Brian Fagioli

Here we go again, folks! Canonical has pushed out the beta release of Ubuntu 25.04, and if you’re someone who lives on the bleeding edge of Linux life, you will want to pay attention. This one goes by the name “Plucky Puffin” and -- despite the typical silly codename -- it’s loaded with big under-the-hood changes and a few surprises baked in.

This new release is based on Linux kernel 6.14, so you’re getting the usual hardware enablement and driver updates. But there’s a lot more going on here than just kernel bumps. Ubuntu 25.04 ships with systemd 257.4, and in a move that may ruffle some feathers, support for utmp is gone. Canonical is also killing off SysV init support in a future systemd release, and cgroup v1 is officially on the chopping block too. Out with the old, in with the whatever-works-now, I suppose.

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Today, TEAMGROUP announces a new microSD card that’s definitely worth a look if you need fast performance and lots of space. It’s called the ULTRA microSDXC A2 V30, and while the name might not roll off the tongue, the specs speak for themselves.

This itty bitty card offers read speeds up to 200MB/s and write speeds as high as 170MB/s. That means less waiting when moving large files and no stuttering when recording 4K video. Whether you’re transferring photos, shooting footage, or playing mobile games, the speed here should keep things smooth.

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It’s time to celebrate, fellow Linux fans. Zorin OS 17.3 is officially available, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 in October, millions of perfectly good PCs are about to be left in the dust. If your computer doesn’t meet Windows 11’s ridiculous hardware requirements, don’t toss it in the trash just yet. Zorin OS 17.3 wants to give it a second chance.

This Linux-based operating system is built with simplicity, speed, and security in mind. It’s especially appealing to folks who are fed up with Microsoft but still want something familiar. With version 17.3, Zorin OS is doubling down on helping Windows users feel right at home, while also embracing the power and freedom of Linux.

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The folks behind Serpent OS have completed their rebrand, and the result is something you must check out. Now called “AerynOS,” this Linux distribution just dropped a new ISO (AerynOS 2025.03) and it might soon be time to forget all about Windows 11. Seriously.

This isn’t some clunky science project or a quirky Linux offshoot that breaks every other week. AerynOS is shaping up to be a serious daily driver.

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Today, Google introduces Gemini 2.5. Initially, it will only be available as the experimental Gemini 2.5 Pro. And yes, as you can predict, the search giant is calling its newest AI model the most advanced version yet.

While the company promises huge improvements in reasoning and coding, the move feels more like Google playing catchup to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Let’s be honest, folks -- ChatGPT has dominated public attention and enterprise adoption for months.

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Good news, fellow PC gamers -- Discord has finally refreshed the desktop experience and introduced a completely rebuilt Game Overlay. These new features are rolling out now.

The new Game Overlay is more than just a simple facelift -- it’s been entirely rebuilt from scratch. Instead of forcing the entire Discord app into your game window and draining system resources, the update introduces lightweight widgets you can move and resize based on how you play. Whether you’re deep into an FPS or strategizing in an RTS, you can now tailor the overlay to match the gameplay.

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Plugable is back again with yet another productivity-focused tool for both Windows and macOS. The company has launched the USBC-7400H4, a USB-C graphics adapter that can power four 4K displays at 60Hz. Yes, you read that right, folks -- a quartet of HDMI 4K monitors running off a single USB-C port!

This adapter is the first to use the new DisplayLink DL-7400 chipset, giving it capabilities most other adapters can’t match. It’s designed for professionals who want more screen real estate without turning their desk into a tangle of wires and dongles. But of course, it can be used by non-pros too.

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DOOGEE has officially launched the Blade GT Ultra, and this thing is legit. Seriously, folks, it's a rugged Android 14 smartphone that’s absolutely loaded with specs and packed with features. Best of all, it is competitively priced to tempt buyers away from better-known brands.

Make no mistake, this is not some bare-bones budget phone. The Blade GT Ultra packs serious performance with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor built on a 4nm process, paired with 16GB of RAM (plus an additional 20GB of virtual RAM) and 512GB of storage. The rear cameras includes a 100MP AI main sensor, while the front shooter comes in at 32MP.

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Well, here we are, folks -- 23andMe just filed for bankruptcy, and if you’re one of the millions who spat in a tube and trusted the company with your genetic secrets, you might want to take action immediately. With the business in financial freefall, people are wondering what’s going to happen to all that ultra-sensitive data -- DNA, family history, medical info, and more.

Let’s be real: when a tech company goes belly-up, everything it owns is potentially up for grabs. That includes customer data. And with 23andMe circling the drain, this is no time to sit on your hands. Now’s the moment to clean house and make sure your DNA isn’t part of some bankruptcy spreadsheet.

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deepin 25 Alpha has arrived (download here), promising an overhauled desktop experience, advanced personalization options, and improved system-level features. On the surface that sounds great, but there is a legitimate question that remains -- should users really trust an operating system developed in Communist China?

This is software coming from a Chinese developer, and while deepin is open source, not every part of its ecosystem is fully transparent. It has faced questions before about telemetry and potential data collection. For users who care about digital privacy, that’s not something to brush off. Especially when you’re dealing with an OS that touches everything on your computer.

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There’s a new ISO out for EndeavourOS called “Mercury Neo,” and it’s the kind of Linux release that makes you seriously question why you’re still putting up with the annoying Windows 11. Let’s be honest, folks, Microsoft’s flagship product feels more like a roadblock than an operating system at this point. Mercury Neo, on the other hand, just quietly works.

This isn’t some big flashy overhaul, and that’s totally fine; it’s more of a quiet tune-up. Mercury Neo is a refreshed take on the Mercury release from February, and it brings some important fixes, updates, and improvements -- especially for folks doing new installs. If you’ve already got Mercury installed and you update regularly, you’re good. There's no need to reinstall anything.

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Google is once again injecting AI where it doesn’t really belong. This time, sadly, it’s Gmail search -- something many of us use often. The search giant has started rolling out a change that sorts email search results by “most relevant” instead of the usual chronological order, and to be honest, it feels more like a nuisance than a helpful upgrade.

According to Google, this new AI-powered system will take things like recency, click behavior, and frequent contacts into account when surfacing results. In theory, that sounds useful. In practice, however, it will probably just bury what you’re actually looking for under a pile of algorithmic guesses.

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Plex is making some massive adjustments, and users -- both free and paying -- are going to feel the impact. Sadly, the company has announced price increases for its Plex Pass subscription, a new “Remote Watch Pass,” and a decision that will end free remote streaming for personal media collections.

Starting April 29, 2025, the cost of Plex Pass is going up. The monthly plan will jump to $6.99, the annual plan to $69.99, and the Lifetime Plex Pass will more than double to $249.99. However, there’s still time to grab a lifetime subscription at the current $119.99 price before the hike kicks in. Plex says these changes will help fund future improvements, such as an integration with Common Sense Media, an upgraded server management app, and a new open API for server customization.

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GNOME 48 is finally here, and as a longtime Linux user, I have to say -- it is my favorite desktop environment. I’ve tried KDE Plasma, as just one example, and while it’s packed with customization options, it always feels a little too cluttered for my taste. GNOME, on the other hand, is clean, modern, and just works. With version 48, the GNOME developers continue refining their vision with smoother performance, new features, and improved usability.

One of the best additions in this release is notification stacking. If you’ve ever been bombarded with notifications from the same app, you’ll appreciate this change. Instead of a never-ending list, notifications are grouped together, making it easier to find what’s important.

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Today, ZAGG rolls out a fresh lineup of USB-C accessories that can transform your portable device into a makeshift desktop. The company’s latest offerings include the 4-Port Hub with Wireless Charging, 6-Port Media Hub, 9-Port Hub, and the Pro Dock -- all aimed at elegantly expanding connectivity for both laptops and tablets.

Brad Bell, ZAGG’s senior vice president of global marketing, highlighted the purpose behind these new hubs, saying, “In a fast-paced world, our new line of productivity solutions helps people stay ahead by transforming their laptop or tablet into a powerful workstation.”

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