animation Archives

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

Google is testing out a whole new vibe for voice search in its Android app

Google is experimenting with a new voice search interface in its app, featuring a redesigned song identification section similar to Shazam. The changes are visible in the beta version 16.36.40.sa.arm64 of the Google app, where users can activate voice search by tapping the microphone icon. The new interface displays a “listening…” prompt without recent searches and offers search suggestions below it. When searching for a song, users see an animated page prompting them to play, sing, or hum the tune. The design removes previous and suggested searches, introducing a main voice search screen with a pulsing animation. The song search interface highlights a prominent “Play Sing Hum” message. The rollout is server-side, meaning not all users will have immediate access. Additionally, the Play Store has received a redesigned voice search interface similar to the one being tested in the Google app, indicating a trend towards a unified AI Mode interface across Google’s platforms.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

3 Gorgeous Games That Run on Potato PCs (One Still Looks Like a Work of Art)

Early Access titles on platforms like Steam have increased the necessity of owning a gaming PC for enthusiasts, but not all gamers can afford high-end hardware. There is a demand for well-optimized games that run well on lower-end "potato PCs." Terraria is a pixel art open-world sandbox survival game that requires only 4GB of RAM (2.5GB minimum) and can run on Windows Vista. It has an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam and has been popular for 14 years. A Short Hike features a watercolor art style and requires just 2GB of RAM and 500MB of storage, running smoothly on Windows 7. Released in 2019, it offers a beautiful experience on lower-end systems. Cuphead has a hand-drawn cartoon aesthetic and requires 3GB of RAM, running on older processors like the Intel Core2 Duo. It is a challenging platformer that can be played on modest hardware.

Winsage

September 22, 2025

Hands on with Windows 11’s new “video wallpaper” feature, supports .mp4 as desktop background

Windows 11 will soon allow users to set videos, including formats like .mp4, as desktop backgrounds in the upcoming 24H2 or 25H2 updates. The feature will enable videos to play automatically in a loop and is inspired by the third-party application WallpaperEngine. It is linked to forthcoming optional updates and may be available by October for users running Windows 11 Build 26220 or newer. To set a video as a background, users will go to Settings > Personalization > Background. Supported file formats include .mp4, .m4v, .mov, .wmv, .avi, .mkv, and .webm. The feature is reminiscent of the "DreamScene" functionality from Windows Vista and is designed to be non-interactive, potentially reducing power and resource consumption.

AppWizard

September 21, 2025

This Doom mod based on ye olde Flash animation series Madness is, fittingly, way slicker than it has any right to be

Krinkels' Madness is a notable online animation series known for its frenetic and hyper-violent shorts featuring grey, cross-faced characters in explosive confrontations. A recent mod for Doom 2, titled Somewhere in Hell, has been released, showcasing 33 weapons and five playable characters, with mechanics like dual-wielding and unique character abilities. The mod is available for download on ModDB. Additionally, the official game Madness: Project Nexus, released in 2021, combines shooting and beat 'em up elements and has received positive feedback. The latest episode of the animated series, Contravention, was released last year, and Krinkels will celebrate Madness Day with activities including Twitch streams, interviews, and a competition for fans.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Borderlands 4 performance patch out now with PC ‘our top priority’

Gearbox has released a new patch for Borderlands 4 to address performance issues on PC, following a previous patch that did not resolve ongoing concerns. The game currently has a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with many negative reviews citing performance problems. Gearbox acknowledged the issues, stating that updates to improve stability and performance are a top priority. The patch includes fixes for crashes related to animation states, audio, and GPU, as well as gameplay progression issues and loot pool updates. Players are advised that changes to graphics settings will require shader recompilation and to play for at least 15 minutes to assess performance changes. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has been engaging with the community, but his comments have sparked debate, with some attributing the issues to lower-spec hardware.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

How Movie Adaptations Impact the Video Game Industry

Video games are becoming a significant revenue source for the film and television industry, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. Media adaptations of video games attract diverse audiences, with recent adaptations for titles like Call of Duty, Life is Strange, and Dark Deception indicating a continuing trend. Adaptations typically result in a 203% increase in players for TV shows and a 48% increase for films, encouraging collaborations between video game companies and entertainment studios. The competition among studios to partner with video game franchises is increasing, as evidenced by the success of films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie, which appeal to family audiences. Video game adaptations are emerging as a major trend in Hollywood, potentially surpassing superhero films.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

New Stalker remaster patch continues to combat ongoing performance woes

GSC Game World has remastered the original Stalker trilogy into the Stalker: Legends of the Zone collection, which includes Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat. The remasters have received mixed reviews due to performance issues, prompting the release of Patch 1.3 to enhance the gaming experience. This update includes numerous bug fixes, a font overhaul for better visibility, and the integration of a quick slot system from Call of Pripyat into the earlier titles. It also addresses technical glitches such as sky blurriness and hand animation issues. The updated version of Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl Enhanced Edition is available for purchase on Steam.

AppWizard

September 11, 2025

Hotly anticipated Genshin Impact challenger sets launch window, but it’s later than I hoped

Arknights: Endfield will feature a blend of base-building elements and a full-team battle system, distinguishing it from competitors like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. The game's full launch is confirmed for early 2026, delayed from earlier expectations of a 2025 release. Publisher Gryphline is focusing on substantial improvements based on player feedback from the beta test conducted in February. The game will allow simultaneous character engagement in combat and includes a building mechanic called the AIC Factory for constructing a super-facility. Enhancements are planned across various aspects of the game, including combat, narrative depth, and overall performance optimization.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

Create Your Own Android Bot with New Androidify Tool

Google has introduced Androidify, a tool for small business owners to design personalized Android bots via a web interface or app. It utilizes advanced AI technology, including Gemini 2.5 Flash for photo captioning and Imagen for creating customized bots from user uploads. Users can animate their bots into 8-second videos using Veo technology, enhancing social media engagement. The tool allows businesses to create unique visual identities for marketing campaigns, although some users may face challenges in navigating AI tools and integrating them into existing strategies.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

Minecraft Preview Update 1.21.120.20 Now Live via Patch 1.85/1.068

The latest update for Minecraft, version 1.21.120.20, has been released across all platforms, recognized as version 1.85/1.068 for console users. This patch includes new features and bug fixes, such as: - Tadpoles now spawn directly beneath Frogspawn blocks. - Players can now destroy valid blocks in Adventure Mode positioned behind water. - Redstone power can now be added or removed from the Shelf, emitting vibrations. - Fixed the Damage Command for Ender Crystals and corrected the /locate biome command. - Improved loading of text for Sign blocks from older worlds. - World creation will redownload missing Marketplace templates. - Adjustments made to the first-person camera when climbing blocks. - Restored Java parity for ambient occlusion calculations on partial blocks. - TAA upscaling implemented for weather effects. - Suspicious Stew is now available in Creative Mode. - Defeated Chicken Jockeys drop the Lava Chicken music disc. - Copper Golem drops its carried item when interacted with while the player holds an item in their offhand. - Sounds for Copper Chests now utilize a natural attenuation curve. - User interface improvements, including accurate cursor positioning in text fields and updated messaging for sleeping. - Structures will no longer build atop features like trees at chunk borders. - Developers can set the version property to “beta” for module selection. - Fixed various bugs related to graphics modes, loot generation, and item rendering. Mojang has not yet updated the retail version of Minecraft.