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End of life for Dropbox Paper apps

End of life for Dropbox Paper apps

Dropbox has announced that the mobile apps and desktop version of Dropbox Paper will be retired on 9 October 2025. After this date, the mobile apps and desktop version will cease to function. The mobile apps will no longer be available to update or download on the App Store or Play Store.

Users will need to switch to the web version of Dropbox Paper at paper.dropbox.com before this date. However, all existing documents and collaboration features will remain available through the web – it is only the dedicated apps which are being retired by Dropbox.

If you are currently using any apps for Dropbox Paper, we recommend switching over to the web version now. This will ensure that you are able to access all of your Paper documents via your browser ahead of the retirement date for the apps.

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Changes to registration details for domain names

Changes to registration details for domain names

Domain name registration details are undergoing changes due to new data privacy regulations and the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP). These changes will impact registrant information – what information is collected, stored, and publicly displayed about the registrant of a domain. The shift is towards reduced data sets and increased privacy including GDPR compliance.

What is RDAP?

Behind every domain name lies data about ownership, administrative, and technical contacts. The WHOIS protocol, first developed in the 1980s, has previously been the primary means of accessing this data. However, WHOIS lacked consistency (it has no standard output format) and security measures suitable for modern infrastructure and privacy regulations.

It is being replaced by the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) which has better readability and complies with privacy regulations. For example, RDAP can provide differentiated access, e.g. for security services vs the general public. It therefore aims to address the security and consistency concerns of WHOIS.

RDAP became the official source for accessing domain registration data on 28 January 2025, although WHOIS continues to be available. ICANN has already mandated that gTLD (generic Top-Level Domains e.g. .com, .org, .net) must support RDAP by 2025 but country code TLDs (ccTLDs) are still at various stages of adoption.

Impact on registrant information

From 30 June 2025, global domain registries reduced the registrant information collected to match the minimum data sets outlined by RDAP. This means that the following data will no longer be required from the registrant:

  • Organisation
  • State/Province and postal code
  • Fax number
  • Additional administrative, technical, or billing contacts

By or on 21 August 2025, domain registrars will delete extra data still held on file if it is no longer required by the minimum data set or they will ensure it will no longer be publicly accessible.

Overall, this appears to be a positive step in removing outdated information (such as fax numbers) and increasing privacy (masking full addresses). However, with fewer details being available it may mean that domain names are harder to verify as belonging to genuine organisations or persons, which could thus be a challenge with the ever increasing scale of cyber crime.

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Anthropic releases two new AI models

Anthropic releases two new AI models

Anthropic has announced the release of its most advanced AI models to date – Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4 – which focus on complex and sustained tasks.

Whilst much of the discussion in the industry remains centered on ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, both of which are powered by OpenAI models, Anthropic has strengthened Claude’s ability to perform long-running processes such as coding, research, data analysis, and technical writing.

Claude Opus 4 is positioned as the company’s most capable model, designed to handle extended workloads and complex instructions, including writing and maintaining large codebases. Sonnet 4, a smaller but upgraded version of its predecessor, also has improvements in reasoning, coding, and instruction-following.

Both models include support for tool use and can work with local files to extract and retain key information across sessions. This aims to enable more agent-like behaviour, where the model can be used to support or automate parts of larger workflows rather than just answer individualised queries. Anthropic has also added new developer features to its API, such as code execution tools, prompt caching, and file handling capabilities – all features aimed at enterprise automation and developer use cases.

This release is part of Anthropic’s broader push to establish its models as reliable, high-performance agents rather than purely conversational tools. Smaller and newer than rival OpenAI, it has also tried to position itself as the safest AI model. However, the company has not escaped controversy – just last week, Reddit filed a lawsuit in San Francisco alleging that Anthropic used Reddit user content without consent to train its models. The company also released a report accompanying the launch which acknowledges the potential of Claude Opus 4 to resort to ‘extremely harmful actions.’

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Google Vids to become core service in Google Workspace

Google Vids to become core service in Google Workspace

Google has confirmed that its AI-powered video creation tool, Google Vids, will become a core service within all Google Workspace subscription plans. Until now, it has only been available to customers on higher-tier plans. From 29 April 2025, Google will expand access to users on Business Starter, Enterprise Starter, and Workspace for Nonprofits plans.

This follows Google’s previous expansion of AI tools in Workspace subscriptions, with access to Gemini and Notebook LM already having been added to the core service in February 2025.

Initially available for 12 months on these plans, Google Vids will be included under existing Google Workspace agreements, meaning no action will be required to enable it. There will also be no increase in cost to the current pricing model.

All users will have full access to the suite of generative AI features within Vids. These include the “Help me create” script writing tool, AI-generated voiceovers, a read-along teleprompter, and a “generate a video” option.

The tech giant has reassured users that data protection, confidentiality and compliance measures already in place across Workspace will apply to Google Vids and its AI features.

You can see more information about Google Workspace and pricing options here: directionforward.com/hosting/google-workspace

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Skype to be retired in May 2025

Skype to be retired in May 2025

Microsoft has announced that Skype will be retired on 5 May 2025, as part of a shift to consolidate its communication services under Microsoft Teams. The tech giant wants Teams to be for both professional and personal use.

Founded in 2003, Skype was once at the forefront of online communication and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Its popularity has waned in recent years as other platforms such as Zoom and Teams became available and offered improved solutions.

Skype will remain operational until the retirement date next month, allowing users time to make the switch or consider other options, but Microsoft is encouraging Skype users to make the transition to Teams now. Users can log into Teams using their Skype credentials and users will find their existing chats and contacts available in Teams. During the transition period, Skype and Teams users will also be able to call and message each other across platforms for continuity.

Teams offers many of the same core features including 1:1 and group calls, messaging, and file sharing. However, users who do not wish to move to Teams can export Skype data, including chat history, contacts, and call records, until January 2026. At this time, all Skype data will be automatically deleted, unless manually exported or removed beforehand.

Microsoft has also announced that paid Skype services are no longer available to new users. This includes Skype Credit and subscriptions for international and domestic calling. Existing subscribers can continue using these services until the end of their current renewal period. After 5 May, remaining Skype Credit users will only have access to the Skype Dial Pad via the Skype web portal and within Teams.

Microsoft is providing relatively well for the transition, and retirement of Skype has been increasingly likely due to lack of development on this service, with Microsoft’s focus being very much on Teams. However, this official announcement does not give much time at all for users, the vast majority likely being individual consumers, to make the switch. Individual consumers do not necessarily have the knowledge or resources (e.g. an IT department) to support them in such a transition. And it’s safe to assume that many entrenched users of Skype are still using the service and haven’t already switched to Teams because they either do not want to or have struggled to do so.

A longer official period of transition would have been more user friendly. Also, somewhat surprisingly, electroiq.com lists Skype’s worldwide market share of messaging apps at 16% for Q1 of 2025. Which is, in fact, more than Teams! And not at all insignificant; circa half of Zoom, the same as Discord, and more than FaceTime. The assumption, therefore, is that Microsoft are looking to combine their userbases of Teams and Skype, to increase their overall standing in online communications.

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Closing Dates for Easter 2025

Closing Dates for Easter 2025

We will be closed for the Easter weekend from 12pm on Thursday 17 April through to 9am on Tuesday 22 April.

Please note that support is not available during this period due to public holidays. All contact methods – including phone lines, other email inboxes and texts – will not be monitored during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

For contracted support please raise a ticket at directionforward.com/support or email [email protected], and we will address it as soon as possible after the break.

The team at Direction Forward wish you all a happy Easter!

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End of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019

End of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019

Microsoft has announced that Office 2016 and Office 2019 will reach their official end of support on 14 October 2025. Organisations or individuals using this software should consider upgrading to newer options to maintain security and reliability, and to ensure continued connectivity to services such as Microsoft 365.

After this date, the defined support lifecycle will come to an end, and Microsoft will cease providing critical services and updates for Office 2016 and Office 2019. These include:

  • Technical support: Users can no longer rely on Microsoft’s assistance for troubleshooting or resolving problems
  • Bug fixes: Any newly discovered issues will not be resolved, potentially impacting functionality
  • Security fixes: Vulnerabilities identified after the end of support date will not be patched

These changes present a potential security risk to organisations continuing to use Office 2016 or Office 2019 beyond 14 October 2025. Therefore, upgrading to a supported version of Office is recommended. The two main choices are:

  • Microsoft 365, the subscription-based version of Office which provides continuous updates and new features for the apps, as well as ongoing support
  • Office LTSC (long term service channel), a one-time purchase option for Home or Business which is restricted to features available at its initial release but includes perpetual support

You can see prices and more information about Microsoft 365 licenses here.

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Gemini and NotebookLM AI tools now part of core Google Workspace service

Gemini and NotebookLM AI tools now part of core Google Workspace service

Google has announced a significant update to its Google Workspace subscriptions and access to its AI tools. Starting from February 2025, Gemini and NotebookLM are now generally available as part of core service for Business and Enterprise plans. These tools were previously only available under paid addon licenses, but are now accessible to all subscriptions, including Business Starter plans.

The tech giant says it hopes to streamline AI accessibility and encourage broader adoption of its generative AI features as a result of this change. But it should be noted that this comes alongside a subscription price increase for all Google Workspace plans, in order to reflect these expanded features.

Gemini

Gemini provides AI-powered assistance for summarising, drafting, and retrieving information. Its capabilities focus on improving productivity, and it is directly integrated into the Google Workspace products (including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Meet). Gemini also supports creating professional documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and videos from scratch. Gemini Advanced, which seems to be positioned as a competitor of ChatGPT, can handle more complex tasks like coding, research, and data analysis.

You can find out more information about Gemini here.

NotebookLM

This AI research assistant and note-taking tool previously required a separate paid license, but is now also part of the core service. It is designed to help users interact with their documents (or Sources) efficiently, such as interpreting complex topics, synthesising ideas from multiple sources, and generating insights. It can create Study Guides, Briefing Documents, Audio Overviews, and collaboration opportunities. NotebookLM Plus is aimed at larger teams. It offers additional features and higher usage limits and is available with Business Standard, Plus, and Enterprise subscriptions.

You can find out more about Google Workspace on our website. To discuss purchase options, please get in touch.

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We are now a Squarespace Partner

We are now a Squarespace Partner

We are pleased to announce that we have been officially recognised as a Squarespace Gold Partner. This status highlights our expertise in designing and building on the Squarespace platform.

As a Gold Partner, we can offer our clients exclusive benefits, including:

  • 20% off the first year of a new Squarespace website subscription
  • Extended 6-month free trials, allowing more time to refine and perfect your site before launch
  • Priority support, ensuring faster resolution of any queries or issues for our clients
  • Early access to new Squarespace features, keeping our websites at the forefront of innovation

For more information or to discuss your next project, please get in touch.

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