accessibility issues Archives

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

PlayStation removes PSN account requirements for some PS5 games on PC

Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to eliminate the requirement for PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts when playing select first-party titles on PC, responding to player feedback regarding accessibility issues in various regions. This change currently applies to a limited selection of games, and while specific titles like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart or Ghost of Tsushima were not mentioned, the company aims to enhance the gaming experience. Players who link their Steam and PSN accounts will receive incentives, including managing friends across platforms, sharing trophy data, and accessing game-specific benefits. Examples of these benefits include early unlocks and bonus features for titles such as Marvel's Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, God of War Ragnarok, and Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered. Each studio is developing further incentives to be announced soon.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

PowerToys just fixed the one flaw stopping me from using one of the app’s best features

Microsoft's PowerToys version 0.87.0 includes several updates: - Workspaces now supports Progressive Web Applications (PWAs). - Advanced Paste introduces "Advanced AI" for clipboard transformations. - A feature in Workspaces allows users to move existing windows. - Mouse Jump has new customization settings for pop-ups. - New+ is now compatible with Windows 10. - Quick Accent enables selection of character sets in the UI. - Improvements in Awake, File Explorer add-ons, Keyboard Manager, Monaco Preview, Peek, PowerToys Run, Screen Ruler, and Settings have been made. - The Workspaces editor position is saved for consistent reopening, and issues related to application positioning and crashes have been resolved. - Documentation has been updated, and development has upgraded to .NET 9.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

PowerToys 0.87 is out with a new utility for Windows 10 users and a lot of improvements

The latest update for PowerToys, released in December 2024, includes the following enhancements for Windows 10 users: - New+ utility is now fully compatible with Windows 10. - Advanced Paste introduces "Advanced AI" using Semantic Kernel technology for clipboard transformations. - Workspaces now supports Progressive Web Applications and allows users to move existing windows. - Mouse Jump adds settings for customizing the pop-up appearance. - Quick Accent enables users to select displayed character sets in the user interface. Additional improvements include: - Advanced Paste now has an optional AI feature for clipboard transformations. - Awake has improvements in initialization, logging, and tray icon setup. - File Explorer Add-ons now utilize PerMonitorV2 DPI mode. - Keyboard Manager has added labels for IME keys and resolved an issue with the Shift key. - Monaco Preview supports .ahk and .ion files and adds syntax highlighting for .srt files. - Peek assesses local capabilities for image formats and resolves loading issues for the Code Files Previewer. - PowerToys Run includes a scoring function for WindowWalker plugin results and updates to the calculator plugin. - Screen Ruler can now display measurements in inches, centimeters, or millimeters. - Settings have been updated for milestone links, navigation bar icons, and accessibility issues. - Workspaces has improved features for window management and application version detection. PowerToys can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.

AppWizard

November 22, 2024

Three days later, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 launch is still stumbling with access and bandwidth problems — issues aren’t going away anytime soon as more users come online globally

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is facing significant availability and bandwidth issues due to an overwhelming influx of players, leading to frustrating experiences for users. Jorg Neumann, the head of MSFS, acknowledged these challenges and stated that the team is working on resolving them, but no permanent solutions or specific timelines have been provided. The problems began on launch day, with many players struggling to access the game and complete installations. Initial tests simulated 200,000 users, but the actual player count exceeded that, resulting in current accessibility issues. MSFS 2024 has received predominantly negative reviews on Steam due to these ongoing problems, with well over 200,000 concurrent players attempting to access the game.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Windows 11 build 26120.2213 (KB5045885) fixes multi-monitor desktop background and more

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2213 (KB5045885) in the Dev Channel. Key changes include the temporary suspension of the Gamepad keyboard feature, improvements to the Start menu, and enhancements for users typing in Chinese or Japanese, such as hiding the IME toolbar in full-screen mode. Fixes include enhanced reliability and corrected spacing in the Start menu, adjustments in File Explorer for navigation pane padding and RAW image display, taskbar improvements including a search box for auto-hide settings, and general fixes for all users addressing game launch issues and Task Manager display problems. Known issues include a problem with desktop backgrounds not displaying correctly across multiple monitors. Windows Insiders receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, with features rolled out gradually and subject to change based on feedback.

AppWizard

October 9, 2024

Russia and Turkey ban Discord messaging app

Russia and Turkey have imposed restrictions on the messaging platform Discord due to its failure to comply with local regulations. In Russia, the internet regulatory body Roskomnadzor cited violations related to terrorism, extremist recruitment, and drug trafficking, while data from NetBlocks confirmed Discord's restriction across multiple internet service providers. A Moscow court recently fined Discord for not removing forbidden content. In Turkey, the telecommunications regulator ICTA linked Discord to serious offenses, including child abuse and online harassment, following a court ruling. Both countries have a history of limiting access to social media under security pretexts.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

Microsoft Office 2024 now available without a subscription for PC and Mac

Microsoft has made its Office suite available for a one-time purchase as of October 1, breaking away from the Microsoft 365 subscription model. The Office Home 2024 edition is priced at 9.99 and includes all core applications, excluding Outlook. The Home & Business 2024 version, which includes Outlook and commercial use rights, is available for 9.99. These versions do not receive ongoing feature updates. Office 2024 introduces enhancements such as improved performance in Excel, an accessibility checker in Outlook, the Cameo feature in PowerPoint, and an improved inking experience in OneNote. Office 2024 is compatible with Windows 10 and 11, and the three most recent versions of macOS, requiring a Microsoft account and internet connection.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

Microsoft Office 2024 is now available for Macs and PCs

Microsoft is launching a new standalone version of its Office suite, Office 2024, aimed at users who prefer not to use the Microsoft 365 subscription model. This version includes essential applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, and is compatible with both Mac and PC. Key enhancements include a new default theme, improved accessibility features, and significant updates in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Excel 2024 introduces new functionalities such as the IMAGE function and Dynamic Arrays in charts. PowerPoint adds a cameo feature for live camera feeds and a recording studio feature. Outlook 2024 improves search functionality and meeting options. Users can insert images directly from Android devices, and Word 2024 features an improved file recovery mechanism. Office 2024 requires a Microsoft account and internet connection for installation and activation and is compatible with Windows 10 and 11, as well as the latest macOS versions. It will be available in two editions: Office Home 2024 for .99 and Office Home and Business 2024 for .99, which includes Outlook and commercial use rights.

AppWizard

August 15, 2024

GDPR Support

The website is currently inaccessible in many European countries due to compliance issues with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Companies must navigate complex compliance requirements, which can lead to temporary service disruptions. Services remain fully operational for users outside of Europe.

Winsage

August 14, 2024

Windows 11 art lovers, take note: Paint 3D’s days are numbered – so make sure you download it from the Microsoft Store while you still can

Microsoft has announced the removal of Paint 3D from the Microsoft Store, effective November 4, 2024, and it will no longer receive updates. A warning banner for Windows 11 users indicates this change, directing them to a webpage with more details. Paint 3D has struggled to maintain a user base and has received negative feedback due to a lack of updates and accessibility issues. Users are encouraged to download the app before its removal, as it still holds a relatively high rating.