Meta is one of several companies in hot water over how it trains its AI models, with a legal case accusing the company of pirating tens of millions of books from questionable sources.

The plaintiffs describe the extent of Meta’s actions in their complaint:

“However it is done, torrenting pirated works is flagrantly illegal.6 And the magnitude of Meta’s unlawful torrenting scheme is astonishing: just last spring, Meta torrented at least 81.7 terabytes of data across multiple shadow libraries through the site Anna’s Archive, including at least 35.7 terabytes of data from Z-Library and LibGen. Pritt Decl., Ex. H.7 Meta also previously torrented 80.6 terabytes of data from LibGen (Sci-Mag).”

The plaintiffs emphasize the legal ramifications of Meta’s actions, especially compared to established legal precedent:

“Vastly smaller acts of data piracy—just .008% of the amount of copyrighted works Meta pirated—have resulted in Judges referring the conduct to the U.S. Attorneys’ office for criminal investigation.”

Meta’s Emails Undermine the Company’s Case

The extent of Meta’s activities wasn’t fully known until internal emails were made public, painting a damning picture of the company’s action.

Below are excerpts from the court filing (thanks to Ars Technica for hosting the document):

Melanie Kambadur stated on a message chain, “I don’t think we should use pirated material. I really need to draw a line there.” The four messages that follow are redacted.

Joelle Pineau responds to Eleonora Presani’s statement that “using pirated material should be beyond our ethical threshold.” Ms. Pineau then asks, “You think it’s problematic to use even for this phase?” followed by a redacted sentence. Presani then says “SciHub, ResearchGate, LibGen are basically like PirateBay or something like that, they are distributing content that is protected by copyright and they’re infringing it.”

This document appears to be notes from a January 2023 meeting that Mark Zuckerberg attended. It is heavily redacted, including a large section titled “Legal Escalations.” Immediately after that section the document states “[Zuckerberg] wants to move this stuff forward,” and “we need to find a way to unblock all this.”

Nikolay Bashlylov suggested that Meta conceal its downloading of LibGen data using a VPN (“Can we load libgen data using Meta IP ranges? Or should we use some vpn?”). All three bullet points that follow are redacted.

In an internal message, Nikolay Bashlykov expresses concern about using Meta IP addresses “to load through torrents pirate content,” and says, “torrenting from a corporate laptop doesn’t feel right :).” A response from David Esiobu is redacted.

This document contains admissions that Meta knew that LibGen was pirated (i.e., illegal) and expresses concern over what will happen if regulators learn that Meta is training Llama on pirated copyrighted data. The “Legal Risk” section is entirely redacted.

This document shows Meta employees deciding not to use “FB [Facebook] infra[structure]” for its “data downloading” from pirated databases in order to “avoid[] risk of tracing back the seeder/downloader [] from FB servers.”

The emails even implicate OpenAI for allegedly engaging in identical behavior.

On a message thread, Sy Choudhury discusses OpenAI’s use of LibGen. An update from “the partnerships side” is redacted.

On a message chain, Erin Murray explains that OpenAI’s model is likely trained on Smashwords and LibGen. The latter half of her message, addressed to Beau James, an in-house counsel, is redacted.

The above communications paint a damning picture of a company and its executives that knowingly crossed the line in an effort to train its AI models, even taking action to limit the fallout and legal repercussions should its actions ever be discovered.

The EU has been falling behind the U.S. and China, thanks in no small part to far stricter regulation. Apple and Meta have both said they will not bring their most advanced AI capabilities to the bloc as a result of an uncertain regulatory future. What’s more, the bulk of the world’s leading AI companies are based in either the U.S. or China.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the EU is getting serious about changing the status quo, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announcing the InvestAI plan. The plan includes $20 billion to help establishing AI gigafactories for training AI models.

“We want Europe to be one of the leading AI continents, and this means embracing a life where AI is everywhere,” von der Leyen said at the AI Action Summit in Paris.

“Too often I hear that the EU is late to the race,” von der Leyen added, insisting the AI race is “far from being over.”

The day before the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for the EU to simplify its AI regulation in an effort to be more competitive.

“Tomorrow, President von der Leyen will announce the European AI strategy and it will be a very important occasion. But this strategy will be a unique opportunity for Europe to accelerate, to simplify our regulations, to deepen the single market and to invest as well in computing capacities,” he said.

Microsoft recently raised the price of its Microsoft 365 subscriptions, but that hasn’t stopped the company from stripping away an important feature from the Personal and Family plan. The company previously offered a VPN as part of its Defender package, giving users an alternative to paid options from other companies.

The company announced the change in a support article, saying it the VPN option will go away February 28, 2025. The company says it made the decision after evaluating the feature’s usage and effectiveness.

Our goal is to ensure you, and your family remain safer online. We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features. As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align to customer needs.

The company touted the benefits Defender continues to provide for Personal and Family plans.

Microsoft Defender continues to provide data and device protection, identity theft and credit monitoring (US only), plus threat alerts to keep you safer online. Microsoft Defender requires a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription.

Microsoft 365 Personal: Your Microsoft 365 subscription enables you to protect up to five devices. US subscribers can monitor their credit and 60+ types of personal info, get 24/7 identity theft support, and up to $1 million identity insurance coverage for restoration-related legal and expert fees & up to $100,000 for lost funds1 recovery.

Microsoft 365 Family: Your Microsoft 365 subscription enables you to protect up to 5 devices per person. US subscribers can activate identity theft monitoring, for each family member including 60+ types of data and credit score, get 24/7 identity theft support, and up to $1 million identity insurance coverage for restoration-related legal and expert fees & up to $100,000 for lost funds1 recovery.

Microsoft also said Defender for iOS will continue to offer a VPN, but it is different from what was offered in the Personal and Family plans.

Defender for iOS users, please note, web protection (anti-phishing) on iOS uses a VPN to help keep you safer from harmful links. You will continue to see a VPN used for the purposes of web protection and this local (loop-back) VPN is different from the privacy protection feature.

Users looking for an affordable VPN that is widely considered to be the best on the market should take a look at Mullvad as a replacement option.

Chromium is the open-source web browser that serves as the basis for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, and others. While it may be the most popular and widely-used browser code base, Google still accounts for the vast majority of development, as the company says in a blog post.

In 2024, Google made over 100,000 commits to Chromium, accounting for ~94 percent of contributions. While we have no intention of reducing this investment, we continue to welcome others stepping up to invest more.

With the DOJ seeking to force Google to sell Chrome, the Linux Foundation is seeking to foster a healthy Chromium ecosystem.

“With the launch of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, we are taking another step forward in empowering the open source community,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. “This project will provide much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects within the Chromium ecosystem.”

The Foundation says the initiative will create a neutral space for Chromium development.

“With the launch of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, we are taking another step forward in empowering the open source community,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. “This project will provide much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects within the Chromium ecosystem.”

Google, Meta, Microsoft, Opera and others have joined the initiative, although Brave is notably absent from the list.

• “With the incredible support of the Linux Foundation, we believe the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers is an important opportunity to create a sustainable platform to support industry leaders, academia, developers, and the broader open source community in the continued development and innovation of the Chromium ecosystem,” said Parisa Tabriz, VP, Chrome.
• “Microsoft is pleased to join this initiative which will help drive collaboration within the Chromium ecosystem. This initiative aligns with our commitment to the web platform through meaningful and positive contributions, engagement in collaborative engineering, and partnerships with the community to achieve the best outcome for everyone using the web,” said Meghan Perez, VP, Microsoft Edge.
• “As one of the major browsers contributing to the Chromium project, Opera is pleased to join the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers and to lend our efforts towards the development of the open-source ecosystem. We look forward to collaborating with members of the project to foster this growth and to keep building innovative and compelling products for all users,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers, Opera.

Microsoft has been trying to convince users to switch to Windows 11 for years, but has run into multiple challenges.

• First and foremost, Windows 11 has hardware requirements that many current—including relatively new—PCs do not meet. As a result, some estimates place the number of PCs Windows 11 will make obsolete in the hundreds of millions.
• Second, many users are not happy with the direction Microsoft is taking with Windows 11, from forcing AI integration to inundating the operating system with ads to the gargantuan amount of data Windows 11 collects and shares with advertisers.

Despite Windows 11’s slow adoption, Microsoft is moving ahead, informing users they will not be able to run Microsoft 365 once Windows 10 support ends on October 14.

A Free Alternative

Many users have already begun to migrate to Linux as an alternative to Windows. Some Linux distributions, such as Linux Mint, specifically target new Windows users, providing a familiar interface and a suite of applications designed to get users up-and-running as quickly and painlessly as possible.

In our Linux Distro Review series, we review a number of Linux distros, with Linux Mint taking top honors as the best all-around option for many users.

Do Not Track (DNT) was a feature designed to tell websites not to track a user. Although Mozilla was the first to implement it, the feature never offered the level of privacy Mozilla hoped it would, despite other browsers adopting the feature too. Much of the issue stemmed from many websites ignoring the flag and continuing to track users.

Mozilla is now following suit with virtually every other web browser and eliminating DNT. The organization explains that at least some of the reason is because DNT now serves as a privacy risk, rather than offering any benefit.

Starting in Firefox version 135, the “Do Not Track” checkbox will be removed. Many sites do not respect this indication of a person’s privacy preferences, and, in some cases, it can reduce privacy.

DNT is now considered a privacy risk because websites can tell when the feature is enabled, effectively giving them another metric or data point by which to identify users.

Mozilla encourages users to enabled the Global Privacy Control (GPC) feature as a replacement to DNT.

If you wish to ask websites to respect your privacy, you can use the “Tell websites not to sell or share my data” setting. This option is built on top of the Global Privacy Control (GPC). GPC is respected by increasing numbers of sites and enforced with legislation in some regions. To learn more about this, please read Global Privacy Control.

The organization further explains GPC in a dedicated page.

Introduced in Firefox version 120, you can make use of Global Privacy Control (GPC) to automatically notify websites not to sell or share information about your browsing session on that website.

GPC operates as a “Do Not Sell” mechanism in some US states such as California, Colorado and Connecticut. It may also be used to indicate an opt-out of targeted advertising or general request to limit the sale or sharing of your personal data in those jurisdictions, as well as in jurisdictions such as the EU, UK, Nevada, Utah and Virginia.

Removing DNT is the right move, as is Mozilla throwing its weight behind GPC. Users who want to preserve their privacy should enable GPC immediately.

Maker of the Firefox web browser, Mozilla is an organization whose importance goes far beyond the application that made it famous. Mozilla has been a champion of online privacy and digital rights, offering an important alternative to Google’s web browser monopoly, and Microsoft’s before it.

Mozilla’s rebrand is an effort to help pave the way for the organization to continue its advocacy, while also appealing to new users.

“As our personal relationships with the internet have evolved, so has Mozilla’s, developing a unique ability to meet this moment and help people regain control over their digital lives,” said Mark Surman, president of Mozilla. “Since open-sourcing our browser code over 25 years ago, Mozilla’s mission has been the same – build and support technology in the public interest, and spark more innovation, more competition and more choice online along the way. Even though we’ve been at the forefront of privacy and open source, people weren’t getting the full picture of what we do. We were missing opportunities to connect with both new and existing users. This rebrand isn’t just a facelift — we’re laying the foundation for the next 25 years.”

Mozilla shared background into the thinking behind its new logo:

We teamed up with global branding powerhouse Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR) to revamp our brand and revitalize our intentions across our entire ecosystem. At the heart of this transformation is making sure people know Mozilla for its broader impact, as well as Firefox. Our new brand strategy and expression embody our role as a leader in digital rights and innovation, putting people over profits through privacy-preserving products, open-source developer tools, and community-building efforts.

The Mozilla brand was developed with this in mind, incorporating insights from employees and the wider Mozilla community, involving diverse voices as well as working with specialists to ensure the brand truly represented Mozilla’s values while bringing in fresh, objective perspectives.

The design revamp incorporates symbols and typefaces that are designed to symbolize the various aspects of Mozilla’s mission.

• The flag symbol highlights our activist spirit, signifying a commitment to ‘Reclaim the Internet.’ A symbol of belief, peace, unity, pride, celebration and team spirit—built from the ‘M’ for Mozilla and a pixel that is conveniently displaced to reveal a wink to its iconic Tyrannosaurus rex symbol designed by Shepard Fairey. The flag can transform into a more literal interpretation as its new mascot in ASCII art style, and serve as a rallying cry for our cause.
• The bespoke wordmark is born of its semi-slab innovative typeface with its own custom characters. It complements its symbol and is completely true to Mozilla.
• The colors start with black and white — a no-nonsense, sturdy base, with a wider green palette that is quintessential with nature and nonprofits that make it their mission to better the world, this is a nod to making the internet a better place for all.
• The custom typefaces are bespoke and an evolution of its Mozilla slab serif today. It stands out in a sea of tech sans. The new interpretation is more innovative and built for its tech platforms. The sans brings character to something that was once hard working but generic. These fonts are interchangeable and allow for a greater degree of expression across its brand experience, connecting everything together.
• Our new unified brand voice makes its expertise accessible and culturally relevant, using humor to drive action.
• Icons inspired by the flag symbol connect to the broader identity system. Simplified layouts use a modular system underpinned by a square pixel grid.

“The new brand system, crafted in collaboration with JKR’s U.S. and UK studios, now tells a cohesive story that supports Mozilla’s mission,” said Amy Bebbington, global head of brand at Mozilla. “We intentionally designed a system, aptly named ‘Grassroots to Government,’ that ensures the brand resonates with our breadth of audiences, from builders to advocates, changemakers to activists. It speaks to grassroots coders developing tools to empower users, government officials advocating for better internet safety laws, and everyday consumers looking to reclaim control of their digital lives.”

Why Mozilla Matters

There are few companies whose survival is as important as Mozilla, a fact that has been recently illustrated by Google killing off uBlock Origin.

Google has been working for some time to replace Manifest v2 with Manifest v3 in its Chrome web browser. As a result, some of the most popular and useful extensions, including—unsurprisingly—content blockers like uBlock Origin.

Unfortunately, Google’s decision to end support for Manifest v2 has implications far beyond Chrome. Because many browsers use the same backend engine as Chrome, those browsers are impacted by Google’s decision, unless they take it upon themselves to maintain support for the older protocol themselves—a prohibitively difficult task for many smaller teams.

As we have pointed out at WPN many times, it’s a fools errand to rely on a company that gets the bulk of its money from advertising to also provide a private web browsing experience. Google has tried to spin its decision to move from Manifest v2 to Manifest v3 as a security decision, but it’s more than a little convenient for Google that doing so kills the most effective advertising and content blockers that are currently available.

In this context—where the dominant browser and browser engine is developed by an advertising company with a history of abusing user privacy—there needs to be an alternative that is developed and backed by a privacy-respecting organization.

Hopefully, Mozilla’s rebrand is wildly successful, helping the company better compete with Google and Microsoft, and regain some of the market share it has lost.

Password managers can be an important cybersecurity option, as they provide users a way of generating random passwords for different services. iCloud has long given users easy-to-access password management capabilities, including the ability to sync passwords across devices.

Until now, using iCloud Passwords has required using Safari, but Apple has now expanded access to Firefox.

iCloud Passwords lets you fill passwords from iCloud Keychain when signing in to websites using Firefox.

iCloud Passwords lets you securely fill passwords from iCloud Keychain when signing in to websites using Firefox. Any new passwords you create in Firefox are saved to your iCloud Keychain so that they are also available across your Apple devices. The extension can also generate verification codes, which you can set up by right-clicking on a QR code.

At this time, Apple is only releasing the extension for the macOS version of Firefox, not Windows.

The iCloud Passwords extension is compatible with macOS Sonoma or later. It is not available for Windows at this time.

Unfortunately, the extension only has 3.5 star ratings on Firefox’s Extensions website, with many users complaining about inconsistent behavior when trying to unlock and access passwords. In some cases, the extension asks for a fingerprint unlock or password to unlock iCloud Passwords, other times it doesn’t fill anything.

Once Apple irons out the bugs, the extension should provide a solid way for macOS users to use an alternative web browser, while still being able to access their data in the Apple ecosystem.

Once one of the most popular web browsers, Firefox has a small fraction of the market share it once had. Mozilla has been increasingly its focus on Firefox under new CEO Laura Chambers. Ultimately, however, one of the biggest challenges the organization faces is convincing people to use Firefox as their default browser.

According to a bug report, Mozilla is testing the idea of automatically making Firefox the default, saving users from having to wade through Windows’ settings to do it.

This bug is for implementing a means of setting Firefox as the default browser based on the presence of a set_default_browser attribution campaign.

Interestingly, Microsoft has been accused of not respecting users’ choice, when it comes to the default browser in Windows 11, often resorting to underhanded tactics to force the use of Edge. As Digital Trends points out, Mozilla has been critical of Microsoft’s antics in the past.

“More can be done to respect [the] default browser choice on Windows. People should have the ability to simply and easily set defaults, and all operating systems should offer official developer support for default status,” said a Mozilla spokesperson at the time.

In Mozilla’s defense, Microsoft has made it more difficult to change defaults in some versions of Windows, making drastic action more defensible than it may have been years ago. At the same time, any time an organization takes presumes to change a users’ defaults, it risks alienating the very users it’s trying to attract.

Only time will tell if Mozilla’s new tactic is successful—or if it horribly backfires.

Google Chrome is the world’s leading web browser, with a lion’s share of the market. Google recently lost its antitrust case, in which the court ruled the company has an illegal monopoly over the search market. As a result, the DOJ has proposed remedial measures, not the least of which is forcing the company to sell Chrome.

According to Bloomberg, a forced sale of Chrome could be worth some $20 billion, illustrating just how valuable the web browser is despite being available to users for free.

It’s not surprising the DOJ want’s Google to sell Chrome. As we have pointed out here at WPN, Google operating the dominant search engine, the leading ad market, and the most popular web browser, is like relying on burglars to provide a home security system. There’s absolutely no incentive to make that security system as safe and robust as possible.

Similarly, given that Google makes the bulk of its money from advertising and consumer data, trusting the company to provide a privacy-oriented experience with its Chrome web browser is an unreasonable expectation. In fact, the company has already been in trouble multiple times for not providing the level of privacy users expects, such as when Incognito mode continued to collect data on users’ browsing habits.

Unfortunately, while forcing Google to sell Chrome is one of the most logical remedies, it’s also comes with a number of potential complications.

1. Mozilla. Mozilla makes Firefox, the leading competitor to Chrome. Unfortunately, since it’s difficult to make money making a web browser, Mozilla relies on Google for the bulk of its income, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Google pays Mozilla largely to help maintain a “diverse” browser ecosystem, as the company would face even greater regulatory scrutiny if its main competition went under. If Google is forced to sell Chrome, there will be little incentive for the company to continue paying Mozilla, leaving the independent browser maker looking for a way to make up for the lost income.
2. It’s unclear what, if any, company would be willing or able to take over Chrome development. As Mozilla is well aware, it’s difficult to make money off of a web browser unless the browser maker is willing to profit of of its users’ data. Any company that purchases Chrome, however, would not have Google’s search engine or ad network to leverage the web browser in the same way Google has been able to.

However the case against Google proceeds, it will no doubt have a significant impact on the web browser market, potentially shaking it up more that at any time since Internet Explorer took the top spot from Netscape Navigator.

With the world’s growing usage of apps in our daily lives, startups with a mobile app are gaining more value than startups that do not have one. This is a crucial difference considering that the startup landscape continues to grow competitive each year as about 137,000 new startups are founded every day but 90% are unable to last more than five years. Venture capital (VC) funding that supports startups has also increased over the years, yet not every startup can gain enough to keep going. To achieve success, startups, scale-ups, and small businesses need to find a competitive advantage that can set them apart from the rest of the market, and mobile app development can be the key differentiator. 

Listen to our conversation on finding a mobile app development partner!

Finding the Right Mobile App Development Partner

Having the ability to find the right mobile app development partner isn’t easy, but worth it and can lead to success for your startup. For one, mobile apps ensure users can have a better experience engaging with the company due to an app’s simplicity and accessibility to everyone. In fact, companies that invest in improving the customer experience with their products and services typically see a significant increase in profits, possibly up to a 9,900% return on investment (ROI). 

A mobile app can also be a more cost-effective way to grow a business. It is possible to create initial iterations of an app at a lower cost before there is a need to further develop it. And if the app is successful, a company can gain great returns that far exceeds their initial investments into the app. 74% of organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, telecom, retail, business services, financial services, and IT have already experienced a positive ROI from their mobile apps. 

Moreover, having a mobile app can make it easier to appeal a business idea to potential investors. Having a mobile app allows companies to demonstrate how their business idea is scalable, addresses the concerns of the target market, can satisfy key market demands, has a future-focused approach, and is profitable in the long run, all of which are what investors want to see. 

For a growing startup, a mobile app can provide a supplemental profit stream. App purchases are expected to reach $186 billion by 2027 with in-app spending projected to grow by 267% by 2030. In fact, the average revenue per download is expected to be $9.46 per download. Companies can further monetize their apps and increase their revenue stream by using subscription models, in-app advertisement strategies, app-commerce integration, and app-data monetization. 

Conclusion

Building a mobile app can benefit both the consumers and the businesses that make them. Especially for a growing startup, creating a secure, high-quality mobile app can potentially boost the rate of success and a startup’s ability to thrive in their industry past their initial five years. 

Source: Tapptitude

Broadcom and VMware announced the change in a blog post.

We’re thrilled to announce a significant change that reflects our commitment to making VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation more accessible than ever. Starting November 11, 2024, these powerful desktop hypervisor products will be available for free to everyone—commercial, educational, and personal users alike.

The company says Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro will be discontinued as part of the change.

Effective immediately, both VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation will transition away from the paid subscription model, meaning you can now utilize these tools without any cost. The paid versions of these offerings – Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro – are no longer available for purchase.

If you’re currently under a commercial contract, you can rest easy knowing that your agreement will remain in effect until the end of your term. You will continue to receive the full level of service and enterprise-grade support as per your contract. Our commitment to maintaining high standards of support remains unchanged throughout your contract duration.

The company says existing customers can continue to take advantage of their paid support agreements, although only for the duration of the existing contract.

The free version will include all the features you’ve come to rely on from the paid version. You’ll have the tools necessary to successfully complete your projects without compromise.

For our customers with active support agreements, you will still have access to support through our standard channels—whether via our support portal or by contacting our support team directly. Once your current contract concludes, you can continue using the product. However, please note that support ticketing for troubleshooting will no longer be available. All users will have access to a wealth of online resources, including documentation, user guides, and community forums, to assist you in making the most of your desktop hypervisor experience.

The company says it is eager to see how this change impacts customers.

This transition opens up exciting possibilities for collaboration, feedback, and growth within our user community. We’re eager to see how our products will empower both new and existing customers. Thank you for being part of our journey, and stay tuned for more updates as we continue to evolve to better meet your needs!

Ultimately, it’s unclear exactly why the company decided to make two of its leading products free. VMware products are some of the leading virtualization products on the market. Since Broadcom acquired VMware, however, the company has been hiking prices, leading to customers abandoning the platform. AT&T sued the Broadcom, alleging breach of contract after Broadcom tried raising prices by 1,050%.

Only time will tell if Broadcom is making Workstation and Fusion free to regain goodwill, or if the company has lost so many customers that it is doing something drastic in an attempt to regain them.

GIMP is an open source image editing app that is often compared to Adobe Photoshop. Despite its popularity, the current 2.x series release has been around for two decades. The team has been working on 3.0 for some time, bringing the app into closer feature parity with Photoshop.

As the developers explain, GIMP 3.0 RC1 is now available for testing, and could well become the final release.

So, what exactly is a “release candidate” (RC)? A release candidate is something that might be ready to be GIMP 3.0, but we want the larger community to test it first and report any problems they find. If user feedback reveals only small and easy to fix bugs, we will solve those problems and issue the result as GIMP 3.0. However, we hope and expect a much larger audience to try out 3.0 RC1 – including many people who have only been using 2.10 up until now. If larger bugs and regressions are uncovered that require more substantial code changes, we may need to publish a second release candidate for further testing.

An important milestone that had to be crossed before RC1 could be released was the finalization of the public API, giving developers the ability to migrate their plugins and scripts from 2.x to 3.0.

Since the API is now stable, plug-in and script developers can begin porting their 2.10 scripts based on this release. You can find initial API documentation on our developer site. We intend to add more tutorials and porting guides here during the release candidate phase. We also encourage you to check out the Script-fu and Python plug-ins in our repository to see working examples of the new API.

One of the biggest changes to 3.0 is the addition of non-destructive editing, one of the main differences between Photoshop and GIMP. The team has continued to improve on the feature, as well as added a way for users to continuing using the old method if they desire.

Since our last update, we have continued to make improvements and bug fixes to our non-destructive filter code. Many of these issues were reported by Sam Lester during the developing and testing of his third-party GEGL filters.

While non-destructive filters have been a very popular addition to GIMP 3.0, some early adopters have requested that we provide a way to return to the original destructive workflow. Therefore, we have added an optional “Merge Filters” checkbox at the bottom of NDE filters. If enabled, the filter will be immediately merged down after it is committed. Note that filters can not be applied destructively on layer groups – in those cases, the option to merge filters is not available.

The release candidate also includeds user interface improvements and a host of other features.

Given the increasing cost of tools like Canva, as well as tools like Photoshop costing a monthly subscription fee, GIMP 3.0 could potentially see a major influx of users.

Pixelmator is the go-to app for many Mac designers reluctant to pay Adobe’s prices for Photoshop. While not as powerful as Photoshop, Pixelmator has the most commonly used tools in an interface that is far more intuitive, especially for new users.

In a blog post, the Pixelmator team said they have reached an agreement to be bought out by Apple.

Today we have some important news to share: the Pixelmator Team plans to join Apple.

We’ve been inspired by Apple since day one, crafting our products with the same razor-sharp focus on design, ease of use, and performance. And looking back, it’s crazy what a small group of dedicated people have been able to achieve over the years from all the way in Vilnius, Lithuania. Now, we’ll have the ability to reach an even wider audience and make an even bigger impact on the lives of creative people around the world.

Apple develops the bulk of its software in-house, but there are notable instances when the company has purchased a third-party app to use as the basis for one of its own. One of the most notable examples was when the company purchased SoundJam, a popular Mac MP3 app, to serve as the basis for iTunes.

Purchasing Pixelmator makes sense for Apple, giving the company a more comprehensive image editing tool beyond the basic functionality included in Photos.

In the meantime, the Pixelmator team says the app will continue to be available for iOS, as well as macOS.

Pixelmator has signed an agreement to be acquired by Apple, subject to regulatory approval. There will be no material changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps at this time. Stay tuned for exciting updates to come.

Postbox was one of the best email clients on macOS and Windows. Particularly on macOS, the client offered tighter integration than Thunderbird, while providing far more powerful features and options than Apple Mail. In recent months, development appeared to be slowing, and it’s now apparent why.

According to a blog post on the company’s site, “Postbox has been acquired by eM Client.”

eM Client is a leading email platform for Windows and macOS that combines email, calendars, tasks, contacts, notes, and chat into a single, easy-to-use application. It’s designed for professionals who value both power and simplicity. With a sleek interface and support for services like Gmail, Exchange, iCloud, and Outlook, eM Client offers features like PGP encryption for privacy, email snooze, delayed sending, and real-time translation. We believe you’ll love the flexibility and efficiency it brings to managing your communications.

The company says paid support will end December 22, although users can continue using the app as long as it functions.

If you love using Postbox, you can continue using it. However, Postbox will no longer be sold or developed. Rest assured that we’ll continue to provide support until December 22nd, 2024, and the Postbox Help Center will remain available until December 22nd, 2025, to help with any lingering questions.

Postbox users can take advantage of a significant discount on eM Client.

As a heartfelt thank you for being a loyal Postbox customer, we’ve arranged an exclusive discount to make the transition even smoother:

• If you purchased Postbox on or after September 22nd, 2024, you’ll receive 100% off your one-time purchase or your first year of subscription to eM Client.
• All other Postbox customers will receive 50% off their one-time purchase or first year of subscription to eM Client.

This offer is valid until December 31, 2024, and applies to most eM Client packages (excluding Lifetime Upgrades and AI Add-ins for one-time purchases).

The announcement is a sad one for the macOS community, as well as for independent developers.

Session is an encrypted messaging app aimed at preserving user privacy. As such, it competes in the same space as Signal and WhatsApp, although Session is more decentralized than either of its competitors, thereby providing greater anonymity. The app recently crossed the one million user mark, a sign that it’s popularity is growing.

According to 404 Media, Australian police went to a Session employee’s home and quizzed them about how the app works, as well as about a specific user. The organization wasted no time responding, forming the Session Technology Foundation in Switzerland to steward the app’s development and growth.

“Ultimately, we were given the choice between remaining in Australia or relocating to a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction, such as Switzerland. For the project to continue, it could not be centred in Australia,” Alex Linton, president of the newly formed Session Technology Foundation (STF) told 404 Media in a statement. Linton confirmed that Session will continue to be available and fully functional in Australia.

In the blog post announcing the creation of STF, the organization highlighted the benefits of being based in Switzerland.

The steward’s role is not to own or control Session, but to guide and support it. However, given the current regulatory environment in Australia around privacy technology and encrypted messaging, Session’s original steward, the OPTF, has chosen to pass on its responsibilities as steward of the project.

From now on, Session will be stewarded by a new Swiss foundation, the Session Technology Foundation.

The Swiss foundation model is aligned with Session’s mission, and the Session Technology Foundation brings stability and security as Session’s new steward.

Switzerland offers some of the most robust digital privacy regulations in the world, providing a home to many builders of privacy-tech, like Proton, Threema, and Nym. It’s a country with a long-standing tradition of respecting personal privacy and fostering technological innovation.

Session’s actions highlight the ongoing and growing challenges facing users who are concerned with their privacy and the apps that empower them to take back control. Jurisdictions are increasingly scrutinizing private and encrypted messaging platforms, often trying to pass legislation that forces encryption to be weakened or backdoored.

The EU, despite claiming to protect privacy, has repeatedly tried to pass its controversial Chat Control legislation aimed at weakening end-to-end encryption (E2EE), only being defeated each time in the eleventh hour.

What makes Switzerland such an appealing jurisdiction for Proton, Session, and others is the fact that it is not officially part of the EU. As a result, Switzerland is not bound by the EU’s decisions. What’s more, the country has some of the strongest privacy laws in the world, viewing privacy as a fundamental human right and giving anyone whose data is subpoenaed the opportunity to defend themselves before their data is handed over.

Session’s decision is a good move for the organization and its users, a move that many other companies would do well to consider.

Users have begun noticing that Kaspersky products are no longer available on the Google Play Store, prompting a long discussion thread on the company’s forum. A company employee responded, saying it was a temporary situation, and that the company was working to rectify it.

Hello everyone,

First of all thank you for being here we will do our best to provide you with answers to your questions.

The downloads and updates of Kaspersky products are temporarily unavailable on the Google Play store. Kaspersky is currently investigating the circumstances behind the issue and exploring potential solutions to ensure that users of its products can continue downloading and updating their applications from Google Play. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

While we are working to restore the availability of Kaspersky solutions on Google Play, users can continue downloading and updating Kaspersky products from other mobile stores, including Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery, Xiaomi GetApps and others. The range of available Kaspersky products for Android is the same in each store.

Interestingly, users are reporting they are still able to access the software via Apple’s App Store.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, small businesses are facing both new opportunities and challenges. Among the most transformative elements driving this change are app-based services, which have significantly altered how small businesses operate, market themselves, and interact with customers. This shift has not only streamlined operations but has also enhanced customer engagement and accessibility, enabling small businesses to compete more effectively with larger corporations.

The Rise of App-Based Solutions

The proliferation of smartphones and internet connectivity has led to the widespread adoption of app-based services. These applications offer an array of functionalities, from financial management to marketing automation, making them indispensable for small business owners. In particular, services tailored to specific industries, such as the best gym management software, have emerged to address unique operational needs, allowing businesses to focus more on growth rather than administrative tasks.

Streamlining Operations

One of the most significant advantages of app-based services is the ability to streamline operations. For instance, apps designed for inventory management enable small retailers to track stock levels in real time, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts. This efficiency minimizes waste and ensures that businesses can meet customer demand effectively.

Moreover, customer relationship management (CRM) apps help small businesses maintain strong relationships with their clients. By consolidating customer data and interactions in one place, these applications enable personalized marketing efforts, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. With automated reminders and follow-ups, small businesses can maintain engagement without overwhelming their staff.

Enhancing Customer Experience

The customer experience is a critical factor for the success of any small business, and app-based services play a pivotal role in enhancing this aspect. Applications such as online booking systems have transformed how service-oriented businesses operate. For example, salons and fitness studios can offer seamless appointment scheduling allowing customers to book services at their convenience. This convenience not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces no-show rates, leading to better revenue management.

Additionally, businesses can leverage mobile apps to create loyalty programs that encourage repeat business. Through push notifications and in-app rewards, small businesses can keep their customers informed about promotions and special events, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility

For many small business owners, cost is a significant concern. App-based services often provide a cost-effectiveness solution to various operational challenges. Many applications operate on a subscription model, allowing businesses to choose services that fit their budget. This flexibility means that small businesses can access high-quality tools without the burden of hefty upfront investments.

Furthermore, cloud-based solutions offer the added benefit of accessibility. Business owners and employees can access important information from anywhere, allowing for greater flexibility and remote work opportunities. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses with limited staff, as it enables them to operate efficiently without being tied to a physical location.

Marketing in the Digital Age

Marketing is another area where app-based services have made a significant impact. Traditional marketing methods can be costly and less effective, especially for small businesses with limited budgets. However, app-based marketing platforms offer affordable and targeted solutions.

Social media management apps allow small businesses to engage with their audience effectively. By scheduling posts, analyzing engagement metrics, and responding to customer inquiries from a single platform, businesses can create a cohesive online presence without spending hours managing multiple accounts. Additionally, email marketing services provide tools for crafting professional campaigns that reach customers directly in their inboxes enhancing visibility and driving sales.

Data-Driven Decisions

The ability to gather and analyze data is crucial for any business looking to grow. App-based services provide small businesses with access to valuable insights that inform decision-making. For example, data analytics tools can track customer behavior, sales trends, and marketing campaign performance, enabling business owners to make data-driven decisions that enhance their strategies. While access to medical information helps small businesses provide adequate health coverage to their employees.

With this information, small businesses can identify areas for improvement, tailor their offerings to meet customer needs, and ultimately increase profitability. The agility provided by these data insights allows small businesses to pivot quickly in response to market demands, a crucial advantage in today’s fast-paced environment.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the myriad benefits, the shift to app-based services does come with challenges. Small businesses must navigate the complexities of technology adoption, including the potential learning curve associated with new tools. For instance, those interested in developing their own solutions, like learning how to make a fitness app, are now being tapped by forward-looking business owners. Additionally, data security is a paramount concern; small businesses must ensure that customer information is protected while using online services.

Furthermore, relying heavily on technology can create issues if systems fail or if there are connectivity problems. Business owners need to maintain a balance between technology and personal touch, ensuring that customer relationships remain strong even in an increasingly digital landscape.

Leveraging the Right Applications

App-based services have undeniably changed the face of small business in profound ways. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, these tools provide small businesses with the resources they need to thrive in a competitive market. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for innovation within the small business sector will only grow. Embracing these changes and leveraging the right applications can empower small business owners to achieve their goals and create lasting impacts in their communities. The future of small business is undoubtedly tied to the ongoing evolution of app-based services.

As software developers have moved to the subscription model, many users are increasingly experiencing subscription fatigue. Savvy developers still offer their software for and old-school, standalone license fee. Despite the fact that it is one of the leading cloud and cloud-based software providers, Microsoft is still offering its most popular piece of software as a standalone option.

Catch our chat on Microsoft launching a non-subscription Office 2024!

The company announced the new release in a blog post.

Microsoft 365 is the best way to access the latest versions of the productivity apps that millions of people use every day to bring their ideas to life and power through tasks. But we know some of our customers still prefer a non-subscription way to access our familiar apps, which is why we’re releasing Office 2024 on October 1 for consumers and small businesses. Office 2024 includes updated, locked-in-time versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook1 for PC and Mac. Read on for more details about what’s new in Office 2024.

The company says the new version features a number of performance improvements.

Whether it’s emails, files, people, or events, get better matches for what you’re looking for with new search improvements in Outlook. Experience faster performance when working in Excel, even if you have multiple workbooks open at the same time. Plus, Mac users can now customize swipe left and swipe right gestures in Outlook for Mac with a multi-touch trackpad or magic mouse.

Office 2024 is available in two separate options, depending on what users are looking for.

Office 2024 comes in two editions. Office Home 2024 is $149.99 USD and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for one PC or Mac. Office Home & Business 2024 is $249.99 USD and comes with everything in Office Home 2024 plus Outlook and the rights to use the apps for commercial purposes. You can buy both editions from retailers worldwide and via Microsoft.com starting October 1, 2024.

For businesses with five or more users, Office Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) 2024 gives you the flexibility of deploying alongside Microsoft 365 using a common set of tools that simplify the management of hybrid environments.

The new version is compatible with Windows 10 and 11, as well as the three most recent major releases of macOS.

It’s refreshing to see a company as big as Microsoft continue to offer an application as important as Office as a standalone purchase. Hopefully, more companies take note and offer customers non-subscription licensing options.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing a method to allow users with multiple accounts to select which contacts are synced with each account.

Per the outlet:

WhatsApp is exploring a new section that will allow users to manage the synchronization of their address book, scheduled for release in a future update. With this upcoming feature, users will be able to control how contacts are synced for each account independently. For example, users can choose to disable contact syncing for their second account if they prefer to keep it separate from their primary one. This is particularly useful for those who want to maintain distinct contact lists across different accounts, such as keeping work and personal contacts separate.

The revelation is welcome news for users that have multiple WhatsApp accounts and want to keep those accounts—and their contacts—as separate as possible.