Easier updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, your LinkedIn password could be up for sale, Uber's Trip Tracker tracks trips, grab a new (old) Xbox Gamertag, and watch BB-8 get an XP makeunder.

Microsoft Makes Windows Updates Easier

Microsoft is making it easier to update Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, with efforts to both ease the process of reinstalling Windows from scratch, and keeping it updated in the future.

First, and most importantly, Microsoft has released what it calls a "convenience rollup" for Windows 7. Which is a new service pack in all but name. This convenience rollup includes all security and non-security updates released since Windows 7 SP1 in 2011.

As Microsoft explains, "Install this one update, and then you only need new updates released after April 2016". Unfortunately, this won't be released via Windows Update, meaning you have to download it manually from the Windows Update Catalog.

Secondly, Microsoft is rolling all non-security updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 into a monthly update. This means that, apart from urgent security updates needed to keep your PC safe, you should only have to run Windows Update once a month to stay on top of things.

In Microsoft's ideal world we would all be upgrading to Windows 10, but it's nice to see the company not ignoring the needs of those choosing to stick with older operating systems.

LinkedIn Passwords Are Up for Sale

A hacker is currently hawking the email/password combinations for 117 million LinkedIn accounts. These credentials were reportedly stolen in 2012, meaning anyone who hasn't changed their LinkedIn password since then should do so immediately or risk having their account compromised.

LinkedIn was hacked in 2012, and 6.5 million passwords were posted online. However, if the claims being made by a hacker named Peace are true, many more passwords were stolen at the time. Peace is asking for five Bitcoin ($2,200) for the database, and selling it on the Dark Web.

LeakedSource [Broken URL Removed], which has also obtained the database, told Motherboard that these LinkedIn credentials were "kept within a small group of Russians," until now. It remains unclear how they have suddenly found their way into the wider world, but all signs point to them being the real deal.

Uber Launches Trip Tracker

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Uber has launched a new tool designed to help you keep an eye on a family member or friend using Uber. The tool, called Trip Tracker, is a new feature for those using Family Profiles, which allows one person to pay for Uber rides for their family and friends.

Trip Tracker means the person in charge (and therefore paying for the rides) of a Family Profile can receive details of any journeys undertaken. As well as being automatically notified when a journey begins, you can follow the progress live on a map.

This should offer an extra layer of safety and security for the person taking an Uber, and extra peace of mind for the head of the household. To use Trip Tracker, you'll need the latest version of the Uber app, and a Family Profile set up in your name.

Microsoft Releases 1 Million Gamertags

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Microsoft has released nearly one million Gamertags that were previously unavailable for use. These Gamertags are "from the original Xbox era" and belong to accounts that "never migrated to Xbox 360 and as a result they have been inactive for quite some time".

These new (old) Gamertags will be available to all "Xbox Live Gold customers with active subscriptions and at least 1 year of cumulative Xbox Live Gold tenure". Unfortunately, Microsoft isn't publishing a list of the Gamertags, which means you'll have to keep searching until you find the one you want.

You can change your Gamertag on Xbox.com, from the Windows 10 Xbox app, or on the Xbox One itself. Changing your Gamertag will not affect your Gamerscore, Achievements, or Friends list.

What If BB-8 Ran on Windows XP

And finally, BB-8 is the latest Star Wars robot to have won us over with his cuteness and loyalty. But would we feel the same way about BB-8 if he looked, sounded, and acted like he was powered by Windows XP? This video suggests not. In fact, we may have hated BB-8 more than we hated Jar Jar Binks.

Which is odd really, as Windows XP is one of the greatest operating systems of all time, and still beloved by millions to this day. I guess we just don't want our robot companions to sound like XP, or any version of Windows for that matter. Props to the person who made this for the inclusion of Clippy though. [H/T PewPewPew]

Your Views on Today’s Tech News

Will you be making use of Microsoft's new convenience rollup? Have you changed your LinkedIn password since 2012? Will you be using Uber's Trip Tracker to keep an eye on family or friends? Are you interested in changing your Xbox Gamertag? Do you prefer the Windows XP-powered BB-8?

Let us know your thoughts on the Tech News of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.

Tech News Digest is a daily column paring the technology news of the day down into bite-sized chunks that are easy to read and perfect for sharing.

Image Credit: Christiaan Colen via Flickr