Intel prevents you from overclocking its CPUs, Google bans Flash ads completely, Microsoft reveals Windows 10 changes, Google protects your emails, and Space Invaders is even more fun in real life.

Intel Closes Overclocking Loophole

Intel is closing the loophole that allows people to overclock non-K Skylake CPUs. This loophole, that was actively being used by various motherboard manufacturers, made non-K Skylake CPUs great value for money, as overclocking improved their performance close to that of more expensive processors.

However, Intel is releasing a microcode update which will stop users from increasing the bclock setting on the processors in question. The company told PC World:

"Intel regularly issues updates for our processors which our partners voluntarily incorporate into their BIOS. The latest update provided to partners includes, among other things, code that aligns with the position that we do not recommend overclocking processors that have not been designed to do so. Additionally, Intel does not warranty the operation of the processor beyond its specifications".

The only way current owners can keep overclocking their non-K Skylake processors is by skipping any and all future BIOS updates. However, that means also skipping any new features and bug fixes rolled into motherboard updates. Which is risky.

Google Bans Flash Ads

Google is banning display ads built using Flash from its platform entirely. Marketers have until June 30, 2016 to switch to using HTML5, as that's the date after which Flash ads will no longer be displayed in AdWords or DoubleClick Digital Marketing. On January 2, 2017, Flash ads will also be banned from the Google Display Network.

Unfortunately, video ads built in Flash will not be impacted at this time. However, Google is one of a number of tech companies busy hammering nails into the coffin of Adobe Flash, along with Mozilla, Facebook, and others. Hell, even Adobe know it's game over, having recently changed the name of the platform from Adobe Flash Professional CC to Adobe Animate CC.

Microsoft Details Windows 10 Updates

Microsoft will now detail the changes made in every update to Windows 10, bowing to pressure from users demanding to know what improvements are being made. Up to now, Windows 10 has been updated in the background, with Microsoft not being particularly open about specific changes made to its last operating system ever.

The new Windows 10 Update History page will track all changes made to Windows 10, starting with the initial version (Build 10240 from July 2015), and version 1511 (Build 10586 from November 2015). Microsoft will update the page as it releases more updates, with the whole thing building into a repository charting the evolution of Windows 10.

Google Warns of Unsecured Emails

Google has always encrypted emails coming in and out of Gmail. However, it cannot guarantee that the other person involved in the conversation is doing likewise. Thankfully, Google can at least inform you this is the case, which is exactly what it will do from now on.

If you send or receive a message from someone whose service doesn't support encryption you'll see a broken lock in the right-hand top corner. And if you receive an email from someone who cannot be authenticated, you'll see a question mark rather than a photo, logo, or avatar.

Google made this change to mark Safer Internet Day (Feb 9). The company also began offering 2GB of additional Google Drive storage for anyone completing a security checkup on their Google account.

Play Space Invaders in Real Life [NSFW]

And finally, if you're old enough to remember playing Space Invaders down the local arcade, you'll love this video. Until you realize these idiots got paid to play video games in real life, while you're stuck in a boring office job. There really is no justice in the world.

It turns out that playing Space Invaders in real life is even tougher than in an arcade. It's also messy, and painful. However, it does still look like bags of fun, and without the danger of playing something like Call of Duty in real life. You know, with guns and stuff. [H/T The Awesomer]

Your Views on Today's Tech News

Are you annoyed at Intel for stopping you overclocking? Are you glad to see Google ditching Flash ads? Are you interested in reader more details of Windows 10 updates? Are you pleased to see Google upping its security efforts? What retro game would you like to play in real life?

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: Dmitry Grigoriev via Flickr