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As the number of paid add-ons available for Microsoft 365 continues to grow, customers face additional expenses. In 2019, there were only just over a dozen paid add-ons, but this number has surged to hundreds now. This article delves into the implications of these changes, the additional costs incurred, and how companies can navigate this complex landscape effectively. By addressing the key issues at hand, we aim to help you make informed decisions that will optimise your investment in Microsoft 365.
TL:DR – The number of paid add-ons for Microsoft 365 has increased significantly, leading to additional costs and challenges for organisations. The standard subscription tiers may not cover essential features anymore, requiring further assessments and investments to manage these tools effectively. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maintaining effective operational budgets and workflows.
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Read more: Are Costly Add-Ons Draining Your Microsoft 365 Budget?
Lossless audio and Dolby Atmos sound coming to subscribers of Apple Music in June 2021 at no additional cost
Apple today announced Apple Music is bringing industry-leading sound quality to subscribers with the addition of Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos. Spatial Audio gives artists the opportunity to create immersive audio experiences for their fans with true multidimensional sound and clarity. Apple Music subscribers will also be able to listen to more than 75 million songs in Lossless Audio — the way the artists created them in the studio. These new features will be available for Apple Music subscribers starting next month at no additional cost. Lossless audio alone is kind of a big deal, but the question remains open as to whether you feel the value is there in Apple Music.
Apple Music is making its biggest advancement ever in sound quality. Listening to a song in Dolby Atmos is like magic. The music comes from all around you and sounds incredible. Now we are bringing this truly innovative and immersive experience to our listeners with music from their favorite artists like J Balvin, Gustavo Dudamel, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Kacey Musgraves, The Weeknd, and so many more. Subscribers will also be able to listen to their music in the highest audio quality with Lossless Audio. Apple Music as we know it is about to change forever.
TL:DR — Cool if you have the right Airpods and an Apple Music subscription, otherwise meh. Amazon Music announced lossless audio today too, coincidentally.
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Read more: Apple Music Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Lossless audio
XLD can be used as a CD ripper. You can convert each track in your audio CD into the desired format. I use FLAC, which is supported nicely by PLEX. X Lossless Decoder(XLD) is a comprehensive tool for macOS that is able to decode/convert/play various 'lossless' audio files. The supported audio files can be split into some tracks with cue sheets. Also XLD supports the creation of a CD image with cue sheet (wav+cue, flac+cue, etc).
TL:DR— This is a lovely audio ripper. X Lossless Decoder(XLD) rips CD's to 'lossless' audio files such as FLAC files and is built for Mac computers with Apple silicon, as well as earlier Macs and the source code is published. Importantly it works well and outputs what I need - lossless audio versions of my CD's for PLEX.
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TL:DR— XRG is an open source system monitor for macOS. XRG allows you to monitor CPU activity, GPU activity, memory usage, battery status, machine temperature, network activity, disk I/O, current weather, and stock market data.
Just take me to the link
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I switched out of using Adobe software in 2021 and don't miss a single thing about their tools. Adobe Creative Cloud was costing almost £700 per year for a single license subscription and I could not justify the payments for functionality only used from time to time.
I have replaced all the Adobe Creative Cloud tools with fully fledged Universal applications which are built to take advantage of Apple silicon. I am no expert in all these tools and I'm not reviewing these apps from that point of view and there are loads of feature based reviews out there already. My needs are straightfoward. I need functionality from graphics tools occasionally for example to clean up an image or edit a scalable vector graphic file. I need effective tools that are designed and built for the latest Apple silicon technology. I really dont need a full Adobe Creative Cloud subscription anyway. So if you, like me, have a new Apple silicon based Mac, you might like this list of software that shows its developers are up to date with Apples technology not falling behind.
TL:DR—I did it! I have been so surprised by the depth and strength in the alternatives I have found. They are all really good! With Apple silicon support they are blazingly fast and full featured and the come with an extra feature - they don't have the subscription model and lethargic pace of development of Adobe.I have now standardised on Affinity products and cancelled my Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
Just take me to the links
PhotoLine, Krita, Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher, Affinity Photo, Ardour REAPER
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Read more: Replacing Adobe Creative Cloud on Apple Mac computers
The Stationery Pad checkbox is a surprisingly under-utilised tool. Let's explore what Stationery Pad is, how you can leverage it to create templates, and the various scenarios where it can simplify your workflows. For many users, mastering this feature can significantly enhance your productivity as you navigate your document-centric tasks.
TL:DR – The Stationery Pad feature in macOS allows users to create template documents that ensure the original files remain unchanged. To use it efficiently, select a document, enable the Stationery Pad option, and whenever you open that document, Finder will generate a new copy that you can edit without the risk of altering the original.
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I/O is back, online, and free for everyone having been cancelled in 2020. I am looking forward to the sessions (keynotes, google play, flutter, material design, firebase) from the comfort of my home office.. I’d recommend the keynote, the developer keynote and ‘whats new in Google Play’ to everyone and there are tons of other useful sessions whatever your level of interest or experience.
TL:DR – Flutter really started to make inroads at Google I/O 2021.
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- Wiring for Category 6 cable (UTP)
- Installing Android Studio for Mac
- Create an app in Flutter on Ubuntu in about 15 min
- Screenshots in Firefox 88 have been moved, annoyingly!
- Strategy
- Keeweb Desktop Password Manager on Ubuntu 21.04
- Ubuntu 21.04 delivered Wayland, Flutter and Screen sharing!
- Android 12 Developer Preview
- Installing Kali NetHunter
- iOS 14.4.2 and iPadOS 14.4.2
- Setting up macOS on a Mac mini
- Tips for Recovery Success Using GNU ddrescue on Ubuntu Linux