<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">
  <channel>
    <title>DEV Community: SquaredTech</title>
    <description>The latest articles on DEV Community by SquaredTech (@squaredtech).</description>
    <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech</link>
    <image>
      <url>https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3154364%2Fd43fbec0-8b8b-4363-8eff-91f2a8fa0c8e.png</url>
      <title>DEV Community: SquaredTech</title>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech</link>
    </image>
    <atom:link rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://dev.to/feed/squaredtech"/>
    <language>en</language>
    <item>
      <title>Google Genie3: The Next Leap in AI World Models and AGI Development</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 17:37:32 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/google-genie3-the-next-leap-in-ai-world-models-and-agi-development-2h3n</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/google-genie3-the-next-leap-in-ai-world-models-and-agi-development-2h3n</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a machine capable of human-like reasoning and learning, has taken a significant step forward with &lt;strong&gt;Google Genie3&lt;/strong&gt;, the latest evolution in &lt;strong&gt;AI world models&lt;/strong&gt; from Google DeepMind.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Unlike narrow AI systems that excel at specific tasks (like chatbots or image generators), Genie3 is designed to understand, simulate, and interact with dynamic virtual environments, bringing us closer to machines that can learn like humans.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In this post, we’ll break down:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- What makes Google Genie3 different from previous models&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;-  How it learns from raw, unlabeled videos&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;-  Why this is a major milestone toward AGI&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;-  Real-world applications beyond gaming&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  What is Google Genie3?
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Google Genie3 is an &lt;strong&gt;AI world model&lt;/strong&gt; that can:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generate interactive 2D environments&lt;/strong&gt; from just a single image or text prompt. &lt;strong&gt;Simulate physics and object interactions&lt;/strong&gt; without explicit programming and &lt;strong&gt;Train AI agents&lt;/strong&gt; to navigate and learn inside these generated worlds.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Unlike its predecessors, Genie3 is trained on &lt;strong&gt;vast datasets of platformer games and robotics simulations&lt;/strong&gt;, allowing it to &lt;strong&gt;infer rules of interaction&lt;/strong&gt; purely from observation, much like how humans learn by watching.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  Key Improvements in Genie3:
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Better Generalization –&lt;/strong&gt; Handles more complex environments than Genie1/2.&lt;br&gt;
 &lt;strong&gt;Faster Training –&lt;/strong&gt; Optimized for efficiency with larger datasets.&lt;br&gt;
 &lt;strong&gt;Enhanced Interaction Prediction –&lt;/strong&gt; More accurate physics and agent behavior modeling.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  How Google Genie3 Works (Technical Breakdown)
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Genie3’s architecture consists of three core components:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Video Tokenizer –&lt;/strong&gt; Compresses raw video frames into discrete tokens for efficient processing.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;2. Dynamics Model –&lt;/strong&gt; Predicts how objects and environments evolve over time.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;3. Action Model –&lt;/strong&gt; Determines how an AI agent can interact within the world.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;By training on &lt;strong&gt;millions of hours of gameplay and simulation videos&lt;/strong&gt;, Genie3 develops an &lt;strong&gt;intuitive understanding&lt;/strong&gt; of movement, collisions, and cause-and-effect, &lt;strong&gt;without human-labeled data.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This &lt;strong&gt;self-supervised learning&lt;/strong&gt; approach is crucial because:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It reduces reliance on expensive, hand-annotated datasets.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It allows AI to learn &lt;strong&gt;more organically&lt;/strong&gt;, similar to human cognition.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  Why Genie3 Matters for AGI
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Achieving AGI requires AI systems that can:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Learn flexibly across different domains (not just one task).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Develop common-sense reasoning about the world.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Adapt to new environments without retraining.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Genie3 brings us closer by:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Creating a foundational world model&lt;/strong&gt; where AI can experiment and learn.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Enabling zero-shot generalization&lt;/strong&gt;—applying learned concepts to unseen scenarios.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Bridging the gap between simulation and real-world robotics.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"This is like giving AI an imagination."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

&lt;p&gt;— Researchers note that Genie3 doesn’t just memorize environments; it &lt;strong&gt;understands how they work&lt;/strong&gt;, a key trait of AGI.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  Potential Applications of Genie3
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;While gaming is the obvious use case, Genie3’s implications go far beyond:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Game Development –&lt;/strong&gt; Instantly generate playable levels from concept art.&lt;br&gt;
 &lt;strong&gt;Robotics Training –&lt;/strong&gt; Simulate real-world physics for safer, faster robot learning.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Virtual Prototyping –&lt;/strong&gt; Test product designs in dynamic AI-generated environments.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;AI Research –&lt;/strong&gt; Accelerate reinforcement learning and agent-based AI.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  Challenges &amp;amp; Ethical Considerations
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;While Genie3 is groundbreaking, key challenges remain:&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Scalability –&lt;/strong&gt; Can it handle 3D environments as effectively as 2D?&lt;br&gt;
 &lt;strong&gt;Bias in Training Data –&lt;/strong&gt; Will it inherit limitations from its video datasets?&lt;br&gt;
 &lt;strong&gt;Safety &amp;amp; Control –&lt;/strong&gt; How do we ensure AI-generated worlds align with human intent?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Final Thoughts: Is AGI Closer Than We Think?
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/genie-3-a-new-frontier-for-world-models/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Google Genie3&lt;/a&gt; isn’t just another AI model, it’s a fundamental shift in how machines learn and interact with virtual worlds. While AGI is still years away, innovations like this are laying the groundwork for more adaptable, general-purpose AI.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;What do you think?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Could world models like Genie3 be the missing piece in AGI?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;What industries would benefit most from this tech?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Let’s discuss in the comments!&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For further reading deep dive: &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/google-genie-3-ai-world-model-artificial-general-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Google Genie 3 AI World Model Brings  Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) Closer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>gamedev</category>
      <category>ai</category>
      <category>googledeepmind</category>
      <category>machinelearning</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>TikTok’s Bulletin Boards Are Quietly Changing the Creator Economy</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 18:41:24 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/tiktoks-bulletin-boards-are-quietly-changing-the-creator-economy-453</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/tiktoks-bulletin-boards-are-quietly-changing-the-creator-economy-453</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;TikTok’s new Bulletin Boards aren’t just a fresh feature — they signal a deeper shift in how content will live and evolve on the platform.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Instead of disappearing content and fleeting trends, Bulletin Boards allow creators to organize themed collections, similar to Instagram’s Highlights, but designed for TikTok’s flow. This helps creators build a long-term identity, rather than just ride on short-term engagement spikes.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This shift could change how creators plan, post, and build trust, and it may put pressure on Instagram to rethink how its content sticks.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you're curious how this compares to Instagram or what creators might do with it, we unpacked the details over at &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/tiktok-bulletin-boards-instagram-rival" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;SquaredTech&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>producttrends</category>
      <category>socialmedia</category>
      <category>creatorstack</category>
      <category>tiktok</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Adobe Photoshop Beta Now on Android – AI Editing Power in Your Pocket (But With Limits)</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 19:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/adobe-photoshop-beta-now-on-android-ai-editing-power-in-your-pocket-but-with-limits-3f8</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/adobe-photoshop-beta-now-on-android-ai-editing-power-in-your-pocket-but-with-limits-3f8</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2025/06/03/photoshop-arrives-on-android" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Adobe’s Photoshop Beta&lt;/a&gt; is finally here for Android—and it’s packing real power. Whether you are a creative pro or just love editing photos for fun, this release gives you some of the best tools from the desktop app... right in your pocket.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;And yes, it’s &lt;strong&gt;totally free (for now)&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Key Features in the Android Beta
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This isn’t a gimmick. Adobe has included real, pro-level tools like:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Core Tools&lt;/strong&gt;: Layers, masks, selections, Spot Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, and adjustment layers&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;AI-Powered Generative Fill&lt;/strong&gt;: Replace or create content with a few simple prompts, powered by Adobe Firefly&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Mobile-First UX&lt;/strong&gt;: Built for phones and small screens, not just shrunk from desktop&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Guided Tutorials&lt;/strong&gt;: Great for newbies or pros shifting from desktop to mobile&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Free Access&lt;/strong&gt;: Requires Android 11+ and 6GB+ RAM&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  What’s Still Missing?
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It’s beta, so some rough edges are expected. But these are worth noting:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Portrait-Only Mode&lt;/strong&gt;: No landscape support—annoying on tablets&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Device Restrictions&lt;/strong&gt;: Some high-end Androids (like the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra) aren’t compatible&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Missing Desktop Tools&lt;/strong&gt;: No RAW editing, pen tool, smart objects, or full color grading yet&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Beta Duration? No Idea.&lt;/strong&gt; Adobe hasn’t said how long this free phase will last&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Future Pricing&lt;/strong&gt;: $7.99/month or $69.99/year, but Adobe hasn’t shared what stays free&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  🔥 Community Reactions
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There’s real excitement—especially about the AI magic like Generative Fill. But some Android users are frustrated by:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lack of feature parity with iOS&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;Portrait-only mode on tablets&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;No clear roadmap from Adobe&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Final Thoughts
&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This Android beta is a big move—finally bringing Photoshop to mobile-first creators with serious editing power. It’s not perfect, but it’s promising.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you’re into photo editing on Android, give it a shot. But keep your expectations grounded—it’s still a beta, and clearly a work in progress.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Want the full scoop? Check out the full article → &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/adobe-photoshop-beta-now-available-on-android" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Photoshop Beta on Android&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;What do you think—does it deliver, or are the missing features a dealbreaker?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Let’s talk in the comments 👇&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>android</category>
      <category>photoshop</category>
      <category>mobiledev</category>
      <category>ai</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Simplify Web Development with Chrome DevTools AI Assistant</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2025 15:40:34 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/simplify-web-development-with-chrome-devtools-ai-assistant-654</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/simplify-web-development-with-chrome-devtools-ai-assistant-654</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;At &lt;strong&gt;Google I/O 2025&lt;/strong&gt;, Google unveiled a groundbreaking feature: the integration of its AI model, &lt;strong&gt;Gemini&lt;/strong&gt;, directly into &lt;strong&gt;Chrome DevTools&lt;/strong&gt;. This addition aims to make web development more intuitive, especially for those who might not be seasoned developers.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  What is the AI Assistant in Chrome DevTools?
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Think of the AI Assistant as a helpful companion within &lt;a href="https://developer.chrome.com/blog/new-in-devtools-131" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Chrome DevTools&lt;/a&gt;. It's designed to assist developers by:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Answering Questions:&lt;/strong&gt; If you're unsure about a particular piece of code or why something isn't working, you can ask the assistant directly within DevTools.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Providing Suggestions:&lt;/strong&gt; It can recommend improvements or fixes for your code, helping you optimize your website's performance.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Applying Changes:&lt;/strong&gt; With your permission, the assistant can make changes to your code, streamlining the development process.&lt;br&gt;
All this happens inside the tool you already use daily.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  How To Enable It
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;To get started with the &lt;a href="https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/ai-assistance" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;AI Assistant&lt;/a&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Download Chrome Canary:&lt;/strong&gt; Ensure you're using (version 131 or higher).&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Sign In:&lt;/strong&gt; Log in with your Google account.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Enable AI Features:&lt;/strong&gt; Navigate to &lt;strong&gt;&lt;code&gt;DevTools &amp;gt; Settings &amp;gt; AI Innovations&lt;/code&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; and toggle on &lt;strong&gt;&lt;code&gt;AI Assistance&lt;/code&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Set Language:&lt;/strong&gt; Ensure your DevTools language is set to &lt;strong&gt;English (US)&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;- Start Using:&lt;/strong&gt; Look for the "&lt;strong&gt;&lt;code&gt;Ask AI&lt;/code&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;" button within DevTools to begin interacting with the assistant.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It’s that simple to try.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  What Developers Are Saying
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Early users seem split on how helpful the new AI Assistant really is. A lot of developers like how it makes quick fixes easier — especially for things like tweaking CSS or checking accessibility. It definitely saves time.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;But there are still a few bumps.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Google AI for Chrome dev tools is so bad that I feel embarrassed for Google."&lt;br&gt;
— &lt;em&gt;Reddit&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

&lt;p&gt;That may sound brutal, but it reflects what some devs are feeling: the assistant doesn’t always understand complex applications or workflows. It’s great with simpler setups, but when you’re working with something dynamic or layered, it can miss the mark.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Things get trickier when you start dealing with complex pages with dynamic content and high number of elements."&lt;br&gt;
— &lt;em&gt;Reddit&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

&lt;p&gt;So while it's a strong performer with &lt;strong&gt;static content&lt;/strong&gt;, it struggles with &lt;strong&gt;dynamic or lazy-loaded pages&lt;/strong&gt; — something most real-world web apps rely on.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Another concern? &lt;strong&gt;Privacy.&lt;/strong&gt; The AI needs to see your page content, which might be fine for personal projects, but raises eyebrows when you're working with &lt;strong&gt;client or internal&lt;/strong&gt; tools.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Still, even with these concerns, most early adopters agree it’s a promising tool. It's already useful for fast debugging and explanation tasks — just don’t expect deep contextual awareness… yet.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  Final Thoughts
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This AI Assistant in Chrome DevTools? It’s not magic — yet. But it’s a big move in the right direction.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It’s already helping people solve everyday coding annoyances faster. Need to find a broken style? Confused by a console error? The assistant can step in like a second pair of eyes. That’s useful.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Still, it’s early. &lt;strong&gt;Context matters&lt;/strong&gt; in real-world projects, and right now, the assistant isn’t always great at that. Some devs love it. Others are frustrated. But that’s how tools grow.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/?s=google" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Google &lt;/a&gt;keeps listening — and improving — this could become one of the most powerful features inside DevTools. For now, it’s a solid companion, especially for solo devs or anyone who just wants quick help without jumping be&lt;u&gt;&lt;/u&gt;tween tabs and Stack Overflow.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Try it. Break it. Talk about it. That’s how it gets better.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>webdev</category>
      <category>devtools</category>
      <category>chrome</category>
      <category>developers</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Microsoft Copilot Now Supports GPT-4o Image Generation — Here’s What You Can Do with It</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2025 19:08:32 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/microsoft-copilot-now-supports-gpt-4o-image-generation-heres-what-you-can-do-with-it-55m0</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/microsoft-copilot-now-supports-gpt-4o-image-generation-heres-what-you-can-do-with-it-55m0</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Flwj057zl22vu8h1x8z69.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Flwj057zl22vu8h1x8z69.png" alt="A sleek, futuristic workspace showing Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT working together — digital interface glowing on a laptop screen, AI-generated art emerging from the screen, soft neon lighting, tech vibes, high resolution, wide banner format" width="800" height="533"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  AI Meets Creativity in Microsoft Copilot
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Microsoft Copilot has taken a significant leap forward by integrating OpenAI's GPT-4o-powered image generation capabilities. This enhancement allows users to create high-quality images from text prompts directly within Microsoft 365 applications like &lt;strong&gt;Word&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Excel&lt;/strong&gt;, and &lt;strong&gt;Outlook&lt;/strong&gt;. Whether you're &lt;strong&gt;drafting a report&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;designing a presentation&lt;/strong&gt;, or &lt;strong&gt;adding visuals to an email&lt;/strong&gt;, Copilot now serves as a creative partner, streamlining your workflow and sparking innovation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  What Is GPT-4o and Why It Matters
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;GPT-4o is &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/?s=openAI" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;OpenAI's&lt;/a&gt; latest multimodal model, capable of understanding and generating text and images. By incorporating &lt;a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/2025/05/15/release-notes-may-15-2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;GPT-4o into Copilot&lt;/a&gt;, Microsoft enables users to:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generate photorealistic images&lt;/strong&gt; from simple text prompts.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Edit and customize&lt;/strong&gt; images by transforming styles (e.g., sketch to oil painting) or refining text within images.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Upload existing images&lt;/strong&gt; as a starting point for further customization.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This integration surpasses previous tools like Microsoft Designer and Image Creator, offering faster, more detailed outputs and improved text rendering.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Key Features and Functionalities
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  1. Seamless Image Generation
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Create images using natural language prompts without leaving your Microsoft 365 environment. For example:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;"A futuristic cityscape at sunset with flying cars and neon lights."&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  2. Enhanced Editing Capabilities
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Modify generated images by:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Changing artistic styles.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Adding or refining text elements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Uploading and enhancing your own images.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  3. Integration Across Microsoft 365
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Access the image generation feature within:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Word:&lt;/strong&gt; Enhance documents with custom visuals.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Excel:&lt;/strong&gt; Create illustrative charts or infographics.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Outlook:&lt;/strong&gt; Add engaging images to emails.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fsok16qedgir3n799xr8c.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fsok16qedgir3n799xr8c.png" alt="Screenshot of Microsoft Word with Copilot’s image generation in action" width="800" height="497"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Real-World Applications for Developers &amp;amp; Teams
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Prototype UI/UX designs quickly without graphic design tools.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Create custom visuals for blogs and social media without leaving Microsoft 365.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Enrich presentations and client pitches with tailor-made graphics.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Benefits of GPT-4o Integration in Copilot
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Increased Productivity:&lt;/strong&gt; Save time by generating images without switching between tools.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cost Efficiency:&lt;/strong&gt; Reduce reliance on external design resources.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creative Freedom:&lt;/strong&gt; Experiment with different styles and concepts effortlessly.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Getting Started with Image Generation in Copilot
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Access Copilot:&lt;/strong&gt; Open any Microsoft 365 application integrated with Copilot.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enter a Prompt:&lt;/strong&gt; Describe the image you want to create in natural language.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generate Image:&lt;/strong&gt; Let Copilot produce the image based on your prompt.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Customize:&lt;/strong&gt; Edit the image as needed, adjusting styles or adding text.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Note:&lt;/strong&gt; While the feature is free to use, subscribing to &lt;a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/organizations/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Copilot &lt;/a&gt;Pro (&lt;strong&gt;$20/month&lt;/strong&gt;) offers faster generation times and additional capabilities.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Future Implications and Considerations
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The integration of GPT-4o into Microsoft Copilot marks a significant step toward more intelligent and creative productivity tools. As AI continues to evolve, we can anticipate:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Broader Multimodal Capabilities:&lt;/strong&gt; Enhanced integration of text, image, and possibly audio generation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Improved Customization:&lt;/strong&gt; More granular control over generated content to meet specific user needs.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ethical Considerations:&lt;/strong&gt; Ongoing discussions around the responsible use of AI-generated content.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Conclusion
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Microsoft's integration of &lt;a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-copilot-gets-openais-gpt-4o-image-generation-support" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;GPT-4o into Copilot&lt;/a&gt; transforms how users create and interact with content. By enabling seamless image generation within familiar applications, Copilot empowers users to enhance their work creatively and efficiently. Whether you're a developer, marketer, or business professional, this feature opens new avenues for innovation and productivity.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>microsoftcopilot</category>
      <category>gpt4o</category>
      <category>imagegeneration</category>
      <category>microsoft365</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Windows 11’s New Advanced Settings: A Power User’s Dream (No More Registry Hacks!)</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2025 18:39:55 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/windows-11s-new-advanced-settings-a-power-users-dream-no-more-registry-hacks-h3k</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/windows-11s-new-advanced-settings-a-power-users-dream-no-more-registry-hacks-h3k</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Microsoft is leveling up &lt;a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows11-release-information" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Windows 11&lt;/a&gt; for developers and power users with its brand-new Advanced Settings panel. This centralized control hub, found inside the Dev Home app, brings together key system tweaks that were once scattered or hidden. Whether you’re managing deep file structures, juggling virtual desktops, or customizing your workflow, this update gives you the power to do more — smarter and faster.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  What’s New? Key Features You’ll Love
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Long File Paths Toggle:&lt;/strong&gt; Finally break free from the 260-character limit. Handle deep directories and complex projects without frustrating errors.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Virtual Workspace Configuration:&lt;/strong&gt; Customize virtual desktops with names, shortcuts, and app behaviors to boost multitasking like a pro.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;File Explorer Source Code Integration:&lt;/strong&gt; Peek under the hood and build extensions or tweaks to fit your workflow.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Folder Icon Customization:&lt;/strong&gt; Tag folders with unique icons for easier navigation and faster organization.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Show Hidden Items and File Extensions:&lt;/strong&gt; Toggle visibility with one click for smoother file management.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Why This Matters: Power Meets Simplicity
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For years, tweaking Windows meant hunting through menus, registry hacks, or third-party tools. Now, Microsoft bundles these advanced options into one easy-to-find place. It’s a clear nod to power users — those who want full control without complicated setups. And by keeping it inside the Dev Home app, Microsoft makes sure developers can focus on coding and creating, not digging for settings.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Deep Dive: How It Works and How to Use It
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  Long File Paths — Goodbye Limits
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Window's old 260-character path limit comes from legacy APIs. This toggle flips the switch to use modern Unicode paths supporting up to around 32,000 characters. Perfect for large codebases and nested projects.&lt;br&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Tip:&lt;/strong&gt; Check if your apps support long paths — most modern tools do, but some older software might have issues.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  Virtual Workspaces — Organize Like a Pro
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Name your desktops (e.g., “Frontend” or “Debugging”), create shortcuts for quick switches, and control how apps appear across desktops. Multitasking gets a lot smoother, especially if you juggle multiple projects or workflows.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip:&lt;/strong&gt; Pair this with tools like PowerToys FancyZones for an ultra-efficient desktop layout.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;
  
  
  File Explorer Source Code Access — Customize Deeply
&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Developers gain limited access to Explorer’s internals to create plugins or customize UI behavior. This means fewer workarounds and more native-feeling extensions.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tip:&lt;/strong&gt; Use these APIs if you build custom file management tools or want tighter integration.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  How Windows 11 Compares: macOS and Linux
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;macOS:&lt;/strong&gt; Offers Finder customization but relies more on terminal commands or third-party apps for deep tweaks. Windows’ approach is more centralized and user-friendly.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Linux:&lt;/strong&gt; Known for powerful command-line controls, but with a steeper learning curve. Windows 11 provides a middle ground with advanced controls in a graphical interface.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Power User Best Practices
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Backup First: Always create a restore point before adjusting settings.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;One Change at a Time: Test tweaks step-by-step to avoid surprises.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Keep Updated: Features will evolve — stay current with Windows updates.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Explore Dev Home: The Advanced Settings panel is just one part of this developer-friendly app.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Final Thoughts
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Windows 11’s &lt;a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/advanced-settings/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Advanced Settings&lt;/a&gt; give us power users a cleaner, smarter way to customize our systems without registry hacks or command-line deep dives. It’s a solid step towards a developer-friendly OS that respects your workflow.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Have you tried it yet? What’s your favorite feature? Drop a comment!&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>windows11</category>
      <category>microsoft</category>
      <category>productivity</category>
      <category>devtools</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>10 Microsoft Word AI Hacks That Will Transform Your Work in 2025</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2025 18:48:37 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/10-microsoft-word-ai-hacks-that-will-transform-your-work-in-2025-51d5</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/10-microsoft-word-ai-hacks-that-will-transform-your-work-in-2025-51d5</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2F9f9bhr0e59ai74mn11w9.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2F9f9bhr0e59ai74mn11w9.png" alt="A modern workspace showing a professional using Microsoft Word on a desktop, with glowing AI icons surrounding the screen — representing voice commands, smart suggestions, and data-driven insights. The image highlights how AI is redefining productivity in 2025 by turning Word into a powerful writing assistant. Perfectly captures the future of work with Microsoft Word + AI." width="800" height="1200"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Microsoft Word isn’t just a word processor anymore—it’s a productivity powerhouse packed with AI tools that save time, boost quality, and make collaboration easier than ever. Whether you're a developer, writer, or team lead, these AI hacks will completely change how you work in 2025. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  1. AI-Powered Drafting with Copilot
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you've ever stared at a blank page wondering how to start a proposal, blog post, or project doc, Copilot is here to change that. In 2025, Word's AI writing assistant has leveled up—it's like having a smart teammate sitting right beside you. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Just type something like “Write a 500-word proposal for a SaaS product”, and Copilot will build out a solid draft in seconds. Want to tweak the tone or rewrite a section? Highlight the text, ask Copilot to improve it, and boom—it’s done. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It even pulls from your recent files to suggest what to create next. So, if you’re working on a roadmap, it might prompt you to build a summary, task list, or proposal—tailored to what you’ve been working on. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; It slashes writing time by 30–50%, and you don’t need to be a pro writer to create polished, professional content.  &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Note:&lt;/strong&gt; Copilot isn’t free. To use it, you’ll need an active &lt;a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Microsoft 365&lt;/a&gt; subscription and the Copilot add-on (officially called &lt;strong&gt;Copilot for Microsoft 365&lt;/strong&gt;).  &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  2. Real-Time Collaboration with Loop Components
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;No more emailing docs back and forth or trying to merge versions. With Microsoft Loop, you can embed live, editable components—like task lists or tables—directly into Word. These components sync in real time across Teams, Outlook, and other Microsoft 365 tools. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Let’s say your team updates a task list in Teams. That same list instantly reflects inside your Word doc—no copy-pasting needed. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; Loop keeps everyone on the same page. It’s perfect for agile teams that live in chat, docs, and meetings at the same time. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  3. Smart Summarization for Long Docs
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Skimming through 50 pages of meeting notes or legal docs? Not anymore. Word’s AI can now instantly summarize lengthy documents—highlighting key points, action items, and deadlines. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You can even select specific sections to summarize for focused insights. Ideal when you're reviewing contracts, specs, or user research. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; Saves hours of reading and helps developers and managers spot what really matters fast. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  4. Multilingual AI Translation
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Working with global teams or international clients? Word now translates entire documents into 20+ languages with just a click—while keeping the formatting intact. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You can also translate only selected text or bring in .txt references for smoother workflows. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; It breaks down language barriers, boosts team collaboration, and removes the need for external translation tools. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  5. Accessibility Made Effortless
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Word’s built-in Accessibility Checker has gotten smarter. It now uses AI to catch issues like missing alt text, poor contrast, or misused headings—and offers clear suggestions to fix them. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Plus, it optimizes layouts for screen readers, especially in complex documents with tables or columns. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it makes your content usable for more people, everywhere. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  6. Voice-to-Text Dictation
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Tired of typing? Word’s voice dictation lets you write hands-free, including commands like “comma” or “new paragraph.” &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Even better: if you're on a Mac, you can now use Copilot Chat in Outlook to draft notes or emails with your voice. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; It’s great for devs or writers dealing with RSI, or anyone who thinks faster than they type. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  7. Data Visualization from Text
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Paste a block of raw data into Word, and the AI suggests ways to visualize it—charts, graphs, even Power BI links. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It can even surface formula suggestions or build PivotTables via Excel Copilot, right from Word. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; No more switching to Excel just to build a chart. This turns text-heavy reports into visual insights instantly. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  8. Dynamic Readability Scoring
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Want to make sure your doc is easy to read? Word analyzes your content using Flesch-Kincaid scores and Reading Ease levels. Aim for a score above 60 (or Grade 7–8 level) for most audiences. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It also flags complex phrasing or jargon and suggests edits. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; Whether you're writing docs, specs, or help articles, clarity is key. This keeps your writing clean and user-friendly. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  9. Secure, Role-Based Encryption
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Do you need to lock down sensitive content? Word now supports encryption and custom permissions right in the document settings. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You can restrict editing to specific roles or block unauthorized viewers entirely. Plus, Word alerts you to phishing or malware risks in shared files. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; Crucial for industries like legal, finance, or healthcare. Keeps IP and client data safe. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  10. AI-Powered Formatting Shortcuts
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Repetitive formatting tasks? Done. You can now save favorite actions—like “Apply Code Block Style” or “Insert Image Caption”—in a Quick Action Toolbar for one-click access. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;And if you’re writing emails in Outlook, Auto Rewrite helps polish your message instantly. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why it matters:&lt;/strong&gt; It brings consistency to dev documentation, style guides, and templates—while saving tons of time. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Final Thoughts: Why This Matters in 2025
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Microsoft Word in 2025 is smarter, faster, and way more collaborative than ever before. These AI features aren’t just cool—they’re practical. They help you write better, work faster, and focus on what matters. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For developers and content creators alike, Word has become a true productivity tool—not just a place to type. If you haven’t explored these features yet, now’s the time to dive in. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Let &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/category/artificial-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;AI&lt;/a&gt; handle the busy work—so you can spend more time building, creating, and innovating. &lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>microsoft365</category>
      <category>microsoftword</category>
      <category>copilotpro</category>
      <category>aitools</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Microsoft 365 Will Keep Working on Windows 10 Until 2028 — Here’s What You Need to Know</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2025 16:43:58 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/microsoft-365-will-keep-working-on-windows-10-until-2028-heres-what-you-need-to-know-510l</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/microsoft-365-will-keep-working-on-windows-10-until-2028-heres-what-you-need-to-know-510l</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fxqh9wra4puwg4m6uw2kj.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fxqh9wra4puwg4m6uw2kj.png" alt="Image description" width="800" height="533"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Microsoft just gave over 700 million Windows 10 users a reason to breathe easy — they’ve extended free Microsoft 365 app support until &lt;strong&gt;October 10, 2028&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;br&gt;
That’s three extra years of security updates, even after Windows 10 reaches its end-of-support date in 2025.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  What Changed?
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Originally, Microsoft said support for Microsoft 365 apps would end on October 2025. That meant no more updates unless you upgraded to Windows 11. But quietly, the company updated its &lt;a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;support docs&lt;/a&gt;— and reversed course.&lt;br&gt;
Now, Microsoft 365 apps will keep getting security updates on Windows 10 for three more years.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10,the company confirmed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Why It Matters
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Many people are still using machines that can’t run Windows 11 — around &lt;strong&gt;240 million&lt;/strong&gt;, by some estimates. This update gives them more time before needing to upgrade hardware or move to a new OS.&lt;br&gt;
Also, the extension is &lt;strong&gt;free&lt;/strong&gt;, no need to purchase additional Extended Security Updates (ESUs) to keep apps protected.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Any Catch?
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Yes, sort of. If you're running into performance issues with Microsoft 365 on Windows 10, support might be limited. Microsoft will still try to help, but they’ll likely suggest upgrading to Windows 11 for the &lt;strong&gt;"best experience"&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;br&gt;
Still, this is a solid move. It gives users and IT teams some breathing room.&lt;br&gt;
🔍 Want more details? Read full analysis here:&lt;br&gt;
👉 &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/microsoft-extends-free-microsoft-365-support-for-windows-10-users-until-2028" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Microsoft Extends Free Microsoft 365 Support for Windows 10 Users Until 2028&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>microsoft365</category>
      <category>technews</category>
      <category>microsoft</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Google’s “Desktop View” Might Just Kill Samsung DeX</title>
      <dc:creator>SquaredTech</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 May 2025 15:08:13 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/squaredtech/googles-desktop-view-might-just-kill-samsung-dex-4bb5</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/squaredtech/googles-desktop-view-might-just-kill-samsung-dex-4bb5</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Frwmgae6gnl8l2f6kig78.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"&gt;&lt;img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Frwmgae6gnl8l2f6kig78.png" alt="Image description" width="800" height="533"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Your Android phone is closer than ever to becoming a real PC. Here’s what Google is quietly working on.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Google is testing a new “&lt;strong&gt;Desktop View&lt;/strong&gt;” mode in Android — and it’s more than just screen mirroring. We’re talking about taskbars, resizable windows, mouse support, and full-on multitasking. Basically, a PC layout powered by your phone.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If this rolls out, it could mean you won’t need a Samsung device to get that DeX-style desktop experience.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  What’s the Buzz?
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Hidden taskbar (like Windows or ChromeOS)&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Drag-and-drop between apps&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Resizable, windowed apps&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Smooth support for external monitors&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Mouse + keyboard ready&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It’s currently tucked away in Android beta builds, but signs suggest &lt;a href="https://www.androidauthority.com/android-desktop-mode-leak-3550321/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Google is moving fast&lt;/a&gt; with this.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;
  
  
  Why It Matters
&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Samsung DeX gave us a glimpse of mobile desktop computing. But now Google is building something native — possibly for all Android phones. That means more freedom for users, especially those who want to work on the go with just a phone and a screen.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This could shift how we think about smartphones in workspaces.&lt;br&gt;
For a deeper dive into the beta features, check out the full article: &lt;a href="https://www.squaredtech.co/googles-desktop-view-android-phones-into-pcs" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Google’s Desktop View: Turning Phones Into Pocket PCs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>webdev</category>
      <category>linux</category>
      <category>google</category>
      <category>android</category>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>
