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    Google’s new Chromebook Plus AI features could give Windows Copilot a run for its money

    Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETGoogle just announced a handful of new features for its diverse Chromebook lineup, including two new models that push the limits of what we expect from a Chromebook device: one with a detachable display, and another with a vibrant OLED screen.All Chromebooks will now have access to Gemini, come loaded with Google One AI Premium plan for free for three months, have new customizable Focus modes to silence notifications, and a brand-new Welcome Recap feature that lets you bring up all the apps and windows you had up in a previous session. Also: 6 reasons why a Chromebook is the best laptop for most anyoneBut the flashiest features were saved for Chomebook Plus devices, which have some unique AI-powered perks that set them apart — certainly giving Windows’ Copilot a run for its money. There’s Live Translation, which works with anything on your screen, a text summary feature called Help me read, a better recording app that can summarize and transcribe audio, and a new Quick Insert feature baked into the ChromeOS that’s like a quick-access control panel. Here’s a closer look at the major features Google just announced.  1. The Quick Insert key More

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    I’ve weathered a lot of hurricanes – these are my must-have storm tracking tools

    Jason Perlow/ZDNETLiving in South Florida means that hurricanes are a regular part of my life. Through experience, I’ve learned that preparing for a storm is more than just stocking up on supplies — it’s also about having the right data and tools available. As a technology professional who’s weathered multiple hurricanes since moving to the state in 2012, I’ve become passionate about tracking storms. I make it a point to stay 7 to 10 days ahead, closely monitoring every model and update as a storm develops and strengthens. Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewedHere’s an overview of the apps and websites that I rely on to stay ahead of the storms. Essential websites1. NOAA National Hurricane Center  More

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    The best old-school Linux window managers that still hold up

    The AfterStep desktop in all its old-school glory. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETI’ve used just about every desktop available for the Linux operating system. In the early days, I’d switch from one to another to find desktop nirvana. Every so often I’d land on a desktop that I enjoyed and would stick with it, only to find myself itching for a change in a few weeks.Those days are gone and I’ve stuck with the same desktop for a long time (which will soon change, once System76 releases the full version of COSMIC Desktop).Also: System76’s new COSMIC Linux desktop is out of this worldThat doesn’t mean old-school desktops aren’t still viable. Although they may not be as integrated and full-featured as the systems you’re used to, these nods to early Linux can be a lot of fun and some of them are still just as effective now as they were in the past.Let’s take a look at five such desktops. More

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    Windows 11 users, beware: A recent update has been causing constant reboots

    RapidEye/Getty Images Microsoft has issued a warning to Windows 11 users over a recent optional software update that has been causing multiple problems. The company says patch KB5043145 is causing some computers to restart many times in a constant loop, and in some cases, become unresponsive. In the cases where the computer is unresponsive, the […] More

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    Sick of ads on Android? Change these 5 settings for more privacy – fast

    Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf there’s one thing that bothers me in this modern era, it’s advertising. I understand companies have to pay the bills, but sometimes ads can become a bit much. Even worse, some ads feel like a breach of privacy. Some apps create profiles of you to target their ads better. Click on one thing in an app, and suddenly, you’re inundated with ads for similar products. It’s downright spooky; sometimes it feel like I simply thought of something, and then next thing you know, I’m seeing an ad for it.Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2024Fortunately, there are a few settings you can change to avoid ads. 1. Turn off ad topics Ad topics are based on the apps you’ve recently used and make it possible for those apps to personalize the ads you see. If you choose to leave Ad topics on, you can always block topics that aren’t of interest. To block topics, you’ll have to wait until various apps start collecting data on you. I immediately disable this feature as soon as I get a new Android phone because I don’t want apps to create a profile on me for targeted ads. To disable Ad topics, go to Settings > Privacy > Ads > Ad Privacy > Ad topics. On the resulting window, tap the On/Off slider for “Allow ad topics” until it’s in the Off position. More

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    I’ve weathered a lot of hurricanes – these 8 apps and websites are my must-have storm tools

    Jason Perlow/ZDNETLiving in South Florida means that hurricanes are a regular part of my life. Through experience, I’ve learned that preparing for a storm is more than just stocking up on supplies — it’s also about having the right data and tools available. As a technology professional who’s weathered multiple hurricanes since moving to the state in 2012, I’ve become passionate about tracking storms. I make it a point to stay 7 to 10 days ahead, closely monitoring every model and update as a storm develops and strengthens. Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewedHere’s an overview of the apps and websites that I rely on to stay ahead of the storms. Essential websites1. NOAA National Hurricane Center  More