Beta News and Articles

Raycast launches on Windows with native design and instant file search

Raycast is a fast keyboard-first command center that replaces clicking with instant action. A favorite among Mac users, it's now available in public beta on Windows. Raycast lets you launch apps in milliseconds, search files system-wide, control settings, browse Clipboard History, run scripts, and tap into a growing ecosystem of extensions, all from one streamlined interface.

By Julio Franco, January 2, 2026, 6:25 PM

Mobile Software

Google and Apple are working on easier phone switching – yes, really

Android just added a native iPhone transfer tool, and Apple says iOS 26 is getting one, too

By Daniel Sims, December 9, 2025, 7:51 AM

Software The Web

Samsung is bringing its Internet browser to desktop with AI and cross-device syncing

Yet another web browser, Samsung joins the fray on the desktop

By Skye Jacobs, October 31, 2025, 3:12 PM 10 comments

Gaming Security

Steam beta helps players prep for games requiring Secure Boot or TPM

Steam Hardware Survey will also start collecting Secure Boot and TPM data

By Daniel Sims, September 25, 2025, 7:59 AM

Software Microsoft

Excel gets Copilot formula function, but Microsoft warns about accuracy

The AI update allows users to classify and summarize data using natural language prompts

By Skye Jacobs, August 21, 2025, 6:51 AM

Gaming The Web

Battlefield 6 beta peaks at 326K players, now Steam's 39th most-played game ever

Dice is working to increase server capacity

By Rob Thubron, August 7, 2025, 8:26 AM 10 comments

Gaming Hardware

Can your PC run Battlefield 6? Full system requirements and multiplayer details revealed

Open Beta weekend dates also confirmed

By Rob Thubron, August 1, 2025, 5:16 AM 22 comments

Software Gaming

Steam beta update rolls out redesigned store, makes game discovery easier

The new system also shows users game genres and themes that match what they play

By Skye Jacobs, July 26, 2025, 2:34 PM

Gaming

Rainbow Six Siege X brings major changes, new Dual Front mode, and a free tier

A new 6v6 three-lane mode with infinite respawns

By Daniel Sims, March 14, 2025, 2:46 PM

Microsoft Software

New Windows 11 preview build improves privacy for European users

Location-storing API and cloud-based data harvesting are gone, though not for everyone

By Alfonso Maruccia, February 20, 2025, 4:36 PM 13 comments

Mobile AI

Beta or not, Apple Intelligence becomes a default iOS setting across devices

"Privacy. That's iPhone"

Cutting corners: Apple Intelligence is now an "opt-out" feature across the entire Apple ecosystem, despite still being marketed as a beta product. Most users aren't keen to have incomplete features forced upon them, but shoving AI down everybody's throat is a popular trend among corporations dabbling in the technology.

Full story By Alfonso Maruccia, January 23, 2025, 6:11 AM

Gaming Software

Stardew Valley creator says he treats PC updates like a "beta test"

Releasing updates on PC is far quicker than on consoles and mobile

By Daniel Sims, September 24, 2024, 5:49 PM

Gaming The Web

Valve banned The Verge from its secret Deadlock playtest for leaking information on the game

The publication claims it is under no legal obligation to pull its story

By Cal Jeffrey, August 13, 2024, 2:46 PM 36 comments

The Web Apple

Apple Maps is now available on the web

Beta available on Safari, Chrome and Edge, with more features coming later

By Daniel Sims, July 25, 2024, 6:51 AM

Gaming

Sony hero shooter Concord's free open beta peaked at just 2,388 concurrent players

With lows of almost 500 players

By Rob Thubron, July 22, 2024, 7:39 AM

Gaming Microsoft

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 beta begins August 30 on all platforms

Game Pass subscribers receive the beta, but the new standard tier misses out

By Daniel Sims, July 16, 2024, 7:39 AM

Software

New Asus beta BIOS adds support for Windows RGB controls

You can finally uninstall Armory Crate

By Daniel Sims, July 8, 2024, 5:05 PM 7 comments

Software Apple

Apple iPhone screen mirroring launches in new macOS and iOS betas

Control your iPhone from your Mac without ever unlocking it

By Jesse Gregoire, June 26, 2024, 10:47 AM

Download of the Week Software

WhatsApp beta adds voice message transcriptions

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature which allows you to transcribe voice messages. Select a voice note, press the three dots, choose transcribe, and you will see a text version of the voice note without having to open it.

By Erik Orejuela, June 15, 2024, 6:20 AM