Brave open sources Cookiecrumbler, an AI-powered tool to automatically detect and block cookie consent banners, currently running on Brave servers, with plans to move it to the browser:
https://betanews.com/2025/04/27/brave-cookiecrumbler-open-source-cookie-notice-blocker/

Kdenlive 25.04 released with AI-powered background removal plugin, OpenTimelineIO import/export, refactored audio thumbnail system, ability to change the duration of multiple adjacent clips in a single action and more:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/4/kdenlive-25-04-is-out-with-background-removal-opentimelineio-import-export-and-much-more/
(That background removal tool is actually a pretty good use of AI, and it runs locally, so no need to give Kdenlive Internet access.)
(The ability to change duration of multiple clips at once is also pretty useful, I might attempt to update Kdenlive to get that feature, and hope it doesn't break lol.)

Joplin 3.3 released with various accessibility improvements (keyboard navigation, screen reader support, higher contrast UI elements etc.), option to collapse or expand all notebook hierarchies with a single button, run multiple independent instances for better workspace management on desktop, new search dialog for quick linking of notes, Markdown auto-replacement in Rich Text Editor, improved focus handling in modals on mobile, support for attaching audio recordings to notes and enhanced voice typing on Android, redesigned "New Note" menu:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/4/joplin-3-3-brings-rich-text-updates-audio-recording-attachments-ui-improvements-and-more/

AdGuard's CLI adblocker for Linux reached version 1.0, includes app exclusion feature, differential filter updating, interactive setup wizard:
https://betanews.com/2025/04/29/how-to-install-adguard-v1-0-stable-on-linux/

OpenBSD 7.7 released with performance boosts, expanded hardware support, support for Scalable Vector Extension (SVE) and enabling PAC on hardware with the new QARMA3 cipher, improved support for running the system in QEMU, kernel improvements etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/4/openbsd-7-7-released-with-performance-boosts-expanded-hardware-support-and-much-more/

(more FOSS news in comment)

FOSS NEWS

Proton introduces advanced email aliases in Proton Pass with randomized email alias generation at signups, notification if alias gets compromised:
https://proton.me/blog/benefits-of-email-aliases

Odysee introduces new blockchain-based monetizaton system with USDC (dollar-equivalent token):
https://odysee.com/@Odysee:8/newmonetizationmodel:6

Open source forum software NodeBB joins the Fediverse, forums created with NodeBB 4.0.0 will automatically federate with other Fediverse platforms:
https://ostechnix.com/nodebb-joins-fediverse/

Shotcut 25.01 released with native Wayland support for the Flatpak version, new features like Bins, View > Files panel, “Show in Files” option in Properties and Jobs, a Gradient Map video filter etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/shotcut-25-01-video-editor-adds-native-wayland-support-on-flatpak-for-linux

Critical vulnerability in older versions of 7-Zip, users are advised to use version 24.09 or higher:
https://betanews.com/2025/01/23/7-zip-users-need-to-take-action-right-now-to-address-a-serious-security-flaw/

Dillo browser 3.2 released with SVG and WebP support, support for modern CSS units (ch, rem, vw, vh, vmin, vmax), new scrollbar page navigation mode, option to set custom new tab page etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/1/dillo-3-2-released-with-svg-and-webp-support-improved-navigation-page-zoom-options-and-more/

(Linux news in original post)

FOSS NEWS

Foss FEST 2025 takes place in 21-22 February, on multiple locations worldwide, for university student, who can compete on building solutions for given projects, and have Masterclasses in different topics:
https://os-sci.com/event/foss-fest-2025-international-hackathon-14/register

GIMP 3.0 RC2 released with bug fixes, new public filter API, initial AppImage version, improved Darktable integration:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/12/gimp-3-0-rc2-released-with-bug-fixes-new-public-filter-api-initial-appimage-and-more/

LineageOS 22.1 released with Android 15 base, support for more than 100 devices, latest version of SeedVault and Etar, WebView upgraded to 131.0.6778.200, enhanced extract utilities, support for virtIO targets (QEMU, crosvm, UTM), new music player and PDF reader:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/1/lineageos-22-1-based-on-android-15-is-now-available-for-more-than-100-devices/

New terminal emulator Ghostty saw first public release, aiming to be fast, feature-rich and platform-native while still being cross-platform:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/12/ghostty-terminal-linux-open-source-release

Mozilla releases Orbit, a new AI assistant extension for Firefox:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/12/orbit-by-mozilla-ai-assistant-firefox-extension
(Thanks nope, I won't install it)

IVPN acquires Safing, creators of Portmaster and SPN:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/12/ivpn-acquires-safing-marking-the-beginning-of-a-new-era/
(At least they aren't purchased by a shady ad company, it's the good type of acquisition like Proton - SimpleLogin, Proton - Standard Notes or Tor - Tails)

Kdenlive to get Auto Masking feature for easier background removal, already available in alpha builds:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/12/kdenlive-automatic-object-masking-feature

Fish Shell 4.0 released, written is Rust instead of C++:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/1/fish-shell-4-0-drops-c--for-rust-to-simplify-development-and-enhance-performance/

(Linux news in original post)

FOSS NEWS

Tusky 27 released with Material 3 design, distinct bar for hashtags, improved notifications, option to add description to audio attachments, optimizations for folding devices etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/12/tusky-27-released-with-material-3-design-improved-notifications-hashtag-bar-and-more/

Matrix v1.13 released with account suspension option for admins, option to report rooms:
https://matrix.org/blog/2024/12/19/matrix-v1.13-release/

DivestOS and its associated mobile apps like Mull get discontinued due to lack of funding and being a one-person project:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/12/secure-mobile-operating-system-divestos-ends-after-a-decade-of-development/

Darktable 5.0 released with additional camera-specific styles, optional splash screen to show startup progress, new high-contrast theme, performance boosts:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/12/darktable-5-0-enhances-photo-editing-with-improved-ui-ux-and-performance-boosts/

OpenShot 3.3 released with new default theme, Wayland-compatible color picker, customizable audio buffer size, Recovery menu, Ripple editing improvements etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/openshot-3-3-open-source-video-editor-is-now-available-heres-whats-new

Mixxx 2.5 released with Qt 6 port, beatloop anchor to set and adjust loop from either start or end, Rate Tap button, support for storing and restoring regular loops when toggling rolling loops, ability to undo the last BPM/beats change, type toggle to the cue pop-up etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/mixxx-2-5-open-source-dj-app-released-with-qt-6-port-improved-controller-support
(At the turntable: deeeeeeeeeeejaaaaaaaaaaay... ASAHI!)
(Now playing: IBM ft. Red Hat - Fedora (Asahi Remix))
(Sry I couldn't resist lol)

(Linux news in original post)

FOSS NEWS

PeerTube v7 released with redesigned UI with more polished themes and reorganized menus, new modal to edit captions and more:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/12/peertube-v7-introduces-redesigned-interface-enhanced-navigation-and-improved-accessibility/
https://joinpeertube.org/news/release-7.0
(The new UI looks pretty cool, much more polished, user friendly. The placing of the Publish button is a bit weird though, header would probably be a better place for it, as it is on most other platforms.)

Mozilla adds Ecosia as a default search engine option to Firefox:
https://news.itsfoss.com/mozilla-firefox-ecosia/
(Finally a step in the right direction, this time not a new service nobody wants to use. It might (or might not) help them survive of Google's antitrust lawsuit takes a direction that breaks up their partnership with Google. They need to survive to keep forks like LibreWolf alive.)

Kdenlive 24.12 released with Advanced SubStation Alpha (ASS) subtitle support (which provides more formatting options, including text strokes, drop shadows, margins, animations), Subtitle Manager and Subtitle Style Editor, new parameters for Transform, Flip and Volume effects, new GPS effects, option to resize multiple items on timeline in one go etc.:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/12/kdenlive-adds-improved-subtitle-tools-new-effects-more
(I keep Kdenlive on 23.08.5 with updates disabled so that it doesn't break, but those subtitle features might make me update it to the latest version and hope that it doesn't break my customized panel layout with floating panels lol)

ONLYOFFICE gets improved AI integration with support for Together AI, Mistral and GPT4ALL support in addition to ChatGPT for tasks like content creation, translations, summaries:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2024/12/onlyoffice-improves-its-ai-integration-with-multiple-ai-model-selections/
(Yeah let's make people even lazier because using their brain requires so much effort lol)

/e/OS 2.6.3 released with support for CMF Phone 1 and Murena Tablets, Android 14 base, browser updated to 130.0.6723.67 and other improvements:
https://e.foundation/leaving-apple-welcome-e-os-2-6-3-dont-miss-end-of-the-year-pixel-sale-at-murena/

(Linux news in original post)