Eliana Willis

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETI regularly need quick access to one of the Linux machines on my local area network, but sometimes I do not have a laptop. If I have my Android phone handy, I do not have to worry about grabbing my laptop or standing at my desk so I can run an SSH command.Also: These 6 Linux apps are the secret sauce to my creative processSo, how do you connect via SSH from an Android device? Fortunately, there are a few apps in the Google Play Store that make this process easy. Each app can be installed and used for free, so you can test each one and decide which you prefer. Some apps have free and paid plans, but all can be used for free (with basic features).Let us get to the clients. 1. JuiceSSHJuiceSSH is one of the best SSH clients for Android. This free client offers just the right features to make accessing remote machines a snap. One of my favorite features of JuiceSSH is the ability to quickly enlarge the font using the Volume Up key on your phone. This trick is handy because the text can be small — and that is important for older eyes like mine. Also: How to make SSH even easier to use with config filesJuiceSSH also features identity management, automatic script run on login, plugins, themes, external keyboard support, SSH agent forwarding, and easy access to commands like Ctrl, Alt, Esc, Tab, and more. The Pro version of JuiceSSH adds snippets, Amazon EC2 access, and a security lock. The Pro version is a one-time cost of $9.99, and the license is purchased in-app. The available plugins include a performance monitor, OpenSSH Importer, Cluster Snippets, Tasker, Port Knocker, and a Plugin Audit Log. More

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETYou have probably heard Windows users around the globe bemoaning the fact that their operating system of choice will soon no longer be supported. There are ways to extend that support, but they can be complicated and/or costly.If you think the same thing holds true for aging Ubuntu installations, think again. Unlike Windows, extending the support for Ubuntu 20.04 is actually quite simple, thanks to a service called Ubuntu Pro. Also: The easiest way to try out Ubuntu LinuxBefore you think it, home users can do this for free, thanks to Extended Support Maintenance (ESM). With ESM, you get 10 total years of vulnerability management for critical, high, and (some) medium security issues for every piece of software that ships with Ubuntu. That 10 years means that, with Ubuntu 20.04, you would still have 5 years left (since 20.04 was released in 2020). Of course, a simple question comes to mind: Why are you using a release of Ubuntu that is five years old? It might be running perfectly, and you either do not have the time or inclination to upgrade. Before I continue, I will say this: You should upgrade. I have run countless Ubuntu upgrades over the years and have never had an issue. So, if you are using Ubuntu on a desktop, I would highly recommend you stay up to date with the latest releases, or at least migrate from Long Term Support (LTS) release to LTS release (such as 20.04 to 22.04 to 24.04).Also: I’m a Linux power user, and the latest Ubuntu update put a smile on my faceWhat is really surprising about the ESM feature is that it is free for personal usage. That is right — if you use Ubuntu only for yourself, you can attach a desktop machine to your Ubuntu Pro account, and it will enjoy vulnerability updates for 10 years. But how do you do it? It is actually quite simple.Sign up for a Ubuntu Pro account The first thing you must do is sign up for a Ubuntu Pro account. Also: How to install Ubuntu Server in under 30 minutesTo do that, head over to the official Ubuntu Pro site and create a new account (remember, it is free). Once you have created your new account, you are ready to connect your aging operating system to ESM. Add ESM to Ubuntu While on your Ubuntu Pro account, click on Your Subscriptions. Also: How I turned traditional Ubuntu Mate into a modern, minimal desktop – and you can tooIn that tab, you will see a token that is specific to your account and the command required to attach a machine. The command will be in the form sudo pro attach TOKEN (where TOKEN is the token assigned to your account). More

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFinding a lightweight Linux distribution is as easy as closing your eyes and pointing to a list. Chances are good that your finger will land on a distribution perfectly suited for older hardware, giving that aging machine new life. On newer hardware, those lightweight distributions run faster than any OS you have ever experienced. Xubuntu is one such distribution.Xubuntu is an official Ubuntu spin that opts for the Xfce desktop environment (which is what makes this distribution so fast). Xfce is not only very lightweight, but it is also highly flexible. You can bend and twist Xfce into just about any layout you want, but those new to Linux might want to leave the default settings as is — because the default Xubuntu layout is as simple as it gets.Also: Why this Linux distro is my new favorite Windows replacementWhen you first log in, you are greeted by two desktop icons (Trash and Home), a top bar with a desktop menu and system tray, and a right-click menu. Click the desktop menu, and a searchable menu appears that includes categories, favorites, and power options. Within the menu, you will find apps like LibreOffice, Geary (email), Firefox, media players, an App Center, and more.Also: These 6 lightweight Linux apps let older PCs run blazing fastThe look of Xubuntu is straight-up classic with no frills or eye candy. It is basic, and it is simple. But what really makes Xubuntu stand out is its sheer speed. With all of the updates, bug fixes, and general improvements that went into Ubuntu 25.04, as well as the polish on the latest version of Xfce, this distribution is all about speed. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETYour Roku TV is getting a slew of updates to make finding something to watch easier — including one for your favorite purple city.At an event in New York City last week, Roku introduced its new TVs and streaming devices, smart home products, and TVs, but it also announced some new additions that will be coming to all existing Roku TVs.Also: Your TV’s USB port has an underrated benefit that can revitalize an old system – here’s how it worksHere’s what’s on the way.What’s coming to all Roku TVsRoku understands the struggle of finding something to watch, it says, so it’s rolling out several ways to make content more personal. These include: “Coming Soon to Theaters,” a row that shows you what’s currently in theaters. If you’d rather wait until you can watch it at home, you can add a movie to your saved list and Roku will alert you when it’s available.Short-form content rows are headed to the All Things Food and All Things Home tabs, letting you browse videos like recipes, home cleaning hacks, and more one after the other (essentially TikTok or Reels for your TV). A personalized highlight row in the Sports Zone lets you follow the latest action from your favorite teams and players. You can also get notifications when it’s gametime for your favorite teams.If you want to see the best of the best, watch for Roku’s new badges that will identify award-winning films.Missing your favorite purple-hued cityscape? Instead of having to wait for your set to go idle to visit, you can now head to Roku City with one click with a dedicated tile. This fake city, complete with its own mass transit, homes, restaurants, and even a city hall, has become a fan-favorite over the past few years, and now it’s even easier to pay a visit.Hardware updates On the hardware side, new versions of the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus are on the way. The new models are so power-efficient, Roku says, that they are powered directly by your TV — meaning no more hanging cables. The new sticks are also getting a sleek redesign that ensures they don’t block neighboring HDMI ports. The classic Roku Streaming Stick is also getting a voice remote. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you have an older Google Nest thermostat, it might be losing its smart capabilities later this year. In a post last week on the official support blog, Google announced that it would end support for three thermostat models: The original first-generation Nest Learning Thermostat from 2011, the second-generation Nest Learning Thermostat that followed a year later in 2012, and the second generation of the European version of the Nest Learning Thermostat from 2014. No more smart featuresNot only is Google stopping future software updates for those devices, it is pulling all smart features. The thermostats will still work, including existing schedules, and you can continue to control the temperature and set schedules directly on the device, Google says, but you will not be able to control anything with the Nest app or Google Assistant. Support ends on Oct. 25, 2025. No other devices are affected at this time. An olive branchTo lessen the blow a little, Google is making an offer to affected customers. If you are still using one of these thermostats, Google will send you a $130 off promo code to purchase the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat (which ZDNET’s Maria Diaz called “a beautiful piece of tech that works” and one that “you can count on working for years — or maybe even decades”). With an MSRP of $280, that cuts the price to $150. Google said it was making the change to “fully invest” in the latest generation of thermostats. More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETNothing’s affordable sub-brand, CMF, has announced a new phone alongside a trio of earbuds. The CMF Phone 2 Pro, which succeeds last year’s CMF Phone 1, is a budget smartphone that takes on the likes of the Moto G series, Samsung Galaxy A lineup, and even the more expensive Google Pixel 9a — all for under $300.  A bold design that isn’t afraid to experimentThe CMF Phone 2 Pro carries Nothing’s signature bold look and nomenclature. The biggest upgrade is in the optics department. Like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, the new Pro phone adds a telephoto camera to the main and ultrawide-angle lenses. And like its predecessor, it retains the modular design, so you can add various screw-in accessories to have more fun with the design. Also: The best budget Android phone I’ve tested is not made by Samsung or MotorolaIt can be customized in several ways for more personalization, creativity, and functionality. A Universal Cover, for example, lets you add a set of different camera lenses, like fisheye or macro lenses, to the phone’s camera. Other accessories include a kickstand attachment and a lanyard.  More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Motorola’s Moto G is available from the company’s website for $200. The smartphone boasts a long-lasting battery, booming speakers, and a solid camera array. However, I wouldn’t call it a “pocket-sized theater” due to its sub-standard screen. more buying choices In a world where flagship smartphones can cost $1,000 or more, […] More