Category: 4. Technology

Since inception, smartphones have been on a mission — to become the pocket computers that cover all our digital needs. For the most part, they can do that — you can write an email on a phone; you can open and read websites on a phone; you can binge YouTube and Netflix… on a phone.

So, what’s the reason we turn to laptops and desktop computers? Simple — the workflow that a big device gives us. A bigger screen allows for more webpage tabs to be open and juggled conveniently. A big, physical keyboard is much more convenient for prolonged typing, naturally. The way the desktop is laid out is much more convenient for multi-tasking.

And, for an actually healthy work process… looking forward at a screen in front of you is much better than looking down at a smartphone screen. Just ask your neck about it.

Duh, obviously, right?

But let’s not take away from smartphones. They now have processors that can rival entry-level laptops. They have high-quality apps that allow you to create and edit a lot of social media presence material straight from your phone. And I do know a couple of people in my life that don’t even own a computer. But, more to the point, they own their own business, and do promote said business online entirely through their smartphones.

So, we are halfway there — what’s next?

Foldable smartphones set out to solve one of the challenges of the smartphone workflow, and that’s display size. Not only to see things in bigger form, but to be able to juggle 2, 3, or 5 apps at a time.And that process is still ongoing, with manufacturers coming up with more ways to make multi-tasking convenient. Oppo and OnePlus have the “Open Canvas” mode, which allows you to juggle 4 apps on screen, quickly switching between which one is displayed in full with just a tap.

The latest Honor Magic V5 has something similar in the form of “Three app multi-tasking”, where the three apps are laid out horizontally on screen. You can have all of them full-screened, and you scroll from one to the other by tapping on the left or right side of the screen.

That’s all well and good. But what if you don’t want a foldable? Either due to the form factor, fragility, or price. Well, that’s fine, because the future lies elsewhere.

The future is in Desktop Experience

Credit given where credit is due — Samsung locked in on the mobile future 8 years ago, when it launched Galaxy S8 with the DeX station. That’s right, back then, DeX wasn’t an autonomous software feature in the phone, you had to actually carry around a small dock with you. It had fans to keep the phone cool, and connections to keep it charged.Since then, DeX has evolved. Nowadays, you can plug an external monitor into a Galaxy S25 or Galaxy Z Fold 7 via the USB C port, then connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you get a full-blown desktop experience on the monitor.

It’s still powered by Android, so it has some quirks, specifically when it comes to copying and editing text, or how the mouse pointer works. But it’s workable.

I’ve been talking up DeX for some years, and even though I see a lot of skepticism, you can also find comments online by people that enjoy it. Students are one example, but there are also professionals that are on the move and enjoy the fact that all their files and work projects are on their phone, so they can just plug in and work from anywhere with little pause.

And there’s even a new class of product out now — a sort of “Shell of a laptop” that has no hardware inside. It’s a screen, keyboard, and touchpad, all designed to be paired with your Samsung phone and run DeX. What’s the benefit? It can be cheaper and lighter, and if you find yourself working more from the phone than a computer, it makes sense.

Google has caught on

It took some years, but Google finally paid attention to DeX. With Android 16, Pixel devices (Pixel 8 and up) are getting Desktop Mode. It does what it says on the tin, and operates much like DeX — plug in a monitor and go.Unfortunately, it seems to be a Pixel-exclusive feature at the moment. My hope is that it will eventually be unlocked as a general Android feature for all phones. Obviously, there will probably be hardware limitations, but if you have a higher tier Android phone, you should be able to run it, I’d hope.

Where is Apple in this?

Apple is pretty slow to cave and allow its devices to do more than “that one thing”. Look no further than the story of iPads to confirm.

The first iPad Pro launched in 2015 as an extra-expensive, extra-large iPad. And the only thing it could do with that large canvas? Slide Over and Split View, which were very limited ways of split-screen multi-tasking. Not only are they — to this day — not supported by all apps, but they only let you snap windows to specific sizes and specific places on screen.

Then, in 2022, Apple had to invent a whole new way of having floating windows on-screen, called Stage Manager. And, again, it wasn’t great, as windows still had to lock in specific sizes. It took until 2023 for Stage Manager to become free-floating and usable.

And yes, today, I can go to work with just an iPad Pro, plug in one of the docks that are connected to a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and do my work as an author at PhoneArena. The future is now! And, just like Samsung DeX on the tablets, an iPad can run the Stage Manager UI autonomously — you don’t need an external monitor, just go into Stage Manager and use the multi-window mode however you please.

But what about the iPhone?

The history of the iPhone is not much different. The first “Plus” model was the iPhone 6 Plus with a 5.5-inch screen. It doesn’t sound big by today’s standards, but keep in mind it had a 16:9 aspect ratio, so it was a pretty wide 5.5-inch screen. It became even bigger when the iPhone XS Max launched in 2018.

But those big screens only underlined one thing — the iPhone supported no split screen or floating windows, in an age when Samsung, LG (you are missed), Sony, and others had it as a default, no-big-deal feature.

It took all the way to 2020 for Apple to finally include Picture-in-Picture video for iPhones. Hey, it’s not much, but it’s something. At least you can binge Apple TV or your favorite YouTube channel (is it PhoneArena?) while doing other stuff on that 6.5-inch screen.

So, with this tempo, it’ll be about 2027 or 2030 before the iPhone gets a Stage Manager mode. Especially since the focus right now is to actually develop and implement the AI features that were promised for, but not delivered in, March 2025.

Then again… maybe I am wrong and this is not a big deal. Poll time!

Labor Day deal: With concerns over tariffs and price increases, Labor Day offers greater discounts on a ton of items, including top tech like the Apple M4 Mac Mini. Right now you can pick one up for$545 at Amazon. This powerful computer already offers great value, so saving $54 is a bonus. But if you were planning on picking one up, we can’t promise this deal will last beyond Labor Day, so we suggest buying sooner rather than later.

I bought the M4 Mac Mini after reading CNET laptop expert Joshua Goldman’s review of the tiny machine. I was looking for a computer that would increase my productivity and better organize my workflow. Since then, I’ve found it to be the best value for money among Apple’s lineup. For less than $600, you can get a more powerful computer than the $999 MacBook Air.

The M4 Mac Mini, Apple’s smallest computer, is an easy recommendation for me since it’s one of CNET’s picks for the best desktop computers of 2025. It’s also our go-to for the best cheap desktop alternative to a MacBook or iMac. Even better, it’s now selling at Amazon for $54 off, which brings the price down to $545. That’s a fantastic deal for work-from-home employees and creatives.

The M4 Mac Mini has been my best tech investment this year

I’ve been joyfully surprised by the M4 Mac Mini’s value and how wonderful it’s been for me to work from a desk. As a freelance remote worker, I travel at least 10 days every month, so I need a portable computer. Based on my lifestyle, I should be recommending the M4 MacBook Air. But it’s the remaining 20 days of the month that I need to work harder than usual to put together new pitches, deliver approved stories, sort admin tasks, conduct research and more. All this requires immense organization and productivity, and the M4 Mac Mini has helped make my life easier.

This smallest of Apple’s computers doesn’t compromise on power. It features a 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory and a 256GB solid-state drive for storage. It’s very powerful for a $599 machine and a bargain at $545. You likely won’t be able to find similar reliability and power on a Windows machine for $500. I’ve tried and failed. And no, I’m not forgetting that the Mac Mini doesn’t come with a display or a mouse and keyboard. 

I paired my M4 Mac Mini with a 27-inch LG UltraGear monitor (currently down to $239) and a Logitech mouse and keyboard combo — all for under $200. The UltraGear’s big screen is quite useful for research and multitasking, as well as watching movies. 

The M4 Mac Mini can be excellent for home office and content creation needs. As CNET’s Goldman wrote in his review, “The Mini can fit in your hand and be everything from an everyday home office computer to a full-on professional content-creation machine — and an easily portable one at that — with support for up to three 6K-resolution displays.” 

My buying recommendation

The M4 Mac Mini was launched in November 2024, and it’s now available at a $54 discount, which is not the lowest price we’ve seen but a decent discount. The small Apple computer offers superb value for remote workers and content creators. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a PC for home, I’d say pick up a M4 Mac Mini and see the difference for yourself.

Want to check out the competition? We’ve rounded up the best desktop computer deals from HP, Lenovo, Dell and, naturally, Apple. And if this desktop doesn’t suit your taste, you can check out the best laptop deals. 

While we’re talking about the display, make sure your Pixel is using the highest screen resolution. In Display & touch, scroll down to Screen resolution and choose Max resolution. It may eat up more battery life, but you paid for a high-quality display! Use it. Smooth display sits right below, but it’s finally enabled by default, allowing your phone to hit a 120-Hz screen refresh rate.

Enhance Your Lock Screen

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The lock screen is fairly customizable. Head to Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen to customize how notifications appear (compact or full list), hide silent notifications, hide sensitive content, and add shortcuts to the left or right corner (like Flashlight or Wallet). You should also enable Dynamic clock, which changes the size of the clock based on what’s on the lock screen. To change the appearance of the lock screen clock, head to Settings > Wallpaper & style and Clock (on the lock screen tab). There are several styles to choose from, and you can adjust the colors and size.

As for your lock screen wallpaper, tap on a photo and then tap Effects. You can customize how photos of your loved ones appear—within shapes, a fresh background color, with real-time weather animations, or a Cinematic look that adds depth.

Change the Power Button Behavior

If you want to restart your Pixel or turn it off, you have to pull down the notification drawer and tap on the digital power button. What about the physical power button? Google defaults it to triggering its Gemini voice assistant. You can actually get the power menu back by pressing the power button and the top volume button simultaneously, but if you want the old-school behavior back, head to Settings > System > Gestures > Press & hold power button.

If you go this route but still want to access Gemini, you can just say, “Hey Google,” to set up voice commands, or use the Gemini widget on the home screen to activate it. To add a widget, press and hold anywhere on the home screen, tap Widgets, and scroll to Gemini.

Switch to the AV1 Codec and Use Video Boost

This is for the Pixel 10 series, but these phones can now record in the AV1 video format. This greatly saves storage space, so if you’re someone who takes a lot of video, it’s the smart approach. However, AV1 isn’t supported universally. You shouldn’t have issues uploading AV1 videos to Instagram, for example, but you’ll want to check if the source you want to upload to supports it. To switch to AV1, open the camera app, click the gear icon on the left, then tap the three dots at the top right. Scroll to the bottom, tap on Video format, and choose AV1.

Speaking of video, Google’s Pro Pixel phones, since the Pixel 8 Pro, have been able to use a feature called Video Boost. This sends your footage to the cloud for processing, improving color, brightness, and stabilization, while reducing noise. Depending on the length of the video, the processing can take 20 minutes, several hours, or even a day. You’ll be notified when it’s ready, and until then, you can use the native footage you originally shot. It’s a smart way to level up the video quality (the Pixel 10 Pro can even upscale it to 8K), even if it’d be nice if Google just improved native video capture. To enable Video Boost, switch to the Video tab in the camera app, tap the gear icon in the camera app, and toggle it on.

Disable Pro Res Zoom and Camera Coach

Courtesy of Joel Chokkattu

Another one for Pixel 10 users, Pro Res Zoom is available on the Pixel 10 Pro models, and Camera Coach is on all Pixel 10 phones (though there’s a chance one of these could come to older Pixels). You can learn more about how these camera features work here, but Pro Res Zoom essentially stitches hundreds of frames together once you go past 30X to 100X digital zoom, and employs generative AI to fill in the details of the image. That results in spectacularly sharp zoomed-in photos, but it may leave a weird taste in your mouth because parts of it were AI-generated. You can turn it off! Open the camera, press the gear icon on the bottom left, and tap the three-dot menu icon. Tap Model download and then the trash icon next to Pro Res Zoom.

Carrying out extensive research is common for students and working professionals who want to delve deeply into a topic. Students may want to conduct detailed research for their assignments and projects, while professionals may want to use research tools to learn more about their job, create presentations, or explore related avenues. Several times, I carry out extensive research for an article — primarily to make sure I include all facts and figures accurately. However, my research is often scattered across different platforms, with no single repository to hold all source links and citations in place. This has been the case since I was an engineering student, and I’ve unfortunately not put in much effort to change that — until now.

The other day, I was looking for a source for some research I had carried out earlier. Even after carefully perusing my browser history, I just couldn’t find the exact link. That’s when I decided to finally create a one-stop shop for all my research needs. So, I created a research stack consisting of some well-known tools and extensions that can not only carry out research for me, but also allow me to ask questions and obtain concise information from various sources. The fact that everything resides in one place has drastically improved my workflow, while saving a considerable amount of time. Here are all the tools I used, and how I consolidated them into a single, efficient research stack.

A surprising browser to begin with

I didn’t expect to use it

A couple of weeks ago, I tried Perplexity’s new Comet browser and came out rather disappointed. Most AI features baked into the browser are accessible via individual LLMs on any browser, so I wasn’t too impressed. However, there’s one feature that makes Comet an excellent choice for conducting research: Agentic AI. Essentially, you can ask AI to browse the web for you and perform tasks on your behalf, which saves a considerable amount of time when carrying out detailed research.

You can ask it to find sources that mention a specific bit of information, scrape websites for relevant data, and extract images that you may want to use for presentations. This is a brilliant use case that makes Comet a worthy browser. If you prefer not to use the browser for daily activities, you can opt to use it only for research purposes.

Zotero for sourcing

Just collect and cite

Ask any student, and they’ll tell you how useful Zotero is for organizing and citing sources. Once you download the app, add the Zotero Connector extension to your browser. You can then create different folders for each topic that you’re researching. Then, whenever you find a research paper, document, or webpage that you wish to use for your research, click on the Zotero extension to save the relevant details, like the name of the author, website link, and other metadata.

Once you have accumulated all the sources, you can use the Zotero plugin for Microsoft Word or Google Docs to add citations to your document. Not only does this save time, but it also saves a ton of effort that you would otherwise have to put in to note down every source manually, and then paste the relevant citations when drafting a document.

Notion and Hypothesis

A lovely combination

I’m sure Notion needs no introduction. It’s a note-taking tool, a program that can be used to build knowledge bases, and also a good way to build landing pages. Of course, it’s also a great place to store all your research since it can be easily shared with multiple people via a link. Moreover, one doesn’t need to have the Notion app installed to view links, since they can also be opened via a web browser. Speaking of browsers, the Notion Web Clipper plugin can add entire webpages to your Notion doc, making it the perfect tool for research.

Combine Notion with Hypothesis — a Chrome extension that lets users collaborate and annotate online pages — and you have the perfect setup for group research projects. You can even add tags and comments that other members in your team can view.

NotebookLM for actionable data

You’re missing out if you’re not using it

NotebookLM is here to completely change the way you research online. Simply paste all the links and sources into NotebookLM and allow it to assess them using AI. Then, you can get actionable insights from it by asking relevant questions. For instance, you can get summaries of research papers or ask how the paper is linked to your scope of research. If you have a large Excel sheet, you can instantly get data like the total sales value, number of products sold, etc., just by asking those questions to NotebookLM.

Manually viewing every single piece of information would take a lot of time, so using NotebookLM makes a lot of sense. It’s also completely free to use and is almost like a research assistant that carries out tasks for you. Create multiple different notebooks for the different types of research you carry out, and keep adding more sources for refined results.

Revamp your research workflow with these tools

If you want to build a reliable research database that can hold all the required documents, sources, links, etc., in an easily accessible way, the above-mentioned combination of tools is just the right start you need. Notion’s nested folders help segregate your data based on different projects, while also letting you share the database of information with your peers and colleagues. Zotero is the perfect tool for managing citations, which are important when conducting research. Finally, NotebookLM adds the magic of AI to your research by letting you ask questions, generate summaries, or even find faults in your research with relevant fixes. While I used the Comet browser thanks to its agentic AI capabilities, you are free to use your favorite browser — preferably with a split-screen view, like Arc or Zen.

Summer is the time when you want to capture your memories, and this Insta360 X4 is the kind of device that helps you do it in the best possible way. Insta360’s name stands for three reasons: amazing 8K output on its 360° cameras, amazing battery life (135 minutes for this model) and amazing ease-of-use design.

The Insta360 X4 camera has been a top seller this summer, but picking it up now during the Back to School discounts at its all-time-low of $349 on Amazon, down from $499, is a smart decision. Especially with the new Insta360 X5 just entering the market at $550, this older product offers nearly as much greatness for a bit over half the price.

See at Amazon

Professional videos

The Insta360 X4 gives you a stunning 8K 360-degree video experience so you can catch all that’s around you with ease in clear, high-definition quality. It’s waterproof, too, so no sacrifices are made even when you’re diving into pool play or filming in bad weather. This level of video quality and build makes it possible for you to trust it to get every second and with confidence.

Where this camera stands out is in battery life: The X4 lasts for as long as 135 minutes, or a great deal more shooting time without the constant anxiety about running out of juice. In comparison to most action cameras that lag shortly beyond the hour mark, the X4’s battery life makes a tangible difference for capturing sporting events or travel blogging.

The base package includes removable lens guards to protect the cameras from scratches or bumps, a handy feature if you will be using your camera in the great outdoors or on go-around-town adventures. Another great feature is the invisible selfie stick effect: It enables you to film with the stick disappearing from the clip, and provides a seamless, professional look to your shots without adjusting in post.

Simplicity in operation is another reason the Insta360 X4 is a favorite: The AI editing tools make creating polished videos easier whether you’re new to video or an experienced creator. Stabilization technology keeps your footage smooth even when you’re moving fast or navigating rough terrain so your videos look as professional as if they were shot by a pro. A solid selling point for those who love to share their experiences quickly is the camera’s ability to pair with your phone or other devices for fast transfers and easy sharing on social media or with friends.

If you’ve been thinking about stepping up your filming game, this deal from Amazon is definitely worth grabbing while supplies last.

See at Amazon

It’s been nearly three years since Apple launched the AirPods Pro 2, and barring a refresh to introduce USB-C charging and other minor improvements, there have been no changes in the intervening months.

That’s all set to change very soon. Apple is widely tipped to be planning to launch AirPods Pro 3 alongside the iPhone 17 in an event in Cupertino on September 9.

Oxford, UK, 28 August 2025 — Solid State Logic (SSL) proudly introduces the Revival 4000, an all-analogue channel strip rooted in the foundations of SSL’s sound. The 4000 Series redefined music production, powering countless chart-topping hits. Now, the Revival 4000 brings that analogue legacy to life once more, delivering the unmistakable early-1980s signature SSL tone in a single rack unit. Available now for £1,249.00 ex. VAT / $1,999 + TAX, the Revival 4000 immortalises SSL’s ‘4K’ sound and workflow for the producers and engineers of today, and the creators of tomorrow.

The Revival 4000 provides a complete set of tools to track and mix with the unmistakable character of the SSL 4000 Series. At the input stage lies a Jensen transformer-balanced mic preamp, delivering richness and pristine clarity to your recordings. This circuit incorporates the very same Jensen component found in the original E Series consoles. Following this is the B Series De-Esser, derived from the original 4000 B compressor/limiter topology, featuring a 10:1 ratio and 7 kHz sidechain filter for smooth, musical control of sibilance while preserving natural tone.

The Compressor/Gate section found on the Revival 4000 is an authentic recreation of the E Series design, deploying a discrete Class A VCA that gave hit records their punch. Now enhanced with added flexibility from various 4000 dynamics revisions —soft-knee defeat, fast attack mode, and selectable logarithmic or linear release curves—it delivers the iconic SSL channel strip dynamics sound with options tailored for modern production workflows.

With Revival 4000, we’re delivering the true SSL 4000 sound with complete authenticity. At its heart are the key components that defined an era: the Jensen transformer-coupled mic preamp, discrete Class A VCA dynamics, and the choice of both Brown and Black Knob EQs. We’ve included the B-Series De-Esser in a creative new context, added flexible routing options for diverse processing flows, and introduced a balanced insert point for seamless integration of outboard gear. The result is a unit that captures the unmistakable 1980s SSL character, while equipping today’s producers with the versatility demanded by modern productions.”— Andy Jackson, Senior Studio Product Manager, Solid State Logic

The Revival 4000 features two of SSL’s most celebrated EQ designs, giving users the flexibility to shape their sound with precision and character. Switch between the classic Brown Knob (02) circuit—famed for its grit—or the legendary Black Knob (242) circuit, originally developed in collaboration with Sir George Martin for AIR Studios. Additionally, there are re-routable High and Low Pass Filters, which, alongside the EQ, can be placed into the Dynamics sidechain for additional creative control.

SSL Advanced Workflow
​Staying true to SSL’s heritage, the Revival 4000 delivers exceptional workflow flexibility—a hallmark of SSL consoles for decades. It includes a dedicated balanced insert point for integrating outboard gear, an external sidechain input for advanced dynamics control, and intuitive process re-ordering options to shape your signal path. For stereo operation, two units can be linked via the sidechain link feature.

A modern studio tool with an unparalleled legacy
​The SSL 4000 series revolutionised music production, setting a new industry standard that went on to shape countless iconic records. It all began with the rare SSL 4000B console. Originally launched in 1976, and later installed in London’s Townhouse Studios, the 4000B was used to create ground-breaking hits like ‘Intruder’ by Peter Gabriel and the seminal gated-drum sensation ‘In the Air Tonight’ by Phil Collins. This set the tone for the most influential mixing console of all time—the SL 4000E. Launched in 1979, the 4000E became the heartbeat of legendary studios like Abbey Road, Electric Lady, and The Hit Factory, empowering engineers like Hugh Padgham (David Bowie, Paul McCartney, The Police), Chris and Tom Lord-Alge (James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Santana), and Andy Wallace (Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana) to craft the sonic signatures of generations.

With its revolutionary channel strip design, surgical yet musical EQ and punchy compression, the 4000E transformed the way records were made, delivering the clarity and cohesion that defines platinum-selling hits to this day. Its signature— focused mid-range clarity, unmatched precision, and the unmistakable glue and punch of its channel and bus compression—became the sound of popular music. Feedback from producers and engineers who first used the 4000E’s EQ and dynamics processing was unanimous: it was an incredibly musical and intuitive tool. Designed by people who truly understood the recording and mixing process, it reassured engineers and producers in an era where you had to get things right the first time—when mistakes were costly, the 4000E made it significantly easier to realise your creative vision.

​4000 Signature Channel Strip Features: 

About Solid State Logic
​Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast, live and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.

Here we are with another “what the hell was I doing when this was released?” game. Call of the Sea came out in 2020 on PC and in 2021 on PlayStation consoles. And as I was typing that, I realized why I missed it. The kid was born in 2021.

I’m still catching up on stuff that came out that year. But Call of the Sea is exactly the type of game I would have lost myself in. And now, Nintendo Switch/ Switch 2 owners will also get to experience the game.

Call of the Sea reminds me of another of my favorite indie games

Watching that trailer, the first game I thought of was Firewatch, a story-driven first-person game with a similar feel to Call of the Sea. And that’s enough to get me into it. While I wait for Campo Santo to come through with an update on their next game, I’ll be locking into this. And look at that overview, Cissy Jones is involved. Firewatch is in here in spirit after all.

It is 1934, in the far reaches of the South Pacific. Norah has crossed the ocean following the trail of her missing husband’s expedition and finds herself on a lush island paradise – a nameless, forgotten place, dotted with the remnants of a lost civilization.

What strange secrets does it hold, and what might Norah unearth in her quest for the truth?

Key Features

• Explore and investigate a stunning tropical island, brimming with fantastic sights, lost ruins, and occult mysteries.
• Investigate the clues left by a previous voyage, piece together what happened, and solve a variety of clever puzzles.
• Experience a charming character study of a woman on her quest to discover the truth of the disappearance of her husband and to find out who she really is. Norah is fully voiced by Cissy Jones (Firewatch, The Walking Dead: Season 1, Baldur’s Gate III).
• Immerse yourself in a story-driven adventure full of emotion, suspense, and surreal surprises.

Call of the Sea is set to release on September 9, playable on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, which should give me time to complete it before the sequel, Call of the Elder Gods, is ready for release.

The Krita digital painting and graphics editing application aligned with KDE/Qt could soon have color management support working on Wayland Linux desktops for enjoying a better creative experience on HDR (High Dynamic Range) displays.

Dmitry Kazakov on Friday opened a merge request for enabling Wayland color management support within the Krita application. Besides needing to land this set of five patches, the KRITA_USE_NATIVE_CANVAS_SURFACE=1 and QT_QPA_PLATFORM=wayland environment variables must also be set for this color management / HDR support. This also only works under Wayland and not with the X.Org desktop sessions.

Kazakov remarked in the merge request:

“Krita will use wayland and the canvas will be switched into a separate surface mode, which is let it use its own color management mode. Right now Krita unconditionally uses Wayland’s “preferred” color space. We still need to implement proper GUI for more fine-grained control for that (and for the feedback to the user).”

More details for those interested within this merge request.