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Microsoft 365 is now more expensive thanks to Copilot Microsoft 365 plans now include Copilot. This allows you to access AI-powered features across many... January 18 tech news roundup: Microsoft 365 prices hiked, Google Chrome fixes 16 security issues, Nintendo Switch 2 officially revealed

Microsoft 365 is now more expensive thanks to Copilot

Microsoft 365 plans now include Copilot. This allows you to access AI-powered features across many apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote. The subscription also brings two new apps to the table, the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and Microsoft Designer. While Copilot in other Office apps allows you to create documents quickly, Designer lets you create/generate images based on prompts, and it has an AI tool that you can use to erase unwanted objects from photos easily.

Microsoft 365 is now more expensive thanks to Copilot

That’s where the good news ends, as Microsoft has increased the Microsoft 365 price by $3 per month in the U.S., £3 in the U.K., and €3,00 in Europe. It affects both Microsoft 365 Family and Personal plans. The price change is global and comes into effect immediately, and users are already complaining that Microsoft should have offered an option that does not include Copilot. Subscribers have certain limits regarding how they can use Copilot, the usage is restricted by AI credits which will be allocated on a monthly basis. Those who require additional access will need to subscribe to Copilot Pro+.

Bitwarden improves password autofill feature

Bitwarden has been updated with some major quality of life improvements. The open source password manager has made the autofill feature easier to use in browsers. You no longer need to click the fill button next to a vault entry to populate the corresponding password on a web form. Bitwarden’s browser extensions can now autofill the username and password fields on login pages automatically. The feature is not enabled by default, but is quite easy to toggle.

Bitwarden improves password autofill feature

Another nifty improvement that the update brings is related to how it handles TOTP codes, Bitwarden’s autofill makes it simpler to input TOTP codes. The password manager recently introduced a major overhaul of its UI, but not everyone seems to be a fan, with some users raising their voice against the new design.

Google fixes 16 security issues in Chrome 132 update

The Google Chrome 132 update has been released, and it comes with security fixes for 16 different vulnerabilities. Some of these security patches have a security rating of medium, high or low, i.e. none are severe or critical. Bugs related to the JavaScript engine, Skia 2D graphics library, extensions, navigation and other components of the browser were identified and patched out.

Google fixes 16 security issues in Chrome 132 update

None of these security flaws seem to have been exploited by hackers in the wild, as Google didn’t mention any word about such incidents. Chrome users are advised to update the browser on Windows, Linux, Mac, ChromeOS, and Android. Updates should also be available for other Chromium-based browsers like Microsoft Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, and Opera.

Windows users may encounter an unexpected message about BitLocker Settings

BitLocker, the encryption technology that protects user data on Windows PCs has had a rough past. It has caused SSDs to slow down by up to 45%, a buggy Windows Update caused PCs to boot into BitLocker recovery. A security researcher recently demonstrated how easy it was to breach the encryption technology’s Secure Boot.

Windows users may encounter an unexpected message about BitLocker Settings

Now, a new bug related to it has surfaced to haunt users. Microsoft has published a support document on its website, the knowledge base page referred to as KB5051141, says that users may run into a message unexpectedly on the Windows Control applet for BitLocker. The message reads “For your security, some settings are managed by your administrator.” This could confuse users who own a computer that is not managed by an IT department, e.g. home users.

This bug affects Windows 11 as well as Windows 10. There is no known workaround for this bug, and Microsoft says it is investigating the issue, and will provide a resolution for this in the future.

January 2025 Windows Security Updates have been released

Chrome isn’t the only software that received security patches, Microsoft has released the Windows Security Updates for January 2025. The updates include a total of 159 security updates for various Microsoft products and 2 security updates for non-Microsoft products. Among 120 of these, 5 vulnerabilities are critical, while 115 are marked as important for Windows 10 version 22H2 via the KB5049981 update, Windows 11 version 22H2 and 23H2 via the KB5050021 update. The security updates are also available for Windows 11 version 24H2 via the KB5050009 update, which include 9 patches for critical issues, and 46 important updates.

January 2025 Windows Security Updates have been released

Microsoft warns users that there are several known issues related to the updates, such as OpenSSH failing to start, Roblox games not launching on ARM devices via the Microsoft Store. There are workarounds for both bugs. Citrix software users will need to apply a workaround before installing the update.

Nintendo Switch 2 officially revealed

Gamers, rejoice! The Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially revealed in a trailer video released by the company. This will be the successor to the original Switch which debuted in 2017. The upcoming handheld console has a larger touchscreen, which is 7-inches in size. Rumors suggest that the console has an LCD screen instead of OLED technology, and that the device is powered by Nvidia’s T239 SoC. The Switch 2 has two USB-C ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Nintendo Switch 2 officially revealed

The Nintendo Switch 2 supports backward compatibility with games that are available for the original handheld, and it also supports physical editions. Interestingly, the detachable controllers, called the Joy Cons now attach to the Switch 2 via magnets. There is a new button on the controller, though its functionality remains a mystery. The Nintendo Switch 2 should offer some serious competition to the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and other PC-based handheld consoles.

Google’s new advertising policy is a privacy nightmare

Google has announced a controversial change that will allow advertisers to use digital fingerprinting to track users on the internet. The news came to light via Google Marketing Platform Help support website. The Search Giant, which relies heavily on its advertising business, says that the policies were updated to clarify the activities that it prohibits, to protect the ads ecosystem from harmful activities. It also stated that the policies are less prescriptive for partners in how they target and measure ads.

Google's new advertising policy is a privacy nightmare

The main problem with this technique is that personal data such as the user’s IP address, location, device information, language, etc., is collected without the user even being aware that it is happening, let alone consent to the tracking policy. Such data is stored remotely, and cannot be deleted by the user. The digital fingerprinting policy goes live on February 16, 2025.