LG will remove pop-up ads from its monitor software
A bizarre drama unfolded this week, when it was discovered that an LG Monitor app was quietly installed via Windows Update along with a monitor driver update. But, that was not the main problem. The LG Monitor app began displaying pop-up advertisements on PCs to promote McAfee’s security products and other software. Popular PC Hardware Channel, Gamers NexusA video highlights the problem. The channel said it tested multiple LG UltraGear monitors, and was able to replicate the problem on multiple PCs. Ars Technica Some of these monitors are reportedly premium products that cost more than $1,000.
Did LG cross any limits here? Many people thought so, and argued that such practices were unethical, with some calling the experience adware or bloatware. It didn’t take long for Microsoft to heed users’ complaints. Windows and Devices EVP Pavan Davuluri announced that Microsoft had contacted LG about the issue, and the South Korean electronics giant Agreed to disable McAfee pop-ups From the LG Monitor app.
Microsoft is bringing old XBOX games to PC via backward compatibility
Microsoft has started testing XBOX backwards compatibility On PC. The feature is currently available in the preview release of the Xbox app on PC, and supports four classic games. Blinks: The Time Sweeper, Conquer: Live & Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy.
Players who already own the titles on consoles will be able to play these games on PC and handhelds. Microsoft has also brought the games to its digital store, so players can purchase them and play them on their PC or handheld. The title is also included in all XBOX Game Pass plans. Microsoft says Newer versions of the game come with various enhancements such as resolution upscaling, VSync support, achievements, and more.
Microsoft is testing ad-supported game streaming on Xbox
Staying on the subject of Xbox, Microsoft has announced that it has started testing Ad Supported Game Streaming For Xbox Insiders. It currently supports select games, but this may change as the system evolves based on feedback from testers.
The main attraction of this system is that it will allow players to stream the games they own on XBOX. Players will be able to play proprietary games for free, with the only caveat being that they will need to watch advertisements from time to time. Microsoft says game sessions will be one hour long on supported devices and regions. Ads will play before the session starts, meaning it won’t interfere with gameplay.
Given the current situation of inflated console prices due to RAM/NAND shortages, free, ad-supported game streaming could be a good option for gamers to play modern games. It’s unclear whether Microsoft plans to bring an ad-supported game streaming experience to PC. Then again, the whole thing sounds pretty similar to NVIDIA’s GeForceNOW free ad-supported tier.
Fallout 3 and New Vegas are being remastered
Microsoft and Xbox were in the news recently for all the wrong reasons due to massive layoffs at various studios. Even though fans were worried that their favorite game franchises were coming to an end, there was some good news to celebrate. Obsidian Entertainment survived the crisis and is working on a new game.
But, a more popular studio had something important to say. Bethesda Softworks, the studio behind The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series, announced that it is also working on a new game, Fallout 5. The game is being developed on Creation Engine 3. However, the latter part of the announcement stole fans’ hearts, stating that Bethesda is working on it. Remastered editions of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. Bethesda also confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI, which is also being developed on Creation Engine 3, is the primary development focus. Therefore, Fallout 5 may take a long time to release.
Google introduces selfie video sign-in
Google now lets you sign in to your account with a selfie video. This is not a quick sign-in feature like Passkey, but selfie video This is a recovery method used in case your Google account is locked. This is an optional feature, users can choose not to use it.
A support page The set up process is explained on Google’s website. It’s quite simple, you have to look at your device’s camera, and follow some guided head movements that are used to capture multiple angles. Once the feature is installed, you will be able to Sign in to your account by taking a selfie To access your locked account. Before restoring access to the account, the technology compares the original selfie and your new video to confirm the person’s identity. It’s worth noting that users can’t add selfie videos when they lose access to the account, or during the account recovery process.
On a side note, Google Maps is adding a live speedometer For Android Auto.
EU fines Google $1 billion
EU regulators said Google Search had illegally stifled its competition, and had established itself as a monopoly in the search engine market. The report said Google abused its dominant position to favor its own services in search results, while burying competing services at the bottom of the page. Which includes travel, shopping, sports and language translation. As a result, the EU has imposed a 890 million euro fineWhich is almost $1 billion on Google.
The investigation also noted that there were unfair restrictions on the Google Play Store that prevented app developers from conducting transactions through third parties, and did not allow app developers to communicate with users. The European Union considered such practices illegal. Google’s lawyers claimed that this is not fair competition, this is product degradation. Google must comply with the decision within 60 days, otherwise risk additional penalties.
new York Times The EU’s decision to fine Google could further worsen its relationship with the US, the report said, which is expected to lead to new tariffs on trade with the EU and other countries. Meanwhile, the wall street journal Major internet companies like Reddit are losing web traffic to Google’s AI, the report said. Visitor rates from search traffic have dropped significantly, as users do not follow links provided by AI-generated responses.
