Last Seen Blogs
thefenceistoohigh
so am i
nyboyseeksflr
Clever Title
janesurlife
Janes
ctrljobsposts
Untitled
exper-elemental-comic
Exper-elemental webcomic
Text
Top 5 open-source browser alternatives to Chrome
It is most likely that you are using the Chrome browser on your device. About 95 percent of people use it. Google releases its open-source version called Chromium. So we can say that Chrome is not fully open-source, which might not be an issue for many people. But the majority of people using it creates a monopoly, which is not good for competition in the industry.
That's why people are moving towards free and open source apps. Whether you don't support closed source apps or just want to try new things, here are some best or even better alternatives to Google Chrome.
1. Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is a cross-platform web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Unlike other browsers, it is not based on the chromium engine and is hugely supported by the open-source community.
It doesn't force you to use Google as a default search engine. IT also comes with great extensions if you miss Chrome extensions. It also comes as default on many Linux distros. Firefox allows for more control over your privacy than does Chrome. Not just because it doesn’t come with Google embedded, but also because it allows complete control over things like webRTC.
If you don’t want to use Google and want to try something new, Firefox is a great option.
2. Brave Browser
Brave is a Chromium-based browser that keeps you private. It is a fast, free, secure web browser with a built-in ad blocker, tracking and security protection, and optimized data and battery experience.
It also supports all Chrome extensions. Furthermore, it also comes with Tor search, which is more private than VPN services. It also provides a service called Brave Rewards which shows you ads, and you get BAT coins which are their cryptocurrency, you can turn that off if you want.
It is available for all platforms, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can give it a try if you don't want to leave Chromium browsers.
3. Tor Browser
The Tor Browser is an enhanced version of the Firefox web browser that anonymizes your web traffic using the Tor network, making it easy to protect your identity online.
It uses Tor which anonymizes your identity through layers. You can consider it as a most private browser. But browsing on torr is not so user-friendly, it is much slower than other browsers.
Some websites block Tor and are considered illegal, which it is not. If you want your browser to be private to the full extent, use Tor.
4. Falkon Browser
Based on QtWebEngine it is a fantastic browser but is only available for Linux. It comes with DuckDuckGo as the default search engine and contains a built-in ad blocker.
If you want a new experience, then check it out.
5. Chromium
Chromium is an open-source browser project without no hidden code from Google that aims to build a safer, faster, and more stable way for all users to experience the web. It’s lighter than Chrome and has all its functions. Chromium is also ranked to be the best browser for Linux!
It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. You will feel like you are using Chrome.
What is your favorite Open-source browser?
This was originally posted on fosspage.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Do this to reduce Instagram Addiction on Android!
We all know Instagram has become an essential part of our everyday life. Everyone we meet has an account. If you think about deleting it, a thought comes to your mind, Will I be able to connect with everyone?. The answer is simply no.
But you realize spending hours on any social media app is what these companies want from you. The Instagram app is designed in a way that once anyone opens it, they are most likely to scroll for hours.
What should you do then? The best way is to use the web version of Instagram. You might ask why. Let me explain.
Reels
The most addictive thing Instagram has is the reels feature. You just keep scrolling and scrolling, it doesn't end. The web doesn't have this section. What the web version does is, displays those reels as videos posted on Instagram. So, you have to manually click them to play. This increases the friction with interaction and reduces the addiction.
Smooth Navigation
The web version lacks smoothly integrated gestures and makes it not user-friendly.
Best way to do it
If you don’t want to go to your browser every time you want to open Instagram then I have got the best way to do it, follow the steps below.
Download and install the app called Native Alpha from here.
This app lets you transform a website to look like an app and creates shortcuts on your homescreen. Open the app and click on the + button below to add the URL.
This will create a shortcut and get an icon automatically. Open the shortcut and log in to your account as you would on any browser.
Now every time you open the shortcut it will open as an app free of distractions and will boost your productivity!
Other apps
You can use this app for several websites such as Tik-Tok, Facebook, Google, and Youtube too!
This was was posted on fosspage.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Top 5 Android Apps That Will Boost Your Productivity — 2022
1. Niagara Launcher
What is the first thing you need to increase your productivity on a smartphone? Reduce distractions! Niagara Launcher reduces all your distractions and keeps your home screen spotless. You can customize everything about it and make it your own. Unlike other launchers, it keeps things simple and minimal.
Some beautiful features are:
Niagara Widget: It merges all essential things like weather, calendar, and much more into a single widget. Thanks to a combination of useful information + gorgeous design which increases the overall experience.
Folders: You can create folders on the home screen, which can consist of not only apps but shortcuts too!
Notification Summary: The best feature of the launcher is the notification summary or batches. Niagara will push notifications in batches approximately every six hours (Urgent notifications will be delivered immediately).
Material You Theming: The launcher will pick colors from the wallpaper and change the accent color accordingly, same as Android 12.
These are some of the best features of the Niagara launcher. You should try to explore the possibilities! Niagara Launcher is available on the Google Play Store and is free to download.
2. Google Calendar
You might have heard about time blocking and its benefits in your everyday life. Well, this app does that and much more!
Time blocking: Whether you want to fix a preferred time slot for your work, arrange meetings or want to follow a routine, this app will do everything for you. You can also make different calendars according to your needs.
Colors: You can apply different colors to different calendars and make your setup look polished. It also supports color codes or hex codes.
Google Sync: Google syncs your calendars to all your devices seamlessly.
Material You Theming: Google apps are the first to follow Android 12 new design language, and the calendar is no exception. It follows the system’s accent color and makes your app look more appealing.
Widget: You get beautifully designed widgets that make the home screen much more attractive, it also supports Material You.
Google calendar comes pre-installed on a lot of Android devices, or you can install it from the Play Store.
3. Stuff — To-Do List
This is a to-do list application that doesn’t even need to be opened. You can use it directly on your home screen.
Features: You can simply add tasks or lists you want to add by clicking it. Taping on the left side will cross out the entry. The widget can be resized according to your preference and works flawlessly with the Niagara launcher.
Size: Unlike other to-do apps, this app is super light, at roughly 350kb in size.
Create categories: You can create categories for today, tomorrow, or any project.
You can try this small simple app that keeps your tasks in front of you, it is available in the play store.
4. Google Keep
The perfect minimal note-taking app with a lot of extra features. It can be used to record sticky notes, and reminders to do something. Or something interesting. If you have a great idea, then write it down here.
Various note types: You can simply write whatever you want, but it can do more than that. You can make a to-do list, bullet lists, draw a note, or attach a photo or document, or record a voice memo, and the possibilities are endless.
Customization: You can assign colors to the notes, and change the background, it also supports a dark mode which changes all the backgrounds.
Google sync: It can sync with all the devices with your Google account. You can also share notes with others.
The Material You and widgets: It comes with a lot of widgets specially designed with integrated Material You theming and also supports dark mode.
5. Link to windows
A perfect app if you want to replicate Apple’s ecosystem features! This app provides you with a better experience, which the Android-Windows ecosystem lacks.
Receive calls from PC: Yes, you can answer calls directly from your Windows PC. It requires your device connected through Bluetooth.
Receive notifications on PC: It lets you see notifications directly on the PC screen, which saves a lot of time. You can also reply to messages from the PC.
Sync, view, or share files: You can share any type of files from android to Windows, view gallery, and transfer contacts too!
Some features are exclusive to Samsung devices, such as using android apps on Windows. It is in the development stage and Microsoft constantly adds more features and performance improvements. You can download it for free from the Play Store.
A better alternative to this app is KDE Connect, which provides more features but works better with Linux.
Conclusion:
These are some of the best productivity apps on Android which can help you build better habits and manage your time properly. Hope you like the list.
Find more info on fosspage.
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Reasons you need to use FOSS — Free and Open Source Software.
What is FOSS? It stands for Free and Open Source Software.
FOSS is any software that is freely licensed to use, whose code is open and can be copied and changed by anyone, and can be improved by anyone. Most software products you use are proprietary, and it is improbable that you will come across any open-source software.
FOSS is the opposite of proprietary software, which is under copyright and the source code is hidden. Most companies use this software on desktop and mobile operating systems.
Benefits of using FOSS
It is best for privacy and security, which is essential in today's world. Unlike closed-source software that can access private data or can contain undesired features, FOSS’s source code is open and anyone can analyze and look for any malicious code and verify it.
You might ask if it is open-source, doesn't that make it more vulnerable to hackers and viruses? That's not the case, since the code is public many people can fix it and make it as secure as possible. It gives freedom to change and modify as per needs, provides much more control over data, and doesn’t force anyone to stick to one ecosystem.
It is free and doesn't cost you anything thanks to the developers who make this possible and mainly rely on donations. A large community that is always ready for support and assistance. These are just a few of the benefits which you get, the possibilities are endless! Almost every closed-source software has an open-source alternative that you can use.
Conclusion
If you want full control over your data or want everything to be transparent, go for it! Now you know the benefits of using FOSS, and why it's important in our life.
This post was originally posted on fosspage.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Android 13 — Info you need before release.
Google released Android 13 beta 3 in June, and we just got Android 13 beta 4 in July.
Beta 3 gave us new taskbar support and multi-window mode which are better optimized for bigger screens, Beta 4 came with stability improvements.
In no time, we will get a stable release.
These are the new features coming to Android 13.
Android 13 features
3D experience – Google is working on providing you with a 3D experience with paired audio and android devices.
Bluetooth LE Audio — Latest Bluetooth version support requires less power, multi-device support, and reduced stuttering. This is present in Android 13.
Photo Picker — This privacy-friendly feature lets users choose whether to share a specific photo to an app or to the whole gallery. This way, apps can only access the file which you want.
Nearby Wi-Fi device permission— This NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES feature allows apps to access Wi-Fi access points, which limits the data shared with an external app.
Material You app theming— Android 12 supports wallpaper based theming for Google apps only, Android 13 extends this to third-party apps too.
Copied text — This feature lets users edit the copied text before it gets saved, just like the screenshot feature. If you have copied a hyperlink, a pop-up comes to open it in Chrome.
New QR code scanner— We already know Android 13 comes with a feature that adds a QR scanner in quick style settings. Another option will add a scanner to the lock screen.
Tap-To-Transfer — Android 13 might be adding a “Media Tap-to-Transfer” option, which would allow the user to tap their phone to some other device to transfer media playback to it. This is still unclear how this will work.
Separate media access — Apps will have to request access to your media files separately. This includes photos, videos, and audio files.
Adjustable Flashlight — [Esper](https://blog.esper.io/android-13-flashlight-brightness-control/) has found commands in the developer beta that suggest Android 13 will let you control the brightness of the flashlight, rather than simply turning it on and off. This feature was already present on iOS.
App Archive— Google announced a new feature that will allow apps to be installed in an archived form, which will reduce storage usage and use the files when they are needed.
Notification permission on the first launch — This feature will let you deny notification permission on the first launch.
MIDI 2.0 support — Android 13 will also add support for MIDI 2.0 devices.
Auto clipboard history deletion — Android 13 will be able to auto-delete your clipboard history.
Android 13 release date?
If you are familiar with Android 12’s rollout, you can guess when Android 13 will get released.
After releasing Android 13 beta 4 Google described the release as weeks away. So it looks like Android 13 will release in August 2022.
This article was originally published on fosspage.
2 notes
·
View notes