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This document provides a brief overview of various software applications available for Linux users. It mentions MAUI's Index as a capable file manager with features like a tabbed interface, search function, and file previewer. QDirStat is recommended for visualizing disk usage with its graphical map representation. VokoscreenNG is a versatile screencasting tool, while Atop is a system monitor that provides detailed information about resource usage. Sleek is a to-do app that balances simplicity and functionality, and SimpleX Chat is a messenger app prioritizing privacy and direct communication. RustDesk is a customizable remote desktop application, UnCiv is a turn-based strategy game, Naikari is a space exploration game, and Nyxt is a highly configurable web browser. Lastly, Pin It! is a utility that helps create .desktop files for AppImages. [Extracted from the article]

Password managers Because passkeys are intended to replace passwords, some of the most popular password managers have adopted an "if you can't beat them, join them" approach. Because passkeys are bound to specific websites and apps, they safeguard you against phishing scams that trick you into entering your login details on fake sites and apps. You may already use one of these options to unlock mobile apps that contain sensitive information, like the NHS app or your banking app. Whether you store them in your browser, on Post-it notes or in your head, passwords are a necessary evil for protecting your online accounts. [Extracted from the article]

The article reviews the Murena's Fairphone 4, a first 5G privacy conscious and sustainable phone, with a focus on its privacy-respecting operating system.

The article discusses the iPhone Operating System (iPadOS) 17 update, which includes new customization options, including Lock Screen with widgets, a Health app optimized for iPads, an overhauled Messages app, and the creation of Live Stickers from photos. It highlights features like AutoFill for Portable Document Format (PDFs), collaborative annotation in Notes, FaceTime enhancements, Freeform tools, and offline maps, making the iPad experience more versatile and efficient.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a redesigned foldable phone that offers a wider and shorter form factor compared to its predecessor. It features a visually appealing design with a polished frame and matte glass on the rear. The phone has a 6.3-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch internal display with a square aspect ratio, making it ideal for full-screen usage. The Z Fold 6 offers top-tier performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, but its battery life is not as impressive. It runs on Android 14 with Samsung's OneUI 6.1.1 interface, which is optimized for foldable devices. The camera system remains the same as the previous model, offering decent results but not on par with competitors. Overall, the Z Fold 6 is considered one of the best foldables available, although it falls short in some areas. [Extracted from the article]

The Mac mini has a 10-core GPU while the iMac has a 7- or 8-core one. However, that does not necessarily mean that the crossover within the Mac lineup and between Macs and top-end iPads need be as tricky to navigate as it is. START There is little more thrilling for an Apple fan than getting to pick out a new Mac. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Milepost Zero update for the video game Fallout 76. The update introduces caravanning, allowing players to manage their own caravan outpost and unlock unique items. The article also mentions the Best Builds feature, which allows players to showcase their base building creations and potentially be featured in the game. Additionally, the update includes improvements to combat and the crafting of Legendary items. The update is expected to be available in Fallout 76 soon. [Extracted from the article]

Gmail and Outlook don't provide reliable encryption Although Gmail offers encryption over an HTTPS connection when you're reading and writing messages, your emails can still be intercepted by third parties. WHY YOU SHOULD STOP USING GMAIL & OUTLOOK Gmail and Outlook collect your personal data Google no longer reads the content of your emails so it can target you with ads - a controversial practice it stopped in 2017 - but it still monitors your Gmail account and collects data about how you use the service. BEST ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO ACCESS GMAIL & OUTLOOK Thunderbird www.thunderbird.net Rather than ditch Gmail or Outlook for another service, you can access your account through an alternative email client. FEATURES WHAT YOU CAN DO • Stop Google and Microsoft spying on your email usage • Encrypt messages so only the recipients can read them • Block all spam and stop safe senders being blocked • Automatically remove hidden trackers from emails • Access Gmail and Outlook through an alternative inbox • Set your private emails to expire after a specific time • Keep using Google tools without a Gmail address Gmail and Outlook may be the most popular webmail services, but as with Chrome and Edge - two other Google and Microsoft tools - that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best. [Extracted from the article]

The app will work on iPad and iPhone, but Apple Pencil support means the iPad will be the best canvas for getting the most out of Freeform. D SAFARI APP WINDOW By default Safari will show just the current window, but if you tap the Safari icon in the doc you'll be presented with thumbnails of all your Safari tabs/groups. DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS DIAGRAM: iPadOS 16: TIPS, TRICKS & SECRETS PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) APP STACKS Stage Manager's App Stacks work rather like Safari tab groups, but show your most recently used apps. [Extracted from the article]

Apple has reluctantly made changes to its iOS operating system in response to new EU regulations aimed at increasing competition. These changes include allowing third-party web browsers on iPhones and permitting third-party payment apps to use the iPhone's NFC chip for payments, bypassing Apple Pay. Additionally, the Digital Markets Act will allow third-party app stores on iPhones, ending Apple's monopoly on app installation. However, Apple is still imposing restrictions on apps from third-party stores, including the requirement for them to be "notarized" by Apple and charging a fee for popular apps. These changes will only apply to the 27 EU member states, not including Brexit Britain. Critics argue that Apple's response to the regulations is a form of "malicious compliance" and predict that the EU may take enforcement action against the company. [Extracted from the article]

BEST ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO ACCESS GMAIL & OUTLOOK Thunderbird www.snipca.com/42560 Rather than ditch Gmail or Outlook for another service, you can access your account through an alternative email client. Gmail and Outlook don't provide reliable encryption Although Gmail offers encryption over an HTTPS connection when you're reading and writing messages, your emails can still be intercepted by third parties. Adding your Gmail or Outlook account is as easy as entering your email address, then allowing Spark Mail permission to access your data. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Stop Google and Microsoft spying on your email usage • Encrypt messages so only the recipients can read them • Block all spam and stop safe senders being blocked • Automatically remove hidden trackers from emails • Access Gmail and Outlook through an alternative inbox • Set your private emails to expire after a specific time • Keep using Google tools without a Gmail address Gmail and Outlook may be the most popular webmail services, but as with Chrome and Edge - two other Google and Microsoft tools - that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best. [Extracted from the article]

The Logitech Signature AI Edition M750 is a mouse that offers quick access to ChatGPT services through its green button. By downloading Logi Options+ and connecting to an OpenAI account, users can rephrase text, summarize it, or draft a reply with the press of a button. This integration is currently available on Windows and macOS only. The mouse also features programmable buttons and can be paired with three different devices. It is made with 61% recycled plastics and comes with a two-year warranty. [Extracted from the article]

Capturing text with your phone Scanning a document isn't just about convenient archival - it also enables you to perform optical character recognition (OCR), turning printed content into searchable text and enabling you to easily locate whatever information you need. Scanning photos with your phone If you want to digitise a printed photo, a dedicated scanner still has the edge. [Extracted from the article]

Asphalt Legends Unite is a free-to-play racing game that has made its debut on the PlayStation 5. It is an updated version of Asphalt 9: Legends, which was originally released on mobile platforms in 2018. The game features short races with simple objectives, such as drifting for a certain amount of time. The tracks are visually stunning and range from a ruined shipwreck to a tornado. Players have the option to use "TouchDrive," which allows for auto-driving while still being able to make decisions on routes, drifts, and boosts. However, acquiring all the cars in the game requires replaying challenges multiple times to earn blueprints and upgrading cars with coins. While the game is generous in the beginning, it may become challenging to keep up without spending a significant amount of time or money. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Google Pixel 8a, a more affordable version of the Pixel 8 smartphone. The 8a is faster than its predecessor, the Pixel 7a, and has a brighter screen. The camera takes impressive photos, although zooming in reveals some fuzzy details. The battery life is somewhat disappointing, but this is common for phones with demanding OLED screens. Overall, the Google Pixel 8a is a solid midrange phone that can handle demanding apps. [Extracted from the article]

Meteaure's Polaris is a new beatmaking app for Android devices, developed by former Arturia employee Baptiste Le Goff. The app offers a groovebox-style workflow with sample and synth engines, allowing users to create music in bursts on their phones or tablets. Polaris features a step-based sequencer with adjustable step duration and triggering conditions, as well as a Design page for tweaking each track's engine and an output section with distortion. While Polaris does not have recording capabilities, it offers a clean and concise interface and is ideal for creating loops quickly. The app is available on the Google Play store for $4. [Extracted from the article]

PostmarketOS, an operating system primarily for smartphones, has made progress towards its goal of supporting the mainline Linux kernel on all phones by introducing a version of the OS that builds on top of Systemd. While Alpine Linux, the parent OS of PostmarketOS, does not include Systemd, there are currently no plans to move away from it. Developers can now access several proof-of-concept images and build their own versions of PostmarketOS using Systemd. [Extracted from the article]

According to data from StatCounter, Linux is becoming increasingly popular as an operating system for desktop machines. As of March 2024, Linux accounts for 4.19% of all desktop operating systems, which is an all-time high for Linux desktop adoption. While this is still significantly lower than the market share of Windows (72%) and Mac OS (15.46%), it is a significant increase from just 2% two years ago. Factors contributing to this increase may include the availability of user-friendly distros like Ubuntu and Linux Mint, as well as the popularity of devices like the Steam Deck handheld. However, Linux still faces challenges, such as the perception that it is difficult to set up and use. The question of whether 2024 will be the "Year of the Linux Desktop" remains open. [Extracted from the article]

The Samsung 990 EVO is a new SSD that aims to strike a balance between performance and power. It is designed for laptops, OEMs, and pre-builts, offering enough performance for gaming and everyday activities. The drive features a new 5nm controller for improved efficiency and can operate in both x4 PCIe 4.0 and x2 PCIe 5.0 modes. However, the power efficiency of the drive is questionable, and it faces competition from the cheaper Samsung 990 Pro. Overall, the performance of the Samsung 990 EVO is decent, but its power efficiency could be better. [Extracted from the article]

Check your PC's compatibility Until very recently, the PC Health Check tool was only available to members of the Windows Insider preview programme. If your computer's existing specifications don't match up to Microsoft's requirements and you can't (or don't want to) upgrade its components, then buying a new PC is effectively your only other way of getting Windows 11. In the main part of its program window, PC Health Check will show a few seemingly random facts statistics about your computer's current status, including when Windows last checked for updates, what percentage of your storage you have remaining and so on. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Use Microsoft's PC Health Check tool to see whether your computer can run Windows 11 • Perform your own hardware check in your computer's system settings • Find out what's new in Windows 11 and what's been dropped from Windows 10 • Clear your storage so there's enough space to install Windows 11 • Fix Windows Update problems so Windows 11 installs smoothly • Back up your system so you can safely return to Windows 10 When Windows 10 launched in 2015, it felt like a big win for PC users. [Extracted from the article]

A good VM environment such as Parallels supports TPM 2 if you add in the TPM software solution to the hardware definition of a VM. I could ponder out loud how it is that I managed to get the Windows 11 beta working with no TPM installed, given that Microsoft is proclaiming TPM 2 to be a requirement. TPM in VM The question of TPM hardware is interesting, especially when it comes to a virtual machine environment. In a VM environment, the TPM module is a software wrapper in the VM to the underlying hardware. [Extracted from the article]

ANDROID & iOS Check if your passwords have been leaked online Google has updated its Password Manager in the iOS version of Chrome with a Password Checkup security feature. BEST NEW APPS What you should install this month OPERA BROWSER WITH AI Free* Android tinyurl.com/APC524op Following the release of its new PC browser, Opera has also updated its Android app. HOW TO ANDROID & iOS Transfer your WhatsApp chats to a new phone WhatsApp has made it easier to transfer your chat history to a new phone. [Extracted from the article]

According to an article in PC Pro, Android is becoming a popular operating system for laptops and PCs, not just smartphones. In October 2023, Android devices accounted for 37% of the OS market, surpassing Windows, iOS, macOS, ChromeOS, and desktop Linux. Lenovo is partnering with Android specialist Esper to create an all-in-one desktop Android PC. The author of the article uses a Chromebook, which runs on ChromeOS but relies heavily on Android apps for functionality. They praise the availability of mature Android apps and the freedom from Windows upgrades and malware. However, they also mention the limitations of ChromeOS and the need for local storage. The author hopes that Lenovo's partnership with Esper will lead to better integration between ChromeOS and Android. They suggest that Android PCs could be successful, especially among those who are familiar with Android phones and dissatisfied with Windows. [Extracted from the article]

Features One of the benefits of going with an Android phone for your daily driver is that you've got an almost limitless number of ways to customise it. 03 Install a new launcher Launcher apps take charge of your phone's home screen, app drawer, app icons and more - they give Android a complete visual revamp, and open up a whole host of new customisation options for you to play around with. [Extracted from the article]

Select "Transfer chats" (on Android) or "Chat transfer" (on iOS) and tap Start (see screenshot below left) to generate a QR code. ANDROID & iOS Check if your passwords have been leaked online Google has updated its Password Manager in the iOS version of Chrome with a Password Checkup security feature. Workshops & Tips ANDROID & iOS Transfer your WhatsApp chats to a new phone WhatsApp has made it easier to transfer your chat history to a new phone. [Extracted from the article]

How to: MASTERCLASSES howto» raspberry pi masterclass Raspberry Pi projects are never quite as straightforward as they appear. Create a new user, phablet and add it to sudoers: sudo adduser phablet sudo usermod -aG sudo phablet Change to user phablet and input the password when you're prompted: su - phablet Remove user pi: sudo deluser pi Finally, you can install the following components for Plasma Mobile: sudo apt -y install plasma-phone-components plasma-phone-settings plasma-settings kwin-wayland simplelogin dbus-x11 Follow this with a reboot; just a few moments later, the Raspberry Pi tablet should boast a shiny Plasma Mobile user interface. 4 LASMA MOBILE A solution to your Raspberry Pi touchscreen project that works very well, Plasma Mobile runs on Raspbian Lite. Set up Plasma Mobile on a Raspberry Pi 1 DECIDE ON PLASMA MOBILE If the idea of installing a new operating system on your Raspberry Pi for a tablet project doesn't appeal, consider Plasma Mobile. [Extracted from the article]

Q A friend who helps me with Windows 10 kept referring to "applications" and "apps". Undoubtedly, some people shortened "application" to "app", but for many years the accepted terminology was "application", or "program". It didn't help that Windows 8 also allowed traditional applications to run, on a separate Windows desktop. These days, Windows 10 will run both traditional applications and apps, side by side on the traditional Windows desktop - because apps no longer need to be full screen. [Extracted from the article]

From a practical standpoint, augmented reality apps can quickly project virtual objects into your living space. As of ARKit 1.5, AR apps on Apple devices can detect vertical as well as horizontal planes, revolutionizing everything from AR gaming to educational fare. Over a year ago, Apple rolled an AR module into iPad coding tutorial app Swift Playgrounds (free). ARKIT IS AN API (application programming interface) developers can use to build augmented reality apps. [Extracted from the article]

It means you can install only apps "approved" by Microsoft, and hosted in the Microsoft Store. While switching out of S mode would open your machine up to the whole world of Windows 10 apps - including Google Chrome - you might find that it quickly struggles with the full version of Windows 10 and its associated apps. But we do mean exactly like the one you forwarded: every link in the message you received leads to a legitimate Microsoft page, and we therefore must conclude either that it's a genuine Microsoft email or a completely pointless phishing effort! However, if you use Google's Chrome browser, then there is now an extension that'll fix things up, by presenting Google image-search results in a way that's practically identical the old layout. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft's radical decision to release Windows 10 for free in July 2015 ensured the operating system was taken up by huge numbers of users. Along with twice-yearly Feature updates, which add new features to Windows 10, Microsoft releases regular security updates and other minor fixes. Windows Update doesn't only deliver updates for the operating system, but also for drivers and Microsoft programs. If you prefer to be in control of how updates for programs are installed, click "Advanced options", then turn off 'Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows'. [Extracted from the article]

The Sonos Play:1 cannot play music directly from iPads using the latest operating system A Apple has split its original iOS mobile operating system, creating two distinct versions - one for iPhones and the other for iPads. The iPad's new operating system offers functions that differ from those on an iPhone I intend to update my golf club's computer to Windows 10, but I'm concerned about the disruption caused by Feature Updates. [Extracted from the article]

AUTUMN IS HERE, which for iPhone users means only one thing: a new version of iOS to get excited about. Siri works with competitors to Apple apps in iOS 13, like Google Maps and Spotify. Apps are only allowed to ask for your name and email address, and Apple will even create a unique email address that forwards messages to your real one so the app or website never knows your actual email address. The new Animoji and Memoji stickers are available on non X-series phones, but Apple hasn't said whether that applies to wider Animoji and Memoji features. [Extracted from the article]

Intel's Meteor Lake won't be a desktop part, as there won't be socketed versions; it'll be ball grid array packaging only. A company statement claims it "will power innovative mobile and desktop designs, including desktop form factors such as Allin-One". [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on five new features introduced in Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 17, including "NameDrop" for sharing contact information, "Listen to Page" for listening to print material, "Check In" for notifying contacts of your safe arrival and others.

Now called System Settings, it functions in much the same way as the old System Preferences, but instead of being arranged in a grid of preference panes, it's now far more like the Settings app in iOS and iPadOS, with a long list of individual settings options. HOW TO MAC OS Apple's ongoing plan to bring its operating systems closer together and form a single all-purpose ecosystem took another step forward with macOS Ventura, as System Preferences got an iOS-inspired makeover. 12 THIRD-PARTY APPS Apple's System Settings no longer includes any third-party apps that you have installed. [Extracted from the article]

12 Third - party apps Apple's System Settings no longer includes any third - party apps that you have installed. HOW TO Configure your Mac in System Settings 1 Open the menu To open System Settings, you can use > System Settings in the top - left corner of the screen, the Dock icon or the Launchpad. CREATE REQUIRES macOS 13 YOU WILL LEARN How to open and navigate System Settings to configure your Mac IT WILL TAKE 5 minutes APPLE'S ONGOING PLAN to bring its operating systems closer together and form a single all - purpose ecosystem took another step forward with macOS Ventura, as System Preferences got an iOS - inspired makeover. [Extracted from the article]

A new option in the Android version of the browser (it's been available in the iOS app for a while) stops this happening by letting you lock incognito tabs so they can only be unlocked using your fingerprint or screen-lock PIN. Workshops & Tips iOS Make emergency phone calls more easily Apple's latest update to its mobile operating system (iOS 16.3) updates the Emergency SOS feature to make it easier to call the emergency services on your iPhone. BEST NEW APPS What you should install this fortnight Pocket Free Android www.snipca.com/44933 Mozilla has updated its Pocket app for Android to make it easier to find interesting articles to read. [Extracted from the article]

Indeed, many services will explicitly tell you to use Google's app to scan the QR code that's displayed during the setup process, probably because it's assumed that over 50 percent of people will be using an Android smartphone, and if not, they will still have a Google account for which they can remember the password. But there are lots of different authentication apps, including Microsoft's aforementioned effort, LastPass Authenticator, and Zoho OneAuth, all of which do the job of providing you with a unique code when a 2FA-enabled website, app, or service requests one. All authentication apps work in the same way - when you enable it on your chosen service (Facebook, for example), the site will create a QR code that you scan using your chosen app. [Extracted from the article]

YOU'LL NEED THIS ANDROID, IOS, OR WINDOWS DEVICE Windows 10 or 11 Email software Headset or desktop mic VOICE RECOGNITION is improving every year and getting cheaper too. Windows asks you what kind of microphone you're using, giving you options for a headset mic, which it claims is the most suitable for voice recognition, a desktop mic, and "other", which is the option we selected because we're using a Blue Yeti microphone which costs around $100.». [Extracted from the article]

Highlights from the article: That's superficially similar to the existing arrangement on iOS, but while the Podcasts app is a port of the iOS version, Music is still basically the iTunes app, with much of its extra functionality intact. Apple led the way with some apps of its own, including News, showing that Marzipan worked but provoking criticism that they didn't feel like proper Mac apps. A new feature called App Exposé, accessed from app icons in the Dock or on the Home screen, shows you all the open instances of an app. Until now, however, the only way to install apps on the Watch was through the Watch app on your iPhone; the app would then appear on both devices.

The article evaluates Android launchers including the Microsoft Launcher, Computer Launcher, and the Bubble Launcher.

MORE THAN ONE in every five computers in active use today is a Mac, giving macOS the second largest share of the global personal computer market, according to StatCounter. Analyzing the global web usage share of PC operating systems between June 2022 and June 2023, StatCounter says macOS has an adoption rate of 21.4%, second only to Windows, still dominant with 68.2%. [Extracted from the article]