Microsoft announces they won’t support Office 365 on Windows 10, D-Wave achieves a quantum computing milestone, TikTok prepares to shut down in the U.S. this Sunday, and a group of Canadians launch a bold initiative to help secure the countries economic future.
Welcome to Hashtag Trending. I’m your host, Jim Love. Let’s get into it.
Microsoft Ends Support for Office Apps on Windows 10 After October 2025
Microsoft will officially end support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 starting October 14, 2025. The apps will still function, but users could face reliability issues over time. This announcement aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to transition users to Windows 11. Despite high pressure efforts, including this latest announcement, adoption has been slow—the site StatCounter reports that 63% of Windows users are still running Windows 10.
One major hurdle is Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0, which renders many older PCs incompatible. Microsoft is refusing to back down on that. At CES 2025, Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi stated, “We believe that one of the most important pieces of technology people will refresh in 2025 is their Windows 10 PC, moving forward with Windows 11.”
For users unable to upgrade, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates at an added cost of $30 a year for consumers with the price rising for each additional year.. These updates may buy time, but it’s clear that the push to upgrade will continue.
D-Wave Sells First Commercial Quantum Computer
Canadian quantum computing firm D-Wave has achieved a major milestone, selling the world’s first commercial quantum computer.
If you are puzzled at how you could hear recent announcements that quantum computing was decades away and yet this company is selling a commercial computer, the answer lies in the different approach that D-Wave has taken. Their system uses what’s called quantum annealing, a technology D-Wave has championed that doesn’t require the massive infrastructure of “classical quantum processors” which use what is called a gate based approach.
D-Wave’s annealing method is not only operational but it is powerful in dealing with optimization problems in the real world like supply chain management and scheduling. Unlike gate-based quantum computing, which remains experimental, quantum annealing is already delivering practical results.
CEO Alan Baratz said, “This sale demonstrates the near-term usefulness of quantum systems in solving real-world problems.” The buyer remains undisclosed,
In addition, D-Wave has launched a partnership with Carahsoft Technology which has deep contacts in the US government which could lead D-Wave to be considered in applications in defense, logistics, and cybersecurity.
Meanwhile, NVIDIA is heavily investing in quantum computing, despite CEO Jensen Huang’s caution that widespread adoption might still be two decades away. The sector is gaining momentum, with companies like Microsoft committing to making businesses “quantum-ready” by 2025. D-Wave’s sale marks a turning point, as quantum computing transitions from research to practical solutions.
TikTok Plans Immediate Shutdown for U.S. Users on Sunday
TikTok is planning to shut down its app for U.S. users this Sunday, January 19, in response to a US federal ban. The app, which boasts 170 million U.S. users, will direct people to save their data before going offline. Signed into law last year, the ban prohibits new downloads and updates, citing concerns that TikTok’s Chinese ownership could compromise user privacy.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has been ordered to divest its U.S. operations to continue running the app domestically. And while TikTok is in jeopardy, alternative apps are gaining traction. Two other Chinese apps Xiaohongshu and Lemon8, another ByteDance product, have surged in popularity, and are being downloaded and used by those in the US. At least one of these apps requires adherence to the Chinese constitution and early videos are surfacing which are done by Americans by are distinctly “pro-China” and often critical of the US. While its still early, it might appear that the US legislation could backfire and drive users to apps that are even more strictly controlled by the Chinese communist government.
TikTok is appealing to the Supreme Court to overturn the ban, but with no decision expected before Sunday, millions of users are scrambling to adapt.
Canadian SHIELD Institute Launched to Secure Economic Sovereignty
And a group of Canadian innovators are taking bold action to protect the countries economic future. The Council of Canadian Innovators has launched the Canadian SHIELD Institute, supported by an initial $10 million donation from Jim Balsillie. Many will remember Balsillie as one of the founders of Blackberry.
Balsillie remains an active entrepreneur and investor, but also devotes himself to efforts to advance Canadian innovation and to help secure its economic future.
This new institute aims to tackle challenges like economic sovereignty, national security, and innovation in critical sectors such as technology, energy, and housing.
Benjamin Bergen, President of the CCI, called the institute a response to growing economic pressures, particularly from the U.S. “We need bold, forward-thinking solutions to safeguard Canada’s prosperity,” he said. The institute plans to host events, conduct research, and provide policy recommendations to help Canada assert leadership on the global stage.
As Canada faces economic threats, this initiative signals that some Canadians won’t sit idly by. Instead, the institute represents a proactive step toward resilience and innovation, ensuring the country’s long-term prosperity and security.
Outro
That’s our show for today. Remember this weekend we have an exclusive interview with Jim Balsillie and a frank discussion of Canada’s current economic issues, how they came about and what we need to do to address them.
For fans of our AI related show Project Synapse, you can find this week’s show on YouTube. Just search for Tech Newsday. And there will be a link in the show notes at TechNewsday.ca or .com – take your pick.
You can reach me with comments, tips, or constructive criticism. I’m your host, Jim Love. Have a fabulous Friday.