Apple is the Online Safety Bill as it could be used to force encrypted messaging tools like iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal and other to scan messages for, ostensibly, child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Apple’s opposition comes as 80 organizations and tech experts have written to UK Technology Minister Chloe Smith urging a rethink. Chris Vallance for The Beeb: Apple told the BBC the bill should be amended to protect encryption. Police, the government and some high-profile child protection charities maintain the tech – used in apps such as WhatsApp and Apple’s iMessage – prevents law enforcement and the firms themselves from identifying the sharing of child sexual abuse material. But in a statement Apple said: “End-to-end encryption is a critical capability…

Valve is working to improve gaming on Linux platforms, and recently hired a developer who was crucial to bringing Linux to Apple Silicon.Valve's Steam Deck gaming systemAlyssa Rosenzweig has recently made an update to their resume, mentioning their current work at Valve as a contractor. In their role, Rosenzweig was focused on enhancing Linux gaming by developing graphics drivers for upstream integration. Read more...

Valve is working to improve gaming on Linux platforms, and recently hired a developer who was crucial to bringing Linux to Apple Silicon.Valve's Steam Deck gaming systemAlyssa Rosenzweig has recently made an update to their resume, mentioning their current work at Valve as a contractor. In their role, Rosenzweig was focused on enhancing Linux gaming by developing graphics drivers for upstream integration. Read more...

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsWide range of functionsFamiliar operationCheaper than PhotoshopConsNot quite as comprehensive as PhotoshopNo AI-supported functionsOur VerdictFor beginners, hobby graphic artists and photographers Affinity Photo is an incredibly attractive alternative to Adobe Photoshop, which hardly differs from the class leader in terms of essential functions.Affinity Photo is now so similar to Adobe‘s software that a move to the former should be smooth, although beginners will need to spend some time getting to know the interface before they can fully exploit all the possibilities of Affinity Photo.With all that Affinity Photo offers, the software is a real bargain at $69.99/£67.99. Adobe Photoshop is for image editing like Microsoft Office for the office: absolutely dominant and in a professional…

YouTube appears to be developing a new gaming service called "Playables," according to The Wall Street Journal. The service allows users to play games on mobile devices or desktop computers, and it is being tested with Google employees internally. Playables appears to offer instant-play games through the YouTube website or YouTube mobile apps, offering an alternative to video content. In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that "gaming has long been a focus at YouTube" and that the company is "always experimenting with new features," but the spokesperson declined to comment specifically on Playables. Google previously had the Stadia cloud gaming service, but announced plans to shut it down last September. Google said that the service…

Apple is in the early stages of developing a new iMac with over a 30-inch display, which would be the largest-ever size for the all-in-one computer, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his weekly Power On newsletter, Gurman said this iMac remains "further out," suggesting that it might be at least a year or two away from launching. "The company is also conducting early work on an iMac with a screen over 30 inches," wrote Gurman. He did not share any additional details at this time. Excluding refurbished models, the iMac is currently only available in a 24-inch size, as Apple discontinued the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and iMac Pro over the last few years. Despite occasional rumors about the iMac…