In an effort to enhance user experience, technology giant Google has unveiled the Chrome OS 107 update with a “Save Desk for Later” feature.
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In the past few months, Google has vowed to continuously update its ChromeOS operating system. The search engine giant has just released an upgrade called ChromeOS 107 that includes a number of new features.
Users now have the option to save their Desks for afterward in addition to merging them. When a user saves a desk, all of the open tabs on that Desk are also saved so that one can return to them later.
As per 9to5Google, the new release brings two enhancements to Desks. The first enhancement will allow a user to quickly “Save desk for later” from the overview screen by clicking the button located above the leftmost window. When a user clicks the button the “Saved for later” screen, which can be found to the right side of “New desk,” appears.
Users may give it a name, view the creation date, and quickly see the icons. It is now simpler to close open desks from the Overview menu, and if you accidentally close a desk and wish to undo it, a brief “Undo” prompt appears.
A merge feature that enables a user to consolidate opened Desks into a single one is apparently also being tested by Google. One of the most widely used productivity tools to appear in ChromeOS in recent times is Virtual Desks, which has gained popularity swiftly. The max number of virtual desktops is now eight, but Google is working to extend it to sixteen.
With so many areas to manage, Google has included a helpful function that allows users to merge one desk with the desk adjacent to it with just one click. In ChromeOS 107, users will see an icon to the left of the “X” used to close a desk when viewing a desk in overview mode. Users can delete that desk from their lineup and relocate its content to the desk just to the left by using this merge icon.
A new “Documents” filter has been added to the “Recent” view in the Files app, and the list underneath has been arranged by time to make it simpler to navigate. Users can now access “accent letters” by simply long tapping on the virtual keyboard. U By, users of Chrome OS 107 update will be able to perform the same action by pressing down on physical keys. Users might need to manually enable it if that fails.
Chrome OS 107 update also introduces auto-framing to the platform, enhancing the productivity toolkit of the platform. When auto framing is activated while using the camera on a device that supports it, the camera will intelligently zoom on the user’s face to keep one in front and center in the frame.
ChromeOS is a Linux-based operating system developed by Google. Its primary user interface is the Google Chrome internet browser, and it is adapted to the open-source ChromiumOS operating system.
Apple‘s annual WWDC event this week featured a number of announcements, with iOS 16 being one of the more notable. The latest version of the iPhone operating system includes a variety of useful features such as image segmentation for lock screen backgrounds, the ability to use machine learning to trim out subjects in photos, and real-time notifications on the lock screen.
iOS 16 provides a fresh coat of paint for iPhone owners, making your iPhone feel almost “new.” Originally unveiled at Apple’s WWDC The iPhone software update will be introduced as a public beta next month at the WWDC keynote, and will subsequently be broadly released later this year, around the same time. Apple’s iPhone 14 If you’re an Android user, though, some of the new features in iOS 16 don’t exactly seem ‘creative’ or ‘different’ from what you’ve had for years with Google’s mobile operating system. Here are some of the features Apple “borrowed” from Google and Android in iOS 16.
Image source: www.androidheadlines.com
Live Captions:
Live Captions, which Apple announced in real-time for conversations, audio, and videos, is perhaps the most visible iOS 16 feature copied from Android. This is the same as Google’s Live Caption feature, which employs on-device machine learning to transcribe any audio playing on the device (debuting in 2019). Apple claims that Live Captions for iPhone, iPad and Mac can translate any audio content (FaceTime calls, video conferencing apps, or in-person chats) into English. With the release of Android 10, Google began pushing Live Caption services, which are now accessible in English on Pixel 2 and subsequent smartphones.
Shared Photos:
Shared photo capability has been available in Google Photos for a long time, allowing you to share albums with friends and family and have them contribute their own photos to the collection. Google’s service also allows you to add images to an album by face, so you can, for example, automatically add all of your grandmother’s photos to an album. It also proposes exchanging connections based on who’s in the picture.
Shared photo libraries are a popular feature in iOS 16 that consumers have been asking for for a long time. Finally, due to iCloud Shared Photo Library, Apple has made it simple to create a separate photo library that can be shared by up to five people. Since 2017, Google has had Shared Libraries, for those who are unaware. So, with a few minor tweaks, Apple’s iCloud Shared Photo Library functionality was deleted from Google’s page book. Each collaborator has permission to add, edit, favorite, caption, and delete photographs in the iCloud Shared Photo Library feature, which may be shared with up to five other individuals.
New Lock Screen Feature:
The addition of lock screen widgets, which allow you to access information such as the weather, events, time zones, and alarm from your locked display, was one of the main iOS 16 additions promised by Apple. You can even link various Focus profiles to separate lock screens. It sounds cool, but it’s yet another feature that was initially introduced on Android. The new lock screen on iOS 16 is beautiful, but it’s a feature that first appeared in Android with the release of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean in 2012. In reality, Google allowed users to customise the lock screen by adding a clock, calendar, and other elements. Google discontinued this feature with Android 5.0, but Samsung OneUI still has default lock screen widgets. To say the least, Apple drew a lot of inspiration for a smarter lock screen from Google.
Translate Camera:
Apple has incorporated machine learning in a number of ways, and iOS 16 demonstrates another intriguing application of the technology. Apple’s devices now have access to the Translate app’s translate camera feature, which allows you to aim your camera at text to get translations.
The Google Translate app on Android devices has had this capability for years, allowing you to point your phone camera at text and have a translation overlayed in the live viewfinder. Apple’s approach is more limited, as it essentially captures a photo and then overlays a translation onto the captured image’s text.
Schedule Sending Of Emails:
Apple also announced the option to undo email sending in the Mail app, as well as the ability to schedule email sending. The former is very useful if you realize you’ve made a mistake or accidentally sent the mail to the wrong individual.
Both of these capabilities were first introduced in Gmail a few years ago. Undo sending was really first revealed in 2009 as an experimental capability. This feature was first introduced by Google in Inbox, a beta version of Gmail. Inbox was unfortunately deleted by Google in 2019. In any case, these capabilities are available on Gmail for Android, PCs, and iOS, and you’ll be able to utilize them with iOS 16’s built-in Mail app.
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Windows 365 has recently promised to offer a new way to access a full-fledged Windows operating system from anywhere you want. You can access the OS from a desktop, laptop, or even a mobile phone. Microsoft introduced Windows 365 to the market at a recent partner-focused online conference Inspire 2021 on Wednesday. This new debut brings the theory of a cloud PC to life. Windows 365 is Microsoft’s latest product to enable a suitable remote working environment which has become the new norm lately because of the coronavirus pandemic last year. This operating system is manufactured to provide a surreal computing experience through a native app or Web browser on any device which has an active Internet connection.
The Availability of Windows 365
Microsoft has stated that Windows 365 will be made available to any organization- small or big from August 2. Anyone can access this operating system from any device possible which includes a Mac, iPad, Linux, or even an Android phone. Windows will have 2 cloud PC configurations- Windows 365 Business and Windows 365 Enterprise. Any announcement related to the pricing has not been announced yet.
Image source: www.microsoft.com
Features of Windows 365
With the introduction of Windows 365 to the public, Microsoft aims to provide an experience of any older operating system they released but with the extra benefit of accessing it from any device. It will offer the same looks, feels, and security as a traditional Windows PC. It will allow users full access to Windows 10 or 11(when available) directly from an application or Web browser. Users will also have the benefit of accessing their apps, tools, information, and settings from the PC cloud.
Accessibility
With a special thanks to the Microsoft Cloud integration, users will now be able to access Windows 365 while they switch between multiple devices. It does not matter what device you are using; you will get the same experience. This service will run on the cloud and hence, will not display any distinction even when you shift from a top-class device to a more basic device, for instance, an Android phone. Even though Microsoft already came out with Azure Virtual Desktop to introduce Windows through the cloud to business clients, Windows will offer a whole new way to implement digitalization without tedious IT support. If a corporation has its own IT admins, Microsoft stated that the admins could manage and deploy cloud PCs based on Microsoft Windows by using tools similar to the ones they use to manage physical PCs.
“Windows 365 is really going to make a huge difference for organizations that wanted to try virtualization for various reasons but could not — maybe it was too costly, too complex or they didn’t have the expertise in house to do it,” said Wangui McKelvey, General Manager of Microsoft 365.
Source: gadgets.ndtv.com
Microsoft also mentioned that this operating system will support any business applications including Microsoft 365, Dynamic 365, and Power Platform, among others. IT teams can also use Microsoft Endpoint Manager to work with Windows in order to manage cloud PCs provided by the corporations. They can apply management and security policies remotely from any device. Windows 365 also come with the Endpoint Analytics dashboard to provide analytics access to look at the health of the Internet connection across the business network. IT teams can also run diagnostics using Watchdog Service.
Security
Windows 365 is designed to address most of the security challenges using a Zero Trust architecture. It comes with a Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA) for the verification of login or access attempts to the cloud PC using integration with the Microsoft Azure Active Directory. Specific permissions like licensing, Device Management, and Cloud PC Management with certain rules can also be delegated. In addition, for increased security, you can use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft further argued that all managed Microsoft Windows cloud-based discs were encrypted, all data stored remained encrypted, and all network traffic to and from PCs also encrypted. Windows 365 has been developed prior to the pandemic, with references to initial work begun in 2014. But the outbreak of coronavirus contributed to a wider Cloud testing for Microsoft than previously. The company had also decided to pitch its new service with a Microsoft Office 365 replacement last year by Microsoft.
On 2nd June 2021, Huawei announced the rollout of new products which will be powered by the HarmonyOS 2 operating system. The company will launch the new OS for certain smartphone models from today itself. This will give the users a choice between the current Android OS and the new HarmonyOS that they can switch to. The new version of the HUAWEI Mate 40 Series and HUAWEI Mate X2 along with the HUAWEI WATCH 3 Series, and the HUAWEI MatePad Pro will run on this new OS.
Since the company is launching HarmonyOS, the smartphones of Huawei will not be totally dependent on the Android platform. This can be the consequence of the decision made by the US government when it banned Google from providing any technical support to the new Huawei phone models. So, let’s have a look at the new gadgets which will be powered by HarmonyOS 2 and how it will enhance user experience.
Introduction to HarmonyOS
In today’s event, Huawei has announced many new products by the company including smartphones and tablets which will be upgraded to run on HarmonyOS 2. Huawei has addressed the problem of interconnectivity between smart devices which often make us compromise on our smooth experience. The new HarmonyOS is designed in a way that it will provide a common language for different types of smart devices to connect and collaborate ensuring better safety.
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This new OS uses distributed technology which makes it capable of responding to the different needs of different devices using a single system. HarmonyOS will establish a strong cohesion between independent devices turning them into a Super Device thus leveraging the capabilities of the component devices according to a user’s real-time need.
HUAWEI Watch 3 Series with HarmonyOS 2
The new flagship smartwatch of Huawei is featuring a real beauty of curved glass screen with a brand new 3D rotating crown that can sense different levels of pressure. Powered by HarmonyOS 2 the watch integrated seamlessly with your Huawei smartphone allowing you to make phone calls and also use your phone’s data. Not to mention the watch will become the favorite fitness buddy of the user providing 100 different modes along with healthcare support options. The users can manage their health in real-time with Huawei Watch 3 series which also comes with a sensor to detect skin temperature.
HUAWEI MatePad Pro
This new tablet features a 12.6 inch OLED FullView display with high color accuracy and an ultra-high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. It also supports a DCI-P3 color gamut. The Huawei MatePad Pro is equipped with Kirin 9000 series chipsets delivering an exceptional level of performance. With HarmonyOS, this tablet can work seamlessly with both smartphones and PCs doubling the productivity of the user.
This tablet also supports Multi-screen Collaboration with PCs meaning it will become your drawing board in Mirror mode and work as a monitor in Extend mode. Along with the new tablet, Huawei also revealed the second-generation HUAWEI M-Pencil featuring a platinum-coated riv to increase precision and decrease latency. The new Huawei M-Pencil is capable of converting any handwriting into digital text in real-time.
Multi-Device Interaction
The best part of this new HarmonyOS operating system is creating perfect sync between different smart devices for a better experience and smoother workflow. The new Control Panel of the HarmonyOS comes with a drag-and-integrate feature which will allow the users to choose the devices they want to connect together under different situations. Harmony OS2 has a new Task Center which allows apps to travel between different devices. This means if your smartphone has a specific app installed, you can transfer it to the Huawei MatePad Pro without installing the app on the tablet.
Currently, the company is aiming to launch HarmonyOS in 200 million smartphones and 100 million other third-party smart devices by the end of 2021. Wang Chenglu, president of Huawei Consumer Business Group’s software department, said that the company is looking beyond smartphones and trying to develop a system that will bridge the gap between other smart devices. And, with HarmonyOS users will be able to connect every smart device and develop a Super Device and harness the most of every product.
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The past few months have been quite challenging for the Chinese tech company Huawei. It has faced partial ban in one of the biggest smartphone markets of the US and Australis and has been the centre of criticism for having ties with China.
Amid all there issues, the company is trying to improve its grip on the smartphone industry, and reportedly, had plans to replace Google’s Android OS with its homegrown Hongmeng operating system. But the company now has completely denied the reports and has claimed that Android will remain the OS for its smartphones.
Huawei’s senior vice president Catherine Chen told the reporters in Brussels that Hongmeng is not a smartphone OS, and the company has no plans to use a self-developed OS for its smartphones as well as the other mobile devices.
Image Source: techradar.com
According
to Chen, the OS has been developed for the industrial usage, and its
development started even before the company started facing the issues
with the U.S. The company chairman Liang Hua also gave a statement
stating that the very operating system is designed for
internet-of-things (IoT) devices.
But
if we go back to June, the statement given by Huawei VP, Andrew
Williamson, was a bit different. He had told the Reuters, “Huawei
is in the process of potentially launching a replacement. It’d be
ready in months in the event of an Android blacklisting. It’s not
something Huawei wants. We’re very happy being part of the Android
family, but Hongmeng is being tested, mostly in China.”
In
fact, after the blacklisting of Huawei by most of the U.S. companies,
the Huawei CEO Richard Yu had also said that Huawei would be ready to
use its alternatives. He had also mentioned that the upcoming OS will
be used in a variety of devices like routers, network switches,
tablets, computers and data centres, etc.
Based
on the past reports, Huawei even was conducting tests for the OS on
smartphones, and according to a few testers, Hongmeng is based on
open-source Android and offers 60 per cent faster performance than
Android.
But now, it seems that the company no more wants to replace the OS. This change in the decision can be due to Trump’s announcement that permitted the U.S. companies to come back in business with Huawei. So now Huawei can regain its access to the Android OS and does not need another OS to embed into its smartphones.
Yashica is a Software Engineer turned Content Writer, who loves to write on social causes and expertise in writing technical stuff. She loves to watch movies and explore new places. She believes that you need to live once before you die. So experimenting with her life and career choices, she is trying to live her life to the fullest.
Necessity is the key to invention, and the story of Linus Torvalds is the greatest proof to that. A student and an enthusiast programmer from Helsinki University started working on his own Operating System when he was unable to buy a basic UNIX system that costed around US$5,000 at that time. Although it was a modest effort of improving the small clone of UNIX, his creativity and curiosity led him to build a whole new and free OS software, Linux, which accidentally became an alternative to the Microsoft monopoly.
Early
Life
Linus Torvalds was born on 28 December 1969 in Helsinki, Finland. His father Nils Torvalds and mother Anna Torvalds, both worked as journalists. His parents named him after the Nobel Prize-winning American chemist, Linus Pauling. Torvalds was 11 years old when he got familiar with computers and the BASIC programming language. This was the time when he grew an interest in computers and coding. Soon, he was able to write codes for his own assembler and editor, as Finland was not a place where software were easily available. Later, he also developed a few games, including the clone of Pac Man, naming it the Cool Man.
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Torvalds joined the University
of Helsinki in 1988, where he studied Computer Science as his majors.
But within the first year of his college, he joined the Finnish Army
Uusimaa brigade and completed the 11-month officer training program,
as the Second Lieutenant, under the mandatory military service of
Finland.
After completing the military
training, Torvalds came back to his home town, to resume his college.
While in college, he got introduced to Unix for the first time. At
the same time, he also started studying a book named ‘Operating
Systems: Design and Implementation’, written by the computer science
professor Andrew Tanenbaum, which described the educational
stripped-down version of Unix, ‘MINIX’.
Founding
Linux
In 1991, he bought the Intel 80386-based clone of IBM PC, having a 33MHz Intel 386 processor and a huge 4MB of memory. The system came with the MS-DOS operating system, that according to Torvalds did not do justice with the 386 Intel Processor. As he was already working on UNIX in the college, he was not much comfortable with working on MS-DOS but getting a UNIX copy too expensive. This led him to the other alternative for the OS, and he ordered a copy of MINIX for his system.
MINIX was faster than MS-DOS
but still had some flaws. So he decided to make some changes to MINIX
in order to improve the OS. To work on the idea, even before
receiving his MINIX copy, he went into the depth of Unix and studied
books covering all the aspects of the development phase. He started
with writing a small piece of code that could improve MINIX. This
also became the M.Sc. thesis project for Torvalds, and he titled the
project as ‘Linux: A Portable Operating System.’
On Aug. 25, he posted to the
internet’s Minix newsgroup, saying, “Hello everybody out there
using MINIX – I’m doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby,
won’t be big and professional like GNU) for 386 (486) AT clones. I’d
like any feedback on things people like/dislike in MINIX, as my OS
resembles it somewhat.”
Eventually, with great hard
work, Torvalds managed to release the first version of the OS, i.e.
1.0, on September 17, followed by the second version, i.e. 2.0, on
October 5, in the same year. The second version OS was a text-based
user interface and was officially named as Linux. Torvalds put the
0.2 version over FTP and used Stallman’s GNU General Public License
version 2 (GPLv2) for his Linux kernel so that other developers could
use it and modify it for further improvements.
Developers from across the
world also became curious about Linux, started working on the same,
resulting in rapid improvements to the platform. Even being a student
at Helsinki University, Torvalds was doing really well. The college
authorities appointed him as an instructor at the University, which
helped him continue his development work for Linux.
By 1996, people started using Linux on their systems, and by 1997, Linux was installed on over three million computers. Organisations like NASA, Dell and IBM were also using Linux. At the same time, Red Hat started building software based on Linux, that boosted the popularity of Linux even more.
In 1999, when Red Hat went
public, the company presented Torvalds with stock options in
gratitude for his creation, making him an overnight millionaire.
Also, when IBM started its research work on Linux in 2001, to support
this free software, a few other companies also stepped in to do the
same.
Today, Linux is serving those
people, who need to use a computer, but cannot and does do not want
to spend a huge amount on the other operating systems. According
to Torvalds, he started working on Linux for fun, and it is also a
fact that for almost a decade, he was working on it for free. Linux,
certainly, is the result of his dedication and brilliance.
Personal
Life
Torvalds
is married to Tove Torvalds and has three daughters. In 2010, he
obtained US citizenship. In 2000, he became interested in scuba
diving and have received many certificates in the same. He also
launched Subsurface, a software for logging and planning scuba dives,
in 2011.
In
1998, Torvalds received an EFF Pioneer Award. He also shared the
Takeda Award for Social/Economic Well-Being with Richard Stallman and
Ken Sakamura. In August 2005, Torvalds received the Vollum Award from
Reed College. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from
Stockholm University.
Torvalds also founded the distributed version control system Git, in 2005. The system is widely used to track the changes in source code during software development.
Yashica is a Software Engineer turned Content Writer, who loves to write on social causes and expertise in writing technical stuff. She loves to watch movies and explore new places. She believes that you need to live once before you die. So experimenting with her life and career choices, she is trying to live her life to the fullest.
