If you’re a writer with an easily distractable mind like me, you probably also have a mess of apps scattered across your desktop. One for drafting, another for notes, a mind map tool, and probably a couple of other distractions pretending to help with focus. I live in that chaos every time I turn my computer on — until I discovered FocusWriter.

One thing I didn’t think about when I left Windows for Linux was how I would customize the RGB lighting on gaming PC’s fans. The apps I used to use for it are only available on Windows, so when I finished up my first Linux installation, I was stuck with the default colors for all my fans.

Apple has removed the iPhone torrenting client, iTorrent, from AltStore PAL’s alternative iOS marketplace in the EU, showing that it can still exert control over apps that aren’t listed on the official App Store. iTorrent developer Daniil Vinogradov told TorrentFreak that Apple has revoked his distribution rights to publish apps in any alternative iOS stores, so the issue isn’t tied to AltStore PAL itself.“Apple removed Alternative Distribution functionality from iTorrent’s Developer Portal without any warning,” Vinogradov said on iTorrent’s Github page. Apple has not provided a reason for the removal, according Vinogradov, and distribution was revoked at the Apple Dev Account level. The matter is also being investigated by AltStore PAL.While Apple bans torrent apps on its own iOS store, the EU’s Digital Markets Act gave iPhone users within the bloc greater freedom to install apps from third-party app stores that the Cupertino company doesn’t directly manage. iTorrent was added to AltStore PAL in July last year, which raises the question: why now?

I’ve been a fan of containers ever since I came across Docker. Between their lightweight nature, decent isolation, and a massive number of images, containers are ideal for deploying a self-hosted application stack. As such, my container army outnumbers the virtual machines in all my server nodes – to the point where I’ve got some SBCs and mini-PCs that only run Docker and Podman containers.

We all want to get the best performance out of our computers, and keeping it running as good as new can seem like an impossible challenge. It may get to a point where you're tempted to install an optimizer or cleaner app, but if you ever do find yourself thinking about that, it's best to stop.

Aura. It's not about how many enemies you can cut down, because then, even a nameless, faceless, and voiceless Tarnished could be one of the most awe-inspiring characters ever. It isn't about how stylish you are, either, because you don't see anyone talking about Yamcha in a conversation about aura. Aura is a rare combination of presence, charisma, kindness, danger, and charm that makes a protagonist larger than life itself.

On Thursday, Xbox announced it’s widely rolling out cross-device play history. With the new update, even if you’re on a different Xbox console, Ally handheld, or PC, your recently played game list will remain the same, so you can jump right back in where you left off.The change, which first started testing with Insiders last month and is now rolling out to everyone, also includes putting cloud-playable games in your recently-played list. As described in the blog post, “That means every cloud-enabled title, from original Xbox classics to Xbox Series X|S exclusives, is now in one place whether you own it or play through Xbox Game Pass.”On console, you can find your recently played games through the “Play history” tile on the home page. Your recent titles will also surface on the Xbox PC app within the “Play history” tab beneath the “Most Recent” section, as well as in your library.

For as much as we rely on the internet, there are times when it’s simply unavailable. Whether you’re traveling, living in a remote area, or just want peace of mind, having an offline copy of Wikipedia can be surprisingly practical. With the proper self-hosting setup, you can create a self-contained knowledge hub that operates independently, never needing to access the wider web. The idea isn’t new, but recent hardware improvements make it easier than ever to pull off.

When most people think of setting up a home security system, investing in an NVR (Network Video Recorder) comes to mind. With 4K streams and multiple cameras, it feels like an essential requirement to store mountains of data. So when I was looking at upgrading my home surveillance system, it was predictably something I was keeping an eye out for. That's until I discovered Frigate. It turns out there's a better way to handle security footage. After putting it through a thorough test, I can confirm that Frigate is the self-hosted solution that does practically everything better than an NVR, and that's what you need to consider. Here's why.

The DJI Mic 3 has shrinked without scrimping. DJI is making its latest wireless lavalier microphone system even smaller without scrimping on features or battery life. The DJI Mic 3 is half the size and weight of its Mic 2 predecessor and introduces new capabilities, including two adaptive gain control modes, three voice tone presets, and a sizable increase in storage capacity for internal recordings.DJI’s latest wireless mic can support up to four transmitters and eight receivers at once for recording audio from large groups, with a range of 400 meters (1,312 feet). The Mic 3 automatically switches between 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands to help keep the transmission stable and prevent interference. Two-level active noise cancelling is also available for reducing background sounds.The Adaptive Gain Control modes include an Automatic option that can suppress sudden volume spikes and prevent clipping in noisy environments, and a Dynamic mode that automatically adjusts gain to keep volume consistent in quieter indoor settings like studios. The three voice tone presets include Regular, Rich, and Bright, which can be selected based on the vocal characteristics of whoever is speaking to adjust clarity.At 16 grams, the Mic 3 is closer in size and weight to the 10-gram Mic Mini system that DJI launched last year. Unlike the Mic Mini, however, the Mic 3 retains features like built-in backup recording abilities to prevent losing audio, and a touchscreen display on the receiver to adjust settings and monitor battery levels. It also includes 32GB of storage for dual-file internal recordings that support both 24-bit and 32-bit floating points, which is significantly larger than the 8GB of built-in storage on the Mic 2.Battery life sits between the two older DJI lav mics, providing up to eight hours for the receiver and 10 hours for the transmitter, compared to six hours for both on the Mic 2, and up to 11.5 hours and 10.5 hours on the Mic Mini’s transmitter and receiver, respectively. The Mic 3 charging case provides 2.4 full charges, according to DJI, giving users 28 hours of extra juice on the go.What we don’t know is the price or release timeline. DJI says the Mic 3 won’t be available in the US immediately, which suggests it’ll be launching in other markets first. The two-microphone transmitter kit for the Mic 2 launched at $219, and the more affordable Mic Mini is $169 by comparison, so we’ll have to wait and see how the Mic 3 stacks up when it arrives in the US.

Mini PCs are fantastic, offering plenty of power in a compact size. Now, we've seen all kinds of mini PCs, but this one has to be one of the most unique ones that we've come across. It still comes in a pretty compact size, but the major difference is that it features a 7-inch display and built-in battery. So if you want to, you can really take this device with you on the go. Of course, the pricing is also pretty good, with a solid discount knocking it down to its lowest price at $285.

For me, moving to a new place wasn't just about the boxes. Along with packing up my physical belongings, I spent a good amount of time and effort moving my digital life as well. I made sure to set up a few self-hosted apps before I even unpacked the first box. These aren't just apps; they are the very pillars of my day-to-day life. From managing my finances to helping me track my belongings while moving, this self-hosted setup is what truly makes my place feel like home.