Software

Meta Expands Threads with Group Chats, Messaging Features Launch in EU

Meta is rolling out group chat capabilities to its Threads platform, allowing users to message up to 50 people simultaneously. The messaging features are now expanding to EU users after previously being unavailable in the region. Company officials indicate additional functionality including link-based invitations will arrive soon.

Threads Messaging Expands with Group Chat Capability

Meta Platforms is significantly enhancing the messaging functionality within its social media platform Threads by introducing group chat features, according to reports from company officials. The development comes just months after the platform launched one-on-one direct messaging in June, marking a rapid expansion of its communication tools.

HardwareTechnology

Apple Launches 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Chip, Boasting AI and Performance Gains

Apple has unveiled the first laptop powered by its new M5 chip, the 14-inch MacBook Pro. According to reports, the device delivers significant performance improvements in AI, graphics, and battery life. The updated model is now available for pre-order in 30 countries, maintaining its starting price.

Apple Introduces M5 Chip in 14-inch MacBook Pro

Apple has released its first laptop featuring the new M5 chip, refreshing the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the latest Apple Silicon technology. This launch follows closely after Apple executive Greg Joswiak’s social media teaser and coincides with updates to the iPad Pro and Vision Pro headset lines. Sources indicate the company continues its strategic shift from Intel processors, marking five years since beginning this transition.

HardwareTechnology

Apple Vision Pro Upgraded with M5 Chip, visionOS 26 for Enhanced Performance and Battery Life

Apple has unveiled an upgraded Vision Pro featuring the new M5 chip and visionOS 26. The enhancements reportedly deliver faster performance, sharper visuals, and extended battery life. The headset also includes a redesigned comfort band and new spatial experiences.

Apple Vision Pro Enhanced with M5 Chip and visionOS 26

Apple has unveiled significant upgrades to its Vision Pro headset, featuring the new M5 chip and visionOS 26 operating system. According to reports, these enhancements deliver substantial improvements in performance, visual quality, and battery life for the virtual reality headset.

GamingSoftware

Stardock’s Elemental: Reforged Enters Steam Early Access October 23 With Major Upgrades

Stardock is launching Elemental: Reforged into Steam early access on October 23, 2025. The remaster combines three previous Elemental games into a unified 64-bit experience. According to reports, the development shift to early access came from strong fan feedback.

Elemental: Reforged Early Access Launch Date Confirmed

Stardock has announced that Elemental: Reforged will enter early access on Steam on October 23, 2025, according to reports from the company. The remaster aims to combine and elevate the entire Elemental series experience for modern gaming systems, sources indicate.

HardwareTechnology

Apple Unveils M5-Powered iPad Pro with Enhanced AI Performance and Faster Connectivity

Apple has officially introduced its latest iPad Pro models featuring the new M5 processor, which reportedly delivers significant performance improvements in AI tasks and rendering. The new tablets also feature faster storage, enhanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 support, and improved charging capabilities. According to reports, the devices maintain the same premium pricing structure as previous generations.

Apple Announces Next-Generation iPad Pro with M5 Chip

Apple has officially unveiled its latest iPad Pro models featuring the company’s new M5 processor, according to recent announcements. The technology giant, Apple Inc., claims the new chip delivers substantial performance improvements over previous generations, particularly in artificial intelligence tasks and rendering capabilities.

OpensourceSoftware

Free Software Foundation Launches Librephone Project to Bring Full Software Freedom to Mobile Devices

The Free Software Foundation has launched the Librephone project with the goal of bringing complete software freedom to mobile devices. This strategic shift recognizes that most users now rely on mobile phones for computing. The project aims to reverse-engineer and replace proprietary components in existing mobile operating systems.

FSF Shifts Focus to Mobile Software Freedom

The Free Software Foundation has announced a major strategic shift toward mobile computing with the launch of its Librephone project, according to reports from the organization. Sources indicate this move recognizes that most users now rely on mobile phones rather than desktop computers for their primary computing needs.

CybersecuritySoftware

NordVPN Open Sources Linux GUI Client Following User Growth Surge

NordVPN has open-sourced its graphical user interface for Linux applications, making the code publicly available on GitHub. The move comes after the company reported significant growth in Linux users since the GUI’s initial release. Meanwhile, NordVPN’s native Windows on ARM client has reached feature parity with the standard Windows version.

NordVPN’s Linux GUI Goes Open Source

NordVPN has made its graphical user interface for Linux applications open source, according to recent company announcements. The development follows the initial release of the Linux GUI back in May, which provided users with an alternative to the traditional command-line interface for the first time.

BusinessMedia

NBC News Layoffs Begin Amid Versant Spinoff Transition, Affecting 150 Staff

NBC News has initiated layoffs affecting approximately 150 employees as the company prepares for its cable network spinoff. The cuts represent about 2% of the NBCU News Group workforce and come as shared resources between NBC News and MSNBC are being separated ahead of the Versant Media Group launch later this year.

NBC News Implements Staff Reductions

Layoffs that NBC News staff had been anticipating commenced this week at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, with the company confirming approximately 150 employees are being impacted by the workforce reductions, according to reports. The cuts represent roughly 2% of the NBCU News Group workforce and are scattered throughout the news division, sources indicate.

SoftwareTechnology

Google Photos Video Editor Adds Instagram-Style Text Features in New Update

Google Photos is expanding its video editing capabilities with new text options that closely resemble Instagram’s tools. The update includes multiple font styles, text alignment controls, and dozens of color choices. These enhancements could position Google Photos as a more comprehensive mobile app for quick video edits.

Google Photos Video Editor Gets Major Text Enhancement

Google is reportedly testing significant upgrades to the Google Photos video editor that will provide users with Instagram-like text customization options, according to recent findings. The new features, discovered in version 7.49 of the Android app, represent a substantial improvement over the current basic text editing capabilities.

GovernmentPolicy

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Firing Federal Workers During Shutdown

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown. The ruling comes after reduction-in-force notifications were sent to over 4,000 federal employees. Judge Susan Yvonne Illston stated the administration’s actions appeared “contrary to the laws.”

Federal Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Trump Administration

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown, according to reports from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Susan Yvonne Illston came Wednesday, just five days after the administration issued reduction-in-force notifications to more than 4,000 federal workers, sources indicate.