Weekly WordPress News: WebP by Default For WordPress 6.1

Hey, WordPress friends.

We are checking in with your latest dose of weekly WordPress news. 

This week, Gutenberg 13.8 is released with fluid typography, accessibility improvements, UX enhancements and a load of bug fixes.

Meanwhile,  a vulnerability was patched in the popular Download Manager plugin. Wordfence suggests updating to the latest patched version if you haven’t yet. 

Beyond that, WebP will be the default image format in the upcoming WordPress 6.1 release. WPTavern’s post on the subject is garnering some mixed reactions. 

We also have a lot of other interesting tutorials, deals, and resources for you, as usual.

Let’s get to all of this week’s news. 

WORDPRESS NEWS AND ARTICLES

• What’s new in Gutenberg 13.8? – now available in the WordPress plugin repository.
• WebP by Default Merged Into Core for WordPress 6.1 – intended to replace JPEG, PNG, and GIF file formats.
• High Severity Vulnerability Patched in Download Manager Plugin – more details from Wordfence.
• Cross-Site Request Forgery Vulnerability Patched in Ecwid Ecommerce Shopping Cart Plugin – update to the patched version if you haven’t yet.
• SiteCare Acquires Maintainn – SiteCare’s second acquisition of a WordPress maintenance business.
• Introducing the ultimate WooCommerce products filter plugin – a better option for finding products more easily.
• WordPress Vulnerability Report – August 3, 2022 – the regular iThemes vulnerability report.
• Gutenberg Contributors Experiment with Custom Labeling of Blocks in List View – a nice to have feature. 
• JetMenu – check out this new plugin from the Crocoblock team.
• Alt Text Magic – this new plugin automatically adds ALT text to your site images.

TUTORIALS AND HOW-TOS

• How to Create WordPress Redirects to Another Page, External URLs, or a Subdomain – a guide from Cozmoslabs.
• How to Create Dynamic Blocks for Gutenberg – a tutorial from Kinsta.
• The Ultimate Guide to WordPress Recovery Mode – a detailed guide from Elegant Themes. 
• WebP Image Guide: How to Use WebP Format with WordPress – as the title says.
• What is Wireframing? A Beginner’s Guide – everything you need to know about wireframing.
• How to Eliminate Render-Blocking Resources in WordPress – five different ways to do so.
• How to Use the WooCommerce Mobile App to Manage Your Shops – for WooCommerce shop owners.

RESOURCES

• Getwid Review: Add New Blocks & Functionality to Your WordPress Website – check out our hands-on review of this plugin.
• FooEvents Review: Sell Tickets Online Without Commission or Fees – we put this events plugin to the test.
• Eventin AppSumo Deal – a $59 lifetime deal on this ticketing plugin. 
• EWWW Image Optimizer AppSumo Deal – get a lifetime deal on this plugin for $99.
• OceanWP Summer Deal – get up to 50% off on Bundle plans.
• What is a WordPress Developer with Ebonie, Lisa, Kathy and Robbie – revisiting the question ‘What is a WordPress Developer?’
• Jonathan Wold on How Partnerships Might Help Your WordPress Business – a new episode from the WP Tavern Jukebox podcast.
• “We’re not a small village anymore.” A Conversation with Kim Lipari – the latest from Post Status Podcasts.
• How Accessible Is WordPress? – an episode of MasterWP’s Press the Issue.
• The World of WordPress on World Wide Web Day – the thirty-seventh episode of the WordPress Briefing.