Eliana Willis

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

Kerry Wan/ZDNETApple announced significant updates for the iPhone with iOS 18 during its June WWDC event and a new iPhone 16 lineup just last week. In addition to a customizable home screen, Control Center, and lock screen, iOS 18 will give users a Photos app overhaul, new Messages enhancements, a new Passwords app, and many artificial intelligence (AI) updates under Apple Intelligence to enhance app functionality.Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)While the official iOS 18 general release is today, users have already been able to download a public beta version that Apple released in July after the iOS 18 developer beta launch. How to install iOS 18 More

Petri Oeschger/Getty Images Tech giant Oracle might owe you money. A new class action lawsuit charges that Oracle — since 2018 — has illegally tracked individuals’ activity both online and offline.   Also: The best secure browsers for privacy in 2024: Expert tested According to the suit, the Texas-based company — which sells database software, […] More

GoogleThe increasingly popular generative artificial intelligence technique known as retrieval-augmented generation — or RAG, for short — has been a pet project of enterprises, but now it’s coming to the AI main stage.Google last week unveiled DataGemma, which is a combination of Google’s Gemma open-source large language models (LLMs) and its Data Commons project for publicly available data. DataGemma uses RAG approaches to fetch the data before giving an answer to a query prompt. The premise is to ground generative AI, to prevent “hallucinations,” says Google, “by harnessing the knowledge of Data Commons to enhance LLM factuality and reasoning.”Also: What are o1 and o1-mini? OpenAI’s mystery AI models are finally hereWhile RAG is becoming a popular approach for enabling enterprises to ground LLMs in their proprietary corporate data, using Data Commons represents the first implementation to date of RAG at the scale of cloud-based Gen AI.Data Commons is an open-source development framework that lets one build publicly available databases. It also gathers actual data from institutions such as the United Nations that have made their data available to the public.In connecting the two, Google notes, it is taking “two distinct approaches.” More

The Endless OS desktop Jack Wallen/ZDNETLinux used to be a tool for programmers, hackers, and elite (remember, l33t?) users. Over time, that shifted, and now Linux is a viable OS for any type of user — even students.Linux is right at home in an educational environment. I would go so far as to say it’s even better suited than either MacOS or Windows because of cost, reliability, security, and flexibility. There’s just so much you can do with Linux that you can’t do with the competition.Also: The Linux file system structure explainedBut what distributions are best suited for students? I’ve created a list covering several age ranges (from middle school to university) to help students and teachers decide on which Linux distros to try.With that said, let’s get to the list.1. EdubuntuEdubuntu is an official Ubuntu spin that is geared toward education. The goal of Edubuntu is to bring the freedom of the Linux desktop and the vast library of software to the classroom. The desktop environment is pretty standard Ubuntu but the included software emphasizes that this OS is all about students. Also: Edubuntu: The Ubuntu-based OS that brings Linux to the classroom (and home)Edubuntu includes software covering a wide range of subjects, such as math, science, programming, language, creativity, CAD design, geography, chemistry, genealogy, typing, and more. There’s also GCompris, which is geared toward learning and entertainment for ages 2 through 10. On top of that, Edubuntu also includes the standard list of applications, such as the Firefox web browser, LibreOffice, and all the utilities you’ll need, making it a great option for students of all ages and skills.Edubuntu is free to download and install.2. DebianEduDebianEdu (aka Skolelinux — Norwegian for “school linux”) is based on Debian and is great for students and teachers. DebianEdu began its life as two different projects but eventually merged in 2003 and the developers have been producing new releases ever since. You’ll find hundreds of educational tools in DebianEdu, covering subjects such as astronomy, chemistry, programming, geography, language, mathematics, and more. Also: 10 Linux apps I can’t do without – and whyOf course, like Edubuntu, DebianEdu also includes all of the traditional desktop apps required for daily usage. One thing that sets DebianEdu apart is that it includes a pre-configured terminal server which simplifies installing the OS over an entire network of computers. DebianEdu also features user centralization (for centralized user management), proxy caching (for internet supervision), resource sharing (to share things like printers), and the ability to use older computers without compromise.DebianEdu can be downloaded and installed for free.3. SugarSugar is geared toward younger students, as is obvious from its icon-based environment (the desktop is comprised of nothing but icons for ease of use). The idea behind Sugar is “cognitive and social constructivism.” The developers believe children are not office workers, so they require a special desktop interface that encourages active engagement and creativity. Also: 7 things I never do after I install Linux (and why you shouldn’t either)The activities found on Sugar are geared toward reading, writing, counting, and other fundamental skills. Sugar can be installed on an existing Linux environment or you can use it via a special distribution, called Sugar On a Stick. You can download SOAS with a Fedora, Ubuntu,  or Debian base, so whichever you’re familiar with is the one to choose.Sugar can be downloaded and installed for free.4. Endless OSEndless OS is another distribution that goes a different route for the UI. Instead of the traditional panel and menu, you’ll find what looks like the GNOME application overview as the default interface, along with a dock to include any apps added to the Favorites.Also: Endless OS vastly simplifies the Linux desktop so anyone can enjoy itEndless OS is immutable, which means it’s considerably more secure than the traditional OS. On top of that, you can use the pre-installed applications without an active internet connection. One important piece of software is called Endless Key, which allows you to learn from hundreds of different topics, even without an internet connection. Although you do have to have a connection to download the different “packs,” once downloaded, they function fully when the system is unplugged from the network, thus making it a great option for those who want to keep their students focused on the work at hand and not the myriad distractions found on the internet.Endless OS can be downloaded and installed for free.5. Linux MintLinux Mint is not education-centric but it’s still a great choice for students, especially those in high school or college. I placed this distribution on the list because it is so easy to use. Linux Mint sticks with a very traditional desktop interface, meaning almost any student will instantly be familiar with the UI. Also: How to replace Windows with Linux Mint on your PCAlthough Linux Mint doesn’t ship with a bevy of education-focused applications, most high school students should have everything they need to hit the ground running. Couple that with the usual Linux reliability and security, and Linux Mint is a great option for those in high school, college, and beyond.You can download and install Linux Mint for free.Open Source More