Software Development
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I got my hands on Framework's 'MacBook Pro for Linux users' and its tagline isn't just marketing…
Framework CEO Nirav Patel unveiled the new Framework 13 Pro laptop, marketed as a 'MacBook Pro for Linux users,' at Computex. The device features a premium chassis, a haptic touchpad, and is powered by Intel's Core Ultra 7 processor. Pre-orders show Linux versions outselling Windows configurations, indicating strong demand from software developers seeking a high-quality hardware alternative to macOS.
Morning Tech Bits
NVIDIA announced new GeForce RTX graphics cards, laptops, desktops, and displays at Computex 2026. Additionally, Notepad++ released version 8.9.6.2.
After more than two decades, the creator of Paint.NET finally owns the domain paint.net, and it's all thanks to a…
After 22 years of trying, Paint.NET creator Rick Brewster has successfully acquired the domain name paint.net. The previous owners were reportedly hosting deceptive content and profiting from the registered trademark, leading to a legal resolution in Brewster's favor. While the software is not yet directly downloadable from the new domain, redirects are being set up from the previous getpaint.net address.
Flathub moves to ban nearly all apps and submissions made with generative AI
Flathub, a popular Linux application distribution platform, has implemented a new policy that largely bans applications and submissions created with generative AI. While exceptions may be made for mature projects, the policy explicitly disallows AI-generated code, documentation, and submission processes, aiming to clarify rules for developers and users.
Saturday Safety Dance
Anthropic's Mythos system has reportedly identified over 10,000 vulnerabilities. Separately, attackers exploited valid certificates and stolen accounts to compromise npm's security, undermining its trust mechanisms.
'Please stop submitting AI slop code': team behind popular PS3 emulator call time on user submitted vibe…
The development team behind the open-source PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 has requested that contributors stop submitting AI-generated code, citing issues with quality and regressions. While AI tools are not entirely banned, contributors must disclose their use and fully understand the code they submit to avoid bans. This issue mirrors similar concerns raised by developers in other open-source projects like Linux.
'The continued flood of AI reports has basically made the security list almost entirely unmanageable': Linus Torvalds laments how people are wasting the Linux team's time with LLMs
Linus Torvalds has expressed frustration with the influx of AI-generated bug reports for the Linux kernel, stating that they are unmanageable and often lack value. He clarified that the issue is not the use of AI itself, but the submission of reports that do not include code solutions or significant improvements beyond what the AI found. Torvalds suggested that future submissions might need to provide actual code patches to be considered.
Linux head says "AI tools are great" but they're making the security list "almost entirely unmanageable"
Linux head Linus Torvalds has stated that while AI tools are beneficial for finding bugs, they are making the security list for the Linux kernel unmanageable due to duplicated reports. He emphasized that AI-detected bugs are not secret and that developers should add value by reading existing documentation and creating patches rather than submitting redundant reports.
Microsoft ditches Teams feature that put attendees into the same virtual room
Microsoft is removing the 'Together' mode from Microsoft Teams, citing implementation complexity. The company will instead direct users to the standard gallery view for virtual meetings.
Microsoft exec. confirms Windows 11 is just as full of old code as you suspected: 'We were thinking flying cars and moon stations by the year 2026, not Win32'
Microsoft executive Mark Russinovich confirmed that Windows 11 heavily relies on the Win32 API, which dates back to Windows 95. Despite attempts to introduce newer APIs like WinRT, the legacy Win32 framework remains essential due to the vast ecosystem built upon it. Russinovich noted that the original vision for 2026 was far more futuristic than the continued reliance on 1990s code.
Microsoft CEO says the company is focused on 'fundamentals' to 'win back fans and strengthen…
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated the company is focusing on foundational work to improve its consumer business, including Windows and Xbox, to "win back fans and strengthen engagement." This shift involves addressing user-requested improvements in areas like desktop performance and bugginess, while scaling back AI features where they are not essential. Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's Windows president, also confirmed this focus on fundamental improvements.
Canonical clarify their AI plans for Ubuntu Linux - opt-in and easy to remove
Canonical has clarified its plans for integrating AI features into Ubuntu Linux, emphasizing an opt-in approach and easy removal of AI capabilities. VP Engineering Jon Seager stated that AI features will be delivered as optional Snaps, with initial implementation in Ubuntu 26.10 requiring explicit user consent during setup. The company also confirmed that AI-generated code will be accepted in future Ubuntu releases, aligning with policies in other foundational projects like the Linux Kernel.
Linux GPU tool (LACT) gets a new UI and a NVIDIA Voltage-Frequency Curve Editor
The open-source application Linux GPU Configuration And Monitoring Tool (LACT) has released version 0.9.0, featuring a completely redesigned UI built with libadwaita for improved aesthetics and usability. Key new features include an NVIDIA Voltage-Frequency Curve Editor and target temperature setting, along with AMD hardware block information and various bug fixes.
I just found out the creator of Windows Task Manager accidentally left his phone number inside the app
Dave Plummer, the original creator of Windows Task Manager, accidentally embedded his home phone number within the application's code as an assertion to help debug a rare bug. The bug, which caused CPU utilization to exceed 100%, was eventually fixed by the kernel developers. Plummer never received a call about the assertion until he mentioned the story on YouTube years later.
Mozilla using Claude Mythos AI Preview to help fix major security issues in Firefox
Mozilla is utilizing Anthropic's Claude Mythos AI Preview, part of Project Glasswing, to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in Firefox. The AI has helped address 271 issues in the recent Firefox 150 release, though Mozilla notes it has not discovered vulnerabilities beyond the capabilities of elite human researchers.
SpaceX and Cursor strike partnership that might end in a $60 billion acquisition
SpaceX and AI company Cursor have announced a partnership that could lead to a $60 billion acquisition of Cursor by SpaceX later this year. The collaboration aims to leverage Cursor's AI coding tools and SpaceX's supercomputing infrastructure to advance AI model training. This potential deal follows SpaceX's earlier acquisition of Elon Musk's AI company, xAI.
Security researchers hacked the demo version of the European Commission's new age verification app in less than two…
Security researchers have reportedly bypassed the demo version of the European Commission's new age verification app in under two minutes by exploiting a PIN reset vulnerability. While the Commission states the exploit is limited to the demo and the final version will be secure, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about data security and the ease of bypassing age estimation services.
Steam’s Hidden Chrome Extension Support Changes Everything
Valve's Steam client, built on the Chromium engine, now supports Chrome Web Store extensions, allowing users to enhance their experience with tools like SteamDB and 'Is It On Game Pass'. This hidden functionality, while unofficial, significantly expands Steam's capabilities beyond a simple game launcher, turning it into a more integrated web browser. Users are advised to exercise caution and stick to trusted extensions due to potential security and performance implications.
Wine 11.7 released with DirectSound 7.1 support, VBScript improvements, MSXML updates
Wine 11.7 has been released, introducing DirectSound 7.1 speaker configuration support, VBScript compatibility fixes, and initial MSXML reimplementation without libxml2. This update also includes SRGB filter support in D3DX and resolves 35 bugs across various applications and games. The compatibility layer now defaults to Windows 10.
OpenAI's latest Codex update builds the groundwork for its upcoming super app
OpenAI has released a significant update to its Codex software, enhancing its AI agents with expanded capabilities for developers. The update introduces multi-purpose agents that can interact with PC applications, a built-in browser with a commenting system, and integrated image generation. These advancements lay the groundwork for OpenAI's planned desktop super app, which aims to combine ChatGPT, Codex, and its Atlas web browser into a unified experience.