They started fixing Windows!

This week the first updates for Windows K2 roll out with performance improvements and fixes, Chrome quietly downloads 4GB of Gemini AI models without asking you, and renewables offset gas prices during Iran war in Germany.

Episode 300

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►►► News & product links ◄◄◄

Windows K2 Run dialog: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11s-new-run-box-is-what-happens-when-microsoft-actually-cares-replaces-legacy-windows-95-era-dialog-with-something-new-and-better

Windows K2 performance boost: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-is-working-on-major-performance-boost-for-windows-11-that-will-speed-up-app-launches-and-common-actions-by-automatically-maxing-out-cpu-in-short-bursts

Xbox stripping Copilot: https://x.com/asha_shar/status/2051746410660593933

Chrome's 4GB Gemini install: https://www.thatprivacyguy.com/blog/chrome-silent-nano-install/

Fraunhofer Renewables paper: https://energy-charts.info/energy-charts_talks/Energy-Charts_Talks_59_Strompreis_Gaspreis.pdf

If a line starts with "*" it's an affilate link. I earn a commission if you buy through it.

*Energizer child-safe batteries: https://geni.us/6kw2QS

*Remarkable Paper Pure: https://geni.us/13GL1X

*DJI Osmo Mobile 8p: https://geni.us/gPd9fY

*Fitbit Air: https://geni.us/ToLFZh2

Apple Siri AI settlement: https://www.ft.com/content/f2c6a27e-8ed9-487c-9384-7e0f0dca3061?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Apple AI choice: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-05/ios-27-features-apple-plans-to-let-users-swap-models-across-apple-intelligence

Ouster: https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/04/ousters-new-color-lidar-is-coming-to-replace-cameras/

Samsung Galaxy Watch fainting: https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsung-galaxy-watch-can-predict-fainting-in-world-first-innovation/

Samsung retreat from China: https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsung-is-officially-done-selling-tvs-and-home-appliances-in-china/

EU Chinese inverter: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/04/eu-moves-to-ban-high-risk-inverters-from-china-over-cybersecurity-threats

MacBook Neo restart: https://www.culpium.com/p/apple-doubles-macbook-neo-production

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►►► TechAltar links ◄◄◄

https://patreon.com/techaltar

Social media:

https://mas.to/@techaltar

https://threads.net/@techaltar

https://bsky.app/profile/techaltar.bsky.social

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►►► Attributions & Time stamps◄◄◄

Music by Edemski: https://soundcloud.com/edemski

Stock assets: Getty Images

0:00 Intro

0:20 Windows K2 starts

1:53 Chrome's 4GB download

3:30 Renewables vs Iran war

5:05 Stonks

5:27 Release Monitor

6:41 The Brief

9:03 Q&A