Eliana Willis

The iOS 18 beta running on iPhone 15 Pro. Jason Hiner/ZDNETiOS 18 officially rolls out today, September 16, to many different iPhone models from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 16 Pro. Users will receive multiple new features, from a more personalized home screen to Apple Intelligence on certain models. When a new iOS version rolls out, Apple begins to slow down its support for the previous generation to get more people to adopt the updated software. But this time, the company is doing things differently. Alongside iOS 18 RC (Release Candidate), Apple is also launching iOS 17.7, according to 9To5Mac.Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)iOS 17.7 isn’t adding any extra features, although it is introducing “security patches and bug fixes.” Release notes are unavailable on the company’s website at the time of this writing, so we don’t yet know exactly what the patch consists of.iPhone owners can download iOS 17.7 with the assurance that their device’s security won’t be outdated or exposed to potential threats. You can move towards iOS 18 at any time. However, you may be better off installing iOS 17.7 instead. Here’s why. More

The Washington Post/Getty Images VIENNA – In a candid keynote chat at the Linux Foundation’s Open Source Summit Europe, Linux creator Linus Torvalds shared his thoughts on kernel development, the integration of Rust, and the future of open source. Dirk Hohndel, Verizon’s Open Source Program Office head and Torvalds friend, moderated their conversation about the […] More

The Yamaha True X Bar 50A is a low-profile, elegant soundbar that’ll look good under any TV. Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Yamaha True X Bar 50A 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

Abscent84/Getty Images I have various folders shared across my network. Some of those folders are for smaller files that need to be accessed from every machine on my LAN (Local Area Network), while others tend to be used for larger files (such as videos). However, for those smaller files (such as backup copies of galleys), […] More

The speed of Redox OS is out of this world. Jack Wallen/ZDNETThis is a bit of a departure for me in the Linux distribution review area because Redox OS isn’t exactly a new Linux distribution. It’s an experimental, UNIX-like, general-purpose, microkernel-based OS is written in Rust. Even after a year or so in development, Redox OS is nowhere near ready for regular (if any) usage. Nevertheless, it certainly impresses me.Also: The Linux file system structure explainedNot with its looks. Redox OS is fairly average-looking.Not with the amount of pre-installed apps. Redox OS only includes a handful of apps.Not because of its stability. Being a pre 1.x release, Redox OS is not stable.What is it about this operating system that has me so intrigued? Speed.In all of my years of testing and using operating systems, I’ve never experienced anything this fast. Click on an app, and it’s instantly open… and I do mean instantly.Also: 5 top Linux text editors that aren’t vi or Emacs (and why they are my favorite)Of course, given the state this OS is in, it shouldn’t surprise you that not all the apps work. For example, the Netsurf app (web browser) opens but doesn’t do anything. After you open Netsurf, you can’t even close it (for whatever reason), nor does it render the default webpage. Redox OS also borrows from System 76’s COSMIC (which will hopefully enjoy a 1.0 release this year), by using some of its apps, such as COSMIC Terminal, COSMIC Text, and COSMIC File Manager.Still, it’s crazy how fast this thing is. I’m used to my OSes working with a certain level of speed. Pop!_OS on my Thelio desktop is a beast, but Redox OS, running as a virtual machine with limited RAM and CPU, runs circles around Pop!_OS in the speed category. More

Jason Hiner/ZDNETApple’s new sleep apnea detection has won official approval from the FDA just ahead of the release of WatchOS 11. The FDA notification, as spotted by TechCrunch, means that the agency has reviewed the safety and effectiveness of the feature and determined that the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks.The approval comes at just the right time. Apple is due to release the new versions of its respective operating systems today, including iOS 18 and WatchOS 11, both of which are required to take advantage of sleep apnea tracking. The feature will be accessible only on the Apple Watch Series 9 More

Score a Microsoft Office license now at a big discount. StackSocial Whether you’re setting up your new laptop or using a machine you’ve had for years, access to Microsoft Office is a necessity for many of us to get things done. Right now, you can buy a lifetime license to the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional […] More