Canonical Releases New Linux Kernel Live Patch for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS & 16.04 LTS

Canonical released a new Linux kernel live patch for all of its supported Ubuntu Linux operating system releases to address various security vulnerabilities for those who use the Canonical Livepatch Service.

Available for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Bionic Beaver), Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus), and Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr), the new kernel live patch fixes a total of five security vulnerabilities, including the recently disclosed critical TCP flaw (CVE-2018-5390) discovered by Juha-Matti Tilli, which could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service.

KDE Frameworks 5.49.0 Released for KDE Plasma 5.13 with over 200 Improvements

The KDE Project released today KDE Frameworks 5.49.0, a monthly update of the open-source software suite for the latest stable KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment.

KDE Frameworks consists of more than 70 add-on libraries for the open-source and cross-platform Qt application framework that offers a wide range of commonly needed functionality, as well as many core components and apps that are required for the KDE Plasma desktop environment to function correctly.

For the past several years, new KDE Frameworks versions are published every month in the second Saturday of the month, and KDE Frameworks 5.49.0 is the release the KDE Project prepared for the month of August 2018, bringing various improvements and addressing numerous bugs.

Lots of core components and apps have been updated in KDE Frameworks 5.49.0, including Baloo, KCoreAddons, KHolidays, KI18n, KIO, Kirigami Framework, KNewStuff, KService, KTextEditor, KTextWidgets, KWayland, Plasma Framework, Purpose.

Logitech G513 Linear and Tactile Mechanical Keyboard Review

Logitech G513 is a mechanical keyboard that follows the existing minimalist trend, and which is a worthy replacement for the previous generation.

One of the problems with Logitech keyboards, even the high-end ones, is that that they don’t seem to share the same build quality as the competition. It’s only a feeling, but the review we made for the Logitech G213 Prodigy didn’t help. It was an adequate keyboard, at best.

It seems like the company is determined to up their game and it clearly shows with the latest generation of mechanical keyboards that have been released. I say keyboards because the G513 comes in three flavors. The only difference between them is the type of keys used. One is called Romer-G Tactile, the other is Romer-G Linear, and the third one is GX Blue.

Linux Apps Are Now Available on More Chromebooks Powered by Intel Braswell CPUs

It looks like Google is taking support for Linux apps very serious lately by recently enabling its integrated virtualization machine for running Linux apps on Chrome OS to support Chromebooks powered by Intel Braswell CPUs.

In May 2018, Google made it official that Chromebooks will soon be able to run Linux apps, which is currently in beta testing with only a few modern Chromebooks supporting the installation of Linux packages in the .deb (Debian) format, including Google's Pixelbook, promising that more Chromebooks would receive the new feature in the coming months.

August 2018 Firmware for Microsoft Surface Pro LTE Is Available - Download Now

Microsoft has made available the download links for its August 2018 cumulative firmware and drivers pack developed for Surface Pro LTE tablets, which is compatible with the producer’s Windows 10 operating systems.

Regarding changes, the update installs a new Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter and Wireless-AC Network Controller driver (version 15.68.9125.57) that enhances the device’s security, and the 4.18.136.0 Surface Integration Service Device build for better stability.

In addition to that, the producer improves pen and touch performance via new Surface Touch Servicing ML (1.16.139.0) and Surface Touch Firmware (429.0.1.10) files, as well as the driver installation servicing through the 234.2291.769.0Surface UEFI Firmware.

When it comes to applying this release, the task can be performed either automatically through Microsoft’s Windows Update service or manually by downloading and installing the update packages.

Intel HD Graphics Version 24.20.100.6229 Is Up for Grabs - Download Now

Intel has made available a new HD Graphics package targeted at several of its CPUs, namely version 24.20.100.6229, which is optimized for World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth and The Walking Dead: The Final Season (UHD Graphics 620 or better) titles.

In addition to that, the update adds improvements for other games, such as Yakuza 0, Adol in Ys: Memories of Celceta, Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion, This is the Police 2, and Overcooked 2 with Intel UHD Graphics 620 or better.

Besides these changes, build 6229 also improves playability and fixes some graphics corruptions in World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, adds some security fixes, resolves crashes or hangs seen in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and World of Warcraft, and enhances Dell High Dynamic Range (HDR) displays.

However, bear in mind that users might still experience minor graphics anomalies Rise of the Tomb Raider, Monster Hunter: World, Stonehearth, and other games, as well as constant crashes.

Mozilla Firefox 61.0.2 Now Available for Download

Mozilla has recently released a new version of Firefox browser, and while the update may seem minor at first glance, it does include some worthy improvements that are worth a look.

With this new build, Firefox reaches version 61.0.2 on supported platforms, and it includes refinements that will specifically come in handy to users on Windows.

Firefox 61.0.2 can automatically restore a browsing session when Windows restarts, according to Mozilla’s official changelog. The feature is gradually released to users, and it should reach 100 percent availability in the coming weeks, the company says.

“Adds support for automatically restoring your Firefox session after Windows restarts. Currently, this feature is not enabled by default for most users, but will be gradually enabled over the coming weeks,” Mozilla explains.

Windows-exclusive feature

Technically, after updating to version 61.0.2, Firefox should be able to automatically restore all tabs when th... (read more)

Samsung Rolls Out Press Release to Comment on Galaxy Note 9 Rumors

Samsung has published a press release not to announce the Galaxy Note 9, but to discuss the latest rumors hinting at features coming to its device.

While this is clearly an unusual thing for a company the size of Samsung, what the South Korean actually does is confirm some of the latest speculations on the Note 9, as it discusses the storage increase, the bigger battery, and the gaming improvements.

Obviously, Samsung does not provide any specifics, but it does suggest that all these areas would come with substantial refinements.

Rumor has it that the Note 9 could feature a 4,000 mAh battery that could easily get anyone through the day, as well as with a storage increase of up to 512GB. Furthermore, it’s believed the Note 9 may feature 8GB RAM as well.

Press launch today in New York

The press release was published on the company’s Spanish website  (translated version read more)

Microsoft Officially Highlights Drawing in Windows 10 Mail App

Microsoft has released an update for the Windows 10 Mail app that brings support for inking, technically allowing users to draw and take notes in a new message.

In a support document released today, Microsoft details how this feature works on Windows 10, explaining that it can be used for adding sketches to messages, take notes on images, and highlight content right within the New Mail UI.

The update is currently rolling out to users across the world, after previously being available for insiders for a few weeks.

Increasing focus on pen capabilities

Microsoft becoming increasingly focused on pen capabilities isn’t necessarily a surprise, though by updating the Mail app with such features the company could m... (read more)

Major Vulnerability Discovered in Phones Sold by Four US Carriers

Phones sold by four US carriers come with a major vulnerability that exposes them to hackers. This is the finding of a study conducted by Kryptowire and funded by the Department of Homeland Security.

While no specifics were provided on the brands that are affected by the security flaw, Department of Homeland Security officials revealed at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas that parent companies have already been notified of the bugs as early as February.

Some of them haven’t even replied to the notification, Kryptowire revealed, but at this moment, all phone makers are aware of the glitch.

According to the research, the vulnerability can allow hackers to access all user data, including emails and messages, without them knowing about it. Hackers could easily take over the device, Vincent Sritapan, a program manager at the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate told read more)

iOS Custom Navigation Icons Coming to Google Maps on Android

Google Maps for Android will soon receive custom navigation icons, a feature that has been around on iOS devices for several months already.

While it sounds really awkward for Google to launch new updates on iPhone first and only then on its own mobile operating system, this is something that the search giant does on a regular basis. Living proof is Waze, the company’s traffic navigation app that typically receives new features exclusively on iPhones, with Android devices getting the same updates a few weeks or even months later.

As for Google Maps, 9to5Google discovered that Google is now testing custom navigation icons in the Android version of the app, and there’s a chance it would be released to all users shortly.

Custom icons

Technically, what this update does is allow users to replace the super-boring blue arrow on Google Maps with a custom icon looking li... (read more)

You Can Now Stream Xbox One Games to an iPhone

Streaming Xbox games to other devices has long been one very popular feature request, but obviously, Microsoft has limited such functionality to its devices exclusively.

In other words, yes, you can stream Xbox One games to Windows 10 using just the Xbox app, but doing this outside Microsoft’s ecosystem was impossible.

Until today, that is, as a new application enables game streaming to Apple’s devices, including Macs, iPhones, and iPads. And the whole thing works similarly to the Windows 10 sibling, only that it comes at a cost.

The app that powers the streaming is called OneCast and can be downloaded on both macOS and iOS. It costs $19.99 and $11.99, respectively, and promises smooth gaming regardless of the device you choose.

“Extremely low lag”

While the lag remains a concern, OneCast offers all kinds of advanced features like 1080 streaming support, full screen and multiple... (read more)

GNOME 3.30 Desktop Will Finally Bring Automatic Updates, but Only for Flatpaks

The highly anticipated GNOME 3.30 desktop environment will be released in less than a month, and we bet Linux users can't wait to install it on their favorite GNU/Linux distributions to discover all the new features and enhancements.

One of the coolest, long-anticipated feature coming to the GNOME 3.30 desktop environment this fall is automatic updates. Yes, you're reading it right, the GNOME Project is enabling automatic software updates for you so you won't have to worry about if you're running the latest version of a software or not, but only for Flatpaks at this time.

According to Richard Hughes, the new automatic updates feature has been implemented in the GNOME Software package manager and will be available as part of the GNOME 3.30 release this fall, enabled by default only for Flatpak apps, the universal binary format for Linux-based operating systems, along with ... (read more)

Microsoft Working on InPrivate Desktop Security Feature for Windows 10

Microsoft is working on a new Windows 10 feature called InPrivate Desktop and specifically supposed to let users in an enterprise network run apps in a sandboxed environment.

The new feature would work similarly to a virtual machine that automatically resets every time it’s closed, without letting content from untrusted sources to alter system files in any way.

This means InPrivate Desktop could become a testing platform for applications coming from third-party sources that could harm the system, all without risking any damage. For example, running software that may be infected wouldn’t have any impact on a target computer, all because its files would be stored in a sandboxed environment without access to system files.

Recent findings have shown that Microsoft plans to introduce this feature in Windows 10 Enterprise, and a read more)

All But Confirmed: Apple to Ditch Touch ID Entirely This Year

Rumors that have been swirling around the web for the past few months suggested that Apple may bring Face ID to all its new iPhone models, in an attempt to bring them in line with the iPhone X.

And now an Apple supplier confirms that demand for Face ID parts has increased substantially ahead of what’s likely to be the release of new iPhone models.

Lumentum Holdings, which is the sole manufacturer of VCSELs, or vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, recently reported 3D sensing revenue of between $60 million and $65 million, explaining that orders from a key client have skyrocketed in the second part of the latest quarter. While Apple’s name hasn’t been mentioned, the Cupertino-based tech giant is Lumentum’s biggest client, therefore it’s believed that the company is preparing for expanding Face ID to all of its iPhones and possibly to iPads later this year.

No room for ... (read more)

Google Chrome Now Features Windows 10 Notifications

Google Chrome, which is currently the world’s number one desktop browser, has finally received support for notifications in Windows 10.

Users of Chrome 68 are getting the update gradually this week, with all notifications to align with the new model in Windows 10 and be displayed in the lower right corner and in the Action Center.

Furthermore, Google Chrome notifications will also work with other Windows 10 features, like Focus Assist, which is a new feature integrated into April 2018 Update to automatically silent notifications when playing games or in presentation mode.

Peter Beverloo, Google engineer working on the Web Platform for Chrome and Android, says the search giant worked together with Microsoft to bring native notifications to Windows 10.

“Metrics show a slight decrease in CTR, something to be aware of if you're a Web developer using notifications. It should pick up again as people get used to their notifications being in the Action Center. Support fo... (read more)

Microsoft Releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 (Fall 2018) Build 17733

Microsoft has released a new Windows 10 build for Fast ring insiders as the company nears the stabilization phase of the Redstone 5 update.

Windows 10 build 17733 comes with a final version of the dark theme for File Explorer, as Microsoft has finalized the new visual style that would become available to everyone with the release of Redstone 5.

Other than that, there are only general fixes and improvements, and this makes perfect sense given that Microsoft is now focused specifically on squashing bugs and less on new features.

One of the important changes in this build concerns XAML shadows, which according to Dona Sarkar, head of the Windows Insider program, have been pulled temporarily.

“Thanks everyone for your feedback about the XAML shadows we added recently. We’re taking them offline for the moment while we work on addressing some of the things you shared with us. You will also notice that the acrylic has been removed from some popup controls. They will be ... (read more)