Beta Program Archives

Winsage

August 24, 2025

Why Microsoft defined the modern PC with Windows 95

Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995, in the United States, and became a cultural phenomenon, supported by a significant advertising campaign featuring the Rolling Stones' song "Start Me Up." The operating system introduced the "Start" menu and was technically advanced for its time, despite some user interface challenges. Microsoft faced intense competition from IBM's OS/2 and the growing home PC market, which included the rise of gaming consoles. Windows 95 was made available for testing through a beta program, and its launch was backed by a 0 million advertising budget. The operating system included a "Plug & Play" feature, although it often led to crashes. Windows 95 relied on a DOS substructure and introduced DOS version 7.0, allowing better use of 32-bit processors. Microsoft also launched "The Microsoft Network" (MSN) alongside Windows 95, but Internet Explorer was only available in the additional "Plus!" package. By the end of 1995, Microsoft sold 40 million licenses for Windows 95, which continued to receive updates until 2001. The startup sound composed by Brian Eno was later added to the US Library of Congress in 2025.

AppWizard

August 21, 2025

Android 16 QPR2 Update is Out — These Upgrades Might Surprise You

Google has announced the Pixel 10 range and the Pixel Watch 4, along with the release of the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel users. The QPR2 beta introduces features such as lock screen widgets (Hub mode), an expanded dark theme for apps, auto-theming for app icons, improved haptic feedback, a new HDR brightness slider, native PDF editing capabilities, a personal audio switcher for Bluetooth LE devices, and enhanced security with a new Secure Lock Device mode. Users enrolled in the QPR1 beta can transition to the QPR2 beta, which is available for Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 series, the Pixel Tablet, and the upcoming Pixel 10. The stable release of Android 16 QPR1 is expected in September, with the public release of QPR2 anticipated in December.

AppWizard

August 21, 2025

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1: What’s new after the Pixel 10 launch event?

Google has released Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 following the Pixel 10 series launch, aimed at developers. The update includes an expanded dark theme, auto-themed icons, and developer-focused APIs. The beta will run until Q4 2025, with QPR1 launching next month featuring Material 3 updates. The beta is available for compatible Pixel devices enrolled in the previous Android 16 beta, and new users can join via google.com/android/beta. The build number for the beta is BP41.250725.006, which includes the August security patch. Users must opt out of the beta program to transition to the stable Android 16 QPR1 update next month, which will introduce Material 3 design and additional features.

AppWizard

August 21, 2025

How to download Minecraft Bedrock 1.21.110.25 beta version | Esports News

The Minecraft Bedrock 1.21.110.25 beta version allows players to test new features and provide feedback. To download it, players must enroll in Mojang's official testing program and avoid unauthorized sources. For Windows 10/11 and Xbox, players need to install Minecraft via the Microsoft Store, download the Xbox Insider Hub, sign in, navigate to Insider Content, opt into the beta program, and update Minecraft. For Android, players should open the Google Play Store, find Minecraft, join the beta program, and update the app. It is recommended to back up current worlds before installation, as beta versions may cause instability. Realms and cross-platform play may have limited functionality. To exit the beta, players can select Leave Beta in the enrollment menu and reinstall the stable version.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Galaxy S25 Ultra users report mysterious purple tint on moon photos with One UI 8 Beta

A bug has emerged among some Galaxy S25 Ultra users after installing the One UI 8 Beta 4 update, causing a purple tint in moon photographs at zoom levels of 30x, 50x, and 100x. This issue is linked to the Intelligent Optimization setting, with some users reporting persistence of the problem despite adjustments. Not all Galaxy S25 Ultra users are affected, and users of the base Galaxy S25 or S25 Plus models have not reported this issue. Samsung encourages users to report the bug through the Samsung Members app, including system log data.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Is Google Messages crashing for you? You’re not alone.

Some users of Google Messages are experiencing crashes when opening the app, as reported on Reddit. They can only respond to messages via notifications or by accessing their contacts. The issue affects various devices, including Google Pixel, Samsung, and Motorola, across multiple carriers like Fido, Google Fi, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Users have tried installing and uninstalling beta versions, clearing the app's cache, and uninstalling the latest update, with mixed results. Some found success by uninstalling and reinstalling the latest update. Google has been contacted for clarification and a potential fix timeline.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Heads up, Galaxy users: One UI 8 Beta arrives for more devices next week

Samsung is expanding its One UI 8 Beta starting August 11, initially for the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and Galaxy Z Fold 6 in markets like India, Korea, the U.K., and the U.S. In September, the beta will include the Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Tab S10 series, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A35 5G. Samsung plans to extend One UI 8 to more Galaxy Watch 8 models later this year. The update will feature advanced multimodal capabilities, enhanced Galaxy AI functionalities, and updates to core apps like Samsung Health and Calendar. A refreshed Quick Share UI and improved accessibility options will also be included. Users must sign up through the Samsung Members app to participate in the beta program.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

One UI 8: Android 16 to Hit Samsung Galaxy Sooner Than Expected

Google has expedited the release of Android 16, with Samsung launching its beta program for One UI 8 in May for the Galaxy S25 series. Samsung has rolled out the fourth beta of One UI 8, distributing it to testers in regions including the U.S., South Korea, Germany, and India. The Beta 4 update is approximately 1.3 GB and includes bug fixes for Galaxy AI, Bixby, and certain applications. It also enhances Samsung's IMS Service and supports full-screen switching during video playback in DeX mode. The stable One UI 8 release for the Galaxy S25 series may occur soon. It is uncertain if older Galaxy devices will receive the stable Android 16 update immediately after the Galaxy S25 series. One UI 8 introduces features such as enhanced camera controls, dynamic wallpapers, and improved multitasking. A sub-major update, Android 16.1, is anticipated by the end of the year.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

WhatsApp Might Soon Introduce a Dedicated Night Mode in Camera Interface

WhatsApp is adding a night mode feature to its Android app, aimed at improving photography in low-light conditions. This feature has been identified in WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.25.22.2 and includes a moon icon in the camera interface for manual activation. The night mode enhances image clarity and brightness by adjusting exposure and minimizing noise, allowing users to capture more details in dim environments. It is currently available to select beta testers and is expected to roll out to a wider audience in future updates.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

Windows 10 is turning 10: Here are top 10 features and changes it introduced

Windows 10, approaching its tenth anniversary on July 29, has played a significant role in Microsoft's history as mainstream support nears its end. Key achievements include: 1. The Windows Insider Program, launched in late 2014, allowed over 1 million users to provide feedback on Windows development. 2. Windows 10 was the first version that allowed free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8.1, resulting in over 350 million devices upgraded in the first year. 3. It introduced the concept of "Windows as a Service," with bi-annual feature updates. 4. The activation process was improved by linking licenses to Microsoft accounts, allowing users to retain licenses after hardware changes. 5. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was introduced in 2017, enabling users to run Linux applications directly within Windows. 6. Windows Hello provided a modern biometric authentication method, supporting facial recognition and fingerprint scanners. 7. The Start menu was redesigned to combine elements from Windows 7 and 8, receiving positive feedback. 8. The Xbox Play Anywhere program allowed users to purchase games once and play them on both PC and Xbox, syncing progress across platforms. 9. Microsoft Defender was included as a built-in antivirus solution, offering robust protection. 10. A proper dark mode was introduced, enhancing user experience, especially for those working late or using OLED displays.