Multizone | All our technotes
If we've published it, you can find it here.
Google's Android 16 update partially released in June 2025 introduces notable enhancements centring around its Material 3 Expressive design language although this is largely absent from the initial release. The update aims not only to improve aesthetic appeal but also to refine user interaction through visual and functional improvements. Key features include updated icons, animations, and redesigned components, while some existing applications receive significant redesigns. Despite these advancements, it remains worthy of investigation to identify the announced features that are yet to debut, as well as the broader implications for device manufacturers and users.
TL:DR – The Android 16 update is a revitalisation of Google's mobile operating system experience, boasting significant design and usability enhancements. Though the rollout is impressive, some announced features sought by users remain absent But the advanced protection settings and hearing aid support in Android 16 are literally life changing for me. Call screening would be too but I hardly ever answer my phone. Early availability on Google's own Pixel devices is welcome but the complete realisation of Android 16's potential may take time.
- Details
The perception of Windows Vista™ has often been marred by its association with underwhelming hardware during its release timeframe. This article investigates how a surplus of inadequate personal computers impacted the adoption and reputation of Vista, alongside evaluating the technical advancements it introduced. While Vista was designed to push the boundaries of operating system capabilities, its performance was frequently hindered by the subpar machines it was run on. By examining the interplay between hardware limitations and software innovations, it becomes evident that Windows Vista was subjected to unfair criticism that overshadowed its many contributions to the Windows platform.
TL:DR – The number of inadequate PC configurations already being built during the release of Windows Vista contributed significantly to the operating system's negative reputation, despite the valuable innovations it introduced. Factors including high system requirements, driver incompatibility, and an unprepared hardware market shaped the user experience unfavourably. This article examines these undercurrents that led to Vista’s criticism.
- Details
The introduction of macOS Tahoe 26 by Apple in June 2025 showcased an array of revolutionary changes. Touted as the heart and soul of the Mac, software engineering senior vice-president Craig Federighi’s vision of a seamless fusion between the iPhone and Mac is perhaps finally realised with the advent of the Phone app on Mac.
TL:DR – The Phone app is in its first releasable version but make no mistake this is the start of a convergence at the heart of macOS.
- Details
Read more: What does the new phone app in macOS 26 Tahoe mean for macOS?
Optimise Mac Cleanup: Use OmniDiskSweeper and AppCleaner to Remove Apps and Hidden Caches
As people using macOS, on our Apple Computers with expensive SSD's we all face the continual frustration of managing limited local storage space, particularly when utilising devices equipped with smaller SSDs. Over time, unused applications and their corresponding cache files can consume considerable storage capacity. This guide focuses on safely removing irrelevant macOS applications along with their hidden caches using two powerful free tools: OmniDiskSweeper and AppCleaner. It provides a detailed overview of the process to effectively free up valuable space on your Mac. Implement these methods to achieve a better optimised system and lessen future storage challenges.
TL:DR – Tools such as OmniDiskSweeper and AppCleaner can simplify the process of identifying and removing unwanted applications and their caches, ultimately freeing up significant amounts of disk space on your Mac.
- Details
Read more: Optimise Mac Cleanup: Use OmniDiskSweeper and AppCleaner to remove Apps and hidden caches
Every summer, Apple rolls out its back-to-school campaign, dangling discounts, free AirPods, and the usual lifestyle imagery of stylish students typing away on campus lawns. But this year, something different stood out — a PowerPoint presentation. Specifically, “The Parent Presentation.”
This isn’t a glossy ad or a TikTok campaign. It’s a deck designed for students to use on their parents. The idea? If you want a Mac for university, here’s your ready-made pitch to convince the people footing the bill.
But beyond the cleverness of the concept, one small but telling detail caught our attention: Apple didn’t just offer it in Keynote or PowerPoint. They also released a fully editable version in Google Slides — hosted on Google Drive.
TL:DR – Let that sink in. Apple. Promoting a pitch deck. On Google's platform. Its smart and subtle.
- Details
Running Ubuntu 25.04 Plucky Puffin as a virtual machine on your Mac is now more streamlined than ever thanks to advances in virtualization support for Apple silicon. With full compatibility for the Arm64 architecture, Ubuntu 25.04 provides a clean, responsive Linux environment optimised for Apple's M-series chips.
Installations on macOS benefit from native Arm performance, and Rosetta support, ensuring the desktop experience feels snappy within a contained VM. Tools such as UTM or Parallels Desktop provide robust virtual machine hosting with minimal configuration, bue we like 'Liviable' which enables developers and power users to easily deploy Linux workloads directly on their Mac.
Virtualization on Apple silicon has matured rapidly, removing many of the bottlenecks once associated with emulating non-native architectures. Now, booting Ubuntu 25.04 inside a VM offers reliable driver support, access to core system utilities, and a polished GNOME experience with minimal resource overhead.
This setup is ideal for testing cross-platform applications, compiling Arm-native binaries, or simply exploring the latest Linux features on modern macOS hardware. With the Arm ecosystem evolving quickly, combining Ubuntu and a MacBook delivers a versatile and efficient development stack that doesn’t compromise on speed or compatibility.
TL:DR – It is easy to set up Ubuntu 25.04 on a MacBook Pro running macOS Sequoia 15.5, and once installed you have a perfectly usable, fast, desktop Linux virtual machine at your disposal.
- Details
Read more: Ubuntu 25.04 Plucky Puffin Arm in a VM on your Apple Mac
Running macOS 26.0 Tahoe as a virtual machine on your Mac is easier than ever thanks to advances in virtualization support for Apple silicon. Running in a virtual machine allows you to check out the new version on your Apple's M-series based Mac computer safe in the knowledge that you aren't risking your production environment with beta software.
Tools such as VMware Fusion provide robust virtual machine hosting but cannot support macOS on Mac computers with Apple Silicon so we've chosen to use Viable, free software which takes advantade of the lightweight virtualisation framework provided by Apple.
Virtualization on Mac computers with Apple silicon has matured rapidly, removing many of the bottlenecks once associated with emulating non-native architectures. Booting macOS 26.0 Tahoe inside a VM is made possible by a system enabler from Apple providing reliable driver support, access to core system utilities, and a polished experience with minimal resource overhead.
This setup is ideal for testing applications, or simply exploring the latest features available to users of macOS 26.0 Tahoe.
TL:DR – It is easy to set up macOS 26.0 Tahoe on a Mac running macOS Sequoia 15.5, and once installed you have a perfectly usable, fast, beta macOS virtual machine at your disposal for testing without compromising your Mac.
- Details
- Upgrading to Ubuntu 25.04 and Troubleshooting Gnome Remote Desktop
- 2021 Apple MacBook Pro M1 - the Best Choice Refurbished Mac
- Deeply Comparing the MacBook Pro M1 M2 M3 and M4 Max
- How set up Port Forwarding or a DMZ with a Virgin Media Hub 5
- How to create and add SSH Keys to AWS EC2 Authorized Keys
- Grab some useful apps with Amazon Coins before they expire!
- Microsoft RDS via AWS License Manager in EC2 with Managed AD
- Why You Should Switch from MS Authenticator to Authy Today
- FileCloud in AWS
- Final Days of the Amazon Appstore for Android
- Automate SSL/TLS Renewals with AWS Certificate Manager
- Top red flags in phishing emails that you should never ignore