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Petition to stop Google from restricting sideloading and FOSS apps

As Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android (previous discussion): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45017028 A developer started a petition to stop Google from limiting app installation on Android devices unless developers provide personal identity documents. Even though Google has not revoked similar controversial policies in the past, we do our best as much as we can. This change particularly threatens the freedom to build, share, and use software w

The best alternatives to Spotify for listening to music

is a reviews editor who manages how-tos and various projects. She’s worked as an editor and writer (and occasional sci-fi author) for more years than she cares to admit to. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. When this article was originally written in February 2022, the big Spotify controversy was that artists were abandoning the audio service in protest of the company’s contract with podcaster Joe Rogan, and some subscribers were deciding t

Stats suggest Apple’s slow rollout of AI agent capabilities may be wise

One of the many delayed Apple Intelligence features is known as App Intents, and we’re starting to see evidence that taking an extremely cautious approach to the rollout may be no bad thing. Before the comments catch fire, I should stress that I’m most assuredly not giving Apple a free pass on the slow rollout of new Siri capabilities in general. There are a great many capabilities which should very definitely have been launched years ago. Indeed, I’ve argued that the delay is now so embarrassi

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Fossjobs: A job board for Free and Open Source jobs

This is a job board exclusively for paid free & open source jobs: We only list jobs at organizations that improve and involve FOSS or open hardware projects. Merely using open source as part of the job is not enough. Listings are free. Submit jobs you find! You can also send us job links to submit [(at)] fossjobs [dot] net. Mastodon • IRC • RSS Feeds • GitHub

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FreePBX servers hacked via zero-day, emergency fix released

The Sangoma FreePBX Security Team is warning about an actively exploited FreePBX zero-day vulnerability that impacts systems with the Administrator Control Panel (ACP) is exposed to the internet. FreePBX is an open-source PBX (Private Branch Exchange) platform built on top of Asterisk, widely used by businesses, call centers, and service providers to manage voice communications, extensions, SIP trunks, and call routing. In an advisory posted to the FreePBX forums, the Sangoma FreePBX Security

These 6 Linux apps could boost your productivity - and you might not have heard of them

Yuichiro Chino/Moment via Getty Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Linux has tons of productivity tools waiting to help. There are both GUI and command-line apps available. All of the tools listed are free to use. When you think of productivity, I'm sure the usual suspects come to mind: Office suite Groupware PDF creators/editors Image editors File managers Content Management Systems (CMS) To-do lists Project management tools To assume thos

Try these obscure Linux apps to help level up your productivity

The Penguin key is a nice touch. Jack Wallen/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Linux has tons of productivity tools waiting to help. There are both GUI and command line apps available. All of the tools listed are free to use. When you think of productivity, I'm sure the usual suspects come to mind: Office suite Groupware PDF creators/editors Image editors File managers Content Management Systems (CMS) To-do lists Project management tools And much more To assume those are the only produc

Hide.me VPN review: A reliable free VPN for beginners

Hide.me ZDNET's key takeaways Hide.me's exceptional free service is as legit as advertised with no strings attached The full version has remarkable server connections and useful app optimization settings, and it works well with streaming platforms, too, including Netflix It's lacking in some sectors, notably the server network isn't as big, and it requires advanced manual configuration on Linux View now at Hide.me After more than a decade in operation, Hide.me still remains a reliable free VP

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Apple TV Plus Offers 54% Discount After Uptick in Cancellations

Apple TV Plus joined the price hike trend last week and raised its monthly subscription by 30%, from $10 to $13. The move sparked a wave of cancellations, and, seemingly to plug the leak, the streamer has unveiled a new, albeit temporary, 54% discount. Instead of $13, people who attempt to cancel their subscriptions will be offered the service at $6 for two months. Subscribers on the tvPlus subreddit confirmed the deal, with one user sharing a screenshot of the message they received from Apple.

EA’s free-to-play Skate revival hits early access in September

is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. More than three years after revealing “pre-pre-pre-alpha” footage of its new Skate title, EA has finally announced that the free-to-play live service game will be launching for everyone in early access on September 16th. The game takes place in the city of “San Vansterdam,” where you can

Best Discounts for Teachers (2025): Deals on School Supplies, Tech, and More

Discounts for teachers are sought after for good reason. Teaching is a tough, important, and often thankless job. And with so many out-of-pocket costs for supplies and resources, even small savings can feel crucial. We've rounded up a list of exclusive discounts that educators can snag with their teacher credentials—so you can spend a little less time stressing out over full-price dry-erase markers and a little more time stressing about the kid who learned to swear over the summer. We thank you

I tried ChatGPT Go, and I don’t think I can ever go back to the free version

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Love it or hate it, ChatGPT is the search engine of choice in 2025. Even with its many flaws and quirks, there’s no denying that ChatGPT has become an integral part of everyday research and productivity for so many people. The free version has served me well enough for quick answers and casual use, but it has its limitations. So, when OpenAI announced ChatGPT Go, a new $ 5-per-month plan, I was immediately curious. I’ve been intrigued about the capabilities of

Topics: chatgpt free gpt plus use

Get That Stinky Compost Off Your Counter. Here's Where Food Scraps Should Really Go

Composting benefits the environment and your garden, but the odor is something to contend with. Fortunately, unpleasant smells aren't inevitable. Modern countertop composters and food scrap processors dry and grind waste within hours to maintain a fresh-smelling kitchen. We tested both the Lomi composter and Mill kitchen bin -- each performed admirably, though both require an investment of several hundred dollars. You don't need expensive gadgets to keep food scraps out of the landfill (and out

X pulls the ability to like and follow from its developer API’s free tier

In an effort to cut down on abuse and fake engagement, Elon Musk’s X is removing access to two key features of its developer API for those on the free plan. Now, free users will no longer be able to use the API to like posts on behalf of a user, nor follow other users. The company says these changes will help protect X’s platform from “spam, bots, and manipulative activities” that degrade the user experience. Developers on paid plans like the Basic, Pro, or Enterprise tiers will be unaffected.

The best photo editing software of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

When you think about photo editing software, the first thing that comes to mind is Adobe. Adobe software is often considered the gold standard when it comes to creative applications, but it is not the only software developer that specializes in photo editing. Whether you are looking for a solution to streamline your workflow, to batch edit a full set of wedding images, or you want something that can add a creative and artistic flair to your photography, there is a photo editing suite out there

Report: Meta is hitting pause on AI hiring after its poaching spree

In Brief Meta has frozen hiring in its AI organization after restructuring the unit earlier this week, reports The Wall Street Journal. The hiring freeze follows weeks of poaching more than 50 AI researchers and engineers from competitors. The freeze went into effect last week, and it’s not clear how long it will last. Meta is still likely working through its reorg, which split its AI unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs, into four new groups: TBD Labs, run by former Scale AI founder Alexandr Wan

Climbing game Cairn will have a 'free solo' mode with no rope

If you tried the demo for upcoming climbing game Cairn and somehow found it too easy, you're in for a treat. Developer The Game Bakers announced at the latest Future Games Show that Cairn will include a "Free Solo" mode that lets you tackle the game's already difficult climbs without pitons or a rope. A typical climb in Cairn — and most rock climbing games for that matter — tasks you with managing rope, and the pitons you use to anchor it to a rock face. You add pitons as you climb so that in t

Best Student Discounts (2025): Laptops, Streaming Services, Shoes, and Software

Looking for the best student discounts? I don't blame you. Going to college is expensive. Between tuition, textbooks, and beer, there isn’t always a lot of wiggle room in the budget. Tack on the skyrocketing cost of living, and you might be wondering just how you’re supposed to manage your money. One way to stretch those dollars further is by taking advantage of student discounts. A valid .edu email address can help you save on plenty of necessities, with a little left over for binge-watching on

Pixel 10 pre-order deals: Here’s what each carrier is offering

TL;DR AT&T members can get a free Pixel 10 Pro or Pro XL with an eligible trade-in and a free Pixel Watch 3 with the purchase of a Pixel 10 series phone. Verizon is offering a free Pixel 10 Pro or $1,000 off a Pro XL or Pro Fold with an eligible trade-in. Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Mobile customers with a Premium Unlimited or an Unlimited Premium Flex plan can get the Pixel 10 or Pro for free with an eligible trade-in. After all the leaks and rumors, the Pixel 10 series is finally he

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The best VPN extensions for Chrome in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are excellent tools to mask your activities online, change your location, prevent eavesdropping, and avoid age verification checks. Many VPN providers also offer their subscribers browser-based solutions, typically in the form of browser extensions. These might be the best option if you just want to quickly mask your IP address during an online session. An estimated 68% of internet users favor Chrome as their browser, beating rivals including Safari, Edge, and Fi

10 open-source apps I recommend every Windows user download - for free

LibreOffice / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways If Windows is your OS of choice, consider these open-source apps. There are tons of open-source apps for just about any task. These are all free to install and use on Windows. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. I've been using open-source software for a very long time. In fact, the last time I didn't use open-source software, Bill Clinton was president o

The Cutaway Illustrations of Fred Freeman (2016)

During the two-year research for our book LOOK INSIDE we discovered many amazing illustrations and artists that, for one reason or another, did not make it into the final version of the book. It would be a pity to leave these forgotten on a drawer, so during the next few weeks we will present here some of these masters of the cutaway. A while ago we wrote here about Frank Soltesz, an American illustrator active from the 30’s to the 60’s, and author of a marvelous series of architectural cutaw

Macintosh Drawing Software Compared

Below is a list of various drawing applications that are available to use with System 7 (68K). I’m mostly interested in apps that can do both pixel and vector, and that support layers and transparency. The table below might be useful for at-a-glance comparisons. Apps run in both mono or colour, unless stated otherwise. Deneba artWORKS can do both pixel and vector, has layers and partial transparency. The bottom layer is opaque and all layers on top are transparent. Collections of pixels are ma

The Cutaway Illustrations of Fred Freeman

During the two-year research for our book LOOK INSIDE we discovered many amazing illustrations and artists that, for one reason or another, did not make it into the final version of the book. It would be a pity to leave these forgotten on a drawer, so during the next few weeks we will present here some of these masters of the cutaway. A while ago we wrote here about Frank Soltesz, an American illustrator active from the 30’s to the 60’s, and author of a marvelous series of architectural cutaw

Best Mineral Sunscreen of 2025

CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Sunscreen is an important part of skin care year-round, but especially in the summer, when we tend to be outside more often in more intense sun. Mineral sunscreens (also called physical sunscreens) tend to be a great fit for those with sensitive skin. While chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays, mineral sunscreens reflect the rays u

Is ChatGPT Plus still worth $20 when the free version offers so much - including GPT-5?

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET When ChatGPT first launched over two years ago, the AI chatbot was met with such high demand that OpenAI introduced a premium plan called ChatGPT Plus. This plan guaranteed access to the chatbot even during blackout periods. ChatGPT Plus perks also included access to OpenAI's most advanced models, making the $20 plan almost a no-brainer for superusers. However, as OpenAI's offerings have evolved over the past couple of years, so have its plans. Also: How ChatGPT co

Topics: chatgpt free gpt plus pro

Is ChatGPT Plus still worth $20 when the free version offers so much - including GTP-5?

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET When ChatGPT first launched over two years ago, the AI chatbot was met with such high demand that OpenAI introduced a premium plan called ChatGPT Plus. This plan guaranteed access to the chatbot even during blackout periods. ChatGPT Plus perks also included access to OpenAI's most advanced models, making the $20 plan almost a no-brainer for superusers. However, as OpenAI's offerings have evolved over the past couple of years, so have its plans. Also: How ChatGPT co

Topics: chatgpt free gpt plus pro

Teenage Engineering is giving away a free computer chassis, but it's already 'sold out'

Teenage Engineering, the hip Swedish tech/design brand that makes synths of all kinds (and a portable game machine with a crank ) has built another computer chassis. And it’s free! But you also can’t get one, right now at least. (Sorry about that.) Described by its maker as a "small form factor, mini-ITX computer case," the Computer-2 is made of a single sheet of semi-transparent plastic with snap hooks and living hinges for screw-free assembly. The engineering wizards at Teenage Engineering se