Windows 11's New Point-in-Time Restore Can Save Hours of Recovery

Windows 11's New Point-in-Time Restore Can Save Hours of Recovery

Windows 11's new Point-in-Time Restore feature can help you recover from bad updates, driver problems, and software mistakes without rebuilding an entire PC. If something breaks, you may be able to roll back to a previous working state in minutes instead of spending hours troubleshooting.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 15, 2026

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One bad driver update or software installation can turn a perfectly good PC into a troubleshooting project.

For years, Windows users have relied on backups, system images, or the aging System Restore feature when something went wrong. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Update Windows with the July 2026 Update for Point-in-Time Restore.

Microsoft is now introducing a more modern recovery approach called Point-in-Time Restore, a built-in Windows 11 capability designed to help users recover from software problems more quickly.

Point-in-Time Restore can restore apps, settings, and local user files captured in an available restore point. 

The goal is simple: reduce downtime and help users recover from problems without resorting to a full reinstall.

GPT Live Makes ChatGPT Voice Feel More Natural

GPT Live Makes ChatGPT Voice Feel More Natural

GPT Live makes talking with ChatGPT feel less like issuing voice commands and more like having a flowing conversation. It listens while it speaks, handles interruptions more naturally, and can draw on search and reasoning tools without ending the conversation.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 14, 2026

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Have you ever paused while talking to ChatGPT, only to have it assume you were finished and start answering?

That awkward rhythm has long separated AI voice assistants from real conversations. 

Most voice systems wait for silence, process what you said, and then respond. 

Even ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode primarily worked through distinct conversational turns.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Switch ChatGPT Voice to Live for more natural conversations.

GPT Live changes that pattern.

Introduced by OpenAI on July 8, 2026, GPT Live uses a full-duplex audio architecture. 

In plain English, it can listen and speak at the same time. 

That allows it to handle interruptions, brief pauses, corrections, and quick follow-up questions more naturally.

Stop Losing Your Place in Large Excel Spreadsheets

Stop Losing Your Place in Large Excel Spreadsheets

Microsoft Excel's Focus Cell feature highlights your active row and column, making large spreadsheets easier to read and navigate. If you regularly enter data, review reports, or analyze tables, this simple tool can help reduce mistakes and improve accuracy.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 13, 2026

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If you've ever worked in a spreadsheet with hundreds or thousands of rows, you've probably lost track of where you are. 

One misplaced click can leave you reading the wrong row, updating the wrong record, or comparing the wrong numbers.

Here's a Cool Tip: Turn on Focus Cell Before Working with Large Spreadsheets.

Instead of forcing your eyes to trace across a busy worksheet, Excel highlights both the active row and the active column, making your current position much easier to follow.

It is a small addition, but for anyone who spends time in large spreadsheets, it can make everyday work noticeably easier.

Throwback: How to Enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Paint

How to Enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Paint

Make Microsoft Paint easier on your eyes with Dark Mode! In just a few clicks, you can switch Paint’s bright interface to a sleek dark theme that's perfect for working at night and reducing eye strain. Learn how to enable this hidden productivity boost in Windows 11.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 8, 2026 (Originally published September 6, 2023)

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Do you find yourself squinting at your screen at night while using Microsoft Paint? 

If so, you're not alone. 

The light-colored interface can be harsh on the eyes, especially in low-light conditions.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Set MS Paint to the New Dark Mode in Windows 11

Master Your Investments With the New Google Finance App and AI Tools

Master Your Investments With the New Google Finance App and AI Tools

Google Finance is rolling out powerful portfolio tracking tools and a brand new Android app. Discover how custom AI briefings and smart insights can help you make better financial decisions.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 7, 2026

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Keeping track of multiple investments across different platforms often leads to frustration. 

Here is a Cool Tip: Automate Your Morning Market Research With The New Google Finance.

Google Finance recently updated its platform to solve the problem by consolidating your financial data and introducing smart analysis tools. 

With a new dedicated Android app and AI research features moving out of beta, managing your money is now much simpler. 

Whether you need a daily crypto briefing or a breakdown of your asset allocation, these updates offer significant value.

The New LinkedIn Features That Can Help You Get Found Faster

The New LinkedIn Features That Can Help You Get Found Faster

LinkedIn has quietly evolved from a digital résumé into a powerful platform for networking, content creation, professional visibility, and career growth. New AI-powered search, enhanced analytics, video tools, and verification features could help job seekers and professionals stand out in a crowded market.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 6, 2026

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If you think of LinkedIn as little more than an online résumé, you may be surprised by how much the platform has changed over the past year.

Here's a Cool Tip: Use LinkedIn's New AI Search to Find Better Opportunities.

LinkedIn has been adding new AI-powered discovery tools, deeper content analytics, video enhancements, creator features, and expanded verification options. 

These updates are designed to help professionals find better opportunities, build credibility, and better understand what content is driving engagement. 

LinkedIn continues to expand conversational AI search, content analytics, video experiences, creator tools, and verification capabilities.

Whether you're searching for a new job, growing a business, building a personal brand, or recruiting talent, these updates may help you work smarter and increase your visibility.

Use Digg’s AI News Radar to Spot Tech Trends Faster

Use Digg’s AI News Radar to Spot Tech Trends Faster

Digg is back again, but this version is less Reddit rival and more AI-powered news radar. It can help busy readers spot fast-moving tech and AI stories by scanning public signals from across the web.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 5, 2026

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Your tech feed can feel noisy, repetitive, and late. 

By the time a major AI story reaches a standard news app, it may already have bounced across X, GitHub, newsletters, podcasts, and private Slack channels.

That is the problem Digg is trying to solve with its latest reboot. 

Here’s a Cool Tip: Use Digg as an Early-Warning Radar.

Digg has shifted away from its short-lived Reddit-style relaunch and toward an AI-focused news aggregator built around public discussion signals, rankings, and story clusters. 

The current Digg Tech page shows Today’s Highlights, ranked tech stories, and, live-feed style indicators, video signals.

Master Your Day With the New Gmail AI Inbox

Master Your Day With the New Gmail AI Inbox

The new AI Inbox in Gmail (beta) transforms how you view your daily messages by placing a personalized daily briefing right in your left-hand navigation column. You can stop scrolling through endless promotional emails and start your day by addressing high-priority action items automatically surfaced by Gemini AI.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 4, 2026

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Publisher's Note: Sneak Peek!

Google is currently testing the new AI Inbox with a limited group of users before rolling it out broadly in the coming months. If you do not see this feature in your account today, consider this your exclusive first look. Read on to see how it works, and keep an eye on your left-hand navigation menu so you are ready to use this smart assistant the moment it arrives for you.

Opening an email account often feels like walking into a crowded room where everyone is shouting at once. 

Critical messages get buried under newsletters, receipts, and social media notifications. 

Managing that flow of information takes valuable time away from actual work.

Here's a Cool Tip: Click the AI Inbox in your left sidebar to see a smart daily briefing of your most important tasks.

Google recently introduced a solution to this clutter with the new AI Inbox. 

Instead of leaving you to sort messages manually, Gmail now provides a dedicated, proactive assistant space right in the left-hand navigation column.

Master Classical Music With Google Blob Beats

Master Classical Music With Google Blob Beats

Google Arts & Culture offers a browser-based arcade game that combines classical music with rhythm mechanics. You can test your reflexes while learning fun facts about historical composers.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 3, 2026

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Everyone needs a quick mental break during a busy day of drafting documents and answering emails. 

Instead of mindless scrolling, you can challenge your timing and learn a bit of musical history. 

Here is a Cool Tip: Play Google Blob Beats to test your rhythm and enjoy classical music.

Google released a fun web experiment a few years ago that remains a fantastic way to clear your head for a few minutes.

The game brings iconic classical compositions to life in a completely new format. 

You take control of colorful animated characters and tap along to remixed masterpieces. It requires no installation, runs entirely in your browser, and offers a surprising level of challenge.

5 Siri Tricks That Save Time on Your iPhone

5 Siri Tricks That Save Time on Your iPhone

Siri has grown into a practical assistant that can handle everyday tasks with speed and clarity. These five uses show how it can simplify messaging, navigation, organization, and quick questions.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 2, 2026

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You open your phone dozens of times a day. 

Send a message. 

Check directions. 

Set a reminder. 

Look up a quick fact. Each task pulls you into a different app and breaks your focus.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Talk to your iPhone instead of tapping.

Siri’s strength is simple. 

It lets you do all of that without tapping through menus. 

With newer Apple Intelligence features, it can also handle more natural conversations and more complex requests across apps.