Software

CheckMag With AI seemingly infiltrating all corners of the internet, it's time to actually ask whether AI content has a place in tech media, and if so, what is its place? What about the ethical and legal implications? Reader comment is welcome on this one, so make your voice heard in the poll or with a comment.

Samsung is offering new watch faces for its own smartwatches, which were developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency and enable the display of real-time data from the solar system.

OpenAI has previewed the ability of its Voice Engine technology to convincingly clone a person’s voice with a 15 second voice sample. The Engine can also transfer a person’s accent into other spoken languages while translating speech, speak new text informally, and restore clear speech to those with vocal disabilities or illnesses.

Released earlier this week, macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 is a minor security update that takes care of Java apps crashing, a problem that surfaced with version 14.4 of Apple's operating system, as well as the USB Hub-related issues that caused malfunctions when connecting external displays. In addition to these issues, the update is also addressing the audio plugin crashes that came with macOS Sonoma 14.4.

Garmin has swiftly moved onto offering a new update for many of its latest high-end smartwatches. Available to download now as Beta 17.10, the new firmware makes over 20 changes including the ability to find a lost phone with GPS during an activity.

Last year, Apple announced that it would bring RCS to the iPhone. While the company confirmed that the support would be coming in 2024, it left out the timeframe. Now, Google has revealed that the service will drop to iOS devices in the “fall of 2024.” But this info was only up for a short period, and it’s currently pulled out from the web page.

Popular messenger service WhatsApp will soon update its privacy policy and terms of use. Users must agree to the new regulations, or their account may be suspended.

CheckMag Whereas Chrome 109, Opera 95 and most other Chromium-based Web browsers for Windows 7/8.1 got their last update in January 2023, Yandex 24.1.4 is built around Chromium 120 and is therefore a lot safer to use. One will have to change several settings first to make the application useable, though.

Garmin has begun rolling out an update for its latest smartwatch. The first update for the smartwatch, Software Version 9.24 contains 18 changes, including numerous bug fixes and several new features.

Samsung has started rolling out One UI 6.1 to older and current generation devices. Having announced its intentions to do so earlier this week, it has now confirmed which Galaxy AI features have made their way to the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy Tab S9 series, as well as to the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5.

Released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles back in 2019, World of Warships: Legends landed on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2021. Earlier this week, Wargaming's arrived on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Its features include cross-progression, four new Japanese cruisers in Early Access, the new Planet Clash event, and more.

Garmin has begun rolling out a new update to several of its popular older smartwatches. Restricted to its Beta Program for the time being, Beta 18.05 is slated to add new features while also resolving outstanding bugs. However, reported battery drain issues are likely to remain in this new update.

Clearly inspired by the popular Civilization franchise, Paradox Interactive's Millennia is a historical turn-based 4X game that covers the same time period but has enough of its own to make it stand out. Available as a vanilla release alongside a Premium Edition, it has moderate system requirements and starts at $39.99.

Released in November 2023, Fedora Linux 39 will reach its end of life this November. Its successor is already in the works, and a new beta has just surfaced online. Fedora Linux 40 beta comes with Gnome 46, KDE Plasma 6, Podman 5, as well as multiple other changes. The final version is set to launch next month.

Fitbit smartwatch users will be affected by a potentially very unpleasant change that could significantly limit the functionality of the wearables. Google is justifying the step with regulatory requirements.

Samsung has finally confirmed the rollout date for One UI 6.1 to non Galaxy S24 devices. Debuting later this week across the Galaxy S23 series, the update will not arrive until some point next month for many models.

Samsung has offered up new firmware for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. Contrary to earlier rumours, the update brings a host of camera improvements to all devices that were slated to arrive next month instead.

With a history spanning nearly two decades, Canonical's Ubuntu is now moving forward with a renewed security and support pledge that extends the life of LTS releases to no less than 12 years. The Legacy Support Ubuntu Pro add-on that provides this is available starting with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, released in April 2014.

Google has partnered with Qualcomm to announce that the version of Chrome specifically for Windows laptops on ARM is now available. The browser's new iteration will be able to run on PCs powered by the upcoming Snapdragon X Elite platform, but can also be used on its forebears from now. It is already backed to boost performance on these devices.

Qualcomm has unveiled its latest Platform for speakers, earbuds or headphones, touted to deliver up to 50x the "AI power" of S5 Gen 2 for improved premium-grade audio experiences. It is accompanied by a third-gen S3 platform that can introduce features such as aptX Lossless to next-gen mid-range audio accessories.

Garmin has rolled out a new update for two of its recent mid-range smartwatches. According to the company, the update adds new features and introduces several bug fixes, albeit only for devices enrolled on its Beta Program.

Garmin has published a new update for one of its popular and recent smartwatches. The update is available as Beta 9.26, which arrives a few weeks after the release of Firmware Version 9.24 on Garmin's stable software distribution channel.

Leakers have now detailed what Galaxy AI features will not be coming to Samsung flagships like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold5. The release date for older devices has also surfaced, with Samsung reportedly still on track for a March rollout.

Lemfofit claims that its latest wearable can deliver some of the most premium smartwatch features out there right now for a fraction of the usual price. They include body composition, "automatic" temperature and non-invasive blood glucose monitoring in addition to ECG and cardiac anomaly detection. It has debuted at about 30% of its supposed RRP.

Rumors are flying that the next major version of iOS will bring a more customizable homescreen that will allow iPhone users to arrange their app icons on a more free grid. This feature, which has been baked into Android since its first version, has been regularly requested by iPhone and iPad users.

iOS 18 is tipped to launch as the first ever 'AI-centric' UI for iPhones - however, the new features in question may not come direct from Apple. The Cupertino giant is reportedly in talks with more established companies such as Google and OpenAI to integrate one or more of their models into its OS instead. The potential advantages of such a move are thought to outweigh the possible downsides for the tech behemoth.

Xiaomi has now confirmed that its AISP camera software will soon be available across more flagship smartphones. Outlined during the launch of the CIVI 4 Pro, AISP will arrive as a HyperOS update for not only the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro but also the Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

The Apple Watch has evaded Android compatibility for nearly a decade now. Apple claims this was due to technical limitations, but an internal company email from 2019 suggests it was to protect Apple's iPhone sales and the ecosystem.

The team behind the MIG Switch have now started shipping the MIG Switch Dumper. Available for under $70, the MIG Switch Dumper can not only dump Nintendo Switch cartridges but can also be used to emulate cartridges on supported systems without needing to dump any files in the first place.

Suyu, the follow-up to the popular Nintendo Switch emulator Yuzu, has been removed from GitLab following a DMCA takedown request issued by a "rightsholder." Suyu's developers' accounts were also blocked. The takedown comes just days after Suyu's first public beta release.

Polar will soon roll out a new firmware update that introduces several features of the new Polar Grit X2 Pro to an already available smartwatch. These features are intended for athletes in particular.

The new Linux-based OS for gaming handhelds throws shade at Windows and SteamOS for being closed platforms. Playtron aims to be a lightweight alternative to Windows and SteamOS, built on open-source software, to offer wide hardware and software compatibility for handheld gaming PCs.

CheckMag Any PC can run Windows, Linux or other OS of choice, but the average multicore processor provides enough headroom for a multitude of simultaneous tasks. Go beyond multitasking in a single OS and make your PC your home hub with this guide to the best home lab software solutions.

Sony has delivered a new beta update for PlayStation 5 and PS5 Slim consoles. Available to download now, the software adds various features like new widgets, the option to change the pre-installed wallpaper and an overhauled Explore tab.

The GNOME team has released version 46 of its desktop environment for Linux and Unix systems. GNOME 46 "Kathmandu" brings, among other things, an improved search function and experimental support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).

AMD has announced the next update to the FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 (FSR 3) image upscaling tech with visual quality improvements, new APIs, and added support for Xbox GDK and Vulkan. However, FSR 3.1’s biggest new feature is the separation of FSR 3 frame generation component from the image upscaler.

Intel has launched a new driver for Intel Arc graphics cards and iGPUs. The Graphics Driver 31.0.101.5379 update adds optimizations for Horizon Forbidden West and Dragon's Dogma 2. Existing DX11 titles like Granblue Fantasy: Relink get a 174% increase in FPS at 1080p.

Epic Games has confirmed it will bring its storefront to Android and iOS later this year. Its Android release should be global while its iOS version will likely be restricted to the EU.

Nothing wants the community to collaborate on a custom Community Edition of the Nothing Phone (2a), with four design stages over the span of six months. The tech startup imposes no limitations on submissions, and the community will vote for which ideas get to go through to production.

According to new rumours, Sony could finally be moving away from the limited software support it provides to its Xperia smartphones. Allegedly, up to five years of updates could be coming to the Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 5 VI and Xperia 10 VI when they launch later this year.

Although it arrived last week, War Thunder 2.35 "Alpha Strike" remains a fresh update and is worth mentioning even now, since it's a quite solid package. Its highlights include the Alpha Jet (German and French versions), five premium tier VII ground vehicles, and a branch of Hungarian aircraft that joins the Italian tech tree.

Reportedly, Samsung is not done with optimising camera performance on the Galaxy S24 series. In fact, new camera optimisations are rumoured to be landing as soon as next month for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra aimed at addressing outstanding issues like inaccurate white balance and underwhelming 5x telephoto camera shots.

Introduced earlier today, the Nvidia GeForce Game Ready Driver software package labeled 551.86 comes with DLSS 3.5 optimizations for Portal with RTX, zero-day tweaks for the upcoming Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition (scheduled for release in two days), as well as support for a list of 11 G-Sync Compatible displays.

Garmin has released a new stable update for its latest flagship smartwatch series. Rolling out now as Software Version 16.22, the new firmware contains almost 40 changes with various bug fixes and new features like CIQ System 7 support and an improved automatic workout type detection, among other improvements.

Steam launched its new Families feature in Steam Beta. Steam Families consolidates the previous Family Sharing and Family View features into a simpler solution for sharing your games between up to six family members, even allowing two users to play from the same library at the same time.

HTC touts VIVEPORT as the "best place" for developers to make and market their virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) games or apps, not the least as their earnings from doing so are slated to increase "significantly" very shortly. The new revenue share percentage, freshly unveiled at 2024's Game Developers Conference (GDC), applies to new and existing games alike.

Black Shark has released a new smartwatch rated to support "ENC" voice-calls via Bluetooth 5.3 to help track the user's blood oxygen, heart rate, sleep and stress. Nothing out of the ordinary about that - were it not for the fact that this new GT3 has the same kind of curved display and chassis normally only found in the ultra-premium OPPO Watch 4 Pro. The AMOLED-screen wearable is valued at just under $80, but is listed for nearly 60% off that price right now.

Priced at $699, the new Volchar 50A Home EV Charger delivers up to 12 kW and can be used with 240 V outlets (adjustable current from 10A to 50A). It comes with app control, Google and Alexa support, a 25-foot charging cable, as well as hardwire or NEMA 14-50 plug options. The standard warranty is 5 years.

Popular MMO, Warframe, is set to get a massive update on March 27, bringing yet another new playable Warframe to the game and reworking two of the game's long-running stalwarts. Players will also get two free Forma as a login reward after downloading Dante Unbound.

Apple's popular vehicle-control feature is already tipped to evolve into "the ultimate iPhone experience in the car" in its next generation. However, it is also now believed to convert into the ultimate full in-car OS thereafter. Can the Cupertino giant salvage all of its automotive R&D investment with this alleged new move?