Software

The next update for Stardew Valley is "absolutely" coming out this year. Version 1.6 of the popular farming/life simulation game will add tons of new content, including new dialogue options, town festivals, and more.

Reportedly, iOS 18 is shaping up to be a substantial update for the iOS ecosystem. According to one typically well-informed Bloomberg editor, Apple is joining the bandwagon of companies leveraging AI to deliver software improvements.

Garmin has released an update for one of its recent Forerunner smartwatches. Rolling out with various bug fixes, including one dedicated to addressing 'slow notification updates', the firmware should be gradually making its way to units enrolled on Garmin's Beta Program.

A relatively new Garmin smartwatch is now eligible for a new software update. Currently restricted to Garmin's Beta Program, the update makes various changes aimed at improved an owner's overall user experience.

Amazon's future Berlin headquarters is structurally complete. The Edge East Side is currently Berlin's highest multi-story building, according to the project developer, and will provide 3000 new jobs for Amazon staff.

NTDev, the developer behind Tiny11, has pushed the limits of tweaking and stripping Windows 11 to cut it down to just 100 MB. The developer named this version of the lightweight OS "Minwin." But this command line interface-only operating system barely works, so it isn’t available for download yet.

Opera has announced that it will celebrate its wider, DMA-mandated access to the Apple ecosystem by unleashing a version of the "AI-centric" One browser for iPhones. The company asserts that its app will stand out in the coming influx of Safari alternatives with an enhanced UI and UX. Opera also now hints that it will get into even more AI in the near future, in a way also related to Europe.

The PC version of Horizon Forbidden West will come with support for Nvidia DLSS 3, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS, as well as DirectStorage to improve loading times on supported hardware.

Apple is not happy about it, but the company now allows EU users to sideload apps onto its iPhones. Apple announced changes to how it handles apps on iOS in order to align with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. It also announced new App Store pricing and an App Store Fee calculator, which has some developers concerned.

Released worldwide in early June 2016, Hearts of Iron IV received yearly DLCs since then. After last year's Arms Against Tyranny expansion, this grand strategy wargame will receive a country pack, namely Trial of Allegiance, which is set to launch on March 7 and is the first such update since 2020.

Google has detailed its first Pixel Feature Drop of 2024. A surprise announcement designed to align with its Pixel 8 'Minty Fresh' update, the January 2024 Pixel Feature Drop not only adds new features to the Pixel 8 series, but also older models like the Pixel 5a and Pixel 6. Even the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 have gained new functionality, too.

As of today, January 25, 2024, Ubuntu 23.04 has reached the end of support and will no longer receive security updates. Linux users still using Ubuntu 23.04 are advised to upgrade to version 23.10.

In addition to providing support for the brand-new GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super, the GeForce Game Ready Driver 551.23 software package also comes with RTX Video HDR, a free AI-powered tool that automatically converts SDR video into HDR feeds directly in the internet browser. Ultra Low Latency Mode is now ready for DX 12 games.

According to new reports, Wear OS will return this year with a fifth major revision. Missing out on interim Wear OS 4 updates altogether, Wear OS is rumoured to be moving onto Android 14, with Samsung already preparing builds for the Galaxy Watch7 and its Exynos 5535 chipset.

The latest stable version 8.0-5 of Valve's Proton compatibility layer for Windows games on Linux includes support for new games, as well as HDR support for several titles.

Mozilla Firefox version 122 is now available for Windows, macOS and Linux. In addition to several security fixes, users can look forward to new features, including support for passkeys.

Linux Mint has released an "Edge" ISO of its latest release 21.3 "Virginia" with the Linux 6.5 kernel. This means that the popular Linux distribution based on the Cinnamon desktop can also be used on newer laptops or PCs.

Microsoft has expanded availability of its Microsoft Mesh to all Microsoft Teams users after a limited rollout. Mesh allows users to participate in 3D meetings using avatars and interact within customizable, virtual reality environments. Remote workers wearing Meta Quest VR headsets can participate in 3D while those without in 2D all without leaving home.

Google Pixel 8 Pro debuted with a new sensor on the back, which has been seen as nothing but a gimmick at launch. As Google didn’t have the necessary approvals, it could only measure the temperatures of objects. That changed with the latest Pixel feature drop, as the sensor can finally record human body temperature.

From the peak of 1,864,421 concurrent players that was reached on January 23rd, the latest smashing hit of the gaming world, Palworld, is now above the 2,000,000 limit for the first time. However, more than 1,200,000 players still separate it from PUBG, which could lose the crown before the end of the month if Palworld continues its stellar climb.

The Philips Hue app has been updated to version 5.9, now available to download for iOS and Android devices. The software brings a new tool for a smart lighting accessory, allowing greater control over your connected devices at the push of a button. Version 5.9 follows a more extensive app update released earlier this month.

HMD Global has kicked off Android 14 upgrades for Nokia smartphones. Distributed as v2.160, the update is nearly a 3 GB download and is already running outdated Android security patches.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is planning to institute policies that will charge fees related to apps installed on an iPhone outside the App Store. These new policies would only apply in Europe, per the Journal, in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which goes into effect in March.

Garmin has released another update on its Beta Program for various recent flagship smartwatches. Rolling out as Beta Version 16.13, the update should arrive automatically within the next 24-48 hours and can also be downloaded manually if needed.

With a new all-time peak value of 1,864,421 concurrent players, Palworld only needs to beat PUBG for the crown of most played game on Steam. However, while Counter-Strike 2 is less than 50,000 players behind, the difference between Palworld and PUBG is rouhgly 1,400,000, so beating it might take a while.

Suunto touts its latest product as the ideal audio accessories to take along on one's next adventure holiday, mountain hike or training session. The Wing headphones have an open-ear design for environmental awareness, and even support Head Movement controls for completely hands-free use. They may also be able to help keep both themselves and their user safe with LED lighting and an IP67 rating.

Garmin has released another update to one of its latest smartwatches. Distributed through its Beta Program, the new update is reported to contain the same associated bugs that it is designed to resolve.

Garmin has pushed a new update to a few of its latest smartwatches. Arriving as the second update in as many weeks, Beta 9.16 disables ECG functionality without warning or the ability to download a rollback file to return to stable builds.

Version 23.2 of the MX Linux distribution, which is particularly suitable for older notebooks and PCs, is now available for download. Based on Debian 12.4, it includes an up-to-date kernel and the PipeWire 1.0 multimedia system.

ChromeOS 120 is now available in a stable version and brings practical new features for end users. These include a virtual desktop button and easier sharing between your own ChromeOS and Android devices.

With a peak value of 1,291,967 concurrent players so far, Palworld got the leading position on Steam for this weekend, ahead of Counter-Strike 2's 1,008,813. However, there are still four places left to conquer in the all-time ranking, where Dota 2 and Lost Ark are leading by less than 30,000 players.

CheckMag A franchise whose opening marketing statement was “Gotta Catch Em All”, yet introduces new Pokemon characters every 3 years. How feasible is it to actually collect every single one? A game that spawned zombies on street corners frantically staring and swiping at screens, is Pokemon Go a game, or a ploy to keep people buying “in app purchases” on a never ending quest?

The registration of a new X/Twitter account with apparent direct links to the company may be connected to its owner Elon Musk's long-held aspirations of converting it into an "everything app". On that note, the same social media platform has also just enabled video and audio calling on Android, whereas the pay-walled feature had heretofore been exclusive to iOS.

CheckMag The first proper Indiana Jones game in 15 years is set to release in 2024. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has heavyweights Bethesda and Machine Games behind it. Having successfully relaunched the Wolfenstein series to critical acclaim, could this be the future of the Indiana Jones franchise?

CheckMag There used to be a time when a single payment would get you full access to Windows for the lifetime of that version. However, in recent times hardware and software all seem to require a subscription. While there might be some legitimacy for subscription models, some providers have taken this a step too far. Can Microsoft justify a Windows 12 subscription?

Realme is slated to launch new premium mid-range devices soon: the 12 Pro Plus, 12 Pro - and 12 Plus. The latter has no 2023 counterpart, yet is still apparently officially approved to join the rest of the 11-series successors soon as a 5G Android smartphone with the same "Luxury Watch Design" and up-to-date UI as its Pro siblings, although whether it will have the same premium rear cameras remains to be seen.

Infinix is now believed to release a 2024 Android smartphone that will charge as fast as the new Galaxy S24 Ultra, and have a screen almost the same size as the new Samsung super-flagship, yet be accessible to a whole new range of consumers with other specs such as an aging 4G/LTE-only SoC. That prospect would be even more interesting had the OEM not done the exact same thing in 2023, however - although there may yet be a way to tell the Note 40 and 40 Pro apart from their predecessors.

Pocketpair's latest creation, the crafting and survival title Palworld, launched with a bang, breaking the one million sales threshold in just eight hours. This open-world game is available on Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S consoles and can be played by up to 32 players per server.

Huawei has unveiled a self-developed operating system called the HarmonyOS NEXT. At the development event, the CEO described the OS as fully independent with a full-stack AI framework. The CEO has also claimed that the Harmony kernel is three times more efficient than Linux.

Insta360's AI Warp is a feature rated to "transform your footage into something extraordinary" based on the prompts it receives. It was exclusive to the latest Ace and Ace Pro action cameras from their launch - however, it is now officially compatible with more of the OEM's innovative lifestyle vlogging gadgets, the tiny GO 3, VR content-making X3 and modular Insta360 ONE RS included.

Google has confirmed that its new AI-driven feature, Circle to Search, will launch on the Pixel 8 series on January 31. Some "premium Android smartphones" will get it eventually.

An update to popular FPS, The Finals, breaks compatibility with the Steam Deck and Linux. While the game still seems playable, players report in-game crashes and broken voice chat — a bit of a setback in a team-based game where tactics matter.

In addition to zero-day support for the new GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER, the first Game Ready driver package of the year also comes with DLSS 2 optimizations for Palworld alongside GeForce Experience optimal settings for five titles, namely Apocalypse Party, Ash Echoes, Escape from Tarkov: Arena, House Flipper 2, and Pioneers of Pagonia.

AdBlock, a popular extension, has been linked again to performance issues on YouTube. Users report slow load times and increased CPU usage. The issue also affects YouTube Premium subscribers who use AdBlock for other sites.

Garmin is now rolling out a new beta update for various current high-end smartwatches. Available as Beta Version 16.11, the update introduces nearly a dozen bug fixes and improvements. However, it also disables ECG functionality for any compatible smartwatch running beta builds.

A homebrew version of the Nintendo's Wii Shop, which officially closed in January 2019, is now available as a public beta. Dubbed the "RiiShop," this storefront aims to accurately recreate the original Wii Shop, complete with all the Wii Channels, WiiWare, and Virtual Console titles available on the console. The release is still in beta and is under active development.

Acemagic has just responded to customer concerns following their discovery that a certain search engine could pre-install itself on some mini-PCs from the OEM with a potential solution. The issue affecting some of the brand's Intel-powered desktops allegedly originates from a third party, yet may now be fixed with new software direct from the company. In related news, Acemagic has released a new discount coupon as a gesture of goodwill.

Bambu Lab has announced that it will be offering customers the option to install ‘X1 Plus’, a 3rd-party, open-source firmware for its X1 series of 3D printers. A switch to X1 Plus would involve some sacrifice, as it will permanently revoke the official warranty, and there’s no guarantee of being able to use the cloud service or revert to the official firmware. X1 Plus introduces new features including automatic bed levelling and input shaping calibration graphs.

After sending out the HyperOS update to several devices across Europe and globally, Xiaomi appears set to expand the rollout to include even more smartphones, including models like the Poco X5 Pro 5G, Poco F5 Pro, and Xiaomi 12T Pro.

Since the release of Asahi Remix 39 in December, the development team has made progress in running Linux on Apple Silicon hardware. There are updates for HDMI support, battery life, graphics functions and much more.