Eliana Willis

Charlie Osborne/ZDNETAndroid Automotive OS (AAOS), a special version of Android for cars, is receiving an update that introduces several new features. Version 24Q3 affects many different aspects of the system, but we’ll cover the most impactful areas.Also: The best Android phones you can buyNew options are being added to a vehicle’s sound system to improve the overall experience. You’ll have the option to choose a specific audio configuration for “dynamic output devices”. This feature extends beyond smartphones, as Google gives users the ability to connect Bluetooth headphones to AAOS for the first time.The company states you can connect by going to the Audio Settings menu and selecting Audio Output Device. Keep in mind that “only one media or audio stream can be active over Bluetooth at a time”. More

June Wan/ZDNETI regularly need quick access to one of the Linux machines on my local area network, but sometimes I don’t have a laptop. If I have my Android phone handy, I don’t have to worry about grabbing my laptop or standing at my desk so I can run an SSH command.Also: What is SSH and how do you use it? The secure shell basics you need to knowSo, how do you connect via SSH from an Android device? Fortunately, there are a few apps in the Google Play Store that make this process easy. Each app can be installed and used for free, so you can test each one and decide which you prefer. Some apps have free and paid plans but all can be used for free (with basic features).Let’s get to the clients. More

Qi Yang/Getty Images Android is good at helping you get through your daily grind without doing everything manually. You can use Google Assistant or Gemini to set alarms, message people, create calendar events, and more.  But what if you need more automation for your Android device? Maybe you want to design custom automations for specific […] More

Juan Moyano/Getty Images One important thing you need to know about Linux and its ancestor, Unix, is Unix developer Terry Lambert’s famous quote: “It is not Unix’s job to stop you from shooting your foot. If you so choose to do so, then it is Unix’s job to deliver Mr. Bullet to Mr Foot in […] More

COSMIC desktop might look like the Pop!_OS of old but it’s a very different beast. Jack WallenZDNETAh, Linux! For the longest time, the open-source operating system was considered to be geared specifically for developers and computer scientists. Modern distributions are far more general purpose now — but that doesn’t mean there aren’t certain distros that are also ideal platforms for developers.What makes a distribution right for developers? Although I consider app compatibility, stability, and flexibility to be essential attributes for most any Linux distribution, developers also need the right tools for their jobs — such as compilers, libraries, and emulators — as well as access to custom repositories and support for specialized hardware.Also: The 5 best Linux distributions for students – from middle school to collegeFor those looking to shift their development to the open-source operating system, here’s my list of distributions that should be right up your alley.1. Pop!_OSPop!_OS is built specifically for STEM and creative professionals who use their computers as a means to discover and create. The Pop!_OS desktop — currently transitioning toward the COSMIC Desktop — has been streamlined for efficient workflow and organization.On top of that, you can customize your workflow, configuring it to be navigated primarily via the keyboard (which makes for a highly efficient interface). And with on-demand tiling, you can quickly switch between having the desktop manage window placement or doing it manually. Also: What is immutable Linux? Here’s why you’d run an immutable Linux distroAnother reason I place Pop!_OS on this list is that it comes pre-installed on System76 hardware, which helps make it run like an absolute beast for compiling your applications and testing. Pop!_OS also has access to apps for machine learning, engineering, media production, bioinformatics, and more.You can download and install Pop!_OS for free.2. DebianAlthough I was tempted to place Ubuntu on this list, I opted to go with what many consider the “mother of all Ubuntu distributions.” The reason for this title is because so many distributions are based on Debian. If you plan on developing for an Ubuntu-based distribution, why not use the original?Debian is also one of the oldest Linux distributions on the market and is often considered the most stable operating system available. On top of that, Debian boasts the largest number of repositories for open-source software, ensuring that it will have the tools you need to get the job done. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more reliable desktop OS for development with as much documentation as you’ll find in Debian. More

Before this update, the Photos app was full of tabs. As someone who needs everything in one place, I found it messy and unorganized. Finding specific albums or putting things in easily findable places was hard.While many would argue that the new Photos app is even more convoluted, I’d say it helps that it’s also extremely customizable. All the content rests on one screen; one scroll motion down accesses your entire camera roll, while one scroll motion up houses all of your albums, collections, people, and more. You can change this in app, by scrolling to the bottom and selecting, “Customize and Reorder.”Also: How to use the Photos app on your iPhone with iOS 18″Recent days” is a new addition that will help me keep track of daily content. It rests near your albums and keeps all of the photos you took during the day, minus the screenshots (which we all have a plethora of).For example, during the Apple launch, my phone was essentially exploding with content, screenshots and all. With this new feature, I can click on that date and weed through all of the hands-on content I received without the interruption of screenshots.With customization, you can keep this collection at the top of your feed, or any other categories that would help you stay the most organized. Now I can pull content from a certain day without having to scroll all the way back, and hopefully it does the same for you. More

Matthew Miller/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro More

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images If you were a Peacock subscriber between 2019 to 2024, you may have some cash coming your way thanks to a new class action settlement. A recent filing alleges that Peacock violated California law by automatically renewing customers’ subscriptions without proper disclosures or authorization. California law states that companies must display […] More