Windows 11 Login Glitch, File Explorer Slowness, Multicloud Alliance, AI Ads and More Tech Updates

Windows 11 Login Glitch

Some Windows 11 users who installed a recent preview build reported that the password field on the sign‑in screen disappeared. The issue is not a complete loss of functionality – the hidden field is still clickable. Microsoft’s workaround is to hover the mouse over the area where the password icon normally appears and then type the password. The fix is essentially a reminder that the UI element is still present but rendered invisible.

File Explorer Performance Regression

A new update to File Explorer introduced background preloading intended to speed up folder navigation. Early benchmarks show that while the preload does reduce initial load times, the overall performance remains slower than the Windows 10 version. Additionally, memory usage has nearly doubled, putting extra pressure on system RAM. Users looking for a smoother experience may need to revert to the previous build or wait for further optimizations.

AWS‑Google Multicloud Interconnect

Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud have announced a joint service that simplifies the creation of a unified network between the two platforms. Key benefits include:

• Reduced cost and complexity for establishing redundancy across clouds.
• An open standard that other cloud providers can adopt.
• End‑to‑end encryption and multi‑layer backups monitored by dedicated operations teams.

This partnership addresses the growing need for reliable failover mechanisms as enterprises increasingly rely on multi‑cloud architectures.

OpenAI Experiments with In‑Chat Advertising

OpenAI is reportedly testing the placement of advertisements within ChatGPT conversations. Developers who examined the latest Android beta discovered strings related to a “search ads carousel” and other ad‑related assets. If implemented, ChatGPT would become the first major general‑purpose chatbot to display native ads directly in its UI.

The move reflects a broader industry trend: AI platforms are seeking sustainable revenue models. Google has already integrated sponsored results into its AI‑enhanced search, and Amazon’s Rufus shopping assistant functions primarily as an advertising channel.

AI‑Generated Peer Review Concerns

A recent study of submissions to an AI research conference found that approximately 21 % of peer‑review reports were likely generated by AI tools. This raises questions about the reliability of the review process, especially as hallucination‑prone models become more prevalent. The finding underscores the need for stricter verification of reviewer authenticity in scientific publishing.

New Handheld Gaming PC from Intel (IO)

The company behind the “IO” handheld announced a Windows‑based gaming device featuring:

• A 9‑inch OLED display
• AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 processor (codenamed “Stricks Halo”)
• 115 Wh battery
• Hall‑effect joysticks, linear triggers, and touchpads

While the specifications suggest the device can handle AAA titles, its size and weight indicate a chunky form factor rather than a truly portable solution. It appears to be positioned as a high‑performance alternative to existing handhelds like the GPD Win series.

Leaked Details on AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D

AMD unintentionally exposed a page on its support site that revealed an upcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor. The chip mirrors the 8‑core/16‑thread architecture of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D but raises the boost clock to 5.6 GHz. If confirmed, this would become the new default recommendation for high‑end gaming builds, offering a modest performance uplift over the current flagship.

Netflix Removes Casting Support

Netflix has updated its help documentation to state that casting from mobile devices to newer Chromecast, Google TV, and most Android TV sets is no longer supported. Users must now launch the native Netflix app on the target device. The change does not affect legacy Chromecast models, which continue to support casting. The removal has sparked frustration among users who invested in remote‑friendly streaming hardware.

India’s Mandatory Security App on Smartphones

The Indian government has mandated that all smartphones sold in the country, including those from Apple, ship with a state‑owned security app called Sanchar Sathi pre‑installed. The app cannot be disabled or removed and is advertised as a tool for:

• Locating stolen devices
• Preventing IMEI spoofing
• Detecting fraudulent network connections

Privacy advocates warn that the compulsory installation may erode user consent and set a precedent for government‑mandated surveillance software on consumer devices.

Japan’s Ultra‑Expensive Human Washing Machine

A Japanese startup, Science Incorporated, unveiled a prototype human washing machine priced at 60 million yen (≈ $385,000). The capsule claims to clean and dry a person in 15 minutes using micro‑bubble technology and soothing audio. A limited production run of 40‑50 units is planned over the next six years, with commercial availability slated for December 25.

Conclusion

This week’s tech headlines illustrate a mixed landscape: Microsoft grapples with usability bugs in Windows 11, while Amazon and Google push toward tighter multicloud integration. OpenAI and other AI firms are exploring monetization through ads, even as the integrity of AI‑generated academic content comes under scrutiny. Meanwhile, hardware announcements—from a powerful handheld gaming PC to a leaked high‑clock‑speed AMD CPU—highlight ongoing innovation, albeit sometimes with practical trade‑offs. Finally, regulatory moves in India and niche luxury tech in Japan remind us that the intersection of technology, policy, and consumer desire continues to evolve in unexpected ways.