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Microsoft has moved Windows 11, version 22H2, to the Windows Insider Release channel, indicating that it is in its final round of testing before it's likely released this fall.
 
Windows 11 22H2, aka Sun Valley 2, is the operating system's next feature update and is expected only to have a few minor improvements and new features.
 
Last month, we reported that Windows 11 22H2 build 22621 was the Released to Manufacturing (RTM) build, which is the product's final build before its release to OEMs and other partners for installation in new devices.

A report suggested it’d top out at 1080p
 
In January, Protocol revealed that Google was working on a cheaper Chromecast video streaming dongle that would top out at 1080p resolution, which could possibly be sold as the “Chromecast HD with Google TV.”
 
Now, a new Google filing with the Federal Communications Commission (via Droid-Life) suggests that device is indeed on the way.

It's that time of year again. At WWDC 2022, Apple showed off iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, the next versions of the operating systems that run on its iPhones and iPads. This update builds on many of the new features Apple introduced in iOS 15, like SharePlay and Focus, and adds a greater degree of customization.

Here’s everything announced at the big event
 
Apple revealed a ton of exciting news at WWDC 2022, giving us a glimpse at the highly-anticipated macOS Ventura, iOS 16, the M2 chip, a new MacBook Air, and much more.

Every week we take a close look at the most pirated movies on torrent sites. What are pirates downloading? 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' tops the chart, followed by ‘Morbius'. 'Top Gun: Maverick' completes the top three.

The M2 will replace the M1, but it's not an upgrade over the M1 Pro or Max.

CUPERTINO, Calif.—Exactly two years after Apple first announced the M1, its direct successor has finally been revealed. Apple executives and product managers presented details about the new chip—predictably dubbed the M2—during its annual developer conference.

We are at the end of yet another week and while this one wasn't as packed as the previous one, we still have a lot of ground to cover when it comes to recapping everything important that happened in the Microsoft-verse in the past few days. There is a quite a bit of news related to Edge, some about exploits, and a new Windows 11 build for good measure. Let's dive into our weekly digest for May 28 - June 3.

Many desktop web browsers and some mobile browsers support the grouping of tabs. Implementations may differ depending on the browser and platform, but all have in common that they provide users with an option to group tabs in the browser.

Opera browser's dev channel has a new option that allows users to force dark mode on websites that you visit. Dark mode is a fan-favorite feature among various apps and operating systems, as it's easy on the eyes in dimly lit environments, and even helps conserve the battery power on devices with an LED display.
 
Most browsers have a setting to change the theme color to Light, Dark or Auto/System. The problem with these settings is that it only changes the appearance of the browser's interface but doesn't really affect the web pages that you load. As a result, websites that use a light theme will still be blindingly bright even in Dark mode.

Every week we take a close look at the most pirated movies on torrent sites. What are pirates downloading? 'Everything Everywhere All at OnceThe Northman' tops the chart, followed by ‘The Lost City'. 'The Batman' completes the top three.

Earlier this month, Microsoft opened voting for the best applications for Windows 10 and 11 users can download from the Microsoft Store. The Windows community nominated several projects in different categories, and now Microsoft has published the voting results.

We are at the last weekend of May and it's time yet again to recap all the important Microsoft news of the past few days. This week, there was tons of developer- and enterprise-focused news from Build 2022, some more details about Windows 11 version 22H2 RTM, and then some updates to Microsoft's apps and services to cap it all. Without further ado, let's dive into our weekly digest for May 21 - May 27.

Desktop Stickers is a new hidden feature in Windows 11 22H2 (and newer). It allows you to personalize the desktop with variously-themed stickers, similar to how people customize the lids of their laptops.
 
Some users will find this feature questionable or even useless, but others will enjoy using it. Here is how to enable Desktop Stickers in Windows 11.

A short time ago it was made known that Microsoft has officially signed off on the Windows 11 22H2 RTM (Release to Manufacturing) build 22621 that was released to Windows Insiders in early May. That is the build that will be released to everyone on Windows 11 through Windows Update, possibly as far out as September. The only difference will be that it will have already received a number of updates.
 
If you don't want to wait as long as September to be officially updated through Windows Update, you can get it right now through the official channels via Microsoft, and enjoy all of the new features. Check out this article for a complete run down of what's new in Windows 11 22H2.

Before the general availability (GA) of any major software, hardware partners and software developers have to ensure compatibility and readiness for their products. Microsoft's Windows 11 is no different, and for this purpose, the company has a Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) which helps verify compatible hardware.

A couple of weeks ago, we heard rumors that build 22621 might be a candidate for the released to manufacturers (RTM) build of Windows 11 version 22H2. However, at that time, this was just speculation because Microsoft personnel did not deny the claim on social media platforms. Now, the company has confirmed the same in official documentation.

Microsoft has released optional cumulative update previews for Windows 11, Windows 10 version 1809, and Windows Server 2022, with fixes for Direct3D issues impacting client and server systems.
 
The updates are part of Microsoft's scheduled April 2022 monthly "C" updates, allowing Windows users to test the fixes released on June 15th as part of next month's Patch Tuesday.
 
Unlike regular Patch Tuesday Windows updates, scheduled non-security preview updates are optional. They are issued to test bug fixes and performance improvements before the general release, and they don't provide security updates.

Windows Insiders on Windows 10 21H2 received a new Cumulative Update today, perhaps notable in this release are further attempts at fixes for apps closing unexpectedly when dependent on d3d9.dll with certain graphics cards. The update also contains unrelated fixes that prevented Microsoft Excel and Outlook apps from opening.
 
The new build 19044.1739 (21H2) (KB5014023), which is optional, tests if certain non-security fixes can make it through to the next Patch Tuesday, it is available now through the Release Preview Channel.

Every week we take a close look at the most pirated movies on torrent sites. What are pirates downloading? 'Everything Everywhere All at OnceThe Northman' tops the chart, followed by ‘The Lost City'. 'The Batman' completes the top three.

Linux kernel 5.18 includes an Intel driver that could allow the chip maker to enable new silicon features after users pay for a license.
 
Linux creator Linux Torvalds has announced the stable Linux kernel version 5.8 release after making it through the final week of development with "no unexpected nasty surprises".

Where and when to watch each keynote

Computex is just hours away and will feature keynotes from some of the biggest names in tech, including AMD, Nvidia, and Microsoft. There will almost certainly be some exciting announcements from each brand, but since Computex takes place in Taipei, Taiwan, the keynotes don’t occur at the most convenient times (at least for those of us in North America).

We are at the end of the week again, which means that it is time to recap all the recent news items related to Microsoft. This week, we have lots of news related to Windows 10 and Windows 11 updates, some related to the Microsoft Store, and then a pinch of details about Outlook to wrap it all up. To find out more, read our weekly digest for May 14 - May 20.

A European Parliament committee has advanced an agreement between member states on the Digital Markets Act, which if passed as it presently stands, will force Apple and others to open up otherwise restricted app stores, hardware features, and more.

A spacecraft looping around the Sun has made its first close approach – and filmed the encounter in glorious detail.

It is a big day for Microsoft and its operating system. According to the Windows Health Dashboard documentation, Windows 11 is now available for broad deployment, which means every user can download and install it via Windows Update. Microsoft usually does this after several months of slow rollout to ensure a smooth and stable upgrade experience for as many users as possible.