Concepts Archives

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

The Edge of Fate will be the biggest change to Destiny 2 since it launched—an injection of fresh ideas, but also of ARPG grind

Bungie's upcoming expansion for Destiny 2, The Edge of Fate, introduces a tiered loot system categorizing new gear from one to five, with higher tiers offering enhanced perks and stat increases. The expansion features new weapon archetypes, including rocket sidearms and healing auto rifles, and introduces a Portal feature for selecting activities and customizing difficulty. Daily rotating guaranteed rewards for specific playlists aim to streamline the acquisition of tier 5 weapons and introduce set bonuses for armor. The expansion is set to launch on July 15.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

This gravity-defying dungeon crawler is basically Legend of Grimrock meets Portal, and while the trailer had me dizzy, the demo made me feel like a genius

This week's Thinky Direct showcased a variety of new puzzle games, including a mystery game by a creator of Case of the Golden Idol and a time-loop adventure called "Metroidbrainia." The highlight was "He Who Watches," a dungeon puzzler that combines elements of Legend of Grimrock and Portal. Players navigate an underground labyrinth using a bow and arrow to interact with the environment instead of engaging in combat. The game features mechanics such as sticky boots for object manipulation and offers a demo version to reduce motion sickness. A trailer suggests a potential release in the autumn, although a specific date is not yet announced.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27868 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27868 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. The voice access feature has been enhanced with a new in-product experience to highlight new features. A fix has been implemented for pen input issues on certain PCs, and problems with launching applications like Spotify from the Microsoft Store have been addressed. A rendering issue in the Group Policy Editor for some display languages has been corrected, and a SYSTEMTHREADEXCEPTIONNOTHANDLED bugcheck issue has been fixed. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel, an Administrative Templates error in the Group Policy Editor, taskbar display issues after upgrading, and audio problems with high sampling rate devices. Applications reliant on virtualization will require the "Windows Hypervisor Platform" component when Virtualization Based Security is enabled. Search and filtering options in Task Manager are currently non-operational. Insiders in the Canary Channel should note that builds reflect early development changes and may not align with any specific Windows release. Features may not reach the general public, and a clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel. The desktop watermark is standard for pre-release builds.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

The new $249 Google AI Ultra plan just put a gulf between me and I/O

The Google I/O event this year focused heavily on artificial intelligence, with the introduction of the Google AI Ultra plan priced at per month. This subscription includes access to the Gemini 2.5 model, Flow with Veo 3, early access to Project Mariner, 30TB of Google One storage, and YouTube Premium. The event's presentations were primarily aimed at developers, with limited consumer-facing innovations. Key topics like Android and Wear OS were presented in a pre-recorded video, suggesting a shift in focus towards AI and Search initiatives. The high subscription cost may deter average consumers from engaging with these new offerings.

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4161 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4161 (KB5058515) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as the Microsoft 365 Text Action in Click to Do, allowing users to draft content in Word by selecting recognized text. Lock screen widget personalization is now available globally, enabling users to customize their lock screens. The update introduces support for multiple dashboards in Widgets, enhancing organization and access to favorite widgets. Improvements include recommendations from the Microsoft Store in the "Open with..." dialog and a new PC-to-PC migration experience in the Windows Backup app. Various fixes have been made to the Start Menu, Task Manager, Narrator, and Voice Access. Known issues include incorrect build version display post-PC reset and Bluetooth issues with Xbox Controllers. Users are encouraged to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Trending tickers: The latest investor updates on Microsoft, Pfizer, Foxconn, CATL and Vodafone

Microsoft unveiled a vision for AI agents at its annual Build conference, highlighting their potential to operate across various contexts and enhance productivity. The company announced the availability of Grok 3, an AI model from Elon Musk's xAI, on its Azure AI Foundry marketplace. Microsoft shares closed up 1% on Monday. Pfizer entered an exclusive licensing agreement with 3SBio for an experimental cancer treatment, SSGJ-707, with an upfront payment of 4 million and potential additional payments of up to .8 billion. Following the announcement, shares of 3SBio surged over 32%. Foxconn plans to invest nearly .5 billion in its Indian operations, acquiring shares in Yuzhan Technology India as Apple shifts some iPhone assembly from China to India. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) shares rose 16.4% in its market debut, raising billion in the largest IPO of the year. Vodafone reported a full-year operating loss of €411 million, down from a €3.67 billion profit the previous year, attributed to non-cash impairment charges. Despite this, Vodafone launched a €2 billion share buyback program, leading to a 1.6% increase in its shares.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) is being released to the Dev Channel. New features include AI actions in File Explorer, allowing users to edit images and summarize documents via right-click options. Four image actions are available: Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, supporting .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file types. Upcoming AI actions for Microsoft 365 files include generating document summaries and creating FAQs, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot. Advanced settings have been redesigned for easier access, introducing features like Enable long paths and Virtual workspaces. Improvements include updates to the taskbar, search functionality, and accessibility features. Known issues involve problems with Xbox Controllers and various features in File Explorer and Narrator.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft shares its process (and discarded ideas) for redone Windows 11 Start menu

Microsoft is testing a revamped Start menu for Windows 11, which retains familiar elements but offers reorganization and customization options. The redesign process included concepts that were ultimately discarded, such as a Windows XP-inspired sidebar, a full-screen Start experience from Windows 8, and various layouts emphasizing different functionalities. Ideas included an abundance of icons, thumbnail previews for recently opened files, a dedicated area for calendar reminders, and a "create" button suggesting generative AI capabilities. Microsoft engaged over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts for feedback to inform the redesign, aiming to enhance user experience while maintaining familiarity.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Microsoft shows us discarded Windows 11 Start menu designs – and I’m so glad they were chucked in the bin in favor of the revamp we’re getting

Microsoft is redesigning the Start menu in Windows 11, moving from a two-panel layout to a single scrollable panel based on extensive user feedback. Over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts participated in studies, expressing a desire for quicker access to applications, customization options, and maintaining the essence of the Start menu. The new design includes tailored recommendations that adapt in real-time, with users having the option to hide them. Microsoft transparently shared discarded design concepts, including a tablet-centric layout, a Windows 10-inspired version, a chaotic interface, and a simplified approach. The final redesign emphasizes simplicity and functionality, consolidating features into one panel and allowing users to customize their experience.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Microsoft reveals its rejected Start menu redesigns

Microsoft is redesigning the Start menu in Windows 11, introducing a wider layout that allows users to disable the recommended feed of files and applications. The company shared five distinct concept designs for the menu, including features like a rounded menu with widget-like functionality, a side-separated "For You" section, a landing page design, and a full-screen vertical layout. The design team engaged with over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts to refine their concepts through co-creation calls and user feedback. The new Start menu aims to enhance app visibility, increase customizability, and ensure speed while maintaining familiarity. It will also include a phone companion panel for quick access to calls, messages, and files. Microsoft plans to test the revamped Start menu with Windows Insiders soon, with a broader rollout expected in the coming months.