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The Steam game store has been available on desktop Linux for many years at this point, and with the addition of the Proton compatibility layer for Windows games, it has become an invaluable tool for gaming on Linux. Canonical, the developers of Ubuntu Linux, have now introduced a new way to use Steam on Ubuntu and other Linux distributions: a Snap package.
Epic Games starts another fight with Google, this time over Bandcamp
Epic Games, new owner of Bandcamp, has filed legal action against Google to avoid giving the Play Store a cut of Bandcamp revenue.
Epic Games has spent the past few years in lawsuits and appeals with Apple and Google, after the company tried to work around the revenue cuts that the App Store and Google Play Store take from in-app purchases. The ongoing legal action has primarily been about Fortnite, which is still absent from both stores, but now the music platform Bandcamp might become embroiled in legal battles too.
LineageOS 19 adds support for Poco X3 and three other phones
LineageOS 19 has arrived on the Motorola G100/Motorola Edge S, Nubia Mini 5G, Xiaomi Poco X3/X3 NFC, and original Razer Phone.
LineageOS is one of the best custom ROMs available, bringing new versions of Android and a clean software experience to many different phones and tablets. LineageOS 19 officially arrived earlier this week, based on Android 12, and now more devices have been added to the roster.
Nvidia GeForce Now app is now native on Apple M1
Nvidia has updated the GeForce Now app on macOS to run natively on M1 Mac computers. More games have also been added to the service.
GeForce Now is Nvidia's game streaming platform, built to play Windows-based PC games on the cloud across desktop and mobile platforms. Nvidia just released a new update for the GeForce Now service, which includes an M1-native Mac app.
Snap's new 'Pixy' drone is built for Snapchat and costs $250
Snap Inc revealed a new compact drone called Pixy, which integrates with Snapchat and only costs $250 in the US.
Snapchat is still one of the top social media services, and its owner Snap has tried more than once to capitalize on that with limited-run hardware accessories. Snap has sold 'Spectacles' over the years that integrate with Snapchat, and now a new product is on the way: Pixy. And if you recall, it's the same "cheerios" selfie drone that we spotted earlier in the year.
Google releases first Android Privacy Sandbox preview, based on Chrome's Topics API
Google just started testing its new Topics API for targeted ads in Chrome, but it's already coming to Android.
Google has been experimenting with new targeted advertising methods in the Chrome browser, intended to replace the cross-site browser cookies that have powered online advertising (and privacy violations) for decades. The company's latest attempt is the Topics API, which was introduced in January, and now Google is starting to expand it beyond the browser.
Bethesda Launcher can now transfer your games to Steam
The Bethesda.net Launcher is shutting down, but you can now move your purchased games and items to a Steam account.
Like most major game publishers, Bethesda Softworks (and its parent company, ZeniMax Media) created a PC game launcher for downloading and installing its games without the need for Steam. However, the application was never a popular choice with players, and the launcher was set to be discontinued after Bethesda was acquired by Microsoft. Now anyone who purchased or redeemed games in the Bethesda Launcher can transfer them to Steam.
Google working on screen resolution setting for Android 13
Google is working on a Settings app page for changing the screen resolution, which might show up in the final Android 13 release.
Google released the first Android 13 beta earlier this week, following months of Developer Preview builds. There are always a few new features in each release that Google didn't mention in the original announcement, and one of them seems to be a new screen resolution toggle in the system Settings app.
You might see advertisements on YouTube Shorts soon
Google told investors in a call that it's starting to test advertisments on YouTube Shorts, starting with limited tests.
YouTube introduced 'Shorts' back in 2020, as a new video format and viewing experience intended to directly compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels. However, Shorts are mostly only helpful for creators as a way to draw people to their regular YouTube videos, because Shorts can't generate ad revenue. That is now starting to change, as Google has started testing advertisements in Shorts.
Fitbit rolls out irregular heart rhythm notifications on select devices
Google-owned Fitbit is now rolling out irregular heart rhythm notifications to the Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Sense, and other wearables.
Earlier this month, Google received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for heart rhythm detection to enable heart rhythm detection on its Fitbit wearable devices. The functionality is now rolling out, and now we know which devices it's available on.
Apple has a beta firmware to fix the Studio Display's bad webcam
Apple is rolling out a beta firmware to Studio Display owners using the latest macOS Monterey 12.4 beta, which improves webcam quality.
Apple revealed its new high-end monitor during the company’s 'Peek Performance' event back in March, dubbed the Studio Display. The screen a 27-inch 5K display with a built-in Apple A13 Bionic chipset and webcam, but many initial reviews from buyers and the tech community criticized the low webcam quality. Apple promised to fix the issue, and now a fix is available as an optional beta firmware.
Samsung sale event includes discounts on Galaxy S22 series, Z Fold 3, and more
Samsung has a new wave of sales for Mother's Day, including a storage discount on the Galaxy S22 series and bundled items for the Fold/Flip.
Samsung has promotional events all the time, in addition to the usual sales on individual products. The Galaxy S22 series just dropped to its lowest prices yet on Amazon, including new lows on the Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22 Ultra, but now Samsung has a new wave of sales on more devices. The deals are labelled as Mother's Day sales, but before you freak out that you forgot the day was coming up, Mother's Day in the United States is May 8 — the last day these deals will be available.
Android 13 Beta 1 has a fun new animation for media controls
Google already revamped the media controls in Android 13 DP2, but Beta 1 adds a new squiggly line to the playback controls.
Every new version of Android updates the look and feel of the notification panel, usually with changes to the quick settings panel and notification organization. The first Developer Previews of Android 13 already updated the design of the media controls under the quick settings, and now Android 13 Beta 1 is adding a bit of extra flair: a moving squiggly line.
Android 13 might not rename Do Not Disturb Mode after all
Android 13 Developer Preview 2 renamed Do Not Disturb to Priority Mode, but now that change has been reversed.
It wouldn't be an Android release if some core operating system functionality wasn't renamed or moved, and that's exactly what Google was planning for Android 13. The company had already changed Do Not Disturb Mode to 'Priority Mode' in earlier builds of Android 13, but as of the latest beta release, the name is back to Do Not Disturb.
Sennheiser reveals Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds with ANC and updated design
Sennheiser has officially revealed its new Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds, which has custom 7mm German drivers and ANC support.
Sennheiser has been a major name in the audio business for decades, and the company has offered true wireless earbuds for a while now. The Momentum True Wireless 3 was announced on Tuesday as the latest generation of Sennheiser's wireless earbuds, with a few functional improvements and the same focus on audio quality.
JLab JBuds Air Pro Review: Good wireless earbuds for the price of a PS5 game
The JLab JBuds Air Pro are an inexpensive TWS for people who want IP55 and Bluetooth multipoint. Read our review to know our thoughts!
Just a few years ago, most truly wireless earbuds were really bad. Battery life, synchronization between both buds, charging, and other features often had issues. Fast forward to 2022, and you can get a decent pair of true wireless earbuds for well under $100. One more recent entry is the Jbuds Air Pro from JLab, which boasts Bluetooth multi-point support and an IP55 rating for just $59. I've been using the JLab JBuds Air Pro for a little over a week, and while I do have some issues with the earbuds, it's a decent package for what you're paying.
Pop!_OS 22.04 now available with updated Ubuntu base and new features
Ubuntu 22.04 arrived last year with a bunch of new features, and now Pop!_OS Linux has been updated to use the same packages.
Canonical just released Ubuntu Linux 22.04 last week, with a slew of new features and an extended support period of five years. Pop!_OS, one of the more popular desktop Linux distributions based on Ubuntu, has now released an update with the new Ubuntu version as the foundation.
Twitter accepts buyout offer from Elon Musk for $44 billion
Following weeks of rumors, self-absorbed billionare Elon Musk is now the owner of social media platform Twitter.
SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly been interested in purchasing social media network Twitter for a while now. He made waves in the tech sphere when he became the site's largest shareholder, which was then followed up by a larger bid for the entire company. Since then, Musk has reportedly been in negotiations to do exactly that, and now the deal has been confirmed.
Samsung now sells Earth Day-themed biodegradable Galaxy S21 cases and Watch 4 bands
Samsung has teamed up with designer Sean Wotherspoon to sell Earth Day-themed phone cases and watch bands that are biodegradable.
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 each year, intended to rally support for protection of Earth's environment. Samsung decided to mark the event this year with a new lineup of (supposedly) eco-friendly phone cases and watch bands, in partnership with designer Sean Wotherspoon.
It's time for Apple to bring back Safari for Windows
Apple ended development of Safari for Windows in 2010, but it might be time for the browser to make a comeback.
The web has changed drastically over the past decade: web apps have become more common, algorithms now dictate how most people receive content, and billions more people are now connected globally. Google has also become more dominant in that time, and has occasionally used its position in the web ecosystem and browser market in harmful ways. There have been many ideas for how to keep Google's power in check, but here's mine: Apple should make its Safari web browser cross-platform again.