October

AppWizard
October 19, 2026
Amazon has started shipping its new Alexa Tablets in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, with deliveries beginning on October 19. The tablets were initially launched on October 8 and reached customers in the US, Canada, and Mexico by October 14. They run on Android and provide access to the Google Play Store. The pricing for the tablets is as follows: - Alexa Tablet 8: .99 (4GB RAM, 64GB storage) - Alexa Tablet 11: 9.99 (8GB RAM, 64GB storage) - Alexa Tablet 12 Pro: 9.99 (8GB RAM, 128GB storage) - Nanomatte 12 Pro: 9.99 (anti-glare screen) The Pro Keyboard is available for .99, and the Pro Pen for .99, specifically for the 12 Pro model. The new tablets do not carry the Fire branding, marking a shift from Amazon’s previous Fire tablets, which used Fire OS and the Amazon Appstore. Amazon plans to phase out the Fire brand, as stated by Panos Panay. Each model includes Alexa+ for voice commands and supports various applications from the Play Store, including YouTube, Netflix, Gmail, and Google Docs. The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro has a 12-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Alexa Tablet 11 has an 11-inch screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, and the Alexa Tablet 8 has an 8.7-inch display weighing 329g. All models are powered by MediaTek chips. Amazon has also introduced Amazon Kids Tablets in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes, bundled with a protective case and a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+. Existing Fire tablet owners will continue to have access to their devices and content, with Amazon providing at least four years of support after the last sale of Fire tablets. The new tablets can be purchased from Amazon.com and retail partners like Best Buy and Target.
Winsage
October 19, 2026
Microsoft has reinstated the App-V Server into its extended support program, which will last until October 9, 2029. The original retirement date was set for April 2026, but the extension is aimed at supporting organizations still using App-V Server for Win32 applications. During this extended period, organizations will receive essential security updates, although no new features or active development will be provided for App-V Server. Microsoft is promoting a transition to Azure Virtual Desktop App Attach and the MSIX packaging format as the future model for application delivery.
Winsage
October 19, 2026
Organizations using on-premises Microsoft Exchange Server are experiencing stability issues after the October 2026 Windows Server updates, which Microsoft has confirmed can lead to unreliable Exchange services, especially in environments with heavier workloads. Administrators have reported problems such as connectivity failures with Outlook on the web, disruptions in mail flow, and complications with database availability groups (DAG), all emerging post-update. This bug affects Exchange Servers on Windows Server versions 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025. Microsoft has identified that the issue is related to limitations in Endpoint Mapper requests and has recommended a registry-based mitigation to improve capacity and reduce service degradation. The default limit of 512 simultaneous Endpoint Lookup calls may be insufficient under heavy load. Microsoft is investigating the issue and will provide further information. Organizations are advised to maintain critical security updates while implementing additional mitigation measures and closely monitoring affected systems until a long-term solution is found.
AppWizard
October 19, 2026
The Kerala High Court is addressing concerns regarding the open-source messaging application BitChat, which gained popularity during the internet shutdowns in Delhi in July 2026. The app operates over Bluetooth and does not require an internet connection. In October, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered the blocking of BitChat, leading to its removal from app stores by Apple and Google in India. The Appropriate Technology Promotion Society has filed a legal challenge against this decision. During a recent hearing, the court instructed several ministries and representatives from Apple and Google to submit affidavits regarding the app's blocking. The court is considering the maintainability of the petition and has scheduled the next hearing for November 11.
AppWizard
October 19, 2026
Microsoft will remove eight titles from Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on October 31, 2025. The departing games are: - Day of the Tentacle Remastered - Deep Rock Galactic - Dead Static Drive - Full Throttle Remastered - Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris - LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga - Wartales - Wildgate Players will need to purchase these titles separately to retain access after their removal. Completion times for achievements in the outgoing titles vary, with Day of the Tentacle Remastered and Full Throttle Remastered taking about three hours each, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris around 15 hours, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga between 80 and 100 hours, Wartales approximately 150 to 200 hours, and Deep Rock Galactic between 300 to 500 hours. There is insufficient data for Wildgate and Dead Static Drive.
AppWizard
October 19, 2026
Beyond These Stars is a city-building game where players construct settlements on the back of a space whale named Kewa. Players manage resources, build pathways, and maintain the whale's health and happiness. A demo at PAX 2026 included a tutorial and gameplay focused on expanding settlements and nurturing the relationship with Kewa. The game features a charming aesthetic with 3D modeling and a hexagonal grid layout, making resource identification and navigation intuitive. Beyond These Stars is set to launch on October 17, 2026, on Steam.
Winsage
October 18, 2026
Microsoft is transforming the Windows Search feature in Windows 11 to improve speed, accuracy, and utility. The new experience will allow users to perform tasks directly from the Taskbar and will include file previews, enriched web results, and integration with Copilot. A preview is available through the Windows Insider Program, with more features expected later this year and deeper integration with the Start menu planned by 2027. The introduction of WinUI 3 will enhance performance and search accuracy. Users can perform actions like switching to Dark mode, enabling Bluetooth, adjusting volume levels, and arranging windows directly from the Search box. Future updates will include inline file previews and richer web results, with AI-generated responses for certain queries through Copilot integration. The new Windows Search experience is accessible to Insiders running specific builds and can be enabled manually if not visible after installing the latest preview build. It does not require a Copilot+ PC or an NPU, as it uses a small machine-learning model that operates locally. Currently, it cannot perform actions on connected phones, but a feature for sending text messages is in development. The redesigned interface will be smaller and include inline previews and richer file details, along with comprehensive web results. Filters will be introduced to refine search results by category. The rollout for Insiders began on October 7, 2026, with plans for richer search results and Copilot integration later this year, and the new Search experience is expected to be incorporated into the Start menu by 2027. A general availability date for all Windows 11 users has not been announced.
Winsage
October 18, 2026
Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011, the certificate for signing the Windows boot loader, will expire on October 19, 2026. This follows the earlier expiration of two other 2011 certificates in June 2026. PCs without the new certificates will still boot and receive standard updates but will miss out on new security enhancements for the early boot process. The new certificates from 2023 are replacing the 2011 certificates. The KEK certificate, essential for authorizing updates to signature databases, and the Microsoft UEFI CA 2011, which signs third-party boot loaders, will also be replaced by new certificates. Users can check their Secure Boot status through the System Information tool or Windows Security. Microsoft is gradually rolling out the new Secure Boot certificates through Windows Update, and users are advised not to disable Secure Boot to avoid complications. Dell will not issue BIOS updates for platforms that reached their end of service life before January 1, 2026. The transition to Secure Boot has faced challenges for older PCs, and developers are advised against pinning Secure Boot certificates in their applications. Multiple restarts may be required for full integration of the new certificates.
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