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SteelSeries tested its new gaming mouse with a car and dishwasher, but I just played games with it
AppWizard
April 7, 2026

SteelSeries tested its new gaming mouse with a car and dishwasher, but I just played games with it

The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 is a gaming mouse featuring a TrueMove 26K optical sensor with a maximum sensitivity of 26,000 DPI, six buttons, and a switch lifespan of 80 million clicks. It weighs 68g and offers connections via Lightspeed 2.4GHz wireless and USB-C, with a polling rate of up to 4kHz wirelessly and 1kHz wired. The battery lasts up to 120 hours at 1kHz polling rate and up to 200 hours via Bluetooth. It has an IP54 waterproof rating and comes with RGB lighting, a USB-C wireless dongle, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-C adapter, and Bluetooth connectivity. The price is .99 / £99.99. The mouse features a unique translucent shell design, water and dust resistance, and impressive battery longevity, but has a shape that may not suit everyone, a slippery shell material, and side buttons that may be overly long.
macOS 26.4 adds a neat charging feature that Windows laptops have had for years
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.
I Ran 80 Miles on the Path of the Gods to Test the Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus
AppWizard
March 27, 2026

I Ran 80 Miles on the Path of the Gods to Test the Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus

The inReach Mini 3 Plus offers satellite messaging capabilities but has limited mapping features compared to the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Garmin Forerunner 970. It provides alerts only if users veer 50 meters off course, unlike the Fenix, which offers upcoming turn notifications. Its notable features include live tracking, SOS emergency capabilities, and voice messaging, allowing users to send 30-second voice notes or longer messages via the Garmin Messenger app. Voice messages are transcribed for recipients, and replies are received on the device. Photos can be sent through Messenger, but satellite transmission can take up to 10 minutes. The battery life claims 55 hours with performance messaging and two-minute location updates, extending to 350 hours in low-power mode. During a test, the device used 68% of its battery over 21.5 hours of continuous tracking and navigation. Charging takes just over an hour. The inReach Mini 3 Plus is durable, user-friendly, and compact, making it suitable for extended adventures, though potential buyers should consider the purchase price, activation fee, and monthly subscription. It is particularly beneficial for those frequently outside cellular coverage.
Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more
Winsage
February 18, 2026

Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 26H1 will be supported for consumers until March 2028, with rollout starting for PCs with eligible CPUs, specifically the Snapdragon X2 family, which includes Snapdragon X2 Plus, Snapdragon X2 Elite, and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. The official launch occurred on February 10, 2026, alongside its first cumulative update. Users with first-generation Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs cannot upgrade to this version. Windows 11 26H1 is described as a "hardware-optimized release" aimed at enhancing performance and efficiency for Arm-based chips, though it does not promise significant enhancements over version 25H2 or the upcoming 26H2. Enterprise and Education editions will be supported until March 13, 2029, while Home and Pro editions will be supported until March 14, 2028. Windows 11 SE is not supported in 26H1. A new release, Windows 11 26H2, is expected to be available for all users, including those with first-generation Arm-based PCs, and will be the recommended update for broader deployment. Upgrades from version 25H1 to 26H1 are not possible, and all upgrade paths are currently closed, with plans to transition to version 27H2 in the latter half of 2027.
I forced myself to run Windows 11, and to be honest, I don't miss much about Windows 10
Winsage
November 25, 2025

I forced myself to run Windows 11, and to be honest, I don’t miss much about Windows 10

Windows 10 reached the end of its support, prompting an upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 is faster, with performance improvements claimed to be up to 2.3 times quicker than Windows 10, particularly on modern hardware. Boot times improved from 40 seconds to under 20 seconds. Battery life enhancements are reported, especially for modern devices. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned for a better user experience, allowing app uninstallation directly from the Store. The Start menu and Taskbar have been redesigned, with a more organized layout that enhances usability. The new context menu includes dedicated icons for frequently used functions. The classic Control Panel is missed, as its functionality has largely moved to the Settings app, which some find less simple. Overall, the upgrade to Windows 11 is considered worthwhile despite some areas needing refinement.
I tried 3 Windows laptops with Qualcomm chipsets this year - and found 3 glaring issues
Winsage
November 17, 2025

I tried 3 Windows laptops with Qualcomm chipsets this year – and found 3 glaring issues

Last year, Microsoft introduced Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, prompting the purchase of a Surface Pro 11, which became essential for daily tasks. This led to acquiring additional devices, including a Surface Laptop and a Dell XPS 13, both with Snapdragon X Elite chips. Despite effective marketing, businesses remain cautious about these devices. Windows on Arm has improved for Office applications and web services, with devices maintaining cool temperatures and long battery life. However, there are limitations: backup software may not work effectively on Arm devices, as external drives are inaccessible during recovery, necessitating workarounds like network or cloud storage. Installing Linux on Snapdragon-powered PCs is challenging due to a lack of compatible installation images, making Intel-based PCs more practical for work tasks. Additionally, Arm-based devices have performance constraints for gaming, with Snapdragon processors unable to compete with dedicated GPUs, making high-performance gaming unfeasible.
Android Battery Woes Might Finally Be Over—Thanks to This Quiet Change
AppWizard
November 11, 2025

Android Battery Woes Might Finally Be Over—Thanks to This Quiet Change

Google announced an updated Play Store policy on November 10 that will introduce new performance checks for developers, focusing on monitoring excessive partial wake locks. Apps that maintain screen-on time beyond two hours or exhibit excessive wake locks will lose visibility in the Play Store, being demoted in listings and labeled for excessive power consumption. This policy aims to enhance app performance and battery management on Android devices and is set to take effect on March 1, 2026, coinciding with the rollout of Android 17. Google will also provide developers with access to performance metrics to help them improve their apps. Additionally, the adaptive battery system in Android restricts power to infrequently used apps, and Android 15 introduces advanced background restrictions and a more intelligent doze mode.
Android’s next update is finally addressing your phone’s biggest battery hogs
AppWizard
November 11, 2025

Android’s next update is finally addressing your phone’s biggest battery hogs

Google has introduced a new metric called "excessive partial wake locks" to monitor Android applications that keep the CPU active for extended periods while running in the background. Apps that maintain more than two hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period and impact 5% of user sessions will be flagged for excessive battery usage. Beginning March 1, 2026, these flagged applications may experience reduced visibility on Google Play and will carry a red warning label indicating high battery consumption. This initiative aims to help users identify apps that contribute to battery drain and encourage developers to minimize background activity. The metric was developed in collaboration with Samsung and is based on real-world device data.
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