Eliana Willis

Jack Wallen/ZDNETRhino Linux has been one of my favorite aesthetics on the open-source desktop for some time. From theme to layout, the developers had taken the Xfce desktop and made it special. From the first time I tested Rhino Linux to now, it has always impressed me.But something different is on the horizon, something that started back in 2023, with what the developers called the Unicorn Beyond XFCE Initiative (UBXI). The goal of UBXI was to port the Unicorn workflow, theming, and other elements beyond the XFCE desktop. The results of that effort (ports) would then be rolled into pacscripts to look and feel exactly like the XFCE-based Unicorn desktop for use on Rhino Linux. The team even invited members of the community to contribute their own UBXI ports that could be officially provided.Also: I’ve used virtually every Linux distro, but this one has a fresh perspectiveGuess what? Those efforts have started to bear fruit. The new desktop is based on KDE 6, which means it’s not a completely new environment but rather a migration from XFCE to KDE Plasma. Even still, it has very much the Unicorn look and layout, which is important (more on that in a bit).Over the weekend, I installed Rhino Linux solely to check out the new UBXI desktop. Although it needs some polish, you can already sense that it’s going to take Rhino Linux to the next level.The installationFirst off, let’s talk about the installation of the new UBXI desktop. All you have to do is have a running, updated version of Rhino Linux. Log into that instance, open a terminal window, and issue the command:rpk install ubxi-kde-desktop-gitThe installer will go through the process and should take less than 5 minutes. When it’s finished, reboot the system and log in. However, before you do log in, you’ll want to change from the Xfce desktop to the KDE Plasma desktop, which can be done by clicking the four-line icon near the top right of the screen and selecting Plasma (Wayland). If you don’t do this, it’ll start the default Xfce desktop. More

Why is my Fire TV running so slow?That’s a complex question to answer. It could be the age of your device. Older hardware might struggle to load the latest apps and services. But it could also be a combination of outdated software, too many background processes, and accumulated temporary files. All these things can make your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick lag. Fortunately, the tips above address most of these problems. Are there any other Fire TV features I can disable?Amazon’s Fire TV has a surprising amount of “features” running in the background — many of which you might never use. These processes eat up system resources and can slow things down. Turning off the ones you don’t need can speed up performance and tighten your privacy a bit. For instance, hold down the Home button on your remote to open the quick menu. Go to Settings > Applications > Prime Photos and toggle off Allow guest connections and Access Prime Photos (if you don’t use Prime Photos). Also: Slow Fire TV? This 30-second fix made my system run like new againWhile still under Applications, select Appstore and disable Automatic Updates (you can update apps manually later). Also in Appstore, you can optionally turn off In-app Purchases. Then select GameCircle (if you don’t game on your Fire TV) and toggle off Share your GameCircle Nickname and Whispersync for Games. Each item you disable frees up a little extra memory and CPU overhead, which adds up over time — especially on older devices with limited RAM. How often should I restart my Fire TV?If you leave your Fire TV device powered on for long stretches at a time, a weekly restart is a good rule of thumb. Will clearing cache or uninstalling apps delete my data?Clearing cache will remove temporary files, not your logins or saved preferences. Uninstalling apps does remove any data specific to that app, but most streaming services store your watch history and preferences in the cloud, so you won’t lose purchases or profiles. You will need to log back into an app if you choose to delete it from your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick. Do I really need to disable data monitoring and autoplay?Disabling data monitoring and autoplay doesn’t affect your ability to watch shows or use apps — it just stops your Fire TV from constantly tracking data usage or playing auto-preview videos, which reduces background load. When should I consider a factory reset?As I mentioned above, a factory reset is a last resort. If you’ve been using your Fire TV for years and it’s still unbearably slow after trying every other tip, it’s worth a shot. It erases everything you’ve installed and customized and gives you a fresh start. Also: Your car’s USB port is seriously underutilized: 5 features you’re not taking advantage ofAll these tweaks, or even just a combination of some of them, will help you reclaim the speed you once enjoyed on your Fire TV. Let me know which in the comments worked for you and if there are others I missed and should consider trying. Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. More

RayaHristova/Getty Images You’re probably sick of hearing this, but you really need a password manager. You can take your pick of excellent third-party password management utilities, but for the less technical among us, there’s a tempting option that looks much easier: use the password management tools that come with your platform of choice. In recent […] More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETApple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off today, Monday, June 9 at Apple Park, but the full conference runs through June 13. The event will feature the new software generation for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Vision Pro, and Apple TV — and, of course, Apple Intelligence.Also: iOS 26 isn’t just about a new name and Solarium – here’s what else is comingThis developer conference also marks one year since the company entered the AI space with the announcement of Apple Intelligence.As a result, all eyes are on Apple and its much-awaited updates on the progress of the AI platform, such as when the upgraded Siri update will be rolled out to devices, and what new features will be coming next. How to watch WWDC 2025 More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETFew things ruin the joy of watching a good show more than suddenly seeing that rotating asterisk symbol or swirly icon that tells you your TV is buffering. Or maybe it’s stuttering, or altogether freezing. If this is happening on your Roku TV, don’t give up on it just yet.Also: Slow Roku TV? This 30-second fix made my system run like new againLike phones and computers, Rokus have caches that accumulate temporary data, which inevitably slows them down over time. There are simple ways to clear up this hidden clutter and get your Roku TV behaving like its normal, healthy self.Also: I changed 10 settings on my Fire TV to instantly improve the performanceHere are a few methods to clear your Roku’s cache, improve its speed, and make shows play smoothly again.1. Start by unplugging it More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Epos Adapt E1 earbuds are on sale now for $166 at Amazon. Designed for the office, the Adapt E1 come with a host of features tailored for videoconferencing, as well as great battery life. The mic quality is variable and I found myself wishing some calls were louder. more buying […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Raycon Everyday wireless earbuds can be had for just $80. They’re comfortable enough for all-day wear and have great battery life. You’ll just have to settle with the cheaper hardware and materials. –> I bought my pair of Raycon Everyday<!–> wireless earbuds during a Black Friday deal last November. Normally, […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Eufy E15 Robot Mower for yards up to 0.2 acres is available for $1,800, while the Eufy E18 covers up to 0.3 acres and costs $2,000 This robot mower uses visual recognition, AI algorithms, and 3D sensors to distinguish the boundaries of a lawn and avoid obstacles in real time […] More