Blog posts written by Holly Hall

Holly Hall
30 June 2023

Snapcraft.io reloaded: check out the new look and feel

Ubuntu Article

We’re happy to announce that snapcraft.io has a fresh, new look! Time for an update After keeping the same user interface and style for several years, we embarked on a project to redesign snapcraft.io and give it a more modern look. We spent a lot of time analysing how we could improve the store and ...

Holly Hall
9 June 2023

Release management for snaps made simpler

Ubuntu Article

Release management is the process of planning, scheduling, testing and deploying new versions of software. To make this process simpler for snap developers, we have released a new feature called progressive releases. Continue reading to understand what they are, why they are important and how you can use them in the Snap Store. What are ...

Holly Hall
29 March 2023

3 reasons why OTA updates are important [Part II]

IoT Article

In the first part of this blog series, we covered what the term ‘OTA’ means and some key advantages and considerations of using OTA technology in IoT. Read more about what OTA means in the blog post here. Devices are everywhere but they all need maintenance. Maintaining household gadgets such as laptops, printers and smart ...

Holly Hall
24 October 2022

What does OTA mean? [Part I]

Internet of Things Article

In the second part of this blog series, we cover the top 3 reasons why OTA updates are important. Read more about the importance of OTA technology in the blog post here. OTA is a term commonly used when working with any type of device. Simply, the abbreviation OTA means ‘over-the-air’, and refers to the ...

Holly Hall
18 August 2022

Top 5 IoT challenges and how to solve them

Internet of Things Article

There are a number of challenges to surmount for enterprises in the IoT sector, including having a short time to market, airtight security, a versatile update mechanism for hardware and software and mastering device management. The more planning and practical steps that are taken to address key considerations, the faster an IoT project ca ...

Holly Hall
30 June 2022

Star Developers are here!

Ubuntu Article

We are happy to announce that the newest community feature of the Snap Store is here: Star Developers! Background In the Snap Store, we have a fantastic community where members can discuss topics in the forum, develop snaps and help others. Currently, the Snap Store has verified accounts; verified companies have a green tick by ...

Holly Hall
19 November 2021

Top 10 apps to boost your productivity

Apps Article

Winter is rolling in (for those in the Northern Hemisphere at least). Long summer evenings are on hold for now. In these colder months, it can be difficult to get back into work and feel efficient. But whether you are feeling tired, unorganised, or demotivated, there may be an application here to help you refocus ...

Holly Hall
1 October 2021

What is an IoT marketplace?

Internet of Things Article

The Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem is expanding at a rapid rate, with the number of devices growing every year. The increase in physical hardware being manufactured multiplies the amount of software needed to perform various functions on new platforms. There are a range of IoT use cases, including voice-controlling the lights in your ...

Holly Hall
30 June 2021

Top 10 apps for a fresh Linux install in 2021

Desktop Article

Are you struggling with too much lag? Is it time for a spring clean and a fresh Linux install? Ready to upgrade to Focal Fossa (LTS) or Hirsute Hippo? Whatever situation you are in, get started quickly with some of the most popular apps you need for a fresh Linux install. Here are all the ...

Holly Hall
24 June 2021

A technical introduction to the Snap Store Proxy

Internet of Things Article

In the world of IoT, it is crucial to be fully in control of your devices. Over-the-air (OTA) updates are essential for a distributed set of devices. This must be carefully managed to ensure that an update is not pushed at a time where the device is active and operation should not be interrupted. To ...

Holly Hall
17 June 2021

Two-factor authentication coming to Ubuntu One

Security Article

What is 2-factor authentication (2FA)? Two factor authentication (2FA) increases your account security further than just using a username and password. In addition to a password (the first factor), you need another factor to access your account. A great example to demonstrate this is when you withdraw money from an ATM. To access your ban ...

Holly Hall
21 April 2021

Community AMA: Indaba for 21.04

Desktop Article

What is indaba? An indaba is a conference or gathering to discuss matters of importance, originating from the Xhosa and Zulu languages. Following this theme, we are excited to be hosting our first Desktop Indaba this Friday. Everybody is welcome to take part by asking questions for our AMA (Ask Me Anything) part of the ...