Brian Fagioli

Linux Mint has long been praised for its user-friendly design, with the Cinnamon desktop being a core feature. However, Cinnamon's look outside the Mint distro often leaves users unimpressed. In many distributions, Cinnamon’s default visual style feels outdated and unrefined, giving the impression that its aesthetics have been neglected.

Part of the reason for this is Mint’s focus on the Mint-Y theme, which brings a more polished and modern appearance to the desktop. The default Cinnamon theme, however, is largely left untouched, serving as a fallback option for troubleshooting. With little attention from theme developers, this results in a less-than-appealing experience for users of other distributions that don’t implement Mint-Y.

Continue reading →

Samsung has announced the mass production of its groundbreaking one-terabit (Tb) quad-level cell (QLC) 9th-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND). This follows the successful rollout of the triple-level cell (TLC) version earlier this year.

Samsung’s QLC 9th-generation V-NAND brings several innovations, including the industry’s highest layer count achieved through its Channel Hole Etching technology and a double stack structure. This new NAND offers an 86 percent higher bit density compared to the previous generation, further optimizing performance for AI-driven enterprise SSD applications.

Continue reading →

Apple, a company worth over 3 trillion dollars, has announced Apple Intelligence, a personal AI system, will begin rolling out in October alongside iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. Despite being one of the wealthiest companies on the planet, Apple is choosing to release this highly anticipated feature as a beta, and that’s a huge problem. Users will essentially be treated like testers, expected to troubleshoot and report bugs, instead of receiving a polished, fully functional system out of the gate.

What’s even more frustrating is that Apple Intelligence won’t be ready in time for the iPhone 16 lineup launch this month. It’s criminal for Apple to ask for so much money for these phones -- marketed as AI-powered -- when the core intelligence feature won’t even be available at launch. Customers are paying top dollar for devices that won’t include one of the main selling points on day one.

Continue reading →

Scosche has unveiled a new collection of accessories tailored for Apple's latest devices, including the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4, following Apple's recent event. These accessories, designed for practicality and style, enhance the functionality of Apple’s latest tech.

One of the key products is the BaseLynx 2.0 Modular Charging System (seen above), which offers users a customizable and versatile charging solution. The system, featuring fast charging modules for everything from AirPods to MacBook Air, is ideal for home, office, or even on-the-go in RVs and boats. The BaseLynx 2.0 kits and modules are available starting at $69.99 on Apple.com and select stores.

Continue reading →

T-Mobile has announced the successful transmission and reception of a wireless emergency alert (WEA) via satellite, marking the first time this has been done in the U.S. This development aims to expand emergency alert coverage to approximately 500,000 square miles of sparsely populated, mountainous, or remote areas that previously lacked access.

"This is one of those days, as the CEO of a wireless company, that makes me pause for a moment and reflect on how technology advancements and the work we’re doing is truly impacting life and death situations," said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile.

Continue reading →

Microsoft is continuing its efforts to develop quantum computing through its Azure Quantum platform, with the goal of addressing complex scientific and industrial challenges. The company has made progress in qubit technology and hardware integration through collaborations with industry leaders Quantinuum and Atom Computing. These partnerships represent a step toward building a reliable quantum computing infrastructure capable of handling problems that go beyond the scope of classical computers.

In its collaboration with Quantinuum, Microsoft has successfully created and entangled 12 logical qubits using an improved qubit-virtualization system. This achievement sets a record for the largest number of entangled logical qubits, offering higher fidelity for more reliable quantum computations. Microsoft and Quantinuum are focused on advancing quantum capabilities in fields such as chemistry, physics, and life sciences, particularly in simulating complex chemical reactions and predicting molecular interactions.

Continue reading →

A disturbing new cyber campaign uncovered by Acronis, dubbed Operation WordDrone, has been targeting Taiwan’s rapidly growing drone industry. Hackers have leveraged an ancient vulnerability in Microsoft Word 2010, using it to launch a complex and persistent malware attack on drone manufacturers.

This sophisticated attack utilized a dynamic-link library (DLL) side-loading technique, exploiting Word to load malicious code. Once inside, the attackers installed a backdoor, allowing them to steal credentials, move laterally across networks, and execute remote commands. The malware, hidden behind a legitimate Word 2010 installation, was able to evade traditional antivirus software, making detection difficult.

Continue reading →

Juno Computers has introduced its latest Linux-powered tablet, the Juno Tab 3, offering users the choice of three pre-installed operating systems: Mobian Phosh, Ubuntu 24.04, or Kubuntu 24.04. This flexibility gives Linux enthusiasts a tailored experience, whether they prefer the GNOME-based Ubuntu, the KDE-powered Kubuntu, or the mobile-optimized Mobian Phosh. Is this the Surface Pro-like device Linux users have been dreaming of?

Weighing just 1.74 lbs (0.79 kg) for the tablet alone and 2.33 lbs (1.06 kg) with the keyboard, the Juno Tab 3 is a portable solution aimed at those seeking an alternative to mainstream tablets running proprietary operating systems.

Continue reading →

Sony has announced the PlayStation 5 Pro, its latest console upgrade designed to deliver higher fidelity graphics, smoother frame rates, and faster gameplay. The PS5 Pro builds on the PlayStation 5, offering several performance enhancements aimed at both gamers and developers.

The PS5 Pro features a GPU with 67 percent more Compute Units and 28 percent faster memory than the standard PS5, providing up to 45 percent faster rendering for smoother gameplay. It also includes advanced ray tracing capabilities, improving reflections and refractions by casting rays at up to three times the speed of the original model. The console introduces PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driven upscaling technology designed to enhance image clarity by adding additional detail.

Continue reading →

NETGEAR has just expanded its Wi-Fi 7 portfolio with the introduction of the Nighthawk M7 Pro Mobile Hotspot (MR7400). Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon SDX75 chipset and leveraging AT&T’s 5G network, this new device promises flexible, high-speed internet access.

The Nighthawk M7 Pro stands out with support for 5G speeds of up to 7.5Gbps and tri-band Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, delivering aggregated Wi-Fi speeds of up to 6.4Gbps. This mobile hotspot is ideal for consumers and businesses alike, whether for remote work, travel, or entertainment on the go.

Continue reading →

Apple has announced the release of the AirPods 4, along with new hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2, marking the world’s first all-in-one hearing health experience. The new AirPods lineup includes a redesigned AirPods 4 with an open-ear design and two models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

Additionally, AirPods Max now come in a variety of new colors and offer USB-C charging for added convenience. AirPods Pro 2 will launch this fall with features like Hearing Protection, a Hearing Test, and a clinical-grade Hearing Aid, providing an end-to-end solution for users' hearing health.

Continue reading →

Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Series 10, its thinnest model to date, featuring the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, along with new features like sleep apnea notifications, faster charging, and water depth and temperature sensing. In addition to the Series 10, Apple has also launched the Apple Watch Ultra 2, now available in a sleek black titanium finish, designed for athletes and adventurers seeking durability and advanced performance.

The Apple Watch Series 10 brings a refined design that is 10 percent thinner than its predecessors while offering up to 30 percent more screen area than previous models, making it easier to read messages, use apps, and navigate the interface. The new wide-angle OLED display technology enhances readability from various angles and provides 40 percent more brightness compared to the Series 9. With these upgrades, users can enjoy a better experience across all interactions, from checking notifications to tracking workouts.

Continue reading →

Apple has just unveiled the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, positioning them as compelling options for anyone that’s been considering Google's latest Pixel 9 Pro. With the new A18 Pro chip, advanced camera system, and Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 Pro models deliver powerful performance, cutting-edge features, and a sleek design that make them hard to ignore.

The iPhone 16 Pro offers a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts an impressive 6.9-inch screen -- the largest ever on an iPhone. Both models feature ultra-thin borders, enhancing their sleek design. With ProMotion technology and Always-On displays, users can expect smooth scrolling and vivid visuals. The new titanium frame not only makes these phones more durable but also significantly lighter than previous models. This design is further protected by Ceramic Shield, which, Apple says, is 2x tougher than glass on other smartphones.

Continue reading →

ADATA’s gaming brand, XPG, has introduced its latest LANCER NEON RGB DDR5 gaming memory module, designed to cater to gamers, esports professionals, and tech enthusiasts. With a strong focus on both high performance and eco-friendliness, this new DDR5 memory module brings an innovative combination of extreme overclocking capabilities and sustainable production.

The LANCER NEON RGB stands out with an exclusive heat dissipating PCB coating that improves heat dissipation efficiency by 10 percent compared to traditional memory heatsinks. This coating increases the heat dissipation area and significantly lowers memory temperature by an average of 8.5°C. Overclockers can now push their memory modules to high clock speeds without worrying about thermal throttling, thanks to this advanced cooling solution.

Continue reading →

DoorDash has teamed up with Magnolia Bakery to offer an exclusive new flavor of its well-known Banana Pudding: Peanut Butter with Chocolate Chunks. This flavor, which includes peanut butter swirls, chocolate chunks, and chocolate cookie pieces, is available exclusively through DoorDash’s DashMart platform. The dessert won’t be sold in Magnolia Bakery’s physical locations, but it can be ordered for on-demand delivery via the DoorDash app starting today.

Customers looking to try the exclusive pudding can find it by searching their local DashMart on the DoorDash app, selecting Magnolia Bakery, and adding the dessert to their cart. After completing the checkout process, the treat will be delivered directly to their doorstep.

Continue reading →