Google has released the Android 16 Beta 3.1 update, focusing on bug fixes rather than new features. This update addresses a crash issue in the Settings app, particularly when the device's language is set to anything other than English, and resolves performance-related problems, including excessive battery drain due to high CPU load and memory leaks in the system server. The update retains enhancements from the previous Android 16 Beta 3 release, such as Auracast support for wireless hearing aids and improved accessibility options. The update is available for enrolled devices and can be checked in the Settings under System > Software Update.
The text discusses ways to optimize battery life on Windows laptops, which can extend usage by approximately 30 percent and potentially add up to 90 minutes of additional battery life. Key strategies include:
1. Using Standby Mode: Pressing Alt + F4 to activate standby mode can conserve energy when the laptop is idle.
2. Lowering Display Refresh Rate: Adjusting the refresh rate to 60 Hz can save between 10 to 30 percent of battery life.
3. Creating Custom Power Plans: Users can create tailored power plans for different tasks, optimizing settings for various times of the day.
4. Adjusting Additional Settings: Enabling dark mode and using Efficiency mode for specific applications can further enhance battery performance.
These adjustments can significantly improve battery longevity and productivity without the need for a charger.
Microsoft is enhancing the system-wide sharing interface in Windows 11 by introducing image editing and compression tools. Users will be able to crop, rotate, highlight, draw, and compress images directly before sharing them. Recent updates have improved the share UI and integration with Windows Phone Link for easier file sharing between PCs and mobile devices. A new drop-down menu will appear at the top of the screen when a file is selected in File Explorer. The compression feature allows users to reduce the size of an image before uploading. The editing capabilities include options for cropping, rotating, marking up images, adjusting colors and brightness, and applying filters.
Lenovo showcased several innovations at the Mobile World Congress, including the ThinkBook "codename Flip," a concept PC with an 18.1-inch foldable display, and the Yoga Solar PC, which has solar panels that provide one hour of playback after 20 minutes of sunlight. Additionally, Lenovo introduced the Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition (Gen 10), a laptop featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and an NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPU, with a 16-inch screen capable of reaching up to 1,600 nits of brightness. Microsoft previewed an updated Copilot app for Windows 11, which offers a more streamlined user experience.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) is priced at ,899.99 and features a 14-inch PureSight Pro OLED display with a 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,400), 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 support. It is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU (8 cores, 8 threads, up to 3.7GHz) and an Intel Arc Graphics 140V GPU with 16GB of memory. The laptop includes 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD, and a 75Whr battery with a 65W USB Type-C charger. It weighs 1.25kg (2.76lbs) and has a unique glass lid design, though it offers limited port options with only two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. The display is noted for its exceptional color accuracy and vibrancy, with a peak brightness of 750 nits. The laptop runs on Windows 11 and has a battery life averaging around six hours. The keyboard is redesigned for comfort, but the touchpad is small. It features quad speakers, a microphone array, and an under-display webcam that lacks quality. The base model starts at ,759.99 with an Intel Core Ultra 256V, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, with upgrade options available.
Minecraft features a Night Vision Potion that enhances visibility in dark areas, making it easier to explore caves and oceans. To brew this potion, players need the following essential materials: a Crafting Table, a Brewing Stand (made from 1 Blaze Rod and 3 Cobblestones), Blaze Powder (from 1 Blaze Rod), Water Bottles (crafted from 3 Glass), Nether Wart (found in Nether Fortresses), and a Golden Carrot (crafted from 1 Carrot and 8 Gold Nuggets).
Optional materials include Redstone (to extend duration), Gunpowder (to create a Splash Potion), and Dragon’s Breath (for a Lingering Potion). The brewing process involves crafting a Brewing Stand, fueling it with Blaze Powder, preparing Water Bottles, brewing Awkward Potions with Nether Wart, and adding a Golden Carrot to create the Night Vision Potion, which lasts for 3 minutes. Redstone can be added to extend the duration up to 8 minutes.
Advanced variations include the Splash Potion of Night Vision (using Gunpowder) and the Lingering Potion of Night Vision (using Dragon’s Breath). The Night Vision Potion increases brightness levels to 15, significantly improving visibility underwater and in low-light conditions, making it useful for mining, building, and adventuring. Tips for successful brewing include growing Nether Wart for a consistent supply, stocking up on gold for Golden Carrots, and using Redstone wisely for extended effects.
Windows 11 offers a variety of features and a vibrant ecosystem of third-party applications, but users often find the default experience lacking in productivity. Several tools are available to enhance the Windows experience:
1. EarTrumpet: A comprehensive volume mixer that allows users to control audio for each application and playback device seamlessly.
2. Twinkle Tray: Simplifies brightness adjustments across multiple monitors directly from the taskbar and offers automation features based on the time of day.
3. Everything: A lightweight search tool that indexes files quickly, allowing for instantaneous local file searches.
4. OneCommander: A dual-pane file management tool that enhances navigation and organization of files with features like color-coded labels and advanced previews.
5. Start11: Customizes the Start menu, allowing users to choose styles, create folders and groups, and integrate File Explorer folders for quick access.
6. Rainmeter: A platform for extensive customization of the Windows interface with community-driven skins and widgets.
7. PowerToys: Includes utilities like FancyZones for creating custom window layouts, enhancing multitasking efficiency.
8. Flow Launcher: A powerful search and app launcher that streamlines workflows by enabling users to perform tasks using just their keyboard.
These applications collectively improve the Windows 11 experience by addressing common issues and enhancing productivity.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is priced at 9.99 with a 10% discount. It features a 14.5-inch 3K OLED display and is recommended for its Snapdragon X Elite processor, which excels in everyday computing and AI tasks. The laptop includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Dolby Vision HDR support, earning a five-star rating. It has an impressive battery life of 14 hours and 14 minutes under standardized testing conditions, making it one of the top contenders in its category. However, it may require emulation for some applications, and certain niche software may not be compatible with its Snapdragon architecture. Alternatives like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i with an Intel chip may be better for users with specific application needs.
The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.
