Wayne Williams

Team Kodi is hard at work on the next generation of its hugely popular home theater software. Although it will be a while before we see the first build from the Kodi 22 branch, we do have a good idea of some of the new features and improvements set to make an appearance.

One of the features that will be arriving in the future software release will be a forum-requested feature, which will allow users of the PVR & Live TV feature to have Kodi automatically delete recordings once they’ve been watched, freeing up valuable hard drive space.

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Windows 7 introduced a useful hidden feature called God Mode, which provides access to all admin tools and control options in one place. Since Microsoft hasn't fully removed the Control Panel from Windows 11, God Mode remains functional in the company's newest operating system -- and you can use it in Windows 10 too.

To enable God Mode, you simply need to create a folder and rename it using a specific command. In addition to the standard God Mode, there are several alternative modes you can activate. Here’s what you need to do.

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Microsoft has introduced features like “News and Interests” and the “Copilot” AI assistant to its operating systems. The aim is to provide quick access to information and productivity tools, but not everyone appreciates those tools and plenty of people would prefer a cleaner taskbar, like we had with the likes of Windows 7.

Disabling these features can streamline the desktop interface and potentially improve system performance. This guide will show you how to remove News and Interests on Windows 10 and disable Copilot and the Widgets feature on Windows 11.

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Python is the go-to language for developers, engineers, data scientists, and hobbyists worldwide.  Known for its versatility, Python can efficiently power applications, offering remarkable speed, safety, and scalability.

Modern Python Cookbook distills Python into a collection of straightforward recipes, providing insights into specific language features within various contexts, making it an indispensable resource for mastering Python and using it to handle real-world use cases.

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In Deep Learning: A Practical Introduction, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a book complete with coverage of the theoretical and practical elements of deep learning. The book includes extensive examples, end-of-chapter exercises, homework, exam material, and a GitHub repository containing code and data for all provided examples.

Combining contemporary deep learning theory with state-of-the-art tools, the chapters are structured to maximize accessibility for both beginning and intermediate students. The authors have included coverage of TensorFlow, Keras, and Pytorch.

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Windows has always allowed a decent degree of customization. You can tweak how the OS looks and behaves in a number of ways, but only within the limits set by Microsoft. The good news is that if you want to make more advanced changes, there is no shortage of third-party tools that will let you do exactly that -- from changing the Start menu and wallpaper to preventing Microsoft from tracking your activity and replacing default apps with better alternatives.

GitHub is home to a vast number of Windows tweaking tools, and we thought it would be fun to showcase the best of these in a new series.

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Building high performance into your applications is key to creating an optimal user experience, although it is not the only consideration for the performant nature of your apps.

High performance applications can lead to cost-effective resource utilization, especially when scalability and cloud computing are involved. They can also provide highly reliable systems that are easier to maintain. High Performance with Java begins by helping you explore the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and understand how to push it to its limits to further optimize your programs.

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Mastering PowerShell Scripting, Fifth Edition, can help you overcome any fears and become proficient in navigating PowerShell's capabilities. This edition includes new chapters on debugging, troubleshooting, and creating GUIs.

You will learn about the latest features of PowerShell 7.3, including working with parameters, objects, and .NET classes.

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Although Microsoft has tried to improve Windows 11 with new features and updates, many users still find the operating system lacks polish and consistency. This is where Rebound 11 comes in. Created by Ivirius to address the aesthetic and usability gaps left by Microsoft, Rebound 11 provides a third-party solution that improves the overall look and feel of the OS.

Unlike other tools, such as Rectify11, which replace core files to create a more cohesive look, Rebound 11 doesn’t alter essential system components or impact Windows functionality. Instead, it focuses on enhancing the appearance and usability of classic Win32 applications while incorporating modern UI elements like WinUI 3.

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AI + The New Human Frontier: Reimagining the Future of Time, Trust + Truth by Erica Orange, a renowned futurist, offers a compelling exploration of generative AI's potential to enhance human creativity rather than replace it. This pivotal book navigates how AI tools will help shape the human experience, and aid in augmenting human ingenuity and imagination.

The author eloquently argues that the essence of human intelligence -- our curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and more -- is not only irreplaceable but will become increasingly valuable as AI evolves to take on routine tasks. AI + the New Human Frontier is a clarion call for embedding trust, human oversight and judgement into AI development, ensuring that the technology amplifies our most human capabilities. At a time when the lines between what is real, fake, true and false are becoming more blurred, reliance on human-centric solutions, not just technological ones, will become more critical.

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Running Android games on a PC is straightforward with emulators like Bluestacks or NoxPlayer. If you want to play popular AAA Windows PC games on an Android device, things get a bit trickier.

This is where Winlator comes in. Winlator is a free Android app that allows users to run Windows (x86_64) games using Wine 9.2 (custom) and Box64 (0.3.0), and it has just received an update to version 8.0 which includes a lot of new features and improvements.

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Kodi has long been a favorite for media enthusiasts, offering a customizable, open-source platform for streaming and managing media libraries, but it's not without its frustrations. The setup process, particularly installing and managing add-ons, isn't as intuitive as it could be, add-ons frequently break or becoming unsupported, and performance problems like buffering and crashes are common, especially on older devices.

If you’re searching for Kodi alternatives, you're in luck. There are several media center platforms that provide excellent options for streaming and managing your content. Here’s a look at the top 7 Kodi alternatives, along with key features to watch out for, and the download links you'll need.

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Struggling to free up enough space for the latest iOS upgrade or worried about losing data when switching to a new iPhone?

Get a licensed copy of WinX MediaTrans V8.0 for free (regularly priced at $39.95) and seamlessly transfer data between your iPhone, iPad, and computer with no risk of data loss or leakage. WinX MediaTrans makes it easy to back up your iPhone data, freeing up storage space for upgrades, switching devices, or simply for daily file management. It’s fast, secure, and user-friendly!

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Mastering Spring Boot 3.0 is your gateway to building scalable and robust backend systems using the latest techniques. Penned by a seasoned software developer with 20+ years of experience in the tech industry, this book follows a hands-on, step-by-step approach to helping you understand Spring Boot concepts and apply them to real-world projects.

You’ll start by exploring key architectural patterns such as DDD, CQRS, and event sourcing. Next, you’ll focus on the nuances of reactive REST development, delve into advanced testing strategies, and fortify your applications' security. You’ll also discover the power of containerization and orchestration with Spring Boot 3.0 and unlock its potential for smooth deployments.

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With the right knowledge and resources, you can take action to start the online business you’ve been dreaming of. This comprehensive guide provides tips and tricks for turning your dream into a reality.

The sixth edition of Starting an Online Business: All-in-One For Dummies will teach you the basics and beyond. It will prepare you to set up your business website, offer your products in an online store, and keep accurate books. The authors help you navigate the primary legal, accounting, and security challenges related to running an online business.

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