completion Archives

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Microsoft files patent for “ad-credit” system to show ads on PC and Xbox without disrupting gameplay

Microsoft has patented an "ad-credit" system to integrate advertisements into PC and Xbox gaming without interrupting gameplay. The patent, named 'Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access', identifies natural pauses in gameplay to display ads, rewarding players with credits for uninterrupted playtime after viewing. In 2022, Microsoft began testing ad-supported game streaming on Xbox. Additionally, new monthly cloud gaming limits for Game Pass subscribers will take effect in November 2026, with Essential subscribers limited to five hours, Premium to ten hours, and Ultimate to fifteen hours per month. Xbox has also announced layoffs affecting 268 positions across various studios as part of restructuring efforts.

BetaBeacon

September 23, 2026

What is an Android handheld gaming device and what is it for? Feat. AYANEO KONKR Pocket FIT

The AYANEO KONKR Pocket FIT is a handheld gaming device powered by the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset. It can run games from the Google Play Store well and can also emulate older console games. The device has an 8,400mAh battery and charges in around 105 minutes. It is priced at around RM2.3k and is considered a niche product with solid build quality and versatility.

Winsage

September 22, 2026

Microsoft engineer explains what made Windows 7 take 30 seconds to show the desktop

Changing the desktop wallpaper to a solid color in Windows 7 caused a 30-second delay on the Welcome screen after entering a password. This issue arose because the system waited for a signal from the wallpaper component, which only sent its "I'm ready" signal when an image file was used. When a solid color was selected, this signal was not sent, leading to unnecessary waiting. The problem was acknowledged by Microsoft for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and it was resolved with a Hotfix update in November 2009. Users found workarounds, such as switching to an image or creating a small solid-color image, to eliminate the delay.

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

Googlebook pre-orders begin: prices, Android sync, and more is here

Google has started pre-orders for its new Googlebooks as of September 21, with a market release scheduled for October 4. The devices, produced by brands like ASUS, Dell, and HP, start at 9 and feature touchscreens, haptic glass trackpads, backlit keyboards, and premium materials. They are powered by Qualcomm and Intel processors, with battery life up to 14 hours. Key features include a Snapdragon X Elite chip with a 12-core CPU, seamless integration with Android phones, and access to major applications. Each purchase includes a year of GeForce NOW. The Googlebook also incorporates AI features like Gemini, which assists users through various functions. Pre-orders are available at Best Buy, the Google Store, and other retailers.

AppWizard

September 21, 2026

When Memory Becomes a Release Metric: Preparing Android Apps for Google Play’s New Limits

In August 2026, Google Play announced new performance requirements for memory management that will be enforced starting February 2027. These requirements include metrics for dynamic memory usage, bitmap memory, and DEX code optimization. Applications that exceed these thresholds may face reduced visibility and publishing capabilities on the platform. Dynamic memory usage is defined as the sum of anonymous RSS and swap, excluding file-backed data. Google is focused on whether applications retain non-visible bitmaps and requires at least 25% coverage in DEX optimization. Memory issues can be difficult to reproduce, and developers are encouraged to use Android Studio’s Memory Profiler to investigate memory growth. A thorough investigation involves monitoring memory changes, taking heap dumps, and understanding reference paths. Bitmap memory should be carefully managed, as the runtime cost of images can exceed their file size. Google will provide real-world memory metrics through the Play Console, and teams are advised to establish memory budgets and perform pre-release checks to identify potential issues before they lead to out-of-memory (OOM) crashes.

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

Google’s Android Bench 2.0 tests AI agents on week-long app builds

Google has launched Android Bench 2.0, an upgraded benchmark for evaluating AI coding agents, which now includes 30 long-horizon tasks that can take human engineers days or weeks to complete. The best pass rate for these tasks is around 28%, down from approximately 91% in the previous version. The benchmark measures both pass rates and completion rates, acknowledging partial progress rather than just failures. It assesses various challenges, including app creation and feature integration, using a comprehensive scoring methodology that evaluates functionality, regression checks, and visual fidelity. AI models perform better with new code than with modifications to existing systems, facing challenges in runtime validation and cross-platform conversions. The current leaderboard shows OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra leading with a 28% pass rate, while Gemini 3.8 Flash has an 8% pass rate. Developers using AI agents should be aware that while AI can generate significant portions of applications, further refinements will require human input. The benchmark is available on Google’s Android Bench leaderboard.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

These 4 built-in Windows tools helped me build a self-healing PC

Windows operating systems include built-in tools for maintaining PCs, allowing users to monitor system health, repair corrupted files, and recover from boot failures with minimal intervention. Task Scheduler automates maintenance tasks by triggering them based on schedules or events, accessible via the Start menu or taskschd.msc. It can activate tasks at fixed intervals, on startup, during idle periods, or in response to Event Viewer entries. Tasks should run with the highest privileges and can be configured to execute regardless of user sign-in status. The Settings tab allows missed tasks to run as soon as possible. DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a command-line utility that repairs the component store, essential for installing updates and restoring system files. It offers three inspection levels: CheckHealth, ScanHealth, and RestoreHealth, with the latter requiring an internet connection for downloading replacement files. DISM logs operations in C:WindowsLogsDISMdism.log. SFC (System File Checker) verifies and repairs core operating system files using Windows Resource Protection. The command sfc /scannow checks all protected files, while /verifyonly provides a report without changes. SFC's effectiveness depends on the integrity of the component store, making it essential to run DISM first. Results are logged in C:WindowsLogsCBSCBS.log. Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), introduced in Windows 11, addresses boot failures by connecting to the internet to find solutions when repeated boot failures are detected. QMR is enabled by default on unmanaged devices and can continuously check for fixes. It is designed to respond to widespread issues rather than unique problems and may not work effectively on older hardware or without a network connection. Together, these tools provide a comprehensive approach to system maintenance in Windows 11, ensuring the operating system remains healthy and efficient without additional software.

AppWizard

September 18, 2026

Android Bench 2.0 focuses on long-horizon tasks, agent evaluations

Google has released version 2.0 of Android Bench, which focuses on managing complex development tasks rather than minor adjustments. The new version evaluates tasks that may take engineers days or weeks to complete, such as adding features and building applications. A continuous scoring method has replaced the previous pass or fail system, assessing completion rates based on functionality, visual fidelity, and adherence to instructions. Various AI models have been tested, with GPT-6 Astra achieving a 28% pass rate, significantly lower than the previous scores around 90%. No model has achieved a 100% pass rate in porting cross-platform applications, with the best reaching 80%. AI performs better in writing new code than in refactoring existing code, facing challenges with architectural complexity and runtime validation. Android Bench utilized agents from model providers for evaluations and plans to incorporate various model combinations in future updates.

Winsage

September 7, 2026

I spoke to the Microsoft PM rebuilding Windows 11 for Nvidia RTX Spark: The radical reinvention building the first true MacBook Pro threat

A team of engineers from Microsoft and Nvidia collaborated for eight months to integrate Windows 11 with a new Arm-based CPU and Nvidia RTX GPU. The first RTX Spark machine was successfully powered on, marking a significant milestone in their project.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Microsoft engineer says “typing code is absolutely over,” and Windows 11 is already being built that way

David Fowler, an engineer with 18 years at Microsoft, claims that traditional software development methods are becoming obsolete, stating, “Typing code is absolutely over.” He has co-created technologies like SignalR and NuGet and currently leads Aspire, a toolchain for building distributed applications that emphasizes AI-driven development. CEO Satya Nadella noted that AI contributes to 20-30% of the code produced at Microsoft. While developers will still interact with code, manual typing is becoming less central, with a shift towards strategic software engineering tasks. Microsoft Research found that AI-generated suggestions in Visual Studio IntelliCode are often overlooked by developers. GitHub Copilot has evolved to autonomously perform tasks, including building Windows development environments as of February 2026. Linus Torvalds supports AI in Linux development, viewing it as a useful tool. A report from Veracode indicated that about 44% of AI-generated code contains known vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for oversight. Microsoft’s MDASH system uses AI for enhanced vulnerability assessments. Microsoft emphasizes native Windows development through the open-source WinUI 3 framework and provides resources for beginners using Copilot. Project Zenith aims to optimize Windows 11 for developers, supporting local AI-powered development. Fowler's statement signifies a transformation in developers' roles, focusing on strategic aspects rather than typing code, while the need for skilled software engineers remains essential.