The only reason I still recommend Synology is DSM, but even that's falling behind
…For lack of updates to the app ecosystem , DSM has become just the base layer of the experience. And in an app and service-forward world, that's not going to be…
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Replacing paid productivity apps with a self-hosted setup helped me save money, but I had to make some compromises
1d agoMy favorite alternative to VS Code isn’t Cursor or Claude Code: it’s something way cooler and productive
1w agoThe Claude skill I built for myself is the only productivity hack that stuck
1w agoI stopped using Obsidian like a notes app, and started using it like a database
1w agoMicrosoft’s plan to improve Windows 11 might actually win me back
…But making the current app stable and reliable is one of the things most users will appreciate. Widget and update control Long overdue I cover Windows Insider builds and run multiple virtual…
PowerToys just added a feature that replaced my third-party app launcher entirely
…The PowerToys V0.98 update has finally addressed the one thing Windows users have envied about macOS and Linux for years: a persistent and extensible command dock. The new Command Palette Dock…
Google’s native app for Windows beats Microsoft at its own game
…Instead of a streamlined assistant, Microsoft gives us a fragmented mess of web-wrappers and sidebar clutter that hampers our productivity. Enter Google app for desktop — a lean, native powerhouse that manages…
I ditched half my Obsidian plugins and my vault actually got better
…note-taking app shouldn’t feel like a second job. I spent months convinced that my productivity was just one more plugin away. By stripping away the noise and returning to a…
Google Opal is the most impressive no-code app builder I've tested, and it's completely free to use
Mahnoor Faisal May 10, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT Mahnoor Faisal is a tech journalist covering AI and productivity tools with bylines at XDA , SlashGear , MakeUseOf , Laptop Mag , and Android Police . She…
I replaced my core Windows 11 apps with open-source alternatives — and I don't regret it
…It starts to create friction when your workflow evolves, but not the apps. Core apps like File Explorer and Films & TV rarely get a major update. They solve general problems and use…
My favorite alternative to ChatGPT isn’t Claude: it’s something way cooler and productive
…I have found something way cooler and more productive because it doesn’t just talk; it integrates directly into the apps I actually use every day. For me, Gemini has evolved from…
I rebuilt my entire note-taking system from scratch, and this setup is all I use now
…Sign in to your XDA account When you test out different productivity and note-taking tools as often as I do, you end up with so many apps in rotation it’s…
I uninstall these 6 Samsung apps on every Galaxy phone, and you probably should too
…So, the Shop app is a pure waste of space unless you buy Samsung products very frequently. Tips Suggestions, guides, and feature announcements It's also a one-time affair for someone…