Google Earth at 20, 400M Windows PCs Gone, Microsoft’s AI Mandate

Tech Gumbo

News and Updates:

• Google Earth turns 20 — Google celebrates two decades of Earth exploration with historical Street View now added to Google Earth. Highlights include viral launches, disaster response after Katrina, aiding scientific discoveries, the Saroo Brierley story from Lion, and the viral #somewhereonGoogleMaps trend.
• 400 million Windows PCs vanished — Microsoft quietly revealed Windows active devices dropped from 1.4B in 2022 to 1B in 2025 as home users retire PCs without replacing them. The market is shifting toward business and mobile-first devices.
• Microsoft offers cheaper Windows 10 security updates — Instead of a $30 fee, consumers can now enroll in Extended Security Updates with 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or by using Windows Backup on OneDrive.
• The Blue Screen of Death turns black — Windows 11’s infamous BSOD gets a minimalist black redesign in version 24H2, ditching the frowny face and QR code in favor of a cleaner UI.
• Windows 11 restore points now expire faster — With the June 2025 update, system restore points in Windows 11 24H2 expire after 60 days instead of 90, requiring users to monitor backups more closely.
• Microsoft makes AI use mandatory for staff — Company leaders are pushing employees to adopt internal AI tools like GitHub Copilot, with some teams considering AI usage as a formal review metric starting next fiscal year.