Users Recommend This Complimentary Substitute for Adobe Photoshop
Adobe’s Photoshop is a remarkable tool for photo editing and visual design with virtually no real competitors. While there are other options available, none quite rival the extensive array of features, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive tools that Photoshop offers. However, Adobe’s fees can be quite steep, and the company has made some frustratingly anti-consumer choices in recent years. This has led to actions from the FTC against the company. Therefore, it’s refreshing when new competition emerges, such as Affinity, a free Photoshop-inspired alternative now owned by Canva. It claims to provide genuine creative freedom with a multitude of photo editing and design tools within a single app. But is it worth trying?
Both regular users and reviewers appear to be fond of it; some are contemplating abandoning Photoshop entirely. Available for Windows and macOS as a desktop application rather than a web app, Affinity offers integrated professional-quality photo-editing tools organized into distinct palettes. The application features separate workspaces or desktops for vector, pixel, and layout editing, allowing flexibility to use multiple tools simultaneously. Additionally, the interface can be customized to include all your preferred and frequently used features. An iPad version is expected to be released soon, and Affinity incorporates optional AI tools from Canva. In other words, you can choose to edit manually and completely avoid using the AI if you prefer. The primary requirement is that you must have a Canva account to access it and will need to log in to start the app.
Is Affinity genuinely free, and will it remain free to use?
iPadOS 26.2 Spotlights Rising Trends in iPad Advancement
**iPadOS 26.2 Beta 3: Upgrades for Multitasking Enthusiasts**
iPadOS 26.2 beta 3 has rolled out a notable enhancement for multitasking on the iPad, specifically improving the Split View and Slide Over functionalities with drag and drop integration. This update underlines Apple’s dedication to enriching the iPad experience, particularly for power users who depend on sophisticated multitasking features.
### Apple’s Attentive Response to User Input
The iPad Pro, now in its tenth year, has undergone a remarkable evolution in its operating system. iPadOS 26 represented a crucial milestone, offering the most significant productivity-centered update thus far. It introduced a Mac-like windowing interface, improvements to the dock, an overhauled menu bar, and various other features designed to boost user productivity.
Apple has remained responsive to user needs, delivering a more comprehensive experience while preserving the iPad’s distinct qualities. The launch of a ‘Full Screen Apps’ mode caters to users who favor a streamlined interface, while ‘Windowed Apps’ mode provides a more intricate experience for those desiring advanced features.
Traditionally, Apple has rolled out major updates followed by periods of dormancy. Nonetheless, the current trend of swift updates suggests a strategic shift, with Apple actively enhancing iPadOS in response to user suggestions.
### The New Standard: Regular iPadOS Updates
The launch of iPadOS 26.1 just one month after 26.0 illustrated Apple’s quick responsiveness. This update revived the Slide Over feature and introduced the Local Capture capability with improved customization options. The rapid reinstatement of Slide Over, which had been taken away in the earlier version, highlights Apple’s ability to swiftly address user feedback.
The return of drag and drop functionality in iPadOS 26.2 further refines the multitasking experience, enabling users to handle their applications more effectively. This feature was a hallmark of earlier iterations, and its reinstatement is appreciated by many who considered it crucial for their productivity.
These updates greatly enhance the overall user interaction on the iPad. Apple’s readiness to implement changes promptly instead of waiting for a significant annual release is an encouraging indication for the future of iPadOS.
### Looking Forward: Upcoming Improvements
With the introduction of a dedicated ‘Full Screen Apps’ mode, Apple seems optimistic about crafting more advanced tools for users favoring the ‘Windowed Apps’ mode. There is hope that features such as stacking multiple applications in Slide Over will be brought back, addressing a frequent request from users.
The synergy of these software improvements and the new M5 iPad Pro has fostered an exhilarating environment for iPad users. As the iPad continues to progress, the potential for productivity and creativity is unprecedented.
### Conclusion
The latest updates to iPadOS mark the dawn of a new chapter for iPad users, especially those who rely on multitasking features. Apple’s attentiveness to user feedback and its dedication to rapid updates are promising signals for the iPad’s future. As users delve deeper into the capabilities of iPadOS, the anticipation for additional enhancements remains strong.
Read MoreAcquire an Apple Watch Series 11 or Ultra 3 at a Low Expense via Fitness Rewards
### John Hancock’s Vitality Program: Obtain a Free Apple Watch Through Fitness
For years, John Hancock has been offering its Vitality Plus life insurance program participants an inventive method to acquire an Apple Watch at a very low cost by encouraging frequent physical activity. Recently, the program has broadened to incorporate the new Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, giving even more choices for those focused on health. Here’s a comprehensive overview of how the program operates and how you can take advantage of it.
#### Secure a Free Apple Watch as an Exercise Reward
John Hancock’s Vitality program enables life insurance clients to accumulate “points” for participating in consistent exercise. These points can be used to reduce the monthly fees for a new Apple Watch. The journey starts with an initial payment of $25 plus tax for the watch, followed by 24 monthly payments. Notably, the more active you are, the lower your monthly costs will be.
**Steps to Initiate:**
1. Sign up for a Vitality member account and complete the Vitality Health Review (VHR).
2. Purchase your Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 11, or Apple Watch Ultra 3 and make the initial $25 payment plus tax. Keep in mind that opting for a higher-tier model may necessitate an additional charge.
3. Utilize your Apple Watch to monitor workouts across multiple categories, including walking, running, cycling, and swimming.
#### How to Accumulate Points
The monthly amount you pay for your Apple Watch directly correlates with the points you earn from exercising. Here’s the monthly payment framework based on accumulated points:
**For the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3:**
– **Zero points:** $15.50 each month
– **240 points:** $12.25 each month
– **360 points:** $7.00 each month
– **500 points:** $0.00 each month
**For the Apple Watch SE:**
– **Zero points:** $9.25 each month
– **240 points:** $7.25 each month
– **360 points:** $4.25 each month
– **500 points:** $0.00 each month
**Accumulating Points:**
– A “Standard” workout gives you 20 points daily, which consists of:
– **Step count:** 10,000 steps
– **Active calories:** Based on benchmarks from the Apple Health app for gender, height, and weight.
– **Heart rate:** 60% of max heart rate for 30 minutes.
– An “Advanced workout” yields 30 points per day, which encompasses:
– **Step count:** 15,000 steps
– **Active calories:** According to the Apple Health app standards.
– **Heart rate:** 60% of max heart rate for 45 minutes.
For additional details and to enroll, check out the
Read MoreApple Faces Exit of Another Prominent Product Designer After Jonny Ive’s Departure
Bloomberg. Chowdhury’s exit is viewed as particularly significant due to his “increasing visibility within the design team.” Apple’s industrial design group, which was previously led by Jony Ive, is among the most esteemed and vital teams in the organization. The team, by its very nature, is limited in size. Therefore, the departure of even one designer can lead to a substantial effect.
Chowdhury first came on board at Apple as an industrial designer in January 2019. Throughout his nearly six years with the company, he likely contributed to the design of many Apple products. Bloomberg reports that he was instrumental in the creation of the iPhone Air. Importantly, reports of disappointing sales had no bearing on Chowdhury’s choice to leave the company. It is also noteworthy that the iPhone Air, from a design standpoint, ranks among the most remarkable products we’ve seen from Apple in quite a while.
Apple’s design department has experienced numerous exits in recent years
Grasping the Significance of ‘DSLR’ in Cameras
the Astrophoto capability found on Samsung Galaxy devices.
Other important DSLR camera features
Grasping an HDMI Port ‘Dummy Plug’
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard has been in existence since 2002 and is currently the most prevalent method for transmitting a video signal from a device to a display. But what if there is no need to send video to a screen, yet you still wish to utilize your device? This is where an HDMI dummy plug comes into action, facilitating what is referred to as headless operation. This may sound cumbersome, but in the context of HDMI, it simply implies that you can operate your system without a connected monitor.
These plugs deceive the host computer into believing that a display is connected when it is not. A prime example of the practicality of an HDMI dummy plug is when you need to keep a computer running for extended periods, perhaps for home automation, without the necessity of accessing the monitor. Maintaining a monitor and cables occupies a significant amount of space, particularly when utilizing a small form-factor PC for various automation tasks.
The energy consumption of a monitor may also be a factor for those who may have a PC running continuously throughout the day. Moreover, a primary consideration for many is utilizing an HDMI dummy plug for game streaming: if a monitor is not connected, your GPU may be restricted from outputting at maximum resolution, as it is searching for a display to establish the correct output size.
Optimal applications
China and NASA Join Forces to Avert Satellite Crash
Space), NASA’s head of Space Sustainability indicated that something extraordinary took place. “
Read MoreCloudflare Service Interruption Affects X, ChatGPT, and Various Other Platforms
Cloudflare Outage Demonstrates How a Single Point Can Disrupt the Modern Internet
What you should know:
– Cloudflare—a critical internet infrastructure provider—has experienced a severe outage, disrupting a significant portion of the global web.
– The situation was identified as a worldwide issue involving “extensive 500 errors” and an “internal server error.”
– The breakdown rapidly incapacitated major services, including X, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, creative platform Canva, and favored online games like League of Legends.
Typically, the internet is chaotic, but today, November 18, 2025, it ceased to function as a utility and transformed into a high-stakes, worldwide comedy of errors.
Around 6:00 am ET, a substantial section of the internet went offline. The culprit was Cloudflare, a firm that provides essential network infrastructure for numerous websites. Thus, when it fails, the digital realm struggles to recover.
Users attempting to access everything from X to the film review site Letterboxd encountered the universally dreaded “internal server error on Cloudflare’s network.”
Cloudflare acknowledged this as a worldwide problem with “extensive 500 errors.” To complicate matters, the company’s own diagnostic tools and API also became nonfunctional, leaving the team addressing the issue without their usual support.
The list of affected services was extensive, highlighting how integral Cloudflare is to our daily activities. Not only did social media platforms go offline, but AI applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT also became unavailable. Creative workers couldn’t access Canva, and famous online games like League of Legends were similarly down.
One of the most ironic aspects of this outage was that services designed to monitor internet issues, such as Downdetector, were also impacted. When the site intended to report outages is also down, it indicates the severity of the predicament.
Cloudflare conceded that the situation was serious, stating it was “investigating an issue that affects multiple customers.” The company did not provide a specific explanation, but it is notable that Cloudflare had scheduled maintenance at its Santiago (SCL) data center that same day, from 12:00 to 15:00 UTC.
This outage mirrors previous major disruptions, like the infamous Amazon Web Services (AWS) failures. It underscores how heavily the modern internet relies on a few central infrastructure providers. Initial reports indicated some improvement in locations like the UK, but US users soon encountered additional error notifications.
Read MoreLumia 2 Earrings Released with Enhanced Tracking Capabilities Exceeding Smartwatches
Step aside, intelligent rings.
Key information to consider
- Lumia 2 introduces the first global smart earrings designed to monitor health indicators such as blood flow and sleep patterns.
- These customizable earrings come in various styles and finishes, suited for different types of earrings utilizing cutting-edge ‘SwitchBack’ technology.
- The earrings deliver comprehensive insights regarding hydration, nutrition, and posture, aiding personal health choices for a price of just $249.
This represents the type of fashionable technology that I support. Fitness gadgets that effortlessly integrate with your style, resembling earrings, and the unique aspect is their customizability. Today (Nov. 17), Lumia unveiled the Lumia 2, the world’s inaugural smart earrings that monitor blood flow to your head.
The company claims that the Lumia 2 is crafted from platinum and titanium and can be styled in multiple formats, including Huggie Hoops, Cuffs, and Ball Studs. They are offered in six finishes, notably Gold, Silver, and Clear. Moreover, they can attach to any push-back earring through their ‘SwitchBack’ technology, although this functionality is currently pending patent approval.
Initially, these smart earrings were mainly aimed at assisting those with chronic ailments such as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and Long COVID, but Lumia has now declared that these earrings will be accessible to the general public.
Google Calendar’s Latest Task Functionality Boosts Efficiency
Google Calendar has finally started acknowledging your to-do list.
Essential information
- You are now able to reserve time for tasks in your Google Calendar, thus removing the requirement to create misleading “focus time” events.
- You can directly place a task into an available calendar time slot, adjust its length, and maintain its connection to your Tasks list with existing reminders.
- Updated controls allow you to hide the event, enable Do Not Disturb mode, and automatically decline meeting invitations during your task periods.
Notice
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