Hasta La Gadget!

Roku has begun running video ads that automatically play before loading the home screen, as reported by Ars Technica. This is impacting owners of Roku-branded smart TVs and streaming sticks, so long as the device runs the company’s proprietary OS. It’s worth noting that Roku users already see commercials on the home screen itself, so folks have to suffer through an ad to get to the ads.

Multiple users have reported seeing commercials for the movie Moana 2, though there does seem to be an option to close the video. A Roku spokesperson shared a company statement that confirmed the new ad placement but said it’s just a test. The company declined to comment on whether or not this would become a permanent fixture within the OS.

Our business “has and will always require continuous testing and innovation across design, navigation, content, and our first-rate advertising products,” the statement read. “Our recent test is just the latest example, as we explore new ways to showcase brands and programming while still providing a delightful and simple user experience.”

As expected, Roku users aren’t exactly pumped about this new ad-delivery method. Some have suggested that they would get rid of their devices if the company keeps the test going. Many consumers have expressed that they are fine with the static ads seen on the home screen, but that a loud video is simply a bridge too far.

As a whole, Smart TVs have become a serious growth market for advertisements. These TVs are high-tech and, as such, they track our viewing habits at nearly every turn. Some companies actually lose money on the hardware and make most of their profits via our eyeballs. Roku, as an example, lost $44 million on its physical devices in 2023, but made nearly $1.6 billion with its ads and services products.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/roku-testing-auto-play-video-ads-before-loading-the-home-screen-171517685.html?src=rss

Microsoft unintentionally removed its AI assistant, Copilot, from Windows 11 with its latest update, released on March 11, 2025. The update, which aimed to improve security and fix system bugs, also led to the unexpected disappearance of Copilot from the operating system. Many users noticed that the AI assistant had been unpinned from the taskbar, raising concerns about whether it had been removed intentionally.

The accidental removal of Copilot has sparked mixed reactions among Windows 11 users. While Microsoft has been heavily investing in artificial intelligence and integrating it into its software ecosystem, not all users are enthusiastic about AI-powered features. Some welcomed the update, happy to see Copilot gone, while others found its absence disruptive to their workflow.

Microsoft Responds and Provides a Temporary Fix

Microsoft quickly acknowledged the issue and confirmed that it was an unintended bug. The company assured users that it is actively working on a fix to restore Copilot in upcoming updates. In the meantime, affected users can manually reinstall Copilot by downloading it from the Microsoft Store.

Copilot’s Ongoing Evolution

This incident highlights Copilot’s shifting role within Windows. Initially, Copilot was fully integrated into the operating system, but later, Microsoft transformed it into a web-based shortcut. More recently, the company has been working to reintegrate it as a native feature. Some newer Windows PCs even include a dedicated Copilot key on their keyboards.

Despite these efforts, Copilot’s functionality appears to be less integrated than before. Recent versions no longer make direct system changes, but instead provide instructions for users to adjust settings manually. This shift raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term strategy for AI on Windows.

Who is affected by the Bug?

The bug affects multiple versions of Windows, including:

• Windows 11: Versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2 (update KB5053598)
• Windows 10: Versions 22H2 and 21H2 (update KB5053606)

Microsoft Accidentally Removes Copilot AI In Latest Windows 11 Update

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Microsoft unintentionally removed its AI assistant, Copilot, from Windows 11 with its latest update, released on March 11, 2025. The update, which aimed to improve security and fix system bugs, also led to the unexpected disappearance of Copilot from the operating system. Many users noticed that the AI assistant had been unpinned from the taskbar, raising concerns about whether it had been removed intentionally.

The accidental removal of Copilot has sparked mixed reactions among Windows 11 users. While Microsoft has been heavily investing in artificial intelligence and integrating it into its software ecosystem, not all users are enthusiastic about AI-powered features. Some welcomed the update, happy to see Copilot gone, while others found its absence disruptive to their workflow.

Microsoft Responds and Provides a Temporary Fix

Microsoft quickly acknowledged the issue and confirmed that it was an unintended bug. The company assured users that it is actively working on a fix to restore Copilot in upcoming updates. In the meantime, affected users can manually reinstall Copilot by downloading it from the Microsoft Store.

Copilot’s Ongoing Evolution

This incident highlights Copilot’s shifting role within Windows. Initially, Copilot was fully integrated into the operating system, but later, Microsoft transformed it into a web-based shortcut. More recently, the company has been working to reintegrate it as a native feature. Some newer Windows PCs even include a dedicated Copilot key on their keyboards.

Despite these efforts, Copilot’s functionality appears to be less integrated than before. Recent versions no longer make direct system changes, but instead provide instructions for users to adjust settings manually. This shift raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term strategy for AI on Windows.

Who is affected by the Bug?

The bug affects multiple versions of Windows, including:

• Windows 11: Versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2 (update KB5053598)
• Windows 10: Versions 22H2 and 21H2 (update KB5053606)

Microsoft Accidentally Removes Copilot AI In Latest Windows 11 Update

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Microsoft unintentionally removed its AI assistant, Copilot, from Windows 11 with its latest update, released on March 11, 2025. The update, which aimed to improve security and fix system bugs, also led to the unexpected disappearance of Copilot from the operating system. Many users noticed that the AI assistant had been unpinned from the taskbar, raising concerns about whether it had been removed intentionally.

The accidental removal of Copilot has sparked mixed reactions among Windows 11 users. While Microsoft has been heavily investing in artificial intelligence and integrating it into its software ecosystem, not all users are enthusiastic about AI-powered features. Some welcomed the update, happy to see Copilot gone, while others found its absence disruptive to their workflow.

Microsoft Responds and Provides a Temporary Fix

Microsoft quickly acknowledged the issue and confirmed that it was an unintended bug. The company assured users that it is actively working on a fix to restore Copilot in upcoming updates. In the meantime, affected users can manually reinstall Copilot by downloading it from the Microsoft Store.

Copilot’s Ongoing Evolution

This incident highlights Copilot’s shifting role within Windows. Initially, Copilot was fully integrated into the operating system, but later, Microsoft transformed it into a web-based shortcut. More recently, the company has been working to reintegrate it as a native feature. Some newer Windows PCs even include a dedicated Copilot key on their keyboards.

Despite these efforts, Copilot’s functionality appears to be less integrated than before. Recent versions no longer make direct system changes, but instead provide instructions for users to adjust settings manually. This shift raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term strategy for AI on Windows.

Who is affected by the Bug?

The bug affects multiple versions of Windows, including:

• Windows 11: Versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2 (update KB5053598)
• Windows 10: Versions 22H2 and 21H2 (update KB5053606)

Microsoft Accidentally Removes Copilot AI In Latest Windows 11 Update

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Microsoft unintentionally removed its AI assistant, Copilot, from Windows 11 with its latest update, released on March 11, 2025. The update, which aimed to improve security and fix system bugs, also led to the unexpected disappearance of Copilot from the operating system. Many users noticed that the AI assistant had been unpinned from the taskbar, raising concerns about whether it had been removed intentionally.

The accidental removal of Copilot has sparked mixed reactions among Windows 11 users. While Microsoft has been heavily investing in artificial intelligence and integrating it into its software ecosystem, not all users are enthusiastic about AI-powered features. Some welcomed the update, happy to see Copilot gone, while others found its absence disruptive to their workflow.

Microsoft Responds and Provides a Temporary Fix

Microsoft quickly acknowledged the issue and confirmed that it was an unintended bug. The company assured users that it is actively working on a fix to restore Copilot in upcoming updates. In the meantime, affected users can manually reinstall Copilot by downloading it from the Microsoft Store.

Copilot’s Ongoing Evolution

This incident highlights Copilot’s shifting role within Windows. Initially, Copilot was fully integrated into the operating system, but later, Microsoft transformed it into a web-based shortcut. More recently, the company has been working to reintegrate it as a native feature. Some newer Windows PCs even include a dedicated Copilot key on their keyboards.

Despite these efforts, Copilot’s functionality appears to be less integrated than before. Recent versions no longer make direct system changes, but instead provide instructions for users to adjust settings manually. This shift raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term strategy for AI on Windows.

Who is affected by the Bug?

The bug affects multiple versions of Windows, including:

• Windows 11: Versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2 (update KB5053598)
• Windows 10: Versions 22H2 and 21H2 (update KB5053606)

Microsoft Accidentally Removes Copilot AI In Latest Windows 11 Update

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.