Vivaldi Browser Can Now Play YouTube While Your iPhone Is Locked

Popular web browser Vivaldi is now rolling out its 7.4 update for Android, iOS, and iPadOS. The new update is most notable for its redesigned tab bar and improved tab-management functionality, though it also introduces background audio playback on iOS, plus some universal privacy and Reader View settings. A redesigned tab bar, meant to mimic the “Floating Tabs” on desktop, is at the heart of theVivaldi 7.4mobile update. Active websites in the tab bar now feature hard outlines and are physically separated from the address bar....

August 4, 2025 · 3 min · 479 words · Mark Koch

VMware Brings 3D-Accelerated Windows 11 to Apple Silicon Macs

When people think of ways torun Windows on an Apple silicon Mac, many think of Parallels as the top option, but there are a few other apps for the job. VMWare Fusion is also in that category, and it’s getting better onApple SiliconMacs. VMware has announced the release of its latest Tech Preview of VMware Fusion, which includes various updates, most of which focus on improving compatibility with Mac computers using Apple Silicon chips (instead of the older Intel-based Macs)....

August 4, 2025 · 2 min · 375 words · Christopher Burns

What Is a Lunar Occultation?

The Moon passes right in front of a star or planet, making it disappear for a little while. This is called a lunar occultation. They happen pretty often, though most people wouldn’t notice. Unlike eclipses, which get all the attention, occultations are quick and subtle. Here’s what you need to know. What are Lunar Occultations? (And the Difference Between Transits and Eclipses) A lunar occultation happens when the Moon moves in front of a star or planet, blocking it from view for a short time....

August 4, 2025 · 6 min · 1094 words · Kevin Sullivan

What Is Cryptography and How Does It Work?

Ever wondered how your online data and conversations stay secure from hackers and intruders? That’s the work of cryptography, a technology we rely on daily, often without even realizing it. Here’s how it all works behind the scenes. What Is Cryptography? Imagine sending a secret note to a friend in class. You don’t want anyone else to read it, so you scramble the letters in a special way that only you and your friend understand....

August 4, 2025 · 8 min · 1584 words · Emily Burgess

What Is the Linux Kernel, and Why Does It Matter?

Summary The Linux kernel is the beating heart of every Linux installation. We look at where it came from, what its purpose is and why, without the kernel, there would be no Linux. The Story Behind the Linux Kernel Angered by Unix adopting a commercial license, theGNU Projectstarted to write their own Unix lookalike operating system in 1983. In 1987, theMINIX operating systemwas released. This was a bare-bones Unix-like operating system, used as a working example in a computer science textbook....

August 4, 2025 · 5 min · 997 words · Sara Guzman

Why Freeing Up Storage Space Makes Your Android Phone Faster

Quick Links Summary Our smartphones have more storage than ever, but they also come equipped with powerful cameras that capture storage-intensive photos and videos. Combine that with modern app sizes, and your phone fills up in no time. But how does low storage equate to poor performance? Your Phone Uses a Type of Flash Memory Modern Android flagships use a type of very fastflash storagecalledUniversal Flash Storage(UFS). UFS is a newer standard that uses3D NAND technologyto achieve fast and reliable data transfers....

August 4, 2025 · 4 min · 667 words · Jimmy Williams

Why the Surface Pen Is My Must-Have Accessory

One of the biggest selling points to me about the Surface when I purchased it was its touchscreen capabilities, and the Surface Pen was an accessory available for it. Here’s how I use it, and why I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a Surface Pen again. It’s Satisfying to Sign Documents With the Surface Pen I remember when I received an email with a PDF document attached that required my signature, and how excited I was to use my Surface Pen to sign a document for the first time....

August 4, 2025 · 3 min · 471 words · Meghan Contreras

Windows 11 Will Show New Photos From Your Phone

Windows PCs can link to an iPhone or Android device for notification mirroring, easy file transfers, texting, and other features. Microsoft is now testing another feature: automatic notifications for new photos and screenshots. Microsoft just released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23619 to the Dev Channel, for PCs enrolled in theInsider Program. If you have your phone connected to your PC withPhone Link, and you take a new photo or capture a screenshot, a notification will appear on your PC for the new image....

August 4, 2025 · 2 min · 342 words · Chris Washington

You Need a Separate Network To Protect Yourself From Your Smart Devices

Summary You’ve probably connected smart devices like fridges, toothbrushes, light bulbs, TVs, and internet-connected CCTV cameras to your home Wi-Fi without a second thought. But do you know what they’re up to? Most of the time, they’re just idly waiting for your command. Sometimes, they’re up to no good. Smart Devices are Rarely Patched and Get Hacked Smart devices, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices like thermostats and even heart monitors, have a bad cybersecurity reputation due to theirnumerous vulnerabilities....

August 4, 2025 · 3 min · 612 words · Tina Holder

You Really Can Get GOG Galaxy on Linux, Here's How

Quick Links Linux isn’t the easiest platform for gamers. Sure, Linux-powered platforms like the Steam Deck are improving things, but it’s still hard to run gaming platforms like GOG Galaxy on Linux. Right? Well, actually, you can run GOG Galaxy on Linux, thanks to a few workarounds. Can You Use GOG Galaxy on Linux? You can’t natively run theGOG Galaxy clienton Linux, even if some GOG games do support Linux. There are two methods you can attempt to get your GOG games working on the platform, however....

August 4, 2025 · 5 min · 972 words · Jacob Cardenas

YouTube Adds 5-Second Delay to Punish Ad Blockers in All Browsers

After a long day of anger and speculation, Google has finally commented on the “artificial wait” that some Firefox users are encountering on YouTube. This 5-second delay, which is plainly visible in YouTube’s code, is made to punish those who use ad blockers. It affects all browsers, not just Firefox. Some YouTube users began encountering an odd video delay in mid-November. This phenomenon became controversial on November 19th, when aReddit useraccused YouTube of artificially slowing load times in Firefox....

August 4, 2025 · 2 min · 365 words · Sarah Cohen

4 Things You Can Do With Your Router's USB Ports

Routers are usually set up once or twice and then they sit in a corner somewhere until a setting needs to be changed, or the router gets replaced. However, they’re mini computers capable of doing far more than we normally use them for. Here are a few good ones to try. Network Attached Storage (USB drives, USB HDDs, USB SSDs) If something as fully-featured asa decidated NAS isn’t for you, you’re in luck: there are often simpler options....

August 3, 2025 · 4 min · 724 words · Rebecca Greene

5 Paid and Donation-Based Linux Distros

Did you know that some Linux distros actually ask you for your money? So what features do they offer to compete against absolutely free alternatives? Here are five paid Linux distros to help you get an idea of the premium Linux world. While Linux is praised for being free and powerful, it can also be hard tocustomizeand maintain. This is what paid distros try to solve by offering premium layouts, pre-configured tools, extended security updates, or enterprise-grade support....

August 3, 2025 · 6 min · 1232 words · Mr. Joseph Hart