app management

AppWizard
July 24, 2025
Five standout open source Android applications highlighted for their utility, user-focused design, and privacy-conscious features are: 1. Tomato: A minimalist Pomodoro timer that helps maintain focus by dividing work into customizable intervals, offering productivity insights through visual graphs. 2. Grit: An all-in-one task and habit tracker that categorizes tasks, provides a visual habit map, supports scheduled reminders, and includes home screen widgets for quick access to daily goals. 3. Momentum: A habit tracker with a straightforward interface, calendar view, streak tracking, and an AI assistant that suggests habits, while prioritizing user privacy with offline functionality and local data storage. 4. Toolbox: A versatile utility app that includes features like a stopwatch, compass, text manipulation utilities, and advanced tools for developers, all while being lightweight and ad-free. 5. Thor App Manager: A tool for precise management of Android applications, offering features like batch installation, app freezing, and APK management, with additional controls for rooted users.
Winsage
July 23, 2025
Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be prompted by the end of support for Windows 10. The author chose Linux Mint after experimenting with various distributions, influenced by experiences with NixOS. Linux Mint features a Cinnamon desktop environment that resembles Windows, offering an intuitive interface with a customizable taskbar and easy navigation. It comes preloaded with essential applications like Firefox, VLC, and LibreOffice, and uses a straightforward APT package manager for software installation. Built on Ubuntu LTS, Mint provides robust driver support and GUI-based troubleshooting tools, making it more approachable than NixOS, which has a steeper learning curve and requires knowledge of the Nix language. The author prefers Mint for its user-friendly design and ease of use as they transition from Windows.
Winsage
July 23, 2025
Windows 11 KB5062660 is an optional update for Windows 11 24H2, introducing features like Recall AI for users in Europe. The update is approximately one gigabyte in size and upgrades the operating system to Windows 11 Build 26100.4770. Users can access it through Windows Update or direct download links from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Recall AI allows users to save screen snapshots but raises privacy concerns, which can be managed through settings. The update also includes Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) for efficient system recovery, improvements in system stability, and various enhancements such as inline messages in the Snap bar, streamlined Windows Search settings, enhanced controller navigation, and fixes for issues in the Settings app and File Explorer.
AppWizard
July 16, 2025
Google is enhancing Android Desktop Mode with a new "pin to taskbar" feature that allows users to pin frequently used applications directly to the desktop taskbar for quick access. This feature can be found in an app's context menu within Desktop Mode, enabling users to easily add or remove app icons from the dock. The enhancement aims to improve app management and user experience, positioning Android as a more competitive desktop platform. The feature is currently available in the latest Android Canary build based on Android 16, but details about its official rollout in the stable version are not yet available.
Winsage
July 7, 2025
The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update will introduce a new policy called the Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages, which allows users to remove unwanted Microsoft applications in a single action through Group Policy. This feature aims to simplify the process of debloating Windows 11, which has historically been cumbersome. Users can find this setting under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment. The policy currently supports the removal of various Microsoft applications but does not extend to third-party software. While initial tests show the policy functions as intended, further refinement is needed to address issues like orphaned shortcuts. This feature will not be available to Windows 11 Home users.
AppWizard
July 6, 2025
OnePlus has started rolling out a firmware update for the OnePlus 13 in the U.S., identified by build number CPH2655_15.0.0.832(EX01), with a size of 7.47GB. The update includes the June Android security patch and introduces several new features: remote control support for Windows PCs, a Game Camera for live screenshots and recording during gameplay, a Speaker Cleaner for audio performance, a Drag & Drop feature for third-party apps, and a "reduce white points" option for color sensitivity. Additionally, it brings system-wide improvements such as enhanced app management in Settings, improved responsiveness of floating windows, smoother animations, stacked notifications summary, better color consistency for navigation and app icons, and optimized background app support. A similar update is also being rolled out to the OnePlus 13R.
AppWizard
June 11, 2025
Android 16 introduces a fully functional desktop mode for Pixel phone users, similar to Samsung's DeX feature, as part of the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. This desktop mode is accessible out of the box but is still in Developer Preview. Google collaborated with Samsung on its design, featuring a Dock with an app drawer, open apps, and navigation controls. Users can manage app windows with smooth transitions and can snap windows to the sides of the screen. However, there are issues, such as a persistent toolbar in text fields and app windows disappearing upon reconnection. Future updates may improve these features, and there is potential for a dual-screen setup with the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Winsage
June 3, 2025
Microsoft is adjusting its approach in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with the Digital Markets Act by implementing several updates. Microsoft Edge will no longer solicit users to set it as their default browser, although reminders may still appear temporarily. This change began with an Edge update on May 29. Additionally, users who uninstall Microsoft Edge will not receive prompts to reinstall it, except for progressive web apps using Edge technology. Microsoft is also introducing an option to uninstall the Microsoft Store, with updates for previously downloaded applications continuing. This feature is expected to be available later this year for Windows 10 and 11 users.
AppWizard
June 3, 2025
Trust in the Google Play Store's ability to update Android apps has decreased among users due to inconsistent update frequencies. Samsung phone users can utilize the Modes and Routines feature to automate app updates. To set this up, users need to download the Good Lock app and its Routines+ module, then create a routine that records actions in the Play Store to update apps automatically. Users can specify a trigger time for the routine to run daily. While effective, users should monitor the routine's performance and adjust as needed, as it may not always function perfectly.
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