Android 9 Pie
The latest Android 9 Pie coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
AMD Zen 6 CPUs Leaked via AIDA64 Beta: Mustang Peak and Olympic Ridge Detection Added
AIDA64 Extreme beta version 8.30.8332 adds preliminary CPU detection for AMD K1A.18 (Mustang Peak) and K1A.88 (Olympic Ridge), indicating that engineering samples of Zen 6 processors are already being tested. The update includes AVX2 and AVX-512 accelerated benchmarks, hinting at a significant vector performance boost, and follows AMD's historical pattern of early partner validation months before retail launch.
Intel Panther Lake and RTX 5070 Ti give 2026 Zephyrus G14 13-hour battery record
The 2026 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 swaps AMD for Intel’s Panther Lake Core Ultra 9 386H and Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti, delivering exceptional gaming performance and a record-breaking 13+ hours of battery life. Its 3K OLED display, robust build, and user-upgradeable design make it a top choice for gamers who need all-day portability. At $3,199, it redefines what a compact gaming laptop can achieve.
Linux 7.2-rc1 Unveils AMD HDMI 2.1 and Rust ZerroCopy — What Windows Developers Need to Know
Linux 7.2-rc1, released by Linus Torvalds, introduces major features including AMD HDMI 2.1 support, Intel Xe platform foundations, and Rust ZerroCopy. These improvements will directly benefit Windows users through WSL2, enhancing GPU compatibility, I/O performance, and memory safety for cross-platform development workflows. The final kernel is expected in mid-August 2026.
Microsoft Rolls Out Dynamic Updates KB5102558, KB5095615, KB5095186 to Fortify Windows 11 Upgrades and WinRE
On June 23, 2026, Microsoft released three Dynamic Update packages—KB5102558 for Setup, KB5095615 for WinRE on 24H2/25H2, and KB5095186 for WinRE on 26H1—to improve Windows 11 upgrade reliability and recovery security. These updates apply during feature updates and installations, mitigating known issues and hardening the recovery environment.
Microsoft’s Forgotten Trailblazers: Surface Duo, Zune HD, and the Pocket PC Era
A MakeUseOf retrospective examines three Microsoft products—Surface Duo, Zune HD, and Pocket PC—that pioneered mobile innovation but were abandoned too soon. The article explores their groundbreaking features, the reasons behind their demise, and the lasting community loyalty that keeps their legacies alive.
June 2026 Update Unleashes Snappier Start Menus on Broader Range of Windows 11 Hardware
Microsoft's June 2026 optional preview update KB5095093 expands the Low Latency Profile feature to more PCs, reducing input lag and accelerating the Start menu. Previously limited to select high-performance devices, this update aims to bring a snappier experience to a broader user base. Users can install the update via Windows Update to test the improvements before the July mandatory rollout.
Hands-On: Windows 11 Build 26300.8758 Delivers Long-Awaited Taskbar Resizing and Critical Explorer Stability Fixes
Windows 11 Experimental Build 26300.8758 introduces a native Taskbar size setting with small, medium, and large options, along with smoother animation transitions. The update also delivers critical File Explorer reliability fixes for memory leaks, crashes, and slow thumbnail loading, marking a significant quality-of-life improvement for Insiders.
Google's Adaptive Battery: The Hidden Pixel Feature That's Killing Your Notifications and How to Fix It
Adaptive Battery on Google Pixel phones uses on-device machine learning to restrict background activity for rarely used apps, extending battery life but often delaying critical notifications. This article explains how the feature works, details its trade-offs, and provides step-by-step fixes—including per-app battery settings and Developer options—to restore real-time alerts. It also draws parallels to Windows power management, highlighting lessons for Microsoft's Modern Standby and Battery Saver features.
Pixel 10a Hands-On: A $499 Phone That Plays It Too Safe
The Google Pixel 10a at $499 delivers a quality mid-range Android experience with seven years of updates, a still-impressive camera, and seamless Windows integration via Phone Link. However, its Tensor G4 chip, unchanged battery and charging speeds, and nearly identical design to the Pixel 9a make it feel more like a repackage than a genuine upgrade, especially as competitors offer more innovation at similar prices.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold Leak Reveals Qi2, Tensor G6, and ₹2 Lakh India Price
Fresh leaks suggest Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold will feature Qi2 magnetic charging, an 8-inch inner display, and the Tensor G6 chipset when it launches in late 2026. However, Indian buyers may face a price exceeding ₹2,00,000, raising questions about its competitiveness. The device could offer enhanced productivity for Windows users through better Phone Link integration and a potential desktop mode.
Vietnam Bets Big on Semiconductor Prototyping: Inside the New National MPW Center
Vietnam launched its first national Multi-Project Wafer coordination center on June 26, 2026, aiming to lower chip prototyping costs and fuel its semiconductor design ecosystem. The center will partner with global foundries, subsidize academic and startup projects, and could become a significant node for Windows PC chip innovation. While challenges like talent shortages and fab absence remain, the move signals Vietnam’s serious intent to climb the semiconductor value chain.
Windows 11 runs Crysis on 2006 DDR1-AGP PC via driver mods
An enthusiast named O_MORES successfully installed Windows 11 on a retro PC featuring DDR1 RAM and an AGP graphics card, then ran Crysis with full 3D acceleration. The ASRock ConRoe865PE motherboard, Core 2 Quad Q6600, and Radeon HD 4650 AGP overcame stringent Windows 11 requirements through driver modding and registry bypasses, proving that legacy hardware can still deliver playable gaming on a modern OS.
Vietnam Opens First National MPW Wafer Hub, Accelerating Local Chip Prototyping
Vietnam inaugurated its first National Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) Coordination Center on June 26, 2026, in Hanoi, aiming to drastically reduce chip prototyping costs for domestic designers. The facility pools multiple designs onto shared wafers, enabling startups and universities to fabricate silicon affordably. The move could boost Vietnam's semiconductor design ecosystem and lead to more custom chips for Windows-based devices.