Although there are a bunch of ways to run Linux applications on a Windows PC, WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is by far the more efficient option – both from the convenience and performance standpoints. I’ve been using it instead of dual-booting or running GUI-heavy virtual machines on my everyday systems and dev environments, and barring gaming, it has surpassed its rivals in every scenario.

In the past, the DIY approach was the default choice for anyone shopping for a capable PC that wouldn't break the bank. The market has, however, seen some major changes throughout the last few months, and building a computer isn't necessarily the most practical option for most mainstream users.

This week at I/O, Google rolled out a series of major updates for Android Auto that include better sizing for unconventionally shaped screens, video streaming through YouTube, widget support, and of course, more AI-powered Gemini features. The company also announced some updates for cars that run on Google's built-in native software, including the ability to ask Gemini questions that are specific to the car you're driving.First off, it's screen size. It used to be that in-car screens all came in the same basic shape. But now the standard rectangle has evolved into a variety of curved, panoramic, swooping, and even circular displays. Google …Read the full story at The Verge.

Being a power VS Code user, I have tweaked my extensions, curated themes, and treat my file trees like architecture. So, when I finally jumped into Google Antigravity, I was prepared to do what I always do: benchmark it against VS Code and find the cracks.

Meta announced on Tuesday that it's testing a Threads feature that lets users tag a Meta AI account to get answers to questions or context about a conversation on the platform. If you've spent any time looking at replies on X as of late, this new feature sounds a lot like Meta's take on people tagging xAI's Grok. But, as reported by Engadget, Threads users quickly discovered that you can't block the new Meta AI account, and they aren't happy about it.Meta has invested heavily in AI as it works to catch up to rivals like OpenAI and Google, spending billions to hire AI talent. It launched a new AI model called Muse Spark in April, which it s …Read the full story at The Verge.

Starting Tuesday, parents can get more details about what their teens are up to on Instagram. Meta is adding a feature to its Teen Accounts that shows parents the "general topics their teens engage with," like "basketball" or "fashion." Meta also says it will soon start notifying parents when their teen adds a new interest to their algorithm.In December, Meta announced its "Your Algorithm" feature, which lets users choose topics they want to see more or less of in Instagram. Meta noted in its Tuesday blog post that users with Teen Accounts are already limited in what topics they can add to their algorithm - content shown to users with teen …Read the full story at The Verge.

There are plenty of ways you can make your computer feel like your own space. From something as simple as a different wallpaper to the wide range of customization apps, everyone likes to do something to make their PC more unique. Some apps, like Wallpaper Engine and Lively Wallpaper, even let you set animated and interactive backgrounds for your desktop.

I've been happily using Plex for a while now, especially thanks to the Lifetime Pass I secured for myself in early 2024. Over the course of two years, my Plex server has been serving as the media library for three different families across three houses in separate cities. Of course, I've come to appreciate some of the features that have made my life a lot easier, and it's been particularly enjoyable seeing Jellyfin slowly but surely catch up.

As a journalist, I've spent a lot of time refining and reworking my workflow. Discovering news and keeping up with it is just as important to me and my job as reporting and writing. For my morning routine, I have a mental list of websites to check and keep tabs on. And while the system works, it's far from ideal. Every morning I open the same set of tabs, check author pages, skim through product and open-source blogs, check changelogs, and hope that I haven't missed out on something important. It's a productive start to the day, but it is far from efficient. In fact, it's a slow, repetitive process that depends too much on me remembering what to check. Elsewhere, there are RSS readers, but as it turns out, in 2026, way too many websites have either poor or no RSS support at all.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Elon Musk did "huge damage" to the culture of the AI startup. During testimony as part of Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, Altman said Musk required OpenAI president Greg Brockman and former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever to rank researchers by their accomplishments and "take a chainsaw through a bunch."Altman conceded that this was the management style the Tesla CEO was known for, but that it was incompatible with his startup. "I don't think Mr. Musk understood how to run a good research lab," Altman testified when his lawyer, William Savitt, asked about the impact of Musk's departure from OpenAI on morale. "For a …Read the full story at The Verge.

Google is announcing a new line of laptops coming in the fall called Googlebooks. Details are sparse for now, as the tease is just a small part of various Android announcements during Google's Android Show. But we do know this is a major new initiative in the laptop space for Google, seemingly designed to succeed Chromebooks with something more capable: a platform running a long-rumored new operating system based on a fusion of Android and ChromeOS.That operating system, through various leaks, has been referred to as Aluminium OS. Google isn't announcing the OS's real name or giving many details about it just yet. "We'll have more to share …Read the full story at The Verge.

AI-generated widgets are among the features coming to Android this year. | Screenshot: Google Would it shock you to hear that Android 17 is filled with new AI-enabled features, like improved dictation and vibe-coded widgets? Fortunately, that's not all. The platform is getting non-AI updates too, from an emoji overhaul to a new screentime tool that helps you avoid distracting apps.Google has just revealed the biggest changes coming in its next OS update as part of its dedicated Android Show, ahead of next week's big I/O developer conference. The Android software updates came alongside a tease of upcoming Android-powered Googlebook laptops and a host of Android Auto updates. Here are all the new updates that matter and when you can …Read the full story at The Verge.