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2025 – A year in recap
Winsage
December 3, 2025

2025 – A year in recap

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Windows Accessibility team emphasizes their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, guided by the principle of “nothing about us without us.” They collaborate with advisory boards from the disability community to enhance product features. Fluid Dictation on Windows allows users to dictate text seamlessly, correcting grammar and punctuation in real time, and operates offline on Copilot+ PCs. Voice Access has been improved to accommodate diverse communication styles, with features like adjustable wait time, a custom word dictionary, flexible command recognition, enhanced speech pattern recognition, and support for Chinese and Japanese. Narrator and Magnifier now feature human-like voices developed with Azure AI, enhancing the user experience with natural conversation nuances. Recent updates to Narrator in Microsoft Word improve navigation and text drafting, with clearer announcements and concise feedback on spelling and grammar. Additional enhancements include a Screen Curtain for privacy, richer image descriptions, and tools for speech recap and live transcription. Users are encouraged to provide feedback to guide further development, and technical assistance is available through the Disability Answer Desk.
Google Messages update adds cleaner link and YouTube video previews
AppWizard
November 30, 2025

Google Messages update adds cleaner link and YouTube video previews

Google is introducing a redesigned link preview feature in its Messages app, focusing on larger website titles and thumbnails while removing full link URLs and descriptions. The new previews will display a general site URL beneath the title and prioritize a minimalist design, resembling Google Discover cards. Users can access the full URL by copying it or adjusting settings to disable link previews. The update is rolling out with version 2025112100RC01 on the beta channel, with wider availability expected soon.
Google could be secretly training Gemini to focus on user 'Projects'
AppWizard
November 26, 2025

Google could be secretly training Gemini to focus on user ‘Projects’

Google is developing a feature called "Projects" for the Gemini app, allowing users to focus the AI on a specific topic by uploading "up to 10" files and providing instructions. This feature is designed to help organize work and ideas, similar to OpenAI's "Projects in ChatGPT." Additionally, Google is reportedly looking to integrate NotebookLM into the Gemini app, enabling users to import their NotebookLM notebooks. Updates to Gemini are expected to include a more personalized experience based on user interests and search behaviors.
Saturnalia creators Santa Ragione will "wind down operations" after Valve ban horror game Horses from Steam
AppWizard
November 26, 2025

Saturnalia creators Santa Ragione will “wind down operations” after Valve ban horror game Horses from Steam

Santa Ragione, the developers of Saturnalia and Wheels of Aurelia, may close their studio following Valve's refusal to list their upcoming horror game, Horses, on Steam. The rejection was based on an unfinished build submitted in 2023, deemed inappropriate due to its themes and imagery, specifically concerning content that could be interpreted as depicting sexual conduct involving a minor. Horses, which combines surreal body horror with silent cinema techniques, is set to launch on December 2nd on Epic, GOG, the Humble Store, and Itch. The developers initially submitted a rough version of Horses for Steam approval about two years ago, which was rejected after an automated review in June 2023. They have sought clarification from Valve and expressed willingness to modify any unsuitable elements but have not received a response. Santa Ragione clarified that all characters in Horses are over 20 years old and that while the game includes sexual elements, the intent is to provoke discussion rather than arousal. Having invested around 0,000 into Horses, Santa Ragione faces financial difficulties, as the anticipated funding from sales of Saturnalia did not materialize. They have raised remaining funds through private contributions, making them reliant on the success of Horses. The ban on Horses is seen as part of a broader trend of delisting adult content from platforms, but Santa Ragione argues that their game has been unjustly censored compared to other media platforms.
Microsoft prevents crash screens from staying visible on signage
Winsage
November 23, 2025

Microsoft prevents crash screens from staying visible on signage

Microsoft has introduced a Digital Signage mode in Windows 11 that automatically suppresses system error screens, including the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), after a fifteen-second display period. This feature aims to enhance user experience on public displays and is particularly useful for IT managers using Intune for device management. Additionally, Microsoft is previewing advanced text-generation tools for applications, including automated email summarization in Outlook and alternative text generation for images in Word, to improve productivity and accessibility.
Xbox Partner Preview: See the Latest Games From Our Amazing Third Party Partners This Week
AppWizard
November 18, 2025

Xbox Partner Preview: See the Latest Games From Our Amazing Third Party Partners This Week

The Xbox Partner Preview is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern / 6 PM UK. The event will highlight upcoming games from third-party partners, including IO Interactive, Eclipse Glow Games, and THQ Nordic. Viewers can expect a first look at 007 First Light, an extended gameplay trailer for Tides of Annihilation, and a glimpse at Reanimal. All featured games will be available on Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and through Xbox Game Pass, and are part of the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative. The event will be streamed on YouTube and Twitch, with live subtitles in multiple languages and accessibility features including Audio Descriptions and ASL interpretation. A recap of the announcements will be published after the event.
Survey reveals you'd rather go hands-on than try to troubleshoot with a remote app
AppWizard
November 14, 2025

Survey reveals you’d rather go hands-on than try to troubleshoot with a remote app

Many Americans seek tech support from family during Thanksgiving gatherings. Remote support apps allow users to connect directly to a relative’s device, making it easier to diagnose and resolve issues. However, the effectiveness of these apps depends on prior setup, and many users are hesitant to invest time in this process. Survey results show that about two-thirds of respondents have acted as troubleshooters, but only 10% use remote support apps as their first choice, and 12% consider them a last resort. Additionally, 36% of participants have convinced others they lack the skills to help. Concerns about setup complexity and potential misuse by scammers contribute to the low adoption of these tools. One reader suggested RustDesk as an alternative to TeamViewer.
Android Photo Frame App Infects Devices With Malware, Allows Full Remote Takeover
AppWizard
November 14, 2025

Android Photo Frame App Infects Devices With Malware, Allows Full Remote Takeover

A recent investigation revealed significant security vulnerabilities in Android-powered digital photo frames, particularly those using the Uhale app (version 4.2.0). These vulnerabilities allow preinstalled applications to autonomously download and execute malware, granting remote attackers complete control of the device without user interaction. The malware is sourced from infrastructure linked to China, with domains like dc168888888.com and webtencent.com distributing malicious content. Many antivirus applications inadequately detect these threats. The Uhale app has high-risk vulnerabilities, including insecure HTTPS trust management and insufficient input validation, enabling remote code execution with root access. Brands associated with Uhale include BIGASUO, Canupdog, Euphro, and others. Exploits can lead to data exfiltration, access to private photos, and further attacks within home and enterprise environments. Technical oversights include outdated Android 6 firmware, disabled SELinux, weak cryptographic protections, and lack of authentication for incoming file transfers. Compromised frames can serve as surveillance tools or points for data exfiltration, posing risks to both home and enterprise networks. Users are advised to disconnect affected frames and monitor for unusual behavior.
Microsoft November 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 1 zero-day, 63 flaws
Winsage
November 12, 2025

Microsoft November 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 1 zero-day, 63 flaws

Microsoft's November 2025 Patch Tuesday addresses a total of 63 vulnerabilities, including one actively exploited zero-day flaw (CVE-2025-62215) related to Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege. The updates include four vulnerabilities classified as "Critical," with two for remote code execution, one for elevation of privileges, and one for information disclosure. The breakdown of vulnerabilities is as follows: - 29 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities - 2 Security Feature Bypass Vulnerabilities - 16 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities - 11 Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities - 3 Denial of Service Vulnerabilities - 2 Spoofing Vulnerabilities This Patch Tuesday marks the first extended security update (ESU) for Windows 10, and users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the ESU program. Microsoft has also released an out-of-band update to assist with enrollment issues. Other companies, including Adobe, Cisco, and Google, have also issued security updates in November 2025.
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