Smartwatch Updates
The latest Smartwatch Updates coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8687 Unleashes Local-First Search: No More Accidental Bing Trips When Typing App Names
Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8687 introduces a local‑first search overhaul that uses fuzzy matching to handle typos, partial names, and abbreviations without triggering Bing web searches. The change prioritizes offline application results, significantly reducing accidental web queries and improving both productivity and privacy. Available now to Dev Channel Insiders, the fix is part of a broader modernization of Windows Search.
Windows 11 2024 Update Cleans Up OOBE, Start Menu Clutter, and a Nagging Cursor Glitch
Windows 11 version 24H2 (2024 Update) revamps the first‑run experience with a cleaner Start menu, streamlined personalization, and a fix for a long‑standing mouse cursor glitch that appeared immediately after setup. The update also reduces post‑OOBE background tasks, making the desktop responsive faster than ever before.
How Anthropic’s Safety Crusade Is Forcing Windows Teams to Rethink AI Governance
Dario Amodei’s 2020 exit from OpenAI over safety concerns led to the creation of Anthropic, a rival AI lab whose Constitutional AI framework is now pressuring Windows enterprises to rethink their AI governance. As Microsoft deepens OpenAI integration into Windows 11 and Azure, enterprise IT teams are exploring Claude models for high-compliance workloads, forcing a multi-cloud, multi-model reality that could determine the future of AI safety on the Windows platform.
Visa Integrates Payments into ChatGPT, Letting AI Agents Spend Your Money
Visa and OpenAI announced a partnership to integrate Visa payments into ChatGPT, allowing users to link their cards so AI agents can make purchases on their behalf. The rollout is planned for later in 2026 and will expand beyond ChatGPT to other OpenAI offerings like the API and GPT Store, marking the start of “delegated AI shopping.”
DreamHost Launches 2026 Linux Hosting Lineup: What Windows Users Gain from Affordable Cloud Flexibility
DreamHost has announced its 2026 web hosting lineup, focusing on Linux-based services with budget-friendly pricing and added cloud flexibility, including shared hosting, managed WordPress, VPS, dedicated servers, and a flexible cloud platform. While the portfolio is Linux-centric, Windows users can still access and manage the services from Windows systems, making the update relevant to developers who primarily work in Windows environments.
Amazon Retires Kindle for PC: New Windows App Clamps Down on E-Book DRM
Amazon will discontinue support for the classic Kindle for PC app on June 30, replacing it with a new Microsoft Store application that blocks traditional DRM-removal methods. The change forces users who want to back up their e-book libraries to act quickly before the ability to download books in convertible formats disappears. While the new app offers a modern experience, it locks purchased content more tightly to Amazon's ecosystem.
Android 17, Snapdragon X2 Surface, and AR Glasses: The Triple Launch That Redefined Computing
On June 16, 2026, Google launched Android 17 with its revolutionary Bubbles feature while Microsoft unveiled Snapdragon X2-powered Surface devices and consumer AR glasses. These launches collectively signal the end of the traditional laptop era, ushering in a new paradigm of spatial computing with seamless cross-device integration. We break down the technical breakthroughs, real-world performance, and what this means for Windows on ARM and the future of work.
Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline controller brings programmable back buttons and triple wireless to Xbox
Turtle Beach unveiled the Pacific Skyline, a mid-range Xbox controller featuring triple wireless connectivity (Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C) and programmable back buttons. Officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PCs, it aims to bring pro-level features to budget-conscious gamers.
NVIDIA RTX Spark Brings Grace-Blackwell Power to Windows on Arm PCs at Computex 2026
NVIDIA and MediaTek used Computex 2026 to unveil RTX Spark, a new Arm-based PC platform combining a Grace CPU and Blackwell GPU with unified memory. The chip runs Windows on Arm natively and aims to bring high-end gaming, AI, and battery efficiency to laptops, building on Qualcomm’s and Microsoft’s work to mature the Arm ecosystem. First devices are expected later in 2026.
A Registry Edit Unlocks Windows 11’s Hidden Processor Boost Mode: Here’s What It Actually Does
A simple registry edit in Windows 11 uncovers a hidden “Processor performance boost mode” power setting that has been present for years. Changing the Attributes value from 1 to 2 reveals multiple boost policies—Disabled, Enabled, Aggressive, and Efficient variants—that give users direct control over CPU turbo behavior. The tweak can improve performance or reduce heat and power draw without voiding warranties or overclocking hardware.
AMD EPYC 4545P triples SQL Server throughput over older Xeon on Windows Server 2025
AMD's EPYC 4545P processor delivers up to three times the OLTP throughput of an older Intel Xeon system in Windows Server 2025 environments, according to new benchmarks by Principled Technologies. The results highlight AMD's growing performance lead in entry-level servers, promising significant database acceleration for small and medium businesses.
Catalent Deploys AI-Powered Quality Management, Qai, Across Global CDMO Network Using Microsoft Azure
Catalent has deployed Qai, its first enterprise AI quality-management platform, across its global CDMO network of 50+ sites, completing the rollout in June 2026. Powered by Microsoft Azure technologies such as Microsoft Fabric and Azure AI Foundry, the platform delivers real-time quality insights, root-cause analysis, and predictive analytics for pharmaceutical production.
Harvey Legal AI Debuts as Agent and Plugin in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Harvey, the legal AI startup, announced on June 16, 2026, that its technology is now available as an agent inside Microsoft 365 Copilot and as a plugin for Microsoft 365 Copilot Cowork. This integration allows legal professionals to use Harvey's document analysis, contract review, and legal research capabilities directly within Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, and the collaborative Copilot Cowork chat. The move positions Harvey as a key player in the embedded AI agent market for legal technology.