Latest in Tech: Microsoft Edge Extensions, Windows Notepad Update, and Browser Security Risks

The past week in tech has been crowded with advancements—some long-awaited, others carrying a sense of urgency—and pushes the digital world a little further, for better and worse. From Microsoft Edge’s new direction on mobile to deepening concerns about browser security exploits, these developments will shape user expectations and industry priorities. Let’s look closely at the major stories.

Microsoft Edge on iOS/iPadOS: Extensions Finally Arrive​

After years without full parity with its desktop sibling, Microsoft Edge for iOS and iPadOS now supports extensions—a feature that places it a notch above most major mobile browsers, at least in theory. However, the extension function remains experimental; users have to activate it via hidden flags, and the collection is extremely limited at around 11 add-ons. Crucially, heavyweight categories like ad blockers and password managers are absent, though Edge’s built-in ad blocker goes some way to compensate.
This is a tactical move. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Brave, and other mobile browsers have historically avoided or been restricted from supporting extensions due to Apple’s app policies and performance considerations. Microsoft’s decision to soft-launch extensions, with clear intention to broaden support soon, breaks new ground for iOS browsing—though the current beta-like experience is best seen as a tantalizing preview rather than a productivity revolution.
Strengths:

• Genuine innovation on a platform where customization is rare.
• Advances Edge’s reputation for user-centric features, especially for power users.
• Could trigger a race among browser makers to unlock similar features.

Cautions:

• The tiny extension library means most users won’t benefit immediately.
• Lack of ad-blockers/password managers will hold back those with privacy and security demands.
• Cross-checking Apple’s App Store guidelines reveals potential risks for future support: Apple has sometimes clamped down on app behaviors it deems out of policy or resource intensive.

For now, Microsoft Edge is simply more versatile than its direct mobile rivals—even if only for a subset of highly engaged users willing to toggle experimental flags.

Notepad Evolves: Now a Real Text Editor​

Windows Notepad, for decades a simple text file viewer and quick-edit tool, is being transformed in Windows 11. The editor now supports rich text formatting—including bold and italic styling—and is bringing Markdown syntax recognition. Lists, headings, and hyperlinks are all supported, along with features familiar from paid editors: tabs, autosave, and spell check. Even Markdown purists and note-taking enthusiasts will find value in mixing plain text workflows with lightweight formatting.
Importantly, these features are optional; users can revert to Notepad’s classic simplicity with a single click in settings. For those wary of “feature creep” in traditionally minimalist apps, this is a meaningful concession.
On the AI front, Copilot integration brings generative and context-assist features, but Microsoft provides opt-out controls—a transparency many users demand after criticism of forced AI tool rollouts in other Microsoft products.
Strengths:

• Gradual rollout protects stability, avoids sudden changes for millions of users.
• Feature toggles respect both minimalists and power users.
• Markdown support appeals to developers, writers, and anyone using Notepad for technical documentation.

Risks:

• Occasional bloat and performance drag, as seen in other Microsoft “upgrades.”
• Early bug reports suggest the slow rollout is necessary, as formatting can conflict with legacy workflows or break when switching between rich and plain modes.

Microsoft’s balancing act—modernization without losing trust—will be closely monitored. Competitor apps like Notepad++ and Sublime Text will likely need to introduce more powerful Markdown and AI-assisted features to remain ahead.

Chrome’s Fourth Zero-Day Bug This Year: What Happened​

Security remains the browser battleground—Google Chrome has patched its fourth zero-day vulnerability since the year began, highlighting the persistent and well-funded targeting of this widely-used platform. This latest threat, reported by Google’s Threat Analysis Group, was a “type confusion” flaw in the V8 JavaScript engine—a subtle class of bug notorious for enabling remote code execution.
Researchers Clement Lecigne and Benoît Sevens found the flaw, and Google fast-tracked a fix, pushing out patches for Windows (v138.0.7204.96/.97), Mac (v138.0.7204.92/.93), and Linux (v138.0.7204.96). The urgency is justified: confirmed active exploitation, with hackers targeting Chrome’s vast user base in the wild.
What users need to know:

• Update now: Chrome’s auto-updater usually handles patches within hours, but check your About Chrome page to verify you’re at the safe version.
• Four zero-days in six months is concerning: While Google’s patch cycle is among the fastest, the frequency underscores how modern browsers are a prime hacker target.
• Browser monoculture magnifies impact: With Chromium underpinning Edge, Opera, Vivaldi, Brave, and others, many alternative browsers are also at risk and should see rapid subsequent updates.

For professionals, this pattern suggests a renewed focus on browser isolation, avoidance of risky extensions, and monitoring of zero-day advisories is warranted.

Google’s Forced Pixel 6A Battery Fix: Automatic Update and Throttling​

Google’s handling of the Pixel 6A battery overheating crisis is a striking example of the modern tech company’s power—and the limits of user choice. After reports and photographic evidence surfaced of Pixel 6A phones catching fire, Google traced the issue to battery cells prone to overheating after 400 charge cycles.
The solution? An Android 16 update that is enforced: the phone will automatically download, install, and reboot. No opt-out. This update will throttle battery charging and capacity to reduce thermal risk.
Affected users (those approaching 375 cycles) will see notifications, and in selected countries, Google is offering a one-time free battery replacement. Details and regional eligibility are still being clarified on the official support forums.
Reasons for the strong approach:

• Safety is paramount: Li-ion battery failures carry risks of personal injury, property loss, and regulatory blowback.
• Volume and pace: With the risk tied to a well-defined hardware batch, immediate firmware action is faster than large-scale recalls.

Potential downsides:

• Throttled batteries mean lower phone capacity and potentially poorer user experience, especially as phones age.
• The forced nature of the update—no user override—has drawn backlash in privacy and ownership forums, with some claims (not yet widely verified) that it breaks existing root or custom ROM setups.

Why this matters beyond Pixel: Other OEMs may adopt similar forced-update tactics for hardware-level risks. For users, trust in after-sales device control is being thoroughly tested.

Vivaldi 7.5 and Opera 120: Privacy and Productivity in the Browser Wars​

Vivaldi 7.5: Tab Stacks Get Smarter​

Vivaldi, a favorite among customization junkies, launched version 7.5, focused on grouping, navigation, and privacy improvements. Tab stacks—Vivaldi’s take on grouped browsing—now allow renaming, color coding, and improved right-click context menus, streamlining workflow for users juggling 20+ tabs.
Quick Command enhancements mean synced tabs now show up across devices, and address bar operation is more fluid. Privacy is a core selling point: the built-in ad blocker gains better filter rule support, and Vivaldi now lets you set a custom DNS provider with DNS over HTTPS, shrinking the “man-in-the-middle” attack surface.
Strengths:

• Tab and filter flexibility continues to outpace mainstream browsers.
• Appeals strongly to privacy-first power users.

Opera 120: Self-Hosted Translation for Privacy​

Opera’s update (v120) pivots on two key features: a privacy-friendly translation system, powered by Lingvanex but self-hosted on European servers, and a major UI overhaul for its password manager. Unlike Google or Microsoft Translate, the mechanism avoids transmitting data to GAFAM’s cloud, which is a substantial win for users with confidential browsing or GDPR concerns.
Other features include improvements to split screen browsing—especially its unique Tab Island mechanism—and more intuitive translation triggers (auto, manual, language-by-language).
Strengths:

• Translation privacy for sensitive browsing, especially for users in regulated industries or privacy-conscious regions.
• Improved password manager interface aligns Opera with best-in-class security usability.

Risks:

• Self-hosted translation quality sometimes lags behind cloud AI-based alternatives, though improvements are ongoing.
• Opera’s market share remains modest; ecosystem lock-in is not a major risk, but migration from Chrome or Edge is non-trivial for many users.

Together, Vivaldi and Opera are raising the bar on user control, privacy, and power features—niches that mainstream browsers have often been slow to serve.

Windows 11 25H2: Hope for a Smoother Update Cycle​

Despite Windows 11 24H2’s bumpy ride—performance issues, compatibility breakages, and widespread user frustration—Microsoft is not pausing. The company has already confirmed that Windows 11 25H2 is entering the Windows Insider Preview program, with a “coming soon” promise for general release.
What to expect? While Microsoft hasn’t published an authoritative feature list, reliable leaks and Insider documentation point toward:

• Animated GIF creation tools in Snipping Tool
• Scrollable Start Menu sections for app-heavy users
• Improved idle power management and battery saving options
• A redesigned Recall home page—likely tied to the controversial Recall AI feature

User feedback is already shaping the development process, with special attention paid to the bugs and criticisms of 24H2. Industry analysts expect more staged rollouts, broader beta testing, and more opt-out toggles for AI-powered services after user pushback over Copilot and Recall concerns.
Strengths:

• Continuous feature development should help keep Windows 11 relevant for enterprise and creative users alike.
• Transparent acknowledgment of past release issues suggests Microsoft is listening to user feedback—though execution will be key.

Risks:

• Major version updates remain disruptive for business-critical environments.
• Backward compatibility, especially for legacy games and enterprise software, is an ongoing worry.

Intel Unison Discontinued: End of a Bridge Between Mobile and PC​

Another under-the-radar development came with Intel’s discontinuation of Unison, its cross-device syncing app. Unison let users handle calls, texts, and file transfers between PCs and smartphones (Android or iOS), occupying a niche Microsoft’s own Phone Link never entirely filled.
For now, Intel is keeping Unison live for Lenovo Aura users until year end—but alternatives face tough tradeoffs:

• Microsoft Phone Link: Integrated but Windows-only, and not as feature-rich.
• Open Source Replacements: KDE Connect, Local Send, Syncthing—usable but with more technical setup hurdles and often less polished UX.

The discontinuation underlines a persistent frustration: true cross-platform sync between mobile and PC ecosystems remains elusive without compromises, especially for privacy, reliability, and ease of use.

The Bigger Picture: User Autonomy, Security, and Privacy​

Several clear themes link this week’s developments.

1. User Control is in Flux​

Microsoft’s and Google’s approaches diverge: Microsoft now offers more toggles (for both AI and Notepad’s features), while Google’s Pixel 6A fix shows the company will prioritize safety over even advanced user preferences. The debate over user autonomy—what can be forced, toggled, or opted out—will continue at the heart of tech policy discussions and community forums.

2. Security is Getting Harder, Not Easier​

Chrome’s rapid-fire zero-days—and the broader exposure of Chromium descendants—proves that relentless, sophisticated attacker interest demands even faster, more transparent patch cycles. For home and enterprise users, browser update hygiene and cautious extension adoption are more crucial than ever.

3. Privacy is Not Just a Checkbox​

Opera’s move to self-hosted translation is a small but real response to big cloud data concerns. Vivaldi’s DNS and ad-blocker improvements, Microsoft’s opt-outs for new AI features, and Apple’s policies on extensions all reshape what privacy “feels like” for users—often at the expense of convenience or universality.

Key Takeaways for Windows and Browser Enthusiasts​

• If you use Chrome, update now—zero-day exploits will not wait.
• Windows Insiders should anticipate 25H2—and hope past mistakes guide a smoother rollout.
• For privacy-first browsing, Vivaldi and Opera are innovating in ways the big players aren’t.
• Pixel 6A owners: be prepared for a mandatory update, and check battery replacement eligibility if your device is affected.
• Edge users on iOS/iPadOS: try early extension support, but expect rapid evolution and some rough edges.
• Power Notepad users: explore Markdown and formatting, but double-check how compatibility holds in your workflows before moving fully.

This week demonstrates how quickly the landscape can shift—sometimes toward richer features and greater security, sometimes at the cost of user control or device performance. The next few months will show if vendors can better balance innovation, risk, and user trust. Until then, vigilant updating, feature testing, and demanding transparency remain the best strategies for staying ahead in the ever-changing tech world.

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Source: FileHippo July 5 Tech news roundup: Notepad now lets you format text, Chrome fixes fourth zero-day bug of the year, Windows 11 25H2 is coming soon