Notices by AlternativeTo (alternativeto@mas.to)

Telegram will now hand over user phone numbers and IP addresses if judicial authorities request it for criminal investigations. This policy change follows the arrest of CEO Pavel Durov in France https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/9/telegram-will-now-share-user-data-with-authorities-for-criminal-investigations/

SparkyLinux 7.5, based on Debian 12 “Bookworm”, features Linux kernel 6.1.106 LTS and includes updates like LibreOffice 7.4.7, KDE Plasma 5.27.5, and Firefox 115.15.0 ESR. The Nala package manager has been removed for unspecified reasons.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/9/debian-based-linux-distribution-sparky-releases-v7-5-with-kernel-and-sofware-updates/

FreeCAD, the open-source parametric 3D modeler, has released its first release candidate for version 1.0, targeting users who prefer near-complete software. With only seven known release blockers, the team encourages users to test RC1 on real projects and report any issues.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/9/freecad-s-first-release-candidate-for-v1-0-is-out-more-than-20-years-after-initial-release/

Biome, a web project formatting and linting toolchain, just celebrated its first anniversary with the release of version 1.9. Key updates include a stabilized CSS formatter and linter, default GraphQL file support, an experimental search command, and alignment with Prettier v3.3 for JavaScript formatting. The linter now includes over 250 rules, nearing full ESLint compatibility.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/9/biome-1-9-celebrating-one-year-with-enhanced-css-and-graphql-support-and-new-search-command/

Google is testing a desktop windowing feature for Android tablets, allowing users to resize and arrange apps like on a desktop. Available in developer preview, it enhances multitasking with a taskbar and supports multiple app instances. Similar to Apple's Stage Manager and Samsung’s DeX, it can be activated via a window handle or keyboard shortcut https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/9/google-tests-desktop-windowing-feature-for-android-tablets-similar-to-samsung-s-dex/

Unity has completely canceled its controversial Runtime Fee after backlash, returning to a seat-based subscription model. Unity Personal remains free with a higher revenue ceiling, while Pro and Enterprise subscriptions will see price increases starting in 2025 https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/9/unity-entirely-scraps-controversial-runtime-fee-returns-to-seat-based-subscription-model/

The Internet Archive lost its appeal against a lawsuit by book publishers, which forced them to remove over 500,000 books from their collection. The court ruled that the Archive's digital library practice deprived creators of compensation. The Internet Archive has petitioned publishers to reconsider, emphasizing the impact on global readers.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/9/internet-archive-loses-appeal-over-ebook-lending-and-urges-publishers-to-restore-access/

Pidgin discovered a malicious plugin named ss-otr containing a keylogger and sharing unauthorized screenshots. Added on July 6th, it was reported on August 16th and confirmed as malicious by August 22nd. Users should uninstall it immediately. Pidgin will now require plugins to have an OSI Approved Open Source License and undergo safety checks.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/8/pidgin-removes-malicious-plugin-containing-keylogger-and-sharing-screenshots/

Google Lens is introducing a Speak now to ask about this image feature, allowing users to add audio context to searches by recording a video. This enhances search results and is rolling out widely for Android users https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/8/google-lens-is-adding-a-speak-now-feature-for-enhanced-image-search-with-audio-context/

Zulip 9.0, an open-source threaded team chat app, introduces a UI redesign, improved message composition, faster navigation, and renames streams to channels. It also supports Ubuntu 24.04 and is developing a new mobile app using Flutter.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/7/zulip-9-0-released-with-ui-overhaul-enhanced-features-and-new-mobile-app-in-development/

Google is now the only search engine that can index #Reddit content due to a recent robots.txt update by Reddit, aimed at preventing AI data scraping. This exclusivity follows a $60 million deal between Google and Reddit earlier this year.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/7/reddit-now-blocking-search-engines-and-ai-bots-from-showing-its-results-except-for-google/

NewPipe users faced a downtime yesterday, halting video playback. The developers promptly tackled the issue by releasing version 0.27.1 that fixed the HTTP error 403 that occurred with Youtube videos and resolved a player crash.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/7/newpipe-outage-fixed-version-0-27-1-resolves-player-crash-issues/

The open-source code editor Zed has launched an official build on Linux, alongside the announcement of version 0.143 introducing Linux-specific shortcuts, new fonts and performance boosts with faster undo operations https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/7/zed-launches-an-official-linux-version-of-its-open-source-code-editor-and-introduces-v0-143/

PostmarketOS 24.06, based on Alpine Linux 3.20, introduces GNOME Shell on Mobile 46, KDE Plasma Mobile 6.0.5, Phosh 0.39, and Sxmo 1.16.3. It supports over 250 devices, and comes with an enhanced UI, and numerous kernel upgrades.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/6/postmarketos-24-06-brings-gnome-shell-46-kde-plasma-6-and-expanded-device-support/

#postmarketOS #GNOME #KDE #Phosh #Sxmo @postmarketOS

Ente 0.9 introduces a video editor, enhanced security with passkey support, client-side previews for encrypted photo sharing, Android homescreen widgets, and Chromecast support. The update also revamps the memories tab and improves offline search.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/6/ente-0-9-brings-video-editing-enhanced-security-and-improved-photo-sharing-features/

#Ente #VideoEditing #Passkey @ente

Penpot, a free and open-source alternative to Figma, just announced the beta launch of its plugin system. Plugins, written in web technologies, will enhance the design tool and empower the community.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/6/penpot-announces-beta-launch-of-plugin-system-to-rival-figma-s-capabilities/

#Penpot #Design #UI #UIDesign #GraphicDesign #Webdesign @penpot

Instagram is testing a new feature called Ad Break, which introduces unskippable ads lasting 3-5 seconds. Currently in the testing phase with a small user base, there's no confirmed date for a wider rollout https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/6/instagram-tests-unskippable-ad-break-feature-with-3-5-second-countdown/

Decentralized social platform Bluesky has finally introduced direct messages for its users, with plans to enhance the feature to include media sharing, group conversations and encrypted messaging.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/5/bluesky-finally-lets-you-send-direct-messages-but-it-s-rather-limited-for-now/

7-Zip has released its 24.05 version, introducing the ability to unpack ZSTD, ZIP, SquashFS, and RPM archives, as well as RAR archives generated by WinRAR 7.00. The update also includes speed optimizations, and numerous new switches and enhancements.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/5/7-zip-rolls-out-24-05-version-with-enhanced-unpacking-abilities-and-speed-optimizations/

Open-source and privacy-focused mobile operating system @e_mydata has launched version 2.0, which includes aesthetic improvements, Android Auto compatibility, a QR code scanning function, device-specific improvements, and a Wall of Shame for apps leaking data.
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/5/privacy-focused-mobile-os-e-os-launches-version-2-0-with-new-features-and-enhancements/