Software

Garmin has decided to push a new beta update to several of its popular mid-range smartwatches after previously claiming that it had concluded beta development for 16.xx builds. Rolling out now as an over-the-air (OTA) download, the new update aims to address various outstanding bugs that have shipped in recent beta and stable updates.

Ford has released a new performance upgrade for the 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT. With the software upgrade installed, Ford claims that the Mustang Mach-E GT now beats the Tesla Model Y Performance in acceleration as the upgrade reduces the Mustang Mach-E GT’s 0 to 60 mph time by 13%.

With a focus on minimalism and performance, Serpent OS aims to help users get the most out of their hardware and streamline their workflow. The release comes four years after Ikey Doherty announced he would be working on a new Linux distro. Despite some problems in development, Serpent OS has made it to the pre-alpha stage and is now available to download. 

A recent review tested the performance of AMD's new Ryzen AI 9 365 processor and its Radeon 880M iGPU in Ubuntu 24.04 on Linux kernel 6.10 and Windows 11 and found that the CPU and iGPU combination performed better under Linux in most scenarios. The biggest surprise comes from GPU benchmarks, where Linux often beat Windows by up to 50%.

Google has delivered what could be the final Android 15 beta update. Available to download now as a small over-the-air (OTA) package, Android 15 Beta 4.1 is designed to address an issue that could cause crashes when making or even receiving calls.

It looks like System76's exciting new Rust-based Cosmic DE will get an official Fedora spin in the upcoming Fedora 42, potentially giving Linux users with bleeding-edge hardware an official way to try Cosmic. Fedora Linux operates on a semi-rolling release, but it is often regarded as a stable base for those looking for up-to-date software and hardware support.

Xiaomi's updated Security Center page provides exact information on when exactly the company will cease to provide software updates for its myriad of global devices. The Xiaomi 14 series gets five years of updates; the Poco F6 gets four, but devices like the new Redmi Pad Pro 5G are promised just three years of OTAs.

A developer has demonstrated that it is possible to reduce display flickering on the Google Pixel 8 Pro just through software mods. While the tweak does not eliminate PWM flickering altogether, it can mitigate unwanted effects by setting it as high as 4,800 Hz.

Apex Legends will be available on the Epic Games Store starting August 6th, along with the Season 22 update. The game, known for its fast-paced squad gameplay, has been quite popular since its 2019 launch. Season 22 will bring a revamped Battle Pass system, offering free and premium rewards, including a new Premium+ tier with exclusive benefits. Epic Games shared the news and discussed the game's evolution with Respawn Entertainment.

Google has expanded its AI-powered wildfire tracking tool to 15 new countries in Europe and Africa, providing real-time boundary tracking and location-based notifications. Recent wildfires across Europe, including in Greece, Spain, and Cyprus, highlight the urgent need for effective wildfire management. Google's tool, which leverages satellite imagery and historical data, has already mapped over 40 wildfires, reaching 1.4 million people in the first week of July.

ASUS has just released Armoury Crate SE 1.5 (ACSE 1.5) for the ROG Ally, which it insisted would provide a 'more console-like' UI. However, there are plenty of early reports that ACSE 1.5 is causing issues for original ROG Ally units.

AMD has released the latest version of its driver-level frame generation technology in a technical preview. Called the “AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2”, the second iteration of the AFMF aims to fix some of the most glaring issues that plagued the previous AFMF version. Additionally, AFMF 2 also brings some new features including the ability to toggle between different performance levels.

Samsung's One UI 7.0 beta is now scheduled to drop in mid-to-late August, three weeks after it was initially supposed to roll out. One of the reasons for the delay is the ongoing One UI 6.1.1 update.

Zoom has announced Zoom Workplace with Zoom AI Companion for more productive online meetings and document collaboration. AI features include automated meeting summaries, event content generation, clip descriptions, and virtual background creation.

The first Release Candidate for the next version of the Linux Kernel (Kernel 6.11-rc1) is now available. The candidate includes support for wireless drivers on Qualcomm chips (specifically the Snapdragon X1 platform) and features for virtualization.

Multiple sources indicate that Samsung's One UI 7.0 software update has been delayed. Initially supposed to debut today (July 29), the software will now be available to Galaxy S24 users at a later date.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says not all Apple Intelligence features will launch together. In particular, the enhanced Siri could take a while to arrive due to stability issues.

Hallucinations notwithstanding, the de facto leader of the AI industry is keen to enter the search market. The SearchGPT prototype will only be available to a few thousand beta testers at launch, although the end-goal here is to eventually integrate with ChatGPT.

Google's AI assistant, Gemini, may get new abilities with the integration of new extensions. As per a new APK teardown of the v15.29.34.29 beta update, these tools will allow Gemini to interact with various Google services and devices. Key extensions include Google Home, Phone, and Utilities, enabling users to control smart home devices, make calls, and manage phone settings directly through Gemini.

DeepL has launched an improved AI for higher-quality language translations across 33 languages. Unlike other large language models for chatbots, DeepL’s model is made with proprietary data for more accurate language translations. Traditional Chinese has been added for the chipmaking industry.

Renowned tipster @UniverseIce denied the rumor that Apple's 'Dynamic Island' design is coming to Samsung's upcoming One UI 7.0 beta update. He further stated that the elliptical status bar notification design, that originally led people to expect the inclusion of 'Dynamic Island', may come to more services, such as recorder and stopwatch. Samsung is expected to start beta testing One UI 7.0 on July 29th.

CheckMag Windows 11 is packed full of garbage which is one of the reasons people are determined to stick with Windows 10 or look for alternatives. Tiny11 is impressive, especially now it works on all Windows 11 variants. However there is an easier way that utilises Microsoft's own tools to create a bloat free Windows 11 installer in seconds.

WazirX has outlined a strategy to address a recent cyberattack that resulted in the loss of over $230 million in crypto assets. The crypto exchange has implemented a two-tiered recovery plan, allowing users to choose between prioritized asset recovery with limited access or immediate access with delayed recovery. To mitigate losses, WazirX will distribute recovered funds among affected users through a “balanced crypto basket” approach.

Garmin has begun offering a new update for the Fenix 7 series and its siblings, like the Enduro 2 and Quatix 7. Available exclusively through its Beta Program for now, the update is said to address bugs that could cause system crashes if otherwise left unchecked.

Leaked screenshots of Samsung's One UI 7.0 give us a glimpse of the major UI overhaul coming to Galaxy devices. The images reveal a shift towards more round visual elements, alongside a potential separation of quick settings and notification panels. Additionally, the update may bring cross-device video call capabilities to eligible Galaxy phones and tablets.

Codenamed "Wilma" and to be supported until 2029, Linux Mint 22 comes with multiple software updates, including the Linux kernel 6.8, themes with GTK4 support alongside multiple visual changes across the entire system, HiDPI in the boot sequence, Plymouth, and Slick-Greeter. Hexchat has been replaced with the Matrix chat network.

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Insider update has added the ability to manage files on your Android phone through File Explorer. This will eliminate the need to connect your smartphone to your PC through a USB cable for storage management.

Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and available in no less than ten editions, Ubuntu Pack 24.04 is now out. This distro comes with a universal VLC player, a comprehensive set of media codecs, and support for running Windows apps. The list of preinstalled apps includes Inkscape, XnView, Peazip, Firefox, Veracrypt, and more.

Wooting argues that its SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) feature only levels the playing field after Razer popularised its Snap Tap implementation. A large swathe of the gaming community and some developers, however, considers the feature a game-breaking cheat that should be banned from competitive play.

Meta has unveiled its biggest, smartest, most-neutered Llama 3.1 405B AI for royalty-free use. The 750 GB, 405 billion parameter large language model (LLM) is one of the biggest ever released and performs competitively with flagship competitors Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI GPT-4o.

OpenAI has unveiled SearchGPT, a new search prototype combining AI with real-time web data. It offers conversational search, providing direct answers with clear source attribution. The platform places high emphasis on user experience and publisher collaboration. While currently in beta, users can sign up using the waitlist on the official website to test SearchGPT out.

A Google Photos app teardown has revealed that the search giant may be considering launching a new Google One plan offering most of the usual perks at a lower price point. To get there, the company may have to remove the family sharing option and reduce the amount of storage available to the customer.

Samsung's upcoming One UI 7, based on Android 15, may feature a Dynamic Island-like interface. The update reportedly aims to incorporate functionality similar to Apple's Dynamic Island and Live Activities, potentially enhancing Samsung's user interface capabilities.

Available in its current form since early August 2007, MidnightBSD started as a FreeBSD fork in 2005. Version 3.2.0 brings the Ravenports integrated system, which allows you to build packages of complex software, including private repositories for targeted use. The default desktop environment remains Xfce.

Garmin has started rolling out a new stable update to one of its popular mid-range smartwatch series. Available now globally, the update seeks to resolve various outstanding bugs, including plenty that could cause issues in a variety of activities.

Sony has revealed plans to update its PlayStation 5 consoles in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, one major change is only headed to the so-called PS5 Slim, which Sony refers to as its 'latest PS5' or 'slimmer PS5'.

In a first for the franchise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be now available on Xbox Game Pass for Console, PC, and Ultimate subscriptions. The rebooted Modern Warfare 3, launched in 2023, features a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes (with an open-world zombie mode as well). The arrival of Modern Warfare 3 is expected to be followed by Black Ops 6, confirmed for launch on Xbox Game Pass later this year.

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A recent leak from Ice Universe indicates that Samsung may release the first beta of One UI 7.0 in July or August. If things go as planned, the Galaxy S24 series will be the first to receive the major OS update in its beta form. The update is expected to introduce smoother animations similar to those found in iOS and ColorOS among other refinements.

Spotify CEO talked about a "deluxe" version of Spotify today during an earnings call. The premium tier with Hi-Fi audio, which is still in the works, is expected to cost around $18 and offer features like advanced library management and AI-powered playlists. This comes after delays to the initial "Spotify HiFi" plan and a shift in strategy to compete with rivals like Apple Music. While the exact features are unknown, the rollout is still reportedly happening later in 2024.

Garmin has published a new update for its flagship Forerunner smartwatch. While the update is currently restricted to the company's Beta Program, it indicates that dozens of improvements will eventually be headed the Forerunner 965's way when a fresh stable update eventually lands.

Google celebrated World Emoji Day by announcing new emoji and features. Seven new emoji, including a fingerprint and a leafless tree, are arriving in September. Emoji Kitchen, a feature allowing users to combine emoji, has grown to over 100,000 combinations and can now be explored through Google Search. Upcoming features include an Emoji Kitchen Effect for YouTube Shorts and emoji customization options for Google Maps.

System76's long-awaited Cosmic desktop environment will officially ship with the Pop!_OS 24.04 alpha build, bringing with it a host of improvements to GPU compatibility and features. Despite it being an alpha build, System76 hopes for Cosmic and Pop!_OS 24.04 to be completely usable as a daily driver OS.

The Forerunner 955 is in line for a new update, two months after Garmin last updated the smartwatch. Rolling out on Garmin's Beta Program, the update contains over a dozen improvements, including the option of backing up and restoring device settings.

Garmin has finally rolled out a new update to the Forerunner 265, two months after finishing up the development of v19.xx builds. As expected, the company has now kicked off v20.xx updates, albeit only on its Beta Program so far.

WhatsApp's iOS beta program is testing a new feature allowing users to share files with nearby contacts without needing an internet connection. This functionality, similar to a feature being tested for Android, aims to simplify sharing documents and media in situations with limited or unstable internet. While the current iOS iteration involves users scanning a QR code, the final design and release date are still uncertain. This feature, once implemented, is expected to work across platforms and utilize end-to-end encryption for secure file transfers.

As per 9to5Google, Samsung is dropping its own messaging app on new Galaxy phones in favor of Google Messages. Google is already driving RCS messaging, and this move will only align with the same. RCS has already been proved to be more secure and feature-rich than standard messaging protocols. While Samsung Messages can still be downloaded from the Galaxy Store, some features might be missing.

Digital Extremes revealed a content roadmap for Warframe, a free-to-play action RPG. A new story quest, "The Lotus Eaters," arrives in August, setting the stage for the "Warframe: 1999" time travel expansion this winter. Before then, a fall update will bring general upgrades, including a new arsenal management system and robotic companions. Players can expect new enemies, weapons, and lore in the 1999 expansion.

The Huawei Watch Fit 3 has just received a major software update, which is not only intended to improve stability, but also adds new functions. Navigation is now possible on the smartwatch.

Google will cease goo.gl short link operations in a year on August 25, 2025. The company points users to use their Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL) service, which is also being terminated on August 25, 2025. Users wanting to use short URLs will need to switch to a 3rd party link shortening service soon because all goo.gl links will not work after the termination date.