Linux Mint 22.2 Zara arrives as a long term support release backed until 2029
Popular Ubuntu-based distribution Linux Mint has been updated to version 22.2, codenamed Zara. This new long term support version promises updates until 2029.
The login screen has been revised in this build with support for user avatars and a blur effect on panels and dialog boxes.
This stunning Apple Vision Pro concept brings Siri to life
Siri, Apple’s digital assistant, has struggled to make the same emotional connection as newer AI platforms, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This is in part because users only interact with it through soundwaves or voice prompts.
Designer Ben Geskin thinks a new visual identity could change that, and shared his reimagined Siri concept on Threads.
Ashampoo releases Photo Organizer Pro 26 with enhanced sorting and support for large collections
Ashampoo has released Photo Organizer Pro 26, an updated version of its photo management software.
The program handles large image collections across local storage and cloud services and new features in this release include support for WebDAV, a classic folder tree view, batch processing for keywords and locations, and an improved import function with duplicate detection.
Dolby Vision 2 could make dark TV scenes finally watchable
Dolby Laboratories has introduced Dolby Vision 2, a new version of its picture technology designed for modern televisions. The announcement includes support from Hisense, which will be the first manufacturer to adopt the format, and CANAL+, which confirmed it will deliver content in Dolby Vision 2.
Dolby Vision was first introduced over ten years ago as a high dynamic range format. Dolby said the updated version is intended to reflect changes in display capabilities and to provide new creative tools. It described the release as part of its broader efforts to improve picture quality across entertainment devices.
'The deal ESPN and Disney don't want you to know about': $4.99 gives you 24 hours of unlimited Sling Orange
Sling TV has announced a new subscription option designed to give viewers short-term access to live sports and entertainment.
The company rolled out the new $4.99 Sling Orange Day Pass today, which provides 24 hours of streaming without contracts, bundles or hidden fees. The announcement comes as the college football season begins, a time when fans often look for affordable ways to watch major games.
GIMP 3.1.4 is here -- the best free Photoshop alternative gains link and vector layers
When people ask whether Linux can run Photoshop, the answer is usually no. But many users discover that GIMP is not only a capable alternative, it offers features that stand on their own. The latest development release, GIMP 3.1.4, moves closer to the upcoming 3.2 milestone, introducing early versions of two highly requested features, along with a wide range of updates across the full application.
GIMP 3.1.4 marks the second development release leading up to GIMP 3.2 and adds link layers and vector layers, both designed for non-destructive editing.
Linux Lite 7.6 is the perfect Windows 11 alternative for older PCs
Linux Lite has released version 7.6, an update to the superb Ubuntu-based distribution aimed at Windows users seeking a simple Linux alternative. If you’re using aging hardware or just fed up with Windows 11, this might be the lightweight Linux distro you’ve been waiting for.
Arriving as Microsoft moves toward ending Windows 10 support, the release introduces a new community-driven Wiki for documentation alongside updates to default applications and desktop tools.
Wine 10.14 released with library upgrades, network improvements, and bug fixes
Wine has released version 10.14 of its popular compatibility layer which makes it easy to run Windows applications on Linux. The update includes an upgraded vkd3d library, now at version 1.17, an updated Mono engine at version 10.2.0, IPv6 ping support, Gitlab CI running on Debian Trixie, and a set of bug fixes.
Wine takes its name from the recursive acronym “Wine Is Not an Emulator,” because although it may seem like it emulates Windows, it actually translates Windows system calls directly into Linux ones. This allows many Windows apps, including games and productivity software, to run almost as smoothly on a Linux OS as they would on Microsoft’s own operating system.
This updated Windows 11 clone is Linux underneath and makes your old PC run faster -- get it now
Windows 10 is edging ever nearer towards the end of its support period, which means no more security patches or updates for millions of PCs. Users will either need to run their systems without protection or upgrade to Windows 11, which has more demanding hardware requirements.
For many older laptops and desktops, Windows 11 is not an option, and this is where Linuxfx comes in. Just updated to version 11.25.09 “NOBLE”, the latest version of the Windows-style Linux distribution offers a familiar environment that runs faster on aging machines.
Alibaba launches new open-source tool that turns photos into video
Alibaba has released a new open-source speech-to-video model capable of generating animated digital humans from a single portrait and an audio clip. The tool is aimed at content creators and researchers who are looking for a way to produce lifelike avatars capable of speaking, singing, or performing.
The Wan2.2-S2V release builds on Alibaba’s Wan2.2 video generation series. By becoming open-source, the company is offering developers a system that can animate portraits across different perspectives including close-up, bust, and full-body shots.
Tesla teams up with DeepSeek and ByteDance to introduce a new AI assistant in China
Gizmochina reports that Tesla has launched a new AI-powered voice assistant in China, in a bid to strengthen its position in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
The feature, called “Hey Tesla,” was developed with local partners DeepSeek and ByteDance and gives drivers natural voice control over navigation, media, and cabin functions.
Samsung to launch Project Infinity XR headset in Korea in October, with global rollout to follow
According to Korean news site NewsWorks, Samsung Electronics will launch its XR headset Project Infinity in October, beginning in South Korea before rolling it out globally
The product will pit the company against Apple and Meta in the mixed reality market. Samsung sees the device as a stepping stone towards smart glasses, which it expects to have stronger consumer appeal next year. Project Infinity will be unveiled at an Unpacked event on September 29, with sales starting on October 13.
Less than a third of organizations are prepared for deepfake attacks
Nearly 40 percent of organizations admit they are underprepared for AI-driven threats such as automated attacks, deepfake-based videos, and voice scams, according to new research from LevelBlue.
The new findings show that while awareness of these dangers is growing, many companies remain vulnerable and lack confidence in their ability to defend against them.
AI photography drives trend toward fewer smartphone cameras
How many cameras does your smartphone have? My iPhone 16 Pro, like the Google Pixel 10 pictured above, has four, which is above the current average according to new data from Omdia’s Smartphone Model Market Tracker 2Q25 which shows that the number of cameras in smartphones is falling.
Smartphones that shipped in the second quarter of 2025 had (on average) 3.19 lenses, which is down from 3.37 during the same period last year.
0patch will keep Office 2016 and Office 2019 secure for years after Microsoft abandons them in October
Most people know by now that October will mark the end of free security updates for Windows 10, but that’s not the only Microsoft product that will stop receiving support. In the same month, the software giant will also pull the plug on Microsoft Office 2016 and Office 2019.
Millions of users still rely on these versions at home and in workplaces, but once support stops, they are left with the choice of upgrading or running software that will become increasingly unsafe. To address this, security firm 0patch has announced that it will provide ongoing security fixes for both abandoned Office versions.
Wayne's Bio
Wayne Williams has been writing about computers, technology, and the web for over 30 years now. He’s written for most of the UK’s PC magazines, and launched, edited and published a fair few of them in his time also. If you like what you read, you can Buy Me a Coffee!
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