conversation Archives

Winsage

April 23, 2025

When Microsoft made the Windows as a Service pivot

Former Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer discussed the company's shift from paid upgrades to a Windows as a Service model, highlighting the challenges faced after the success of Windows 7 and the disappointing reception of Windows 8. He noted that Microsoft made Windows 10 available as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, which allowed the company to gather valuable telemetry data while introducing users to subscription services. However, the telemetry raised privacy concerns among users, as it included advertising and upsell mechanisms. Plummer expressed a desire for a version of Windows Pro without telemetry and advertising, indicating he would pay for such a product. He also mentioned that the transition to a service model helped address piracy by offering free upgrades to users with non-genuine copies of Windows.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

How to use the weird pictos in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Players can obtain weird pictos in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by trading a token with Tom before starting their journey to the continent. To utilize these pictos, players must reach Gestral Village, where they can interact with the merchant Jujubree in the bazaar. Jujubree will examine the weird pictos in the player's inventory, potentially leading to significant upgrades, such as enhancing an Augmented Aim picto from level two to level five. Players are encouraged to return to Jujubree with any additional weird pictos they find for further enhancements.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

A Problem With A Minecraft Movie

A Minecraft Movie was released in theaters on April 4th and has a score of 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows Henry, played by Sebastian Hansen, who opens a portal to the "overworld" and embarks on a quest with Steve, voiced by Jack Black. Key female characters include Henry's sister Natalie, played by Emma Myers, and real estate agent Dawn, portrayed by Danielle Brooks. The film has faced criticism for its portrayal of female characters, who are depicted as struggling and reliant on male characters. It reinforces stereotypes that women are inept at video games and does not pass the Bechdel test, as conversations between female characters primarily focus on a male character, Henry.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Microsoft is finally making the Start menu better — now fix these 5 things, too

Users have expressed frustration with the restrictive Start menu in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10, prompting some to seek third-party solutions. A newly discovered Start menu design is larger, allows immediate access to the full list of applications, and offers the option to remove the Recommended section. Microsoft's inclusion of Clipchamp as a video editing tool is seen as a step forward, but it lacks features compared to Apple’s iMovie and operates as a web-based application. Widgets in Windows 11 are not well-received due to their isolated interface, and integrating them onto the desktop could improve accessibility. The gaming experience on Windows remains subpar, particularly in navigation with a gamepad, and Windows Search directs users to Bing and Edge, limiting browser choices. The initial setup process for Windows 11 is cumbersome, with numerous prompts for Microsoft services, leading to a frustrating experience.

AppWizard

April 21, 2025

Google rolls out Gemini Live screen sharing to all Android users

Google has launched its Gemini Live feature for all Android users, expanding access beyond select devices like the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25. The feature allows users to share their video or screen in real-time, enabling interactive experiences with the AI assistant. Users can seek assistance by pointing their camera or scrolling down within the app and can initiate a session using the "Share screen with Live" button.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Rebellion’s CEO says ‘it looks like we want to do more Atomfall’ but it will depend on whether the studio can ‘find the resources to do it’

Rebellion's open-world shooter, Atomfall, launched in March and has attracted two million players, exceeding initial estimates. CEO Jason Kingsley noted that the game's success has led to discussions about expanding it into a series. Atomfall's availability on Microsoft's Game Pass significantly contributed to its success by enhancing discoverability and providing financial assurance. Kingsley mentioned that while the performance is encouraging, the decision for a sequel depends on resource availability. He emphasized the importance of aligning creative ambitions with budgetary constraints, stating that they cannot afford to spend 200 million on game development. Kingsley acknowledged that Atomfall has superficial similarities to other titles, particularly Fallout, and struggles to differentiate itself.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Minecraft movie screening pandemonium caught on video sparks angry…

The release of "A Minecraft Movie" on April 4 has led to chaotic scenes in theaters, particularly in suburban Toronto, where children have been seen energetically running to their seats and shouting. This behavior has prompted Cineworld theaters to urge moviegoers to respect cinema etiquette, especially during the "Chicken Jockey 4DX" screenings. In response to unruly behavior, a New Jersey theater has implemented a policy requiring minors to be accompanied by an adult due to incidents of vandalism and disruption. The online community has reacted with support for stricter regulations, expressing concerns about decorum and wastefulness related to movie snacks.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

It looks like Tempest Rising accidentally launched early on Steam for everyone, despite withholding advanced access as a Deluxe Edition pre-order bonus

Base-building real-time strategy game Tempest Rising was released on Steam a week earlier than planned, with a new launch date set for April 17 instead of April 24. The game has received an 85% rating in early reviews. Deluxe Edition buyers lost their early access privilege due to the early release, but the developer plans to create exclusive in-game content for them as compensation. The early launch has been positively received by the broader gaming community.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Phil Spencer is ‘really happy’ with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, hinting there might be more Nazi punching adventures in the future: ‘We do think there’s life in that franchise’

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has been well-received by both critics and players, significantly impacting year-end lists for 2024. Microsoft expressed satisfaction with the game's performance, and Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, indicated potential for future projects in the Indiana Jones franchise, suggesting there is "life in that franchise." He noted that future games may not be developed by MachineGames, the studio behind The Great Circle, as he wants to explore Microsoft's intellectual properties with various studios. The gameplay of The Great Circle focuses on stealth, puzzle-solving, and brawling, creating an engaging experience that resonated with players, despite some minor flaws noted by reviewers.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Google is preparing to make Android Settings a bit more colorful

Google is set to transform its Settings homepage in the upcoming Android 16 beta, introducing colorful icons encased in circles, replacing the current gray icons. This redesign aims to enhance the expressiveness of the Settings app and is expected to align with a new Material Design theme at the Google I/O developer conference. The colorful icons may not appear in the initial stable release of Android 16 but could be introduced in a future quarterly update or in Android 17 next year. The 'Digital Wellbeing & parental controls' entry will retain its gray icon due to its origin from a separate app. Feedback from users will influence the final design.