Summary
Overview
This tech news episode covers major developments including Zorin OS's surge in downloads as Windows 10 approaches retirement, Valve's pricing philosophy for the upcoming Steam Machine, Google's clarification on Gmail data usage, and various other tech stories ranging from car infotainment ads to AI jailbreaking methods and ocean-cleaning robots.
Zorin OS Sees Massive Adoption from Windows Users
As Windows 10 nears retirement, Linux distribution Zorin OS has experienced explosive growth with over 1 million downloads in just 5 weeks. The distribution's appeal lies in its Windows 11-like interface and ability to mimic various operating systems including macOS and Chrome OS. While a pro version exists for $48, the free version offers a user-friendly alternative to Windows that doesn't constantly prompt users to sign in.
- Zorin OS received over 1 million downloads in 5 weeks, with 780,000 coming from Windows systems
- The distribution features a Windows 11-like user interface that appeals to Windows users frustrated with constant sign-in prompts
- Zorin offers desktop layouts that imitate macOS, Chrome OS, Ubuntu and Linux Mint
- Pro version costs $48 for easy layout switching, though alternatives like Linux Mint are free
" One of Zorin OS's most obvious selling points is a very Windows 11-like user-friendly interface, which no doubt makes Windows users dream of a time when their OS didn't constantly serve pesky pop-ups begging them to sign in. "
Valve's Steam Machine Pricing Strategy
Valve has officially confirmed that its upcoming Steam Machine will be priced similarly to an equivalently powered custom-built PC rather than at console prices. Despite Valve reportedly hitting record revenue of $16.2 billion this year with $50 million per employee on average, the company maintains it needs this pricing due to the costs of making the device small and quiet.
- Steam Machine will be priced to match an equivalently powered PC built from parts, not console pricing
- Valve's Pierre-Luc Griffey confirmed the pricing strategy on the Friends Per Second podcast
- Valve hit record revenue of $16.2 billion this year, averaging $50 million per employee
- The compact and quiet design requirements make the device expensive to produce
" I think if you build a PC from parts and get to basically the same level of performance, that's the general price window that we aim to be at. "
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