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Winsage

December 3, 2025

New Windows 11 ‘PC you can talk to’ ad pushing Copilot is proving divisive – and I can see it seriously backfiring

Microsoft has released a holiday advertisement featuring its 'Hey Copilot' voice input and AI capabilities in Windows 11, set to the song A-Punk by Vampire Weekend. The ad showcases family-oriented scenarios, such as syncing Christmas lights to music and navigating assembly instructions with Copilot's assistance, including a cameo from Santa. Viewer reactions have been mixed, with some expressing skepticism about Copilot's capabilities and suggesting humorous voice commands. Concerns have been raised regarding the disconnect between the ad's portrayal of Copilot's functionality and the actual limitations of the technology, particularly its inability to connect smart home devices to a Windows 11 PC. Users appreciate advancements in voice input technology but feel that the advertisement may oversell its current capabilities, leading to potential disappointment.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Android users warned to check phones now as Google bans apps

Recent findings have revealed that certain widely-used Android applications have been involved in an adware campaign, identified as 'GhostAd', which drains phone resources and disrupts normal usage. This malicious software disguised itself as utility and emoji-editing tools and infiltrated at least 15 applications, targeting unsuspecting users. Many of these compromised apps were available on Google’s Play Store, including the GenMoji Studio app, which became popular in the 'Top Free Tools' category. Users reported issues such as disappearing app icons, intrusive advertisement pop-ups, and sluggish device performance after installation. Google has removed all compromised applications from its Play Store, but users who installed them must manually delete the harmful software. Check Point noted that the GhostAd campaign blurs the line between marketing and malware, repurposing users' phones to generate revenue. To protect against future threats, users are advised to scrutinize app reviews, verify the app creator's reputation, and exercise caution with permissions.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 7 launches with apparent “AI slop,” days after Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggested Steam should bin AI disclosures

Fortnite Chapter 7 debuted with themes including references to The Simpsons, Quentin Tarantino, and Marty McFly. Concerns have arisen about the potential use of generative AI in the game's advertising content, although Epic Games has not confirmed this. CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that AI will play a significant role in future production, prompting debate in the gaming community. Players have noted peculiarities in the new chapter, such as an advertisement with an "AI smudge look" and inconsistencies in a creature's anatomy, which they believe indicate AI influence. A Marty McFly spray initially thought to be AI-generated was confirmed to be hand-drawn. The lack of clarity from Epic has led to backlash and discussions about supporting genuine artists. The conversation around generative AI in gaming has increased, with concerns that monetizing AI-generated content could lead to player dissatisfaction.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Users report ‘AR Drawing’ ad freezing YouTube Android app

YouTube users are experiencing issues with an advertisement for the "AR Drawing" app by Hypernova Limited, which fails to load and forces viewers to exit and restart their videos. Complaints have surged, particularly on Reddit, with users reporting the ad reappearing frequently and buffering indefinitely. This problem primarily affects Android users and is not indicative of a broader issue with YouTube's ad system. Users have tried clearing their cache and restarting devices without success, and YouTube has not yet acknowledged the problem. The app is still in development and promotes early access for feedback.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

This free program is all I need to make my Windows desktop perfect

Microsoft removed widget support after Windows 7, leading to nostalgia for native desktop widgets. Windows 11 reintroduced widgets, but the implementation was limited and cluttered. Widget Launcher allows users to add and pin customizable widgets directly to their desktops, offering a user-friendly interface and easy installation from the Microsoft Store. It features two skins (light and dark), customizable color settings, and retains data without crashes. The app runs automatically at boot, maintaining desktop layout and settings, and has low resource consumption, rarely exceeding 100 MB of memory usage. The default widget collection includes practical options like a Notes widget, RSS feed widget, and world clock widget, with a free tier that meets most users' needs and a paid tier for additional designs.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

My dad filled his phone with random PDF apps and I blame Google

The author's father struggled to open a PDF on his HONOR phone, despite the device's native office suite supporting PDF files. He downloaded multiple misleading PDF apps from the Play Store, which did not resolve the issue. Eventually, he received a deceptive alert suggesting he update his PDF application, which led him to download yet another app. The problem was resolved when the author advised him to uninstall WPS Office, eliminating the misleading alerts and allowing PDFs to open correctly. A report from Malwarebytes indicated that only 15% of users feel confident identifying scams, highlighting the challenges users face in navigating the Android ecosystem. The Google Play Store has been criticized for hosting low-quality apps and deceptive ads, with a report from Zscaler noting the presence of hundreds of malicious apps. The author emphasizes the need for stricter advertising practices and better management of preinstalled apps to protect less tech-savvy users.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

Microsoft will soon let you say goodbye to Copilot — just not in the way you hoped

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence into Windows 11 with significant updates, including a new AI agent named Copilot Actions designed to assist users and enhance productivity. The update features a "Hey Copilot" wake word for activating Copilot Vision mode, allowing for a hands-free experience. A semantic farewell phrase will enable users to conclude voice sessions seamlessly. The Copilot Vision feature is currently in preview and is expected to roll out more broadly next month. However, a retracted advertisement revealed challenges with Copilot's performance, indicating the need for further refinement of the AI's capabilities.

Winsage

November 24, 2025

Microsoft’s Notepad; The Best Advertisement For Notepad++ There is

Notepad has transformed from a simple text editor into a more complex tool integrated with Microsoft accounts and AI features, which many users find unfavorable. The decision to phase out Wordpad has left users seeking alternatives. Notepad++ offers a customizable experience that allows users to add features selectively, catering to those who prefer simplicity. The changes to Notepad have led to increased frustration among users who valued its original straightforward functionality.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

No, Google isn’t using your Gmail data to train AI models, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful about the kind of data you share with companies

The ongoing dialogue surrounding data collection highlights the relationship between users and their digital footprints, particularly during events like Black Friday. Recent claims about a new Gmail setting allowing Google to use user message data for AI training have been clarified by Google, which states it does not use Workspace data for this purpose. Instead, data is anonymized to improve features like spam detection. Users often become the product in a digital economy where their data is exchanged for free services, leading to the creation of detailed profiles that can be sold to advertisers. This results in practices like price discrimination and hyper-targeted messaging. Data breaches pose a threat to companies holding extensive data, and automated decision-making can lead to biased outcomes. Consumers are encouraged to engage with privacy policies and question the necessity of data requests to better manage their data and maintain ownership of their digital identity.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Microsoft’s head of AI doesn’t understand why people don’t like AI, and I don’t understand why he doesn’t understand because it’s pretty obvious

Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI CEO, expressed surprise at the skepticism towards generative AI tools, noting a lack of enthusiasm for advancements that enable fluent conversations with AI. Microsoft is developing "agentic" services, with Pavan Davuluri stating that the operating system is evolving into an agentic OS. Critics have raised concerns about the rapid deployment of generative AI models, citing instances of inaccuracies in performance, such as a chatbot misidentifying geographical locations. There are also ethical concerns regarding the use of copyrighted material for training AI systems and the commercialization of AI technology prioritizing profit over responsible development. The tech industry is at a crucial juncture, emphasizing the need for caution and ethical practices in the evolution of AI.