availability Archives

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Android Switch: Google’s new name for the Data Restore Tool

Google has launched an AI-powered video creation tool called Google Vids, initially exclusive to Gemini customers but now available to a broader audience within Google Workspace, including Business, Enterprise, and Education plans. The tool features "Help me create," which allows users to generate a storyboard by providing a prompt and a Google Drive document. It offers suggestions for scenes, stock media, text, scripts, and background music to create a preliminary video draft. Users can personalize their videos with animations, transitions, and access to royalty-free stock content. Google Vids also includes AI-powered voiceovers, with preset voices and a teleprompter feature for recording custom voiceovers. Currently, the AI features are available only in English, with plans for future language support. The AI features will be available until December 31, 2025, after which usage limits may apply, and Google will notify users of any changes. The full rollout of Google Vids is expected in the coming weeks.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

“Don’t kill Android (WSA) in Windows 11” is now a top feedback, but will Microsoft listen?

Microsoft will discontinue the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) in 2025, along with the removal of the Amazon Appstore from the Microsoft Store. Many users rely on WSA for accessing Android applications not available on Windows, leading to significant disappointment among them. A post on the Feedback Hub advocating for WSA has received nearly 700 upvotes, indicating user frustration. WSA is seen as essential for both daily tasks and for developers testing Android applications. The decision to discontinue WSA is linked to the financial performance of the Microsoft Store and a lack of support from Google. Initially, WSA was only available in the United States, which limited its user base.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Watch out, Windows Notepad users: Here comes AI

Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered Rewrite feature for Notepad, available to Windows Insiders running Windows 11. Users need the latest Canary or Dev build of Windows 11 and must be signed in with a Microsoft account linked to the Insider program to access the feature. The Rewrite process allows users to modify text by selecting it and using the Rewrite button or shortcut Ctrl + I, generating three distinct versions of the text. AI credits are required for content generation, with initial allocations set at 50 credits for users in select countries and 60 credits monthly for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The Rewrite feature is currently limited to Dev or Canary builds of Windows 11 and may take time to reach the standard version of Notepad.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Can the Snapdragon 8 Elite run Popular PC Games?

The realme GT 7 Pro, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, has demonstrated the capability to run AAA PC games like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag at 60 frames per second with a GPU usage rate of around 70%. Videos have also shown the device running Assassin’s Creed Rogue and Grand Theft Auto V. The gaming performance is facilitated by an upcoming application called GameFusion, which is designed for running demanding games on mobile devices. The developers of GameFusion have faced scrutiny for past work on the EggNS emulator and have introduced a paid subscription model. There is an ongoing partnership with GameSir, and details about GameFusion's availability and business model are currently unclear.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

This free tool ‘purifies’ Windows 11 and skips Microsoft account logins

A new PowerShell script called UnattendedWinstall allows Windows 11 users to bypass the mandatory Microsoft account login during setup. The script can be downloaded from the UnattendedWinstall GitHub releases page, with version 2.0.0 being the latest. It utilizes Windows' "response files" to automate tasks and modify system settings, effectively removing the login prompt. UnattendedWinstall offers several additional functionalities: - Bypasses Windows 11's system requirements. - Disables Windows Security services by default. - Turns off User Account Controls by default. - Permits execution of PowerShell scripts by default. - Removes most pre-installed bloatware applications. - Disables features like Copilot and Windows Recall. - Limits Windows Update to security updates for a year. - Optimizes the Windows registry for better performance. - Disables unnecessary scheduled tasks. - Enables the “Ultimate Performance” power plan. Users are advised to exercise caution when using the script and to test it in a virtual machine first. Reactivating Windows Security is recommended after execution. Microsoft may not endorse such tools, and their availability could be at risk if issues arise. However, the tool allows users to continue receiving security updates.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Buy a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Mac or Windows for $28

Stack Social is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows and Mac at an 87% discount. This version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, but does not include Microsoft Teams. While Stack Social is an authorized Microsoft partner, there is a possibility that Microsoft may discontinue the license in the future. Users need Windows 10 or 11, or Mac Monterey Version 12 or newer to install the software.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

New AI experiences for Paint and Notepad begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

The updates to Paint (version 11.2410.28.0) include the introduction of generative fill, which allows users to make edits and additions to their artwork using text prompts, and generative erase, enabling the removal of unwanted objects from the canvas. Generative fill is initially available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs for Windows Insiders in supported markets, while generative erase is accessible for all Windows 11 PCs. Additionally, the Cocreator feature has been enhanced for faster results, and Image Creator is now available in preview for Windows 11 users in several countries, with AI credits for Microsoft 365 subscribers in select regions. The Notepad update (version 11.2410.15.0) introduces a generative AI feature that allows users to rewrite content by rephrasing sentences and adjusting tone and length. This feature is available in preview for users in specific countries and requires a Microsoft account. Improvements have also been made to Notepad’s launch performance, with most users experiencing over a 35% improvement in app launch time.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Steam’s new recording features allow deep integration with games

Steam has rolled out its game recording capabilities for PC and Steam Deck users, moving from beta to full availability. The features include automatic recording, manual clipping with customizable keyboard hotkeys, and easy access to replays through the Steam overlay. Users can export clips using QR codes for sharing. The recording functions are designed to minimize game performance impact by using the GPU for encoding. Steam allows per-game customization of auto-recording durations and capture quality, and provides an SDK and API for developers to trigger recordings based on in-game events. The recording features work with any game, including non-Steam titles added to the Steam library.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Valve just single-handedly upgraded content creation for PC gamers – Steam’s Game Recording feature is now available to all

Steam's Game Recording feature has transitioned from beta to full availability, allowing players to automatically capture gameplay in supported titles. Users can enable 'Background Recording' to capture the last 120 minutes of gameplay or use 'On Demand Recording' to manually start and stop recording. The feature utilizes the video encoding capabilities of AMD and Nvidia GPUs, with CPU fallback for those without dedicated graphics cards, which may affect performance. Steam's Game Recording includes various bitrate settings and simplifies the recording process for PC gamers by eliminating the need for external software. Valve has not yet introduced streaming capabilities, but successful integration could enhance its position in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

One UI 7 (Android 15) support now live for Samsung Parental Controls

Google is updating its Google Keep app with a new design that replaces the bottom navigation bar with a Floating Action Button (FAB) located in the bottom right corner. The FAB uses pill-shaped buttons for tasks, allowing users to create new notes, lists, drawings, or photos, but the option to create audio notes has been removed. This redesign aims to create a cleaner and more modern interface, reducing clutter and helping users focus on their content. The update is being rolled out to Android users with Google Keep version 5.24.432.x, but availability for other platforms is not specified.