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Zorin OS 18 is coming tomorrow 🏔
A Sneak Peek at Zorin OS 18. Test the Beta Today. 👀
• A stunning new look
• Advanced window tiling, made simple
• Seamless integration with Web Apps
• New theme colours
• 3 new desktop layouts, coming soon to Zorin OS Pro
and more..
Read Blog | Download Zoin OS 18 Core (Beta)
• A stunning new look
• Advanced window tiling, made simple
• Seamless integration with Web Apps
• New theme colours
• 3 new desktop layouts, coming soon to Zorin OS Pro
and more..
Read Blog | Download Zoin OS 18 Core (Beta)
Zorin
A Sneak Peek at Zorin OS 18. Test the Beta Today.
We’re thrilled to announce the Beta release of Zorin OS 18, the next major version of our operating system. It brings a refreshed design, …
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After over a year of development and seven alpha releases System76 has released the beta version of its COSMIC desktop with Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS beta
The new COSMIC desktop is written in Rust and features a revamped file manager, a new application launcher with web search and a calculator, and advanced window tiling and stacking. The default applications have been updated to COSMIC-specific versions, replacing many of the previous GNOME apps.
Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS Beta is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and is powered by the Linux 6.16 kernel and Mesa 25.1.5 graphics stack. As these are pre-release versions, they are not recommended for production environments. The beta is available for download for both Intel/AMD and NVIDIA systems.
The new COSMIC desktop is written in Rust and features a revamped file manager, a new application launcher with web search and a calculator, and advanced window tiling and stacking. The default applications have been updated to COSMIC-specific versions, replacing many of the previous GNOME apps.
Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS Beta is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and is powered by the Linux 6.16 kernel and Mesa 25.1.5 graphics stack. As these are pre-release versions, they are not recommended for production environments. The beta is available for download for both Intel/AMD and NVIDIA systems.
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Windows 10 extended support is now free, but only in Europe
Microsoft is now offering free extended security updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but only for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). This decision was made after pressure from consumer groups. For users outside the EEA, the ESU program still requires a payment of around $30, the use of Microsoft Rewards points, or syncing with OneDrive. While the updates are free for EEA users, a Microsoft account is still necessary to enroll and receive them. This extends security support for Windows 10 in the EEA for an additional year, until October 2026.
Microsoft is now offering free extended security updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but only for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). This decision was made after pressure from consumer groups. For users outside the EEA, the ESU program still requires a payment of around $30, the use of Microsoft Rewards points, or syncing with OneDrive. While the updates are free for EEA users, a Microsoft account is still necessary to enroll and receive them. This extends security support for Windows 10 in the EEA for an additional year, until October 2026.
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Brave updates its AI-powered search with a detailed answers feature
Brave has enhanced its AI-powered search engine with a "detailed answers" feature, expanding its Ask Brave tool, which already handles over 15 million daily responses. Launched on September 29, 2025, this update delivers in-depth, report-style answers to complex queries, triggered automatically or via an "Ask" button, the Ask tab, or by appending "??" to searches. The feature offers structured, conversational responses with embedded videos, news, products, and images, rivaling outputs from ChatGPT or Perplexity. Users can reformat answers or continue chats, with Brave’s API ensuring accurate, privacy-focused results and encrypted conversations deleted after 24 hours. This positions Brave’s search as a privacy-first alternative to competitors like Google’s AI mode, with plans for further AI enhancements underway.
Brave has enhanced its AI-powered search engine with a "detailed answers" feature, expanding its Ask Brave tool, which already handles over 15 million daily responses. Launched on September 29, 2025, this update delivers in-depth, report-style answers to complex queries, triggered automatically or via an "Ask" button, the Ask tab, or by appending "??" to searches. The feature offers structured, conversational responses with embedded videos, news, products, and images, rivaling outputs from ChatGPT or Perplexity. Users can reformat answers or continue chats, with Brave’s API ensuring accurate, privacy-focused results and encrypted conversations deleted after 24 hours. This positions Brave’s search as a privacy-first alternative to competitors like Google’s AI mode, with plans for further AI enhancements underway.
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Anthropic releases Claude Sonnet 4.5 in latest bid for AI agents and coding supremacy
Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4.5, launched as the top coding model, excels in reasoning, math, and sustained focus on complex tasks for over 30 hours, surpassing Opus 4. Its preview-exclusive “Imagine with Claude” feature, available to Max subscribers, dynamically generates interactive apps and code in real time, like an evolving interface for “William Shakespeare’s computer.” It’s the first in Anthropic’s lineup to replicate the Claude website, earning praise for enhanced domain knowledge in fields like finance and medicine. Available in Claude apps, API, and Claude Code, it costs $3 input/$15 output per million tokens, with the new Claude Agent SDK for AI agents. File creation tools and a Chrome extension are planned for wider release.
Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4.5, launched as the top coding model, excels in reasoning, math, and sustained focus on complex tasks for over 30 hours, surpassing Opus 4. Its preview-exclusive “Imagine with Claude” feature, available to Max subscribers, dynamically generates interactive apps and code in real time, like an evolving interface for “William Shakespeare’s computer.” It’s the first in Anthropic’s lineup to replicate the Claude website, earning praise for enhanced domain knowledge in fields like finance and medicine. Available in Claude apps, API, and Claude Code, it costs $3 input/$15 output per million tokens, with the new Claude Agent SDK for AI agents. File creation tools and a Chrome extension are planned for wider release.
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Opera launches its AI browser, but you’ll have to pay to try it
Opera’s AI browser, Neon, is available starting today for a limited number of users at $19.90/month. Announced in May, Neon features AI agents like Tasks (a dedicated workspace) and Do (handles web browsing within Tasks). Users can save AI instructions in Cards. Others must join a waitlist. Neon is marketed as a “next generation AI browser,” but faces competition from Perplexity’s Comet, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent, Atlassian’s Dia, and Google’s Gemini-enabled Chrome features.
Opera’s AI browser, Neon, is available starting today for a limited number of users at $19.90/month. Announced in May, Neon features AI agents like Tasks (a dedicated workspace) and Do (handles web browsing within Tasks). Users can save AI instructions in Cards. Others must join a waitlist. Neon is marketed as a “next generation AI browser,” but faces competition from Perplexity’s Comet, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent, Atlassian’s Dia, and Google’s Gemini-enabled Chrome features.
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Ubuntu Reveal Codename of Next Year’s 26.04 LTS
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed "Resolute Raccoon", honors the late Debian/Ubuntu developer Steve Langasek. Set for release in April 2026, it will feature GNOME 50, default Prompting Client, Showtime replacing Totem, and enhanced TPM-backed disk encryption. The LTS offers 5 years of standard desktop support (3 years hardware enablement) and 5 additional years of security updates via Ubuntu Pro. The codename follows Ubuntu’s adjective-animal tradition, blending whimsy with practical development utility.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed "Resolute Raccoon", honors the late Debian/Ubuntu developer Steve Langasek. Set for release in April 2026, it will feature GNOME 50, default Prompting Client, Showtime replacing Totem, and enhanced TPM-backed disk encryption. The LTS offers 5 years of standard desktop support (3 years hardware enablement) and 5 additional years of security updates via Ubuntu Pro. The codename follows Ubuntu’s adjective-animal tradition, blending whimsy with practical development utility.
Panther Lake sets stage for Intel's 2 nm comeback
Intel's Panther Lake processors, built on 18A (2nm-class) with PowerVia and RibbonFET, offer 15% better performance-per-watt and 30% higher density. Production began in Arizona, with the notebook launch set for CES 2026. These chips feature a multi-die design with 8- or 16-core configurations (including 4 P-cores and up to 8 E-cores), a 50 TOPS NPU, and an Xe3 GPU. They support 4x Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, up to 128GB DDR5-7200 memory, a 15–45W TDP range, and deliver 180 TOPS AI performance. Overall, Panther Lake outperforms Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake but still trails AMD and Qualcomm in AI TOPS and memory bandwidth.
Intel's Panther Lake processors, built on 18A (2nm-class) with PowerVia and RibbonFET, offer 15% better performance-per-watt and 30% higher density. Production began in Arizona, with the notebook launch set for CES 2026. These chips feature a multi-die design with 8- or 16-core configurations (including 4 P-cores and up to 8 E-cores), a 50 TOPS NPU, and an Xe3 GPU. They support 4x Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, up to 128GB DDR5-7200 memory, a 15–45W TDP range, and deliver 180 TOPS AI performance. Overall, Panther Lake outperforms Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake but still trails AMD and Qualcomm in AI TOPS and memory bandwidth.
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Figma partners with Google to add Gemini AI to its design platform
Figma has partnered with Google to integrate Gemini AI models, including Gemini 2.5 Flash, Gemini 2.0, and Imagen 4, into its collaborative design platform, enhancing AI capabilities for its 13 million monthly active users. Leveraging Google Cloud infrastructure, the integration enables faster image creation and editing through text prompts, streamlining design workflows. Key features include up to 50% reduced latency in tools like "Make Image", improving efficiency for product designers and teams. This move aligns with Google’s broader push to expand AI adoption, as seen with Gemini Enterprise and partnerships with companies like GAP and Klarna. While no specific rollout timeline was provided, the collaboration underscores Figma’s commitment to evolving its AI offerings to meet growing demands in the design industry.
Figma has partnered with Google to integrate Gemini AI models, including Gemini 2.5 Flash, Gemini 2.0, and Imagen 4, into its collaborative design platform, enhancing AI capabilities for its 13 million monthly active users. Leveraging Google Cloud infrastructure, the integration enables faster image creation and editing through text prompts, streamlining design workflows. Key features include up to 50% reduced latency in tools like "Make Image", improving efficiency for product designers and teams. This move aligns with Google’s broader push to expand AI adoption, as seen with Gemini Enterprise and partnerships with companies like GAP and Klarna. While no specific rollout timeline was provided, the collaboration underscores Figma’s commitment to evolving its AI offerings to meet growing demands in the design industry.
ChatGPT Leak Hints User-To-User DMs Are Coming Soon
OpenAI is developing user-to-user DMs for ChatGPT, codenamed "Calpico", enabling collaboration like brainstorming and group chats. Found in the Android beta, features include sharing chats, inviting/blocking users, and notifications, with private memories protected. However, there’s no confirmation of end-to-end encryption (E2EE), raising privacy concerns given OpenAI’s data practices (e.g., AI training, monitoring, past leaks). Without E2EE, unlike competitors, this could undermine trust in ChatGPT’s "everything app" ambitions.
OpenAI is developing user-to-user DMs for ChatGPT, codenamed "Calpico", enabling collaboration like brainstorming and group chats. Found in the Android beta, features include sharing chats, inviting/blocking users, and notifications, with private memories protected. However, there’s no confirmation of end-to-end encryption (E2EE), raising privacy concerns given OpenAI’s data practices (e.g., AI training, monitoring, past leaks). Without E2EE, unlike competitors, this could undermine trust in ChatGPT’s "everything app" ambitions.
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Zorin OS 18, based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (kernel 6.14), has been released with updates available until April 2029. Tailored for Windows switchers, it offers better performance, hardware support, and laptop efficiency. Key features include smart window tiling, OneDrive integration, RDP remote login, a web apps tool, and pre-installed LibreOffice 25.8 and Brave browser. The UI is modernized with rounded corners, a floating panel, and centered windows. Available in free Core and paid Pro editions, with Lite and Education editions coming soon.
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Octoverse: A new developer joins GitHub every second as AI leads TypeScript to #1
• 36M new developers (+23% YoY), with one joining every second, bringing the total to 180M.
• 121M new repositories, 1.12B contributions, and 1B commits.
• India added +5M developers and leads global growth, projected to reach 57.5M by 2030.
• In AI, there are 4.3M AI repositories and 1.1M using LLM SDKs (+178%), with Copilot adopted by 80% of new users.
• TypeScript is now the #1 language (2.6M contributors, +66%), overtaking Python and JavaScript.
• Python ranks #2 and dominates AI development (+51% AI repos), with Jupyter usage up 75%.
• In security, Dependabot is active in 846K repositories and delivers fixes 30% faster.
• Looking ahead, GitHub foresees AI agents, LLM-native tools, and India leading the global developer community by 2030.
• 36M new developers (+23% YoY), with one joining every second, bringing the total to 180M.
• 121M new repositories, 1.12B contributions, and 1B commits.
• India added +5M developers and leads global growth, projected to reach 57.5M by 2030.
• In AI, there are 4.3M AI repositories and 1.1M using LLM SDKs (+178%), with Copilot adopted by 80% of new users.
• TypeScript is now the #1 language (2.6M contributors, +66%), overtaking Python and JavaScript.
• Python ranks #2 and dominates AI development (+51% AI repos), with Jupyter usage up 75%.
• In security, Dependabot is active in 846K repositories and delivers fixes 30% faster.
• Looking ahead, GitHub foresees AI agents, LLM-native tools, and India leading the global developer community by 2030.
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OpenAI's Sora app, powered by Sora 2, is now available on Android via Google Play in US, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. It can generate videos from text prompts and includes a remix feature. No invite is needed in the US, Canada, Korea, and Japan (temporarily). Europe is currently excluded.
Spotify launched three new premium tiers in India, Indonesia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa:
• Lite (~$1.57): Ad-free, 160kbps.
• Standard (~$2.25): Adds offline playback, 320kbps.
• Platinum (~$3.37): Lossless audio (24-bit FLAC), 3-user sharing, AI DJ with voice, AI playlists, and DJ tool integration.
These new plans replace prior tiers, with prices increasing for new users, while existing users retain their old plans. A global Platinum rollout has been teased.
• Lite (~$1.57): Ad-free, 160kbps.
• Standard (~$2.25): Adds offline playback, 320kbps.
• Platinum (~$3.37): Lossless audio (24-bit FLAC), 3-user sharing, AI DJ with voice, AI playlists, and DJ tool integration.
These new plans replace prior tiers, with prices increasing for new users, while existing users retain their old plans. A global Platinum rollout has been teased.