Tested: Windows 11’s new Outlook now beats Outlook Classic at one thing (unified inbox), and the Mail app it killed had it first

windowslatest.com Oct 26, 2026

Tested: Windows 11’s new Outlook now beats Outlook Classic at one thing (unified inbox), and the Mail app it killed had it first

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 26, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft has rolled out an “All Accounts” view to the new Outlook for Windows, delivering a unified inbox that aggregates messages from every linked account. The feature, announced in June and deployed from late September to late October, adds a folder‑pane section that combines Inbox, Drafts, Sent, Archive and other folders across accounts, allowing users to read, delete, search, move, archive and flag mail without switching mailboxes. Activation is optional via Settings > Mail > Folder pane. Admin controls are slated for release later this month. The update restores a capability previously available only in the retired Windows Mail app. Early testers report faster triage of work and personal messages, though cross‑account search and shared mailbox support remain incomplete for power users in enterprises.

💡 Why It Matters

· By finally offering a unified inbox on Windows, Outlook closes a long‑standing usability gap that forced many professionals to juggle multiple apps, accelerating adoption of Microsoft's new mail platform.

Read full article on windowslatest.com

Some seven years later, the iTunes Store is making an unlikely come-back

Apple’s retired iTunes desktop app has resurfaced as a niche sales channel for top pop artists. Since the 2019 shutdown, the company split iTunes into separate Music, Podcasts and TV apps, and streaming has dominated. Yet the Financial Times reports a “countermovement” in which musicians such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Doja Cat, Summer Walker and Tinashe release iTunes‑only tracks or live versions to drive digital purchases. Ariana Grande’s surprise iTunes exclusive of a live “Petal” album lifted the record from No. 15 to No. 6 on the Billboard chart, while Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” earned higher first‑week sales from physical and digital copies than from streams. Apple continues to market iTunes to labels, and industry observers are watching whether the strategy can sustain adoption.

💡 Exclusive iTunes releases let artists convert superfans into direct buyers, instantly boosting chart rankings in a streaming‑centric market.

techcrunch.com · Oct 26

The best apps for tracking your reading and discovering new books

A new roundup highlights five emerging book‑tracking apps that blend library management, goal setting, AI‑driven recommendations and social features. Fable pairs reading logs with a community feed, offering free access and a $5.99‑per‑month “Plus” tier for custom goals and analytics. Bookshelf positions itself as a Goodreads alternative, using AI to generate summaries, insights and thematic analyses, with premium features at $6.99 a month. Pagebound enables asynchronous discussion through progress‑based forums, charging $9.99 monthly for profile tweaks. StoryGraph focuses on data‑rich habit tracking and mood‑based suggestions, offering a free tier and a $4.99 StoryGraph Plus subscription for advanced charts. Margins caters to “mood readers” with vibe‑based discovery, aesthetic shelving and a meditation timer, available free on iOS and Android.

💡 These niche platforms show how personalization and community are reshaping reading apps, pulling users away from legacy services toward more tailored, interactive experiences.

windowscentral.com · Oct 26

I found 5 new ways PowerToys can make Windows 11 easier to…

Microsoft’s open‑source PowerToys suite for Windows 11 has been updated to version 0.102, adding five new utilities aimed at streamlining everyday desktop tasks. Mouse Button Lock lets users press a mouse button briefly, after which PowerToys holds it down virtually, simplifying large selections and drag operations and offering an accessibility aid for users who struggle to maintain pressure. CursorHide can automatically conceal the pointer while typing or after a period of inactivity, reducing visual clutter. The Command Palette receives a Compact mode that pins frequently used commands for quick launch via Alt + 1‑9 shortcuts and supports reordering and right‑click options. Expanded command‑line support introduces CLI commands for Advanced Paste, Light Switch, Settings, Peek and PowerDisplay, enabling script‑based control of PowerToys utilities. Together, these features enhance productivity, accessibility, and automation on Windows 11.

💡 By turning routine mouse actions and UI navigation into one‑click or scriptable events, PowerToys 0.102 lets power users shave seconds off repetitive workflows, a tangible boost for anyone spending hours in the Windows environment.

9to5mac.com · Oct 25

Indie App Spotlight: ‘Flipcorder’ lets you shoot retro footage on your iPhone…

Flipcorder, an indie app highlighted in 9to5Mac’s Indie App Spotlight, lets iPhone users record short 20‑second clips that automatically compile into a single 30‑minute tape, mimicking a classic camcorder. Optimized for the iPhone Duo’s larger display, the app offers VHS and MiniDV‑style playback alongside high‑quality video. Available for a one‑time $4.99 purchase on iOS 26+, it contains no ads or in‑app purchases, supporting all iPhone models.

💡 By reintroducing tape‑style recording, Flipcorder gives creators a nostalgic workflow that encourages spontaneous, unedited storytelling—an antidote to today’s polished, over‑edited content culture.

9to5google.com · Oct 24

Gemini Notebook now available as Connected App for deeper integration

Google has expanded Gemini Notebook’s functionality by adding a Connected App integration that lets users manage and query notebooks directly within Google Chat using natural language. The new feature automatically triggers when relevant prompts appear, enabling users to retrieve data, create new notebooks, add sources, and save notes without leaving the chat interface. The integration is enabled by default for all users worldwide, except in the European Economic Area, and is available to Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google account holders.

💡 The seamless in‑chat access to Gemini Notebooks streamlines workflow, reducing context switching and boosting productivity for users who rely on real‑time information retrieval.

9to5google.com · Oct 24

Google Messages rolling out Enhanced Protection mode against spam and scams

Google Messages for Android is launching an opt‑in Enhanced Protection mode to combat spam and scams. The new feature adds three core capabilities: Scam Detection, which uses cloud Gemini models and Android’s Private AI Compute to analyze message context and identify sophisticated attacks; enhanced link protection, employing on‑device Gemini Nano and real‑time web signals to assess link safety; and redesigned warnings that give users more time and context before tapping unfamiliar links. The update is available on select Pixel, Samsung, and other devices and can be enabled in the app’s settings.

💡 By shifting advanced threat analysis to the cloud while keeping data private, Google strengthens user security without compromising privacy. The feature’s rollout signals a broader industry move toward AI‑driven, device‑centric protection against evolving spam tactics.