November 1 Tech news roundup: Fedora Linux 43 released, Xbox consoles sales drop again, Samsung Internet Browser for PC launched

Fedora Linux 43 is now available

Fedora Linux 43 has been released. The update brings Linux Kernel 6.17, enhanced drivers for Intel Xe graphics, and improvements for NVIDIA Optimus and Hybrid Mode.

Fedora 43 drops support for the X11 session, it is now Wayland-only. It follows GNOME 49, which deprecated support for X11.

The Settings app has been redesigned, as has the Files app, Nautilus. It has a new search interface. Fedora 43 comes with a couple of new default apps. Totem has been replaced by Showtime as the default video player, while Papers replaces Evince as the new default document reader in the distro. The update ships with RPM 6.0 package manager with security improvements like support for OpenPGP v6 keys, multiple signatures per package.

Fedora has improved support for multiple display setups, a better workflow for taking screencaps, and recording the screen. Fedora 43 includes a Focus Mode, which lets you mute notifications for a distraction-free experience.

Samsung Internet Browser for PC launches in beta

Samsung has launched a beta version of its Samsung Internet Browser for Windows. The app is, unsurprisingly, based on Chromium, and comes with a built-in ad blocker called Smart anti-tracking.

It also has some Galaxy AI features including Browsing Assist to summarize web pages, and translate content. Users can access various options from the sidebar, to help with their browsing, though these features require users to sign in to their Samsung account. The app can sync data between PC and Android. It comes with Samsung Pass for managing passwords, and has a near ‘Continue apps on other devices’ feature that lets you pick up where you left off on another device. The browser supports Chrome web store extensions.

Samsung Internet Browser for PC is only available in South Korea and the U.S. at the moment. It is compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10 (1809 or later). On a side note, Samsung’s expensive smart fridges will soon display ads in the U.S.

Google Chrome will enable HTTPS for all users next year

Google has confirmed that it will enable HTTPS for all Chrome users next year. The Mountain View company had originally announced its plan to do this, 2 years ago. Chrome has a feature that users can toggle, to load HTTPS versions of websites. This has been around since 2022, but is disabled by default.

It says the time is right to do so, because when users type a URL or click on a link of an HTTP website, there is a risk of an attacker hijacking the link, and that it could lead to malware, or targeted attacks. The user may not notice the redirection. Google says that it wants to protect users from such threats by enabling the option to load HTTPS-first for public websites for all Chrome users in October 2026. It warns that private websites still pose the largest risk for HTTP traffic.

Microsoft confirms Xbox console sales dropped by 29%

Microsoft’s latest earnings call was released this week. While the Redmond company managed to bring in a tidy net income of $30.8 billion, it wasn’t all good news for Xbox. Microsoft says that Xbox consoles sales dropped by 29% in the past year. This may not come as a surprise, given that the company hiked the price of the console around the world. It didn’t stop there, Microsoft increased Xbox prices in the U.S. for a 2nd time, putting it out of reach for many buyers.

The drop of Xbox hardware sales in continuous quarters raises some questions about the future of Xbox. PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch are winning the console wars, we need more competition, not less. On the bright side, Xbox gaming revenue went up marginally, due to Xbox Game Pass and third-party games. But, Microsoft has increased the price of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, so it’s unclear how things will go.

Nothing Phone starts shoving bloatware in its OS

Nothing, the UK-based OEM, which makes stylish phones, has taken a different path when it comes to its operating system. Since the first devices were launched, the company had taken a non-bloatware approach, offering a clean Android experience, but with its own theme on top.

However, it has taken a darker path. It’s newest phone, the Nothing Phone 3a Lite comes with various pre-installed apps from third-party companies. These include Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. These apps cannot be uninstalled by users. And to make it worse, there are hidden services from Meta that can’t be removed either. Nothing has also introduced a new lock screen wallpaper feature called Look Glimpse, which features ads. Users have hit out at the company for deviating from its principles for the sake of money.

Amazon to block piracy apps on Fire TV

Amazon has announced that it will prohibit the use of some apps on Fire TV devices. This is a blocklist maintained by anti-piracy organization Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the members of which include Amazon, BBC Studios, The Walt Disney Company, Netflix, Paramount Global, etc.

Amazon says it will notify users who use apps that are blocklisted, to inform them the usage of such apps are illegal. Following that, the apps will be blocklisted, and stop working. It is not clear which apps are blocklisted. This change has come into effect. It is not the first time Amazon has disabled apps remotely.

YouTube to age-restrict videos that contain graphic violence in games

YouTube has announced that it will soon prevent users under 18 from watching videos that contain graphic violence in games. This restriction will apply to videos that feature realistic human characters and focuses on mass violence, torture, severe injuries, violent deaths that show blood.  Users will need to sign in to their account to watch such videos, and in case of regions where age-verification laws apply, they will need to prove that they are 18 years of age or older.

The sudden announcement has raised eyebrows, considering that YouTube has always allowed videos that show violent content in video games since the platform was founded.

Many users pointed out that this is yet another form of censorship, and a trick to make users sign in to watch the videos. The age-restriction will come into effect from November 17, 2025. It also applies to videos that contain online gambling.