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Google to release Android source code only after new version launches
Google has revealed that the development of Android will become private. The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is the foundation upon which all custom versions of the operating system are built by manufacturers. Up until now, Google has maintained two branches of AOSP, a public branch and an internal development branch.
OEMs and custom ROM makers use the public branch to start working on the next version of Android, while Google continues to work on it. The differences between the two branches are drastic, particularly because Google’s version has additional APIs. When the source code for the internal version is made public, Google has to put in a lot of effort to merge patches between the branches. This in turn results in merge conflicts and additional work for developers.
Google wants to reduce the burden for developers by releasing the source code for Android 16 only after is released later this year. While this will streamline Android development, it will not affect users, and is unlikely to speed up OS updates. This change does not mean Android is becoming closed-source, it will remain open-source under the Apache 2.0 License, while the Android Kernel based on Linux will also continue to be open-source.
Windows 11 24H2 update blocked due to audio compatibility issues
Microsoft has blocked the Windows 11 24H2 for some users. Users who had Dirac Audio software installed on their PCs had reported some issues that affected audio output. The issues appear to involve a file called cridspapo.dll, and an incompatibility problem with the operating system, which could result in audio playback failure. This bug results in a conflict across all audio devices such as integrated speakers, Bluetooth speakers, and headsets.
Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, and decided to block the update to the latest version of its operating system. The company says that it will lift the restriction once the issue has been resolved. This is not the first time Microsoft had to block the Windows 11 24H2 Update, it did so on PCs that had some Ubisoft games installed, notably some titles in the Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry series.
Windows 11 bug blocks BIOS updates on Lenovo ThinkPad devices
Windows 11 seems to have become a comedy of errors. A new bug in the operating system is preventing some Lenovo ThinkPad devices from installing a BIOS update. This issue is related to a file name WinFlash.exe, which the computer uses to update the system firmware using Lenovo’s BIOS Update Utility or the Lenovo Vantage app. However, Microsoft’s security blocklist has accidentally flagged the update as a vulnerable driver. So, when users tried to install the BIOS update, they encountered errors stating that the process failed.
Reports indicate that this issue affects all current versions of Windows including Windows 10 22H2, Windows 11 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2. Surprisingly, Lenovo has advised users to use Windows Update to fetch the BIOS Update. This is rather unusual, as driver installations via Windows Update can be erratic. Meanwhile, Lenovo has released a new BIOS version, v1.61 which is compatible with the BIOS Update Utility.
Vivaldi browser includes Proton VPN for enhanced privacy
Vivaldi browser has announced that it has partnered with Proton AG to integrate Proton VPN in the desktop program to protect the privacy of users. The latest update for the browser now ships with an option that says VPN. Clicking on it will allow users to login through their Vivaldi account, and connect to Proton VPN’s servers to browse anonymously.
The limitation here is that it uses Proton’s free servers, which only allows 5 server locations to connect to, and the speeds aren’t exactly fast. Still, this collaboration will allow users, even those without technical knowledge to install and configure a standalone VPN, to protect their browsing data and their privacy with just a few clicks. You can’t beat that for free. Users who like the service and want better speeds or server locations can optionally choose to upgrade to a Proton VPN Premium subscription.
ChatGPT’s image generation rollout delayed due to high-usage
On March 25, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT now allows users to generate images using its GPT-4o large language model. The announcement took the internet by storm, and thousands of people began using it to create images. This in turn started a trend, and many of the images were stylized like Studio Ghibli’s art. Access to the new image generator was limited to users who had a ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or Team subscription.
Just days after Studio Ghibli styled-AI art became viral, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman revealed that the company did not expect that the image-generation tool would be so popular. ChatGPT’s servers and GPUs couldn’t handle the load. As a result of this unforeseen demand, and in a bid to prepare for the situation, OpenAI has announced that it is postponing the rollout of ChatGPT’s built-in image generator for free users.
Game Bar on Windows gets a new UI, and adds cloud gaming features
Microsoft has updated the Game Bar on Windows. The built-in tool now has a redesigned interface, which looks cleaner. The Home Bar and widgets, such as Capture, Performance, Resource, and the Widget Store have also been revamped. Compact Mode, which is designed for controllers, allows you to jump between widgets, settings quickly. The update is rolling out to users this week.
Microsoft is also improving Xbox Cloud Gaming beta with this update. Players can now switch between games seamlessly without going back to the Home page. This feature now supports Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and other games in the franchise, via an in-game hub.
The Stream Your Own Game collection now supports Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Gotham Knights, Party Animals, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Wobbly Life. Xbox’s in-game benefits for PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate, which allow players to unlock cosmetics, characters, in-game currency, has been expanded to include more free-to-play titles such as Heroes in the Storm, Naraka: Bladepoint, and The Finals.