Apple Archives

Winsage

April 13, 2025

5 awesome Linux features that will blow the mind of a Windows user

In 2025, Linux is becoming a viable alternative for desktop and laptop users, previously overshadowed by Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. Recent advancements in user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint have made Linux more accessible, allowing users to operate without needing to engage with the command-line interface (CLI). Proton, a tool developed by Valve, enables users to play a wide range of games on Linux without the need for dual-boot setups. Modern Linux distributions have become stable and customizable, providing a reliable user experience. Linux powers a significant portion of the world's servers, showcasing its versatility and reliability. It is completely free and open-source, allowing users to explore different distributions without cost. Many distributions offer a live environment for users to test the OS without altering their existing systems.

AppWizard

April 13, 2025

Apple Maps web app is now available on all devices, including Android

Apple has expanded access to its Maps application by introducing a web version that can be accessed from various mobile devices, including Android. The web app, which is no longer in beta, functions more like a standard website and lacks several features found in Google Maps, such as user logins, transit maps, and 3D building visuals. Users can access Apple Maps via "maps.apple.com," which includes basic search and navigation functionalities, as well as the Look Around feature. The web app can also be added to a mobile device's home screen for easier access.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Brian Eno’s Windows 95 start-up sound just got preserved forever in the US Library of Congress

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden described the National Recording Registry as a reflection of America's diverse history and culture, with this year's entries showcasing significant audio works across various genres. Microsoft, during its dominance in the computer market, invested heavily in the launch of Windows 95, notably using The Rolling Stones' “Start Me Up” for its advertising campaign at a cost of one million dollars. Additionally, composer Brian Eno was commissioned to create a distinctive sound for Windows 95, facing the challenge of producing a piece under three and a quarter seconds long. Eno ultimately created a six-second composition, which Microsoft accepted despite exceeding the time limit, highlighting the innovative nature of his work.

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

More than 1,000 classic RPGs, strategy games, and horror greats are wildly cheap in GOG’s “Classics” PC sale, and are we OK with Skyrim officially being labeled an “old game?”

GOG is hosting a sale featuring over 1,000 classic PC games, including influential RPGs, strategy games, and horror titles. The sale includes notable games such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout series, Ultima series, Baldur's Gate series, Outlast, Silent Hill 4, and Resident Evil series. The sale has dedicated eight pages to discounted strategy games and concludes on April 25.

BetaBeacon

April 12, 2025

The Best Android Games of All Time: Top Mobile Games to Play

Some of the best Android games of all time include Genshin Impact, Among Us, Clash of Clans, Pokémon Go, and Monument Valley.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Signal, Telegram or WhatsApp: Which Encrypted Messaging App Should You Choose

Telegram, a cloud-based messaging platform, stores necessary operational data, including metadata such as IP addresses. In 2024, Telegram updated its privacy policy to comply with law enforcement requests for user data with valid legal documentation, leading to the fulfillment of 900 requests from U.S. authorities affecting 2,253 individuals. The platform has experienced data breaches, including a 2020 incident exposing data from approximately 42 million Iranian users and a 2019 vulnerability that allowed Chinese agencies to identify protestors in Hong Kong. Telegram features public channels without end-to-end encryption and offers secret chats with end-to-end encryption, limited to the device of origin. Automatic message deletion is available with a minimum interval of one day. While the client applications are open-source, the server-side code is closed-source, requiring user trust in the company to protect data. Metadata collection continues despite end-to-end encryption. Telegram operates on a freemium model, with basic features available for free and a paid tier for additional functionalities. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store at no charge.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows Weekly 927: Up to Stuff

Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed Microsoft's recent innovations, including the Windows 11 Feature Tracker, insights from Microsoft Build, advancements in consumer AI, and updates from the gaming sector, particularly Xbox. A new free newsletter offers three time-saving tips every Friday, and subscribers receive complimentary copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides. The Windows 11 Feature Tracker aims to be a comprehensive resource and may evolve into a web app or wiki. The Windows Insider Program's Beta build for 23H2 introduces changes to file new tabs and new windows, while a nostalgic taskbar icon scaling feature is returning in the Dev and Beta (24H2) versions. Intel has discontinued its Unison app and service. The Build session catalog emphasizes AI developments, with sessions covering Windows Copilot Runtime and productivity enhancements. Microsoft unveiled new Copilot features at a consumer AI event, including web actions and memory personalization, and integrated Copilot Search into Bing. Concerns about AI's impact on human intelligence were discussed, particularly in relation to a Twitter debate on Microsoft's AI demo of Quake II. Microsoft announced an Xbox Games Showcase for June, with updates to the Edge Game Assist feature and GTA V available on Game Pass starting April 15. The Nintendo Switch 2 will support ray tracing and DLSS, though its release is delayed due to tariff challenges. Apple Music for Windows now supports Dolby Atmos, and notable software includes Notion, Typora/iA Writer, and Proton Pass. This week's RunAs Radio episode focuses on Application Risk in Security Copilot. The Heart Cut #02 from the East London Liquor Company is recommended for a unique tasting experience.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

METS set to launch bus tracking app on Apple and Android devices

The METS My Ride Bus Tracking website has launched in Evansville, with a mobile application set to be released in the coming weeks. The app will allow users to track buses in real-time, providing information on arrival times and seating capacity. It will also collect data on passenger behavior to inform future improvements to the bus system. The app is expected to be available for download on Google Play and Apple App stores soon.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

AI models trying to fix bugs do better in Apple’s mobile platform than in Google’s

Business Insider delivers engaging narratives that highlight groundbreaking ideas and transformative practices in the business world. It serves as a vital resource for professionals navigating the complexities of commerce, emphasizing creativity in storytelling to foster a community of forward-thinking individuals. The publication is dedicated to showcasing innovative stories and keeping readers informed about the latest trends and developments in the evolving business landscape.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Google launches Gemini in Android Studio for Businesses, making it easier for devs to design work apps

Apple is the leading smartphone manufacturer in the U.S., while 60% of corporate-owned devices are powered by Android, according to a survey by Stratix. Google announced Gemini in Android Studio for businesses at the Google Cloud Next 2025 conference, a subscription-based service aimed at enhancing the Android ecosystem for enterprise app developers. Gemini focuses on secure, privacy-oriented AI solutions, with a strict data governance policy ensuring confidentiality and ownership of company code. It includes enterprise-grade management features and extends Google's generative AI indemnification policy to protect against copyright infringement claims related to AI-generated code. The enterprise edition allows customization using internal repositories, improving code acceptance rates by 70%. Gemini is compliant with various industry certifications, including SOC 1, 2, and 3, and ISO/IEC 27001, among others. A free version of Gemini remains available for independent developers, while organizations can acquire a Code Assist Enterprise license through the Google Cloud Console.