Google is ready to fix a bug that gives iPhone users free full-quality photo backups
With the launch of the Pixel 4, many people were surprised to find that Google was not offering full-quality photos backups as it had done in the past. For iPhone users, however, the use of the super-efficient HEIC format means it is a different story.
iPhone users have been happy to discover that their original photos are being backed up for free because the compression used by HEIC is more efficient than Google's JPEG compression. Google refers to this as a "bug" and says it is working to address it.
Samsung is killing off Linux on DeX with Android 10 update
Less than a year after it launched, Samsung has decided to close down Linux on DeX.
DeX is Samsung's feature that transforms a phone into a (nearly) fully fledged computer when connected to a monitor, and Linux on DeX made it possible to run a Linux distro in this environment. Now the company has decided to knock the project on the head and is killing it off in Android 10.
Good: Kik Messenger will live on. Bad: ads
Things have been very much up in the air for users of Kik Messenger after its owner Kik announced plans to close down the messaging tool and focus on its Kin cryptocurrency. But now things have changed.
Kik has announced that Kik Messenger has been acquired by holding company MediaLab. While details of the acquisition and any deal between the two companies are sparse, one thing is clear: Kik Messenger will live on -- albeit with ads.
How to download your Yahoo Groups data
Just a few days ago, Yahoo suddenly announced that Yahoo groups is to close down. More than this, all data that has been uploaded by users is to be deleted.
In just a week's time, it will no longer be possible to upload new content, and then in mid-December Yahoo will start to delete files, messages and more. If you want to preserve what you have uploaded, here's what you need to do.
Download Android 10 for OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T
True to its word, OnePlus has brought Android 10 to its OnePlus 6 and 6T handsets. Coming a matter of weeks after the launch of Android 10, OnePlus has released its own build as a beta.
As well as seeing OxygenOS upgraded to Android 10, there are a number of other OnePlus-specific tweaks and additions including full screen gestures.
deepin Linux 20 looks incredible
I recently sold my MacBook Pro for a few reasons, but probably most importantly, macOS just wasn't wowing me anymore. While Apple's desktop operating system is good for basic users, it is far too limited for the more hardcore. Ultimately, I found my productivity was negatively impacted by macOS -- my workflow with Windows 10 and various Linux distributions was simply better.
Of course, with all of that said, macOS is much prettier than Windows 10 -- even Microsoft would confess to that. But is it more attractive than desktop Linux distributions? Well, that depends on the desktop environment. While there are plenty of beautiful DEs and launchers for Linux, only one really surpasses macOS in the looks department -- deepin.
Internet Archive's Wayback Machine gains new ways to fight 'digital extinction'
According to the Internet Archive, the average webpage lasts just three months before being altered or deleted. To prevent this data being lost for good, the team’s Wayback Machine saves a copy of web pages across time, allowing visitors to see how a site has looked at various points in its history.
I’ve found the Wayback Machine to be an invaluable tool on numerous occasions, but it’s now getting even better.
Turn your Raspberry Pi into a PumpkinPi for Halloween
If you need some help getting into the Halloween spirit, and a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks isn’t quite cutting it, perhaps transforming your Raspberry Pi into an illuminated pumpkin will do the trick.
The Pi Hut has created a programmable Halloween board that you plug into your Pi. The Halloween PumpkinPi (see what they did there?) is available in two variations.
KB4520062 update is breaking Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection for some
Another update for Windows 10 is causing issues. This time around the update is KB4520062 for Windows 10 version 1809, and it was supposed to fix problems with Bluetooth and blank screens when it was released earlier this week.
But some users are finding that the update is breaking Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). Microsoft has acknowledged that the update can stop the anti-malware tool from running, and may also result in a 0xc0000409 error.
Calibre 4.2 improves macOS dark mode support, continues tweaking Viewer tool
Renowned open-source eBook management tool Calibre 4.2 has been released. The cross-platform app, also available in 32-bit form, makes it easy to organize, manage, view, convert and even edit eBooks.
Version 4.2 comes a fortnight after version 4.0 was released. This update promises improvements to macOS dark mode support and the Viewer application, including the generation of covers and table of contents.
Samsung responds to reports that Galaxy S10 can be unlocked with ANY fingerprint -- and promises a fix
As fingerprints are unique to everyone, they would seem like a decent way to secure your phone. But if you have a Samsung Galaxy S10, it is possible to unlock it with any fingerprint -- all that's needed is a screen protector.
With a cheap screen protector over the in-screen fingerprint reader, phones can be unlocked using any fingerprint, not just those registered to the device. Samsung has acknowledged the issue and promises that a fix is incoming.
Windows users can now protect their accounts with Yubico security keys
Yubico, a company best known for its hardware security keys, launched a new application for Microsoft's Windows operating system this week called Yubico Login.
The free software adds another layer of security to the local login process on Windows machines to better protect the system from unauthorized access.
Talent shortage holds back data analytics projects
Although organizations are becoming more data driven, projects are being held back by a shortage of skilled staff according to a new study.
The research by data science specialist Alteryx surveyed IT decision makers across the UK and five other countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) and finds 77 percent agree that data is a critical corporate asset for driving the business forward.
KB4517389 is causing even more problems with Windows 10 than first thought
That Microsoft's updates for Windows 10 have been problematic is hardly a revelation, but the scale of the problems just keeps on growing.
We have already written about numerous bug-ridden updates, including KB4517389 breaking the Start menu and Edge. Now this same update is being blamed for display issues and random BSODs.
Leaked images show off the OnePlus 8 Pro
It is only a matter of days since the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro launched, and already the leaks for the next versions of the handset are leaking.
We've already seen what the OnePlus 8 will supposedly look like and now a new leak gives us a glimpse at its big sibling: the OnePlus 8 Pro. A series of renders from the reliable @OnLeaks shows that the phone will feature a hole-punch display, no fewer than four cameras, and a 3D ToFsensor.
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