dark mode Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Android’s new ‘Expanded’ dark mode darkens apps without a dark theme — but there’s a catch

Android is introducing a new feature that allows users to enable a dark theme in applications that do not have native support for it, as part of the second Android Canary build. This update includes two modes under Settings > Display & touch > Dark theme: Standard mode, which applies the dark theme to compatible applications, and Expanded mode, which automatically applies the dark theme to a wider range of apps. The Expanded dark mode functions similarly to the “override force-dark” toggle in Developer Options but is more effective across various applications. Users may experience visual inconsistencies in some apps and can revert to Standard mode if needed. The feature has been anticipated since its initial discovery over a year ago, and while it is live in the Canary build, its rollout to Beta or Stable channels is uncertain, with hopes for its debut in the upcoming second quarterly release of Android 16 in December.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

9 features I want Microsoft to add and improve in Windows 11

Windows 11 has received several feature updates, with version 25H2 upcoming, but it still lacks many user-requested features. Key issues include: 1. Users want more control over Windows Update, including the ability to disable automatic updates or schedule them flexibly. 2. There is a demand for the option to set up devices with a local account instead of being forced to use a Microsoft account. 3. Users miss the ability to resize the Taskbar, which is currently fixed in size. 4. The option to relocate the Taskbar to the top of the screen has been removed, and users want this flexibility restored. 5. A fully consistent dark mode across the operating system is desired, along with customizable live tiles. 6. Users would benefit from charging limit options for laptops to extend battery lifespan. 7. The settings page for File Explorer needs modernization to align with the Windows 11 aesthetic. 8. There is a call for a variant of Windows 11 that supports older PCs that do not meet current hardware requirements.

AppWizard

July 20, 2025

These are the 6 Android widgets I simply can’t live without

Megan Ellis shares her essential Android widgets that enhance productivity and streamline daily tasks. 1. TickTick: A to-do list application with widgets for creating new tasks and displaying overdue/upcoming tasks, helping Megan stay organized and manage stress. 2. Google Calendar: A functional calendar widget that allows Megan to monitor upcoming events and meetings, particularly useful for significant events. She appreciates its dark mode feature. 3. Vocabulary: An app that provides a new word daily through its widget, allowing users to expand their vocabulary without opening the app. 4. Clock/Weather: The default Weather app widget combines time, date, and weather forecasts, streamlining her morning routine. She uses Google automation for evening updates and IFTTT notifications for temperature changes. 5. Brave Search: A search widget that offers quick access to search queries and voice search, enhancing her browsing experience with a cleaner, ad-free environment. 6. Xiaomi Home: An alternative to Google Home, this app provides widgets for quick access to smart home devices, allowing Megan to monitor and adjust settings remotely.

Winsage

July 16, 2025

Notepad’s best feature is its simplicity — and I’m worried Microsoft is slowly taking it away

Microsoft's Notepad has evolved from a simple, fast application into a more cluttered tool with unnecessary features, raising concerns about software bloat. Initially, updates like unsaved changes indicators and improved search functionality were well-received, but the introduction of spellchecking and AI features like Copilot has frustrated users who valued its straightforward nature. In response to these concerns, Microsoft announced a new tool called Edit, aimed at providing a more basic text editing experience, though its accessibility and usability remain uncertain.

Winsage

June 30, 2025

Microsoft quietly implies Windows has LOST almost half a billion users since Windows 11 debut — bleak outlook suggests Windows is haemorrhaging users

Windows is currently operational on over a billion devices, a decline from 1.4 billion reported in 2022. Windows has experienced a 15% decline in its user base over the past decade. Microsoft introduced AI-powered devices known as Copilot+ PCs in 2024, but the reception has been lukewarm. Users are concerned about the requirement for an online account to set up a new PC and the presence of ads and bloatware in Windows 11. Windows 11 is gaining market share and is expected to surpass Windows 10 as the most widely used version, but it is unlikely to achieve the same popularity as Windows 10.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Microsoft’s new AI agent for Windows 11 can manage settings for you

Microsoft has introduced an AI assistant named Mu for Windows 11’s Settings, allowing users to ask questions in natural language through the search bar. Users can issue commands like “turn on dark mode” or “disable notifications for Teams,” and Mu will either navigate to the settings or execute the changes. Mu has 330 million parameters and is trained on 3.6 million examples, processing requests in under 500 milliseconds. It operates on a device’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU), requiring a Copilot+ PC for full functionality, and handles data locally, enhancing privacy and security.

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

How to change app icons on any Android phone

App icons on stock Android cannot be changed directly, requiring third-party tools and icon packs for customization. To change app icons on an Android phone, users need a shortcut maker app or a third-party app launcher, along with an icon pack. To change icons individually, users can use a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher. The process involves installing the icon pack, setting up the launcher, long-pressing the app icon, selecting the pencil icon, choosing the icon pack, and selecting the desired icon. To change all app icons with an icon pack, users can install Nova Launcher, long-press a blank area on the home screen, go to Settings, navigate to Look & feel, tap Icon style, select Icon theme, and choose the icon pack. Some icon packs allow direct application if compatible with the device or launcher. With Android 12's Material You, users can theme icons based on their wallpaper by enabling the Themed icons option in the Wallpapers and style section. Samsung users can acquire icon packs through the Samsung Galaxy Theme Store by selecting the Themes option, browsing for icon packs, and applying them. However, these packs may not theme every icon in the app drawer. Good Lock's Theme Park extension allows for more customization by creating personalized icon packs. Users can download Good Lock and Theme Park, select Create New in the Icon tab, choose icon shapes and colors, and apply the new icon pack. Certain applications, like Textra and Pulse SMS, allow users to change the app icon natively. While some tools enable renaming apps, system-wide renaming is not possible without root access.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

macOS 26 Tahoe vs Windows Vista: Who did glass better?

Apple announced a visual redesign called Liquid Glass, set to debut with macOS 26 Tahoe. This design features transparency effects in context and dropdown menus, system controls, and the Control Center, where elements exhibit a glass-like quality. The dock allows icons to have varying translucency, with options for classic, dark, clear, or tinted versions. However, some inconsistencies exist in the beta version, such as tinted icons lacking transparency. The glass effects are present in many of Apple's apps, with navigation panes on a glass-like surface and floating menu buttons that are translucent. In comparison, Windows Vista's Aero Glass was noted for its impactful use of transparency in title bars and window borders, creating a sense of depth and enhancing user experience. Although Apple's Liquid Glass is meticulously designed, it may come across as too subtle compared to the more pronounced Aero Glass effects. The impressions of macOS 26 Tahoe are based on the initial developer beta, and improvements are expected before its public release later this fall.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Gives More Reasons To Use Notepad With These New Features: All Details

Microsoft has discontinued WordPad and is enhancing Notepad for Windows 11 users. The beta version introduces new features such as adding hyperlinks, modifying text formatting, subheadings, bullet points, and the ability to switch text styles. An AI integration allows users to rewrite text by selecting it and using a right-click function, currently available to Windows 11 Insider program users in specific regions. Notepad now supports tabbed browsing and includes an integration of Copilot for summarizing text, adjusting tone, and switching to dark mode.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

An AI-driven ‘Fix it’ button is just what Windows needs

Microsoft is introducing a branding transformation with new Windows AI features in the latest Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, focusing on user experience enhancement through an advanced NPU in Copilot+ PCs. A key feature is the "agentic AI" in the Windows 11 Settings menu, which can autonomously research, troubleshoot, and resolve PC issues. For example, it can adjust screen brightness or text size based on user needs. The system includes a "Fix it" button that offers solutions for common problems, such as activating dark mode to reduce eye strain. This AI-driven approach aims to improve user satisfaction by providing straightforward solutions to specific issues.