February 2025

A new file management application, File Pilot, has entered beta testing, offering a modern and efficient alternative to Windows 11's native File Explorer.

Apple has officially announced the iPhone 16e, marking a significant milestone with the introduction of its first in-house 5G modem, the C1. This development signifies Apple's strategic move to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers, particularly Qualcomm, for cellular technology. The Apple C1 modem is engineered to enhance power efficiency, contributing to the device's impressive battery life, which supports up to 26 hours of video playback. Priced at $599, the iPhone 16e is available for pre-order starting February 21, with shipments commencing on February 28.

YouTube has introduced a new feature for Android TV users, enhancing the music video experience by displaying synchronized lyrics and album art. This update allows viewers to sing along to their favorite tracks with on-screen lyrics, while enjoying the corresponding album artwork, creating a more immersive and engaging viewing experience.

Microsoft has announced a significant enhancement to its Copilot feature in Excel, enabling users to reference and extract data from Word, PowerPoint, and PDF files within their organizational data.

HP Inc. has acquired assets from Humane Inc., the startup behind the AI Pin wearable device, for $116 million. This acquisition includes Humane's software platform, over 300 patents, and the majority of its employees.

Amazon has officially discontinued its TikTok-like shopping feature, Inspire, which showcased photos and videos of products within the Amazon mobile app. Launched in December 2022, Inspire aimed to enhance product discovery by allowing users to explore and purchase items across various categories, including interior design and skincare. However, as of February 18, 2025, the feature is no longer available.

Facebook has announced a significant policy change affecting users who utilize its Live Video feature. Effective February 19, 2025, all live broadcast recordings will be automatically deleted 30 days after their initial broadcast. This adjustment aims to align Facebook's storage policies with industry standards, acknowledging that "most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting."

Google has enhanced its Meet platform by integrating Gemini AI to automatically generate action items from meeting discussions. This feature aims to improve team productivity by identifying and assigning tasks discussed during meetings. At the end of each session, Gemini provides a checklist of suggested next steps, complete with due dates and designated stakeholders.

Niantic, the developer behind the popular augmented reality game Pokémon Go, is reportedly in discussions to sell its gaming division to Scopely Inc., a company owned by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group.

WhatsApp has been designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), following its Channels feature reaching an average of 46.8 million monthly active users in the last six months of 2024. This classification subjects WhatsApp to stricter regulations aimed at enhancing user safety and transparency.