TechCapsules

ExpressVPN released version 14.3.1 of its desktop applications for Windows, macOS and Linux on September 22. The update expands the Advanced Protection suite—ad, tracker and malicious‑site blocking—to operate under every VPN protocol supported by the service. Additional enhancements include a rebuilt speed‑test tool, more intelligent split‑tunneling controls, and a series of reliability patches aimed at reducing connection drops. The rollout follows a busy 2024 for the provider, which earlier introduced a visual redesign and a stable multi‑connection point (MCP) [...]

Meta’s new AI app Muse surpassed ChatGPT in early U.S. and Canada mobile downloads, with 1.8 million installs versus ChatGPT’s 1.3 million in the first 12 days. Muse also achieved higher daily active users—642,000 overall and 359,000 on iOS—compared to ChatGPT’s 231,000. The app climbed to No. 1 on the U.S. App Store, overtaking ChatGPT, and has 2.8 million global installs. Meta’s cross‑promotion via Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp likely fuels Muse’s rapid uptake.

File Converter is a free Windows application that embeds file‑conversion tools directly into the File Explorer context menu. After installation, users can right‑click any supported file—such as Word documents, PDFs, or images—and select “File Converter” to choose a target format. The app handles the conversion instantly and supports batch processing, allowing multiple files to be converted simultaneously. It eliminates the need for separate software, online services, or complex menu navigation, streamlining the workflow for professionals who frequently [...]

GasPulse, a free iOS app, delivers weekly gas price averages from the Energy Information Administration, offering state‑by‑state charts, up to five years of historical data, and forecast outlooks. Users can compare regional trends, set price alerts for up to six areas, and view updates via home‑screen and lock‑screen widgets or Siri. The app runs on iOS 18+, is ad‑free, and requires no subscription. It provides a comprehensive, data‑driven view of fuel costs without locating the cheapest station. [...]

A new free Mac application called Tasks.txt, created by Ukrainian developer Yevhen Kharkivskyi, offers a minimalist alternative to feature‑heavy to‑do list apps. Built on the todo.txt format pioneered by Gina Trapani, the app stores tasks in plain‑text files and organizes them into three sections—Next, Backlog, and Done—allowing users to focus on daily priorities and archive completed items each night. Keyboard‑centric navigation lets users add, edit, and complete tasks without leaving the window, while mouse interaction remains intuitive. An [...]

Meta’s newly released Muse AI agent app has climbed to the top of the free iPhone charts in the U.S. App Store, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Launched earlier this month, Muse has gained traction beyond its initial release, with recent installs driving it to number one. Meta extended Muse’s availability to Mac the day before, though the desktop version does not affect App Store rankings. The app’s agentic design mirrors SpaceXAI’s Grok Bot, offering a conversational interface with [...]

Microsoft has released a targeted update that resolves a long‑standing copy‑paste malfunction in Excel, which caused certain cells to lose formatting or data when transferred between worksheets. The fix, rolled out through the Office Insider program, is currently available only to a limited cohort of users participating in the early‑access channel, while the broader public will receive the patch in a later cumulative update. The issue, first reported in early 2023, affected power users and enterprises that [...]

Photopea, a free browser‑based image editor, offers a robust alternative to Adobe Photoshop for occasional users. The web app handles basic tasks such as cropping, resizing and touch‑ups, while also supporting advanced features including layers, masks, filters, smart objects, vector graphics and AI‑driven tools for background removal and object replacement. Crucially, Photopea can open and save native PSD files, allowing seamless collaboration with Photoshop users without requiring a paid license. Its interface mirrors Photoshop’s layout, with tools [...]