Raspberry Pi OS is a Unix-like operating system. It was first developed independently in 2012, and the Raspberry Pi Foundation has distributed it since 2013. The distribution is based on the Debian Linux distribution, and the OS is designed to run on the Raspberry Pi.
Bookshelf app
Bookshelf is an app available on the Raspberry Pi OS, the 32-bit variant of the Debian-based operating system. It provides access to the free ebooks and magazines that Raspberry Pi Press publishes in several formats. Moreover, it helps to locate books in the company’s catalog.
The application is relatively small, a little over two MB, and is built into the OS itself. If you already have Raspberry Pi installed, you can find it in the Help section of the main menu. Alternatively, you can download it from the Raspberry Pi store. Fortunately, you don’t have to install it to enjoy the perks it offers, as it’s part of the latest OS update.
As the name suggests, the app is a good ol’ fashioned library management tool. You can easily organize your library by using the library view and the tags feature. In addition, you can also use the app to transfer books between different computers in your household.
Magnifier app
There’s a new app in the Raspberry Pi OS library: a Magnifier. This program is a small application that enlarges individual elements on the screen in order to help you see them better.
The app works by detecting the size of the object you want to magnify. Depending on your preference, you can either leave the magnification at its default settings or tweak its size to fit your needs.
It can even follow your mouse cursor across the screen. And, thanks to a servo, you can do it automatically.
The Magnifier app is one of the most comprehensive desktop enhancements the Raspberry Pi has to offer. Moreover, it is built from scratch. Besides, the software has a number of other features, including integrated development environments, an office productivity suite, and programming resources.
Bullseye browser
The Raspberry Pi company announced a major change in their Linux distribution. They are releasing a new version of the OS called Bullseye, which is based on Debian 11 and includes a number of changes.
One of the biggest improvements in the OS is the improved desktop. Desktop applications now use GTK+3 to draw their user interface, which improves the look of the GUI. In addition, users can change the background color of their screen, and change the duration of the display.
Another feature is desktop notifications. Depending on your preferences, you can choose whether to have the notification appear on your desktop or your phone’s screen. You can also set the time for which the notification will be visible.
Using the updater plug-in, you can also install updates in the background. When a new software update is available, a notification will pop up in the desktop.
Android Things
The Raspberry Pi has a number of advantages over many other IoT devices. But its touchscreen is not compatible with Android Things. So if you are looking to build a device that can use the Android platform, you may want to consider a different type of microcontroller.
Google is releasing a new Android platform, called Android Things, that enables you to create IoT devices. It will run on NXP Pico, Raspberry Pi, and Intel Edison boards. This will give you access to an embedded operating system that allows you to connect to hardware like sensors, actuators, and remote controls.
You can start with an Intel Edison, which costs $80. If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, you can opt for an NXP Pico.
RISC OS
RISC OS for Raspberry Pi is available as a free download. It’s a very simple operating system, but it has some nice features. For instance, it supports dragging and dropping files. In addition to that, it has a filing system. This makes it easier to organize files.
One of the most useful features is the ability to transfer data from application to application. RISC OS uses context-sensitive menus. These are very similar to the right-click menus in modern Linux systems.
When you open an application, you can double-click the icon to launch it. The RISC OS file system also makes it easy to copy and move files.
There is a text editor, calculator, alarm system, and many other applications. There are even several music packages available.
