Author: sparta

Comparison between Windows 11 Home and Pro: Main Differences and Features

When you purchase a brand-new PC, one of the initial choices you’ll encounter is whether to remain with Windows 11 Home – the version that is typically preinstalled on the majority of consumer laptops and desktops — or upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, which is tailored for enterprise users. At first glance, both versions appear almost identical. Both offer Microsoft’s latest operating system with Snap Layouts for multitasking and Widget support. You’ll also experience the same performance, gaming enhancements like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, and regular feature updates straight from Microsoft. The distinctions begin to emerge once you explore the Windows settings, such as security, networking, and system management. Windows 11 Pro provides access to a range of advanced tools, such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and Remote Desktop hosting.

All of these are designed to offer IT teams and power users greater control over a PC. The Pro version additionally supports joining a domain or Azure Active Directory, which makes it an ideal choice for workplaces and organizations where centralized management is essential. In contrast, Windows 11 Home removes those additional features for a more streamlined, simpler package aimed at everyday users. So which option suits you best? If your PC is primarily for browsing, gaming, or light productivity, Windows 11 Home will meet the fundamental needs. However, if you operate a business, depend on advanced security functionalities, or require remote access and virtualization, Windows 11 Pro may justify the extra investment.

What is Windows 11 Home?

OpenAI Creating TikTok-Influenced Application for Sora 2 AI Video Material

Meta introduced Vibes a few days back, and OpenAI is expected to soon launch the TikTok of AI-generated video content. As reported by Wired (via Gizmodo), the application will utilize the upcoming Sora 2 video model that the developer of ChatGPT is set to reveal soon.

OpenAI released the initial public version of Sora last December, well ahead of the arrival of tools like Google’s Veo 3. Nevertheless, Sora did not achieve the level of popularity that OpenAI’s 4o image generation model would garner a few months later. Meanwhile, Google’s Veo 3 stands out as one of the leading AI video generation tools to be introduced this year.

The prospect of OpenAI launching a social application centered on AI-generated content is somewhat concerning, particularly given that numerous individuals are not fond of AI-generated material. However, this is not the sole piece of troubling news. OpenAI is reportedly planning to incorporate an unsettling feature into its AI social app, requiring users to confirm their identity through a facial recognition system. Compounding this issue is a Wall Street Journal report indicating that copyright holders will need to opt out if they do not wish for their copyrighted works to be included in Sora 2 content.

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13 Essential iPad Applications for Every User

iPad Pro and iPad Air ranking among its most sought-after devices. For numerous individuals, it represents an ideal balance between a smartphone and a laptop. The experience, however, greatly relies on the apps you decide to install. With over 1.9 million applications accessible in the App Store and billions of downloads registered over the years, there’s no deficiency of options vying for your focus. The real inquiry is which ones truly merit a permanent place on your device.

A thoughtfully curated assortment of apps can transform the iPad into a digital notebook, a mobile office, or a center for entertainment and creativity. They can also assist users in maximizing the hardware’s capabilities, whether it involves editing documents, drawing, streaming, or organizing daily activities.

This collection showcases the vital iPad apps that should be on every user’s radar. Each app provides distinct value, addresses a critical need, and enhances the overall iPad experience.

Procreate

YouTuber Unveils Unreleased M5 iPad Pro in Initial Unboxing Clip

unannounced M5 iPad Pro. Following a report that Apple was preparing for a forthcoming release of its next flagship iPad Pro, a Russian YouTuber has unboxed and provided us with an early glimpse of Apple’s latest tablet.

What’s intriguing about this hands-on video is that it seemingly shows Apple is reusing the M4 iPad Pro packaging, and the speculations that the company would introduce a second camera to enhance FaceTime and unlock the iPad with Face ID are inaccurate. Instead, the successor to the M4 iPad Pro seems to focus solely on enhancements to RAM, CPU, and GPU, while the design stays identical. In fact, everything else remains unchanged as well, and it should be compatible with all accessories launched last year. With that in mind, let’s explore further what the video revealed about the M5 iPad Pro.

M5 iPad Pro is a slight enhancement over the M4 model

In comparison to the M4 iPad Pro, the M5 version includes 12GB of RAM instead of 8GB. It remains uncertain if the 1TB variant still features 16GB of RAM or if Apple plans to boost the memory to 24GB.

The new M5 chip on the iPad Pro achieves 10% higher single-core and 15% higher multi-core performance than the earlier generation. The advancements are primarily on the GPU, which Geekbench 6 results indicate is 34% quicker than the M4 model.

While the appearance of the new iPad appears to be consistent with that of M4, it’s notable that Apple is now providing a braided black USB-C to USB-C cable for the

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An In-Depth Manual for Leveraging AI Editing Tools within Google Photos

Magic Editor has been removed, but numerous AI tools are available to fill that void.

Google Photos has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and this milestone has introduced a comprehensive redesign of the app’s editing functions. The Magic Editor, a key feature of the Google Photos app that debuted with the Google Pixel 8 series, has now been restructured into several individual tools. You’ll find Magic Eraser for removing objects, along with Move and Reimagine for generative editing, in addition to a variety of other AI capabilities.

If the new layout is confusing, this thorough guide will assist you in mastering the AI functions within the Google Photos app. Many of these tools are accessible to anyone with a Google account, meaning you don’t need a Google Pixel phone or a subscription to utilize them. Let’s get started!

Google Photos: Features and accessibility

The Google Photos app on Android 16 now features the updated editing interface, which you can access by selecting a photo and tapping the Edit button on the toolbar. Instead of a dedicated Magic Editor button within the Edit interface, a new toolbar offers Auto, Actions, Markup, Filters, Lighting, and Color tabs. Next to the toolbar, there’s a Search button that enables you to find the specific tool you need, which is always useful if you’re struggling to locate something in the new design.

Magic Editor is no longer available, but its fundamental features have been retained under different names and locations. When you tap or circle a part of a photo with the editor open, you’ll encounter options for Erase, Move, and Reimagine. Essentially, the updated version of Magic Eraser serves as a replacement for the original Magic Editor object removal tool, while Move and Reimagine continue to exist. The last tool from Magic Editor, Auto frame, is now integrated into the Crop interface within the Actions toolbar.

You will see this new Google Photos editor once you update your Android phone to the most recent version of Android 16. Currently, the iOS iteration of Google Photos seems to still have the older interface with Magic Editor intact.

Google Photos: How to utilize Magic Eraser

Magic Eraser is now the primary tool for object removal in Google Photos, and there are two methods to apply it. Here’s how:

1. Launch the Google Photos app and choose a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button on the toolbar.
3. Navigate to the Actions tab and select Magic Eraser. Alternatively, tap or circle the section of the photo you wish to alter and hit Erase.
4. If you haven’t done so already, tap or circle the part of the image you want to remove.
5. Tap Erase to activate Magic Eraser, or press Deselect or Refine selection if the editor fails to identify the object correctly.
6. Click the checkmark to accept the edited version or tap the back button to try again.
7. Tap Save as copy to add the revised version to your Google Photos library.

Google Photos: How to utilize Photo Unblur

Photo Unblur is a useful feature that employs AI to enhance blurry images, functioning best with older photos affected by motion blur. It’s now located in a different area of the Google Photos app, but here’s how to access it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and choose a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button on the toolbar.
3. Go to the Actions tab and select Photo Unblur.
4. After completion, utilize the slider to adjust the intensity, and tap Save as copy to include the unblurred photo in your gallery.

Google Photos: How to utilize Reimagine

Reimagine is a generative AI feature embedded in the Google Photos editor. Instead of simply removing objects, Reimagine alters your image by modifying and adding elements to the photo using generative fill. You can experiment with it by following the steps below:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button on the toolbar.
3. Tap or circle the area of the photo you want to change and select Reimagine.
4. Enter a prompt in the Reimagine text box and press the arrow to proceed.
5. Choose an option and click the checkmark when done. You can also go back and input a new prompt for improved results.
6. Tap the Save as copy button to save the new image in your Google Photos library.

Google Photos: How to utilize Auto Frame

Unsure how to crop and frame an image for the ideal appearance? Auto frame can automatically handle this for you using the standard Google Photos cropping tool. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.
3. Open the Actions tab and select Crop.
4. Click Auto frame.
5. Wait as Auto frame generates options, then pick your preferred choice.
6. Tap the checkmark to proceed.
7. Press the Save as copy button to add the newly framed image to your Google Photos library.

Google Photos: How to utilize Move

To adjust the positioning of an object

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How to Send and Receive Messages from an Android Phone on a MacBook

FaceTime calls on your Mac and replying to messages from your iPad are all tied to your Apple ID. This extent of cross-device synchronization is a key reason many users remain entrenched in the iPhone-Mac-iPad trio. However, if you utilize an Android device, you might miss out on these ecosystem enhancements. One of the most significant deficiencies is in text messaging. The Messages application is available on the Mac, allowing you to handle text messages on your computer. Conversely, Android users lack this convenience. Google’s Messages app does not have a dedicated Mac client, and Apple definitely does not permit Android to integrate into its ecosystem.

This doesn’t imply that Mac users have to fend for themselves entirely. Google provides an easy solution – a web version of Google Messages. By accessing the official Google Messages site through Safari, Chrome, or any contemporary browser, you can connect your Android device to your Mac in a few simple steps. Once joined, you can send and receive messages from your computer without the need for additional software. Although it’s not as refined as Apple’s built-in Messages integration with iOS, for those balancing an Android phone with a Mac setup, this method is about as smooth as it can get.

How to connect your Android Device to a Mac for messaging

iOS 26 Launches Improved Snooze Options for iPhone Alarms

### Alarms Introduce Option for Personalized Snooze Durations in iOS 26

Every day, millions awaken to their iPhone’s alarm and have adapted to the standard 9-minute snooze interval. However, with iOS 26, you can now select the exact duration for which you want to snooze alarms.

The built-in Clock app serves as the primary tool for most iPhone users in setting their daily alarms, making it the default choice. Yet, one prominent feature has been absent for years: the option to customize snooze durations. Traditionally, alarms could only be snoozed in 9-minute segments. Many users have simply adapted to this restriction and sometimes set multiple alarms considering this snooze time.

With iOS 26, Apple has granted users a level of snooze control that was previously unavailable. Now, each alarm you configure can possess its unique custom snooze duration. You can select any snooze interval ranging from 1 minute to 15 minutes. The default remains at 9 minutes, but adjusting it is straightforward. Additionally, if desired, this snooze setting can vary for each alarm you create. Based on the significance of an alarm on a particular day, you can opt for a shorter or longer snooze duration than usual.

In summary, while this may seem like a minor change for most, it could greatly enhance the experience for those who have long desired greater flexibility in snoozing. Have you started to implement the new snooze durations for your alarms in iOS 26? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Best Steam Deck Substitutes on Amazon According to Customer Feedback

its own forthcoming handheld and even speculations suggesting that Sony is set to unveil a PS6 handheld. There are now options available for those who aren’t keen on a Steam Deck, or for individuals simply seeking an alternative with a somewhat different feature profile.

Having a variety of choices is always beneficial, and fortunately, there are several well-reviewed portable handheld gaming PCs to consider. There are Linux-based handhelds for those wanting to leverage open-source software, as well as Android-driven devices that support APKs. You can also acquire a Windows-powered handheld and manage to get some work done in between your gaming adventures.

ASUS ROG Ally