July 25 Tech news roundup: Microsoft asks LG to remove pop-up ads from monitor software, Old XBOX games are coming to PC, EU slaps a $1 Billion fine on Google

LG to remove pop-up ads from its monitor software

A bizarre drama unfolded this week, when it was discovered that an LG Monitor App was installed silently via a Windows Update alongside a monitor driver update. But, that wasn’t the main problem. The LG Monitor App began displaying pop-up ads on PCs, to promote McAfee’s security products and other software. Popular PC hardware channel, Gamers Nexus, highlighted the problem in a video. The channel said that it tested several LG UltraGear monitors, and were able to replicate the issue on multiple PCs. Ars Technica reports that some of these monitors are premium products that cost over $1,000.

Did LG cross a line here? Many people thought so, and argued that such practices are unethical, with some calling the experience as adware or bloatware. It didn’t take long until Microsoft took notice of the complaints from users. Pavan Davuluri, the EVP of Windows and devices, announced that Microsoft had contacted LG about the issue, and that the South Korean electronics giant had agreed to disable the McAfee pop-up from the LG Monitor app.

Microsoft is bringing old XBOX games to PC via backward compatibility

Microsoft has begun testing XBOX backward compatibility on PC. The feature is currently available in a preview release of the XBOX app on PC, and supports four classic games. Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy.

Players who already own the titles on console will be able to play these games on PC and handhelds. Microsoft has also brought the games to its digital store, so players can purchase them and play it on their PC or handheld. The titles are also included in all XBOX Game Pass plans. Microsoft says that the new versions of the games come with various enhancements such as resolution upscaling, VSync support, achievements and more.

Microsoft is testing ad-supported game streaming on Xbox

Staying on the topic of Xbox, Microsoft has announced that it has begun testing ad-supported game streaming for XBOX insiders. It currently supports select games, but this could change as the system evolves based on feedback from testers.

The highlight of this system is that it will allow players to stream games that they own on XBOX. Players will be able to play owned games for free, the only caveat is that they will need to watch ads from time-to-time. Microsoft says that game sessions will be one-hour long on supported devices and regions. Ads will play before a session begins, meaning it will not interfere with the gameplay.

Free, ad-supported game streaming could be a good option for gamers to play modern games, given the current state of inflated console prices due to the RAM/NAND shortage. It is unclear whether Microsoft has plans to bring the ad-supported game streaming experience on PC. Then again, the whole thing sounds quite similar to NVIDIA’s GeForceNOW free ad-supported tier.

Fallout 3 and New Vegas are getting remastered

Microsoft, and XBOX were in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, due to the massive layoffs across various studios. Even as fans were worried their favorite game franchises were coming to an end, there was some good news to celebrate. Obsidian Entertainment survived the axe and is working on a new game.

But, a more popular studio had something important to say. Bethesda Softworks, the studio behind the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series announced that it too was working on a new game, Fallout 5. The game is being developed on Creation Engine 3. However, what stole fans hearts was the latter part of the announcement that said, Bethesda is working on remastered versions of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. Bethesda also confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI, which is also being developed on Creation Engine 3, is the primary development focus. So, it might take a long time for Fallout 5 to be released.

Google introduces selfie video sign-in

Google now lets you sign-in to your account with a selfie video. It’s not a quick sign in feature like a passkey, rather, the selfie video is a recovery method, to be used in case you are locked out of your Google account. It is an optional feature, users can choose not to use it.

A support page on Google’s website explains the set up process. It’s quite simple, you’ll need to look at your device’s camera, and follow some guided head movements that are used to capture multiple angles. Once the feature has been set up, you will be able to sign in to your account by taking a selfie to access your locked account. The technology compares the original selfie and your new video to confirm the person’s identity, before restoring access to the account. It’s worth noting that users cannot add a selfie video when they have lost access to the account, or during the account recover process.

On a side note, Google Maps is adding a live speedometer to Android Auto.

Google handed a $1 Billion fine by the EU

Regulators at the European Union said that Google Search had undercut its competition illegally, and established itself as a monopoly in the search engine market. The report says that Google had abused its dominant position to favor its own services in search results, while burying competing services further down the page. including travel, shopping, games and language translation. As a result of this, the EU has imposed a fine of 890 million Euros, which is about $1 Billion, on Google.

The investigation also mentioned that Google Play Store had unfair restrictions that prevented app developers from conducting transactions via third-parties, and didn’t allow app devs from communicating with users. The EU deemed such practices as illegal. Google’s counsel claimed that this was not fair competition, it is product degradation. Google has to comply with the decision within 60 days, or risk further penalties.

The New York Times reports that the EU’s decision to fine Google could further damage its relationship with the US, which is expected to increase new tariffs on trade with the European Union and other countries. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that major internet companies such as Reddit are losing web traffic to Google’s AI. Visitor rate from search traffic has dropped significantly, because users do not follow through on links provided by AI-generated responses.