design changes Archives

AppWizard

December 24, 2024

Review: The Steam Deck OLED changed how i play PC games

The Steam Deck OLED is an upgraded version of the original Steam Deck, featuring a superior OLED screen with enhanced brightness and quality, despite a resolution of 720p. It supports a wide range of Steam Deck Verified games, providing a seamless gaming experience with minimal restrictions, although some modern titles may experience slight performance issues. The device allows for gaming in various settings, making it convenient for users to access a vast library of PC games. The hardware includes robust analog sticks and an improved cooling system that operates quietly during intense gaming sessions. However, battery life can be limited, especially with demanding games, offering only a couple of hours of playtime, which is less than competitors like the Nintendo Switch OLED. Recharging is facilitated by a USB-C port, allowing for the use of portable power banks.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Exclusive report: What’s next for Surface in 2025, including a possible 11-inch mini Surface Laptop?

Surface introduced the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 in March, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors and anti-reflective screens. Microsoft later announced the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X SoCs. New iterations of the Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and Surface Laptop Studio are expected, including a Surface Laptop with an Intel Lunar Lake processor and a potential new 11-inch device powered by a Snapdragon X Plus SoC. The upcoming Surface devices may include features like a card reader and 5G connectivity. Copilot+ features are anticipated to extend to the Surface Laptop Studio, requiring a neural processing unit (NPU) with 40+ TOPS. A new Surface Dock is also expected, with details yet to be revealed. The new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are likely to launch in the first quarter of 2025, with additional products potentially released from spring to fall.

Winsage

November 4, 2024

Windows 11’s biggest AI feature gets recalled yet again as we approach Windows 10’s demise

Microsoft has delayed the rollout of the Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs, shifting the expected launch to December, as confirmed on October 31st. The Super Resolution feature for the Photos app was announced on October 1st and made available to Insiders last week. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, offering an additional year of security updates for consumers and a more expensive Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for businesses. A redesigned Windows Hello experience has been introduced for Insiders in the Beta channel, featuring new icons and a streamlined design, though performance concerns remain regarding the speed of facial recognition sign-in. Managing passkeys has been made easier, but switching devices and creating different passkeys can still be complex for users.

AppWizard

October 26, 2024

Gemini app gets a slightly better dark theme

Google has updated its Gemini app with the introduction of the "Ask Gemini" prompt and various enhancements for Android devices, particularly for users of the dark theme. The interface features a redesigned 'plus' sign for file and image uploads, which is now larger and no longer encased in a circle. The microphone and camera icons have changed from light blue backgrounds to light gray, creating a cleaner aesthetic that aligns with the dark theme. These design changes are part of beta version 14.42 of the Google app, reflecting a trend towards simplification and improved usability. Further updates are expected to enhance clarity and functionality in the app.

AppWizard

October 10, 2024

Google app’s bottom bar is getting a more modern look

Google has reintroduced the Material 3 design to its app, specifically transforming the bottom navigation bar to include a pill-shaped indicator for the active tab. This update is part of the app's beta version 15.40 and may not be universally accessible. Users may need to force-stop the app to see the update. Additionally, Google is testing a verification feature for search results that allows verified companies to display a blue checkmark, inspired by the BIMI system used in Gmail.

AppWizard

October 2, 2024

Tiny Glade won’t stop delighting me with new discoveries

Tiny Glade is a castle doodling game that has become the most wishlisted cozy game on Steam. It features a procedural building system that encourages exploration and creativity, allowing players to create structures using a limited toolkit that includes paths, walls, windows, and lights. The game responds dynamically to player input, enabling intuitive design changes, such as transforming paths into bridges or walls into archways. Players can experiment with various combinations to create unique structures, and the game fosters a sense of collaboration between players and developers. The community actively shares tutorials, enhancing the overall experience while many players also enjoy discovering features independently.

Winsage

September 20, 2024

Microsoft gives a sneak peek into how Windows may look in the future

Microsoft is introducing a new design philosophy called "Fluent" to refresh the aesthetic of its products. This initiative focuses on five core elements: humanity, color and gradients, dimension, sophistication, and playfulness, aiming to enhance user experience by aligning visual presentation with functionality. The Fluent art style is expected to transform user interaction with Microsoft applications and operating systems, although specific implementation details are not yet disclosed. Microsoft aims to reduce cognitive load caused by previous design styles that closely mirrored written content, which led to confusion and mental fatigue. The company believes that a more intentional harmony between visual elements and text will alleviate this strain. While the timeline for these design changes is uncertain, Microsoft is confident in its evolving design philosophy.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

Google Experiments on Adopting Vivid App Icons

Android users may soon see the reintroduction of vibrant, full-color icons in the upcoming Android 15 update, moving away from the traditional monochrome notification icons. Major players like Xiaomi and Samsung are also exploring alternative designs for their notification and status icons, indicating a trend towards more diverse visual experiences across devices.

AppWizard

August 20, 2024

Poll result: Google’s Pixel 9 weather app is proving incredibly polarizing

Google has launched a refreshed version of its Pixel Weather app alongside the Pixel 9 series, which will be available for older Pixel models in the future. A poll of over 2,600 participants showed that 45.4% approved of the new design, while 38.5% disapproved. Users appreciated the inclusion of metrics like the air quality index but criticized the removal of the animated frog and the lack of a weather radar feature. Concerns were raised about the app's detailed information and the usability of movable widgets. The APK is available for download on devices with Android 14, and initial experiences on larger displays have been positive, though many users are hesitant to replace their current weather apps.