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Thursday, August 31, 2017
Samsung secures self-driving car testing permit for California roads
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Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Download of the day – Artweaver Free
Painting software typically falls into two categories: tools designed for serious artists and hobbyists that can be tricky to master but offers lots of advanced tools, and simple apps that let kids enjoy fingerpainting without destroying your soft furnishings.
Artweaver Free is a rare exception, offering highly customizable, realistic media to work with, and an interface that won't be off-putting for youngsters who just want to play.
It works brilliantly with a mouse or touchscreen, with support for layers and a huge range of pens, brushes, pencils and other tools.
Download here: Artweaver Free
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Samsung’s fitness-focused Gear Sport smartwatch is a smaller alternative to the giant Gear S3
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WhatsApp is reportedly getting serious with a business app for Android
WhatsApp is preparing to enter the business arena, with the chat giant apparently readying a mobile app for businesses and implementing a system of verified accounts for companies.
The firm is allegedly currently working on an Android mobile app aimed at businesses, which was mentioned in a job listing (spotted by Business Insider) for a ‘technical specialist, SMB – product operations’, which states under job responsibilities: “Become an expert in the WhatsApp Business app for Android and a source of information to the Market team members.”
Other sources have also talked about the incoming app, although there’s not much detail on exactly what functionality it will incorporate. However, speculation points to the ability for businesses to send automated customer support messages.
So it would seem that Facebook – which owns WhatsApp – is trying to find a new angle to leverage the popularity of this chat service, and that angle appears to revolve around businesses and customer support.
WhatsApp has over a billion users across 180 countries, so clearly there are major monetization opportunities here.
Verification across the nations
And as mentioned, the company is also readying a system of ‘verified business accounts’ that does exactly what it says, meaning that WhatsApp will verify that a contact phone number is indeed tied to a specific business, clearly displaying its validity with a big green tick icon.
The support page which clarifies this information further notes: “WhatsApp will also let you know when you start talking to a business via yellow messages inside a chat.”
Users will be able to block businesses if they so wish, and prevent organizations from communicating with them.
The business verification system is currently limited to a small number of companies, as it’s just a pilot program right now, but we’re guessing it might not be long before this sees a wider rollout.
- We’ve picked out the best business mobiles for 2017
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You can now see who likes you on Tinder before you swipe
Tinder has globally rolled out Tinder Gold, a service that gives you a head-start in the race to find love, but at a premium.
After a successful test in Mexico and Australia, Tinder Gold is now available anywhere in the world, as long as you have an iOS device; an Android rollout is in the works and should happen in the coming weeks.
Tinder Gold builds on the services already available on Tinder Plus, which allows you to boost your profile, rewind left swipes that you regret, and gives you unlimited likes.
The feature that makes Tinder Gold really stand out, though, is the ability to see if someone has swiped right on you before you have to make a decision – great for those lacking in confidence, or just short on time.
Money can't buy me love
Of course, we could get into a situation where everyone has Tinder Gold and no one is swiping right on each other because they think no one is swiping right on them. But apparently that’s not likely.
According to Tinder: “Tinder Gold subscribers received more than 60% more matches after joining the paid experience.” Who says money can’t buy love?
According to The Verge, in the US this service will cost $4.99 per month on top of the standard Plus subsciption. We've reached out to Tinder to find out what the service will cost in the UK and Australia.
- Want it enough to move to an Apple device? Check out our iPhone 7 review
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Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Tests put Galaxy Note 8 at the top of the smartphone display heap
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Download of the day – Magic Actions for YouTube
Magic Actions for YouTube is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Opera that's packed with brilliant little tools that will make watching videos on the site a more pleasant experience.
For example, you can control the audio volume using your mouse wheel, hide the horror show that is the comments area, and blank out everything except the playback window itself.
Our favorite feature is Cinema Mode, which works much like a Phillips Ambilight TV, using the dominant color from the video to create a subtle glow, creating a more immersive experience.
Download here: Magic Actions for YouTube
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Buy Windows 10: the cheapest deals in August 2017
The deadline to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 has sadly now passed. Not to worry though as you can rely on TechRadar to help you buy Windows 10 for the best price. Windows 10 is generally seen as an improvement over Windows 8 - yes, the Start button is back!
So, if you're building a brand new system or want to upgrade to Windows 10 on an older device, you're going to need to buy a copy. Don't worry though, because we check the prices of Windows 10 every day to make sure you get the best deals.
Buy Windows 10 Home deals
The perfect version of Windows for home users
Windows 10 Home is the version that most people will need. It's for home use and includes game streaming from Xbox One and other consumer features like Cortana, as well as Windows Hello for logging into your PC via a fingerprint scanner or your face. If Windows 8 was the steepest learning curve imaginable, Windows 10 is like meeting a great friend you once knew again - it's just that they've bought some new clothes of which you really do approve.
Buy Windows 10 Pro deals
Go Pro if you think it's worth paying more for the Pro features
Windows 10 Pro comes with security and management improvements over the Home version above. It includes Hyper-V for virtualisation, BitLocker whole disk encryption, enterprise mode IE, Remote Desktop, a version of the Windows Store for your own business and assigned access (which locks a PC to running only one modern application, to use like a kiosk). Network admins can also schedule updates so they don't happen at important times.
Buy Windows 7 deals
Windows 7 - because we fear change
What's this? Windows 7 deals on a page that advertises Windows 10? We understand some of you really want to stick with Windows 7, maybe even on a new machine. Don't worry, we totally get it. Maybe it's because you have some hardware/software that works better on the old OS or it just feels better. Or maybe it's because you've no time for the ridiculousness of the tiles format. Windows 7, the classic choice of the PC connoisseur?
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Best women safety apps in India for Android and iOS
Women safety has always been a debatable issue in our country. With the crime rate increasing at an alarming pace, safety for women has become a matter of concern. From cases of molestation, kidnapping to sexual abuse and rapes, the list continues to grow with the number of cases increasing, every passing day. According to a report of National Crime Records Bureau, the crime against women rose from 41.7% to 53.9% between 2011 to 2015 with Delhi topping the list. In the year 2015, Delhi UT has reported the highest crime rate of 184.3% compared to 56.3% at all India level followed by Assam (148.2%), Telangana (83.1%), Odisha (81.9%), Rajasthan (81.5%), Haryana (75.7%) and West Bengal (73.4%).
The data itself depicts a horrific situation in the country. No doubt, the government is working on reducing the crimes cases surrounding women and has taken several steps to overcome that, but when it comes to implementation, it takes years in properly establishing these measures. Add another couple of years for getting justice, if a case reaches the court.
Technology has reduced the complexities of life and has given immense power to people by allowing everything within the reach of their hand. Connecting with people is just a click away bringing the other person near to you, virtually. Your peers can reach out to you easily from anywhere around the world. In accordance to this, our government is working constantly to provide every service to the people easily within their reach using different platforms. The Digital India initiative fueled this approach further.
Here in this piece, we discuss various women safety apps that are available for free on Android and iOS so that the women never feel alone and unsafe whenever they set out.
The app is launched by Delhi Police and is highly recommended to the women in Delhi. For using the app, the user has to download the app from the Play Store or App Store. After that, the user will receive an OTP which has to be entered to complete the configuration of the app. If a user gets into some trouble, she just has to send an SOS alert message from the app which will directly send her location and audio-video information to the Delhi Police control room. After which the nearest police will be informed and they can reach to help the victim on time.
bSafe is a personal safety app that allows the users to set up their own social personal safety network of friends, family, and coworkers. The app features a Live GPS tracking method through which the contacts can trace the user’s movement whereever he/she is. It also has an automatic alarm, called Timer Mode, that will trigger if the user has not checked in time. The user can also make the phone ring itself using the Fake Call feature in which he/she can also define the identity of the caller.
The app also has a Guardian Alert button that promises to notify the contacts about the location of the user and send the video of the current situation to them.
CitizenCOP is a location based safety app. As the name suggests, it allows the user to report any criminal or illegal activity anonymously. The user can also call the police and can report about the lost or stolen articles. Keeping women safety in mind, the app comes with features like live tracking, emergency calls, and SOS alert so that the chosen contacts can locate the user when they are in trouble.
The other features of the app include the latest news and traffic updates, checking if a vehicle is stolen or towed and creating a safe zone with eLakshmanRekha.
The app is offered by the IT cell Hyderabad Police and offers a variety of services to the user. The highlight of the app is its feature called, Women Travel Made Safe. This feature ensures the safety of working women who travel alone especially during odd hours of the day. All they have to do is click the photograph or video of the vehicle before boarding, note down vehicle no., place of boarding and send it online to police. They can send the details of their traveling experience after reaching the destination.
In case of emergency, the women travelers can send the alert message by using the SOS Button feature. When used, this feature sends a pre-recorded message to five chosen contacts and to the Inspector, ACP, DCP, and Mobile Patrolling vans of the concerned area based on the location of the user. Apart from location details, the message also comprises of the name, address and the phone number of the user.
VithU is an emergency app that starts sending the alert messages to the designated receivers or guardians of the user in every two minutes at the click of the power button two times consecutively. The message that is sent reads, "I am in danger. I need help. Please follow my location." The receiver will also get a link to the user’s location along with the message which will provide the details of the updated location of the user in every two minutes.
The app also comes with a “Tips Feed” option that provides safety tips to the user in an emergency situation.
In this app, the user can get the instant help by just following a three step easy procedure. This includes pressing the PANIC Button, selecting the types of services required and submitting the request. The PANIC Button sends a panic alert to selected receivers during the emergency situation and if GPRS is not working the alert message is generated by SMS.
Just like the bSafe app, this app also has Fake Call feature for handling any difficult situation smartly. The app also keeps a record of audio and photographs of the panic situation and transfers it to the police. Its 24x7 call center promises to assist the user during the emergency situation. Its other features include sharing travel alerts with contacts, chat with friends, maid/servant registration with police and status update. This application can also be used by Senior citizens to secure them when they are in distress by sending SOS signals to their loved ones.
Tell Tail is an app developed by DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Ltd) to provide a helping hand to women and other citizens while traveling. The user can share its location with his/her contacts by either using the GPS installed in auto, bus or any public transport vehicle or using the GPS of his/her own phone.
The app also offers the SOS message feature where the user can send the alert message in three ways by clicking on the panic button or clicking the power button three times or shaking the phone three times with a little bit of jerk. Also, if any of the registered contacts do not have TelTail installed in their phones the message is still sent to them either by ringing an alarm or by sharing the tentative location of the user.
So far we have seen a variety of apps that are designed for the safety of the users. But, My Safetipin is slightly different app. Apart from sending the location of the user and alert messages to the contacts in emergency situations, this app helps the user in taking safer decisions, especially when traveling in the night. By safer decisions we mean, it allows the user to take the safest route to reach their destination on the basis of the safety score of the area. The app calculates the safety score of a place on the basis of certain parameters like visibility, diversity, crowd, public transport, walk path, security etc. and alerts the user when they enter any unsafe location.
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Uber lets you visit multiple destinations in a single trip
Uber India announced two new features for its riders and driver partners, making it easier for both the parties to get in touch with each other. The two new features, namely, in-app chat and multi-destination, will be rolled out in a phased manner so you may have to wait for a while before they are enabled for your Uber account. Both the new features allow you to ease your riding experience without having to leave the Uber app.
For starters, the multi-destination feature addresses an issue that is often faced by riders. Instead of having to negotiate a route with the driver, you can now enter multiple destinations while booking a ride. You can start with booking the ride by entering your destination in the ‘Where To’ box. Once that is done, you can then tap on ‘+’ to add a stop on the route. Uber recommends that each stop should be limited to less than 3 minutes.
The multi-destination feature is a useful addition since Uber drivers now try to strictly follow the route on their devices. This policy has been in place since Uber decided to reveal the payable prices up front, instead of having a dynamic pricing policy. Now, with the addition of multiple destinations, drivers will be able to take the shortest route while riders can visit multiple destinations. This reduces the friction between both the parties.
Apart from this, Uber has also announced an in-app chat feature. Using this feature, the driver and the rider can communicate with each other using chat. This can be useful in case there is any difficulty in the pickup. In-app chat comes with support for local languages, and also lets you know when the messages have been delivered and read.
To use in-app chat, you will have to tap on the driver profile and select Contact. You will be presented with two options – Call and Chat. Tap on chat and then enter your message. This feature should come in handy when you cannot take your driver’s call, allowing you to be discreet while still helping your driver identify your location.
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Monday, August 28, 2017
Download of the day – Driver Booster
Keeping your hardware drivers up to date is essential to ensure your Windows PC keeps running smoothly, but it’s all too easy to miss updates that would improve its performance.
That’s where Driver Booster comes in. The latest version of this handy software, released last week, can automatically scan your PC and over 400,000 devices and PC driver provided by more than 5,000 companies, including Nvidia, Intel and Microsoft.
Driver Booster is particularly useful for gamers, updating not only your graphics card drivers, but also other components like DirectX, VC Runtime and PhysX. It’s a great timesaver, and once you’ve given it a try we think you’ll be impressed.
Bear in mind that you might experience a brief interruption to your internet connection if Driver Booster needs to update your network adapter drivers.
Download here: Driver Booster
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Sarahah is stealing your contacts without letting you know
In a recent report by The Intercept, Sarahah app that’s become everyone’s favourite in the past few weeks and is aimed at giving a user constructive criticism by his/her peers was caught red-handed when a user discovered it collecting private information. Zachary Julian who is a senior security analyst at Bishop Fox installed the app on his Samsung Galaxy S5 which was running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. What’s special about this smartphone is that Zachary had BURP Suite pre-installed on the phone which monitors traffic coming in and going out of the handset.
That is when he fired up Sarahah and found out that the app started uploading his data that included phone numbers and email to its servers. On iOS though, a pop-up message appears as he starts the app, which asks his permission to access the contacts. After The Intercept’s story, Zain al-Abidin Tawfiq, the brainchild behind Sarahah revealed in a tweet that the app asks for contacts as a result of a “find your friends” feature that couldn’t make it to the app in time due to some technical issues along with the fact that his partner whom he had stopped working with was supposed to take care of removing this issue from the app. Zain also said that the app doesn’t store any private information in its database.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow onwards, Android has introduced a micro-managed permissions options that ask users to allow a third-party app to read data from the smartphone among other things.
This particular incident also sheds light on the fact that most people do not simply care about the app asking them for permissions to access private information and they just allow it to read the data. Zain might be giving a valid reason for the app to pick up a user's data but we will never know for sure.
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What is the best Linux distro for beginners?
Note: Our best Linux distro for beginners feature has been fully updated. This article was first published in January 2014.
For those folks dipping their toes into Linux waters for the first time, the choice of various distributions or 'flavours' of Linux can be truly overwhelming, especially if you're not sure what to look for.
In the early days of Linux, choosing a distribution (distro) was much simpler. You usually selected one you had heard about or with which you had a small amount of experience. There were also far fewer choices beyond Red Hat Linux, Debian and Slackware.
While you can still make a choice based on these criteria, the sheer number of Linux distros available now, and their ever vocal fan bases, makes it difficult to settle on one and get started.
So let's ignore those voices altogether, and add one of our own. We've deliberately shied away from the popular mainstream distros here, as we didn't just want easy-to-use distros. Instead, we've selected four that we believe are ideal starting points.
We have not included the regular version of Ubuntu as in our opinion it isn't exactly right for beginners as is. However, three of the four versions of Linux we'll be discussing are based on the Ubuntu operating system, with a few important changes.
We've also picked one that's specifically aimed at those switching from Windows – in previous years, we were also able to feature a distro that was specifically aimed at macOS users too, but it (Pear Linux) has sadly been discontinued. However, both Pinguy and Elementary contain elements that will definitely appeal to Mac switchers – Elementary, in particular, has a macOS feel.
- These are the best Linux training providers and online courses in 2017
How we tested...
All distros were tested on the same dual-core machine with 4GB RAM. We've selected the latest 64-bit stable releases for each one. Some distributions are available for 32-bit processors and can run with less RAM. We encourage you to visit the developer’s website and discover the current requirements for yourself.
The distro also needs to be easy to install as most users will probably never have installed Linux before. We have also focused on software management and the kind of applications that are included with each distro.
Apart from these major points, the distro also needs to be easy to use for day-to-day activities. The ideal distro for newbies is one that does all of the above and also makes it easy to tweak some settings.
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- Linux Format is the number one magazine to boost your knowledge on Linux, open source developments, distro releases and much more. Subscribe to the print or digital version of Linux Format here
Linux’s Live CD approach allows you to test a distribution and familiarise yourself with it without having to first install it to your hard drive. This is a great way for new users to ease into Linux, and you can usually install the distro direct from the Live environment if you like it.
Most of these distros have an icon on the desktop you can double-click to launch the installer, making it very simple for newbies. If you already have an operating system on your machine that you want to keep, you will need to resize and partition the hard disk, at which point most people switching to Linux hesitate. This isn't an issue for beginner-centric Linux distros. Indeed, many mainstream distros don't enjoy much popularity with beginners because their installers aren’t very user friendly.
Solus is the one distro not based on Ubuntu in this guide. It was created in December 2015 and follows a rolling release model, meaning it updates automatically. The most recent version, Solus 3, was released in August 2017.
Solus is under active development but the installer bears a strong similarity to Ubuntu's and as such is very easy to use. You may find some of the terminology baffling, plus the aforementioned partitioning and formatting can be tricky, but overall the process is neat and tidy.
The remaining Ubuntu-based distros all use a slightly modified version of Ubuntu's Ubiquity installer specifically designed for beginners. The installation process can be completed in around half a dozen steps and will guide you through the process of formatting your hard drive, creating a user, setting your time zone and choosing the keyboard layout.
The most important step is partitioning, where you can erase the entire disk and use it to install the distro, or specify a custom partitioned layout. More importantly, if a version of Windows is detected, the distro will allow you to install it alongside in dual-boot format.
The best thing about using Ubiquity, when you're a newbie, is that there's plenty of documentation. Plus there are YouTube videos that take you through the installation process of each of our Ubuntu-based distributions. Because these distros are based on Ubuntu, you don't get to choose the software that’s installed. Once you specify the disk and configure the partitioning, the distro will automatically install all software for you.
Verdict
- Zorin OS: 5/5
- PinguyOS: 5/5
- Elementary OS: 5/5
- Solus: 4/5
Linux distributions are usually designed to appeal to the largest number of potential users. This philosophy also underpins the applications which are included. All the distros in our guide offer the bare minimum in terms of programs, such as a web browser, email client, text editor, media player and so on, but some include much more than this.
Solus includes some basic apps – Firefox, Thunderbird and Transmission BitTorrent Client, VLC Media Player, as well as the office suite LibreOffice. However, there are no graphics or other media editing tools, nor any games.
Zorin is bristling with apps, such as LibreOffice and the Chromium web browser. Also included is GIMP image editor, an image viewer, Empathy IM, Rhythmbox music player, Cheese Webcam Booth and OpenShot Video Editor. It also carries Wine and PlayOnLinux, which allows you to install Windows-only apps and games.
PinguyOS is similarly well blessed, and ships with Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Empathy, the Deluge BitTorrent client, Clementine music player, Shutter, Wine, PlayOnLinux and much more.
Elementary OS has a much more elegant design which is reflected in its apps. It uses the Epiphany web browser, and also includes custom applications such as Photos, Music, Videos and Calendar. There's even a custom Mail app which is based on the former open source client Geary, which goes well with Elementary's user interface. Although the selection of apps is minimal, the essentials are covered and you can use the built-in app store to add more programs if you wish.
Verdict
- Zorin OS: 5/5
- PinguyOS: 5/5
- Elementary OS: 3/5
- Solus: 2/5
For most new users, the default set of apps should be more than enough to get started. As you become more accustomed to your distro, you may wish to install additional programs. Software repositories may seem like a strange concept at first, but most distros provide useful tools to help you install applications easily.
Solus provides its own frontend which links to both its own repository and a number of third-party apps. This can be a little restrictive for more advanced users, but there's a large selection of consumer-grade apps to choose from, and it's very well laid out.
Elementary OS once shipped with the Ubuntu Software Center, which allowed you to install a huge range of programs. Since development was discontinued, Elementary now comes with its own package manager, AppCenter, which is perfect for new users.
AppCenter offers a wide range of apps in a number of clearly defined categories. However, new users may struggle to find the exact application they need without trawling through long lists, as there isn't much in the way of description. This is a common issue with software managers in Linux.
Zorin, like Elementary, has its own Software Store as well as the less glamorous Synaptic Package Manager. It supports the installation of Google applications and the Opera web browser.
Pinguy is based on Ubuntu 14.04, which is an LTS (Long Term Support) release. This means it still uses the now defunct Ubuntu Software Center as well as the Synaptic Package Manager. By default a number of software repositories are enabled, allowing you to install programs designed for other operating systems such as Linux Mint. There's also an extensive selection of themes for programs like the Clementine music player and Gnome desktop. There's also a tool to help you manage PPAs (Personal Package Archives).
Verdict
- Zorin OS: 4/5
- PinguyOS: 5/5
- Elementary OS: 4/5
- Solus: 4/5
You can tell a user has found a distro that they like when they begin to tweak its different aspects. Moving away from the default options is a sign of maturity for any user, but especially so with new Linux users.
People often say Linux distros are extremely customisable – but what does this mean for new users? Sure, you can change the desktop background, the icons theme, define keyboard shortcuts, configure power management and make other changes to the appearance and behaviour of the distro. But is it easy for a first-time Linux user to do this?
While all the distros in our list allow you to do all of this and more, they each go about the process differently. If the distro is aimed at new users, it scores highly if it includes special custom tools to help the user easily customise the distro to their liking.
Zorin is one of the finest distros to attract inexperienced Linux users. It has everything in terms of offering a friendly and usable experience to those coming from another Linux distro or even from Windows or macOS. Besides its Windows 10-styled desktop, the custom application launcher also does a pretty good job of mimicking the Windows 10 Start menu.
The Core edition has enough to whet your appetite, and you can shell out some money to get the specialised versions if you prefer. Zorin also instils good desktop practice by regularly reminding users to run backups using the built-in app. All in all, the distro has the right mix of the best of Ubuntu sprinkled with some custom Zorin apps, such as the Look and Theme Changer apps.
Elementary is one of the simplest Ubuntu-based distros available, and as such is a good starting point for beginners. The distro places great emphasis on design, and this has resulted in a curious choice of integrated applications. While these may not be to everyone's liking, the apps are highly usable and a suitable replacement for their more popular alternatives. It uses a dock to emulate the look of macOS, but it's not particularly configurable – and the same is true of the desktop as a whole.
Pinguy once released new stable versions to coincide with the latest underlying version of Ubuntu, but it's at a standstill recently as its creator is not seeing a positive reimbursement on the time he is spending creating and maintaining it. That said, the distro is wonderfully stable and a very attractive option for all Linux users. Whether you're an absolute beginner or someone looking to switch to another distro, this OS is definitely worth your time.
Pinguy also ships with Docky, a tool you can use to create any number of customised docks. You can add docklets to each of these docks, such as weather, a network usage monitor and a workspace switcher. It also includes the Tweak Tool to help you easily configure many different aspects of the desktop.
One area where Solus closes the gap on its rivals is in terms of desktop configuration. That's largely thanks to the fact that its own Budgie desktop has a number of configuration options, making it relatively easy to customise it to your tastes.
Verdict
- Zorin OS: 5/5
- PinguyOS: 4/5
- Elementary OS: 3/5
- Solus: 4/5
A distro can have several reasons for offering paid add-ons. More often than not, it's because the developers are trying to make some money so they can justify running a free operating system. This is why some distros also offer the facility for users to make donations to the project.
Zorin OS produces an Ultimate version that can be downloaded after making a PayPal payment of €19 (around £17.30, $22.30). It offers tantalising extras like macOS desktop layouts and 20 games. You'll also receive premium support. The distro supports one-off donations, too, and more specialised versions are on the way.
PinguyOS also has an extensive store on CafePress, from where you can get all kinds of merchandise, such as mugs, T-shirts, bags and baby bibs. You can also donate via PayPal, or on Patreon.
Elementary's website gives the impression you need to pay a fee for the OS before downloading it (type 0 into the 'Custom' box to skip this). It also has a US-only store offering merchandise. Furthermore, it supports ongoing monthly donations through Patreon to aid future development.
Solus encourages both one-off and monthly donations via Paypal or Patreon, offering early access to developmental versions and premium support in return.
Verdict
- Zorin OS: 4/5
- PinguyOS: 3/5
- Elementary OS: 3/5
- Solus: 2/5
Regardless of a user's past OS dalliances, Linux beginners will encounter a vastly different way of doing things, in terms of everything from appearance to the alternative apps they will need to master. This is why your chosen distro must provide extensive documentation.
Additional resources, such as forum boards, mailing lists, wikis and so forth, which can help a newbie tap the collective experience of the community, are also appreciated.
Elementary OS provides to-the-point, easy-to-understand documentation on its website. The project also has an Answers page, where anyone can post questions in order to get, well, answers.
Solus organises its extensive support materials in the Help Center on its home page. There are community forums offering tutorials, installation support and more, plus access to more help resources via Google+, IRC and Reddit. Things are rounded off with a nascent wiki that should help with more technical questions.
While it provides only a barebones installation guide, Zorin OS makes up for this elsewhere. There's a handy Help button on its Start menu that leads straight to its user forums, with sections including how-to guides, install help and more. The project also has an IRC channel (#ZorinOS), which aims to answer your questions instantly.
PinguyOS offers its users everything that Zorin does – what's more, there's also a very thorough step-by-step installation guide to help you out.
Verdict
- Zorin OS: 4/5
- PinguyOS: 4/5
- Elementary OS: 4/5
- Solus: 5/5
There are three popular ways that Linux distributions are developed and updated – fixed schedule, fixed feature and rolling release.
Linux distributions running with a fixed feature methodology are released when everything is ready – there's no specified date for a release. Elementary is a fixed feature distro despite being based on Ubuntu, which runs to a fixed schedule. The current Loki release is based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Long Term Support), and Elementary has made it clear that it only ever plans to build releases from the LTS branch.
The fixed schedule is one of the most popular release cycles, and is followed by the majority of distros. In a fixed schedule, a new release is pushed out at regular intervals, usually every six months. Ubuntu follows this twice-yearly release cycle and so, naturally, most of its derivatives do the same.
Zorin OS is based on the latest Ubuntu release. Work on a new edition begins as soon as a new version of Ubuntu is made available, but it takes time for the developer to produce the different editions.
Pinguy's six-month-releases shipped with bleeding-edge software, and were not considered stable, but no new version has been pushed out since the distro based on Ubuntu 14.04. The stable releases are based on Ubuntu LTS releases which are supported for five years. The original Pinguy developer has recently released an updated version of Pinguy via the forums, and has also promised to release an official version of Pinguy based on Ubuntu 18.04 in 2018.
Solus is the exception here as it's been built from scratch rather than being based on an existing OS. The project developers plan to release quarterly minor point updates (1.1, 1.2, etc) and one major update each year. Each major release will be supported for two years, so support for 1.x will continue throughout 2017 alongside the new release of version 3 in August.
Verdict
- Zorin OS: 3/5
- PinguyOS: 4/5
- Elementary OS: 5/5
- Solus: 3/5
The Linux ecosystem is often praised, and sometimes criticised, for giving users too much choice. This is true not just for applications, but also for distributions. There was a time when it was considered the height of cool for experienced Linux users to complain about the proliferation of a particular distro, but it did nothing to stem the tide.
Linux desktop machines still account for only a very small portion of computers but this is slowly changing with each new release.
As a new Linux user, you might get vertigo browsing through the list of distros, but this isn't a bad thing. It means you've a greater chance of finding a distro that's right for you.
If you can't wait to find the perfect distro for your needs, then obviously one of these designed-for-newbie distros is a good place to start. Pinguy, unfortunately, is no longer on the top spot due to its stalled development. It's worth checking out, but the developer has sent out mixed messages, stating on his website that he may kill off development of the OS altogether – but subsequently releasing an updated version of Pinguy via the forums.
Elementary OS started off as a contender for top dog, but small niggles such as a reduced selection of default apps mean that it finishes in third place.
Creeping up the list fast is Solus. This project was recently resurrected after being dormant for a while, but has rapidly made strides throughout 2017. It also seems to be running a consistent release schedule, and is improving all the time.
Zorin hits the top spot for 2017. It has several commercial variants, includes custom tools, and will appeal to Windows switchers with its custom desktop.
So, here are the final results in full, along with download links for the distros in question:
1st: Zorin OS
- Web: https://zorinos.com
- Version: Zorin OS 12.1 Core
- Verdict: Very thoughtful distro. Good for most new users
2nd: Solus
- Web: http://ift.tt/1Qkwxwd
- Version: 3
- Verdict: A vastly improved beginner's distro
3rd: Elementary OS
- Web: https://elementary.io
- Version: Loki 0.4.1 (Based on Ubuntu 16.04.02)
- Verdict: Very useable but initially sparse
4th: PinguyOS
- Web: http://www.pinguyos.com
- Version: 14.04.4 (Official)
- Verdict: A pleasant-to-use distro, but there’s a danger it’s dead
In this guide we have chosen not to focus on any of the mainstream distros in favour of those we think are ideal for newcomers. There are Linux users who believe there's no such thing as a distro which is friendly to beginners, and the trick is to persevere. We've often seen more complex distros such as Arch and Gentoo recommended to new users, along with more familiar versions of Linux such as Debian, Slackware, Fedora and Ubuntu.
Gentoo and Arch can certainly teach you about the workings of Linux like no other distro, but experienced Linux users still shy away from them, as you're more likely to give up in frustration at the complex setup process.
In the end, the best course is to use the Live mode for each of the operating systems we've covered to experiment and find a distribution that’s suitable for you.
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Sunday, August 27, 2017
Download of the day – Adobe Photoshop Express
You don't always need a fully-fledged photo editor to get your vacation pictures ready to share on Facebook. Sometimes all they need is a little judicious tweaking before they're ready to show off, and that's exactly what Adobe Photoshop Express delivers.
Photoshop Express is as beautifully designed as you'd expect from a program developed by Adobe, and its clear, straightforward interface is easy to use with a mouse or touchscreen.
Just open the photo you want to adjust, then use the simple buttons and sliders to crop, refine contrast, exposure and white balance, and apply stylish filters.
When you're done, a quick tap or click is all it takes to save the finished picture to your device or publish it straight to Facebook.
Download here: Adobe Photoshop Express
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Saturday, August 26, 2017
Download of the day – Grammarly
It's easy to make small typos when you're sending an email, posting to social media, or filling out a form online. Sometimes it doesn't matter, but there are occasions when little slip-ups are embarrassing.
Grammarly is a convenient little browser extension for Chrome that acts as a second pair of eyes, checking your writing for mistakes before you click 'send'. Rather than just checking your spelling, Grammarly also looks for things like missing apostrophes and incorrect hyphenation that would otherwise be missed.
The basic version of Grammarly is free, and will check all text typed into your browser. For more advanced assistance, Grammarly Premium highlights stylistic issues and vocabulary enhancements. Premium subscriptions start at US$11.66 per month (about £9, AU$15).
Download here: Grammarly
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Crunch Report | Samsung Heir Apparent Found Guilty
Friday, August 25, 2017
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 seems like the dream of the phablet realized
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Download of the day – SMPlayer
SMPlayer is an incredibly flexible free media player that can handle pretty much any audio and video file format without the need to mess about downloading extra codec packs.
Its design is refreshingly simple, but spend a little time exploring its various options and you'll find it's packed with tools to help you get more from your media, including subtitles, a graphical equalizer, and adjustable playback speed.
SMPlayer can also play videos from YouTube. Just copy the URL and paste it into the player to start watching. Once it's playing, you can give it a different look using the software's selection of filters, jump forwards and back in small increments, and use various other tools not available in on YouTube itself.
Download here: SMPlayer
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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The best free alternative to Adobe Lightroom 2017
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has two main functions: processing images, and organizing them (through tags, naming, rating, and metadata). It's hugely popular among professional and hobbyist photographers thanks to its ability to process photos in batches and optimize workflow, but it's not the only option – there are several superb free alternatives that are almost as powerful.
Like Lightroom, all the image editors we’ve featured here are capable of processing raw files straight from your camera. Raw files contain all the data captured by your camera’s sensor, and all camera manufacturers have their own format for storing it. No screen or printer can reproduce that much detail, so it’s necessary to compress them into a format like JPG before you can display or use them. You can let your camera do that automatically, or use desktop software to control the process yourself.
The image editors we’ve featured here let you adjust contrast, brightness, levels, saturation, sharpness, and tonality to achieve the results you envisaged when you shot the picture. They also offer tools for cropping and rotating images, but if you’re looking for retouching and healing tools, you’re better off with a free Photoshop alternative.
1. RawTherapee
Lightning-fast image processing and intelligent workflow optimization from the best free alternative to Adobe Lightroom
RawTherapee is an advanced open source Lightroom alternative for processing raw files (or compressed image files like TIFF and JPG), then sending the resulting images directly to GIMP (or your preferred photo editor).
RawTherapee uses non-destructive editing, so you can revert to the original file at any time. Its advanced image processing toolkit makes it easy to adjust exposure, colors, sharpness, and noise. RawTherapee’s de-mosaicing algorithms reduce artefacts in converted images, and its multi-core support makes full use of your available hardware.
Once you’re happy with the fruits of your labor, you can save the settings as a preset for future use. You can also process images in batches, or edit multiple files at once using the tabbed interface.
The software’s user community have created a list of cameras supported by RawTherapee, but it’s not definitive; if your camera isn’t listed, try opening a file using the software anyway.
Download here: RawTherapee
2. LightZone
Raw processing with non-destructive filter stacks and vector-based selections
LightZone is another open source, non-destructive digital darkroom that makes an excellent substitute for Lightroom. You’ll need to sign up for an account before you can download LightZone (the software’s creators are monitoring the number of downloads to assist in future development), but it only takes a moment.
Once you’re in, LightZone can process raw files (as well as compressed image formats such as JPG and TIFF) using a series of filters, which you can stack, adjust and rearrange to achieve the desired effect. You can also choose specific areas to edit using a vector-based selection tool.
To find out if LightZone supports your camera’s raw format, check out the program’s profile guide.
Download here: LightZone
3. IrfanView
A classic Lightroom alternative with great organizing and processing tools
IrfanView combines a powerful image editor and organizer, with excellent support for raw and compressed file formats (see the full list). Its interface isn’t as intuitive as some other free Lightroom alternatives, but it’s been in development for 20 years and is packed with thoughtfully designed tools for photographers of all abilities.
IrfanView is one of the best free tools around for cataloging images – editing metadata, renaming files in batches, and adding tags – enabling you to get huge image libraries under control in the space of an afternoon.
IrfanView's raw processing tools are superb as well, letting you convert and rename files in batches, or spend time adjusting tonality and colors for individual photos that need more care and attention. For further editing, you can export files straight to a separate photo editor like GIMP.
IrfanView receives regular updates, and there’s a lively community of users on hand to offer support, should you need it.
Review and where to download: IrfanView
4. Chasys Draw IES
Another multi-function photo editor with a powerful built-in raw processor
Chasys Draw IES is more than just a Lightroom alternative – it’s a full image editing suite that’s for personal and professional use. Not only is it an excellent photo editor and converter, you can also use it to capture still images or video from your desktop, create icons and cursors, make frame-by-frame animations, convert images in batches and create your own artwork from scratch.
The raw processing component, Chasys Draw IES raw-Photo, might not be as intuitive as some other raw image processors, but it gives you an exceptional degree of manual control. You can tweak red, blue and green curves, and adjust white balance, sharpness and contrast before the images are exported in CD5 format. You must then use Chasys Draw IES Converter (included in the package) to convert the files to JPG or TIFF format.
Chasys Draw IES supports raw files from all the popular camera manufacturers. You can find a list of supported formats on the developer’s site, but it’s not exhaustive so don’t be disheartened if your model isn’t listed.
Download here: Chasys Draw IES
5. Google Photos
Google's replacement for Picasa sacrifices power for convenience
Google Picasa was another great free Lightroom alternative, but it was discontinued in May last year and replaced with Google Photos – a free photo editor available as a mobile app and online, with an optional desktop tool for uploading images.
Google Photos is very convenient for editing and managing photos on an Android smartphone thanks to its simple toolkit and free online storage, but it's also possible to use the web interface to process and convert raw images (see the full list of supported formats). Online storage is free, but only for photos in JPG or WEBP format; you'll have to use your Google Drive storage allocation for anything else.
Google Photos offers a selection of attractive filters that can be applied with a single click, plus sliders labelled Light, Color and Pop, which adjust brightness, saturation and contrast, respectively.
Unfortunately, although it's a superb app for mobile devices, Google Photos doesn't offer the same processing power as the Picasa desktop software. There's no batch processing and editing is quite basic, so it's slipped down our rankings to number five.
Try it online: Google Photos
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Samsung heir handed 5-year jail sentence for bribery
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Thursday, August 24, 2017
Download of the day – Float and Gloat
The premise of Float and Gloat is simple: point your mouse in the direction you want your little astronaut avatar to move and avoid the obstacles.
The reality, however, isn't quite so straightforward. Rather than controlling the spaceman directly, you operate a square cursor attached to him via an invisible umbilical that stretches and bounces as he moves.
Clicking your mouse will cause him to snap straight to the square's position, helping you dodge obstacles, but watch out for wobbles that can send him off course. If you fail to control his ascent, the results aren't pretty.
Float and Gloat was made in just three days for the Slime Jam 2000 competition. If you have a spare moment today, check out the other entries and vote for your favorite.
You can play Float and Gloat in your browser, or download it as a desktop app for Windows, Mac or Linux.
Download here or play online: Float and Gloat
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Wipe out toolbars and add-ons with IObit Uninstaller 7
If you enjoy trying free software, you’ll know how frustrating it is when a program comes bundled with add-ons like toolbars and browser extensions. They’re often difficult to remove, and sometimes linger even when you remove the original software. Not only that, they also present a threat to your privacy, monitoring your activity and reporting it back to advertisers.
IObit Uninstaller 7, released today, detects bundled toolbars and plugins, alerts you to their presence, and offers a way to remove them – even when conventional methods fail.
A clean slate
IObit Uninstaller is a quick and convenient way to remove all kinds of unwanted software – including Windows apps and programs that don’t appear in Windows’ own Control Panel. Simply check the boxes beside all the applications you want to remove, click ‘Uninstall’ and IObit Uninstaller will handle the rest – including performing a deep scan to remove any last traces.
The new version of IObit Uninstaller also provides an overview of installed software, with one-click updates for programs like web browsers and PDF readers, where security updates are essential.
A license for IObit Uninstaller Pro costs US$19.99/£15.61/AU$25.30, and covers three PCs for one year.
IObit Uninstaller Free lacks some of the premium edition's more advanced features, but is still an excellent tool for wiping out unwanted software.
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Samsung tried to spin the Note 7 disaster into gold at its Note 8 event
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Microsoft Office preview benefits from collaborative chat and glitzy inks
Those of you who test Microsoft’s productivity suite will doubtless be pleased to learn that a new preview version of Office for Windows PCs has been rolled out to the Slow Ring complete with a host of changes, including integrated chat for collaborators.
Yes, the latest preview build for Office Insiders introduces in-line chat functionality that allows you to have a chinwag with co-authors in Word, Excel or PowerPoint. In other words, you get a neat little chat window in these respective apps that facilitates real-time discussions with collaborators.
Microsoft has also jazzed up inks to include the likes of rainbow, galaxy, lava, ocean, gold and silver effects, allowing for sparkly and/or glittery touches to be bestowed in the three main Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Swift and streamlined
Furthermore, Excel has been improved so that it opens complex workbooks – the kind featuring huge amounts of sheets – in a swifter manner.
Microsoft has also added a number of fresh functions to streamline other operations and make them quicker, such as a new menu option which gives you quick access to all the attachments which have ever been shared with you (to make finding any given attachment easier).
There’s also a new function in Outlook allowing users to quickly add an appointment to a group calendar, and profile cards now surface the most relevant info about contacts.
For the full list of changes, head over here. Incidentally, regarding the mobile software for office, Microsoft pushed out a new set of preview apps last month which gave us our first taste of the suite’s revamped interface based on the Fluent Design System.
Via: Windows Central
- Maybe you use Office with one of our best laptops of 2017
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The best free torrent client 2017
Torrents are a brilliant way to download large files like movies, games, and TV shows. They turn your computer into part of a swarm where data is shared as it's downloaded, so while you're downloading something from other people you're also helping others download the bits you've already got. The result is a very reliable and often very fast way to get your hands on huge files.
Torrents have gathered a bad reputation due to piracy, but they have lots of legitimate uses. Not only can you use them to download free media and software legally, artists and filmmakers have now begin to use them as a platform to distribute their work
Torrent files are incredibly useful, but to use them, you need the right software. Here are the best free torrent clients around.
1. qBittorrent
A balance of features, speed and simplicity – the best free torrent client
Some torrent clients offer every conceivable function. Others keep things as simple as possible. qBittorrent sits right in the middle, aiming to "meet the needs of most users while using as little CPU and memory as possible".
It boasts an integrated torrent search engine, media player, encryption, prioritisation of torrents and the files within those torrents, IP filtering and torrent creation, and it's the closest open source, junk-free equivalent to uTorrent.
If you're looking for a cross-platform torrent client that covers the essentials without getting overly complicated, qBittorrent is great.
Review and where to download: qBittorrent
2. Deluge
A customizable torrent client that can be as lean or powerful as you like
Deluge has been around forever, and it can be as simple or as powerful as you want it to be. That's because it's extendable via plug-ins, which effectively enable you to build your own personalised version of Deluge.
Fancy something that resembles uTorrent without the unwanted software? No problem. Want to add alphabetical downloading, move downloaded files to specific directories according to the file type, adjust speed according to network conditions, create pretty graphs, schedule everything, integrate with Chrome or Firefox, or batch-rename downloads? That's not a problem either.
Review and where to download: Deluge
3. uTorrent
An amazingly lightweight torrent client maintained by BitTorrent itself
uTorrent, also known as µTorrent, has been around since 2005 and it's the most widely used free torrent client outside China. It's attracted some criticism over the years, however: it's ad-supported and many users argue that the most recent versions are a little too heavy on the advertising and bundled software front. Make sure you read each step of the installer carefully and uncheck any software you don't want to install.
That aside, uTorrent is useful, effective and doesn't gobble up too much of your system's resources: the entire app is smaller than a digital photo. Although it isn't the official BitTorrent app, it's been maintained by BitTorrent for the last decade.
Review and where to download: uTorrent
4. BitTorrent
BitTorrent's own client with web-based seeding, comments and reviewing
You might be wondering why BitTorrent has its own BitTorrent client when it also maintains uTorrent (above), especially when the BitTorrent app is a rebranded version of uTorrent.
However, while the apps are functionally identical there are a few key differences: BitTorrent offers web-based seeding, commenting and reviewing, and you may find that the BitTorrent client is welcomed by private trackers that don't like uTorrent.
Review and where to download: BitTorrent
5. Vuze
The paid edition has more features, but the free version is still excellent
Vuze (formerly Azureus) claims to be the most powerful BitTorrent client on Earth. We're not sure how it ranks on other planets. There are two flavours: the stripped-back Vuze Leap, and the fully fledged Vuze.
Both apps offer torrent download, media playback and support for magnet file links, but the main Vuze app also adds plugins, remote control via web or mobile and video conversion.
Download here: Vuze
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Crunch Report | Galaxy Note 8 Makes Its Return
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Windows 10 S is now available to beta testers
Windows 10 S thus far has been locked to hardware like the Surface Laptop or Asus’ latest student laptop, but you’ll finally be able to install the operating system – if you meet certain requirements, that is.
For starters, the Windows 10 S installer is only available to Windows Insiders, though, it's a relatively quick opt-n process. The bigger hurdle is to have a PC running Windows 10 Pro or the Enterprise edition. If you’re running regular old Windows 10 Home, then you’re out of luck.
As with most Windows 10 Betas downloaded from Microsoft’s Insider channel, we would suggest users back up their data in case the installation makes their system inoperable.
The Insider release of Windows 10 S came along with a Windows Blog post noting this version of its OS would be “ideal for people who have everything they need in the Windows Store and prefer the peace of mind of secure and verified Windows Store applications.”
Microsoft has been steadily opening access to Windows 10 S to more devices. Most recently, Microsoft allowed Surface Pro 4 owners to switch from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 S.
Via Thurott
- Try Windows 10 S for yourself on a Microsoft Surface Pro 4
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Samsung’s virtual reality strategy has an upgrade problem
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The Galaxy Note 8’s S Pen has new pen powers, including translation
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Microsoft won’t pre-load Windows installation files without consent ever again
Way back before Windows 10 debuted, Microsoft engaged in all manner of controversial tactics in order to push free upgrades onto Windows 7/8 users, and one major annoyance was the pre-fetching the installation files without any consent.
Today Microsoft has promised it’s a practice that won’t be employed ever again.
This comes off the back of a legal action launched by a consumer protection organization over in Germany (Verbraucherschutz Baden-Württemberg), which sought retribution for the grievances of Windows 7/8 users who had approximately 6GB of Windows 10 installation files downloaded onto their PC.
The German watchdog argued that users didn't agree to the free upgrade offer, and the pre-installation files were part of a ‘forced download’ hidden in the background.
The good news is that after a lengthy legal battle lasting over a year and a half, Microsoft has agreed to stop this kind of stealthy pre-loading of OS installation files.
As MS Power User reports, the company has stated: “Microsoft will not download install files for new operating systems to a user system’s hard disk without a user’s consent.”
Clearly that’s good news, although the practice should never have happened in the first place, of course.
What about updates?
Not just Microsoft but other software companies will likely take note of this judgment, and another interesting point is whether this could pertain to pre-loading the twice-yearly major updates for Windows 10 – which can be pretty hefty things themselves.
In case you’ve forgotten, Microsoft’s dubious practices in pushing Windows 10 upgrades prior to the release of the operating system included the likes of persistent nagging pop-ups that couldn’t be removed (and subsequently got more in your face), confusingly worded prompts, and even accusations of unsolicited installations.
Incidentally, the free upgrade to Windows 10 is still an offer you can take up, even though it officially ended over a year ago now.
- Windows 10 powers some of our best laptops of 2017
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What’s new with Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8
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The best free music player 2017
All music libraries are different, and a dedicated free music player can help you get the most out of yours. If you're still using a general purpose media player, you're missing out on a wealth of features that can make organizing, expanding and enjoying your music a breeze.
A clear winner emerged in our tests, but the other four free music players are all superb in their own right and well worth a look – especially if your music collection is fairly small, or you really need software that can handle video as well.
We update this guide frequently so you know you're always getting the latest information and the best advice.
1. MusicBee
Stylish and feature-packed, MusicBee is the best free music player around
MusicBee is a free music player created for serious music lovers and includes everything you need to manage and enjoy your collection, no matter how large (it's reportedly handled a library of over 500,000 tracks without a hiccup).
Switching to MusicBee is easy. The first time it runs, the app scans your PC for music and lets you import your files from Windows Media Player or iTunes. Tracks are catalogued, but aren't moved unless you've checked that option under Library Preferences so there'll be no surprises.
Once your songs are imported, tagging them is a piece of cake; hit Shift+Enter to open the tag editor and go to work. MusicBee's automatic tagging is superb, or you can update metadata yourself using industry-standard tags for each file format.
As in Windows Media Player, adding artwork is as simple as copying and pasting, and it isn't limited to the album cover – you can also add pictures of the artist, lead singer, band logo, and photos from live performances. These additional pictures are used throughout the player as navigation aids, and as visualizations while tracks are playing. MusicBee also searches for song lyrics to display as each track plays.
This free music player is designed to make the most of your PC's hardware, including top-end soundcards and surround-sound setups, with upmixing for stereo sound. Continuous playback eliminates silences between tracks (ideal for Pink Floyd fans), and you can choose to add silences or fades, normalize volume, and experiment with the equalizer.
MusicBee is also great for streaming from internet radio stations and listening to podcasts, and supports both SoundCloud and Last.fm. You can even link it to VLC Media Player to stream video podcasts.
The free music player supports almost every audio format around and converting files is simplicity itself, with presets for different playback devices (though for MP3 encoding you'll need to download the LAME codec).
If all of that isn't enough, there's even an Android app for controlling MusicBee remotely, and support for WinAmp plugins. You won't find a more comprehensive free music player, and although it's not open source, it's completely free to use and tinker with for personal use.
Review and where to download: MusicBee
2. AIMP
Manage even the messiest music library with AIMP's superior tagging options
Like all the best free music players, AIMP makes organizing your songs a breeze – even if your collection is currently a sprawling, disorganized mess of tracks in different formats and locations, with incomplete or missing metadata.
Your AIMP library can be built using files from multiple directories and ripped from CDs, with automatic track numbering and tag filling to help you get it in shape.
AIMP supports a huge number of formats, and additional encoders are available as user-created add-ons. Most music player extensions are extra visualizations and skins that, although cool, have little practical use. By contrast, AIMP's plugins include some real gems. Some of the highlights are a YouTube extension that lets you build playlists from multiple videos, an add-on for streaming music from a SoundCloud account, and an extension for controlling AIMP remotely via a web browser.
The app also features some unusual built-in tools, including an alarm clock function that starts playing at a certain time, a wind-down setting that shuts down your PC at the end of a playlist, and a voice remover for making your own karaoke tracks.
It's not as feature-filled as MusicBee, but its thoughtful design and carefully curated feature-set earn this free music player a respectable second place.
Review and where to download: AIMP
3. MediaMonkey
Automated tagging and organization make MediaMonkey ideal for all media
MediaMonkey plays and organizes both music and video, and unlike some dual-purpose media players, it does an excellent job of both. It identifies tracks with missing metadata and searches for the information online, and like MusicBee, its superb tagging tool lets you tag files using industry-standard formats.
You can also tag music during playback, which is a great option that avoids the need to preview snippets of tracks before labelling them with a mood or genre to generate playlists.
MediaMonkey organizes your music library in a logical hierarchy, and its File Monitor ensures everything is kept up to date as you add, edit and remove files. It works well, but if you want total manual control you'll need to install a third-party plugin.
As a slightly trimmed-down version of a premium product, MediaMonkey's interface has a little more gloss than its open-source competitors, but at the expense of some features. The paid-for Gold version includes a party mode that locks the interface to prevent guests messing with your carefully curated playlist, built-in conversion for TVs and mobile devices, and MP3 encoding for ripped CDs. None are essential, but their absence pushes MediaMonkey's free music player to third place.
Review and where to download: MediaMonkey
4. foobar2000
A modular player suited to small collections, and almost infinitely customizable
foobar2000's advanced tagging tool makes light work of cleaning up a messy library, with options including batch processing, automatic metadata completion and track numbering, and copying and pasting data between fields.
This free music player will look up metadata for untagged tracks when you rip an audio CD, and can identify and erase duplicated tracks. foobar2000's library doesn't update in real time, but it can detect changes and remove dead links.
foobar2000 supports all common audio formats, and includes a Quick Convert tool with various presets and options for creating your own profiles. If you encounter a file that it can't open, extra codecs are available as user-created plugins, which are installed via the Preferences menu.
Rather than flashy skins, foobar2000 features a customizable modular interface that gives you the information you want in a format that's convenient for you. Modules include album art, search box, playlist manager and various visualizations, with optional tabs for easier navigation. Custom layouts can be saved as themes for future use, and you can experiment with different settings using a built-in scratchbox.
All in all, foobar2000 is an extremely lightweight and adaptable option that suits smaller music libraries.
Review and where to download: foobar2000
5. VLC Media Player
Although primarily for video, VLC Media Player also a capable music player
Open source VLC Media Player is best known for its video-handling chops, but it's also a superb music manager that can play almost any format without installing any additional codecs – and convert between them, too.
VLC can also stream music from a local network or the internet, including internet radio stations, which you can set up as a playlist for quick access.
Managing your music is easy – just drag files and directories into the Media Library, and VLC Media Player will sort them all into folders. You can organize tracks by album, artists, genre of any other metadata, and use the built-in search tool to find the song you want.
VLC also supports extensions. Most of these are designed to optimize video playback, but a few – including ones for silencing ads on internet radio stations – are specifically for music-lovers.
VLC is lightweight and works happily on all versions of Windows from XP onwards. Versions for Mac, Linux, Android and iOS are also available. If you're looking for a single app to handle both music and video then it's hard to beat, but for music alone, the dedicated tools above will serve you better.
Review and where to download: VLC Media Player
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