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Linux Mint 22.2 beta now available
The beta version of Linux Mint 22.2 is available for testing. Mint 22.2, which is called Zara, is based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS Noble Numbat. The latest version of Mint ships with Linux 6.14 Kernel as the default. It has a new Hardware Enablement kernel.
Linux Mint is getting a fingerprint configuration tool called Fingwit, that can be used to set up a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication. This will allow users to quickly log in to their computer, run sudo commands, admin apps, etc. Mint 22’s Cinnamon edition will offer improved compatibility of input methods, keyboard layouts for Wayland. The operating system’s theme is getting a slight redesign, accent color support, and improved libAdwaita compatibility.
Linux Mint 22.2 will likely be released in the coming week.
Microsoft says mouse and keyboard could become obsolete in the future
Windows could be heading down a very different direction than what it is in now. Davit Weston, Microsoft’s CVP for Enterprise and OS Security, believes that the operating system will evolve greatly in the next 5 years.
Weston thinks AI is the future, and users will be conversing with AI agents in Teams, to join meetings, send emails, or for assigning them tasks. And because users will be engaging with the AI using their own voice, peripherals like the mouse and keyboard may feel alien to people. By 2030, your PC will be able to see what we see, hear what we hear.
Microsoft Recall could just be the first step towards that future, and it could be crucial for the evolution of Windows. Users don’t rely on their mouse and keyboard just to type or click on things, these components play more roles in gaming, graphic designing, video editing, etc. 2030 isn’t too far away, and Microsoft’s vision of AI agents sounds like a nightmare.
Microsoft 365 will install 2 new apps on Windows 11 automatically
Microsoft will install two new apps on Windows 11 automatically. The apps called People and File Search. These so-called “companion apps” are designed for productivity, i.e. to complete tasks quickly.
The People app lets users access profile cards, organizational charts, send messages, or search for people, from a taskbar icon. File Search will help users find files faster, without even specifying a file name. It also allows users to share the content quickly. You can preview a file before sharing.
Both apps will be available for Microsoft 365 Insider Program for Business or Enterprise. The apps are rolling out to users automatically. Admins will need to configure an option to opt-out of the installation process.
Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 users will get updates till 2028
Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, after which the operating system will not receive security updates. But the Redmond company will provide updates for its browser, Microsoft Edge, until 2028. It is unclear whether it will get new features via updates as the Windows 11 version would, but the Windows 10 browser should get security updates for three years. Microsoft will also update WebView2 Runtime for the same duration, which will in turn allow web apps to be updated.
Users don’t need to enroll into the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to receive updates for Microsoft Edge, the process is free and automatic.
Claude AI gets a memory feature to recall past chats
Anthropic has updated Claude AI with a new feature that can recall information from past chats. The memory feature, which is available in other AI-powered services, will allow Claude to remember things that a user shared with it. Users may then ask the AI to recall some specific information, without having to repeat the same thing every time they discuss something related to a specific topic. It can also be handy when a user wants to pick up where they left off during a previous session.
Anthropic says that the feature is optional and can be disabled at any time from the Preferences section. The company also promises that Claude’s memory feature will not be used to train the AI, or to profile the user. It does not have a persistent memory like ChatGPT does. Claude’s memory search feature is available for Claude’s Max, Team, and Enterprise subscription tiers. It is not available for free users, but Anthropic says it will be rolling out to other plans soon.
Apple re-enables Blood Oxygen feature for Apple Watch in the U.S.
Apple Watch users in the U.S. can now use the Blood Oxygen feature again. It was removed in 2024, after a medical company, called Masimo, had filed a lawsuit against Apple. The complaint alleged that the Cupertino company had infringed on Masimo’s patent for a pulse oximeter (SpO2 sensor). This resulted in a temporary ban of Apple Watch sales in the U.S. in late 2023, and 2024. However, Apple removed the feature to resume the sales of its wearables.
Now, the Californian tech giant has redesigned the feature, i.e. the Apple Watch no longer measures and calculates the blood oxygen level directly. Instead, it sends the data to the user’s iPhone, which does the work, and presents the information within the Health app. The Blood Oxygen feature is available for Apple Watch on watchOS 11.6.1, and iPhone on iOS 18.6.1 or later. This change does not affect Apple Watch models sold outside the United States, those devices will read the data directly from the Blood Oxygen app.
Australian Federal Court says Apple, Google are anticompetitive
An Australian Federal Court has found Apple and Google guilty of anticompetitive practices. The ruling was delivered as part of a 2000-page judgment by Jonathan Beach. Epic had dragged Apple and Google to the court after the removal of Fortnite from the App Store and the Google Play Store. The complaint had alleged that both tech giants were charging exorbitant commission fees from developers, and also created walled gardens for their respective stores by preventing third-party app marketplaces.
Beach acknowledged that Apple and Google had abused their dominant position in their app markets to prevent fair competition. He also disagreed on Epic’s claim that the companies had engaged in unconscionable conduct.
Apple and Google were not pleased by some of the rulings by the court, the latter disagreed about some things including the characterization of billing policies, practices, and some partnerships.