Fechando esta semana com a nossa seleção de promoções na App Store!
Not Another Weekend, desenvolvido pelo pessoal da Dionous Games, é uma aventura point-and-click cheia de personalidade, humor absurdo e estética retrô — e o nosso destaque do dia.
No game você controla Mike Melkout, um mensageiro de hotel decidido a expulsar todos os hóspedes de um luxuoso estabelecimento durante um único fim de semana. O jogo mistura diálogos exagerados e um clima de sátira dos anos 1980, gerando uma experiência muito interessante.
Os quebra‑cabeças seguem o estilo clássico do gênero: lógicos, mas com aquele toque de maluquice que exige observar bem o cenário e experimentar combinações improváveis. A narrativa é o grande destaque, com personagens excêntricos e situações que parecem saídas de um filme cult.
Confira o trailer:
Aproveite a oferta e boa diversão! 🤩
Abaixo outros jogos/apps que, juntos, somam mais de R$430 em descontos:
Jogos
Jogo incremental.
Simulador de caça.
Torne-se trilionário.
Aplicativos
Utilitário para medições.
Efeitos para fotos.
Aproveite as ofertas e tenha um excelente final de semana! Vale lembrar que as ofertas são sempre por tempo limitado, então é bom correr. 🏎️
Há dois meses, falamos aqui sobre o RetinaDesk, um site muito bacana que ajuda você a escolher o melhor monitor externo para o seu Mac, levando em conta todas as especificidades dos computadores da Apple.
Pois bem, recentemente, a ferramenta ficou ainda mais completa com a adição de uma página que ajuda você a descobrir, de maneira extremamente intuitiva, a quantidade máxima de displays externos suportados pela sua máquina.
O banco de dados da ferramenta cobre todos os Macs com Apple Silicon lançados até hoje, bem como suas respectivas variantes — detalhe que joga o total de computadores listados pelo RetinaDesk para nada menos que 53.
Encontrar essa página é fácil: basta acessar o site do RetinaDesk, clicar na aba “Tools” na parte de cima da tela e, depois, selecionar a opção “Mac External Display Support by Chip” — ou simplesmente acessar esse link. Feito isso, é só selecionar o modelo do seu Mac na seção “Which Mac is it?” e, em seguida, sua respectiva variante — indicada pelo chip e o ano de lançamento (e, às vezes, o número de portas do computador) — em “Step 2”.
Captura de tela/RetinaDesk
Uma vez que você indicar o modelo do seu Mac, o número máximo de monitores externos ao qual ele pode ser conectado deverá aparecer à direita da tela, junto de uma ilustração do seu “setup máximo” — ou seja, com o maior número de monitores possível.
A nova página, no entanto, não para por aí, já que ela também conta com outra seção a qual ajuda você a montar setups com diferentes combinações de monitores, os quais podem ter resoluções e taxas de atualização distintas — sempre levando em conta, é claro, as limitações do seu computador. Ela também é uma boa forma de descobrir se o seu Mac suporta uma resolução ou uma taxa de atualização (ou uma combinação dessas duas coisas) específica.
Captura de tela/RetinaDesk
A seção “What each built-in port can drive”, por sua vez, exibe com quais resoluções/taxas de atualização cada porta do seu computador é compatível, além de revelar a sua versão (se é Thunderbolt 4 ou 5, por exemplo). Logo abaixo, temos a seção “How you can arrange the displays” que, como seu nome indica, mostra todas as combinações possíveis de monitores para a sua máquina.
Por fim, a ferramenta também deixa você comparar um Mac qualquer com outro modelo da sua escolha, checar se sua máquina precisa estar no modo clamshell para suportar um setup específico e aprender sobre soluções alternativas e suas respectivas concessões.
Captura de tela/RetinaDesk
Assim como o resto das ferramentas do RetinaDesk, essa nova página é totalmente gratuita, com o único “porém” sendo o fato de que ela não está disponível em português — problema que, é claro, pode ser facilmente remediado com a ajuda das ferramentas de tradução dos navegadores atuais.
O aplicativo Lembretes (Reminders) da Apple certamente é bem útil para a maioria dos usuários convencionais, mas um tanto quanto limitado para quem tem problemas sérios de esquecimento ou transtornos como o TDAH 1Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade..
Isso porque ele não notifica o usuário sobre lembretes definidos com a Siri sem um horário, simplesmente esquece lembretes quando as notificações são descartadas e conta com opções um pouco duvidosas de soneca.
Criado por Marco Arment (desenvolvedor responsável pelo famoso Overcast), o Unforgetful é um app desenhado para resolver esses três problemas. Ele usa os lembretes já cadastrados no app nativo da Apple e adiciona uma camada própria de notificações para ajudar o usuário a lembrá-los sempre.
Com uma filosofia minimalista (nada de pastas), o app entrega notificações que se repetem até que a tarefa seja concluída ou excluída. A soneca, por sua vez, tem intervalos que escalam à medida que o usuário cochila mais.
E tudo isso sem a necessidade de importar ou de cadastrar novos lembretes: basta substituir as notificações do app nativo pelas do Unforgetful para que tudo funcione de fato — inclusive com suporte à criação de lembretes por voz usando a Siri.
Além disso, o app conta com diferenciais como a captura rápida de lembretes com o Ditado, notificações espaçadas, backlogs de tarefas que não acumulam e lembretes baseados em localização com atraso configurável, para não notificar você antes da hora certa.
Disponível para iOS e macOS como um aplicativo universal, a assinatura unificada do app custa R$130/ano e quem baixá-lo tem direito a um teste gratuito de um mês.
Notas de rodapé
1
Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade.
Quem conta com muitos aplicativos instalados no Mac geralmente pode enfrentar dificuldades para monitorar as versões de cada um deles e até mesmo atualizá-los.
Essa dificuldade aumenta ainda mais para quem conta com muitos softwares instalados fora da Mac App Store, e mais ainda caso você seja um desenvolvedor e faça o uso de vários gerenciadores de pacote. O Version Tracker é um novo aplicativo que atua em todos esses cenários.
Ao estilo do velho MacUpdater (que foi descontinuado no início deste ano), o software faz uma varredura no macOS para monitorar 39 fontes diferentes de apps — desde aqueles disponíveis na Mac App Store, passando pelos que adotaram o frameworkSparkle ou por vários gerenciadores de pacotes.
Desenvolvedores, por exemplo, conseguirão verificar e atualizar (individualmente ou em lote) com facilidade as versões de dependências instaladas por gerenciadores como Homebrew, pip, npm, Docker — que por padrão são fragmentadas em vários mecanismos de atualizações.
O app conta com uma versão gratuita que permite verificar 48 fontes sem limite de tempo. Para mais fontes e atualização com um clique, é preciso assiná-lo (a assinatura custa a partir de 20€) ou comprá-lo por 50€ (essa compra inclui updates para todas as versões 1.x do software).
Para esta quinta-feira, aproveite a nossa seleção de promoções na App Store!
O ConoP – Timestamp every copy é o nosso destaque do dia: um utilitário minimalista, criado para quem precisa registrar rapidamente o momento exato em que copia um texto.
A ideia é simples: sempre que o usuário copia qualquer conteúdo, o app automaticamente adiciona a informação da data/hora, facilitando o rastreamento de informações, anotações ou registros que dependem de ordem cronológica. Essa automação elimina a necessidade de inserir manualmente essas informações, tornando o fluxo mais ágil e mais assertivo.
A interface segue com uma pegada direta, limpa e sem distrações. O foco está totalmente na função principal, o que torna o ConoP especialmente útil para profissionais que lidam com logs, pesquisadores, jornalistas ou qualquer pessoa que precise documentar eventos com precisão.
Embora seja um app simples, sua utilidade é clara: ele transforma uma ação cotidiana em um registro organizado e temporalmente estruturado. Se você procurava uma solução assim, aproveite agora mesmo essa oferta!
Abaixo outros jogos/apps que, juntos, somam quase R$90 em descontos:
Jogos
Acabe com bolhas.
Jogo educacional.
Jogo de estratégia.
Aplicativos
Utilitário para remédios.
Utilitário para códigos de porta.
Aproveite as ofertas e até amanhã! Vale lembrar que elas são sempre por tempo limitado, então é bom correr. 🛸
Para acessar os seus aplicativos prediletos do Mac com uma maior rapidez, é possível adicionar os ícones ao Dock — acessível por padrão na parte inferior da tela (mas que também pode ser colocado em uma das laterais, se você assim preferir).
Mas você já se perguntou por que esses ícones, em certos momentos, começam a pular?
Nesta terça-feira, confira e economize com a nossa seleção de promoções na App Store!
O NotifiNote, desenvolvido por Mert Can Kus, é uma forma diferente de lidar com anotações.
A proposta é simples: apresentar notas na Central de Notificações. Seja para uma lista de tarefas, ideias rápidas ou simplesmente um lembrete, o app é uma ótima opção para você que precisa ter alguma informação de forma rápida.
Procurando uma solução assim? Aproveite a oferta! 😬
Abaixo outros jogos/apps que, juntos, somam quase R$80 em descontos:
Jogos
Jogo de corrida.
Crie e se divirta.
Jogo de aventura.
Aplicativos
Notas e listas.
Atividades físicas.
Aproveite as ofertas e até amanhã! Vale lembrar que elas são sempre por tempo limitado, então é bom correr. 🚀
Animal testing has shaped modern drug development for decades, but its limitations become especially visible when scientists evaluate cancer immunotherapies. These treatments are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy malignant cells, yet the same powerful immune activation can trigger life-threatening complications in patients. Researchers at the University of Rochester are developing a human-cell-based alternative: miniature tissue models known as organs-on-a-chip that could help predict these toxicities before experimental medicines reach clinical trials.
The work is being led through the university’s Translational Center for Barrier Microphysiological Systems, or TraCe-bMPS. The center is building drug-development tools around modular µSiM tissue chips, devices that contain ultrathin membranes populated with human cells. Unlike conventional laboratory cultures, these systems are engineered to reproduce key features of biological barriers, including the physical separation between tissues, controlled exposure to drugs, and measurable inflammatory responses. Their modular construction also allows the devices to be manufactured in large quantities with consistent dimensions and materials.
The platform is based primarily on acrylic components and incorporates membranes designed to mimic interfaces found in the human body. Such barriers regulate the movement of molecules and immune cells between compartments, making them central to drug absorption, toxicity, and inflammation. By assembling reproducible chips with human cells, researchers can study how a therapy affects a tissue under conditions that more closely approximate human biology than many animal models. The design also makes it possible to modify individual components for different organs or disease settings.
A major feature of the Rochester system is the integration of sensors directly into the chips. Developed in part through the work of biomedical engineering professor Benjamin Miller, these sensors can track barrier function and inflammatory signaling in real time. Instead of waiting until the end of an experiment to examine damaged cells, researchers can observe how a tissue responds as a drug is introduced. Changes in electrical or molecular signals may reveal that a barrier is becoming more permeable or that inflammatory pathways are being activated, providing an early warning of toxicity.
The immediate focus is on two severe complications associated with some cancer immunotherapies. Cytokine release syndrome, commonly called CRS, occurs when activated immune cells release large quantities of signaling proteins known as cytokines. The resulting systemic inflammation can cause fever, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, and, in the most serious cases, organ failure. Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, or ICANS, can affect the nervous system, producing confusion, seizures, impaired speech, or other neurological symptoms. Both conditions are difficult to predict reliably with animal testing because species differ in immune signaling networks and cell-surface receptors.
“The goal is to predict these toxicities from human cells on a chip, before a drug ever reaches a patient, and to do it without relying on animal models that have repeatedly failed to predict CRS in people,” says James McGrath, director of TraCe-bMPS and the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Biomedical Engineering. The approach does not simply attempt to reproduce a whole human body in miniature. Instead, it focuses on specific biological barriers and immune interactions that are directly relevant to the safety question being studied.
The project has now reached an important regulatory stage. The team was accepted into the US Food and Drug Administration’s Innovative Science and Technology Approaches for New Drugs, or ISTAND, pilot program. ISTAND is intended to help evaluate emerging methods that could improve drug development and eventually support regulatory decisions. Acceptance does not mean that the tissue-chip platform has already been approved for routine use, but it creates a formal pathway for the researchers to work with the FDA on defining the evidence needed for qualification.
The Rochester group is preparing a detailed qualification plan that will describe clinical considerations, timelines, data-sharing procedures, and statistical methods for evaluating the technology. If the platform ultimately receives FDA qualification, pharmaceutical companies could use its results as part of the evidence submitted in support of new drug applications. Such recognition would represent a significant step for organs-on-a-chip research, which has expanded rapidly but has only rarely progressed into formal regulatory programs.
The effort comes as US regulators seek alternatives to animal testing in preclinical safety studies. The FDA Modernization Act 2.0, enacted in 2022, opened the door for non-animal methods, while the agency’s 2025 roadmap outlined further efforts to reduce reliance on animal models. Researchers say pharmaceutical companies are showing strong interest because many immunotherapies are already in clinical development and carry risks of CRS or ICANS. The Rochester team collaborated with Graham Marsh of the Critical Path Institute and consulted with scientists at Pfizer about how the tool could fit into real-world drug development. If successful, the technology could give researchers a more human-relevant way to identify dangerous immune reactions early, helping developers eliminate unsafe candidates and refine promising treatments before patients are exposed.
Subject of Research: Human-cell tissue chips for predicting cancer immunotherapy toxicities.
Web References: University of Rochester; Translational Center for Barrier Microphysiological Systems; University of Rochester Biomedical Engineering; FDA ISTAND pilot program; FDA Modernization Act 2.0.
Image Credits: URochester photo / J. Adam Fenster.
Around 11,000 years ago, communities in southwest Asia began one of the most consequential experiments in human history: growing their own food. Wild cereals, legumes and fruit-bearing plants were gradually brought under human management, setting in motion the transition from mobile hunter-gatherer lifeways to farming societies. For decades, archaeologists have assumed that one of the earliest signs of this transformation was an increase in cereal grain size. A new study, however, suggests that some of the biggest grains found at the dawn of agriculture may not have been genetically altered at all. They may simply have grown in wetter conditions.
The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, challenge a central assumption about how cereal domestication began. Researchers studying charred barley and emmer wheat grains from the Early Neolithic sites of el-Hemmeh and Sharara in the southern Levant found that the plants still possessed fully wild characteristics during the earliest phases of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. Their ears had brittle rachises, the structures that naturally break apart when mature, allowing seeds to disperse in the wild. There was no evidence of the tough, non-shattering rachis that later became one of the defining features of domesticated cereals.
The absence of non-shattering forms is significant because a tough rachis makes harvesting far more efficient. In wild cereals, the rachis fractures as the plant ripens, scattering seeds before people can collect them. A mutation that keeps the grains attached would have offered major advantages to human harvesters and could then have spread through repeated cultivation and replanting. Researchers have therefore often treated the appearance of non-shattering cereals as a key marker of domestication. Grain size, by contrast, has frequently been interpreted as an earlier signal that people were already selecting plants through cultivation.
At el-Hemmeh and Sharara, however, grain size told a more complicated story. Barley and emmer wheat remained morphologically wild, yet their grains varied dramatically. Some were as small as typical wild cereals, while others fell within the size range commonly associated with domesticated plants. If large grains were the product of genetic selection caused by systematic tillage, the researchers expected to find other evidence of intensive cultivation. Instead, the ecological evidence pointed toward relatively low-disturbance environments.
The team examined the weed species preserved alongside the cereal remains. Weeds are valuable archaeological indicators because different plants thrive under different environmental conditions. Species associated with heavily tilled or frequently disturbed soils were not dominant in the assemblages from these early sites. This weakened the argument that repeated ploughing or intensive soil preparation had already created strong selection for larger seeds. The researchers began looking for another explanation for the striking variation in grain size.
Their answer came from stable carbon isotope analysis. Carbon exists in several naturally occurring forms, or isotopes, and plants incorporate these isotopes in ways that are influenced by their growing conditions. In cereals, the stable carbon isotopic composition of a grain can reflect the balance between carbon uptake and water loss during photosynthesis. When plants experience water stress, changes in gas exchange through their leaves alter the carbon isotope signal recorded in their tissues. By measuring this signal in ancient grains, scientists can reconstruct aspects of the moisture conditions under which the plants grew.
The results showed a strong relationship between grain size and water availability. Barley grains that reached domestic-sized dimensions had carbon isotope values indicating that they developed under wetter conditions. Smaller, wild-sized grains carried signatures consistent with considerably drier growth environments. The difference suggests that environmental moisture, rather than inherited genetic change, was responsible for much of the early increase in cereal grain size. In other words, the same wild plant population could produce grains of very different sizes depending on the conditions it experienced during development.
This phenomenon is known as developmental plasticity: the ability of a single genotype to produce different physical traits in response to the environment. It is widespread in plants and can affect characteristics such as height, leaf area, flowering time and seed production. In the Early Holocene southern Levant, developmental plasticity may have created the visual impression that cereals were already becoming domesticated. People collecting and replanting the largest grains might eventually have generated genetic selection, but the initial size increase itself appears to have been ecological rather than evolutionary.
“Environmental conditions provided a much better explanation for the observed variation in grain size than genetic selection under tillage,” said Dr Jade Whitlam of the University of Oxford, who led the study. The researchers propose that genetic selection for larger grains may have occurred later than previously thought, perhaps after selection for non-shattering rachises had already begun. This reverses the sequence often assumed in models of domestication and places greater emphasis on the complex interaction between climate, plant biology and human harvesting practices.
The study also reframes the origins of agriculture as a gradual process of niche construction rather than a sudden decision to domesticate plants. Early communities altered their relationship with wild vegetation through harvesting, protection, transport and repeated use of particular landscapes. These practices may have changed plant populations long before crops displayed unmistakable domestication traits. By combining archaeobotany, weed ecology and stable isotope evidence, the researchers argue that the first steps toward agriculture were not necessarily driven by deliberate genetic engineering of crops, but by prolonged human management operating within a variable environment. The result is a more nuanced picture of farming’s origins—one in which climate could temporarily make wild cereals look domesticated before their genomes caught up.
Subject of Research: The environmental and biological processes that influenced cereal grain size and plant domestication in the Early Holocene southern Levant.
Article Title: Developmental plasticity under human management shaped cereal evolution prior to domestication in the Early Holocene southern Levant
Microsoft Edge may soon let you sign in with an Apple account. The latest Canary build of Edge includes flags that, if enabled, let you sign into the browser with your Apple account.
Using your Apple account within Edge will make it easier to keep your bookmarks, history, and other content synced across your phone and your PC. Many people, including myself, use a computer running Windows 11 and an iPhone.
The change was spotted by Leo Varela, who often leaks or highlights features in Edge and other browsers.
In Edge Canary for desktop there are a couple of new flags to enable support for signing in with an Apple account. Microsoft added support for Google accounts some time ago and has now added support for Apple accounts: https://t.co/34BBm0b3Wi pic.twitter.com/BNMrpB8pkOAugust 10, 2026
Microsoft did not initially plan to support non-Microsoft accounts within Edge. Google account support rolled out recently and now support for Apple accounts appears to be on the way.
Of course, you could use Edge without any account at all. The browser works without requiring signing in. But syncing data and some other features require using some sort of account to sign in.
Windows Central take
Microsoft once pushed its apps aggressively on iOS and Android. Since 2015, the company has shut down several apps and left others in maintenance mode. (Image credit: Windows Central)
It's interesting to see how Microsoft's cross-platform app strategy has shifted over the years. Some apps have been available on other platforms for over a decade, but Microsoft increased its efforts to have a presence on iOS and Android after shutting down Windows Phone.
With no phone operating system of its own, Microsoft aimed to provide a premier experience for its services on Android and iOS to meet people where they are. Microsoft bought up popular apps like Wunderlist and SwiftKey to make a Microsoft experience on mobile platforms made by Google and Apple.
These days, several Microsoft apps feel like abandonware and others lag behind the competition. The glory days of the "iPhone Pro" are over.
I do appreciate flexibility when it comes to signing in to Edge, but I can't help but wonder if adding support for Google and Apple accounts is an admission that Microsoft can't even get people to use a Microsoft account in Microsoft Edge.
Rather than trying to force users into the Microsoft umbrella, the company seems to be accepting its mobile reality. It is finally conceding that to keep PC users on Edge, it has to let them live inside Google and Apple's account ecosystems instead.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Microsoft PowerToys will soon add on-device support for Phi Silica. Microsoft called that small language model (SLM) "small but mighty" when announcing it in 2024. Now, that model is available for Advanced Paste in the latest PowerToys preview.
Advanced Paste is a utility in PowerToys that formats content from your clipboard. It supports several formats, including plain text, markdown, and JSON. You can also use it to extract text from images using OCR and transcode audio and video files.
When first launched, Advanced Paste required an OpenAI API key, but PowerToys later added support for other models. Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Gemini, and Mistral are cloud services that work with Advanced Paste. Foundry Local and Ollama both work with the feature locally.
Phi Silica is now available as an option for local AI processing in the latest preview.
While you may not have heard of Phi Silica, you've likely heard of tools it powers if you have a Copilot+ PC. Click to Do and on-device rewriting in Word and Outlook are powered by Phi Silica.
Phi Silica uses the NPU of a device, which helps with efficiency.
The GitHub page for PowerToys lists all the changes in the latest preview. Here are the highlights from the same page:
View the changelog ↴
PowerToys v0.101.2211.0 Highlights
Advanced Paste: Added an on-device Phi Silica provider and more per-action AI customization options.
Command Palette: Improved dialog handling, icon loading, memory cleanup, theme behavior, and dock performance monitoring.
Window management: Improved shutdown behavior across FancyZones, Grab And Move, and Always On Top, and made Always On Top borders render solidly at full opacity.
Keyboard Manager: Fixed the elevated Run Program browse flow in the new editor.
Mouse Jump: Moved Mouse Jump to the newer WinUI app architecture and packaged its new binaries into signed release builds.
Settings: Added an update channel selector and a guided Bug Report flow with progress and a GitHub shortcut.
Quick Accent: Made press-and-hold activation cancel cleanly so the picker appears only when intended.
Preview releases: Added dedicated preview-release versioning and update-channel support so preview builds can be published and tested independently from stable releases.
PowerToys has a growing library of utilities, so there's a lot to look at in the latest preview even if you do not care about AI. Command Palette will perform better and Window management has been improved across FancyZones, Grab And Move, and Always On Top.
This collection of utilities includes a large library of features to enhance the Windows experience. PowerToys is designed with power users in mind, but it has handy features for people who just use their PC for everyday computing too.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Like millions of other people, I have a Windows 11 PC and an iPhone. I'm envious of some of the ways Macs and iPhones connect, but I still rely on Windows 11 for everyday work and my hobbies.
AirDrop is one of the features I want the most when looking over the digital fence at my friends who are fully in the Apple ecosystem. While you cannot use AirDrop on a PC, there are some great alternatives.
"Does anyone actually have a good way to transfer files between an iPhone and a Windows PC?" asked Reddit user Palunath in the r/Windows11 subreddit. Users responded with several options, but two stood out: Blip and LocalSend.
Reddit delivered with both those recommendations. I downloaded both and have used them over the last week. I'm hardly the first person to highlight these apps, but if people are asking for AirDrop alternatives on Windows 11, they likely haven't heard of Blip and LocalSend.
Top pick: Blip
Transferring files is quicker and easier if both of your devices are on the same network, but Blip works when on different networks as well.
Blip is my top pick. It's easy to use, has an interface that feels familiar, and it's extremely fast. It's similar to AirDrop but without the Apple exclusivity.
Blip supports sending files and folders without any size limits (Blip's website says "99TB? Game on").
Not having to zip folders is a big plus, as is being able to send large photo files.
Blip is free for non-commercial use. If you're a business user or want priority speed, you can subscribe for $25 per user per month.
Signing up for Blip is easy and just requires entering your email and confirming the code you're sent.
Connecting an iPhone and a PC can be awkward unless you have the right apps. (Image credit: Future)
LocalSend works very well, but its structure has some pros and cons. Because it works through your network, it works without the internet. It's also incredibly fast, assuming your Wi-Fi network has quick speeds.
LocalSend doesn't require an account or logging in. Your devices from the network just appear within the app. You can mark devices as favorites to streamline sharing as well.
You can send files to a single recipient or multiple recipients as well, which makes LocalSend feel a bit more like AirDrop.
LocalSend is open-source, fully offline, and peer-to-peer, so it's a great choice for people who value privacy.
The obvious drawback is that LocalSend is for sending files locally. If you just need to send files at home or work when devices are on the same network, LocalSend provides a seamless experience.
OneDrive and iCloud
Blip and LocalSend are made for sharing files on demand. If you want to sync entire folders or all of your files, you can use apps like OneDrive or iCloud.
In my experience, these apps are much slower at syncing and sending files, but they're a great way to back up content.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Bumble backtracks on “women make the first move.” | Image: The Verge
Bumble was famously built around exclusively giving women the power to initiate messages in heterosexual matches when it first launched in 2014 - but now the times they are a-changin' for the dating app. Today, Bumble has announced a "global evolution to its signature conversation experience": anyone can now send the first message, and the deadline to respond before the match expires has been extended from 24 hours to a 72-hour window.
"While women making the first move was a radical idea, being women-first was never about prescribing just one way to connect. It was about designing an experience with women's needs in mind to create better o …
This particular kit is an upgraded version of the one we've seen Hoto sell over recent months, with more driver bits and a more robust case for users. The 40% discount isn't quite a record low, but it's on the lower end of the scale, and it's still a good price for the kit you're getting here. This is a good upgrade for a PC builder or hobbyist, as well as for any DIY tasks at home.
This Hoto magnetic electronic screwdriver is powered by a 1,500 mAh battery, allowing you to drive over 1,000 screws on a single USB-C charge. It weighs 250g, features three different torque settings, and includes 25 ultra-hard screw bits, rated for 60HRC hardness on the Rockwell scale.View Deal
The 3.6V driver is the same model that several Tom's Hardware staffers own, and it comes with a 1,500 mAh battery that should reportedly allow you to drive over 1,000 screws without a charge. From my own use, that feels about right, as I've been using it almost every weekend since January and I've only needed to charge it once. USB-C charging is easy using the supplied cable, and it takes about two and a half hours to fully charge.
The driver is fully adjustable, with three torque settings, along with a sensor that stops driving as soon as you release control. It has a circular LED light at the top to help you see what you're driving, which is useful in those dark spaces, especially inside a PC case. The driver is magnetic, too, so you should find it easier to keep hold of any tiny screws.
The screwdriver and bits come with an upgraded storage case to help protect and organize the set while you're not using it. This is a nice upgrade over the circular casing that came with the earlier NEX O1 Pro kit, which, while compact, was a little tricky to open from time to time. You also get 24 different screw bits, along with an extended PH2 bit, which should cover all of the bases, giving you Phillips, Torx, flat, hexagon, and Pozidriv head options, which are all rated for 60HRC on the Rockwell scale.
This $29.99 25-piece Hoto screwdriver set is a must-buy for PC builders and DIYers, and the 40% discount makes it a good price. I wouldn't be without mine, and I've found it to be a particularly versatile driver to reach for when I need a lightweight driver with a bit of extra power.
We all know that prices of memory, storage, and graphics cards have all shot up in price this year due to the insane AI-boom sucking up all the production resources, and the outlook for PC component upgrades is pretty grim, but luckily there are still a few ways to nab a gaming computer without emptying your bank account. Gigabyte's Aero X16 gaming laptop is down to $ 1,099.99 at Walmart, a $600 discount off the $1,699.99 list price. A gaming laptop or a pre-built gaming desktop is turning out to be the best value-for-money way to keep playing in the current climate.
The Gigabyte Aero X16 features an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, an 8-core, 16-thread processor that can boost up to 5 GHz, paired with an Nvidia RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD for storage.
The Aero X16 laptop sports a 16-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, offering 100% sRGB color gamut coverage and up to 400 nits of brightness. The IPS panel supports a refresh rate of 165Hz with a 3ms gray-to-gray response time for a smooth gaming experience.
There's no unified soldered RAM or storage in this laptop either. There are dual memory and M.2 slots for upgrades, so that when the prices of RAM or SSDs hopefully subside a little, you can add some more capacity.
Featuring an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a 165 Hz 16-inch IPS panel, and dual storage expansion support, the Gigabyte Aero X16 stands out as a versatile gaming and productivity machine at an affordable price.View Deal
Other features of the Aero X16 include a single-zone RGB-backlit keyboard, a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello support, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2. For connectivity to peripherals and external displays, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A ports, a USB 4.0 Type-C port, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone and mic combo jack, plus a network Ethernet port.
Samsung smartphones are known for their excellent camera performance, but the camera shutter sound can sometimes be inconvenient, especially when taking photos in quiet environments such as libraries, meetings, museums, or during personal moments.
Depending on your Samsung phone model, region, and software version, the method for disabling the camera sound may vary. This guide explains the common ways to turn off or reduce the camera shutter sound on Samsung Galaxy devices.
Why Does a Samsung Phone Make a Camera Shutter Sound?
The camera shutter sound is designed to provide an audible confirmation that a photo has been captured.
However, in some countries and regions, smartphone manufacturers are required by law to keep the shutter sound enabled to protect privacy and prevent unauthorized photography.
Because of these regional regulations:
Some Samsung phones allow the shutter sound to be disabled
Some models only allow it to be muted through system sound settings
Some versions permanently keep the shutter sound enabled
If you cannot find the option, it may be restricted by your device’s region settings.
Method 1: Disable Camera Shutter Sound Through Camera Settings
On many Samsung Galaxy phones, you can turn off the shutter sound directly from the Camera app.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Camera App
Launch the built-in Camera application on your Samsung phone.
Step 2: Enter Camera Settings
Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-left or top-right corner.
Step 3: Find Shutter Sound Option
Look for:
Shutter sound
or
Camera sounds
Step 4: Turn It Off
Toggle the option off.
After disabling it, taking photos will no longer produce the camera shutter sound.
Note: This option is not available on every Samsung model.
Method 2: Turn Off Camera Sound by Using Silent Mode
If your Samsung phone does not provide a shutter sound option, you can try muting system sounds.
Steps:
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
Tap the Sound icon.
Change the phone mode to:
Silent
Vibrate
Open the Camera app and take a photo.
On many Galaxy devices, the shutter sound follows the system volume settings.
Method 3: Lower System Volume Settings
Another simple method is reducing the system sound volume.
Steps:
Open:
Settings → Sounds and vibration
Select:
Volume
Reduce:
System volume
to the lowest level.
Then test the camera again.
Depending on your Samsung model, the shutter sound may disappear.
Method 4: Use Samsung Modes and Routines
Samsung’s Modes and Routines feature allows automatic sound control.
You can create a routine that switches your phone to silent mode when entering specific locations or situations.
For example:
Library
Office
Meeting room
Setup Steps:
Open:
Settings → Modes and Routines
Tap:
Routines
Create a new routine.
Set a condition:
Location
Time
App opened
Add an action:
Sound mode → Silent
This can automatically disable camera sounds when needed.
Method 5: Use Third-Party Camera Apps
If the Samsung Camera app does not allow shutter sound control, some third-party camera applications may offer additional options.
Examples include:
Open Camera
Other professional camera apps
These apps may provide settings such as:
Disable camera sound
Custom shutter options
Manual controls
However, availability depends on your phone model and Android version.
Method 6: Change the Phone Region (Advanced Option)
Some Samsung phones sold in regions where shutter sounds are mandatory cannot disable the sound.
Advanced users sometimes change the device region or firmware version to another market where disabling the shutter sound is allowed.
However, this method is not recommended for most users because it may:
Affect warranty service
Cause software issues
Require firmware flashing knowledge
Always check your local laws before changing regional settings.
How to Turn Off Camera Sound on Popular Samsung Galaxy Models
Samsung Galaxy S Series
For Galaxy S models:
Open Camera
Tap Settings
Disable Shutter sound if available
If the option is missing:
Use Silent mode
Lower system volume
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip Series
Foldable Galaxy phones usually follow the same camera settings:
Camera → Settings → Shutter sound
If unavailable:
Enable Silent mode before taking photos
Samsung Galaxy A Series
Budget and mid-range Galaxy A phones may have different software versions.
Try:
Camera settings
Sound settings
Silent mode
Why Can’t I Disable the Camera Sound on My Samsung Phone?
If the shutter sound cannot be turned off, possible reasons include:
1. Regional Restrictions
Some countries require phones to make a camera sound.
2. Carrier Firmware
Carrier-specific software may remove the option.
3. Android Version Differences
New One UI versions may change camera settings locations.
4. Device Model Limitations
Not all Samsung Galaxy models support shutter sound control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely remove the Samsung camera shutter sound?
It depends on your phone model and region. Some devices allow it through Camera settings, while others only allow muting through sound modes.
Does silent mode always disable the camera sound?
Not always. Some Samsung phones still keep the shutter sound active due to regional restrictions.
Can I turn off the screenshot sound too?
Screenshot sounds are controlled separately and may also depend on your region settings.
Will disabling camera sound affect photo quality?
No. Turning off the shutter sound only changes audio feedback and does not affect camera performance or image quality.
Final Thoughts
Turning off the camera shutter sound on a Samsung phone is usually simple if your device supports the option. Start by checking:
Camera App → Settings → Shutter Sound
If that option is unavailable, try:
Silent mode
Reducing system volume
Using Samsung Modes and Routines
Trying a compatible third-party camera app
Keep in mind that some Samsung phones sold in certain regions are required to keep the shutter sound enabled, so the available options may depend on your device model and location.
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) takes a snapshot of Australia through the Census. The last one was held in 2021, which means households across the country are being contacted again in 2026.
The information collected helps show how Australia's population and households are changing and is used to plan services and infrastructure, from schools and hospitals to transport and housing.
This guide answers the key questions about the 2026 Census, including when to complete it, who needs to be counted, what happens if you're late, fines, privacy and what to do if you're away from home.
The ABS also has a handy guide to doing the Census. It's a useful overview, but we've gone a little further below by answering some of the practical questions it doesn't cover.
If you're unsure how the Census rules apply to your situation, call the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227 for advice.
When is the 2026 Census in Australia?
Census night for the 2026 Census is Tuesday August 11 2026. Think of it as the snapshot date: questions about where you're staying and who's in your household should reflect Tuesday night.
You can complete the form earlier if you've received your instructions and already know where you'll be on August 11. If your plans are still up in the air, it's better to wait until you know where you'll be staying.
Can you complete the Census after Census night?
Census night isn't a hard submission deadline. If you haven't completed the form on Tuesday August 11, you can still submit it on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or later.
The ABS continues collecting forms and following up with households after Census night, so if you're late, complete it as soon as you can.
(Image credit: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS))
Is the 2026 Census compulsory in Australia?
Yes. Completing and submitting the 2026 Census is compulsory under the Census and Statistics Act 1905. But being late doesn't automatically mean you'll be fined.
The ABS first follows up with people who haven't completed their form. If someone still doesn't respond, they may be sent a written direction formally requiring them to provide the information. Ignoring that direction can lead to prosecution and a fine.
How much is the fine for not completing the Census?
If you've received a written direction and still don't comply, you can face a fine of up to AU$364 for each day you don't comply.
The Census is designed to count everyone who's in Australia on Census night. That includes babies and children, international students, visitors and visa holders.
That doesn't mean everyone fills out their own form. In most homes, one person completes the household form for everyone staying there that night.
What if you don't have a fixed address?
You should still be included in the Census. If you're experiencing homelessness, the ABS provides Census field staff and other support to help you take part. If you're staying with someone on Census night, you can be included on their household form.
If you're travelling around Australia without a fixed or return address, such as camping, or in a caravan or boat, you still need to be included in the Census.
You'll generally be counted where you're staying on Census night. A caravan, tent or boat can be counted as your dwelling for the night, including at a caravan park, camping ground or marina.
If you don't have a usual address, the 2026 Census form lets you record that. For the usual-address question, the ABS says to select Elsewhere in Australia, choose Enter address manually and enter None in the suburb/locality box.
How do you complete the 2026 Census?
For most households, the process starts with instructions to complete the Census online. These include a Census number and temporary password you can use to access the form.
The ABS says the average household takes about 30 minutes to complete it.
What if you haven't received or have lost your Census letter?
Yes. Paper forms are available to anyone who wants one. Some households will receive a paper form automatically, while others can request one if they'd rather not complete the Census online.
If you need help completing the Census, the Census website has support options, including language and accessibility support. You can also contact the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.
What if there are more than six people in your household?
A paper Census form can include up to six people. If more than six people are staying at your address on Census night, you can complete the Census online or request an extra paper form.
Can you complete your Census answers privately?
Yes. If you don't want other people in your household to see your answers, you can request a separate Census form and complete your information privately. The ABS explains how this works in its 2026 Census collection notice.
Can you change your Census answers after submitting the form?
Once a Census form has been submitted, the ABS says it can't be reopened or edited.
We couldn't find specific online guidance for what happens if you complete the Census early and your plans later change, so we called the ABS media line to clarify. The advice was to contact the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227. They'll talk you through the options if your plans have changed or you've realised you made a significant mistake.
Separately, the ABS has processes for dealing with multiple responses. If more than one Census form is submitted for the same person, it keeps the one containing the most complete information about that person.
(Image credit: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS))
What if you're away from home on Census night?
If you're away from your usual home on Census night, you'll generally be counted where you actually spend the night. Your usual address can record you as temporarily away.
That can include staying with friends or family or spending the night in a hotel, hospital or aged care home. The ABS also has arrangements for people travelling overnight by plane, train or bus.
If you're temporarily overseas on Census night, you won't be counted in the Census for that night.
What if you're working on Census night?
If you're working overnight but will return to your usual home on Wednesday August 12 and won't be included on a Census form elsewhere, the ABS says you can be included on the form for your usual home.
How are FIFO workers counted in the Census?
Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers who are staying at a worksite or camp on Census night should generally be counted there. For example, if you normally live in Perth but you're at a mining camp in the Pilbara, you'd be counted at the camp and listed as temporarily away from your usual address in Perth.
Why might a Census field officer visit your home?
Census field officers may visit homes to deliver letters or forms, help people complete the Census or follow up after Census night where a completed form hasn't been received.
So a knock at the door doesn't automatically mean there's a problem. In some areas, field visits are simply part of how the Census is carried out.
How can you check if a Census worker is genuine?
If someone claiming to work for the Census contacts you and you're unsure whether they're genuine, verify them through official ABS channels rather than relying on the contact details they give you. Use the official Census website or call the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.
How can you tell if a Census text, email or website is genuine?
The same caution applies to texts, emails and websites. The ABS says genuine Census text messages use the sender ID CENSUS, while texts about other ABS surveys use ABSGov. The official Census website uses a .gov.au address.
(Image credit: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS))
What questions are on the 2026 Census?
The 2026 Census contains 66 questions covering areas such as your household, age, cultural background, education, work and income, housing, religion and people who are away on Census night.
One of the biggest changes in 2026 is the addition of questions about gender and sexual orientation. Everyone is asked about their sex as recorded at birth, while people aged 16 and over are also asked about their gender and how they describe their sexual orientation.
The ABS says the change is intended to build a clearer picture of Australia's LGBTQ+ population and help inform health and community services. If you'd prefer not to answer, both the gender and sexual orientation questions include a prefer not to answer option.
People can also report up to four ancestries in the 2026 Census.
Do you have to answer every Census question?
No. The question about religion is explicitly marked as optional on the 2026 Census form.
The gender and sexual orientation questions for people aged 16 and over also include a "prefer not to answer" option. So, while taking part in the Census itself is compulsory, that doesn't mean every question requires you to provide a particular answer.
Is your 2026 Census information private?
Yes. Census information is protected by law, and the ABS says it doesn't share identifiable information from your Census form with other government departments or direct marketing companies.
That means your individual Census answers aren't handed to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to check your tax return or to Centrelink to check your eligibility for a payment.
No. The Census isn't anonymous because it asks for names and addresses. However, the ABS separates names and addresses from other Census information after processing.
When will the 2026 Census results be released?
The first 2026 Census results are due to be released in June 2027, with further data releases continuing into 2028.
Census data will be free to access through ABS tools including QuickStats, TableBuilder and ABS Data Maps.
(Image credit: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS))
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