February 21 Tech news roundup: Windows 11 is getting a speed test tool, Mozilla ends Firefox for Windows 7 and 8, Diablo II gets an expansion after 25 years

Microsoft is testing a speed test tool for Windows 11

Windows 11 users will soon be able to check the quality of their network speed quickly. Microsoft is testing a speed test tool that can be accessed from the Taskbar. The option will be available from the Wi-Fi or Cellular Quick Settings panel, but can also be accessed from the right-click menu of the network icon on the system tray.

Microsoft terms this as a built-in tool, but it is misleading. That’s because the option doesn’t really run the test directly in Windows, instead it opens the speed test in the default browser.  Essentially, this is just a shortcut, but it could be useful for users to check their network’s performance, and to troubleshoot any problems with it.

The speed test tool is currently available in the Windows 11 Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

Google to highlight links in AI Overviews and AI Mode prominently

Google is changing the way how links to sources are displayed in AI Overviews and AI Mode. The current experience is pretty basic, where sources are cited at the end of certain sentences. These links are often easily missable, making it difficult for the reader to find where the content was sourced from. If there are multiple citations, you have to scroll down and hover the mouse over each link to find the website’s name, etc.

A screenshot shared by Robby Stein, the VP of Google Search, shows what the new experience looks like. Google’s AI Overviews will now group the links at the top of the page making them easy to access. When you hover over a link Google AI Overviews, it displays a pop-up that lists all sources for that topic. The new search experience is already available for users on both desktop and mobile.

While that is a welcome improvement, Google’s AI Overviews has been criticized by users, and publishers who claimed that it caused traffic to their websites to drop, because searchers were not clicking on the links. In fact, the European Commission began looking into whether Google had misused content from websites without compensating them.

Mozilla discontinues Firefox ESR for Windows 7 and Windows 8

Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in January 2020, Windows 8 and 8.1 reached end of support in January 2023. While both Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome discontinued support for the browsers on the legacy operating systems almost immediately, Mozilla continued to support Firefox for Windows 7 and 8 for several years. However, that is coming to an end. Mozilla says that Firefox Extended Support Release for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 will not be updated beyond February 2026. This means Firefox 115 ESR will be the last version to support the legacy versions of Windows.

Users can continue receiving security updates for Firefox by upgrading their computer to Windows 10, but since Microsoft has already ended support for the OS, this may not be a good idea. The only other option is to upgrade to Windows 11. But that’s not going to be easy, given that there are strict hardware requirements in place.

Diablo II Reign of the Warlock expansion released

Blizzard has released a new expansion for Diablo II. The hit action-RPG debuted in the year 2000, and received an expansion called The Lord of Destruction in 2001. Fast-forward 25 years, and the game has a new expansion called the Reign of the Warlock. It comes with a new character class called the Warlock, who is capable of summoning demons to do his bidding, use eldritch weapons, or weave chaos magic. The update also brings many new items, loot filters that can be customized, and stash tabs for better management of your loot.

Diablo II is now available on Steam for the first time, as part of Diablo II: Resurrected. This version comes with the new DLC, and all previously released content.

Valve admits that Steam Deck has been hit by memory and storage supply issues

Gamers in some regions are finding it difficult to buy the Steam Deck, because the handheld is not in stock on the official website. The cause of this problem appears to be the ongoing memory and storage crisis. Valve posted a notice on the Steam Deck page on its website, which mentions that the Steam Deck OLED may be out of stock intermittently. It also noted that the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model is no longer in production. For context, the LCD version had been discontinued in December 2025, and will not be available once existing units are sold out.

Valve recently confirmed that it had delayed the launch of the new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame due to the memory and storage shortages. On a side note, Steam’s Next Fest will start next week.

It’s not just the Steam Deck, consoles have become more expensive due to the NAND, RAM shortage. Experts believe the supply issues could affect several industries including smartphones and other devices.

Apple could launch iPhone 17e, new MacBooks and iPads on March 4

Apple has announced that it is hosting an event in New York on March 4th. Rumors indicate that the Cupertino company will launch multiple devices. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will unveil the iPhone 17e as the successor to the 16e (pictured below). The phone will support MagSafe charging, and will be powered by an A19 SoC. Gurman says that the iPhone 17e will be priced at $599.

Apple is also expected to launch a couple of new iPads at the event, including a new entry level model with an A18 chip, and an iPad Air with an M4 chip. It will also launch an iPad Mini with an OLED screen. That’s not all, Apple is also said to announce new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and a MacBook Air with an M5 SoC, a new Mac Studio. Interestingly, Apple will also introduce a low-cost MacBook with a display less than 13-inches. This model will be powered by an iPhone-class chip, and could compete with Chromebooks and entry-level Windows devices. The iOS 26.4 could be announced in the coming weeks with the much-anticipated Siri update powered by Gemini AI.