Windows 11 is quietly adding a one‑click network speed test to the taskbar, Mozilla is finally winding down Firefox ESR support for Windows 7 and 8, Blizzard has shipped a surprise Diablo II expansion more than two decades after the original, Valve warns of intermittent Steam Deck shortages thanks to memory and storage constraints, and Apple has seeded the rumor mill with a March 4 “Apple Experience” that could include an iPhone 17e and a slate of low‑cost Macs and iPads. These items, reported in today’s roundup, mark a mix of pragmatic quality‑of‑life moves, lifecycle endings, nostalgia‑driven game development, hardware supply shocks, and product‑launch theater — each with direct implications for users, IT teams, and buyers in the coming weeks. s://www.theverge.com/tech/880756/windows-11-speed-test-build-in-update-preview)
Background / Overview
Technology news rarely moves in tidy, unrelated lanes; the stories below intersect around two themes: lifecycle management (software end‑of‑support and hardware availability) and feature strategy (what companies surface natively versus via the web). Microsoft’s taskbar shortcut to a browser‑hosted speed test illustrates a broader design choice:
surface helpful actions in the OS while delegating heavy lifting to web services. Mozilla’s decision to end ESR updates for legacy Windows variants underscores the reality that maintaining compatibility with decade‑old kernels and drivers has real costs. Blizzard’s DLC reopens a niche but dedicated catalog of legacy game updates, while Valve’s hardware supply note is another reminder that global component markets — NAND and DRAM — still shape consumer availability and pricing. Apple’s multicity March 4 “experience” is a reminder that the calendar still matters in consumer hardware cycles. Each of these items affects different user groups — everyday consumers, enterprise support teams, gamers, and prospective buyers — so the practical advice that follows is tailored accordingly.
Windows 11: a taskbar speed test that’s really a browser shortcut
What Microsoft is testing
Microsoft has been rolling a new “Perform speed test” control into Windows 11 Insider preview builds, placing it where users already go to check connectivity: the network icon’s right‑click menu and the Wi‑Fi/Cellular Quick Settings flyout. Activating the control opens the default browser and launches Bing’s speed‑test wleverages a backend measurement engine (commonly Ookla’s Speedtest). The UI appears in Release Preview and other Insider channels and is intended as a low‑friction diagnostic entry point for users who suddenly experience lag or lost throughput.
How the feature behaves — and why wording matters
This is important: the new control is
not a native kernel‑level or OS‑embedded measurement engine. It does not run the test inside Windows or produce system logs that a local admin tool can consume; rather, it launches a web page and displays the web test results. That makes it a convenience shortcut — useful for quick triage — but it is not a substitute for reproducible, auditable diagnostics when you need to validate ISP performance or correlate throughput drops with local throttling, adapter drivers, or VPN behavior.
Why Microsoft might choose a web‑backed approach
- Lower maintenance overhead: web tools update independently of OS releases.
- Global consistency: Bing’s widget and Speedtest backends are already optimized for worldwide measurement endpoints.
- Faster time‑to‑user: a UI shortcut can be iterated and A/B tested in Insider rings quickly.
Strengths and practical uses
- Convenience: saves a couple of clicks for nontechnical users who don’t know which site to open.
- Discoverability: placing the test where users go to troubleshoot increases adoption.
- Low risk: because it’s a web link, Microsoft can change providers or fix UX without shipping OS updates.
Risks and limitations
- Not audit‑grade: network engineers and enterprise IT teams need reproducible tests (e.g., iperf, packet captures, controlled endpoints). This shortcut does not replace those methods.
- Privacy and policy concerns: the test uses browser network paths and may traverse corporate proxies or split tunnels, producing results that differ from system‑level measurements.
- Perception: calling this a “built‑in tool” is potentially misleading; enabling it as a visible shortcut invites critique if users expect a deeper integration. Media reporting has already called attention to the “launcher, not native” distinction.
Recommendations for users and IT teams
- Use the new taskbar shortcut for quick, ad‑hoc checks (latency, basic download/upload sanity checks).
- For troubleshooting fixed issues, replicate tests with enterprise‑grade tools (e.g., iperf, network path traces) and document results in a controlled environment to remove browser/proxy variables.
- If you manage endpoints, inform users what the shortcut does and add internal guidance: “This launches a browser speed test; file a helpdesk ticket if results fall below your SLA.”
Mozilla ends Firefox ESR for Windows 7 & 8: final ESR 115 cutoff
What’s changing
Mozilla has announced that Extended Support Release (ESR) 115 will be the
last ESR to receive security updates on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1; the cut‑off comes at the end of February 2026 (the ESR program for these platforms was previously extended multiple times). After the cutoff, Firefox installations on those legacy Windows versions will no longer receive official security updates from Mozilla. Mozilla’s public communications and subsequent reporting from Windows‑focused outlets confirm the end date and recommend users migrate to a supported OS or switch to an actively supported platform.
What this means in plain terms
- If you run Firefox on Windows 7/8/8.1, you will no longer get browser security patches after the ESR cutoff.
- Browsing from an unsupported OS remains risky even if the application is patched: kernbilities in the OS can still be exploited via the browser or other vectors.
- For many organizations and individuals, the practical options are limited to upgrading hardware/OS, moving to Windows 10/11 (if hardware permits), or switching to Linux or dedicated devices for risky browsing.
Strengths of Mozilla’s decision
- Security realism: maintaining a modern browser on an ancient kernel creates a false sense of security; security benefits are limited when the underlying OS is unsupported.
- Resource prioritization: focusing engineering effort on supported platforms accelerates feature development and security hardening where it helps most users.
Risks and caveats
- User impact: enterprises with legacy machines and verified application dependencies may face real migration costs and compatibility headaches.
- Upgrade trap: Microsoft’s own OS lifecycles make “upgrade to Windows 10” a short‑term fix — the longer, safer path is modern hardware and Windows 11, but strict hardware requirements complicate that option.
Migration advice
- Inventory: identify endpoints still running Windows 7/8.1 and track which apps depend on them.
- Risk triage: move high‑risk browsing to managed, updated devices; isolate legacy hosts via network segmentation or virtual machines.
- Upgrade path: where hardware permits, prioritize Windows 11 upgrades; where it doesn’t, evaluate Linux‑based alternatives or controlled, sandboxed browsing solutions.
- If continuing Firefox on legacy systems temporarily, ensure automatic updates are applied through the ESR window and restrict sensitive tasks to supported hardware.
Diablo II: Reign of the Warlock — a long‑tail expansion lands after 25 years
The announcement and contents
Blizzard released “Reign of the Warlock,” a paid DLC for Diablo II: Resurrected, bringing a new playable class (the Warlock) along with a suite of quality‑of‑life improvements: loot filters, enhanced stash tabs, a Chronicle for item tracking, and reworked endgame content and difficulty scaling. The expansion ships on Battle.net and — notably — Diablo II: Resurrected is now available on Steam for the first time with the DLC included. Coverage from multiple gaming outlets confirms the release and catalogues the Warlock’s summoning, eldritch weapon, and chaos‑magic play patterns.
Why this matters to gamers and preservationists
- Nostalgia meets modern design: adding a new class 25 years after launch is an unusual move for a classic title; it rebalances the game’s meta and draws older players back while providing modern conveniences for completionists.
- Commercial logic: a single, focused DLC — rather than a full new act — reduces development scope and increases the odds of a timely release tied to Blizzard’s anniversary schedule.
- Platform expansion: releasing on Steam broadens the install base and lowers friction for PC players who prefer Valve’s platform.
Critical analysis — strengths and weaknesses
- Strengths:
- The Warlock adds new mechanical depth and a fresh canonical option for players who’ve cycled through the classic roster for years.
- Quality‑of‑life features (loot filters, stash organization) modernize the UX without fundamentally remaking the game.
- Weaknesses / community reactions:
- Some critics argue the expansion lacks substantial exploration content — no new acts or broad narrative additions — which limits its appeal to players who wanted larger world expansions. That critique has appeared in public commentary from rival developers and community influencers.
- Pricing and expectations: a modest DLC asks players to return for incremental improvements rather than a full reimagining.
For prospective buyers
- If you loved the original and want a fresh endgame loop plus a new class, Reign of the Warlock is likely worth the cost of entry.
- If you hoped for a new narrative act or major campaign additions, temper expectations — the release focuses on class and systems rather than storytelling.
Valve and the Steam Deck: memory and storage shortages are biting
The situation
Valve has publicly acknowledged intermittent stock shortages for the Steam Deck OLED and confirmed the LCD 256GB model is no longer in production; supply constraints tied to global NAND and DRAM markets are cited as the driver. Several regions show depleted official stock, and Valve has delayed other hardware projects — including next‑generation Steam hardware — citing the same component shortages. Coverage from multiple outlets and reporting on Valve’s own store notices corroborates the situation.
Why the shortages persist
- Server farms and AI data‑center buildouts have driven appetite for NAND and DRAM, tightening supply.
- Consumer electronics pipelines remain sensitive: even a modest mismatch between forecast and demand — or a reallocation of capacity to higher‑margin enterprise clients — can lead to intermittent product absences.
- Discontinuing lower‑margin SKUs (like a 256GB LCD model) is a classic inventory rationalization step when component allocation is constrained.
Consequences and consumer guidance
- Buyers may face inflated third‑party prices or need to wait for re‑stock windows.
- If you depend on Steam Deck availability for gifting or upcoming travel, consider backup plans: alternative handheld PCs, cloud gaming on portable devices, or waiting for the next replenishment window.
- For hardware shoppers, weigh the risk of paying a premium on secondary markets versus waiting for Valve’s official channels to regain balance.
Broader implications
- The NAND/DRAM shortage is not limited to Valve; analysts expect pressure on smartphones, laptops, and consoles until demand and foundry capacity rebalance.
- Manufacturers may continue prioritizing certain SKUs or higher‑margin models, so permanent SKU rationalization (like the LCD 256GB discontinuation) is a realistic outcome.
Apple’s March 4 “Apple Experience”: what to expect and why it matters
The event and the rumor landscape
Apple has invited press to a “special Apple Experience” on March 4, 2026, with media gatherings in New York, London, and Shanghai. Reporting from established Apple outlets and technology press indicates the event may showcase a suite of devices: a budget iPhone 17e (rumored to include MagSafe and an A19 SoC), refreshed iPads (A18 base iPad, M4 iPad Air), multiple MacBook updates (including a low‑cost MacBook powered by an iPhone‑class chip), and potentially new MacBook Pros. Trusted Apple trackers have reported the timing and a likely focus on lower‑cost, colorful hardware that broadens Apple’s mainstream reach.
Why Apple is staging a multicity “experience”
- A multicity format enables local hands‑on time for regional press and influencers without a single, massive keynote.
- The colorful invite assets and reported product mix suggest Apple is prioritizing accessible hardware (price‑sensitive categories) at this event rather than a developer‑heavy, high‑end pro lineup.
- Apple’s product cadence and supply readiness likely influenced the smaller format: product launches can be driven by manufacturing windows and retail timelines.
Key claims and the degree of certainty
- iPhone 17e: Multiple outlets cite Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other analysts who expect MagSafe, an A19 chip, and pricing near $599; those details remain rumors until Apple’s announcement. Treat claims about chip model numbers, exact prices, and detailed specs as provisional.
- MacBooks and iPads: reporting indicates lower‑cost MacBooks with iPhone‑class silicon and refreshed iPad lines are plausible, but final SKU lists and timing will be confirmed by Apple.
Recommendations for buyers and enterprises
- If you’re an individual buyer: wait for the March 4 reveal before committing to a near‑term purchase — Apple’s announcements often change trade‑in value and retail pricing on existing models.
- If you manage procurement for education or fleets: monitor the announcement closely; a low‑cost MacBook could shift device strategy and total cost of ownership for certain classes of users.
Cross‑cutting implications and final takeaways
- Surface features do not equal system features. Microsoft’s taskbar speed test shows how OS vendors balance convenience with maintainability by surfacing web‑hosted tools inside platform UI. For users and admins, that’s useful but functionally different from embedded diagnostics.
- End‑of‑support decisions compound risk. Mozilla’s ESR cutoff for Windows 7/8 removes what was effectively the last major browser lifeline for those OS families; running unsupported OS + unsupported browser is increasingly hazardous. Plan migrations now, not later.
- Nostalgia can be monetized thoughtfully — but expectations must be managed. Diablo II’s Warlock DLC is a testament to the longevity of classic franchises, but critics are right to ask whether a narrowly scoped expansion satisfies the broader player base.
- Hardware buyers face a reality check: global component availability can still determine product access and price. Valve’s Steam Deck inventory fluctuation is a timely example; if you need a device, plan alternative options rather than rely on immediate official stock.
- Major launch timing still matters. Apple’s March 4 “Apple Experience” is a reminder that product calendars and rumor cycles influence both consumer buying decisions and enterprise procurement windows. Hold off on big buys when an Apple announcement is imminent.
Quick action checklist (what to do this week)
- Windows users: if you’re curious, try the taskbar speed test in the Release Preview Channel; use it only as a first‑step check. For reproducible diagnostics, keep iperf and packet capture tools handy.
- Administrators on legacy Windows machines: finalize your migration plans and isolate unsupported hosts for at‑risk tasks; review the Firefox ESR version and apply remaining ESR updates before the February cutoff.
- Gamers: if Diablo II nostalgia calls you, expect modern conveniences in Reign of the Warlock but moderate narrative expectations; check the Steam release and DLC pricing before purchase.
- Prospective Steam Deck buyers: monitor official stock notices and be cautious about inflated third‑party listings; consider alternative handhelds or cloud gaming subscriptions if you need immediate access.
- Shoppers waiting on Apple: pause large Apple purchases until March 4 to see whether new, lower‑cost models alter the market or your upgrade calculus.
These stories show a mix of incremental UX polishing, lifecycle realism, nostalgia‑driven development, and the unavoidable supply chain volatility that still shapes hardware availability. For readers, the practical thread is consistent: know the difference between a convenience feature and an enterprise tool, plan migrations before forced cutoffs, and be flexible when hardware supply or rumor‑timing intersects your buying needs.
Source: FileHippo
February 21 Tech news roundup: Windows 11 is getting a speed test tool, Mozilla ends Firefox for Windows 7 and 8, Diablo II gets an expansion after 25 years