Sidequest
The latest Sidequest coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
FCC Filing Points to Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ 5G Launch in the U.S. — Here’s What Windows Users Should Know
Samsung's SM-X848U tablet has surfaced at the FCC, almost certainly the Galaxy Tab S12+ 5G headed to the U.S. market. The filing reveals 5G, Wi-Fi 6, S Pen support, and microSD expansion, signaling a powerful mobile companion for Windows users. Its always-on connectivity could transform DeX into a viable remote workstation, appealing to remote workers, IT admins, and home users alike.
Huawei’s Memory Fab Is Years Away from Changing What You Pay for DDR5 RAM
Huawei, SwaySure, and Chinese state-backed interests are planning a new 12-inch DRAM fab, but the project won't impact DDR5 RAM prices for Windows PC builders for years. Early output will serve domestic needs, while global pricing will continue to be driven by Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. Buyers should purchase RAM based on current needs, not speculation about a distant supply shift.
Lenovo’s 9-Speaker Android Tablet Is Built for Windows Users Who Need a Portable Media Hub
Lenovo's new Tab Plus Gen 2 ($400) is a chunky 12.1-inch Android tablet with nine JBL speakers, a 120Hz display, and a built-in kickstand. It's designed for media consumption, but its long battery life and stylus support make it a compelling portable companion for Windows users who want a dedicated streaming device, remote desktop client, or Xbox Cloud Gaming screen. The same July gadget roundup also highlights the Commodore Callback 8020, a Sailfish OS phone that blocks browsers and social apps, and Nimble's SharePower, a splittable 10,000mAh power bank ideal for hybrid workers.
ASUS ROG Strix Aiolos Puts 20Gbps Storage in Your Pocket — But Only If Your PC Has the Right USB Port
ASUS’s ROG Strix Aiolos M.2 enclosure promises 20 Gbps transfers, but the speed depends entirely on your PC having a rare USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port. This article explains what to check before buying and how to make the most of the device across Windows desktops, laptops, and handhelds.
Samsung S85H OLED Packs Four Full HDMI 2.1 Ports into a $1,199 Gaming TV
Samsung's entry-level S85H OLED delivers four 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, making it a compelling gaming display for just $1,199. While its picture quality impresses after calibration, weak built-in audio and HDR tone mapping trade-offs mean a soundbar is a must, especially for movie watchers.
Why the Galaxy Z Fold8 Won't Work with Your S Pen—and What Samsung Plans Next
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra launched without S Pen support, prioritizing thinness over stylus input. The company is exploring ways to restore the digitizer in a slimmer form factor, but no timeline exists. For users who depend on the S Pen, the Galaxy Z Fold6 remains the best option.
Intel’s New Mexico fab is pushing chip packaging past 8x reticle — here’s what that means for your future AI PC
Intel’s Fab 9 in New Mexico can now assemble chip packages eight times larger than a standard reticle, with plans to reach 12x by 2028, using Foveros 3D stacking and the new EMIB-T power-delivery technology. This advanced packaging will enable denser AI accelerators for data centers and eventually trickle down to AI-powered Windows PCs, improving performance, battery life, and form factors. IT professionals and developers should prepare for a future of highly heterogeneous chip designs and consider U.S.-based packaging as a supply-chain advantage.
MakuluLinux AI-OS Gives an AI Assistant the Power to Run Your Desktop
MakuluLinux AI-OS introduces Electra, an AI assistant that can run system-level tasks from natural language requests. This hands-on control sets it apart from simple chatbots, but it also raises security and privacy questions that Windows users should understand before experimenting.
Samsung Settles Multi-Camera Patent Lawsuit, Leaving Galaxy Portrait Mode Intact
Samsung settled a patent lawsuit with Optics Innovation over multi-camera imaging used in Galaxy Portrait Mode, ending the dispute without any changes to phone software. The confidential deal removes litigation risk for Samsung and has no impact on users or enterprise device management.
Tesla FSD manager lawsuit says Houston fleet was ‘rolling hazard’ – one person oversaw 38 cars
Javier Medrano, a former Tesla manager, filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit claiming he was the sole safety overseer for 38 Full Self-Driving test vehicles in Houston, far exceeding Tesla's own 15:1 safety ratio. He alleges exhaustion led him to mishandle a March 2025 crash call and that Tesla fired him after he raised concerns. The case raises questions about autonomous vehicle testing oversight ahead of Tesla's robotaxi expansion.
Philly Protest Labels Windows 10 PCs as E-Waste in Fight for Repair Rights
Advocacy groups erected an ‘e-waste graveyard’ in Philadelphia to protest software-driven obsolescence, singling out Windows 10’s end-of-support. The demonstration aims to push Pennsylvania’s stalled right-to-repair bill, while millions of users face hard choices about aging PCs that no longer receive security patches.
Microsoft’s Record 570-Fix Update Drops, But AI Is Finding Bugs Faster Than Engineers Can Patch
Microsoft’s July 2026 Patch Tuesday addresses 570 vulnerabilities, including three zero-days, but internal AI tools are uncovering hundreds more flaws than teams can fix, creating a growing remediation backlog. Meanwhile, a driver conflict blocks the update on some Dell PCs running Windows 11. Home users, power users, and IT admins face a future of larger, more frequent patches, requiring disciplined deployment and proactive security measures.
Gemini on Android Auto Is Breaking Google Home Routines — Here's How to Fix It
Google’s Gemini assistant is reportedly failing to run Google Home routines while Android Auto is active, leaving drivers unable to control smart home devices hands‑free. The issue is inconsistent, but a simple workaround—switching back to Google Assistant—temporarily restores functionality. We explain the conflict, the impact, and what to expect next.