Ashampoo Blog 10 year anniversary: What changed, what remains

2015 wasn't that long ago, was it? Looking back on ten years of Ashampoo Blog, it feels very different!

When the colleagues from our web department asked me if I was going to write an anniversary blog, I honestly had no idea what they were talking about. Ten minutes later, I was wiser and realized: 10 years, 235 blog posts, and 7 million views–not bad! Sounds like a good reason to look back at old tech, surprising developments, and topics that never seem to get old.

AI for Everyone–Whether we like it or not!

Artificial intelligence is in vogue and is omnipresent on the web. But does every application bring real added value?

I recently spotted a small, colorful ring icon on WhatsApp. I already had a feeling what was coming—and sure enough, tapping it brought me straight to “Meta AI.” Just a few days earlier, I had kicked Copilot out of office and had disabled “Aria” (Opera’s built-in AI). The fact that my insurance company first routed me to a (rather dumb) chatbot didn’t help my mood either. Is it even possible to avoid AI anymore? 

The end of Windows 10

Will Microsoft end Windows 10, the world's most widely used operating system, with a hard cut?

It’s standard practice for Microsoft to phase out its operating systems after 10 years. There have always been complaints, but this time I expect nothing less than a storm of outrage. Because 2025 changes everything: Many computers that still run Windows 10 perfectly well are, according to Microsoft, not compatible with Windows 11. And we’re not talking about outdated junkers wheezing through boot-up with noisy fans—we’re talking about powerful machines. At the same time, Windows 11 is far from dominating the market—roughly 30% use it, while nearly two-thirds are still on Windows 10. Windows 11’s new security concept will separate the wheat from the chaff—and there's no solution in sight!


When the Ad Blocker Suddenly Disappears

Is Google kicking ad blockers out of Chrome? The first step has been taken!

Chrome is the dominant browser—but those who recently opened it often encountered an unpleasant surprise. Many popular extensions, including the widely used uBlock Origin (with over 50 million installations), no longer work. Others have received new versions with limited functionality and fewer customization options. The reason for this is the new Manifest V3 for Chrome extensions, which is currently being rolled out. What does this mean, what are Google's goals, and what alternatives do you have? Find out here!

Merry Christmas 2024 from the Ashampoo Blog team!

You can't force the Christmas spirit, but sometimes an old 1984 movie on VHS does the trick!

The pre-Christmas season often isn't as magical as one might hope. When the days grow shorter, wetter, and colder, and neither a cozy feeling nor any real excitement settles in, Christmas can feel more like the next big project–just another task to prepare, execute, and check off the list. But every now and then, that special feeling sneaks up on you, catching you by surprise–like when you’re simply searching for holiday decorations.

The return of boot dread

Windows updates are usually routine, but lately, many users have been approaching their PCs with uneasy feelings. Read on to find out why!

Long-time Windows users are familiar with the suspense of system startups: Will the computer boot without hiccups today? Even if you were convinced that you hadn’t changed anything, the screen could stay black or be filled with error messages. This often led to desperation, frustration, time-consuming repair attempts, or even a complete reinstallation. Over the years, I had almost forgotten about all that, but now the suspense is back with a vengeance, bearing names like KB5035853 or KB5035849!

Imperfect photos: Soon a thing of the past?

The world isn't perfect, so why should our photos be? Modern cameras and editing apps give us all the tools to cheat, but should we?

When managers start chatting freely, you sometimes learn interesting things. Isaac Reynolds, a product manager at Google and "head of photos," recently philosophized about the present and future of digital photography. While I thought it was about capturing the deepest night or minimizing digital noise, his thoughts went in a completely different direction. According to Reynolds, representing reality will no longer be the top priority. Instead, the aim is to create images based on customer expectations, not on the technical limitations of their cameras. With a shift from image processing to image creation, accurately depicting the moment becomes secondary–but is that really the right approach?

When managers start chatting freely, you sometimes learn interesting things. Isaac Reynolds, a product manager at Google and &quot;head of photos,&quot; recently philosophized about the present and future of digital photography. While I thought it was about capturing the deepest night or minimizing digital noise, his thoughts went in a completely different direction. According to Reynolds, representing reality will no longer be the top priority. Instead, the aim is to create images based on customer expectations, not on the technical limitations of their cameras. With a shift from image processing to image creation, accurately depicting the moment becomes secondary–but is that really the right approach?


Just a great camera with a bit of phone attached? 4 Weeks with the Google Pixel 8

My new phone needed to be compact, have a good camera, and offer a pure, slim Android experience. Will the Google Pixel 8 convince me?

When battery life starts to wane and security updates stop coming, a phone enters its twilight years—time for something new! My requirements were clear: I didn't want a phone that felt like a brick in my pocket, I wanted an exceptionally good camera, and I wanted a clean operating system without bloatware! This ruled out 90% of phones, which now aim for the size of a chocolate bar or, like many Chinese phones, bug you with ads or unwanted software. So, I checked out the Google Pixel 8, which has dropped to a more reasonable price a few months after its launch. Will it shine where it matters to me?

A 27-inch WQHD display for less than $200 that is suitable for gaming? My review of Koorui 27E1QA

A 27-inch QHD gaming monitor for less than $200–consider my curiosity piqued!

A 27-inch WQHD display for less than $200 that is suitable for gaming?

Recently, I retired my old computer. For 7 years, it had bravely held its own, with only the graphics card being modestly upgraded–and its age gradually starting to show. With the new system, my attention turned to my equally aged monitor. Not only was it unable to display the higher resolutions my new graphics card could display, it also couldn’t handle more than 60 Hz–and had a dead pixel that had been annoying me for quite some time. So, I started looking for a value-oriented replacement and came across the **KOORUI 27-inch QHD** gaming monitor. Wait a second, QHD resolution, 1 ms response time, and 144 Hz for under $200? It was worth a try–and I got to explain a few technical terms along the way!

Recently, I retired my old computer. For 7 years, it had bravely held its own, with only the graphics card being modestly upgraded–and its age gradually starting to show. With the new system, my attention turned to my equally aged monitor. Not only was it unable to display the higher resolutions my new graphics card could display, it also couldn’t handle more than 60 Hz–and had a dead pixel that had been annoying me for quite some time. So, I started looking for a value-oriented replacement and came across the KOORUI 27-inch QHD gaming monitor. Wait a second, QHD resolution, 1 ms response time, and 144 Hz for under $200? It was worth a try–and I got to explain a few technical terms along the way!


Merry Christmas 2023 from the Ashampoo Blog team!

Can the thought of Christmas help in difficult situations? An endless night in the hospital clearly answered this question.

At the end of October, I became very ill. It was the kind of sickness that causes sleepless nights and makes you hesitant to commit to any long-term subscriptions. Since I had to go to a specialized clinic, I was 200 km away from friends and family, and I struggled immensely with this new situation. Even my usually indestructible sense of humor failed me, and I spent days and nights brooding darkly. However, at one point, Spotify unexpectedly played a special song that changed everything – and it was partly due to Christmas.

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