convenience Archives

Winsage

May 12, 2025

I tried Asus ZenBook A14. Now I can’t imagine using a different Windows laptop

The Asus ZenBook A14 is a lightweight laptop that weighs over 23% less than the MacBook Air and is crafted from a material called Ceraluminum, making it 30% lighter than aluminum and nearly three times stronger. It features a variety of ports, including two USB-C (v4.0) ports, a USB-A port, and an HDMI 2.1 port, offering more connectivity options than the MacBook Air. The keyboard provides satisfying feedback and ample travel, while the Windows Hello authentication system offers convenient security. The laptop has a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and performs well with applications from Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, although it struggles with heavier workloads in Da Vinci Resolve. The ZenBook A14 has a battery life of around eight hours on a single charge.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

PC gaming remains undefeated: Nintendo now says it has the right to brick your Switch if it thinks you’re pirating games or modifying the console

Nintendo has updated its online user agreement, allowing the company to make a console "permanently unusable" if a user violates the agreement. The revised End User License Agreement (EULA) includes extensive restrictions on actions such as publishing, modifying, or distributing Nintendo Account Services, as well as using unauthorized copies. The EULA also places responsibility on legal guardians for minors and emphasizes that users do not own their games outright but merely license them. Concerns about backward compatibility and potential service discontinuation for the upcoming Switch 2 have emerged, alongside a growing preference among gamers for more control over their gaming experiences.

Winsage

May 10, 2025

I made my Windows Terminal exactly the way I want it, and it’s hard to go back to GUI apps

The author has been using Linux, specifically Ubuntu Server, for over a decade for cloud deployments, game server management, and media streaming. They primarily use a MacBook for daily tasks but also require Windows for gaming on a main PC, utilizing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). The author has configured Windows Terminal to manage multiple command-line shells, including Windows PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL, all within a single application. Windows Terminal is pre-installed on Windows 11 version 22H2 or later and can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store for earlier versions. The author's Windows Terminal setup opens a WSL environment by default and includes options for Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Developer Command Prompts. They have customized their experience by removing trailing whitespace when pasting, organizing tab order, hiding the title bar, and using a Dark theme with the Monokai Remastered color scheme and JetBrains Mono font. The WSL configuration is set to access an Ubuntu terminal directly. Windows Terminal allows the author to connect to Proxmox hosts or virtual machines via SSH and supports multiple tabs for managing different systems. It features a "Quake" mode for quick command execution and the ability to create automated tools with keyboard shortcuts. The author plans to explore adding SSH profiles for easier server connections.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

You Need a Windows Package Manager — Virtualization Review

Microsoft's WinGet is a command-line tool for managing software on Windows, allowing users to install, update, list, and uninstall applications. UniGetUI is an open-source graphical user interface that enhances WinGet's functionality, making it easier for users to manage software without using the command line. UniGetUI supports various package managers and features batch operations, automatic updates, and custom installation options. To install UniGetUI, users can execute the command winget install --exact --id MartiCliment.UniGetUI --source winget or download it from the Microsoft Store. Users can easily navigate its interface to discover, install, and uninstall packages.

Winsage

May 8, 2025

Fed up with irrelevant results cluttering up your Windows 11 searches? I certainly am, and it looks like the situation’s going downhill from here

Microsoft is enhancing the search functionality in Windows 11 by integrating apps from the Microsoft Store into search results, allowing users to find and install applications from the Start menu or Taskbar. This initiative has received mixed reactions, with some users wanting an option to disable the feature. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing natural language search functionality for Copilot+ PCs and is working to improve the performance of the Microsoft Store.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

One UI 8 Watch will get a Shortcuts app, and here’s what it does (APK teardown)

Samsung will release the One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch later this year, featuring a new application called Shortcuts. This app will allow users to place app shortcuts on the smartwatch's home screen in two tile sizes: 2×1 and 2×2. The setup process will include user-friendly prompts like "Select apps" and "Tap to add apps." This feature aims to streamline access to frequently used applications, reducing the time needed to launch them and enhancing the overall user experience.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Zomato on Android: Discover the most useful features

Zomato's Android app features an intuitive interface for browsing restaurant menus, allowing users to easily select items and add them to their cart. The checkout process supports various payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets, ensuring a quick and tailored experience. Additionally, the app provides real-time order tracking, offering updates on the status of orders from the kitchen to the customer's doorstep.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Props for the honesty: Tim Sweeney says the reason ‘people characterize the Epic Games launcher as clunky’ is—wait for it—’because the Epic Games launcher is clunky’

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, described the Epic Games Store launcher as "clunky" and acknowledged that many users find it slow and cumbersome compared to Steam. The Epic launcher received a score of 41% in a recent evaluation, ranking behind competitors like the Microsoft Store and EA, and significantly trailing Steam and GOG Galaxy. Performance issues vary based on a user's proximity to a content delivery network and the size of their game library, with slower internet connections exacerbating loading frustrations. Sweeney believes the Epic launcher should incorporate convenient features from Steam while maintaining its unique advantages. He emphasized the importance of connecting players across platforms and criticized Valve for not allowing cross-platform functionality with Steamworks. Sweeney also addressed negative backlash against developers using Epic Online Services, citing harassment related to crossplay features. Users seeking alternatives to the Epic launcher can consider GOG Galaxy or Heroic, which are noted for better functionality.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

What’s The Best Alternative To Shazam For Android Users?

Shazam was launched in the UK in 2002 as a service where users could call a number to identify songs for a fee. Acquired by Apple in 2018, it remains available for Android users and integrates with various music platforms while being free to use. Shazam struggles with identifying earworms. SoundHound, Shazam's main competitor, has around 100 million users and can identify songs quickly, providing detailed information and lyrics. It allows users to hum or sing songs for identification, though this feature is not always accurate. SoundHound's free version includes ads, while SoundHound Infinity offers an ad-free experience for .99. Musixmatch is another alternative that identifies songs and focuses on lyrics, allowing users to create "lyrics cards" and offering a translation feature. It requires the actual song for identification. The Google app also provides quick song identification, including for hummed or sung versions, but gives candid feedback on user performance.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft has no plans to fix Windows RDP bug that lets you log in with old passwords

Microsoft has decided not to address a significant security flaw in the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) that allows users to log in with outdated, cached passwords, even after those passwords have been changed. The company claims this behavior is intentional, designed to prevent users from being locked out of their machines. Microsoft does not consider this a security vulnerability, despite concerns that it creates a potential backdoor for unauthorized access. The issue has been known to Microsoft since at least August 2023, but they chose not to modify the functionality due to compatibility concerns with existing applications.