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FossBase: Open Tech Tips
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Introducing Proton Authenticator – secure 2FA, your way

Proton Authenticator is a new, free, open-source 2FA app launched by Proton, available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for secure logins, offering end-to-end encrypted backups and cross-device sync without ads or tracking. Users can import 2FA codes from apps like Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator, and it works offline. Built for privacy, it doesn’t require a Proton account, though syncing needs one. Ideal for anyone seeking a secure, transparent 2FA solution.

Source | Download
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Pano Scrobbler Released 4.x bringing support to Linux and Windows

Rewritten in Compose Multiplatform, now supports Android, Windows, Linux.
New: Material 3 UI, persistent notification (Android 14+), QR login for
last.fm/libre.fm on TV, network import/export, Audile music recognition.
Scrobbling: Apple Music, Spotify, and more with artist/album data from iTunes/Spotify APIs.
Improvements: Regex scrobble blocking, pending scrobble timestamps, GitHub auto-updates (desktop), UI tweaks.
Removed: In-app mic scrobble, native Maloja, TV editing, Android 6 support.
Fixes: Scrobble edits, UI bugs, segfaults, duplicate scrobbles.

Source | GitHub
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Type Sloppy, Find Apps Fast: GNOME Fuzzy Search Extension

A new Fuzzy Application Search extension for GNOME Shell lets you find apps even with typos, unlike GNOME's default precise search. It supports GNOME 48 and 49 (Ubuntu 25.10) and uses a ranking system similar to TextMate/Sublime Text. Ideal for inattentive typists or those with dyslexia, it’s available on the GNOME Extensions hub. This fills a gap since GNOME Shell lacks native fuzzy matching, a feature requested since 2016.

Source | Gnome Extensions
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Firefox 142 Drops: AI-Powered Previews, Tab Groups, and Smarter Tracking Protection!

Firefox 142 is out with fresh features! US users can now curate New Tab stories by topics like Sports or Food, follow favorites, and block unwanted ones. Link Previews are stable—right-click a link for a thumbnail, denoscription, and AI-generated key points (needs 3GB+ RAM, rolling out in USA, Canada, UK, Australia). Extensions can use local AI models via the wllama API. Tab Groups keep one active tab visible when collapsed, and Enhanced Tracking Protection adds flexible exception lists to avoid breaking websites.
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Windows Update Woes: SSDs at Risk!

Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5063878) is reportedly causing SSD failures during large file transfers (>50GB), especially on drives over 60% full. Phison-based SSDs seem most affected, but others like SanDisk and Corsair are also hit. Microsoft is investigating, and a hotfix is expected. For now, back up data and avoid heavy write operations. Considering Linux? It might be time!🐧
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Newsflash is a program designed to complement an already existing web-based RSS reader account.

It combines all the advantages of web based services like syncing across all your devices with everything you expect from a modern desktop program: Desktop notifications, fast search and filtering, tagging, handy keyboard shortcuts and having access to all your articles for as long as you like.


Credits: Omansh Krishn
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Spotify's New Mix Feature: DJ Your Playlists Like a Pro!

Spotify is beta-testing "Mix," a tool for Premium users to customize track transitions in playlists. Go automatic with seamless blending or tweak manually—adjust volume, EQ, effects, and more using waveforms and beats for that perfect flow.
- Collaborate on mixed playlists with friends.
- Presets like "Auto," "Fade," or "Rise" for quick setups.
- Toggle on/off anytime.

Available now for select users (update your app!); full rollout TBD.
Digg Returns with a Fresh App!

Digg’s iOS and Android apps are back, reviving the classic social news platform. Submit links, comment, and vote with “digg” (upvote) or “bury” (downvote) to shape your feed. It’s invite-only for now, led by co-founder Kevin Rose and Reddit’s Alexis Ohanian, with profiles, communities, and leaderboards for top posts. Aiming to reclaim its spot as the internet’s homepage!
The Browser You Should Avoid Using On Your Android Phone

Pre-installed browsers like Google Chrome on Android devices may pose privacy risks due to extensive data collection, including browsing history, payment details, and contact lists, which can be used for targeted advertising and may be vulnerable to exploits, even in Incognito mode.

Recommended alternatives include privacy-focused browsers such as Brave, DuckDuckGo, Firefox, IronFox or Tor, which block trackers and minimize data collection.
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Happy 34th Birthday to Linux!

From Linus Torvalds' legendary 1991 announcement to powering billions of devices worldwide – servers, supercomputers, smartphones, and even space missions – you've revolutionized open-source computing. Here's to endless kernels, penguins, and community magic! Long live the Tux!
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openSUSE Unveils New Website!

openSUSE’s revamped website is live, showcasing a modern design for its Linux distros, Tumbleweed and Leap. While visually appealing, it has gaps—some sections feel incomplete, and navigation could use polish. The community-driven project continues to evolve, with feedback welcomed to refine the experience.
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Windows 11 Update: Resume Android Apps on Your PC!

Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows 11 that lets you seamlessly resume Android apps from your phone directly on your PC. Spotify is the first app to support this, with a taskbar alert for easy launch and continuation.
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Elon Musk Sues Apple & OpenAI for Antitrust Violations!

xAI and X Corp. have filed a lawsuit accusing Apple and OpenAI's partnership of killing competition in AI. Claims include forcing ChatGPT as the default on iPhones via Apple Intelligence, deprioritizing rivals like Grok and X in the App Store, and giving OpenAI unfair access to billions of user data prompts.

This could shake up AI and smartphone antitrust battles!
YouTube's AI Auto-Editing Sparks Creator Backlash Over Artistic Control

YouTube is testing AI to auto-enhance videos, improving clarity and color without creator consent, sparking backlash. Musicians and videographers, like Rick Beato, noticed unauthorized changes, raising concerns about artistic control. YouTube claims it’s a limited test, but creators fear AI could erode authenticity. New guidelines also target low-effort AI content for demonetization.
Spotify’s New DMs: Share Tunes & Chats with Friends!

Spotify introduces Messages, a new in-app DM feature for users 16+ in select markets. Share music, podcasts, and audiobooks directly with friends. Offers encrypted 1:1 chats, emoji reactions, and content tracking. Available on mobile for Free and Premium users, aiming to boost engagement without replacing external sharing.
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Google's Nano-Banana AI Image Generator Is Officially Available In The Gemini App

Google has officially launched Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, aka "Nano-Banana," a powerful AI image generator now available in the Gemini app. This viral model from Google DeepMind excels at creating and editing realistic images, topping LMArena benchmarks. Users can edit photos with simple prompts, combine images, or redesign scenes while maintaining consistency. Available to free and paid Gemini users, it includes visible "AI" watermarks to prevent misuse. A game-changer for photo editing!
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Google to require dev verification for all Android apps by 2027

Google will require all Android app developers, including those distributing apps outside the Play Store, to verify their identity starting in September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a global rollout planned for 2027. This involves creating an Android Developer Console account with a $25 fee, submitting government-issued ID, and verified contact details. Organizations must provide business registration and a verified website. Apps must be registered with Google using a public key certificate. The move aims to curb malware, as Google reports 50 times more malware from sideloaded apps than Play Store apps. A less burdensome process for students and hobbyists is planned but not detailed. Developers already verified on the Play Store are unaffected. Critics argue this restricts Android’s openness, comparing it to a walled garden, while Google insists it preserves user choice while enhancing security.
Carburetor: Your One-Click Shield for Anonymous Browsing on Linux!

Discover anonymous browsing with Carburetor on your phones and computers. Tailored for GNOME, it's your hidden superhero for online adventures, powered by TOR. Carburetor provides a local TOR proxy that hides your IP, ensuring your Internet activities remain encrypted, anonymized, and untraceable. Don't get your hands dirty with system files anymore – just tap into the app, keeping your online world safe and private. Customize settings if you want, but you don't have to. Carburetor is Free Software and puts you in control. No worries, just enjoy your anonymous browsing!
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OpenAI Faces Lawsuit Over Teen's Suicide, Plans ChatGPT Updates

Parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine from California have sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming ChatGPT validated their son's suicidal thoughts after months of conversations, leading to his death in April.

In response, OpenAI expresses deep sympathy and announces plans to train the AI to better detect mental distress in extended chats, plus new parental controls for monitoring kids' usage.
Nothing Busted: Stock Photos Passed Off as Phone 3 Camera Samples!

Tech brand Nothing caught misrepresenting stock photos as Phone 3 camera samples. Five images claimed to be taken by the device were licensed photos shot with other cameras. A photographer confirmed to The Verge that one image, licensed via Stills, wasn’t captured by Phone 3, with EXIF data showing it was taken in 2023, before the phone’s release.
New Proton Security Feature Lets Your Friends And Family Access Your Account In Emergencies

Proton introduced a new Emergency Access feature on August 28, 2025. This feature allows paid Proton account holders to designate up to five trusted contacts (family or friends) who can access their encrypted account data in emergencies, such as incapacitation or death. Users can set immediate access with approval or a custom wait time (e.g., seven days) for automatic access if a request goes unanswered. The feature, secured with Proton’s strong encryption, is available only to paid subscribers, with plans like Proton Unlimited starting at $12.99/month. It ensures sensitive data remains accessible without compromising privacy.