DIY

Technology News

  • Carry your most-used apps on a USB drive for portable, private computing
    November 2, 2025, 8:22 PM EST. Keep apps and settings on a USB to run anywhere without installs or admin rights. Portable apps leave no trace, but pair them with encryption for true privacy. Store a portable app manager, Firefox Portable, and Notepad++ for a pocket desktop. For most people, software today requires installation, burying programs in the OS, and creating junk. A portable drive lets you carry a consistent experience across devices-friend's laptops, library PCs, or your home computer. A truly portable app is self-contained, running from the drive with all data stored in one folder. This overview explains what makes apps portable and how to use them securely in public or shared machines.
  • Grit: South Africa's AI chatbot Zuzi helps abuse survivors through a community-led app
    November 2, 2025, 8:20 PM EST. South Africa's Leonora Tima created Grit, an AI-powered platform with a chatbot named Zuzi to help survivors of gender-based violence record, report, and access a rapid-response. Backed by Mozilla, the Gates Foundation, and the Patrick McGovern Foundation, the free app aims to complement human support rather than replace it. In community testing, users learn how technology fits into their lives and what stops them from seeking help. Grit records 20 seconds of audio and alerts a private rapid-response center, building an evidence trail while people navigate tricky routes to justice. With about 13,000 users and 10,000 requests in September, critics stress that empathetic, professional support remains essential, but this is an African solution designed with local communities.
  • Canva makes Affinity free, sparking debate among artists and designers
    November 2, 2025, 8:18 PM EST. Canva has made the bundled Affinity app free for all, triggering a lively debate in the design community. The app combines Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher into one desktop tool-previously sold separately for up to about $70 each. Canva's acquisition of Serif and the subsequent halt of Affinity sales fueled speculation about what's next. Some creators celebrate a potential Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign alternative with no cost, while others fear reduced updates, a creeping subscription trap, or AI-training implications. Critics ask what Canva gains beyond goodwill; supporters point to a robust free option that could pressure rivals and reshape workflows. The new app reportedly lacks built-in AI, while Canva's wider Creative Operating System leans on an AI model. The outcome remains uncertain as the industry watches closely.
  • Affinity goes free forever: the lean Photoshop alternative redefining the photographer's toolbox
    November 2, 2025, 8:16 PM EST. Affinity, the lean, feature-rich Photoshop alternative, began as a bold free-then-paid option and has now gone completely free for everyone. The reporter recalls early previews in 2014 and notes Affinity's performance, rivaling Photoshop and Illustrator with powerful tools like selection tools, clone stamps, adjustment layers, masks, and blending modes. Despite Adobe's subscription model and AI-leaning features, Affinity's abandonment of the ransom-based pricing marks a watershed moment. Since its acquisition by Canva, it remains a robust, no-nonsense editor that finally removes the barrier for photographers to edit images without monthly fees. If you haven't tried it, now is the time-it's free forever, full-featured, and a compelling alternative to Creative Cloud.
  • DJI Osmo Action 6 rumored with **1/1.1-inch sensor** and **variable aperture**
    November 2, 2025, 8:12 PM EST. Rumors suggest DJI is prepping the Osmo Action 6, featuring a 1/1.1-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2.0-f/4.0 variable aperture and 8K/30fps recording, at a $329 starting price. But evidence is unverified: The New Camera cites a brand insider email sent to YouTuber PhotoRabz claiming a November 19 launch, while other sources list earlier dates (October 24 or November 10). DJI is expected to publish an official teaser by November 12. No independent verification has surfaced. If true, the Osmo Action 6 would mark a notable upgrade in action-cam capabilities for rugged compact cameras.