Eliana Willis

COSMIC desktop might look like the Pop!_OS of old but it’s a very different beast. Jack WallenZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysCOSMIC desktop is currently in alpha stage but can be installed and tested for free.It fixes all of the problems I had with previous incarnations of Pop!_OS and vastly improves on the performance and reliability.But COSMIC desktop is way too early for regular usage.Linux distributions come and go. We’ve seen every take imaginable for the open-source operating system and often they’re a twist on an old approach. However, at the heart of every Linux distribution is a passion and dedication to creating something special, an operating system that can be used by anyone, without cost, and with a high level of reliability.Also: 5 reasons why Pop!_OS is my favorite Linux distroMost Linux distributions rise well above the challenge, so when System76 announced it was creating a new desktop environment to sit atop its Pop!_OS distribution, I knew the company would produce something that could challenge every current desktop on the market.I also knew it wouldn’t attempt to fix what wasn’t broken. The GNOME-based Pop!_OS desktop worked and worked well. System76 took what was already great about GNOME and tweaked it just enough to make it highly useful. So, even before I downloaded the ISO and spun up a virtual machine for COSMIC desktop, I knew what to expect.  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSome time ago, I denounced my love for the Pixel phones. That was challenging since I’ve had one since the beginning. But, as Google made its plans clear that the Pixel 9 line of phones would be all about AI, I decided I’d had enough. Also: Everything announced at Made by Google 2024There were two main reasons I’d decided it was time to jump ship: Too much AI is a bad thing, and bland designs. In that decision, I’d set my sights on the Nothing Phone 3. Since then, however, it became clear that AI would be intertwined no matter which phone I purchased. Sad trombone sound.I get it. I really do. Every tech company believes AI is good for us (whether we agree or not). AI is here to stay, and the only way to avoid it might be to purchase one of the many low-end phones that will be lucky to have Gemini on board as an assistant.Also: Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: I tested both and here are the key differencesSo, why did I purchase a Pixel 9 Pro More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe current generation of mobile voice assistants — with our simple requests often requiring multiple attempts to be understood — surely leaves room for improvement. If you’re ready for an upgraded experience, voice assistants supported by generative AI may be the solution, and there are some you can try today. Earlier this week at Made by Google, Google finally released Gemini Live, its advanced mobile conversational experience that enables users to have free-flowing conversations with an AI assistant, or — as Google describes it — “a sidekick in your pocket.” Also: Android 15’s Gemini overlay feature can answer questions about anything on your screenThe Live experience is supposed to mimic a conversation with a human. As a result, it can be interrupted, carry on multi-turn conversations, and even resume a prior conversation.  More

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETMicrosoft wants people to upgrade to Windows 11, but the company certainly doesn’t make it easy. The latest version of Windows imposes strict hardware and security requirements, ruling out older PCs that don’t make the grade. Plus, Microsoft makes it almost impossible to use a local account with a new Windows 11 installation. So, what can you do if you want to jump to Windows 11 but keep bumping into Microsoft’s restrictions?Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11I regularly use Rufus, a handy and free Windows installation tool. Designed to run or install Windows from a USB drive, Rufus can help you sneak past some of Microsoft’s stringent and annoying requirements. You can tell Rufus to sidestep the hardware constraints, bypass the need for a Microsoft account, and choose a name for the local account you want to use.You can skirt past the hardware restrictions whether you’re upgrading your existing Windows 10 PC or installing Windows 11 on a clean computer. The account type you use depends on whether you’re upgrading or installing Windows 11 from scratch. An upgrade to Windows 11 will preserve whatever type of account you set up in Windows 10 — local or Microsoft. With a fresh install, however, Rufus will let you opt for a local account, which Microsoft doesn’t easily allow.Also: Wiping a Windows laptop? Here’s the safest free way to erase your personal dataHere’s how this all works.How to install Windows 11 the way you want with RufusWhat you’ll need: Before you can use Rufus, you’ll need an ISO file of the latest version of Windows 11, which you can get from Microsoft’s website. You’ll also need a USB drive with at least 8GB of space.Download and set up Rufus More

JBL/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe JBL Clip 5 More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETLast year’s Pixel Fold was a valiant first attempt at a foldable phone by Google, but it wasn’t perfect. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and the OnePlus Open, the Pixel Fold was shorter and wider, which made it a more comfortable phone-to-tablet experience.That said, it was also much heavier than the competition, which diminished the illusion of it being a compact device. It had the appearance of a passport, but it felt like a bible in your hand.Also: How to preorder the new Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold (and the best deals)This year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold More

Eoneren/Getty Images Businesses continue to invest heavily in digital transformation, and the CIO is one of the big beneficiaries. Companies need the specialized advice of a knowledgeable digital leader to ensure the organization gets the most bang for its buck. Also: 6 ways to utilize the clever ideas behind innovative startups Research conducted by the consulting […] More

Get Windows 11 Pro at a big discount right now. StackSocial Need an operating system upgrade? Windows 11 Pro puts productivity in your hands with features that make everything from hybrid work to streaming entertainment easy, and you can grab the software for a discounted price right now through StackSocial. A lifetime subscription for the […] More