Software

CheckMag LUMA Camera & Presets offers manual controls, RAW capture, and powerful presets for free, making it a solid alternative to Halide. Developer Rafal Kopiec shares how it cuts Apple’s auto-processing for true creative control, with no subscription models involved.

The Philips Hue app is now offering a range of Halloween-themed scenes for users of its smart lights. Appearing in the Hue Scene gallery are eight dynamic lighting effects, with a range of different color schemes. They have been automatically added to the brand’s smartphone app, without users needing to download an update.

Garmin is working towards offering a new stable update to its Forerunner 255, Forerunner 955, Forerunner 165, Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches. In the meantime, the company has issued a new beta update for the same devices, which could form the basis of their next stable software.

The Amazfit Bip 6 smartwatch is currently receiving software version 3.3.12.4. This update brings a range of new features to the wearable, including a workout mode, gesture control and two advanced running metrics. Plus, there is an improvement linked to the watch’s heart rate data.

The Philips Hue Bridge Pro is receiving a new update: software version 2071112020. This is the second release for the product, tackling an issue which could prevent the device from starting as expected. At the time of writing, it seems that this problem has not affected the standard Hue Bridge.

It may have taken many months, but Sony has finally started transitioning its sixth-generation smartphones to Android 16. Rolling out to the Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI in multiple markets, the Android 16 update is the penultimate major OS update that Sony has guaranteed that the pair will receive.

Garmin has introduced a new update for many of its older flagship smartwatches. While the company had promised to have wrapped up beta development by now, its new update sheds light on the matter for better or worse.

Samsung's Galaxy S21 FE is now receiving its final major OS upgrade, the Android 16-based One UI 8.0. This update fulfills the company's original four-year software support promise, concluding the phone's feature update path. The rollout has started in select regions, and though new OS versions are ending, the S21 FE will still get quarterly security patches for at least another year.

Garmin has delivered a new update for one of its latest smartwatches. While a beta update for now, the new features it contains should soon be repackaged as part of a stable release that takes in other recent beta development too.

Microsoft has issued an emergency Windows 11 update to fix a bug that disabled USB keyboards and mice in the Windows Recovery Environment. The flaw, introduced with the October 2025 patch, left many users unable to navigate repair tools. The new KB5070773 update restores USB functionality and is now available through Windows Update and the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Manus has launched Manus-1.5 and Manus-1.5-Lite, AI models that dramatically cut the time to create full-stack webs with embedded AI capabilities. New Collaboration and Library tools enhance teamwork, while Manus-1.5-Lite remains free for all.

Battlefield Portal is versatile enough to create authentic replicas of famous Call of Duty maps. A Battlefield 6 player is in hot water after sharing a design originating from the 2007 Modern Warfare. EA warned the gamer since the publisher prohibits references to competing games.

As many as 5 AMD Radeon RX 9070 XTs are up for grabs in a contest that will remain open for the next 2 weeks. These are all Monster Hunter Wilds-flavor GPUs from ASRock and AMD.

For anyone who likes the look of macOS but doesn't want to enter the Apple ecosystem, the Linux distribution Lingmo OS 3.0 may be a possibility. In addition to its proprietary "LingmoUI" GUI, the operating system also offers various other features.

An open-source tool called Grafana allows Garmin smartwatches users to evaluate and display their own data more or less independently of the manufacturer. It also offers more configuration options that may provide deeper insights.

Garmin is now offering a new update for high-end smartwatches, including the Fenix 8. Not available on the newer Fenix 8 Pro, Beta Version 20.13 introduces over half a dozen changes and improvements before Garmin pivots to a new stable update.

YouTuber Cyber Dopamine has put Bazzite OS to the test on the newly released Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. Per the comparison, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme gaming handheld performs better on the Fedora-based distro than on Windows 11.

Xbox price increases have made some gamers believe the Series X|S has reached its end of life. Microsoft is now raising the price of dev kits, which developers need to create new games. With fewer retailers selling Xbox consoles, the news could lead to an even smaller library of new titles.

Update: The Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 series One UI 8 updates have reportedly resumed. Samsung has reportedly paused Android 16 updates for the Galaxy S23 series. It did the same for the Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy 24 series, though the roll out has resumed for the former.

If Naoki Hamaguchi is correct, Switch 2 cartridges will become an even rarer sight. The director of several Final Fantasy games believes that Switch 2 specs bottleneck read speeds. In a new interview, he explains that only the console’s faster internal storage can prevent performance issues.

Windows utility program Flyoobe (formerly Flyby11) has received a new range of features via version 1.40, positioning itself as a central tool for debloating and bypassing the requirements of Windows 11. For the first time, the tool now offers the option of disabling and removing Microsoft's AI features, especially the integrated Copilot, as well as other bloatware.

The Garmin Beta Version 15.10 update is now available for users of one of the brand’s latest smartwatches. The change log lists a new feature, alongside several improvements and bug fixes. However, these release notes are identical to an earlier update for the Venu 4 smartwatch.

Garmin has shared the new Health Status feature with more smartwatches users in beta software version 15.10. This update also tackles a range of problems linked to smart notifications and the Evening Report. Plus, it should now be easier for users to switch off the vivoactive 6 smartwatch.

Apple's "Liquid Glass UI" in iOS 26 has been divisive, with many users complaining that its heavy transparency hurts usability, drawing comparisons to Windows Vista's old Aero look. In response to the feedback, Apple is testing a new fix in the iOS 26.1 beta. This update introduces a "Tinted" option found in Display & Brightness settings, allowing users to increase opacity and contrast for better readability.

Oura has announced plans to bring blood pressure monitoring to its Gen 3 and Gen 4 smart rings. The feature will be available to test before its full rollout too, albeit with some caveats at this stage.

PlayStation Store sales on PS5 games are often difficult to predict. A new feature rolling out on the marketplace reveals discounts on titles in the last 30 days. Nevertheless, with digital games only sold at the PS Store, some consumers feel that third parties could offer better deals.

The October 2025 update is now live for select European models, with more regions, including India, set to follow soon.

Garmin is rolling out stable software version 5.06 to one of its smartwatches. This release tackles four issues with the wearable, including one linked to the device passcode functionality. Others resolve problems related to strength training and the Lily 2 Active smartwatch’s calendar.

A new update for the Philips Hue app, version 5.53, is now available for iOS and Android. This release officially brings two optimizations to users, one of which is linked to the recently released MotionAware functionality. However, two additional improvements have also been spotted by users.

Amazfit is now rolling out an update for the Active 2 (Round) smartwatch. This release was announced at the start of October, but has only recently been shared with users. Included in the update are advanced running metrics, a heart rate-related improvements and a new workout mode.

The ROG Xbox Ally leaves behind some Xbox games exclusive to Microsoft’s consoles. The company may turn to an Xbox 360 emulator for PCs to enhance its backward compatibility. New Xbox consoles in development with AMD could also support these games without relying solely on Windows.

Nintendo’s handheld is accumulating a healthy collection of Switch 2-only titles. Meanwhile, the number of new PS5 exclusive games remains meager. Exclusives drive the popularity of the Switch 2, while PlayStation now markets more of its titles on multiple platforms.

ARC Raiders is currently free to play during the all-weekend Server Slam event, which is off to a roaring start, with the free play test seemingly driving the new extraction shooter up to 4th place in Steam's sales charts. Players have also found that the game runs nearly perfectly on Linux and Steam Deck using Steam's compatibility tools.

More users of Garmin smartwatches now have the chance to benefit from new features and an overall better user experience ahead of time. The corresponding beta program is now available to Fenix 8 Pro owners, although there are some limitations.

Garmin has pushed a stable software update to one of its latest smartwatches. Rolling out globally as a free update, Software Version 4.28 introduces various improvements for the Bounce 2, including multiple relating to the smartwatch's LTE calling and messaging capabilities.

Hogwarts Legacy, the open-world action RPG set in the Harry Potter universe, is now 85% off on Steam, down to its lowest recorded price of just $8.99. The game lets you craft spells, explore familiar and new locations, and builds on the lore of the books.

Microsoft has unveiled Copilot Actions, a new AI feature that allows Windows 11 PCs to perform tasks and respond to natural voice commands. The update marks a major step toward fully hands-free computing, with all Windows 11 users gaining access in the coming rollout.

OnePlus has officially released OxygenOS 16, introducing a wave of AI-powered tools, Gemini integration, and new cross-device features. The update even bridges Android and Apple ecosystems, letting OnePlus phones connect directly with Macs and Apple Watches.

SEGA and Waze launched a global Sonic the Hedgehog voice assistant on October 15, 2025, allowing users to replace standard navigation prompts with Roger Craig Smith’s localized quips, add Sonic-themed icons and a Speedster Lightning vehicle avatar from Sonic Racing: Crossworlds.

The new ColorOS 16 update based on Android 16 will roll out to 43 Oppo phones and tablets, starting in China on October 30, with older models like the Find X5 Pro and K series set for early 2026. The company says it plans to detail the global rollout at a later date.

Garmin's top smartwatches are getting a new software update, which is intended to fix various bugs. The scope of the update is relatively narrow, but upon closer inspection, this isn't really surprising.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has fallen to its lowest recorded price of $26.99 on Steam with a 55% discount for a limited time. With more than 80% positive reviews on the platform, it is considered one of the best games in the Warhammer franchise.

Vivo and iQOO have now outlined global OriginOS 6 release plans. Split across at least four waves, the rollout will run into early next year for older flagship and mid-range smartphones.

Microsoft is hinting at a major Windows 11 update that could make PCs fully voice-controlled. Recent Insider builds point to hands-free interaction through Copilot and Voice Access, signaling the next step toward AI-powered computing.

Garmin is promising that a new software update introduces several significant improvements for two of its smartwatches. Athletes should be able to better monitor their current performance, which might help them assess and adjust their workouts.

Garmin device users can benefit from a navigation feature that is significantly improved depending on the specific use case. Specifically, navigation should be simpler and routes can be easily transferred from external sources.

CheckMag Despite what Apple wants you to believe, circumventing the App Store is possible without jailbreaking, regardless of whether you live in the EU. But the landscape is dominated by pirated software, cracked premium services, and untrustworthy developers. These are the exceptions you might trust, and other third-party stores that could sacrifice your security.

October 21st may be one of the more lucrative days for PS Plus subscribers. Survival horror fans on the Extra tier will receive several PlayStation Plus free games to supplement Silent Hill 2. Premium members can expect a classic brawler and remake one of the most popular action-adventure titles.

Xiaomi has officially kicked off the stable HyperOS 3 rollout for the first batch of eligible phones. It includes last year's Xiaomi 15 and Redmi K80 Chinese models. The global rollout is expected later this month.