battery life Archives

Winsage

August 11, 2025

Get ready for back to school with great deals on Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs

As the academic year approaches, there is an increased demand for reliable and high-performance PCs that support students' academic needs and personal style. Windows 11, enhanced with Copilot, offers tools for productivity and organization. Microsoft is promoting back-to-school discounts on Surface devices, including savings on the Surface Pro 13-inch, Surface Laptop 13-inch, and Surface Pro 12-inch. Students can trade in their Windows 10 PCs for cash back and receive a complimentary trial of Microsoft 365 Personal. Various manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, are offering Windows 11 PCs designed for learning and creativity. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart are providing deals on laptops and tech accessories.

AppWizard

August 11, 2025

Google is giving Android’s headphone and earbud notifications a fresh new look

Google is enhancing the user experience on Android devices with a visual update for headphone and earbud battery status. The updated notification features color-coded rings around icons for each earbud and their charging case, allowing for quick assessment of battery status. Dynamic icons indicate whether the earbuds are charging and if the case is discharging power. This redesign replaces the previous method of displaying a battery icon with a percentage. The update will be available with the rollout of Android 15 QPR2 on Pixel devices.

BetaBeacon

August 7, 2025

The AYANEO Pocket S2 is the most powerful Android handheld I’ve ever tested, but is it the best?

The AYANEO Pocket S2 has a sleek and slender design with stacked triggers, high-end TMR electromagnetic sticks, and a headphone jack. It features a Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset that outperforms other popular handhelds in terms of CPU and GPU performance. The device also excels in sustained performance and temperature control. It is highly recommended for gaming, including emulation of retro and modern games. The Pro model comes with a larger battery and a swappable D-pad. However, the premium price tag may make it difficult to recommend, especially with the release of other compelling alternatives by AYANEO.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft Windows: Everything you need to know

Windows is the dominant operating system globally, developed by Microsoft, and serves over a billion users. The latest version is Windows 11, which debuted in October 2021, featuring significant visual and functional enhancements. Microsoft began rolling out the 24H2 update in mid-2024, introducing AI hardware support, enhanced security, and new features like Copilot and Recall. The upcoming 25H2 update is expected in late 2025, utilizing a lightweight enablement package for a swift upgrade process. Development on Windows 12, codenamed Hudson Valley, is ongoing, with a potential release in late 2026 or early 2027, focusing on AI-first computing and modular architecture. Users can check their current Windows version by pressing the Windows key + R and typing winver. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for eligible systems, while Windows 11 Home costs 9 and Windows 11 Pro costs 9. The end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, making an upgrade advisable for continued security and access to new features.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft Ends Windows 11 SE: Support Ceases in 2026

Microsoft launched Windows 11 SE in late 2021 to compete with Google’s Chrome OS in the education technology sector, targeting low-cost devices for schools with a starting price around . The operating system was designed for Chromebook-like laptops, featuring restrictions on app installations to focus on educational tools and integration with Microsoft services like Office 365. Initial interest was noted, but adoption faced challenges due to schools' commitments to Chromebooks and limited app compatibility. By 2022, devices with Windows 11 SE appeared in schools, but market penetration remained modest, hindered by hardware requirements and competition from Chromebooks. Microsoft announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE in 2025, with support ending in October 2026, necessitating migration for schools using the OS. This decision reflects a strategic shift towards cloud-based solutions and highlights the challenges of competing against established platforms like Chrome OS.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

This emulator lets you run PC games on your Android phone — and it works

Brunodev85’s open-source toolkit, Winlator, allows users to play Windows games on Android smartphones by using a compatibility layer called Wine, which translates Windows system calls for Android. It incorporates Box86 and Box64 to convert x86 instructions to ARM commands and uses DXVK and D9VK for graphical acceleration. Winlator supports classic titles like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Mass Effect 2, Gothic, and Fallout 3, running smoothly on mid-range devices. The toolkit features customizable on-screen buttons for touch controls and enables offline gaming without the need for a constant internet connection or subscription fees. Users must sideload the APK and install necessary components, but the setup offers substantial rewards for those willing to tinker.

BetaBeacon

July 29, 2025

GameHub update promises improved Windows game emulation on non-Snapdragon Android phones

Android Authority released a comprehensive review of the latest Android smartphones, praising the new flagship smartphone from Samsung for its impressive camera setup, long-lasting battery, sleek design, and smooth performance. The review also highlighted the budget-friendly smartphone from Xiaomi for its solid performance and decent camera quality.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft is finally addressing my biggest issue with the Taskbar and multi-monitor support on Windows 11

Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows 11 preview builds that allows users to access the notification center and calendar flyout on secondary displays. Previously, users could only interact with the system tray on their primary monitor. This enhancement aims to improve the multi-monitor experience by enabling users to see their calendar and a larger clock on any monitor. The feature is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels, with general availability expected soon. Other recent updates include improvements in energy saver functionality, a revamped BSOD screen, and a customizable Start menu.

BetaBeacon

July 29, 2025

This upcoming Android-powered Nintendo DS clone can emulate Switch games, and my wallet isn’t ready

The AYANEO Pocket DS features a dual-screen design with a 7-inch OLED screen on top and a 5-inch LCD panel on the bottom. It has TMR sticks, linear Hall effect triggers, and full membrane microswitch buttons. The device is powered by the Snapdragon G3 Gen 2 chip and has an 8,000mAh battery with fast charging capabilities. Pricing is estimated to be between and , with an Indiegogo campaign set to launch in late August.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

10 hidden Windows settings you should change now

Most Windows users engage with basic settings, but there are hidden settings that can enhance usability and performance. 1. Adjust App Permissions: Navigate to Settings -> Privacy & security -> App permissions to limit unnecessary app permissions. 2. Disable "Let Apps Run in the Background": Go to Settings -> Apps -> Installed Apps, select the app, click the three dots, choose Advanced options, and turn off "Let this app run in the background." 3. Turn Off Ad Tracking and Personalization: Go to Settings -> Privacy & security -> General and deactivate ad-tracking options. 4. Disable Tips and Suggestions: Navigate to Settings -> System -> Notifications, expand Additional settings, and uncheck "Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows." 5. Enable Clipboard History: Go to Settings -> System -> Clipboard and toggle on "Clipboard history." Access it with Windows key + V. 6. Manage Startup Apps: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), switch to the Startup tab, and disable unnecessary apps. 7. Turn On Storage Sense: Navigate to Settings -> System -> Storage -> Storage Sense to enable automatic cleanup of temporary files. 8. Prevent Apps from Reopening on Startup: Go to Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in options and disable "Automatically save my restartable apps." 9. Hide Recently Opened Files in Quick Access: Open File Explorer, click the "three dots," select Options, and uncheck "Show recently used files" and "Show frequently used folders." 10. Set Active Hours for Windows Update: Visit Settings -> Windows Update -> Advanced options -> Active hours to define your active hours for updates.