battery health Archives

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft tests Copilot’s new PC insights feature in Windows 11

Microsoft is piloting a feature called “PC insights” in its Windows 11 Copilot app, allowing users to inquire about their computer's hardware specifications such as RAM, storage, GPU performance, processor usage, antivirus status, and battery health. The feature collects system data using Windows APIs with user consent, which can be granted as one-time or permanent access. Currently in the experimental phase, it is being rolled out in the United States and provides insights based on the device's current state. Microsoft has cautioned that the app may not always provide complete or accurate information and has reported that it consumes nearly 1GB of RAM while idle. “PC insights” serves as a troubleshooting tool to help identify performance issues without resolving them directly. Future updates may enhance its capabilities to suggest adjustments or implement configuration changes.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Confused about your PC specs or hardware? Windows 11’s Copilot app is getting new powers to help you ‘understand your device’

Windows 11's Copilot app is testing a new feature called 'PC insights,' which allows users to ask questions about their device's hardware and receive direct answers. Users can inquire about specifications like RAM, storage, GPU details, processor usage, antivirus status, and battery health. The feature connects to Windows APIs and requires user permission to access system details, which can be granted temporarily or permanently. Microsoft assures that the feature is opt-in and does not allow the app to read file contents, only their sizes. Currently, 'PC insights' provides diagnostic suggestions but does not resolve issues directly, with potential future developments for proactive troubleshooting.

Winsage

July 13, 2026

Windows questions? How Copilot can analyze your PC settings now

Microsoft has introduced a new feature called PC Insights within its Copilot AI, aimed at simplifying troubleshooting within the Windows operating system. This feature allows users to ask questions about their system, such as battery health, BIOS version, CPU usage, network adapters, storage availability, and printer status. Users must download and install the Copilot Windows app to utilize PC Insights. Upon asking a question, Copilot requests permission to access system resources, which can be granted for a single request or for future similar requests. The AI retrieves the necessary data without storing or using personal files for training, and permissions can be revoked through the app's privacy settings. While PC Insights can provide information and clarify technical details, it cannot autonomously fix issues or implement system changes, requiring users to resolve identified problems themselves.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

Every Microsoft Surface should have this tiny app that fixes a battery headache

The Surface Charging Tray app, launched on May 9, 2026, enhances the user experience for Surface devices by streamlining the management of charging modes and Windows Power settings. It is available in two versions for Snapdragon X and Intel-powered devices. Key features include a tray icon with live status, configurable keyboard shortcuts, quick-switching between charging modes (Adaptive, 80%, 100%), scheduling charge-mode changes, quick-change options for Windows Power modes (Performance, Balanced, Efficiency), automatic startup upon Windows login, language localization detection, and a persistent error log. The app includes a smart charging feature that limits battery charge to 80% to protect battery health and allows users to pause this feature easily.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

RIG Spectre R8 Pro HS review – a versatile wireless gaming headset for PC and console

The RIG Spectre R8 Pro HS is a wireless gaming headset designed for use with either the PS5 or Xbox, featuring dual-system and Bluetooth compatibility. It has a 2.4GHz wireless connection, Bluetooth 5.2, and a frequency range of 20-40,000Hz. The headset weighs 364g and offers a battery life of 60 hours. It includes a charging dock with RGB lighting, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a wireless dongle. The microphone is non-removable, and the headset lacks simultaneous connection capabilities. It features magnetic earcup pads for easy swapping and customizable outer covers. The headset is priced at 9.99.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Android 17: All new Features, Release Date, & Major Leaks So Far

Android 17 Beta 2 was unveiled in April 2026, introducing significant features aimed at enhancing user experience and supporting autonomous AI agents. Key features include: 1. A "Dual-Shade" UI redesign with a Split Control Center for notifications and customizable toggles. 2. A system-level Native App Lock for securing individual apps with biometric authentication. 3. Integration of Project Astra, enabling real-time contextual memory and live translation through the camera. 4. A "Frosted Glass" aesthetic with translucency and glassmorphism in UI elements. 5. Advanced desktop windowing capabilities for larger screens, including free-form resizing and a persistent taskbar. 6. A Battery Health Dashboard providing insights into battery performance. 7. Introduction of the RAW14 Image Format for professional-grade image capture and a redesigned Screen Recording toolbar for creators. The release roadmap includes developer previews completed by March 2026, public beta phases in April 2026, platform stability expected in June 2026, and a final public release anticipated in August/September 2026 with the Pixel 11. Devices expected to receive Android 17 include Pixel 7 and newer models, Samsung Galaxy S24, S25, S26 series, and flagships from OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Nothing.

Winsage

March 29, 2026

macOS 26.4 adds a neat charging feature that Windows laptops have had for years

Apple's recent macOS update includes enhancements focused on battery health and charging efficiency for the MacBook lineup. A notable feature is the Charge Limit option, which allows users to set charging levels between 80% and 100% to extend battery longevity. Additionally, macOS 26.4 introduces a "Slow Charger" indicator that alerts users when connected to a power adapter that does not provide adequate wattage. This warning appears in the battery status menu and settings, helping users identify slow charging issues caused by low-wattage adapters, non-certified cables, or USB-C hubs that restrict power delivery. If users see the "Slow Charger" warning, Apple recommends switching to a charger and cable that meet the minimum wattage specifications for their Mac model, which can be verified on Apple's official website.

Winsage

March 26, 2026

Is It Time for a New Laptop Battery? This Secret Windows Report Will Let You Know

Windows laptops allow users to generate a battery report through Windows PowerShell. To create the report, users must open Windows Terminal as an administrator and enter the command powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:battery-report.html". This command generates an HTML file named battery-report.html saved in the C: drive. The report includes information about the laptop's battery health, recent usage, battery usage over the last three days, usage history, battery capacity history, and battery life estimates. The report shows the design capacity and full charge capacity of the battery, along with a comparison of expected and actual battery life. For example, a laptop designed for 6 hours and 2 minutes of battery life may currently last only 4 hours and 52 minutes.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

5 Android Apps That Are Probably Slowing Down Your Phone

The optimal range of RAM for smartphone performance is generally considered to be 8GB to 12GB. Power-intensive applications can create challenges, but managing cache, clearing storage, and restricting background usage can help. Certain apps, especially those using location data, require specific permissions and background activity. Users can check battery usage by app in their device's battery health settings, where higher battery consumption often indicates increased CPU and data usage, potentially leading to sluggish performance. Replacing resource-heavy apps with lighter alternatives or limiting background activity may improve device performance. TikTok requires a significant data cache for seamless playback, and its processing power demand can cause performance slowdowns, especially when streaming high-definition videos. TikTok Lite offers a less resource-intensive alternative. Google Photos functions primarily as a cloud-based storage solution, which can affect device performance during image indexing and backups. Spotify's aggressive caching can lead to storage issues, and using Battery Saver mode may throttle CPU performance. Google Maps relies heavily on GPS and runs in the background, increasing data usage and potentially slowing down devices. Instagram can drain battery life through notifications and preloading media, which may lead to storage issues if the cache is corrupted. Reducing notification frequency and managing alerts can help alleviate performance strain.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

Google Now Shows You Which Android Apps Will Drain Your Battery

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has raised concerns about battery performance, leading users to seek solutions for extending battery life. In response, Google is working to simplify the identification of applications that drain battery resources, particularly those using the "wake lock" feature, which keeps the CPU active when the screen is off. Google plans to implement technical measures to reduce wake lock overuse and introduce disclaimers for apps that frequently exceed the "Excessive Partial Wake Lock" threshold. If issues persist, Google may limit the visibility of such apps in the Play Store. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve battery efficiency across Android devices, including a prototype warning for users about battery-draining apps. Google is also collaborating with developers to optimize apps that rely on background processes, as seen in its partnership with WHOOP to enhance battery efficiency in its applications.