The week in digital: Copilot on your files, Gemini’s free tier and an email deadline
Copilot’s local file access, Gemini’s free-tier change, Microsoft’s EWS deadline, an Atlassian patch, the OAIC’s smart-glasses probe and the ATO card delay.
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Deadlines, price changes and new rules for Australian businesses, soonest first.
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WhatsApp calls can now include people who don’t have WhatsApp
WhatsApp users can now send a call link to anyone, who joins from a desktop browser with just a name. How guest calls work, their limits and the privacy controls.
Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro have had their last security update. Check your PCs
Microsoft’s October 2026 security update was the last for Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro. How to check your version and move to 25H2 or 26H2.
Apple HomeView, the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2: Australian prices and dates
Apple’s HomeView smart display and new Apple TV 4K are A$449 each, on sale 13 November. HomePod mini 2 is A$229 from 30 October, without Siri AI at first.
AUSTRAC has started issuing fines over enrolment. Here’s who has to enrol
AUSTRAC is issuing infringement notices of up to $21,840 to businesses it believes failed to enrol under anti-money laundering law. Who is covered.
Gemini 4 Argon is out, but in the Gemini app it needs Google’s A$32.99 plan or above
Google’s new top model, Gemini 4 Argon, is rolling out to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. Free and AI Plus accounts don’t get it. What it costs here.
Acer’s convertible Googlebook is coming to Australia in November, from A$2,599
Acer says its Googlebook 14, the first Googlebook that folds into a tablet, reaches Australia in November from A$2,599. It starts at US$899 in North America.
Practical guides
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How to set up a shared business inbox without sharing a password
Microsoft 365 shared mailboxes and Google Workspace shared inboxes let a team answer info@ or accounts@ from their own logins. Here is how to set each up.
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How to back up Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace data
Recycle bins and admin restores in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace run out in weeks or a few months. What each keeps, and how to add a real backup.
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Meta ads vs Google Ads for a local service business
How Meta and Google ads differ for an Australian local service business: targeting, budgets, GST, call and lead formats, and tracking, from each company’s own pages.
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Your turn
Quiz archiveThe weekly quiz
How closely did you follow the week?
Question 1 of 5
What starting price does Microsoft’s Australian store list for Surface Laptop Ultra?
Show answer
Answer: B. A$4,399 including GST
Microsoft’s Australian store lists Surface Laptop Ultra from A$4,399 including GST, with a 16 October release date. US$2,599 is Microsoft’s announced US starting price.
Question 2 of 5
Once Google’s changes apply, which Gemini model family stays available to personal accounts without an AI subscription?
Show answer
Answer: A. Flash-Lite
Google’s table lists Flash-Lite for personal accounts with no AI subscription. AI Plus adds Flash, and AI Pro and Ultra add Pro.
Question 3 of 5
When does Microsoft’s final shutdown of Exchange Web Services (EWS) in Exchange Online start?
Show answer
Answer: D. 1 April 2027
Microsoft says the final EWS shutdown in Exchange Online starts on 1 April 2027, with no extensions. The 10 October change requires an app allow-list for tenants explicitly configured with EWSEnabled=True.
Read the story: Microsoft 365’s October email change: check your connected apps
Question 4 of 5
What does Atlassian say Cloud customers must do about the CVE-2026-21589 file-access flaw?
Show answer
Answer: C. Nothing: affected Cloud products are already patched
Atlassian says affected Cloud products are already patched and Cloud customers need take no action. Self-managed installations need the fixed release.
Read the story: Atlassian’s critical file-access flaw needs an urgent check with your IT provider
Question 5 of 5
What is Square’s Australian Instant Transfer fee from 1 October 2026?
Show answer
Answer: B. 1.95%
Square’s Australian Payment Terms raised the Instant Transfer fee from 1.5% to 1.95% from 1 October 2026. It comes on top of card-processing fees, and standard next-day transfers stay free.
Read the story: Square’s Australian Instant Transfer fee has risen to 1.95%
A new quiz comes out every Friday with the briefing. Get the Friday briefing by email
Reader poll of the week
Will your workplace let Copilot or another AI assistant read files on staff computers?
Reader polls aren’t scientific: they show how readers who chose to vote answered. One vote per reader. Background: Copilot will reach into files on Copilot+ PCs, and Surface Laptop Ultra starts at A$4,399