cross-platform Archives

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

These Are The Most Useful FOSS Android Apps I Discovered in 2024

Exodus is an app that tracks data collection and app permissions for privacy-conscious users. Simple Keyboard is a minimalistic, customizable keyboard app that does not collect user data. Currencies provides real-time currency exchange rates without ads or tracking. Password Monitor checks for compromised passwords and offers security suggestions. Ente Auth is an offline authentication tool with end-to-end encryption and optional cloud backup. Seal is a download manager that supports various platforms and customizable options. Hacki is a client for Hacker News that allows voting, commenting, and saving articles. NetGuard is an open-source firewall app that enables users to manage internet access for specific applications without root access.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

Predicting the (actually very exciting) future of Xbox hardware

A game analyst predicts that the high-end console market may not support both PlayStation and Xbox, suggesting a possible exit for Xbox. However, the relevance of console exclusives is diminishing as PlayStation expands to platforms like Steam, and Valve allows manufacturers to create consoles based on its operating system. Xbox is likely to increase its device variety, with Microsoft appointing Roanne Sones to lead its hardware ecosystem. Under her leadership, Xbox is expanding beyond traditional consoles, showcasing devices like the ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC and mobile controllers. The upcoming CES 2025 will feature discussions on enhancing Windows for gaming handhelds. Both Xbox and PlayStation rely on x86 AMD architecture, and the industry is exploring monetization strategies amid rising costs and stagnant user growth. Microsoft aims to align Xbox more closely with Windows for easier game deployment and potential integration of third-party stores. There is speculation about eliminating the paywall for premium multiplayer gaming in the next generation. Successful execution of this vision is uncertain, as Microsoft must navigate regional marketing and distribution complexities while ensuring a smooth gaming experience and backward compatibility.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

Elevate your PC gaming experience with Windows 11 this holiday season

Windows 11 offers new gaming experiences for PC Game Pass subscribers, including titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™. Key features include: - Auto HDR: Enhances SDR games to HDR for improved colors and contrasts. - DirectStorage: Reduces load times using NVMe SSDs, optimizing data loading for better performance. - Game Bar Compact Mode: Simplifies navigation on smaller screens, providing quick access to games and performance metrics. - Dynamic Lighting: Allows synchronization and customization of RGB lighting across devices. - Optimizations for Windowed Games: Introduces Variable Rate Refresh (VRR) to reduce tearing and stuttering in windowed modes. - Advanced Hybrid (CASO)/UMA: Improves performance on hybrid laptops with integrated and discrete GPUs. - Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 support: Enhances online gaming with faster speeds and lower latency. - Color filters for colorblind players: Helps colorblind players differentiate colors while improving frame rates. - Automatic Super Resolution for Arm Copilot+ PCs: Upscales lower-resolution content in real-time. - Xbox app on Windows PC: Manages PC gaming content and facilitates cloud gaming and cross-platform connections.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

5 Docker containers you should be using on your Windows 11 PC

Linux distributions are effective for self-hosting and containerization, allowing users to run containers on Windows 11 after setting up WSL2 and Docker Desktop. Notable self-hosted services include: - Penpot: A free, SVG-based design tool that offers vector image editing and prototyping capabilities, supporting SVG, CSS, and HTML. - Nextcloud: A self-hosted cloud storage solution that ensures data privacy and offers features like file synchronization, mobile apps, and collaboration tools. - Joplin: A note-taking application with markdown support and tagging, allowing users to self-host their own server for syncing notes without privacy concerns. - LibreOffice: A free alternative to Microsoft Office that supports various file formats and can be containerized for optimal performance. - Linux Distros: Users can run full Linux operating systems in lightweight containers, with popular options including Ubuntu and Alpine Linux, and even macOS in Docker containers. Additional Docker images for enhancing home networks and workflows include WireGuard, NetAlertX, Pi-Hole, Immich, Calibre-web, Jellyfin, Gitea, Code Server, and Nginx.

AppWizard

December 17, 2024

More classic Call of Duty PC games hit Microsoft Store, hinting at Game Pass launch

Microsoft has added the PC versions of three Call of Duty titles—Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare—to the Microsoft Store. Additionally, four more Call of Duty titles—Call of Duty: Ghosts, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty: WWII, and Call of Duty: Black Ops III—have also appeared on the Microsoft Store. The pricing for these games is consistent with market rates, and the store pages indicate that cross-platform multiplayer is not supported. Xbox Achievements and cloud saves are available, but Xbox Play Anywhere is not included. There is speculation about a potential influx of Call of Duty games in the Xbox Game Pass library for 2024.

Tech Optimizer

December 16, 2024

7 GitHub Open Source You Need to See

Open-source tools are enhancing productivity and streamlining processes for developers and organizations. Notable projects include: - **Olshansk/postgres_for_everything**: Extends PostgreSQL's capabilities with resources for JSON/JSONB types, TimescaleDB for time-series data, full-text search, pgRouting for graph data, and advanced SQL analytics. - **Biggest Shell Programs in the World**: Analyzes large shell scripts and systems, including the Linux Kernel Build System, Android Build System, and Debian Packaging Tools. - **Pulumi**: An infrastructure-as-code platform that allows management of cloud infrastructure using languages like Python, JavaScript, and Go, with features like multi-cloud support and Kubernetes integration. - **yorukot/superfile**: A Python library for file operations, offering high-level methods for file handling and cross-platform compatibility. - **soci-snapshotter**: An AWS Labs project for optimizing container image management through lazy loading and snapshotting technology. - **Spark UI**: Enhances management and monitoring of Apache Spark applications with live metrics, interactive visualizations, and integration with event logs. - **LFI.dev**: A framework for developing real-time collaborative web applications with offline functionality and synchronization. - **WrenAI**: A tool for creating intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants with prebuilt NLU and NLG capabilities. - **Astro 5.0**: A framework for building content-focused websites with server-side rendering, static site generation, and improved Markdown handling. - **Outerbase Studio**: An open-source database management tool with a browser-accessible UI and compatibility with various relational databases. - **Undici**: A high-performance HTTP client for Node.js, featuring advanced connection pooling, a promise-based interface, and support for streaming requests.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

Big Screen Heroes coming to Pocket Gamer Connects London 2025

Big Screen Heroes will participate in Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) London 2025 on January 20-21, 2025. The conference will expand its focus beyond mobile gaming to include PC, console, and cross-platform innovations. PGC London 2025 will feature live demonstrations of various games, keynote talks from industry leaders, networking opportunities with hardware manufacturers and publishers, and a celebration of the Top 50 UK Game Makers. Tickets are currently available for attendees.

AppWizard

December 11, 2024

Google to Integrate Gemini with Android 16 While Ditching Extensions

Google is enhancing its Gemini technology, primarily within its ecosystem, with plans for deeper integration in Android 16 through a new API. Gemini will be integrated with third-party and OEM applications, including Samsung's Reminder app. In Android 16, Gemini-powered features may be available in various applications without needing separate extensions, benefiting browsers, email and calendar apps, clock and note-taking apps, and media management in Google Photos. Additionally, Gemini may support Quick Share for device detection and file sharing. This development indicates that Google aims to streamline user experiences and extend Gemini's functionality to non-Google applications.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Microsoft is giving Copilot a new taskbar UI and keyboard shortcut on Windows

Microsoft is updating Copilot on Windows, enhancing its functionality as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for testers. The new version includes a keyboard shortcut (Alt + Space) and a quick view user interface that hovers above the taskbar, improving accessibility. Users can activate this feature through the system tray, and it remains visible above other applications until dismissed. However, the use of Alt + Space may cause conflicts with other applications that use the same shortcut, leading Windows to prioritize the first launched app. Microsoft is considering adjustments to the keyboard shortcuts based on user feedback. The new features will be available on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, despite plans to phase out Windows 10 support by October 2025. Initially launched as Windows Copilot in Windows 11, the application has evolved from a sidebar to a more integrated web view.

BetaBeacon

December 10, 2024

New Android games making waves in November

Five new Android games were released in November 2024, including Total War: Empire, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, The Abandoned Planet, Abalon: Roguelike Tactics CCG, and Dungeon Clawler.