Mediaboss Marketing

May 19, 2024 21:30:00

Since the release of

Welcome to Open-Shell | Classic Shell Reborn. https://open-shell.github.io/Open-Shell-Menu/

GitHub - Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu: Classic Shell Reborn. https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

The Windows 11 start menu looks like this. Depending on the settings, it may display recently used files and recommended apps, or when you enter a search term, it will display the results of a real-time Bing search along with the files on your PC. With Open-Shell Menu, you can change the design of this start menu.

When you scroll down

You will be redirected to the latest version page on GitHub, where you can click on 'OpenShellSetup_4_4_191.exe' to download the installer.

Once the download is complete, double-click the installer in File Explorer to launch it.

Click Next.

Check the checkbox and click 'Next'.

Click Next.

Click 'Install' to begin the installation.

When you see the following screen, click 'Finish' to complete the installation and close the installer.

After installing Open-Shell Menu, when you open the start menu, it will look different, like the image below. Also, the button to open the start menu in the lower left corner has been changed from the Windows icon to the Open-Shell Menu icon.

Type 'open shell' in the start menu to open 'Open-Shell Menu Settings'. The design of the start menu search screen at this time has also changed from that of Windows 11.

The Open-Shell Menu settings screen looks like this:

You can choose the appearance of the start menu from 'Classic style', 'Classic with two columns', or 'Windows 7 Style'. If you select 'Classic style', the start menu will be vertically thin as shown in the image below.

'Classic with two columns' has an appearance similar to 'Classic style' but with more convenient menus such as documents, settings, and search.

If you select 'Windows 7 Style', you can use a start menu with a design similar to that of Windows 7.

You can also change the appearance of the Start button. Select 'Aero' to display the Open-Shell Menu icon.

In 'Classic', the Open-Shell Menu icons are arranged in a style similar to the old start menu. However, in this case, some of the app badges displayed on the taskbar are hidden.

In addition, you can assign any image to the start button from 'Custom'. Select 'Custom' and click 'Pick image'.

Let's try adding an image of a manga character. After selecting the image, click 'Open'.

The image size was too large and filled up the taskbar. It seems that the image width needs to be adjusted in advance.

I tried reducing the image size and re-inserting it, and although the selected image has an image ratio close to a square, only the top part of the image was displayed on the start button.

When you hover your mouse over the image, the middle part will be displayed.

When you open the start menu, the bottom part of the image is displayed.

From 'Basic Settings', you can set the behavior when opening the start menu. By default, the original Windows 11 start menu was displayed when you clicked the start button while holding down the Shift key, so you can change the basic appearance to the old style, but if you can't find the operation you usually use, open the menu in Windows 11 style.

Open-Shell Menu is an open source software, and details are available on GitHub.

GitHub - Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu: Classic Shell Reborn. https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

More here:
'Open-Shell Menu' is an open source software that returns the Windows start menu to its previous appearance for free - GIGAZINE

Many people today question the need for a dedicated antivirus program, considering that Windows Defender comes installed with the OS. However, Avast Free Antivirus is not only free but also provides a more comprehensive security package than Microsoft's offering.

There's some stigma surrounding free security software. Some companies reserve crucial features for the paid versions of their products, but Avast Free includes many tools that are not always available in competitors' offerings. Hundreds of millions of users rely on Avast, which certainly boosts confidence in its capabilities.

We downloaded and installed the latest version of Avast Free Antivirus, which was a quick and easy process. Once everything was ready, we were prompted to run an initial scan and I was pleased to find that my PC was free of viruses and malware.

The app's main hub offers a slew of options across a clean and simple dashboard. It is very user-friendly, featuring large icons and clear explanations of each function. Although a few features are restricted unless you upgrade to a paid tier, there are still a surprisingly large number of options available for a free program.

Avast highlights six layers of protection used by its antivirus, powered by cloud-based analytics and machine learning.

In addition to its primary smart scan, Avast Free Antivirus offers a more thorough full scan that inspects an entire PC, a targeted scan for specific folders or external drives, a boot-time scan that looks for threats before Windows starts, and user-defined custom scans.

A quick scan here takes about 30 seconds. Full scans do take longer as they're more in-depth; this one took around five minutes times will obviously vary depending on how many files you're scanning. Finally, there's the Boot-Time scan. This took the longest, adding about ten minutes to the boot process.

There's also the option to create a rescue disk to run Avast when Windows isn't running, helping remove deeply embedded threats that won't be able to defend themselves.

Any threats identified by Avast Free Antivirus get sent to the quarantine section, where you can delete them, create exceptions, or even send them to the company for analysis.

Avast's parent, Gen Digital, also owns Norton, Avira, and AVG, so it's got some big industry names in its corner. That's reflected in independent antivirus tests: Avast blocked 100% of AV-Test threats, earning it a Top Product award; 99.6% of threats from AV-Comparatives, which designated it an Advanced+ product; and 99% of SE Labs' threats to earn an AAA rating.

Next to the scans section is the Core Shields menu: File, Behavior, Web, and Mail. They're all proactive; the web shield, for example, blocks web attacks and unsafe downloads. They help keep you safe from dangerous emails, new files, and apps behaving suspiciously.

The email shield is certainly useful. Not only does it help ensure you don't open any nasty attachments, but it also scans incoming and outgoing mails and can add a customizable warning to the header of emails containing a virus.

The Web Shield is also a welcome addition, helping fight against everything from dangerous downloads to bots. It also prevents browsers and other apps from running potentially malicious scripts. Tests show that Avast Free Antivirus managed to detect and block 99% of fake phishing sites, more than many free rivals.

Another feature I was impressed to find in a piece of free AV software is the Network Inspector, allowing you to scan networks for any security issues and vulnerabilities. The program shows device names and types (where it can), as well as plenty of details on each, including the IP or MAC address.

Users can also be notified whenever a new device joins their home network, which is very handy if it's an unauthorized connection, and it constantly monitors all devices already connected to said network. There are extensive logs to trawl through if needed, too.

Something you don't tend to find in many other free antivirus tools is the Ransomware Shield. It helps protect personal photos, documents, and other files from being modified by ransomware attacks, stopping untrusted applications from accessing your files. It does this by scanning for and automatically securing folders that may contain personal data. You can also specify which apps are allowed to modify files and which folders to protect from untrusted apps.

There are two main modes within the ransomware protection: Smart and Strict. The Smart mode is a hands-off approach which allows trusted apps manipulate files, while Strict only allows approved apps to do so, and requires approval of any others that attempt to make changes or before it can edit files.

As with the other features, the settings section offers plenty of customization options, including which specific file types you want to protect (or all of them). I tested the Strict mode by simply saving something in Notepad, which, as I hadn't approved the app, was blocked (as shown above).

Windows has its own built-in firewall, and while Avast's version offers a similar level of protection, there are more options and details. Windows automatically switches to the Avast firewall when it's turned on, so you don't have to worry about jumping through any hoops first.

The firewall feature, which monitors for unauthorized communications, goes beyond just offering an on-and-off switch. There is a list of apps and how much data they're using (screenshot above). Blocking individual apps is as simple as clicking on a button, and, assuming you know what you're doing, lots of options for applying and editing the firewall rules.

Avast also comes with a Privacy section. Only of one these features, Hack Alerts, is available without a subscription. It monitors for any time your email gets leaked as the result of a website breach.

Then there's the Performance menu. There's a "Do Not Disturb" mode that silences notifications from selected apps and an automatic software updater that scans for out-of-date applications. The DND Mode has some helpful settings, including pausing Windows updates and even pausing Avast notifications while running apps in full screen I've yet to see an annoying notification from the program.

Download now: Avast Free is available for Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone

Other Avast features, such as Bank Mode (free if you use Avast secure browser), Email Guardian, Remote Access Shield, and Sandbox Mode are available with a subscription. Moreover, you can download Avast's separate free VPN and privacy browser via the antivirus app.

We've been genuinely impressed with the range of options available and the thoroughness of Avast Free Antivirus. Unlike some other virus checkers that don't cost anything, I've barely noticed it's there, thanks mostly to the lack of intrusive (and unnecessary) notifications, while its high security rating and web protection offer some extra piece of mind.

See the original post:
Avast Free Antivirus: Testing its features and learning about the six layers of protection - TechSpot

The best Android antivirus apps not only keep your smartphone or tablet safe from malicious apps and other malware but they can also help protect you from falling victim to fraud or even identity theft.

In addition to excellent malware detection and prevention, the best Android antivirus apps also include useful privacy and anti-theft features. While some like Google Play Protect are completely free, there are others you have to pay for but they often include extra security features like a VPN or password manager to help keep you safe online.

Weve rounded up the best Android antivirus apps from the biggest names in the mobile antivirus business Avast, Bitdefender, Lookout, McAfee, Norton and even Google itself and rated them based on their ease of setup, interface, usability, extra features and of course, their ability to protect your Android smartphone from the latest threats.

Below you'll find everything you need to know about the best Android antivirus apps at a glance. Whether you're looking for a comprehensive mobile security solution and willing to pay for it or you want something free to add a bit more protection to your Android phone, there's something here for every budget.

Best overall

1. Bitdefender Mobile Security

The best Android antivirus app overall

Bitdefender Mobile Security provides excellent malware protection with a light impact on performance. It also includes tools like an app lock, a Wi-Fi scanner, anti-theft features and data breach notifications.

Read more below

Best for apps

2. Norton Mobile Security

The best Android antivirus app for securing apps

Norton Mobile Security provides great malware protection and has an intuitive design. Its App Advisor feature checks for apps that are using too much data or acting suspiciously which could indicate they're malicious.

Read more below

Best performance

The best Android antivirus app for performance

Avast Mobile Security provides good malware protection with minimal impact on system performance. It also packs in additional anti-theft features, an app locker and tech support with its paid plan. You can also get access to Avast's SecureLine VPN as an add-on to either paid plan.

Read more below

Best on a budget

4. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus

The best Android antivirus app on a budget

Kaspersky Mobile Security provides great malware protection with a small system impact and there's even a call blocker. Its free version doesn't have any ads and there's only a little bit of nagging to get you to upgrade to a paid plan. The paid version of Kaspersky Mobile Security automatically scans news apps, blocks known phishing sites and adds an app lock feature.

Read more below

Best for identity

5. Lookout Security & Antivirus

The best Android antivirus app for identity protection

Lookout Security & Antivirus has a clean interface and comes with identity protection. While the free version just scans for malware, the paid version blocks malicious websites, scans Wi-Fi networks and comes with a VPN.

Read more below

Best for simplicity

6. McAfee Mobile Security

The best Android antivirus app for simplicity

McAfee Mobile Security provides decent malware protection but lacks many features it once had. The free version includes app data usage tracking and a Wi-Fi security scanner. The paid version adds a URL screener, 24/7 tech support and removes ads.

Read more below

The best Android antivirus app overall

Price per year: $15; free alternative is separate app

Minimum Android support: 5.0 Lollipop

Ads: No

App lock: Yes

Anti-theft: Yes

Top malware protection

Many useful features

Small system impact

Affordable premium version

Expensive unlimited VPN option

Bitdefender's Android security app has nearly flawless malware protection, a very light performance impact, Android Wear watch integration, a VPN client and a malicious-website blocker that works with most Android browsers.

It also has robust privacy-protection tools, including an app lock, a Wi-Fi scanner, anti-theft features and data-breach notifications.At the same time, Scam Alert flags possibly malicious links in SMS text messages, messaging apps and screen notifications.

Bitdefender Mobile Security offers a 14-day trial period, but this is not a freemium app. The separate Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Android app (which is indeed totally free) only scans for malware.

The built-in VPN client gives you only 200MB of free data per data just enough to check your email while traveling. If you want more data, you'll have to pay $7 monthly or $50 yearly.

But at $15 per year for the first year ($25 on renewal), Bitdefender Mobile Security is well worth the expense. It's our choice for the best Android antivirus app.

Read our full Bitdefender Mobile Security review.

A one-stop shop for securing your Android devices

Price per year: $15, $50 or $105; no more free version

Minimum Android support: 8.0 Oreo

Ads: No

App lock: No

Anti-theft: No

Intuitive design

Flawless malware detection

App Advisor beats the competition

Lacks free tier

No more anti-theft functions

Norton Mobile Security, aka Norton 360, offers the best malware protection of any of the Android antivirus apps we tested. Unfortunately, it no longer has anti-theft functions, nor its contacts backups and Link Guard malicious-link blocker.

Norton also killed Norton Mobile Security's free tier, which was the best among all the Android antivirus apps we've tested. That's been replaced with a security-only app for one device that costs $15 a year for the first year ($30 on renewal).

For $50 a year, a medium-priced tier called Norton 360 for Mobile adds unlimited VPN service and "dark web" monitoring of your personal information. The most expensive plan, Norton 360 Deluxe, $105 per year, is actually part of Norton's antivirus lineup and lets you protect up to five Android, Windows, Mac or iOS devices.

All of these subscriptions can be paid for right through the Norton app, which has a 14-day free trial period.

Norton's killer feature is the unique App Advisor, which checks apps on your device for heavy data usage and unusual behavior. It also checks apps in the Google Play Store for security and privacy risks even before you install them.

Read our full Norton Mobile Security review.

An Android antivirus app with low system overhead

Price per year: Free; $20, $40 premium versions

Minimum Android support: 6.0 Marshmallow

Ads: Free version

App lock: Premium only

Anti-theft: Partly premium

Lots of features for free

Inexpensive premium version

Unreliable anti-theft features

Too many ads in free version

Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus is one of the most full-featured of the best Android antivirus apps, offering everything from a privacy adviser to a system optimizer to a customizable blacklist.

While Avast's malware protection is good, it's far from perfect. Some of Avast's anti-theft functions didn't work for us, and its call-blocking feature didn't work at all. (It's since been removed.) And the free version's ads and constant nags to upgrade are annoying and intrusive.

Those ads go away if you pay for either of Avast Mobile Security's paid tiers, Premium ($2 monthly or $20 yearly) or Ultimate ($7 monthly or $40 yearly). Users of either paid plan also get additional anti-theft features, an app locker and tech support.

The built-in client for Avast's SecureLine VPN is just a tease, and the only way to use it is to pay for an Ultimate tier. Since the stand-alone price for SecureLine is $60 per year, paying an extra $20 on top of the premium Android antivirus tier for unlimited VPN data is not a bad deal.

Read our full Avast Mobile Security review.

Great malware detection with minimal system impact

Price per year: Free; $20 premium version

Minimum Android support: 5.0 Lollipop

Ads: No

App lock: Premium only

Anti-theft: Yes

Call blocking works

No ads in free version

Strong malware protection

Limited features overall

Free version won't auto-scan new apps

Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus, also known as Kaspersky Antivirus for Android, offers nearly-perfect malware protection, a small system impact and a call blocker that actually works.

There are no ads in the free version, and not much nagging to upgrade to the paid plan. Free users get call filtering, Wear OS support and a strong set of anti-theft functions, but you have to scan each new app manually.

Paying users get automatic scans of new apps, an app lock and blocking of known phishing websites. And that's about it. There's no Wi-Fi network scanner and none of the privacy tools that other Android antivirus apps now offer.

If you're just looking for malware protection, you can't really go wrong with Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus's free tier. But while the paid version is inexpensive, it feels stripped-down, and you can get more from Bitdefender's rival paid app for $5 less.

The rest is here:
The best Android antivirus apps in 2024 - Tom's Guide

Best photo editing software: Quick Menu

Picking the best photo editing software can be a headache. There are lots of options out there, so which one is right for you?

A lot depends on the gear youre using, your technical knowledge of photography, and your existing experience using image editing software. If youre just shooting a few snaps on your camera phone for social media, you probably dont need a powerful and complicated application like Photoshop or Lightroom. Thats where more streamlined programs like Photoshop Elements or PaintShop Pro are so effective.

But if youre an avid photographer using one of the best mirrorless cameras around, youll definitely want something more in depth, that will allow you to edit and fine tune your images to make them the best they can be. All in one programs like ON1 Photo RAW are perfect for this, offering creative inspiration and professional-quality results.

Budding influencers, meanwhile, or content creator, may be more interested in impact, immediacy and shareability. Programs like Skylum Luminar Neo take AI effects and reality enhancement to a new level for your social channels, while Adobe Lightroom uses cloud storage so you can edit photos on any device.

Pros will obviously need in-depth editing control, advanced image organization and search tools, and professional workflows designed for editing at pace and meeting client demands. This is where Lightroom Classic, Photoshop and Capture One come up trumps.

To help you compare them all, weve compiled and tested a list of the best photo editing software applications around. Weve also included a list of the best free photo editing software below, which are perfect for those on a tight budget or who only edit images occasionally.

Read on to find out which software is best for you.

Best overall

1. Adobe Photoshop Elements 2024

Best overall Adobe Photoshop Elements is our best overall pick for most people, thanks to its underlying power, ease of use, strong tool set and cross-platform compatibility. For serious editing work, though, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Read more below

Best for AI effects

Best for AI effects Luminar Neo is a constantly evolving editing platform that uses AI technologies throughout to produce spectacular reality enhancements perfect for social media. Its recently introduced its own generative AI tools.

Read more below

Best all in one editor

3. Best all in one editor

Best all in one editor ON1 Photo RAW combines image browsing and cataloging, raw processing, extensive preset image effects and filters, and even image composites via layers and masks. It also uses AI extensively for masking and enhancement.

Read more below

Best for pros

Best for pros Photoshop is the ultimate image editing software if you're a professional user. It offers everything you'll need in a reasonably affordable package. It's primarily aimed at pros though, and doesnt offer quick fix effects or image cataloging tools.

Read more below

Best for photographers

5. Adobe Lightroom Classic

Best for photographers Lightroom Classic combines professional-level organizing tools with editing features powerful enough that you may not need a dedicated photo editor like Photoshop. Lightroom (CC) is a stripped-down version that uses cloud storage.

Read more below

Best Photoshop alternative

6. Best Photoshop alternative

Best Photoshop alternative Affinity Photo is one of the cheapest programs here, but is actually a powerful dedicated photo editing tool on the same professional level as Photoshop. It is also subscription free, coming with a one-off perpetual license.

Read more below

Best photo editing software all round

Effective Organizer app manages your photo library

New AI tools bring the latest editing tricks

Guided edits help you learn

Lacks tools for more serious photography

Novice-friendly approach can grate

Photoshop Elements is aimed squarely at beginners and intermediate users, so it wont suit experts and professionals, but it does have more advanced tools in its Expert mode, and can suit the widest range of photographic needs and user levels.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2024 is the latest version. Adobe updates Elements every year, and this time around its added more of Adobes Sensei AI technology, so that you can now select skies and backgrounds with a single click. You can also create movie Photo Reels from still photos, add animated movement effects to still images, apply one-click fixes for dehazing, background removal, colorizing and more.

Theres so much to explore, however, including no fewer than 62 guided edits in the latest version, that it could all get a little overwhelming, and while Elements is terrific for all sorts of projects, including social media graphics, photo gifts and more, its not really geared towards serious photographers. It does have an Expert mode and it can open and edit raw files, but without the more advanced options in other programs.

But Photoshop Elements is subscription free, and if you shoot videos too, you might want to take a look at the Photoshop Elements + Premiere Elements bundle. Premiere Elements does for video editing and sharing what Elements does for photos.

The best photo editing software for reality-bending effects

Platform: Windows, MacOS, mobile

Excellent sky replacement

Time-saving AI effects

Constant evolution of features

Relies on paid extensions for some tools other editors include as standard

Ever-changing bundles, pricing and offers

Skylum Luminar Neo is the latest version of the Luminar photo editor and has evolved into a modular software platform built around Luminar Neo itself and a growing set of Extensions for additional effects. It is still possible to buy a lifetime license, but the pricing is clearly driving subscriptions.

Billed as the photo editor for photographers who want results not technicalities, Luminar uses a set of Essential, Creative, Portrait and Professional filters (and Extensions, where installed) that can be used individually or together to create anything from simple photo enhancements to spectacular reality bending. The results are often excellent, particularly the AI Sky Replacement, which was the first such tool and is still the best.

Luminars GenErase tool is the first of its new Generative AI options, where its now catching up with Photoshop, and while its not especially quick at removing objects from scenes, the results are often quite remarkable.

Luminar Neo is ideal for photographers and content creators who want to make regular photos spectacular with minimal know-how and effort. Its probably less useful to more technically minded photographers, and Skylums constantly changing deals and offers can be confusing.

The best photo editing software for features and scope

Platform: Mac OS, Windows, iOS, Android

Extensive library of presets and effects filters

Support for layers

Can be used as a standalone app or plug-ins

Optional cloud storage and mobile app

HDR effects are somewhat poor

It does so much theres a lot to take in

Its difficult to describe ON1 Photo RAW without resorting to superlatives. Where other programs in this list specialize in particular areas, such as image cataloging, preset effects and in-depth layers-based editing, ON1 Photo RAW does all of this in a single-window workflow. You can use it as a standalone program or use its component tools as plug-ins for Lightroom, for example, and you can get it for a one-off fee or with a cloud-enable subscription theres even a mobile app with editing tools and its own camera.

Because it does so much, its a little thinner in some areas than specialized software. Its layers, for example, dont offer the same depth as Photoshop or Affinity Photo, and its HDR merge results are not as good as those in rival programs. And while its cataloging tools are very effective (you can simply browse photos if you dont want to import them into the catalog), theyre not in the same league as Lightroom Classics, or Capture Ones.

But ON1 Photo RAWs effects presets are varied and inspiring, its effects filters offer endless permutations and its AI masking is both fast and, more often than not, highly effective. ON1 Photo RAW 2024 brings a new Brilliance AI feature that automatically analyzes and enhances images based on their content.

This new feature and ON1 Photo RAWs preset effects do offer an easy entry point for novices, but theres a lot here to take in, and ON1 Photo RAW is probably best suited to more advanced photo editors who already know the basics.

The best photo editing software for beginners using Windows

Simplified, Photography and Complete modes

Value for money

Windows only

Old-fashioned approach

In many ways, Corel PaintShop Pro is superior to Photoshop Elements, as it's a powerful program, yet is easy for novices to grasp, and has some additional tools, such as 360-degree photo editing. It's also touch-screen compatible.

It does do all the jobs that photographers need up to an enthusiast/intermediate level, while catering for outright beginners too. PaintShop Pro does include AfterShot Lab for processing raw images, and more extensive and powerful tools than Photoshop Elements, but its organizing tools are not especially advanced and its workflow feels old-fashioned. And while the Ultimate bundle offers excellent value with a further 7 different add-ons, including PhotoMirage, Corel Painter Essentials and Highlight Reel amongst others, these are separate tools and utilities rather than an extension to PaintShop Pros own features.

PaintShop Pro does have appeal for beginners, long-time PaintShop Pro users or anyone who likes to get as much as possible for the least outlay, but this Windows only software does feel rather like a surviving relic thats doing just enough to stay current. It carries out traditional photo editing tasks perfectly well, but if youre looking for AI inspiration, in-depth layers and masking or professional-level image cataloging and raw processing, you need to check out the other options on our list.

The best photo editing software for photographers

Powerful photo organization

Seamless non-destructive raw editing

Powerful AI masking tools

Subscription only

Still needs external editors or plug ins for some effects

Adobe Lightroom Classic, as its now called, is the original Lightroom, and is for photographers who like to store, organize and edit photos on their own computers rather than using Adobes cloud storage. Its powerful image organizing tools Lightroom Classic the perfect complement to Adobe Photoshop and, indeed, both are included with Adobes good-value Photography Plan.

To work with photos in Lightroom Classic you first have to import them into a catalog, though they can stay in their current location you dont need to copy or move them. Once imported, you can apply practically every kind of photographic enhancement and adjustment though you will still need a regular photo editor like Photoshop to combine images in layers or create more advanced effects.

Lightrooms editing tools are terrific and its new AI subject masking tools make local adjustments and enhancements a breeze. Its non-destructive approach means you can go back at any time to change the settings, and you can even create multiple Virtual Copies of the same photo but with different adjustments.

Adobe Lightroom Classic now has the same status amongst expert and professional photographers as Photoshop itself, and is probably the default photo organizing and editing software for serious users.

The best photo editing software for mobile photography

Platform: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android

Cloud-based storage access all your photos on any device

Slick and streamlined interface

Lots of help for all user levels

Needs 1Tb of Creative Cloud storage at around $10/month

No support for external editors except Photoshop

You have to be very careful when talking about Adobe Lightroom because there are actually two versions. Lightroom Classic is the regular version for photos stored on your computer, while Lightroom (previously called Lightroom CC) is the web-first version, where all your photos are stored on Adobes servers. The advantage of this is that you can view, organize and edit your photos anywhere, on any device.

Lightroom has the same editing tools as Lightroom Classic, but in a stripped-back interface thats a lot cleaner and more modern. Its image organizing tools are not as powerful, though, so you can create albums but not smart albums.

Perhaps its two biggest drawbacks are that you really need an Adobe subscription plan that includes 1TB cloud storage, and that you can only use Photoshop as an external editor.

That said, the fact that you can use it on desktop computers, mobile devices and even using a web browser makes Lightroom the perfect tool for photographers on the move. The mobile app even includes a camera with powerful manual shooting controls. Lightrooms Discover panel brings expertise and inspiration from a huge Lightroom community, and there are plenty of beginner resources to get you started.

The best photo editing software for professionals

Read this article:
Best photo editing software in 2024 - Tom's Guide

BYD will upgrade the software for the recalled vehicles free of charge via OTA to ensure that the reversing image is displayed properly.

(BYD Seagull. Image credit: CnEVPost)

BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) is recalling some of its electric vehicles (EVs) in China over a software issue, the first time it has done so in the last few years.

BYD will recall 16,666 Seagull EVs manufactured between April 7, 2023 and May 31, 2023, starting May 20, according to an announcement on China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website today.

Due to a software issue with the camera driver in the multimedia display assembly, some of the vehicles within the recall may experience a problem where the reverse screen cannot be displayed, according to the announcement.

This may affect the driver's field of vision when backing up, increasing the risk of a vehicle collision and posing a safety hazard, the announcement said.

BYD will upgrade the software for free for the vehicles within the recall through OTA (over the air) technology to ensure that the reversing image is displayed properly.

For vehicles that cannot implement the recall through OTA, BYD will contact users and upgrade the software for the vehicles free of charge to eliminate potential safety hazards, the announcement said.

The Seagull is by far the least expensive model under the BYD umbrella and one of the highest selling BYD models. The model is known as the Dolphin Mini in some overseas markets.

The model initially went on sale in China on April 26, 2023, when it had a starting price of RMB 73,800 ($10,200).

On March 6 this year, BYD launched the Seagull's Glory Edition with a starting price of RMB 69,800, which is RMB 4,000, or 5.42 percent, lower than its predecessor.

Currently, the Seagull Glory Edition is offered in three variant, like its predecessor, with starting prices of RMB 69,800, RMB 75,800 and RMB 85,800 respectively.

The battery electric vehicle (BEV) remains unchanged in terms of key specifications, with length, width and height remaining at 3,780 mm, 1,715 mm and 1,540 mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,500 mm.

The model continues to be powered by a blade battery based on lithium iron phosphate chemistry, with the two least expensive versions having a pack capacity of 30.08 kWh and the most expensive 38.88 kWh, as before.

These three versions have a CLTC range of 305 kilometers, 305 kilometers, and 405 kilometers, respectively.

The Seagull is one of BYD's best-selling models, selling 280,217 units in 2023, contributing 9 percent of BYD's annual sales of 3,024,417, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

BYD sold 302,459 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in March, with the Seagull selling 34,830 units, the third-highest selling BYD model.

By the end of March, the Seagull had sold a total of 1,232,450 units, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

($1 = RMB 7.2397)

Tesla recalls 8,700 cars in China as reverse camera image may fail to display

Continue reading here:
BYD recalls 16666 Seagull EVs in China due to software issue that may prevent reverse camera image from displaying - CnEVPost