calendar Archives

BetaBeacon

April 2, 2025

Nintendo Today! – A smart device app from Nintendo for iOS/Android

The Nintendo Today app provides daily updates on news about the latest Nintendo Switch 2 system, video games, favorite characters, and more. Users can personalize their experience with features such as an animated calendar with themes like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Animal Crossing, an event schedule for Nintendo Direct presentations and game releases, and the ability to customize the home screen with art from favorite Nintendo game series and themed wallpapers.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

The near-essential Windows PowerToys suite just got a brand new tool

PowerToys version 0.90.0 introduces the Command Palette, also known as "CmdPal," which enhances the previous PowerToys Run feature by allowing users to launch applications and perform tasks efficiently using the shortcut Win+Alt+Space. The update also includes improvements to the Color Picker, Peek feature enhancements that allow file deletion, and new customization options for template filenames. The update is available for download on the PowerToys GitHub page.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

The near-essential Windows PowerToys suite just got a brand new tool

PowerToys version 0.90.0 introduces the Command Palette, or "CmdPal," which enhances app launching and user efficiency. Users can access it by pressing Win+Alt+Space, allowing for quick app launches and mathematical calculations. The update also includes enhancements to the Color Picker, which now features improved visual consistency and theme support, the ability to delete files directly from the Peek feature, and support for variables in template filenames in the New+ module. The update is available for download from the PowerToys GitHub page.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Gemini is an increasingly good chatbot, but it’s still a bad assistant

Google's Gemini platform aims to streamline tasks by utilizing data across various applications, allowing users to request actions like sifting through emails for specific messages. However, there are significant issues with its functionality. An example involved retrieving a shipment tracking number, where Gemini provided a seemingly accurate but ultimately fabricated number that did not work in tracking systems. This incident highlighted Gemini's tendency to misinterpret requests and produce incorrect information, raising concerns about its reliability as an assistant. Over the past year, the user experienced multiple instances of Gemini misplacing calendar events and inputting incorrect data, leading to frustration with its performance compared to its predecessor.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows 10’s “update” turns off seconds on the taskbar’s Calendar flyout

The upcoming Windows 10 update on April 8, 2025, will remove the display of seconds in the Calendar flyout. This change is part of the Windows 10 KB5053643 optional update, which is being rolled out but will not install automatically. The Calendar flyout will still appear when users click on the time and date in the taskbar, but it will no longer show seconds. Microsoft has previously cited performance concerns as the reason for excluding seconds from the graphical user interface. Support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14, 2025.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

My favorite Google productivity app is everywhere and nowhere

36% of participants in a poll confirmed they actively use Google Tasks via its app or web interface, while 18% only add tasks through other Google products without engaging with the Tasks app. 9% expressed interest in trying it out for the first time, and 36% indicated they prefer another to-do platform. Google Tasks was originally an integrated feature within Gmail and Calendar and was relaunched as a standalone app in 2018. It allows users to create tasks from various Google services, enhancing its utility. The app is characterized by its simplicity and straightforward interface, which may contribute to its obscurity. Google is gradually rolling out new features for Tasks, including improved sorting options and easier task management capabilities. Despite its potential, Google Tasks currently occupies a lower priority in Google's broader product strategy.

BetaBeacon

March 29, 2025

Nintendo Has A Dedicated News App For Its Games

Nintendo has launched a news app called Nintendo Today, which functions as a daily calendar delivering news, events, and content related to the company's games and characters. The app is available on Android and iOS for users with a Nintendo account.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

10 pesky Windows 11 24H2 bugs still haunting PCs despite several patches

In October, Microsoft released the 2024 update for Windows 11, known as Windows 11 24H2, which enhances Copilot AI, refines File Explorer, and improves performance and stability. The update is available for users of Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 through the Windows Update screen or Microsoft's official Download Windows 11 page. However, various bugs have been reported, leading Microsoft to temporarily pause the update for certain problematic PCs. Notable issues include: 1. AutoCAD 2022 may not open on some systems. 2. PCs with Citrix components may struggle with installation due to a glitch from the January Patch Tuesday update. 3. Compatibility issues with the Easy Anti-Cheat program can result in Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, particularly on Intel Alder Lake+ processors. 4. Users report internet connectivity problems after the update, with some unable to receive a valid IP address. 5. Network sharing issues prevent devices from appearing in the network list. 6. Printer setup issues affect users of Copilot+ PCs from various manufacturers. 7. Audio output problems occur on PCs with Dirac Audio technology. 8. Outlook may fail to launch if Google Workspace Sync is installed. 9. Integrated camera issues affect the Windows camera app and Windows Hello facial recognition. 10. Compatibility problems with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers may trigger blue screens on certain PCs. Microsoft has issued several patches to address these bugs since the update's launch, but some patches have introduced new issues.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Windows 11 update breaks Veeam recovery, causes connection errors

Microsoft and Veeam are addressing connection errors affecting users of Windows 11 24H2 systems, particularly those restoring data with Veeam Recovery Media on builds 26100.3194 and higher. The errors occur when attempting to restore files from a Veeam Backup & Replication server or SMB network share, with messages indicating network connection failures and issues with the Local Security Authority. Veeam suggests using Recovery Media from older Windows 11 builds (26100.3037 or lower) as a temporary solution. Veeam clarified that they cannot provide pre-generated Recovery Media images due to proprietary components. Over 550,000 customers use Veeam products, including 82% of Fortune 500 companies. In February, Microsoft also addressed issues related to the KB5051987 update that affected Outlook functionalities on Windows 24H2 systems.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

Windows 11’s File Explorer will soon unzip files faster

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Preview Build 27818 to Insiders on the Canary Channel, optimizing the extraction process for zipped files in File Explorer. The update improves performance when unzipping large archives with many small files. Additionally, the update removes the "suggested actions" feature for clipboard items, which was related to Skype, as Microsoft plans to retire Skype on May 5.