airport Archives

Winsage

January 9, 2026

Nothing to declare at border control except a Windows 7 certificate error

A glitch in the border control wait-time display at Birmingham Airport showed a security certificate error, leaving passengers unaware of their wait times. The display is running on Windows 7, which reached its end of life in 2020, and the error message resembles outdated technology from Windows Vista. Despite this, a traveler reported a quick passage through border control, taking only ten minutes. The ongoing certificate issue raises concerns about the reliability of the information provided to passengers.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

5 Free Android Auto Apps You Should Always Have Installed

Gemini AI in Android Auto introduces new features to enhance the driving experience, dependent on the installed applications. Key recommended apps include: - AntennaPod: A podcast app that offers millions of podcasts, imports libraries from various sources, and features playback controls, queue management, and user privacy with an ad-free, open-source model. - Fuelio: An app for monitoring fuel consumption, mileage, and costs for various vehicle types, providing insights into fuel efficiency and vehicle-related expenses, with a straightforward interface for logging data. - PlugShare: An app for locating electric charging stations, featuring over 70,000 listings, trip planning capabilities, community-driven information, and filters for speed and plug types. - SpotHero: A digital marketplace for finding and reserving parking in major cities, allowing users to compare prices and amenities, view bookings, and receive navigation assistance. - TuneIn Radio: An entertainment app offering access to over 120,000 live radio stations, podcasts, and music stations, with a user-friendly interface and an option for an ad-free Premium subscription. The selected apps are free to use, address real-world challenges, and have received positive feedback, averaging ratings above 4.3 in the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Skateboarding games had a huge 2025, but it was the controversial Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 that I couldn’t put down

The author discovered Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 this year, which changed their perception of the franchise. The series, once popular in the late '90s and early 2000s, has seen a decline in the PC gaming community. The author had previously only played Tony Hawk's Underground 2. The remake of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 in 2020 showcased the series' peak design. The environments in 3 + 4 are integrated into urban landscapes, including a college campus, an airport, and Alcatraz Island. Some fans were unhappy with the removal of the open-world structure in THPS 4 and the introduction of forced timers. The reimagined levels in the remake play well, with new maps like the Waterpark and a pinball machine level. Despite its release in July 2025 being overlooked due to its changes, the remake features impressive animations, a refreshed soundtrack, and modernized graphics. The author believes the remake serves as a great entry point for newcomers to the series.

AppWizard

December 8, 2025

Google Wallet’s new feature saves Android users from fumbling for passes

Google Wallet is introducing a feature called “Set up nearby notifications” that activates notifications for relevant tickets, cards, or boarding passes as users approach their destination. This feature aims to reduce the stress of searching through passes at critical moments. Users are also receiving automated flight check-in alerts that prompt them to check in ahead of their airport arrival, utilizing information from confirmation emails in Gmail. This rollout is occurring in time for the holiday travel season.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

5 Essential Android Apps For Long Drives And Road Trips

- Google Maps: Over 10 billion downloads, user rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars from 19.2 million reviews. Provides comprehensive roadmaps, real-time navigation, and recalibrates routes automatically. - Spotify: Over 1 billion downloads, user rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from more than 34 million reviews. Offers a vast library for music and podcasts, with a free version that includes ads and a Premium subscription starting at .99 per month. - Wanderlog: Over 1 million downloads, user rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 28,000 reviews. Allows users to create and share detailed itineraries, syncing changes automatically among users. - SpotHero: Over 1 million downloads, user rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 16,000 reviews. Connects users with available parking spots across the U.S., allowing price comparisons and reservations. - Fuelio: Over 5 million downloads, user rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 132,000 reviews. Helps locate nearby gas stations, track fuel prices, log fill-ups, and calculate fuel costs for specific routes.

Winsage

November 23, 2025

Microsoft Swaps BSOD to Black, Adds Auto-Hide and AI Tools for Reliability

Microsoft is launching an initiative to eliminate the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) by introducing a new black screen error interface in Windows 11, which will replace the traditional blue backdrop. This redesign aims to modernize the error display and provide actionable insights while removing the frowning face emoji. A new feature called Digital Signage Mode will automatically conceal BSODs on public displays after 15 seconds, preventing prolonged visibility of errors. This mode suppresses all Windows error dialogs and allows systems to reboot or enter recovery without displaying errors, which is crucial for environments like retail and transportation. Microsoft is also enhancing remote recovery tools for IT administrators and promoting proactive measures for error prevention, such as regular driver updates and system scans. The company is collaborating with hardware manufacturers to improve driver compatibility and reduce BSOD incidents. Despite concerns about obscuring underlying issues, Microsoft ensures that all incidents are logged for future review. By 2026, experts anticipate advancements in AI-driven error handling that could eliminate public BSODs entirely. User adoption remains a challenge, particularly among small businesses, and Microsoft is addressing this through educational campaigns. The transition to a black screen has been positively received in consumer spaces, marking a cultural shift away from the blue screen as a symbol of computing errors.

Winsage

November 23, 2025

Windows: New “Digital Signage Mode” Ends Bluescreens

The new Digital Signage Mode introduced by Microsoft allows Windows to display system error messages, such as the Blue Screen of Death, for only 15 seconds before turning the screen black. This feature aims to prevent public visibility of technical errors on digital signage while still allowing support teams to address issues. The mode also applies to other disruptive Windows dialogs, but it is specifically designed for non-interactive public displays and does not extend to kiosks, which require direct user interaction. The mode can be enabled through the Windows Settings app or a registry key.

Winsage

October 20, 2025

Simplewall is the Windows Firewall tuning tool everyone needs

A firewall acts as a barrier against threats to devices, with most operating systems including one for basic protection. The Windows Defender Firewall has a complex interface, but it features a powerful packet filtering engine. Simplewall is a standalone network filtering application built on the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) that offers users straightforward control over network traffic. It includes a rules editor that allows users to manage applications and services, enabling them to block or allow specific traffic easily. Users can create custom rules based on protocol, ports, or IP addresses, which is particularly useful in home lab environments. Simplewall also provides an OS-level blacklist to limit Microsoft's data collection and can block known advertising and tracking IPs. It is compatible with various Windows versions, including Windows 7 and ARM64 architecture, and can filter traffic from the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Simplewall is available in a portable version, does not log telemetry data, and is open-source. However, users must manage rules carefully, as blocking critical services can lead to connectivity issues. The development of Simplewall is supported by a community that contributes to its improvement.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

Police found secret messaging app on spy suspect’s phones

One of the suspects in the China spy case allegedly used secure communication applications on 'burner phones' intended for Beijing agents. Christopher Berry and Chris Cash were charged with transmitting secrets to China between 2021 and 2023, but the trial collapsed due to the Government's failure to assert that China posed a national security threat at the time of the alleged offences, leading to their not guilty declaration. Berry was stopped at an airport in February 2023, and suspicious applications were discovered on his electronic devices, which contributed to the charges. Berry is accused of transferring about 34 files to a Chinese handler, with the information reportedly obtained by Cash, who worked for the China Research Group and as a Commons researcher. Both men were arrested in March 2023 under the Official Secrets Act for conveying information detrimental to UK safety and interests. Berry is suspected of sharing information about internal government disputes over the Newport Wafer Fab semiconductor factory and accommodations for MPs during a visit to Taiwan. British intelligence identified Berry and Cash after detecting UK-related information in the Chinese intelligence framework. The potential for a successful prosecution was noted by experts, who criticized the government's reluctance to address espionage efforts.

AppWizard

October 9, 2025

The creator of this forgotten, Valve-funded FPS with Half-Life ties couldn’t “wait to get out of the room” with Gabe Newell

Gunman Chronicles, released in 2000 and built on the Half-Life engine, was published by Sierra Studios but has never been available on any official PC storefronts, including Steam. The project lead, Herbert Flower, revealed that the development team, composed of modders from various countries, faced financial constraints that led them to seek assistance from Valve. Valve invited the team to its Seattle headquarters, where they worked for about two and a half months and received a funding boost. Despite the collaboration, Flower's relationship with Gabe Newell was strained, and the team ultimately received only 11% of the game's earnings after Sierra's cut. The game's launch was described as "anticlimactic," and Flower speculated that disputes over rights following Sierra's merger with Vivendi might explain the game's absence from Steam. Despite solid sales, the game received mixed reviews, with some critics noting its similarities to Half-Life.