Linux applications Archives

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

A week with Googlebooks: four notes from our testing so far

Google has launched five new Googlebook laptops featuring the Googlebook OS, which has received mixed reviews. While the hardware is praised, the software is criticized for being problematic and not a significant upgrade from ChromeOS. Users report issues such as the inability to run Chrome with separate Google accounts, clunky Android apps, and awkward command requirements for messaging apps. The app ecosystem is struggling, with many applications failing to adapt to the Googlebook's interface, resulting in a frustrating user experience. Linux applications face integration challenges, complicating multitasking. Despite some successful features like file transfer and notification responses between Googlebook and Android devices, users experience frequent connectivity issues and sluggish performance.

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

Googlebooks have a Linux app problem that even budget Chromebooks solved years ago

Googlebooks have limitations in supporting Linux applications compared to Chromebooks. Users must use Android's Terminal app to install Linux apps, lacking a graphical user interface, which complicates the process. Google has stated that GUI Linux applications are not a priority for the initial release. Early users have reported performance issues with Linux applications, such as GIMP losing mouse input, likely due to compatibility issues with the Intel x86-64 CPU architecture. Additionally, some Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are not fully supported on Googlebook OS, possibly due to conflicts with Android applications.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

DroidDeck is basically SteamOS on Android without SteamOS

DroidDeck is a new mobile gaming application for Android devices that allows users to access and play their Steam library, mimicking the Steam OS interface. It offers a comprehensive Steam client experience in Big Picture mode and supports various Steam OS functionalities, including desktop mode and the installation of Decky plugins and Linux applications. The installation process is user-friendly but requires users to enable the “disable child-process limit” feature in developer options, which is unavailable on Android 12 or 13. Users need a device with a Snapdragon processor and an Adreno 700 series GPU or higher, excluding many budget and mid-range options. Preliminary tests on the Retroid Pocket G2 showed a familiar interface but noted performance issues and high storage usage, with the app consuming approximately 12GB after installing one sub-1GB game. Gameplay experiences varied, with some titles running at playable speeds while others had inconsistent frame rates. Users may want to keep alternative apps like GameNative installed for better performance and compatibility.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

One of the biggest Linux distros is growing faster thanks to WSL for Windows 11 than it is its own desktop

The growth of Ubuntu on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is outpacing traditional desktop usage, with expectations that the number of Ubuntu users on WSL will soon surpass those using it natively. Jon Seagar, VP of Engineering at Canonical, noted that the growth in WSL numbers is significantly higher than that of desktop usage. WSL allows users to run Linux applications seamlessly within the Windows 11 environment, and Microsoft continues to enhance WSL with new features like WSL Containers.

Winsage

August 5, 2026

Desktop Linux just cracked 10% market share – and Windows 11 is mostly to blame

Desktop Linux has reached a market share of 10.65% in North America, doubling from a 5% share in 2025. When including Chrome OS, the combined market share rises to 12.72%. The US federal government's Digital Analytics Program (DAP) reports Linux's market share at 5.8%, with a total end-user Linux share of approximately 19% when factoring in Android and Chrome OS. Key reasons for users leaving Windows include the transition to Microsoft 365, improved gaming on Linux, better user-friendliness, enhanced hardware compatibility, and privacy concerns. Approximately 25% of Windows 10 PCs are ineligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, with 22.16% of Windows users still on Windows 10. A survey found that 26% of users plan to continue using Windows 10 after support ends. Users are frustrated with Windows, viewing Windows 11 as a promotional platform for Microsoft's services. Modern Linux distributions are user-friendly, and installation is straightforward. Linux is recognized for its superior security compared to Windows, which has faced numerous vulnerabilities and security patches.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

I tried this Linux distro that looks like Windows, is made by a Microsoft engineer, and is based on Ubuntu

AnduinOS is a new Linux distribution created by a Microsoft engineer, based on Ubuntu, designed to provide a user experience similar to Windows 11. It offers both Long-Term Support (LTS) and short-term releases, with the latter featuring enhancements over its predecessor. Unlike Ubuntu, which uses Snap packages, AnduinOS utilizes Flatpak for software management, allowing access to a wider range of applications. The desktop environment closely resembles Windows 11, featuring a taskbar, Start menu, and other familiar elements, enhanced by GNOME extensions. Users can customize the taskbar and Start menu extensively, surpassing the customization options available in Windows. The integration of GNOME extensions, such as Clipboard History and Tiling Shell, further enhances productivity and user experience.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

How to run Linux GUI apps on Android (when it actually works)

Android 17 is progressing towards enabling a fully functional Linux desktop environment, allowing for the potential to run Linux GUI applications. The Android kernel is based on Linux, and Google has integrated Linux terminal support. Users face challenges with the implementation of the Weston app, which is intended to provide a graphical environment for Linux GUI applications. The process to enable Linux GUI apps involves several steps, including enabling Linux terminal support, installing Flatpak, and accessing the Wayland terminal. However, users encounter technical hurdles, such as insufficient memory allocation and issues with the D-bus portal, leading to a frustrating experience. Despite some successful attempts to run the Weston command, persistent errors hinder functionality, and the feature is not yet ready for widespread use.

Winsage

July 1, 2026

Bottles is how you should actually run Windows apps on Linux

Wine enables users to run Windows applications on Linux by translating Windows calls into POSIX calls. It has evolved significantly, especially with contributions from Valve's Proton project, but can be complex and unpredictable, leading to potential glitches with updates. Bottles enhances this experience by creating isolated containers for each application, allowing users to run specific versions of Wine tailored to individual applications. This approach improves compatibility and organization, as users can group applications with similar settings. Bottles also features Eagle, a tool that recommends optimal Wine setups, and allows easy backup and restoration of configurations, ensuring a clean system.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

I tested Android 17 on my Pixel 9 Pro – its app bubbles are a multitasker’s dream

Android 17 has been released for Pixel devices, introducing several new features: 1. Desktop Mode allows users to connect their phones to an external monitor for a desktop-like experience with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. 2. App Bubbles enable seamless multitasking by allowing users to bubble apps for quick access from the home screen. 3. The selfie camera can be enabled during screen recordings, allowing users to narrate actions while appearing on screen. 4. The recent apps page now displays full app names and includes a drop-down menu for options like pinning, splitting the screen, taking screenshots, or clearing recent apps. 5. Early support for running GUI Linux applications is introduced, paving the way for future advancements in Linux environments on devices. 6. Enhanced HDR brightness allows users to customize the display of HDR content for a more dynamic viewing experience. The update process for Pixel 9 Pro took approximately 30 minutes, and the rollout for other Pixel devices is expected soon. Other Android users will need to wait for their respective device updates.

Winsage

May 27, 2026

Is it time to move from Windows to Linux?

The evolution of software development has progressed from intricate coding practices in the era of Windows 3.1 to more user-friendly programming environments. Linux applications typically require less RAM, often functioning efficiently with 8 to 16 GB, compared to 32 GB for Windows. Users can explore Linux through platforms like WSL, Hyper-V, or VirtualBox without fully committing. Linux serves as a viable alternative for older PCs that cannot support Windows 11 and acquiring Linux development skills can enhance professional profiles. Linux updates generally do not require reboots, and users can choose when to install them. Windows systems tend to slow down over time due to registry clutter, while Linux maintains performance integrity. Windows runs numerous background processes that could be disabled for better performance, but users may not know which ones are safe to turn off. Developers may find Windows frustrating due to increasing restrictions and limited administrative privileges. In contrast, Linux provides transparency regarding telemetry data. Microsoft's Visual Studio Code is a leading text editor for Linux, highlighting Microsoft's influence on Linux development. The introduction of Python and C# on Linux has showcased its performance advantages. While Windows has an edge in GUI development, tools like Flutter are enabling Linux GUI application creation. Many Linux utilities work seamlessly from the terminal. Transitioning to full-time Linux use is a personal choice, especially for gamers or those with specific project needs. The ability to develop in languages like Rust, Flutter, and C# across both operating systems encourages exploration of various Linux distributions.