Canvas Archives

Winsage

June 18, 2026

Microsoft modernized almost everything in Windows 11, but this 90s feature quietly lives on

Screensavers were originally designed to prevent burn-in on CRT monitors in the 1980s and 1990s, but evolved into a form of personalization with options like 3D Text and flying toasters. By 2026, the necessity for screensavers has diminished due to modern displays' ability to avoid burn-in and Windows 11's power management features. Screensavers are now mostly used for personal photo slideshows or basic visuals, accessible through Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver, with options including 3D Text, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos, and Ribbons. Microsoft has shifted focus to AI and performance improvements, leaving screensavers as a legacy feature that is not actively developed. There is potential for screensavers to be reimagined as a modern ambient mode that enhances the idle experience by displaying personal photos or useful information. Currently, Windows 11 lacks a cohesive system that integrates various idle features, leading to a static or blank display when users step away.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

I went digging through Windows 11’s settings and found a 90s feature Microsoft never bothered to remove

Screensavers originated in the 1980s and 1990s to prevent burn-in on CRT monitors and evolved into a form of personal expression. In modern computing, particularly with Windows 11, screensavers have become a legacy feature, as advanced power management and lock screens have diminished their necessity. While screensavers are no longer actively developed, they could still provide value by transforming into functional tools that display personal photos or useful information during inactivity. Windows 11 has the components for a modern idle experience, but these features are not cohesively integrated. The future of screensavers depends on whether Microsoft chooses to reimagine them as sophisticated ambient modes rather than simple animations.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Windows bowls a BSOD at sports fans

Worcestershire County Cricket Club experienced a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on its screens, which are typically used to relay messages to spectators. The BSOD was caused by a DRIVERPOWERSTATE_FAILURE, likely due to a hardware issue or a malfunctioning driver. This incident has drawn attention from system administrators and has been noted by a reader named Rhodri Howell.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

The Fable reboot won’t have horns and haloes because of its ‘nuanced and complex’ take on morality, and also because you’re going to constantly reinvent yourself

The upcoming reboot of Fable by Playground Games will feature a nuanced and complex approach to morality, moving away from the traditional binary of good and evil. Characters in the game will have their own unique moral frameworks, leading to diverse interpretations of player actions. The game will not have a single visual representation of morality, allowing players to craft their hero's identity anew with each settlement visited. This design philosophy emphasizes the fluidity of identity and personal exploration, rather than a fixed reputation system.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Gemini Canvas helped Paris Hilton turn an idea into an app, and she didn’t write a line of code

Paris Hilton has created a custom productivity app named Iconic Ideas using Google’s Gemini Canvas, a platform that enables app creation without traditional coding skills. The app is designed to help manage thoughts associated with her ADHD and features a playful aesthetic with pink hues and sparkly elements. Users can earn "sparkle points" for completing tasks and can generate visual mood boards for various projects. This project highlights the decreasing barriers to app development, emphasizing that effective communication of ideas is becoming more important than coding skills in the creation of personalized applications.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Google teams up with Paris Hilton to showcase Android and AI app building

Google has appointed Paris Hilton as an “Icon in Residence” for Android to explore the potential of Android’s AI tools in app development. Hilton, a Motorola enthusiast, previously collaborated with the brand and now focuses on the synergy between creativity and technology. The first initiative from this partnership is “Iconic Ideas,” a project within the Gemini Canvas framework that allows users to create personalized applications. The collaboration highlights features such as the Android-powered Razr Fold and various creative tools.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Minecraft is Officially the Best-Selling Video Game of All-Time

The video game industry surpasses both Hollywood and the music sector combined in terms of success. Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, with 350 million copies sold. Its closest competitor, Grand Theft Auto V, has sold 225 million copies, while Wii Sports has sold nearly 83 million copies. The significant sales figures highlight the evolution of gaming from a niche pastime to a dominant form of entertainment.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

The Backrooms film left me with more questions than answers and that’s why it’s the perfect adaptation

Kane Parsons has adapted his web series, including the Found Footage installment, into a feature-length film under the A24 banner. The film effectively introduces the concept of the backrooms to both newcomers and dedicated fans, featuring thrilling chase sequences and jump scares, particularly from the Still Life entity. It captures themes of memory loss and the fear of forgetting familiar faces and places while integrating seamlessly into Parsons' existing web series. The narrative establishes the Async Institute and explores character dynamics, with Clark's stubbornness and Dr. Mary Kline's curiosity propelling the story. The film maintains an air of mystery, leaving many questions unanswered about the characters' fates and the true nature of the backrooms. The conclusion hints at a more coherent version of the backrooms, suggesting a complex narrative layered with intrigue.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

How to Setup the New Google Health App to Make It Not Suck

The Google Health app has replaced the Fitbit app, leading to a redesign that has affected user experience. Google is addressing user feedback by implementing enhancements and fixing bugs. Users can customize the Today page and Health tab by removing default tiles and adding them back in a preferred order, as drag-and-drop reordering is not available. Android users can add a Google Health widget to their home screen for quick access to key metrics, which currently displays weekly cardio, steps, readiness, and recent sleep data. The widget also includes a shortcut to the Google Health Coach for premium subscribers and a refresh button for data updates.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Sheffield recreated in Minecraft by artist and residents

Sheffield is being transformed in the virtual world of Minecraft through an initiative called "Sheffield of Stories: The Big Sheffield Build," led by digital artist Adam Clarke. Residents are invited to recreate their favorite landmarks from Sheffield's past, present, or future. The National Video Game Museum in Sheffield is hosting drop-in "build" events for community members to contribute to the virtual map. Participants, including children like eight-year-old Jackson and ten-year-old Otis, are creating various structures, such as community buildings and a virtual bank. The project aims to engage the local community and allows contributors to share their stories and memories of Sheffield, which will be animated as Minecraft characters for an exhibition.