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Hobot S7 Pro window cleaning robot on inside of reviewer's patio door window
Product Reviews

Hobot S7 Pro window cleaning robot review: a big help for big windows

by admin June 8, 2025



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Hobot S7 Pro: two-minute review

The Hobot S7 Pro is a square robot that clings to your window and cleans dirt away using dual cleaning pads and a fine spray mist. It can be used indoors and out, and is suitable for framed or frameless windows. The large size is well suited to big windows; note that if the pane is too narrow, it won’t clean it at all.

On test, I found this bot did a great job of cleaning lightly dirty glass. It’s easy to use, navigates accurately, and doesn’t miss any spots. However, it struggles with tougher dirt, which is probably true of most window bots. When I used it on the outer panes of my large patio doors, with some water marks and general grime accumulated from being exposed to the elements, the results were a little streaky. In contrast, my indoor glass partitions were left perfectly clean with no smears at all (and the bot accurately detected the frameless edges, which impressed).

The design of the S7 Pro is largely effective, with a few downsides. At time of testing, app support wasn’t available, which meant I had to rely on the remote control. This requires you to point the remote directly at the robot, which is sometimes awkward. I also found the voice prompts shrill and irritating – and there’s no way to switch them off. During my extensive testing period, the bot did once fall off a window.


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Price-wise, the S7 Pro is an investment, but roughly in line with the wider market. You won’t be saving much time by opting for this bot and, unlike a robot vacuum, you can’t leave it to do its thing unattended – you need to be around to move it from pane to pane. However, in a home with lots of glass, or glass that needs regular cleaning, it could be a big effort-saver, and worth the investment. That’s the short version; read on for my full Hobot S7 Pro review.

Hobot S7 Pro review: price & availability

  • List price: $439 / £329
  • Available: US / UK
  • Launched: 2025

The Hobot S7 Pro is available in the US and the UK, with a list price of $439 / £329. Solenco – the brand behind Hobot – also has a presence in Australia, but at time of writing, the S7 Pro wasn’t available there. You can buy it direct from Solenco in the UK, and via Amazon in the US, although I suspect it will become more widely available as time goes on.

The S7 replaces the S6 in the Hobot range. Unfortunately, I can’t find the pricing for that model anywhere, and nor can I discern the exact differences between the S6 and S7 models. (I’ve requested the information and will update this review when I hear back.)

A major competitor in this market is Ecovacs with its Winbot line. Models range from around $230-$700 in the US or £300-£500 in the UK. In general, though, the models closest to the S7 seem to be roughly the same price.

The Hobot S7 Pro isn’t an especially cheap alternative to manual window cleaning, but it could be worth the investment if you have a lot of glass to clean, or if your windows get dirty quickly.

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Hobot S7 Pro specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Size (W x D x H):

10.5 x 10.2 x 3.5in / 26.7 x 26 x 9cm

Tanks:

2 x 80ml

Max suction:

4,800 Pa

Total charge cable length:

21ft / 6.4m

Hobot S7 Pro review: design

  • Square-shaped bot with dual reciprocating cleaning pads
  • Sprays fine mist from two small water tanks
  • Controlled via remote control – app support advertised, but unavailable

The Hobot S7 Pro is a square robot with dual reciprocating cleaning pads. It clings to your window and makes its way across its surface to clean it, with the aid of “AI-powered navigation”. This bot is suitable for both framed and frameless windows, as well as patio doors and mirrors. While the following isn’t addressed in the literature anywhere, previous reviews suggest the S7 Pro is only suitable for perfectly vertical surfaces.

Size-wise, the bot is rather large, so better suited to big windows (in fact, it refused to clean a 12.6in / 32cm wide window, I think due to lack of maneuvering room). The brand makes a range of smaller window bots, shaped like elongated ovals, which might be a better option if your windows aren’t sizeable.

(Image credit: Future)

On the upper side of the unit is a grip handle for attaching and removing the bot to a surface, plus an on/off rocker power switch and a start/pause press button. On either side are two small, 80ml water tanks, sealed with a rubbery stopper. These can be filled with water and/or Hobot’s own (supplied) cleaning solution; they’re detachable with the aid of a screwdriver. Attached to each one is an “Ultrasonic nozzle”, which sprays a very fine mist into the path of the bot as it moves around the surface. These are apparently extremely sensitive and not to be touched under any circumstances.

(Image credit: Future)

Flip the robot over and you’ll find two rubbery caterpillar belts and two removable, washable cleaning cloths. These have rectangular sections cut out of the middle, to leave the suction area the bot uses to cling to the glass free. The cloths are mounted on separate plates, and vibrate vertically in towards each other. Hobot says this simulates the motion of a human hand scrubbing, although with up to 600 “wipes” per minute, it’s rather more frenetic than any window cleaner I’ve met.

On the edges are bumpers to protect your window frames. This model also includes patented Edge-Leakage-Bumper (ELB) sensors, which are designed to make this cleaner suitable for edgeless glass. These sense if there’s a loss of suction as a result of a gap, or if the bot reaching the edge of a pane of glass, and change direction rather than continue over it, breaking the main suction seal and dropping off.

(Image credit: Future)

The device needs to be plugged into the mains to work. Thankfully, the cable is nice and long, but you might still need to make use of an extension cord for awkwardly placed outside windows. You’ll also need to keep the backup battery charged, in case of a power outage – this will keep the bot attached to your window for up to around 20 minutes without power.

A safety cable is provided as a further backup if you’re cleaning windows up high. I was pretty lax about attaching this until the bot fell off one of my windows. This only happened once during my extensive testing period, and luckily I was close enough to catch the rope before it hit the ground outside, but I learned a lesson about being diligent with attaching the rope.

(Image credit: Future)

Control is via remote. This offers a few different cleaning cycles – with the one you’ll probably want to use helpfully colored in blue – plus options to turn the spray on and off, or manually direct the cleaning path if required. Unfortunately, you need to be pointing the remote directly at the bot for it to register, which can sometimes be tricky to achieve. Ideally, I’d have used the companion app; app support is advertised for this model, but didn’t appear to be available at time of writing.

The bot will also provide information by yelling at you in a rather shrill voice, accompanied by various loud beeps. It needs to be loud to be heard over the suction of the machine, but that doesn’t make it any less irritating, especially given it repeats the same safety instructions every time you turn it on.

Hobot S7 Pro review: performance

  • Navigates accurately and doesn’t miss any spots
  • Excellent for maintenance cleans, but can smear dirtier windows
  • Not especially speedy, but does save on effort

The Hobot S7 Pro’s dual pads vibrate in a reciprocating (linear, side-to-side) motion to clean and buff your windows. The water tanks apply a fine mist onto the surface of the glass, but this is by no means a wet cleaning setup – after cleaning three large floor-to-ceiling windows, the pads were only very slightly damp around the edges.

It’s easy to get started, although if you’re unfamiliar with window-cleaning robots, you might need to watch a video or two to understand how it will work. You need to hold the bot against the window and switch it on manually – at this point the suction will kick in, along with a loud voice prompt, and you can let go.

(Image credit: Future)

Then you can start the cleaning run. Unlike, say, a robot vacuum, there’s no need to map anything first: just set off your preferred cycle and the bot will do the rest. I found the S7 Pro navigated my windows accurately, turning after it had bounced lightly against the window frame or sensed a gap in the glass. Route planning is apparently aided by AI, although each of the buttons on the remote launches a specific cleaning pattern, so I’m not exactly sure where the AI comes in.

The water tanks spray jets of mist – from the side the bot is moving towards – at regular intervals (it isn’t “continuous”, as some of the literature on the bot states). Filling the tanks to max gave me enough liquid to clean one side of one pane on my patio door, plus a bit more; but you’ll still have to top these up quite regularly.

The cleaning coverage is excellent: the S7 Pro left only a small margin around the edges of my framed windows. Previous Hobot window-bots have used two circular cleaning pads; the squared-off design here seems much better suited to regularly proportioned windows.

The ELB (Edge-Leakage-Bumper) sensors are designed to make this bot suitable for edgeless glass (explained more in the Design section). I tested it on some indoor glass partitions that have a 1.5in / 4cm gap at the sides, and the feature worked exactly as advertised – the bot stopped short of the wall and changed direction.

In terms of cleaning results, I’d give it a middling score. For lighter, maintenance cleans, it performed very well. Using it on relatively clean windows indoors, the results were excellent, with no smearing.

However, when faced with the dirtier outside panes of my patio doors, the S7 Pro struggled. While windows were left significantly cleaner than they had been, the results were streaky. I could see the path the bot had travelled, and the occasional caterpillar track-mark. Don’t expect the bot to be able to clean off caked-on dirt or bird poo, either.

Overall, I’m not sure that the ultra-fine mist is sufficient to tackle tougher dirt; I think a little more liquid would help. In addition, when using the S7 Pro outside, I could see that much of the mist was getting blown away in the breeze rather than landing on the window.

(Image credit: Future)

On dirtier windows, Hobot suggests you run a no-spray cycle first, to buff off surface dirt. I also found a brand video that recommended drizzling a little bit of cleaner solution on clean pads before starting, to help with grip. I found both of these tips improved the results on dirtier windows.

As as side note, the S7 Pro was also an unexpected win for cleaning behind the safety railings on some second floor, floor-to-ceiling windows; an area that’s extremely awkward to clean any other way.

(Image credit: Future)

Generally, the bot adhered well to my window, and felt securely attached when giving it a little tug after pausing operations. However, it did once fall off a window, seemingly for no reason.

In terms of timings, Hobot advertises that it will clean an area of 1 square meter in 2 minutes 36 seconds. In practice, a complete, standard cleaning run takes rather longer than that – in my tests, it cleaned a 1.3 square meter pane of glass in around 7 minutes 30 seconds. So you’re not saving a ton of time by opting for this method of cleaning, but you are saving on effort.

In general, like most robotic home assistants, the Hobot S7 Pro doesn’t do as good a job as a human would do with a manual tool. It’s designed for maintenance cleans that can be supplemented by the occasional proper window-wash, rather than to replace humans entirely. Also note that you can’t leave it to clean unattended – you’ll need to be present to move it from pane to pane.

  • Performance score: 3 out of 5

Should you buy the Hobot S7 Pro?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Not an especially cheap solution, but in line with similar bots on the market.

3.5 / 5

Design

Square-shaped bot with effective dual reciprocating mop pads and ultrasonic spray. Remote control is a little too sensitive, and app control is absent. Voice alerts annoying.

4 / 5

Performance

Easy to use and navigation accurate and complete. Results are excellent on lightly dirty windows, but can smear when encountering more challenging dirt.

3 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How I tested the Hobot S7 Pro

I used the Hobot S7 Pro window cleaning robot to tackle various floor-to-ceiling windows, both inside and out. I tested its different cleaning modes, as well as the remote control option. I focused on how clean it left windows, if it missed any spots, and if it could achieve the advertised streak-free finish. I also assessed how easy it was to use, its noise level in operation, and if there were any design features that proved troublesome.

Read more about how we test



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June 8, 2025 0 comments
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Airport
Product Reviews

FAA to eliminate floppy disks used in air traffic control systems – Windows 95 also being phased out

by admin June 8, 2025



The head of the Federal Aviation Administration just outlined an ambitious goal to upgrade the U.S.’s air traffic control (ATC) system and bring it into the 21st century. According to NPR, most ATC towers and other facilities today feel like they’re stuck in the 20th century, with controllers using paper strips and floppy disks to transfer data, while their computers run Windows 95. While this likely saved them from the disastrous CrowdStrike outage that had a massive global impact, their age is a major risk to the nation’s critical infrastructure, with the FAA itself saying that the current state of its hardware is unsustainable.

“The whole idea is to replace the system. No more floppy disks or paper strips,” acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau told the House Appropriations Committee last Wednesday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also said earlier this week,” This is the most important infrastructure project that we’ve had in this country for decades. Everyone agrees — this is non-partisan. Everyone knows we have to do it.” 

The aviation industry put up a coalition pushing for ATC modernization called Modern Skies, and it even ran an ad telling us that ATC is still using floppy disks and several older technologies to keep our skies safe.


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Modern Skies – The Time for Change is NOW – YouTube

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Unfortunately, upgrading the ATC system isn’t as simple as popping into your nearby Micro Center and buying the latest and greatest gaming PC. First and foremost, some systems can never be shut down because it is crucial for safety. Because of this, you can’t just switch off one site to swap out ancient components for newer ones. Aside from that, the upgrades to this critical infrastructure should be resistant to hacking and other vulnerabilities, as even a single breach could cripple the nation, costing time, money, and lives.

The FAA is pouring a lot of money into maintaining its old ATC systems, as they have to keep running 24/7. Nevertheless, age will eventually catch up no matter how much repair, upkeep, or overhaul you do. Currently, the White House hasn’t said what this update will cost. The FAA has already put out a Request For Information to gather data from companies willing to take on the challenge of upgrading the entire system. It also announced several ‘Industry Days’ so companies can pitch their tech and ideas to the Transportation Department.

Duffy said that the Transportation Department aims to complete the project within four years. However, industry experts say this timeline is unrealistic. No matter how long it takes, it’s high time that the FAA upgrades the U.S.’s ATC system today after decades of neglect.

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Esports

Street Fighter 6 Year 3 Character Pass: Characters, release windows & more

by admin June 7, 2025



Street Fighter 6’s Season 3 character pass got revealed all at once during Summer Game Fest 2025, with all four characters that’ll be added over the next year being made public.

It’s a mix of fan-favorite characters from several past Street Fighter games. No guest characters this time around, Season 3 will be made up entirely of O.G. fighters, one of which hasn’t been seen in the series for literal decades and is older than some pro players.

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Here’s every new character in Street Fighter 6’s Season 3’s fighter pass as well as their official release windows.

Street Fighter 6’s Year 3 Character Pass is a huge throwback

Revealed via a series of Kenny Omega cosplays, Fighter Pass 3 includes the following characters: Ingrid, Sagat, C. Viper, and Alex.

Here are their release dates in order:

  • Sagat: Summer 2025
  • C. Viper: Autumn 2025
  • Alex: Early Spring 2026
  • Ingrid: Late Spring 2026

While Alex and Sagat were both in Street Fighter 5, the other two characters haven’t been present in the series for a long time.

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C. Viper’s last appearance was in Street Fighter 4, a game that was originally released in 2007, and Ingrid was a boss character in Street Fighter 3 Alpha 3 MAX, a game from 1998. She hasn’t been present in the series since and was originally ripped from a cancelled Capcom All Stars title. Hopefully Ingrid isn’t a boss-level character in this entry like she was in her last appearance.

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It’s worth mentioning that Capcom’s definition of how long the year’s seasons are has historically dragged on, with Elena’s release in June still being technically Spring. So, these dates are by no means set in stone and may be later than you expect.

And, though Street Fighter 6 is one of Capcom’s most successful games ever, it isn’t yet clear if they’ll be going for a fourth Season of content after this. Street Fighter 5’s cast was massive, so it’d take literal years to get every character from that game converted over.

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Gaming Gear

Can’t upgrade your laptop to Windows 11? Asus joins Microsoft’s campaign urging you to buy a new Copilot+ PC, and I’m not sure that’s wise

by admin June 2, 2025



  • Asus is trying to persuade those who can’t upgrade their Windows 10 laptop to switch to a Copilot+ PC
  • This is ignoring concerns about millions of PCs heading to the scrapheap because of Windows 11’s spec requirements
  • Asus is also overselling the abilities of Copilot+ PCs, which just aren’t that impressive overall – not yet, anyway

For some time, Microsoft has been urging folks with a Windows 10 PC that can’t upgrade to Windows 11 that they should buy a new computer, preferably a Copilot+ PC – and Asus is now playing that same tune.

Windows Latest noticed a post from Asus about why now’s the time to switch to Windows 11, and to consider upgrading to a Copilot+ device (from Asus, naturally).

This is aimed at folks who are in the unfortunate situation where their Windows 10 laptop is too old to support the stricter hardware requirements of Windows 11, and so they can’t upgrade. Notebooks with older CPUs are left out in the cold, of course, as you can’t switch out those parts like you can with a desktop PC.


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Asus reminds us that Windows 10 runs out of support in October 2025, which is rapidly approaching, and that you shouldn’t run an OS without security updates, which is certainly true.

The laptop maker then moves on to persuade us that what everyone in this situation needs is a new Windows 11 notebook, and that what makes these devices different is one word: Copilot.

Moreover, Asus argues: “But here’s where it gets even better: with Copilot+ PCs, Windows 11 takes the AI experience to a whole new level. These devices are equipped with an NPU – a dedicated AI processor, specifically designed to handle AI tasks locally, making your experience smoother, faster, and more secure.

“If your current laptop isn’t up to snuff for Windows 11 or Copilot+, this is the perfect time to upgrade to a device that’s built for it.”

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Thereafter follows a series of plugs for Asus Vivobook models, Copilot+ PCs with both Snapdragon (Arm-based) and traditional Intel processors.

(Image credit: Photo by Tom Fisk via Pexels)

Analysis: Landfill woes and unwise overselling

The problem with these marketing campaigns, which are nudging people to simply dump their Windows 10 PC, is that this isn’t a very green-friendly perspective to serve up.

Going way back, there have been alarm bells rung about potentially towering piles of scrapped PCs heading to landfills later this year, thanks to Microsoft’s policy of enforcing steeper system requirements with Windows 11. If it wasn’t for some of those – generally security-related – measures, those folks could upgrade to the newer OS just fine and keep their current laptop (or indeed desktop PC).

So, when companies like Microsoft and now Asus push the benefits of throwing out old hardware for a shiny new Copilot+ PC, you can see why this frustrates organizations that are working to promote eco-friendliness in one way or another.

At any rate, if your laptop isn’t compatible with Windows 11, is it really ready for the bin when October 2025 and the End of Life for Windows 10 rolls around? Of course not – one option is that you can pay to extend support for a year.

That’s a choice Microsoft has provided for consumers for the first time ever, actually, likely to placate those with the aforementioned environmental concerns – though it’d be good if this support could be extended even further. (It can be for businesses, but we don’t know if that’ll be the case for everyday users).

Another option is switching to Linux, of course, as has been highlighted recently.

The other problem with the argument Asus presents here (and Microsoft is guilty of this too) is that it’s overselling the ability of Copilot+ PCs. While there are some impressive powers for these devices – like improved (natural language) Windows 11 search, and the same search trick in Settings too – most of the AI exclusives for Copilot+ devices aren’t overly compelling (Recall included right now).

While Copilot+ laptops may eventually take your Windows 11 computing experience to ‘another level’ as Asus mentions in its blurb, we definitely aren’t there yet. This is marketing fluff, essentially, and while that’s hardly unexpected, companies need to be careful about how they’re framing these kinds of posts, given the environmental concerns in play here.

No, you can’t keep your PC running forever, but Microsoft and its partners need to be more thoughtful about the state of tech landfill and our planet. And I’d really like to see Microsoft confirm extended support for updates to consumers for more than just a year, without making that additional time prohibitively expensive.

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June 2, 2025 0 comments
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I Was Locked Out of My Own Wi-Fi. These Windows and Mac Hacks Saved Me
Gaming Gear

I Was Locked Out of My Own Wi-Fi. These Windows and Mac Hacks Saved Me

by admin May 28, 2025


Your Wi-Fi password protects your information and ensures that nobody can steal your internet connection without asking. Unlike picking a password for your email account, most routers come with a password, and unless you change it yourself, they are notoriously hard to remember. A good password manager makes retrieving your password easy. But if you didn’t save it or don’t use one, you might be looking for the easiest way to recover your Wi-Fi password.

If you can’t remember your Wi-Fi password, you can always check the back of your router if you never created your own custom password. If you can’t find the password on the back of your router, don’t sweat it. Somewhere on your computer there’s a place that stores the passwords to ALL the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to.

As long as your Windows or Mac computer has connected to that network before, the Wi-Fi password is permanently stored in your settings. It may require some digging on your part, but all the passwords are saved and ready to be shared with anyone who wants to connect to Wi-Fi.

Here’s how to find the passwords to all of the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to on MacOS and Windows.

How to find Wi-Fi passwords in MacOS

Every password you’ve entered and saved on a Mac is stored in Keychain Access, the password management system for MacOS. And that includes Wi-Fi network passwords. 

To start, use the search feature to open the Keychain Access app and do the following:

1. Click on System under System Keychains in the sidebar.

2. Next, click on Passwords at the top of the window.

3. Find the Wi-Fi network you want the password for and double-click on it.

4. Finally, check the box next to Show password and enter your password when prompted.

Find all your stored Wi-Fi passwords in the Keychain Access app on MacOS.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

The password field will then show the password you used to log in to that Wi-Fi network. You can double-click in the password field to select the password and copy it to your clipboard if needed.

How to find Wi-Fi passwords on Windows

Finding the password to the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to is simple on Windows, but getting your hands on all stored Wi-Fi passwords takes a bit of work, so we’ll discuss both methods below.

To find the password to the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to on Windows:

1. Click the Start button and then go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center (Windows 11) or Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network and Sharing Center (Windows 10).

2. Next to Connections, click your Wi-Fi network name highlighted in blue.

3. In the Wi-Fi Status page that opens, click Wireless Properties and then on the Security tab.

4. Finally, check the box next to Show characters to display your Wi-Fi network password above it.

You can easily find the password for the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to on Windows.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

However, this isn’t the only way to find your Wi-Fi network passwords. The method above only allows you to view the password to whatever Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to, but there is a way to find the passwords to all the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to on your Windows computer.

To find all your Wi-Fi network passwords on Windows:

1. Right-click on the Windows icon in the taskbar on your desktop.

2. Click Windows Terminal (Admin).

3. Type in netsh wlan show profile and hit Enter on your keyboard to view every Wi-Fi network you’ve connected to.

4. Once you find the Wi-Fi network you want the password for, type in netsh wlan show profile “(Wi-Fi network name)” key=clear (for example, netsh wlan show profile “Netgear667” key=clear), and then hit the Enter key.

You can use Windows Terminal to find all your Wi-Fi network passwords.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Settings for profile, connectivity, security and more will appear. The Wi-Fi network password will appear under Security settings, and next to Key Content. In addition to Windows Terminal, you can also use the Command Prompt application to type in the commands listed above to find your Wi-Fi passwords.

If you want to read more about passwords, whether on your computer or your smartphone, check out the best password managers to use.



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May 28, 2025 0 comments
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Gaming Gear

Apple’s rumored iOS 19 gaming app is exciting for Apple fans, but it won’t tempt gamers from Windows

by admin May 28, 2025



  • Apple may be developing a dedicated gaming app for iOS, macOS and more
  • The app will contain things like achievements, leaderboards and messages
  • It could be announced at WWDC in June

For years, Apple has been trying to convince the world that it’s taking gaming seriously, and with the popularity of IOS gaming and the appearance of AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on macOS, there’s some truth to the company’s assertion.

Just in case you needed more convincing, there’s a new rumor from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman that Apple will soon launch a dedicated gaming app in iOS 19 to woo players to its platforms. As a Mac-owning gamer, I’m cautiously optimistic about the rumors – even if we still need more affordable hardware and games before it gets anywhere close to being a Windows competitor.

If you missed the news, the app will apparently “serve as a launcher for titles and centralize in-game achievements, leaderboards, communications and other activity,” Gurman said, adding that it will also feature “editorial content from Apple about new titles, offer access to the App Store’s game section and promote [Apple] Arcade.” It’s expected to be revealed on iOS, macOS, iPadOS and tvOS as soon as Apple’s WWDC 2025 event on June 9.


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The move makes sense – after all, the iPhone is a phenomenally popular gaming platform, and announcing a move like this at WWDC could help to cement the popularity of iOS 19 before it’s even out the door. Apple might also be hoping that it will tempt more gamers to switch from Windows to the Cupertino firm’s platforms – but on this point, I’m not entirely convinced.

Destination of choice for gamers

(Image credit: Apple)

This app might work well in iOS 19, where gaming tends to be a little more casual than on desktop computers. But things might look very different on macOS.

As a gamer who also owns a Mac, I’ve been encouraged over the last few years by Apple’s strides in the gaming world. It’s nowhere near parity with Windows yet, but the situation today is much better than it was just a few years ago.

For a long time, the problem was the chicken-and-egg nature of Mac gaming. Gamers didn’t want to switch to macOS due to the lack of games, and developers didn’t want to bring games to the Mac due to the lack of players. That’s slowly starting to change, with big-name titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Baldur’s Gate 3 helping to dispel the idea that the Mac is a gaming wasteland.

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However, the impact of a dedicated gaming app will likely be limited. Beyond my contention that gamers care more about hardware and game availability than launcher apps, Gurman is also skeptical, saying that “testers of the software say it probably won’t change the perception among players and makers of high-end titles.”

Any advance for gaming on Apple’s platforms is welcome in my eyes, and this app could help by making gaming more prominent among users of iOS and macOS. But what’s really needed – on the Mac at least – is a greater number of attention-grabbing titles and more affordable access to components that offer exceptional gaming performance.

Until that happens, Windows will always be the destination of choice for gamers.

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Product Reviews

Windows Update will soon add app updates to its functionality

by admin May 28, 2025



Windows Update has been a part of the Windows Operating system for decades but it wasn’t until recently that Microsoft has expressed any interest in expanding the platform to support individual application updates.

An announcement was recently shared by Annie Chen from Microsoft, explaining that the new Windows Update orchestration platform will make it possible for Devs to implement software updates using the Windows Update platform and corresponding tools.

It’s important to note that the new Windows Update orchestration platform has not yet been made available to the public. If you want to check it out now, you have to sign up for the private preview program intended for both developers and teams that need to roll out application updates to Windows.


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In the announcement, Chen provides Visual Studio as an example of a given application that must be updated independently. With the new Windows Update orchestration platform, it and other Windows components, as well as third party apps, could be updated centrally from one location.

The Windows Update orchestration platform comes with additional features beyond the application update support. Some of the confirmed features include what Microsoft calls “eco-efficient scheduling”. This uses an amalgam of data, including things like user activity to determine the best time to update the machine. It also includes tools that allow devs to send software update notifications using the notification tools built into the platform.

The platform also aims to provide users with a centralized location for viewing important data. Users can explore the update history for all of the supported applications as well as view any error logs that are generated when updates fail. Microsoft also mentions administrator support which allows admins to set deadlines for specific updates.

Again, this new platform has not been made publicly available so only developers and app teams who sign up for the preview program will be able to check it out for now.

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May 28, 2025 0 comments
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Windows 11
Gaming Gear

Windows 11 gets quantum-hardened cryptography technology

by admin May 27, 2025



Microsoft is preparing Windows 11 against the next major cybersecurity threat: quantum computers. In a blog post, Microsoft announced that Windows 11 Canary build 27852 and higher now support post-quantum cryptography, through PQC algorithms, allegedly securing them against quantum computers’ unmatched crypto hacking power (against traditional crypto algorithms).

Specifically, Microsoft has upgraded SymCrypt (Microsoft’s cryptographic library) to support ML-KEM, and ML-DSA (on top of PQC) through its Cryptography API: Next Generation libraries and certificate and cryptographic messaging functions.

ML-KEM is aimed at helping secure keys against the “harvest now, decrypt later“ threat. That’s a threat where attackers focus on collecting targeted data today, then store it and wait for quantum computers to become fast enough to break the encryption on the targeted data in the future.


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ML-DSA is designed for scenarios that require verification of identity, as well as maintaining the integrity of digital signatures.

PQC (post-quantum cryptography) algorithms are designed specifically to counter attacks from quantum computers, using mathematical equations that are allegedly difficult for both classical and quantum computers to tackle. However, these algorithms are much more demanding on hardware, allegedly requiring larger key sizes, longer compute times, and more bandwidth than classical cryptography algorithms.

Microsoft states that NIST meticulously chose QPC algorithms for its high security, performance, and compatibility. Not only is PQC being used by Microsoft, but it is also being implemented within multiple industry standards such as TLS, SSH, and IPSec, which will turn it into a mainstream security counter against quantum computers.

SymCrypt is Microsoft’s main cryptographic library and is used in a variety of its outgoing services and operating systems, from Microsoft 365 and Azure to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. SymCrypt provides security for email security, cloud storage, web browsing, and more.

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With PQC embedded into SymCrypt, Microsoft is preparing its entire ecosystem of Windows operating systems and other products against future attacks from quantum computers. For now, this tech is being tested in Windows 11 with the aforementioned 27852 Canary build (or newer), but PQC will also be coming to Linux in the near future. Microsoft did not say if or when BitLocker might get a PQC update, but due to its complexity and hardware demands, don’t expect it to arrive anytime soon.

Attacks from quantum computers are a real threat. Last year, Chinese researchers successfully cracked military grade encryption with a D-Wave quantum computer. This attack was done as a test, but nonetheless, it shows that quantum computers already have enough computing power to crack some of the most complex classical cryptography in the world. This threat will only get more prominent in the future as quantum computers develop and go mainstream.

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May 27, 2025 0 comments
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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Brian Eno speaks during SUMUD, a fundraising event for Palestine, organised by the Amos Trust, at Union Chapel on April 18, 2024 in London, England. Sumud, meaning 'steadfast perseverance' in Arabic, is a common term used to describe Palestinian non-violent, resistance against Israel's occupation. Amos Trust is a small, creative human rights organisation who have been working in Palestine for over 30 years with local and international peace activists, partnering with grass-roots projects, campaigning for Palestinian rights. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Gaming Gear

Brian Eno, creator of the Windows 95 startup sound, calls on Microsoft to sever ties with Israel: ‘If you knowingly build systems that can enable war crimes, you inevitably become complicit in those crimes’

by admin May 23, 2025



Art rock legend Brian Eno has called on Microsoft to sever its ties with the government of Israel, saying the company’s provision of cloud and AI services to Israel’s Ministry of Defense “support a regime that is engaged in actions described by leading legal scholars and human rights organizations, the United Nations experts, and increasing numbers of governments from around the world, as genocidal.”

Eno’s connection with Microsoft goes back 30 years—he composed the famous boot-up jingle for Windows 95 that was recently inducted into the National Recording Registry at the US Library of Congress.

“I gladly took on the project as a creative challenge and enjoyed the interaction with my contacts at the company,” Eno wrote in an open letter posted to Instagram (via Stereogum). “I never would have believed that the same company could one day be implicated in the machinery of oppression and war.”


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Eno referenced Microsoft’s May 15 statement “on the issues relating to technology services in Israel and Gaza,” in the which company acknowledged providing Israel’s Ministry of Defense with various technologies and services but denied any culpability in IMOD’s ongoing attacks on Gaza—although it also said that it “does not have visibility into how customers use our software on their own servers or other devices,” essentially admitting that it doesn’t really know what’s going on at all.

Regardless, Eno clearly isn’t interested in Microsoft’s protestations of innocence: “Selling and facilitating advanced AI and cloud services to a government engaged in systematic ethnic cleansing is not ‘business as usual’. It is complicity. If you knowingly build systems that can enable war crimes, you inevitably become complicit in those crimes.”

Eno called on Microsoft to “suspend all services that support any operations that contribute to violations of international law,” and said he “stand[s] in solidarity with the brave Microsoft workers who have done something truly disruptive and refused to stay silent. They risk their livelihoods for people who have lost and will continue to lose their lives.”

Two Microsoft employees interrupted the company’s 50th anniversary event in early April to protest its entanglements with the Israeli military; both were fired less than a week later, but in spite of that similar protests occurred earlier this week at Microsoft’s Build developer conference. The fate of those employees is not yet known.

Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.

Eno invited “artists, technologists, musicians, and all people of conscience” to join him in the call, and pledged that his fee for creating the Windows 95 startup sound will “go towards helping the victims of the attacks on Gaza. If a sound can signal a real change then let it be this one.”





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May 23, 2025 0 comments
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