Software
Noteworthy software updates, industry and its key players.
Top 10 Hacks for Microsoft PowerPoint
For countless people in business, education and entertainment, PowerPoint is the default app for creating presentations. Here are top 10 shortcuts and hacks to help you become a PowerPoint pro.
Apple prepares to crack open iOS' walled garden in Europe
Apple prepares to comply with Europe's Digital Markets Act, allowing third-party app stores and sideloading
Microsoft is retiring its Soundscape app, but will make project code available as open-source software
Microsoft is letting the community take over
Official support for both Windows 7 and 8 ends in January, Microsoft Edge also losing support
Over 13 percent of Windows users will be affected by the discontinuations
Windows 11's snipping tool to receive screen recording function
Now available to Windows dev channel insiders
Viber is a secure messaging alternative to WhatsApp
Viber uses end-to-end encryption on all 1-to-1 and group messages. It also features disappearing messages and the ability to password-protect your chats. Viber is available for all major desktop and mobile OS.
Google Chrome introduces new modes to save energy and memory
New functionality should help users on laptops with lots of tabs open
Enhance and Upscale: FSR 2.2 vs DLSS 2.4 Analysis
We like to keep up to date with the latest in the world of upscaling, so when FSR 2.2 was brought alongside AMD's RDNA 3, we wanted to see how it compares to the latest version of DLSS.
Telegram now lets you sign-up with anonymous phone numbers
Telegram is adding a new privacy layer, letting you sign-up without your real phone number and use instead anonymous numbers from the Fragment blockchain platform. Also new, set a global auto-delete timer to remove messages in all new chats without leaving a trace.
Chrome now lets you search browsing history and open tabs right from the address bar
Starting with version 108.0.5359.95, Google Chrome now allows you to find bookmarks, tabs, and your browsing history from the address bar. Just type "@bookmarks" or "@tabs" or "@history" in the address bar and start looking for open tabs and websites you've visited before.
PlayStation 4 emulator can now run dozens of games
A PS4 emulator boots its first 3D game
Open-source antivirus ClamAV finally goes 1.0, some 20 years after launch
The antivirus for Linux-based operating systems keeps improving
VLC media player adds support for new formats, improves streaming support, and more
Why it matters: VLC is universally regarded as one of the best (if not the best) media players available today. A new version released a couple of days ago brings further improvements for the program's compatibility, stability, security and format support.
Keep tabs on your storage with TreeSize
TreeSize brings visual, Explorer-like reporting for your storage drives and its usage, so you can better manage your disk space. It also offers file search for old files, growth tracking, and more.
F.lux adjusts your screen temperature to reduce eye strain
F.lux adjusts lighting and screen temperature to better suit your room and time of day. This allows for less strain to your eyes specially during the night and early morning by reducing blue light.
Mastering Multiple Monitors in Windows
Using additional monitors is a great way to help improve your productivity when using your computer. Here's our simple guide to setting up multi-monitor displays in Windows.
Firefox avoids the cloud for its privacy-friendly translation service
Firefox Translations is a promising alternative to Google Translate
Apple App Store Awards honor standout apps and games of 2022
What just happened? Apple has announced the winners of its annual App Store Awards, highlighting more than a dozen apps and games that it says inspired users to expand their imaginations and engage with friends, family and loved ones more deeply this year.
OpenAI successfully trained a Minecraft bot using 70,000 hours of gameplay videos
The results are helping researchers understand the value of online videos as an AI training resource
Security experts urge Chrome users to patch new zero-day exploit immediately
The finding marks the popular browser's 8th zero-day exploit of 2022
Windows Subsystem for Linux comes to the Microsoft Store for everyone
Why it matters: The tiny Linux kernel hidden within Windows has grown, and is now a proper, stable part of the operating system thanks to the Microsoft Store integration. Updates will be easier and faster this way.
Ubisoft is returning to Steam, starting with Assassin's Creed Valhalla on December 6
"Where did that bring you? Back to me."
