aesthetic Archives

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

First look: Google is working on another new animation for Search Live

Google is refining its Search Live feature in the latest beta version of the Google app (v17.55.8) by introducing a new animation with a vibrant gradient at the bottom of the screen, replacing the previous design of tiny, blurry blobs. The user interface will also see changes, including the removal of labels and repositioning of icons, with the microphone icon becoming the focal point, accompanied by a waveform animation that activates when users speak. These updates aim to enhance both the aesthetic quality and functionality of the app, although the timeline for public release is uncertain.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Onimusha: Way of the Sword PC Performance Analysis

Tomorrow marks the official release of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and Capcom has provided a PC benchmark tool for gamers. Benchmark tests were conducted using an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM at 6000MHz, and various graphics cards including AMD’s Radeon RX 6900XT, RX 7900XTX, RX 9070XT, and NVIDIA’s RTX 2080Ti, RTX 3080, RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090, on Windows 10 64-bit with specific drivers. The game includes customizable graphics settings such as Textures, Meshes, Sky, Foliage, Shadows, Ray Tracing, NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5, and AMD’s FSR 3.1. At 1080p with Max Settings, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 showed a bottleneck but achieved an average framerate exceeding 220FPS, with all tested GPUs maintaining over 60FPS. At 1440p with Max Settings, the top five GPUs also performed well, with the NVIDIA RTX 3080 providing a smooth experience, and the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT averaging 68FPS. At Native 4K with Max Settings, the NVIDIA RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 maintained framerates above 60FPS, while the AMD Radeon RX 9070XT and RX 7900XTX offered satisfactory performance. The game's graphical fidelity does not match the latest Resident Evil titles, with noticeable visual shortcomings despite being powered by the RE Engine. The Ray Tracing feature does not significantly enhance visuals. The PC demo and benchmarking process showed no stutters or performance issues, even with Denuvo anti-tamper technology in use. Overall, Onimusha: Way of the Sword runs well on PC without requiring high-end specifications, although its visuals may not impress players.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

DLSS 5 can be jammed into almost any PC game, and here’s how

Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission when purchases are made through links in their articles. The Control mod has led to experimentation with DLSS 5 .dll files among gamers, resulting in varied visual outcomes. For example, integrating DLSS 5 into The Blood of Dawnwalker caused visual distortions in characters. The early access version of NBA 2K27 has prompted modders to create game-agnostic versions of DLSS 5, allowing integration into various titles. DLSS 5 can produce impressive visual effects when used correctly, but it significantly impacts performance, potentially reducing frame rates by 50-60%. For instance, using DLSS 5 on an RTX 5090 dropped frame rates from 110 fps to below 50 fps. In Football Manager 26, DLSS 5 improves environmental lighting, pitch details, and player profile pictures. The installation of DLSS 5 can be done through the ReShade HDR Installer from GitHub, simplifying the process. Players can customize DLSS 5 settings in-game using the RenoDX tab. However, there are concerns about how such modifications may affect the original artistic vision of the games.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

DLSS 5 can be jammed into almost any game now, so I’ve been playing FM26 with neural rendered little computer people because that’s just what I do

The integration of DLSS 5 .dll files into various games has produced mixed results, with some enhancements working well while others cause visual glitches. A review of The Blood of Dawnwalker revealed issues with the DLSS pipeline, resulting in an unexpected undead appearance for a character. A demonstration at Gamescom showed that DLSS 5 can significantly enhance visuals when used correctly, particularly with Model C at 60-70% intensity. However, Nvidia has noted that DLSS 5 can lead to a 50-60% reduction in frame rates, especially at 4K resolution. For example, on an RTX 5090, frame rates dropped from approximately 110 fps to below 50 fps with DLSS 5 activated. DLSS 5 can also run on lower-spec GPUs, although it was initially demonstrated with dual RTX 5090s. In Football Manager 26, DLSS 5 improved visuals without achieving photorealism, maintaining a steady 60 fps. The ReShade HDR Installer allows users to integrate DLSS tools into unsupported games, but results may vary and troubleshooting may be necessary. The official release of DLSS 5 will not include the fine-tuning sliders available through ReShade, which could complicate the preservation of developers' artistic intent. For best results, users should use the Upscaled or DLSS version of DLSS-NR rather than the 'Present' method, and may need to try different RenoDX DLSS 5 tools if issues arise.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

These 5 Linux distros promise to run Windows apps—I tried them all, and one was clearly the best

One of the main challenges for users transitioning from Windows to Linux is software compatibility. Linux has many applications, but users often depend on specific Windows programs. Wine and its frontends allow Windows applications to run on Linux without a virtual machine, although the ease of use varies by distribution. Zorin OS integrates Windows application support directly into its desktop experience, allowing users to install .exe and .msi files easily through its Windows App Support component. It provides a familiar workflow and recommends the best usage options for popular Windows installers. Winux (Wubuntu) aims to create a Linux environment that resembles Windows, making it easier for users to adapt. However, running Windows software can be challenging due to compatibility issues with proprietary components. Bazzite focuses on gaming, offering excellent compatibility for Windows games through Wine-based tools, but may not be ideal for users seeking to run standard Windows applications. Nobara Project, based on Fedora, enhances gaming experiences and simplifies configuration for gaming on Linux, but is not primarily designed for running Windows productivity applications. Garuda Linux caters to experienced users and gamers, leveraging Wine and Proton for compatibility but may be complex for those simply wanting to install Windows applications. Zorin OS is identified as the best choice for users needing to run Windows applications on Linux, providing a manageable transition while maintaining a familiar aesthetic.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Which came first, Windows 95’s taskbar or NeXT’s Dock? Neither

The tech community recently celebrated the 31st anniversary of Windows 95, sparking discussions about its design influences, particularly regarding the potential British roots of its interface. Former Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer's post on X led to exchanges among ex-Microsoft employees, including Joe Belfiore, who clarified that the Windows taskbar was not inspired by the NeXT dock but rather by developments from the Cairo team, specifically a persistent "tray" for file transfers. The debate references Paul Fellows, who led the Arthur project at Acorn, which introduced the first "icon bar" in 1987, influencing both NeXTstep and Windows. Acorn's Arthur, initially a BASIC demo, became RISC OS by 1989, maintaining its foundational design elements. The timeline shows that Acorn's icon bar predated NeXTstep's dock and the Windows taskbar, with Windows 2.0 and OS/2 1.1 released in late 1987 and 1988, respectively, showing visual similarities to NeXTstep. The Microsoft Cairo project, which ran from 1991 to 1996, coincided with Windows NT 4 development. The Windows 95 taskbar and NeXT's dock served different functions, but their historical context is significant.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Nanoleaf wall panels now work in the Philips Hue app

Signify has announced a partnership with Nanoleaf to expand the Philips Hue ecosystem, allowing users to integrate Nanoleaf Shapes (Hexagons, Triangles, and Mini Triangles) into their Philips Hue setups. This integration requires the Philips Hue Wall Light Module, enabling control of Nanoleaf panels through the Philips Hue app and incorporation into Hue scenes and automations. The Wall Light Module is priced at .99, and starter kits with Nanoleaf panels start at .99, available in select markets.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

I replaced Samsung Edge Panels with this free app — and I’m not going back

Panels is a free sidebar launcher app for Android that allows users to swipe in from the edge of the screen for quick access to apps, contacts, widgets, and settings. It features three main pages: Favorites, Shortcuts Panel, and Widgets, which can be expanded with additional pages. The app enhances multitasking by allowing apps to launch in windowed mode, creating app pairs for split-screen viewing, and providing website shortcuts. Customization options include adding new panels, repositioning them, adjusting panel width and height, and changing icon styles and colors. Panels reduces the need to visit the home screen and improves one-handed usage by placing shortcuts within easy reach. However, it has some flaws, such as potential conflicts with Android's gesture navigation and the presence of ads, which can be removed with a one-time payment of .50 for the premium version.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Android Auto’s Icon Just Got A New Look – And A Major Update Is Next

The Android Auto app icon has been visually refreshed, changing from a soft blue to a deeper green shade and featuring smoothed edges. This update is part of the upcoming Material 3 update, although Google has not officially announced it. Users may already see the updated icon with the latest app version. Upcoming features for Android Auto include a smoother "paper plane" arrow, widgets for quick access to contacts, weather updates, and garage door controls, as well as support for video applications like YouTube, which will allow Full-HD 60fps playback in stationary vehicles. Additional enhancements include Dolby Atmos support and visual upgrades for music apps. The rollout of these features is expected to begin later this year.

Winsage

September 3, 2026

Windows 11 update sends some desktops into an unwanted goth phase

Microsoft's latest update for Windows 11 has caused some users to experience a default black background due to issues with personalization settings in the August update preview for versions 24H2 and 25H2. Users are unable to restore their preferred desktop backgrounds, and the update may also affect other desktop settings like slideshow configurations and contrast themes. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and is working on a fix for a future update.