.
There’ll be no shortage of security experts and hackers lining up to test Recall’s defenses, let’s face it
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Recall has entered the final stage of testing in Windows 11 previews
This means it could soon be released for all Copilot+ PCs
However, the rollout will likely be a gradual one (as is the case in Release Preview testing right now)
Those wondering whereWindows 11’s controversial Recall feature has got to –last seen lost in testing somewhere– well, it looks like Microsoft is readying to release this AI-powered search functionality for real soon enough.
The Vergehighlighted thatMicrosofthas pushed out a new test build (version 26100.3902) in the Release Preview channel, and that this comes with both Recall and itspartner feature Click to Do(context-sensitive AI-driven suggestions).
There are four main testing channels for Windows 11, and Release Preview is the last stage before hitting finished versions of the desktopoperating system– as the name denotes, it’s the final stage before release.
In short, it looks like Recall and Click to Do could soon arrive for everyone (who has aCopilot+ PC– remember, these AI features need thepowerful NPUthat’s a requirement for those devices).
When Recall does pitch up, it’ll be optimized for only an initial small set of languages. Those are: English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
For those who’ve forgotten – though that’s unlikely, given all thecontroversy this capability has caused since its revelationlast year – Recall uses AI and regularly taken screenshots of the activity on your PC to drive an in-depth natural language search. (Queries such as: “Find that document where I wrote my packing list for holidays abroad.”)
While that certainly promises to be very useful, there have been many privacy and security concerns around Recall, which has led Microsoft to take a bunch of steps to shore up those areas. That includes the introduction ofWindows Hello sign-into confirm it’s actually you present at the Copilot+ PC when using Recall.
This is exciting news for those who want to use Recall, of course, and interesting for those of us who don’t feel drawn to the feature yet, but still want to see how it plays out in the real-world.
This is Microsoft’s cornerstone AI feature for Copilot+ PCs, of course, so it’s going to be watched keenly by a whole lot of eyes. And prodded and poked at by a whole lot of security experts and hackers (white hat or otherwise).
Will Microsoft be nervous? Most likely, certainly about the reaction this is going to be met with, andhow bulletproof Recall actually is security-wise, when it launches on a grand scale – although we need to hold our horses a bit on that front.
Recall will still likely be labelled a preview ability, even when it releases to finished Windows 11 Copilot+ devices. There’ll be a limited rollout to begin with, as well, when Recall formally debuts. Even right now in testing, Microsoft has said that the rollout is a gradual one, so not all testers will see this straight away. I’m guessing the speed of the rollout in Release Preview will depend on how well this last phase of testing progresses.
In the footnotes for the blog post for this new preview build, Microsoft tells us that Recall will be available in “early 2025 in most markets” which is a bit odd, seeing as that timeframe has already sailed in my book. (I’d call Q1 the early part of the year, and of course we’re in Q2 now, in April).
However, Microsoft also clarifies that Recall won’t be coming to Europe early in 2025, and that it’ll be “rolling out to the European Economic Area later this year” instead. That’s presumably due to the data regulations in that region, which has been the cause of a number of capabilities being put on ice.
The long-delayed feature will begin gradually rolling out to Windows Insiders.
Microsoft is starting to gradually roll out a preview of Recall, its feature that captures screenshots of what you do on a Copilot Plus PC to find again later, to Windows Insiders, according toa blog post published Thursday.
This new rollout could indicate that Microsoft is finally getting close to launching Recall more widely. Microsoft originally intended to launch Recall alongside Copilot Plus PCs last June, but the featurewas delayedfollowing concerns raisedby security experts. The company then planned to launch it in October, but thatgot pushedas well so that the company could deliver “a secure and trusted experience.”
The company did release a preview of Recallin Novemberto Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel for Qualcomm Copilot Plus PCs and made a preview available to Intel- and AMD-powered Copilot Plus PCshortly after. And after a couple weeks of testing, my colleague Aria said thatRecall is “creepy, clever, and compelling.”
In Thursday’s blog post, Microsoft spells out that you have to opt in to saving snapshots with Recall, and you can pause saving them “at any time.”
The company is billing Google Workspace Flows as a new way to automate tasks.
Google
In an incredibly shocking turn of events, more generative AI features are coming to the Google Workspace suite of productivity apps by way of Gemini. Docs, Sheets, Chat, Meet andnewcomer Vidsare among the tools that aregetting new AI capabilitiesthat perhaps some folks will find useful.
Google is taking a cue fromaudio overviews in NotebookLMto bring new Gemini-powered audio features to Docs. You’ll soon have the option of listening to full audio versions of your documents or just the highlights in what Google calls a podcast-style overview. Those enrolled in the Workspace alpha testing program can start trying out these audio features in the coming weeks.
By the end of June, alpha testers will have access to an AI writing coach of sorts. The “help me refine” feature is said to offer suggestions on bolstering an argument, ensuring consistent formatting, enhancing the structure of the text and clarifying key points.
A similar feature is coming to Sheets later this year. The “help me analyze” tool will seemingly point out trends you might have overlooked, offer pointers on where to dig deeper for more insights and whip up charts to visualize the data.
In Meet, you’ll soon be able to ask Gemini to recap parts of a meeting you missed because you were running late, clarify certain decisions or topics, generate a recap in the format of your choice and help refine a point before you raise a virtual arm to join the conversation. This so-called “personal in-meeting advisor” will be generally available in Meet before the end of June.
As for Chat, Google will soon offer the option to mention @gemini in a conversation to receive a summary that includes open questions, important decisions that were made and lays out next steps. It could be a useful way to distill everything that happened in a bustling group chat. This capability will be available through the Labs early-access program in the coming weeks.
In Vids, you’ll soon be able to generate what Google says are “high-quality, original” clips using the Veo 2 model (perhaps ignoring the fact that generative video AI models mash together footage that they were trained on and arguably don’t create anything truly original at all). Workspace alpha can get their hands on this in the coming weeks.
Elsewhere, there’s another new feature called Google Workspace Flows. Google bills this as “a brand-new way to automate and orchestrate work across your apps, powered by AI.” It employs Gems, customizable AI agents that can be created with Gemini, to take care of specialized tasks, such as researching, analyzing and generating content.
The company says that Workspace Flows can, for instance, address a customer support ticket by analyzing the issue, researching a solution and drafting a reply that the support team can review before sending. Gems can mine your Google Drive files for context. Google’s also working with third-party partners to integrate Workspace Flows into their apps and tools. Google is now rolling out Workspace Flows in the alpha program.
Lastly, as of today, Google will allow Workspace users to choose where Gemini processes their data. So if you’re in the European Union and don’t want your data to travel to the US (or vice versa), that’s now an option. Google makes it clear that this is to help comply with regulations such as the EU’s GDPR.
