Rating QuickBooks, and other tech stories you may have missed

November 12, 2025 9:30 AM

Comparing QBO and QuickBooks Desktop, the end of Windows 10, and Xero's big buy, plus seven other developments in technology this past month that you may have missed, and how they'll impact your clients and your firm.

1. QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop (2025 comparison)

Intuit's Ariege Misherghi speaking at QuickBooks Connect

QuickBooks Online is now the default choice for most users, offering better flexibility, collaboration, and automation, while QuickBooks Desktop (Enterprise only) remains ideal for complex inventory and industry-specific needs. QBO is cloud-based software, accessible via browser or mobile, supports up to 25 users, and integrates with more than 750 apps. QuickBooks Desktop is only available as Enterprise edition since September 2024, supports advanced inventory and industry-specific tools — FIFO tracking, barcode scanning, bin locations — but requires local installation or paid hosting. (Source: Forbes)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: This is a great comparison and important for any business owner trying to figure out which version of QuickBooks is best for their business. One thing to consider: using a hosting company that specializes in QuickBooks Desktop so you can have the online experience while still taking full advantage of the additional features that the Desktop version offers.

2. Windows 10 support ends

Simon Lehmann/PhotoGranary - stock.adobe.com

Windows 10 is no longer receiving security updates after Oct. 14, 2025, making it unsafe to use. Microsoft urges users to upgrade to Windows 11 or consider alternatives, as no more security patches or updates will be provided. Delaying further action leaves Windows 10 users vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. (Source: Tom's Hardware)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: You think you're saving money by sticking with Windows 10 — but you're not. As I write this, there are countless bots trolling online looking for devices running older operating systems. Why? Because the creators behind these bots know that these operating systems are not receiving security updates and therefore they're easy to attack and then gain access to corporate networks. Upgrading your operating systems to the most recent version won't guarantee your online safety. But with so many people ignoring this warning, there is a lot of low-hanging fruit for hackers to go after. You don't want to be part of that group.

3. Xero buys a payment processor

On Oct. 15, 2025, Xero Limited announced that it completed its acquisition of Melio Limited (and its subsidiaries). Melio is a U.S.–based small and midsized business bill-pay platform, enabling easier accounts payable workflows and multiple payment options.

Why this is important for your firm and clients: I'm seeing a growing number of small businesses adopt automated accounts payable platforms that can read incoming supplier or vendor invoices, match against receiving reports, bring into an accounting system and then schedule payment. Most of these platforms are standalone and integrate with other major accounting software. Xero seems to be incorporating this into its own feature set, which means a one-stop-shop for support and (hopefully) better integration. I'm betting most accounting platforms will be doing the same in the coming years.

4. OpenAI launches Atlas browser

filins - stock.adobe.com

OpenAI launched its new AI-powered web browser "Atlas" which could rival Google by integrating its ChatGPT technology with real-time internet browsing. The tool will allow users to retrieve current information from the Internet to answer questions — similar to how Google Search works, but with a conversational/interactive twist. This could make ChatGPT more useful for queries that require up-to-date data — impacting the flow of web traffic to other online publishers — and impacting revenue from digital ads. Atlas has officially launched on Apple's iOS system and will soon be active on Microsoft Windows. (Source: Associated Press)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: The long-term goal here is agentic browsing: Tell your browser what to do (pay bills, reconcile accounts, run payroll, place an order with a supplier) and it just clicks through to accomplish the task. No more humans. All of this sounds great, but we're still years away from reliability. But it's coming.

5. Google Gemini can now help you schedule time

Google has introduced a new Gemini-powered feature in Gmail called "Help me schedule," which simplifies finding meeting times by integrating with your Google Calendar. (Source: Google)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: How does this work? According to Google, when replying to an email about scheduling a meeting, Gmail now detects this intent and shows a "Help me schedule" button in the toolbar. Clicking the button activates Gemini, Google's AI assistant, which analyzes the email's context, checks your Google Calendar availability, and suggests meeting times that work for you. Gemini will then insert suggested times directly into your email reply. Once the recipient selects a time from those options, the meeting is automatically scheduled on Google Calendar and invites are created for all participants. A demonstration of "Help me schedule" is posted on the Google Workspace blog.

6. OpenAI launches apps inside of ChatGPT

Viral ChatGPT Spurs Concerns About Propaganda and Hacking Risks

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto

Announced at its developer conference, OpenAI now lets you use apps directly inside ChatGPT, making conversations more interactive and personalized. To enrich the user experience, you can now interact with apps like Booking.com, Spotify, Figma, Coursera, Zillow and Canva directly within ChatGPT. For example, users can say things like "Figma, turn this sketch into a diagram" or "Coursera, teach me machine learning" to activate apps. Some apps can display videos pinned to the top of the chat window and respond to user input. According to OpenAI, the system is built using Model Context Protocol, enabling apps to connect their data sources and render interactive user interfaces inside ChatGPT. OpenAI says users must collect minimal data and be clear about permissions. (Source: TechCrunch)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: Here's the goal: companies use ChatGPT as their main portal. You're using applications inside this portal. You're integrating your ERP, CRM, HR and other applications inside this portal. You're bringing in both inside and outside data in this portal. You're using the portal to create videos, images and other content. None of this is out of the box. But the tools are available to start this journey. Some business platforms may choose to build themselves inside ChatGPT's portal. Or you may need to hire a developer to do the work. Other AI Assistants — Gemini, Copilot, Claude, etc. — are doing the same thing. You'll be asked as a business owner to get in bed with one of them, for better or worse.

7. Microsoft Teams adds pop-out window for channels

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Microsoft Teams is introducing a new pop-out window feature for channels (previously available only for chats). This means users can open channel conversations in a separate window, enabling better multitasking and visibility across multiple conversations. (Source: TechRadar)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: Currently, according to the report, Teams supports pop-out windows for 1:1 chats, letting you open a conversation in its own window. But channels (group/team conversations) did not have that pop-out ability until now. Microsoft says it expects the feature to be rolling out soon — possibly next month — to desktop clients. By the end of the year, the company says that Teams will be able to update work locations through automatic recognition of WiFi networks. The update is part of a larger push to enhance coordination and productivity in hybrid work settings.

8. Perplexity CEO: AI browser will boost productivity

freshidea - stock.adobe.com

Perplexity's CEO Aravind Srinivas says their new Comet AI browser could significantly boost productivity and add trillions to the U.S. GDP. Describing Comet as a "true personal assistant" that allows users to complete more tasks in the same amount of time, Srinivas said it could save individuals up to $10,000 per year in productivity value. (Source: CNBC)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: Not sure where the $10,000 annual savings comes from. Regardless, I've downloaded the Comet AI browser and have been using it over the past week or so. It's as good as Chrome, which has been my go-to browser before. With most browsers like Chrome you have to navigate to your AI Assistant or go into "AI Mode" for a full interactive experience. This comes out of the box with Comet. I'm not seeing huge productivity savings yet, but that's likely due to my inexperience with the product.

9. AI tools change how workers complain

Stuart Miles

AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping how employees file workplace complaints — often making them sound more legally sophisticated than they are. Employees are submitting complaints that resemble legal documents, quoting laws and citing statutory violations. These complaints often appear to be written by lawyers but are likely generated by AI tools like ChatGPT. (Source: JD Supra)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: Firstly, good for the employees. If they've got a beef and need an AI assistant's help to make a good argument, that go for it. But please: Check your facts. According to the authors, employers may feel alarmed by the formal tone and legal references, but many claims misapply employment law, lacking key elements like protected classifications (e.g., race, gender) that are necessary for legal liability. As well, AI-generated complaints may confuse workplace disputes with legally actionable claims. Experts suggest that employers should calmly assess the substance of a complaint before reacting to the legal-sounding language — and look for tell-tale signs of an AI-generated complaint such as overly formal phrasing.

10. Newsom signs the first-in-nation AI safety law

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a landmark bill — SB 53, the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act — aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in California. The law requires companies developing advanced AI systems to publicly disclose their safety and security protocols and report potential risks to the state. Companies must also report any incidents of cyberattacks without human oversight with whistleblower protections in place for AI workers. Sen. Scott Weiner of California, who authored the bill, proposed an earlier version (SB 1047) that was vetoed by Newsom last year. His determination paid off with this updated version of the bill. "With a technology as transformative as AI, we have a responsibility to support that innovation while putting in place commonsense guardrails to understand and reduce risk," Weiner said. (Source: Politico)

Why this is important for your firm and clients: All of this sounds great in theory. But report to exactly who at the state? I'm not sure I have much confidence in state regulators even understanding the latest developments in AI technology, when even the leaders at our AI companies don't fully understand them either. Will this be better for business? Will this protect human civilization? Or will this bill just add more bureaucracy and regulatory oversight to an industry that is driving growth in this country?