Brian Fagioli

Following a short beta test period, Canonical today released Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS. Codenamed “Noble Numbat,” this version promises enhanced performance, security, and developer productivity. Available for download at Ubuntu’s official site, this release marks a significant update supported for at least 12 years, emphasizing Canonical’s commitment to long-term support.

Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical, highlighted the release’s focus, “Ubuntu 24.04 LTS takes a bold step into performance engineering and confidential computing to deliver an enterprise-grade innovation platform.” This version introduces TCK certified Java, LTS for .NET, and the latest Rust toolchain, catering extensively to developer needs.

Continue reading →

TCL Mobile is set to make waves in the budget smartphone market with the launch of the TCL 50 XL 5G, available at Metro by T-Mobile here now. As the inaugural device in the highly anticipated 50 Series, the TCL 50 XL 5G aims to bring high-end technology within reach of more consumers with its attractive price tag of just $159.

The TCL 50 XL 5G boasts a large 6.78-inch FHD+ display complemented by a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring vivid visuals and fluid motion for an immersive viewing experience. This smartphone is not just about the display; it also features dual speakers enhanced with DTS sound technology, offering a superior audio experience for both headphone users and open-air listening.

Continue reading →

Today, Qualcomm introduces the Snapdragon X Plus platform, which features the all-new 10-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU and a 45 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) NPU, touted as the fastest NPU for laptops globally. This combination aims to set a new benchmark for mobile computing by providing up to 37% faster CPU performance while consuming up to 54% less power compared to its competitors.

Kedar Kondap, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm Technologies, highlighted the transformative potential of the new chipset. "Snapdragon X Series platforms deliver leading experiences and are positioned to revolutionize the PC industry," said Kondap. He emphasized that the Snapdragon X Plus would power "AI-Supercharged PCs," enabling radical new AI experiences amid rapid technological advancements.

Continue reading →

Fedora Linux 40 has officially landed (download here), bringing a slew of updates across its various desktop environments and tools aimed at enhancing user experience and developer capabilities. This release delivers updates to both the GNOME and KDE desktop environments, and the reintroduction of the Fedora Atomic Desktop brand.

In the Fedora Workstation Edition, users will now experience GNOME 46. This update includes a variety of enhancements that aim to improve usability and performance. Those interested in the specifics of what’s new in Fedora Workstation 40 can find detailed updates and features highlighted in the release notes.

Continue reading →

Samsung has started mass production of its one-terabit (Tb) triple-level cell (TLC) 9th-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND). This is seemingly aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the NAND flash market, particularly within the high-performance solid state drive (SSD) segment.

SungHoi Hur, Head of Flash Product & Technology at Samsung’s Memory Business, commented on the launch: “With the industry’s first 9th-gen V-NAND, we aim to meet the growing demand for high-performance, high-density SSD solutions that are suitable for AI and other future applications.”

Continue reading →

In what appears to be a response to Apple's recent success with the Vision Pro, Meta has unveiled its own open computing initiative with the introduction of Meta Horizon OS. This new mixed reality operating system is part of Meta's strategy to recover ground in the rapidly evolving metaverse sector, where Apple has set a high standard.

Meta Horizon OS will be the backbone for a series of new devices from major tech players like ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox. These collaborations seem to be Meta's attempt to broaden its ecosystem and challenge Apple's dominance. ASUS's Republic of Gamers, for instance, will develop a performance gaming headset, tapping into the gaming market where Apple's presence is less pronounced. Lenovo is poised to leverage its past collaboration on Oculus Rift S and its hardware prowess to create mixed reality devices aimed at productivity and entertainment, sectors where Apple's Vision Pro has made significant inroads.

Continue reading →

Mozilla has announced Firefox Nightly for ARM64. This release will cater to the growing demand for support on ARM64 platforms, commonly referred to as AArch64.

Feedback from the community has led Mozilla to expand the availability of Firefox Nightly. Users can now access the browser as both .tar archives and .deb packages, depending on their preference and requirements for installation.

Continue reading →

Guests at select IHG Hotels & Resorts properties, including those under the Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Candlewood Suites, and InterContinental brands, now have a more personalized entertainment experience. More than 60 locations across North America now offer AirPlay functionality, allowing visitors to stream content from Apple TV+ and other services, listen to music, view photos, play games, or engage in fitness and meditation sessions -- all on the big screens in their rooms.

The new feature is available through a seamless connection process. Guests can link their devices to the room’s LG TV and the hotel’s Wi-Fi network by scanning a unique QR code displayed on the TV screen. This setup not only makes it easy to mirror content from iPhones and iPads directly to the TV but also ensures privacy and security.

Continue reading →

TEAMGROUP has unveiled its latest product, the MP44Q M.2 PCIe 4.0 Solid State Drive. This new SSD offers impressive capabilities, primarily due to its use of the latest 3D QLC NAND technology which allows for storage capacities of up to 4TB. This considerable capacity is complemented by the PCIe Gen4 x4 interface which propels the SSD to achieve maximum sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and 6,500 MB/s, respectively.

In addition to its performance features, the MP44Q SSD includes a unique heat management technology. It is equipped with TEAMGROUP’s patented graphene heat dissipation sticker, which is less than 1 mm thick. This helps avoid mechanical interference during installation and, when used in conjunction with the motherboard’s native heat sink, effectively manages the heat generated during operation.

Continue reading →

Marshall has introduced two new products in its audio lineup: the Major V on-ear headphones and the Minor IV true wireless earbuds. Both models promise enhancements in sound quality, battery life, and durability.

According to Martin Wennberg, Product Manager at Marshall, the new Major V builds on its predecessor’s capabilities, increasing playtime from 80+ to 100+ hours. “We’ve refined every detail for the fifth incarnation of Major, from the sound quality to the iconic design,” Wennberg explains.

Continue reading →

KeyBudz, a maker of accessories for AirPods, has just improved the auditory experience of Apple’s Pro earbuds with its latest release—the HyperFoam ear tips. These ear tips are not just another accessory; they promise unparalleled comfort and acoustic performance.

The standout feature of the HyperFoam ear tips is the exclusive ComfortCore technology. This patented feature integrates a flexible sound bore made from German Kraiburg ThermoPlastic Elastomer (TPE), which molds to the unique contours of each user’s ear. This adaptability ensures a custom fit that not only enhances the overall listening experience but also maintains an optimal acoustic seal, allowing users to enjoy their music without external interruptions.

Continue reading →

Nvidia may be the AI-focused darling of the technology world nowadays, but that doesn’t mean we should forget about good ol’ AMD. In fact, today, AMD announced the launch of its latest Ryzen PRO 8040 and 8000 Series processors designed for commercial mobile and desktop AI PCs.

The Ryzen PRO 8040 Series, specifically designed for business laptops and mobile workstations, introduces the most advanced x86 processors in AMD’s lineup. These processors are built using the innovative 4nm technology and “Zen 4” architecture, which delivers up to 30% increased performance in demanding applications. The series also features models with integrated AMD RDNA 3 graphics, pushing the limits with up to 72% faster performance and significantly reduced power consumption during video conferencing compared to competitors.

Continue reading →

Plugable has just launched four new cables that promise to solve the universal problem of incompatible and unreliable charging cords. These products, distinguishable by their signature Plugable green band and a clearly listed set of capabilities, are designed to reliably perform everything from charging gadgets to connecting hardware.

The lineup includes the USB-C 20Gbps 240W EPR cable, the Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps 240W EPR Cable with a right-angle connector, a 3.3ft (1m) USB-C to USB-A 10Gbps Cable, and a 6ft (2m) USB-C to USB-A 5Gbps Cable. Each of these is backed by Plugable’s compatibility guarantee, ensuring that they meet the high expectations of today’s tech users.

Continue reading →

Following many requests from users, Surfshark has finally launched a VPN app specifically for Apple TV! This new app enhances user privacy by encrypting internet traffic and masking IP addresses, thereby shielding users from invasive online tracking and targeted advertising.

Surfshark’s new offering for Apple TV joins an extensive lineup of available VPN applications across various platforms, including Chrome, Firefox, iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, FireTV, and Edge. Notably, the Apple TV VPN app is accessible to all existing Surfshark users without any additional fees.

Continue reading →

KLEVV has announced its latest product, the CRAS C925 Gen4 M.2 solid state drive. This SSD is engineered with the PCI Express Gen4 x4 interface and NVMe 1.4 protocol, ensuring peak performance with sequential read speeds reaching up to 7400 MB/s. This level of speed significantly reduces load times, enhancing productivity and gaming experiences alike. The SSD also achieves up to 700K IOPS for 4K random read and 1000K IOPS for write.

To maintain optimal performance, KLEVV includes an optional aluminum heatsink with the CRAS C925, which can reduce temperatures by up to 12 percent. Its single-sided NAND IC design makes it compatible with a variety of compact devices such as laptops, mini-PCs, and gaming consoles like the PS5, ensuring users do not have to compromise on performance or space.

Continue reading →