Summary
Overview
This tech news roundup covers Intel's impressive comeback with Panther Lake processors that compete with Apple's M-series chips, Microsoft's controversial practice of handing BitLocker encryption keys to law enforcement, TikTok's privacy policy changes under new American ownership, a critical Windows 11 boot failure bug, and various other tech stories including the Stop Killing Games movement's EU success and creative uses of retro gaming hardware.
Intel's Panther Lake Processors Mark Major Comeback
Intel has released its Core Ultra 300 series Panther Lake laptop processors, led by the flagship X9388H, and reviews show they're genuinely competitive with Apple's M-series chips. In single-core performance, these chips lead the Windows pack and only trail Apple's M4 and M5, while in multi-core they actually beat the M4 and nearly match the M5 despite the latter running at lower wattage. The integrated Arc B390 graphics also impressed, matching AMD's powerful Strix Halo chip watt-for-watt in gaming tests, suggesting Intel has successfully turned around its fortunes in the laptop processor market.
- Intel's Core Ultra X9388H leads Windows laptops in single-core performance, only beaten by Apple M4 and M5
- In multi-core performance, the chip beats M4 and nearly matches M5 while being competitive on efficiency
- The integrated Arc B390 graphics beat AMD's Strix Halo when matched watt for watt in some games
- Desktop Nova Lake lineup launching this fall, with Intel expressing confidence about competitiveness
- Intel's Tom Peterson claims AMD's integrated GPUs are not competitive, despite AMD dominating gaming handhelds
" Intel's back. As The Verge says, call it a comeback. You can indeed do that. "
" The vast majority of gaming handhelds and consoles use AMD graphics, while there's like two Intel ones, so I'm not sure what competition Tom is referring to here, but we love the confidence. "
Microsoft Hands Over BitLocker Encryption Keys to Law Enforcement
Microsoft has confirmed it regularly provides BitLocker encryption keys to law enforcement during investigations, receiving about 20 such requests annually and complying when legally required. The company can only provide keys that are automatically backed up to its servers when users sign into Windows with a Microsoft account, linking encryption keys to every machine users sign into. This practice has reignited debates about user privacy and whether tech companies should fight harder to protect encrypted data, with Senator Ron Wyden calling it irresponsible for companies to ship products that allow them to secretly turn over users' encryption keys.
- Microsoft gets requests for BitLocker keys around 20 times per year and complies with lawful requests
- Keys are automatically backed up when users sign into Windows with a Microsoft account
- Microsoft treats handing over keys as no different than responding to any other lawful data request
- Privacy advocates note it was once normal for Apple and Google to fight such requests more aggressively
- Users can still sign in with local accounts and request Microsoft delete their backed-up keys
" Senator Ron Wyden saying it is simply irresponsible for tech companies to ship products in a way that allows them to secretly turn over users' encryption keys. "
" Say it louder for the people in the back. "
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