AI Archives

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Google just gave Gemini the power to control apps on the Galaxy S26 — and it’s pretty wild

Samsung and Google have started rolling out the Gemini screen automation feature for the Galaxy S26 series in the U.S. and Korea. This feature allows users to delegate tasks to Gemini, which can control apps and execute multi-step processes, such as ordering food or hailing a cab. The feature was showcased at the Galaxy Unpacked event in February 2026, highlighting its ability to navigate multiple applications and perform complex tasks. Users can monitor ongoing actions and regain control if needed, with Gemini requiring user confirmation before finalizing any orders. Currently, it supports popular apps like Lyft, Uber, Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Starbucks, with plans for Instacart integration. The feature is exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series and operates in English, with plans to extend to the Pixel 10 lineup soon.

Winsage

March 13, 2026

Lifetime Office 2021 And Windows 11 Pro Bundle Hits $50

A bundle is available that includes a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for approximately . This offer provides an estimated discount of 88% off the typical retail price, eliminating ongoing subscription costs. Office Professional 2021 includes applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while Windows 11 Pro features security enhancements such as BitLocker and virtualization capabilities. The bundle is particularly appealing for users looking to upgrade from older versions of Office or Windows. Office 2021 is a perpetual license for a single Windows PC and will not receive new features, only security and bug fixes. Windows 11 Pro is also a perpetual license, requiring separate purchases for major future releases. Users must ensure their PC meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11, including a compatible 64-bit CPU and TPM 2.0. This deal is suited for solo professionals, students, and small teams, but may not be ideal for those who rely on cloud collaboration and frequent feature updates.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Google’s Android boss talks Android 17, sideloading drama, and why he hates phone cases

MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona is a significant event for the tech industry, where companies unveil new hardware and showcase emerging ideas. At MWC 2026, Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem, discussed the evolution of Android, particularly focusing on Android 17, which aims to transition from an operating system to an intelligent system. This version will integrate AI capabilities through Gemini, allowing for more intuitive task management. Android 17 will introduce early agentic capabilities, initially available in a beta feature for select devices, enabling users to automate multi-step tasks. Samat confirmed that Google has no plans to remove sideloading, despite concerns about app security. Upcoming changes to sideloading will focus on verifying app identities to protect users from malicious apps while still allowing power users to install unverified software. He emphasized the importance of balancing openness and safety in the Android platform. Samat expressed excitement about current Android phones, highlighting trends in foldable devices and praising models from brands like Motorola and Nothing for their appeal to younger consumers. He mentioned using a Galaxy Z Fold 7 for work and a Pixel 10 Pro for personal use, noting the beauty of the devices and his preference not to use cases.

Winsage

March 13, 2026

Microsoft DirectX Gears Up For ML Era On Windows, Advanced Shader Delivery Solves Game Stutter & Load Times, DXR 2.0 Teased

At GDC 2026, Microsoft announced the introduction of ML-Powered DirectX and Advanced Shader Delivery. The ML-enhanced DirectX includes Cooperative Vectors within Shader Model 6.9, facilitating neural rendering techniques such as Neural Texture Compression and Neural Radiance Caching. DirectX Linear Algebra is introduced to support matrix-based ML workflows, and the DirectX Compute Graph Compiler enables full model graphs to run with native GPU performance. Advanced Shader Delivery allows game developers to provide precompiled shaders to reduce load times and stuttering. New APIs, App Identity API and Stats API, have been introduced to support this feature. NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm have expressed their support for these advancements. Additionally, Microsoft is developing DXR 2.0, which will support Shader Model 6.10 and is expected to roll out in late summer 2026.

Tech Optimizer

March 13, 2026

New infosec products of the week: March 13, 2026

Singulr AI has launched Agent Pulse, providing runtime governance and visibility for AI agents. Terra Security introduced Terra Portal, a desktop application that accelerates vulnerability discovery in live production environments. Mend.io released System Prompt Hardening to address weaknesses in AI system prompts. OPSWAT rolled out MetaDefender Aether, an AI-driven decision engine for rapid zero-day detection at the perimeter level. Vicarius announced vIntelligence, integrating agentic intelligence and continuous validation into its security offerings. Binary Defense launched NightBeacon, an AI-enhanced security operations platform for SOCs. SOC Prime introduced DetectFlow Enterprise, shifting threat detection to the data ingestion layer for real-time identification.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Tech Boss of Developer Sony Is Shutting Down Thinks PlayStation Has Pulled Back From PC in Response to Steam Machine

Sony has decided to keep its major single-player titles exclusive to the PlayStation 5, moving away from its previous strategy of expanding into the PC gaming market. This shift may be influenced by concerns over the PlayStation brand and disappointing sales of PlayStation titles on PC. The company has opted for a staggered release approach for its single-player titles on PC, while live service games are released on PC on day one. Upcoming titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel's Wolverine will remain exclusive to the PS5. The timeline for the release of Valve's Steam Machine is uncertain, with hints that it may not launch until 2027. Bluepoint Games, known for remakes, will be closing, affecting approximately 70 employees.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Google Play Levels Up On PC With Game Trials And Android Cross-Platform Purchases

Google has announced plans to extend its mobile gaming catalog to PC users by introducing a dedicated PC section within the Play Store Games tab for Android games optimized for Windows PCs. This initiative includes select paid games such as Dungeon Crawler, Dredge, and Reigns, with purchases made on Android granting access to the PC version. Certain paid titles will receive free game trials on Android, with similar offerings planned for PC. Google Play will also introduce Community Posts for popular games, allowing player engagement, and the Play Games Sidekick will provide AI-generated tips for select paid games.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

I changed my Windows 11 wallpaper immediately the moment my friend sent me this

A new wallpaper titled "Feeling of Nostalgia - Windows 11 Bliss Wallpaper" combines the "Bliss" image from Windows XP with the "Bloom" wallpaper of Windows 11, generating mixed reactions on Reddit. Users expressed a range of opinions, from playful comments to serious critiques. The discussion included accusations of cult-like behavior among participants. Additionally, a colleague created an AI-generated version of the Windows 11 "Bloom" wallpaper using Gemini, incorporating the colors of the Windows Central logo. A high-resolution version and more Windows Central-themed content are planned for future release.

AppWizard

March 12, 2026

Gemini can now order your lunch as Android app control rolls out on Galaxy S26 [Gallery]

Gemini has introduced agentic task automation on the Galaxy S26 series, allowing AI to operate certain apps on behalf of users. This feature, also known as "screen automation," is currently being rolled out and was initially previewed during the announcement of Samsung's latest smartphones. During testing, Gemini was able to add items to a cart on Uber Eats without direct user input but required user confirmation to complete the checkout process. The automation supports several popular Android apps, including Lyft, Uber, Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Starbucks, with plans to integrate more apps like Instacart in the future. Google intends to extend this feature to the Pixel 10 series, though it is not yet available on those devices. Users can check for "screen automation" in the Gemini app's settings to confirm availability.

AppWizard

March 12, 2026

PC games revenue will outgrow consoles by 2028, analyst predicts

PC game revenue growth outpaced console revenue growth in 2025, marking a shift in the gaming industry. Newzoo forecasts a 6.6% annual growth rate for PC revenue from 2025 to 2028, compared to 4.4% for consoles, with PC revenue expected to surpass console revenue by 2028. However, 84% of spending by Chinese players is on domestically produced games, posing challenges for external developers. Additionally, 66% of Steam users engage in a language other than English. A memory and storage supply crisis may threaten continued PC revenue growth and impact the broader consumer electronics sector, potentially leading to shortages and price increases by 2028.