Wine 5.0 launches with multi-monitor support, application fixes and gaming improvements
When it comes to running Windows applications and games on Linux and macOS, Wine is the go-to tool for many people. Now Wine 5.0 has been released and it includes significant changes that make it even more useful.
After a series of betas and release candidates, the stable version of Wine 5.0 is here. It features multi-monitor support, numerous fixes for problematic games and applications, Vulkan 1.1 support, and more.
Chromebooks get 8 years of updates, and Microsoft's Windows 10 is the big loser
Many people publicly deride Chromebooks, but that is largely because of their ignorance. For instance, some will say the computers are nothing more than a "glorified web browser." Actually, Chromebooks run a secure Linux distribution called "Chrome OS." While the operating system does focus heavily on the web, that really isn't a problem nowadays. Since Wi-Fi is ubiquitous these days, doing all of your computing on the web is actually ideal. Who the heck isn't constantly connected to the internet anyway?
But OK, if you have a need for offline computing, that is totally possible too. Not to mention, Chromebooks can now run both Android apps and traditional Linux desktop programs -- there is a huge library of useful software just waiting to be installed.
Happy 20th birthday, SD card!
Back in the day, when you bought, say, a digital camera, there were different storage card types used by various manufacturers. For example, Sony had its own Memory Stick, while Olympus used xD cards. For consumers, this was a nightmare, as it meant changing the brand of your camera or other device could mean your memory cards would no longer work.
Thankfully, as time marched on the computer industry largely rallied around the SD (Secure Digital) card and micro SD card, which have essentially become the standards we all know and love. Believe it or not, the first-ever SD card was sold 20 years ago! Can you guess how much data it held? A laughable (by today's standards, at least) 8MB. Nowadays, you can score a 1TB SD card (1,000,000MB) without breaking the bank. This 1TB Lexar model, for instance can be had for less than $300.
ProtonVPN goes open source to build trust
Proton Technologies has announced that it is open sourcing its VPN tool, ProtonVPN.
The Swiss firm says that not only is it releasing the source code for its VPN tool on all platforms, but also that it has conducted an independent security audit. Created by CERN scientists, ProtonVPN has amassed millions of users since it launched in 2017 and the decision to open source the tool gives users and security exports the opportunity to analyze the tool very closely.
Plugable launches affordable 512GB variant of its excellent Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD
If you own a Thunderbolt 3 computer, and you have a need for external storage, I highly recommend you buy a TB3 solid state drive. The speed provided by a Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD is simply amazing -- it puts a USB hard disk drive or external SATA SSD to shame.
Aren't sure which model to buy? You should check out our review of the Plugable Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD here. The drive is fast, well-built, and very attractive. The problem? It is a bit expensive -- although worth every penny (if you can afford it). For instance, the 1TB variant costs $299, while the 2TB model is $499. If you don't need that much capacity, and would rather save some money, I have some good news. Starting today, Plugable is launching a 512GB version of its popular drive that costs less than the two aforementioned models.
Microsoft is testing ads in WordPad in Windows 10
Over the years Microsoft has taken numerous controversial decisions with Windows 10, including installing sponsored apps, using the Start menu to advertise apps it thinks you might be interested in, and -- of course -- the various forms of data-collecting telemetry.
Now it has been discovered that more ads could be on their way. A Windows researcher has uncovered ads in WordPad encouraging people to try out Word, Excel and PowerPoint online.
You can buy the official Kubuntu 'Focus' Linux laptop now
Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux-based desktop operating systems in the world. Why? Well, it is easy to use, preloaded with useful software, and has one of the best online communities.
Not everyone likes the default GNOME desktop environment, however, so some folks opt for different flavors of Ubuntu, such as Xububtu (which uses Xfce) or Kubuntu (which uses KDE Plasma). Speaking of the latter, today, you can buy an official Kubuntu laptop. Called "Focus". It is an absolutely powerhouse with top specs.
AI -- separating the reality from the hype to deliver better solutions [Q&A]
Artificial intelligence is making its way into more and more areas of our lives. But how much of this is hype and how much is genuine innovation? And can improved AI learning models deliver better commercial solutions?
We spoke to Ben Lamm, CEO of Hypergiant Industries, a company at the cutting edge of solving problems with AI, to find out.
Nyrius ARIES Pro+ can stream 1080p HD video more than 150 feet
When you want to transmit video from across a room -- or from one room to another -- you have to run cables, right? Actually, no. Thanks to wireless steaming devices, you can watch a video without much effort at all. Unfortunately, many of them don’t go very far, limiting their usefulness in some situations.
Nyrius has a new streaming device that can transmit HDMI more than 150 feet! Actually, the "Aries Pro +," as it is called, can theoretically transmit video 165 feet -- depending on the environment, of course. Best of all, it promises no lag, so it can be used with video game consoles.
How to find and use the free screen recorder tool in Windows 10
When you need to take a screenshot, you can just hit Print Screen, or use Windows 10's Snipping Tool. But what about if you want to record a video of your desktop?
It might surprise you to learn that Window 10 has a screen recording tool built in. For some reason, Microsoft has chosen not to make much of a fuss about it, but for people in the know, it is an amazingly useful tool. Read on to learn the secret!
How machine learning is set to be a major disruptor in the 2020s [Q&A]
Over the last decade we've seen significant advances in AI and machine learning. But there's more on its way, with ML set disrupt almost every industry sector in the decade to come.
We spoke to Eric Loftsgaarden, VP of Data Science and co-founder of consulting services company Atrium to find out how ML can be used to set businesses apart from their competitors and give start ups an edge in traditional industries.
Microsoft pledges to patch Internet Explorer bug that is being actively exploited
Microsoft says it is working on a fix for a serious security vulnerability in Internet Explorer. The bug affects versions 9, 10 and 11 of the browser in Windows 7, 8.x, 10, Windows Server 2008 and 2012.
The memory handling bug can be exploited by an attacker to run malicious code on a target computer, but despite its severity, Microsoft is unlikely to release the fix before next month's Patch Tuesday. News of the vulnerability comes just days after Microsoft ended support for Windows 7.
Giveaway: Win a Logitech Pro Personal Video Collaboration Kit (a $399 value)
When you need a webcam, you can never go wrong with Logitech. Its cameras have long been considered some of the best models to get. Best of all, Logitech has many webcams at different price points, allowing anyone to get a model that fits into their budget. For instance, the Logitech C720 is one I often recommend for those low on cash, as it can be had for under $20 and it offers solid 720p performance. You can then opt for a 1080p model, such as the Logitech C920S, for a bit more cash, or go all-out and splurge on the top-of-the-line Logitech 4K BRIO.
Understandably, many people want that beautiful BRIO model, but can't afford the relatively high asking price. Thankfully, we here at BetaNews are giving one away. Actually, the prize is the Logitech Pro Personal Video Collaboration Kit, which includes the BRIO 4K webcam and the high-end Zone Wireless headset. This kit a $399 value, but one winner will score it for free!
CRM is no longer enough say leading software companies
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems are no longer enough for the digital era, according to more than 200 software companies.
In a declaration published as an open letter in yesterday's Wall Street Journal, the Platform of Independents set out its belief that companies should never be locked into CRM suites, and that building better products, respecting customer privacy, and making smarter business decisions requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach to their technology stacks.
The top creative trends for 2020 revealed
Individuals, brands, marketers and creatives looking to make a splash this year need to make sure their content -- be it images or videos -- is fresh and relevant.
Shutterstock has analyzed data gathered over a 12-month period from billions of customer searches for photos, illustrations, footage, and music, and produced a report predicting the styles that are set to dominate this year.
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