Eliana Willis

Download a lifetime license to Microsoft Office at a deep discount with this deal. Stack Social If you need access to Microsoft Office but don’t want to pay the yearly fee to access Office 365, you’re in luck: Stack Social is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows or Mac, starting […] More

Fedora 41 might be the fastest iteration of the OS I’ve ever tested. Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysFedora 41 beta is available now for testing purposes. The latest iteration of Fedora Linux is blazing fast, reliable, and offers access to the upcoming GIMP 3.0 image editor.Fedora 41 ships with very few pre-installed applications and it’s still in beta.For about five years now, I’ve become rather enamored of the Fedora Linux distribution. Yes, I’ve known about it for far longer, but for much of its existence, I saw Fedora as a distribution mainly for developers and those already quite familiar with the open-source operating system. Fedora was bleeding edge and would often break.That was then. Today, Fedora is a different beast — fast, stable, secure, and easy enough for anyone to use. Fedora went from a niche distribution to one that can be used productively by anyone.With the release of version 41 beta, the Fedora team demonstrates this once again. Version 41 has far more changes than one might expect from a release that’s not a major milestone — v30, v40, v50, etc — and all the changes come together to make a truly fantastic operating system.Also: These Linux distributions are best for developers – here’s whyThe changesI’m going to lead with one change that has me very excited but may not apply to most users. Fedora 41 beta is the first distribution I’ve seen to include the ability to install the early version of GIMP 3.0. I use the GIMP image editor daily and have been anticipating this release. The GIMP development process is slow, so when a major release is on the horizon, there’s reason to be excited. I covered what has me most excited about GIMP 3 and the top three contenders are non-destructive editing, font handling, and new layer features. To test GIMP 3, install it with the command:sudo dnf install gimp -y More

Adam Breeden/ZDNETIf you’re shopping for a new TV, chances are high that you’ll be split between OLED and QLED models. That’s because both panel display types offer notice differences and distinct qualities, as we’ll break down below. In a snapshot, QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode) TVs present brighter images than standard LCD TVs. This is because QLED TVs build on LED technology by integrating proprietary software with LED backlighting. The layered nature of a QLED-built TV also eliminates the risk of burn-in, or lingering/permanent visible images. The way QLED TVs are constructed is fundamentally closer to that of LCD TVs, which are the most common type on the market. Because their main advantage is enhanced brightness, QLEDs are ideal in living rooms and well-lit environments. Generally speaking, QLEDs are cheaper and come in a broader array of sizes, both larger and smaller, than OLEDs.  Also: OLED vs LED: What’s the difference?OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TVs, on the other hand, do not use backlighting systems. Instead, millions of individual self-illuminating pixels create a virtually blur-free picture, no matter your viewing angle. Each pixel has its own LED bulb that can dim for enhanced contrast or shut off completely to create a true black. This also translates to high fidelity and uniformity across the screen, even if you’re sitting to the far left or right in relation to it.OLED technology is considered “emissive,” meaning each pixel emits its own light (vs. “transmissive” QLEDs, which rely on an LED backlight). This means each unused subpixel can turn off completely. Combined with no need for backlighting, this makes OLEDs more energy-efficient than QLEDs.Based on the OLED TVs we’ve tested, they offer better picture quality, including higher contrast, truer color accuracy, and deeper blacks than QLEDs. However, what works best for you might depend on your viewing environment and user needs. Following are some thoughts to consider before buying an OLED TV over a QLED TV — and vice versa! You should buy an OLED TV if… More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETAmazon’s Alexa has been a fixture in my house since it arrived on the scene a decade ago. Over time, Alexa devices have multiplied to the point where we have one in every room of the house (and yes, that includes the bathrooms).We use them for lists, timers, and alarms, among other things. We also use them to control our smart home devices. Most, but not all, of our lights are controlled by Alexa. So is our thermostat. Also: 5 Echo Show settings to change to make your smart display less annoyingIn this article, I’m going to show you how you can string together Alexa smart-home commands into sequences called “routines.” Then, I’ll show you five that are particularly helpful in my home. How to create a routine Everything I will show you is controlled by the Alexa app on your phone. I’m using an iPhone, but the Alexa app is virtually identical on Android devices. So, go ahead and launch the Alexa app. Then press the little More button at the lower right of the screen (shown at 1), and then the Routines button in the middle of the screen (shown at 2). More

The Google TV Streamer is available in two colors, Porcelain and Hazel. Google Following last month’s announcement of the new Google TV Streamer<!–> and Nest Learning Thermostat–>, Google users have been waiting for the official launch of the streaming device to replace the Chromecast. Today, Google said that the Google TV Streamer is coming to store shelves, […] More

rob dobi/Getty Images Some people have told me recently that artificial intelligence (AI) is writing my stories. As if! However, there is a reason it might seem as if AI has provided a helping hand. I’ve published close to 15,000 stories, five books, and hundreds of white papers. Put all that content together, and I’ve […] More

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETMicrosoft has kicked off a new app to help you connect to remote Windows PCs and servers. But this one is technically more of an update to the previous app. Like the former RDC app, the new app works in Windows, MacOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. So you can connect from a PC or a mobile device. It also focuses much more on enterprise and domain usage, though it will work with home PCs as well.Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11If you already have the previous version, installing the new app wipes out the old one. The new app is called Windows App, a name that doesn’t really make sense. The old app — Microsoft Remote Desktop or RDC Client is much more straightforward. Microsoft has never been especially adept at properly naming its products, but this one is more confusing than most.The new app will work in a domain-based or home environment. This means you can connect to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop Services, Microsoft Dev Box, or an individual Windows PC. In a blog post announcing the new app, Microsoft product manager Hilary Braun touted some of the new and improved features, including the following:Unified access: You can access and manage multiple Windows environments, such as cloud PCs, virtual desktops, and local PCs.Customizable experience: You can personalize the app’s interface with customizable home screens, multi-monitor support, and dynamic display resolutions.Enhanced experience: You can tap into features such as device redirection, Microsoft Teams optimizations, and easy account switching.After you launch the app, any connections you created under the previous version should be migrated with all their settings intact. Otherwise, your first step will be to create a new connection. But here’s where you may get tripped up based on whether you’re using the app at work or home. By default, the app asks for a work or school account to connect to a domain-based resource such as Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop. More