AI search Archives

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google Revamps Android App Store Rules, Cuts Fees Amid Global Antitrust Pressure

Alphabet's Google has announced a transformation in app distribution on Android devices, allowing external companies to register and launch their own app stores by paying a one-time fee. This change aims to enhance accessibility for competitors and lower costs for developers. Google will reduce its standard commission for developers from 30% to as low as 15% or 10% in some cases, with implementation expected by June in the US, UK, and EU, and similar changes in Australia, South Korea, and Japan by the end of 2026. Developers using Google’s billing services will incur a flat fee of 5%, while they can also opt for third-party payment processors. Epic Games has expressed approval of these changes, which they believe will help resolve ongoing litigation. Google generated approximately .66 billion in sales from its app marketplace in 2020, and regulatory changes could reduce its gross profit by around billion. The European Commission has accused Google of violating the Digital Markets Act, which could lead to fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue. Google has previously faced €9.5 billion in fines for competition law violations. A US jury ruled in 2023 that certain Android policies violated antitrust law, leading to an injunction requiring Google to allow competing app stores access to its app catalog. Despite regulatory pressures, Google stated that the changes to the developer fee structure were voluntary and not mandated by legal rulings.

Winsage

January 7, 2026

“Microslop”: Infuriating Video Sums Up How Microsoft Is Ruining Windows With AI

Programmer Ryan Fleury criticized Windows 11's AI-powered search feature in a video, highlighting a suggestion that users ask, “My mouse pointer is too small,” which yielded no results after a ten-second wait. In contrast, a simple search for the word “test” produced three relevant outcomes. Microsoft is committed to enhancing Windows 11 with AI, having ended support for Windows 10 to encourage users to transition to the new system featuring a virtual assistant called Copilot. New features include a Copilot icon on the taskbar and integration into Windows Explorer for generating document summaries. However, security concerns persist due to past incidents where sensitive information was saved in unsecured locations. Discontent with Microsoft's AI direction has grown since the discontinuation of Windows 10, and CEO Satya Nadella's comments against the term “slop” have led to increased use of the term “Microslop” on social media. Fleury's sarcastic remarks about AI's coding capabilities reflect skepticism about the effectiveness of AI in delivering quality results.

Tech Optimizer

December 23, 2025

Better Relevance for AI Apps With BM25 Algorithm in PostgreSQL

Tiger Data, formerly known as Timescale, has released a preview version of pg_textsearch, an open-source extension for PostgreSQL that uses the BM25 algorithm to improve keyword search relevance and performance. The project quickly gained over 1,800 stars on GitHub. The rebranding reflects a strategic shift from a focus on time-series databases to a broader scope, including cloud offerings and PostgreSQL for various applications. The pg_textsearch extension addresses the need for enhanced search capabilities in PostgreSQL, particularly for AI applications, as customers sought a general-purpose search primitive. The BM25 algorithm improves relevance ranking in information retrieval systems, offering features like inverse document frequency and term frequency saturation. The extension is compatible with PostgreSQL versions 17 and 18 and enhances performance for large datasets. Development of pg_textsearch began in October, utilizing AI tools to streamline the process, with a production-ready version expected early next year.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Announcing the Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners

The Microsoft Store Awards recognized exceptional applications that enhance user experiences within the Windows ecosystem. AI Assistants category: - Winner: Perplexity by Perplexity AI - Features native voice dictation, multi-modal AI search, and deep desktop integration for rapid research. - Winner: ChatGPT by OpenAI - Provides instant answers, direct image and file uploads, and enterprise-level privacy controls. Business category: - Winner: Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator by Moon Technolabs Pvt. Ltd. - Streamlines finance tasks with customizable templates and real-time payment tracking. Computer-Using Agents (CUA) category: - Winner: Manus by Manus AI - Automates complex tasks within a secure sandbox and allows users to guide ongoing actions. Creativity category: - Winner: n-Track Studio by n-Track S.r.I. - Transforms devices into recording studios with support for unlimited tracks and advanced effects. Developer Tools category: - Winner: ngrok by ngrok - Facilitates secure tunneling and remote access with automatic updates and compatibility with Windows Defender. Education category: - Winner: Scratch 3 by Scratch Foundation - Empowers students in computational thinking through engaging projects and block coding. Game category: - Winner: Castle Craft by Clever Apps Pte Ltd - Offers an immersive gaming experience with dynamic resource merging and family-friendly design. Music category: - Winner: Moises Live by Moises Systems, Inc - Leverages real-time AI audio separation technology for remixing and practice. Productivity category: - Winner: Notion by Notion Labs Inc - Consolidates tasks and notes into a searchable workspace with automation features. Each winner will receive a Store Award Winner badge in the Microsoft Store.

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.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

One UI 8.5 leak reveals Samsung Internet app’s major UI changes

Samsung's Internet app will undergo a significant redesign with One UI 8.5, featuring a revamped address bar, a new grid layout, enhanced privacy features, and an AI Search option. The update aims to improve user experience by addressing fixed-position pop-ups, allowing users to like videos directly within the app, and simplifying tab management with a new pop-up menu for closing all tabs or suppressing notifications. The redesign is expected to enhance the browser's ability to block intrusive pop-up advertisements.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

KB5067115 Brings Ask Copilot in Windows 11 Taskbar with Instant AI Search

Microsoft is integrating its Copilot feature into Windows 11 as a central element, moving it from a sidebar experiment to a taskbar shortcut called "Ask Copilot" in Insider Preview Build 26220.7051. This feature allows users to search for applications, files, and settings or interact with Copilot through voice or text commands. The results adjust dynamically based on user input and suggestions from Copilot. Users can opt-in to use this feature, which complements the traditional Windows Search. To enable it, users can go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot, and there is an option for automatic launch upon sign-in. Ask Copilot uses existing Windows APIs and does not access personal files unless requested. This update also includes a Full Screen Experience for handheld devices and a Shared Audio Preview.

AppWizard

September 30, 2025

Nothing’s new AI OS isn’t really an OS, or new

Nothing has launched an app store called Playground, dedicated to AI-generated smartphone applications, built on Android. This initiative is part of a broader vision termed Essential, which includes various AI-related products. Playground allows users to create simple apps using written prompts, with functionalities like mood tracking and expense management. Currently, users can only create widgets and must use a web platform to develop apps before installing them on their devices. Future enhancements may enable app creation directly on phones, potentially through voice commands. Playground also encourages a collaborative creator economy, allowing users to remix apps. Nothing remains committed to Android and has no plans to alter its foundational code.

Winsage

September 30, 2025

Windows 11 KB5065789 24H2 out with AI in Explorer, direct download links (.msu)

Windows 11 KB5065789 has started rolling out for version 24H2, introducing enhancements such as AI actions in File Explorer and the ability to reposition hardware indicators for volume and brightness. This update is available through Windows Update and as an offline installer (.msu). It is an optional update within the September 2025 update cycle and will not install automatically. Users can expect all features and fixes to be included in the upcoming Windows 11 October 2025 Patch Tuesday on October 7. The update includes: - Build Number: 26100.6725 - Size: 3932.4 MB for x64-based and 3726.2 MB for arm64-based - Installation process took approximately five minutes with a download size of around 1.5GB via Windows Update. New features in Windows 11 Build 26100.6725 include: 1. AI-related features in the Click to Do context menu on Copilot+ PCs. 2. AI Actions for images in File Explorer, including Visual Search with Bing. 3. The ability to reposition on-screen hardware indicators. 4. A revamped “Advanced Settings” page for managing File Explorer features. 5. Improved performance in File Explorer, particularly in loading context menus. Additional enhancements include modernized dialog boxes, improved AI search capabilities, new options for sharing pinned apps, support for Braille Viewer in Narrator, and expanded access to passkey managers. Features may not be immediately available after installation due to a gradual rollout, which could take one to three weeks. There is a known issue with certain legacy Digital TV applications experiencing problems with DRM-protected content, but popular streaming services remain unaffected.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Android’s Photo Picker is getting a search function, but it probably won’t use AI

Android users will soon experience an updated Photo Picker that includes a search bar for quicker photo selection. This update, which is gradually rolling out, enhances the previous basic gallery interface by allowing users to input keywords to find specific images. The search function does not utilize the same large language models as Google’s “Ask Photos” feature but aims to simplify the process of locating photos among many. The Photo Picker was initially introduced to improve privacy and security for applications accessing images. The update is currently being rolled out slowly, with many devices yet to receive it.