> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/product-updates/2026/october-2026.md).

# October 2026

What's been released, changed, and improved across the Dscout platform

{% updates format="full" %}
{% update date="2026-10-20" tags="improvement" %}

## Desktop diary activities no longer require the Dscout browser extension

Participants completing a desktop activity in a diary study no longer need the Dscout browser extension. They complete the activity right in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, and are never prompted to install anything.

Nothing else about the experience changes. Screen recording, photo and video capture, and the entry flow all work exactly as they did before, and there's nothing for you to turn on or configure.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Studies already in progress:** If a participant saved a draft entry before this release, they'll finish that particular entry the way they started it—with the extension. Any new entry they start is extension-free.
{% endhint %}

For more information, see [Device options in a diary study](/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/device-options-in-a-diary-study.md).

#### Other improvements

* In a desktop diary activity, photos and videos now upload as soon as the participant answers each question, rather than all at once after they submit. If an upload fails, the participant can retry it on the spot—which means fewer entries reaching you with media missing.
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2026-10-13" tags="feature,new-release,improvement" %}

## AI moderated studies are now generally available

AI moderated studies are out of beta. An AI moderator runs conversational, interview-style sessions with your participants—asking follow-ups, seeking clarification, and digging into what each person says—so you get the depth of a moderated interview at the speed and scale of an unmoderated study.

For more information, see [AI moderated studies](https://help.dscout.com/ai-moderated-studies/what-are-ai-moderated-studies).

## Scale an interview study with AI moderator

Already run a round of moderated interviews? You can now turn them into an AI moderated study that asks the same questions, in the same order, so you can hear from more participants without scheduling another session.

For more information, see [Scale an interview study with AI moderator](https://help.dscout.com/interview-studies/manage-an-interview-study/scale-an-interview-study-with-ai-moderator).

## Upload an HTML prototype straight to your study

Not every prototype lives in Figma, and not every prototype is ready to be published to a public URL. You can now upload one directly to your study as task stimuli: drop in a single `.html` file or a `.zip` of a whole static site, and Dscout hosts it for your participants. There's nothing to deploy and no share link to manage.

For more information, see [Upload an HTML prototype to a study](https://help.dscout.com/study-basics/testing-prototypes/upload-an-html-prototype-to-a-study).

#### Other improvements

* **“Task URL” is now “Task stimuli”.** You'll now see **Task stimuli** wherever you previously saw **Task URL**: on the task question itself, on the **Task stimuli** button at the top of the builder, and in the **Task stimuli manager**. For more information, see [Task questions](https://help.dscout.com/study-basics/question-types/task-questions).
  {% endupdate %}
  {% endupdates %}


---

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