Eliana Willis

Jack WallenZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe latest version of Rhino Linux is available to download and install for free.Rhino Linux is a beautiful, rolling-release Linux distribution that works for both those new to Linux and those with plenty of Linux skills.Rhino Linux doesn’t include a GUI package manager by default.I’m a sucker for a beautiful Linux desktop. I go out of my way to either choose or modify the desktops I use to make them fit my aesthetic. Sometimes that’s easy; sometimes it can be a challenge. That’s especially so when you factor in that I’ve been using Linux for a very long time, so the distribution I choose for myself isn’t something I’d recommend strictly for beginners.Also: How to run a Windows app on Linux with WineYou can imagine my excitement when I find a distribution that is both gorgeous and can serve users of all skill levels.Such is the case with the latest release of Rhino Linux. When you first take a gander at the OS, you might be inclined to not take it seriously, but under that pretty UI is plenty of power, ready to be leveraged.For example, immediately after logging in for the first time, you’re greeted by a Welcome app that allows you to enable/disable the following:FlatpakFlatpak beta channelFlatsealNixSnapAppImageAM (command line tool for AppImage)DockerPodmanDistroboxApptainerEQMUVirtualBoxNumbers 1-7 are all about package management and the installation of apps. Numbers 8-13 are all centered around containerization. All users will be interested in selecting the package managers available to the OS and developers/admins will want to also focus on the container tools.There’s something for everyone.Also: How to create a bootable Linux USB driveThe only thing missing from the list is productivity tools, such as LibreOffice. Fortunately, those can be easily installed with one of the many package managers.What’s new in Rhino Linux?This is a new release, and the latest iteration of Rhino Linux has plenty of newness to boast about. There’s the new Unicorn Theme, which is all about purple. The Setup Wizard has received a major overhaul that caters to both new and power users.The pacstall package manager includes pkgbase splitting that allows for building multiple individual packages from a single pascript. And, of course, there have been numerous bug fixes.For those who are curious, Rhino Linux ships with kernel 6.10.7 on the Generica ISO images, 6.9.0-okpine for Pine64 images, and 6.8.0-raspi for Raspberry Pi.The desktopRhino Linux is a rolling release distribution based on Ubuntu and uses the Xfce desktop. Unlike most distributions that default to Xfce, Rhino Linux does a remarkable job of presenting the UI in such a way as to make it look very modern. With a left-side dock and top bar, the interface might not be immediately familiar to some, but it’s still easy to use. Click to launch any app from the Dock or click the small square of dots near the top of the Dock to open the Application Grid, where you can start any application on the system.Also: My 5 favorite Linux text editors (and why you should be using one)When opening the Application Grid, you might also notice an app store missing from the package list. That’s because there isn’t one and it’s the only reason why those new to Linux might stumble when taking their first steps. That’s okay because installation of such applications can be done with apt-get, pacstall, snap, or flatpak. For example, installing LibreOffice with Snap is done with the command:sudo snap install libreofficeOf course, you can always install the Synaptic package manager GUI with the command:sudo apt-get install synaptic More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETIFA was packed with new smart home technology this year, with some interesting ideas coming from Aqara, the company responsible for many sleek products, such as Smart Lock U200. Along with its extensive rollout of cameras, sensors, locks, and home security devices, the company also revealed a tiny little device that addresses a different type of security concern.Also: Aqara’s Matter-over-Thread smart lock brings homes closer to seamless securityThe Voice Mate H1 is a small puck that uses voice commands and connects with the Hub M3 More

Getty Images/TravelCouples Want an easy way to share photos and other files between your Windows PC and Android device? One handy option is Google’s Quick Share for Windows. Accessible as a free app for Windows 10 and 11, Quick Share lets you send any file from your Android device to your PC, or vice versa. […] More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETWe’re still hours from Apple’s September event, but I’m already thinking about the good, the bad, and the ugly of what will possibly be the iPhone 16’s flagship feature. As previously reported, the upcoming iPhone series is expected to feature a dedicated camera button. Housed on the bottom right side of the phones, the hardware key will act as a shutter button when pressed, both for photos and videos.Also: What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 16 ‘It’s Glowtime’ event, and how to watch the livestreamPitching the feature to the masses will be rather straightforward; most people are already familiar with taking photos on a camera in some way, shape, or form. To a degree, Apple is taking a step backward here, going from software to hardware. But, as is often the case with Apple products, the beauty is in the details.According to Bloomberg, the new camera button will be touch-capacitive, meaning it’ll behave differently depending on how you tap and swipe it. A short press on the key will prompt the iPhone to autofocus on what it thinks is the main subject, and a harder press will capture it. Similarly, swiping on the button’s surface will switch between photo and video modes or zoom in and out. These are the features that will be met with oohs and ahhs during the keynote. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWith all the investment Google has made into artificial intelligence (AI), it’s not surprising the tech giant launched its own AI-powered image generator, ImageFX, earlier this year. ImageFX aims to rival OpenAI’s DALL-E 3, Midjourney, Microsoft’s Image Creator by Designer, and many others. Also: The best AI image generators to try right nowImageFX is powered by Imagen 2, the latest generation of Google’s text-to-image technology. Each image created with ImageFX is embedded with DeepMind’s SynthID, a digital watermark that is invisible to the naked eye. The watermark can be used to show the image was created by AI.How to use ImageFX More

Save big on this lifetime Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro bundle.  Kerry Wan/ZDNETIt doesn’t matter if you’re upgrading to a new laptop or just upgrading your existing system — access to Microsoft Office and Windows is a necessity for getting things done on your computer these days. And right now, you can buy a bundled lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro from Stack Social for $50 — that’s 88% off. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 includes all of the classic and essential Microsoft offerings, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and Teams. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, check out this deal for Microsoft Office 2019, which offers all the same features except for Teams. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is an operating system perfect for working professionals or at-home users. Get an easy-to-navigate interface, biometrics login, Smart App Control, Windows Studio Effects, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and top features like snap layouts, desktops, seamless redocking, improved voice typing, and a powerful search experience. You’ll also get access to Microsoft Copilot, an AI platform designed to upgrade your workflow experience. Also: How to use Copilot (formerly known as Bing Chat)There’s one caveat, though. While Stack Social is an authorized Microsoft partner and offers “lifetime” access to Office, it is possible that Microsoft could end the license. But the site has been running these Microsoft deals for years now, and ZDNET’s Alison DeNisco Rayome can personally vouch for them — she purchased an Office license from Stack Social about two years ago, and it’s still working on her personal MacBook today. While this bundle deal offers a lot, you won’t get the benefits of the latest Microsoft Office 365 subscription, so if you’re looking for Microsoft 365, this deal may not be for you (though Stack Social does have a discount on Office 365, too.) Windows users must update their OS to Windows 10 or 11 to access these software deals. Get your lifetime license bundles for Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro right now. More

Matthew Miller/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Amazfit T-Rex 3 More