dev Archives

BetaBeacon

December 28, 2024

I replaced my Android launcher with a game emulation hub, and it (mostly) worked

ES-DE Frontend is a paid app that brings all emulators and games into a unified UI, but it does not emulate anything. The most difficult part of the installation process is setting up RetroArch. The app allows for customization with various themes and the addition of Android apps and games through external tools. However, the app lacks touch controls, only works in landscape mode, and requires manual scrolling to access apps, making it less suitable for daily use. Tasker can be used as a workaround to switch the launcher to ES-DE when a controller is attached. Despite its limitations, ES-DE Frontend is recommended for Android-based gaming handhelds.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Windows 11’s Camera Just Got Smarter: Check Out the Latest Additions

Microsoft has introduced new camera features for Windows 11 that enhance video quality and user experience. Users can now adjust camera brightness, contrast, resolution, and frame rate, allowing for better visibility in various lighting conditions and catering to different bandwidth needs. Additionally, users can utilize their camera in multiple applications simultaneously, enabling multitasking during video calls. However, these features may not be available on all devices immediately, as some older camera models may not support them, and the rollout will occur gradually. Users interested in trying these features early can join the Windows Insider Program and download version 26120.2702.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Microsoft adds new camera features to Windows 11

Microsoft has enhanced the camera capabilities within Windows 11, introducing features such as adjustable brightness and contrast settings, camera resolution and frame rate adjustments, and the ability for multiple applications to access the camera simultaneously. These updates aim to improve user experience and productivity, although their availability may vary by camera model. Beta testers can access these features by downloading version 26120.2702 from the Windows 11 Dev channel.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Windows Recall support for Intel & AMD PCs: Eligible PC List

Microsoft has introduced an AI feature called Recall for Windows PCs, enabling users to retrieve actions or searches by capturing and storing screenshots in an encrypted format. Users can search for specific content using keywords, but Recall will only be available to select Windows 11 PCs. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon X SoCs, Recall now supports newer Intel and AMD CPUs with a 40 teraflops Neural Processing Unit (NPU). To use Recall, the system requirements include: - Windows 11 PC enrolled in the Insider Program (Canary or Dev channel) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - CPU with 8 logical processors - NPU with 40 teraflops - Windows Hello for sign-in security and device encryption activated. Compatible devices include: - Acer Swift 14 AI - ASUS Vivobook S 15 and ProArt PZ13 - Dell Latitude 7455, XPS 13, and Inspiron 14 - HP OmniBook X 14 - Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s - Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC - Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Supported CPUs are: - AMD Ryzen AI 300 series - Intel Core Ultra 200V series - Snapdragon X Elite - Snapdragon X Plus More compatible systems and CPUs are expected by 2025.

Tech Optimizer

December 26, 2024

“I went through hell” Japanese indie dev on how their game was wrongly flagged as a virus, and blocked on Steam

A Japanese indie developer, Shiromofu Factory, launched the game Dungeon Antiqua on October 10, 2024. The game, inspired by early Final Fantasy and Wizardry titles, is available on Windows and macOS and has received a Very Positive review status on Steam. After a December 6 update, users reported virus warnings from antivirus programs like Norton, Avast, and McAfee, which were triggered by the game's use of the Pyxel engine and Pyinstaller for executable files. The developer advised users to exclude the game's .exe file from scans, but on December 12, Steam blocked the game from sale due to multiple virus reports. The developer requested a rollback to an earlier version, which prevented future updates. They purchased Norton Antivirus for testing and attempted various solutions, including filing reports with antivirus companies and considering a code signing certificate. They identified that the use of Python’s “os.remove()” function contributed to the false alerts and implemented a workaround. However, antivirus software retained memory of flagged files, causing continued blocks. Ultimately, flipping the fairy image associated with the game’s file by 180 degrees allowed Dungeon Antiqua to bypass the antivirus barriers and resume updates.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Hands on: Microsoft made it easier to run AI models on Windows 11 locally

Copilot+ PCs are the first personal computers to run Small Language Models (SLM) directly on-device, allowing for quicker interactions without relying on the cloud. Microsoft has introduced the AI Dev Gallery, which offers over 25 samples for developers to integrate on-device AI features into applications on Windows 10 and 11. The gallery requires building the project in Visual Studio, needing at least 20GB of storage and a multi-core CPU. A GPU with 8GB VRAM is recommended for heavier models but not mandatory for lighter applications. The app has two operational modes: Sample and Models. Testing models for image generation typically requires around 5GB of bandwidth, while a smaller image upscaling model under 100MB was successfully tested, completing the process in under 30 seconds with peak RAM usage of 1GB. The resulting image resolution was 9272x4900, but clarity issues were noted, especially with text. The application lacks features for previewing images in larger formats or downloading outputs directly. A model named Detect Human Pose was able to identify positions within images, including desktop screenshots. Substantial storage and robust CPUs are necessary for effective model accommodation, and the practicality of downloading large models for niche use cases is questioned.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Windows 11 now lets you easily change camera FPS (frame rate), quality and more

Microsoft has enhanced camera capabilities in Windows 11, allowing users to adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and sharpness through Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Camera. However, these features are not universally available across all cameras. In tests, the DJI Osmo Action 3 did not support these adjustments, while an HP Spectre did. Microsoft has acknowledged that some cameras may not appear on the Camera Settings page. In the Windows 11 Dev Channel Build 26120.2702, two new advanced camera options have been introduced: a Multi-app Camera feature that allows multiple applications to access the camera simultaneously, and a Basic Camera mode for troubleshooting. A third option is planned to let users select camera resolution and frame rate, with current options of 1920×1080 (16:9) and 1280×720 (16:9) at 30 FPS available for all cameras.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

No more Windows 11 preview builds this year

Microsoft is pausing the Windows 11 Insider program for the holiday season, with no new Insider updates or scheduled Windows updates until January 2025. The last build for 2024, Windows 11 26100.2705, was released earlier this week. There will also be no scheduled updates for Windows 10 or 11 during this period, as the planned December 2024 non-security updates have been skipped. The next preview builds and optional non-security updates are expected in January 2025.

AppWizard

December 19, 2024

‘Gooner 9/11’ averted as Zenless Zone Zero’s butt-obfuscation technology is rolled back in the face of horny outrage

A recent update to Zenless Zone Zero led to player backlash after patch 1.4 introduced a change that caused characters to appear faded from certain angles, which players referred to as a "butt filter." This change sparked frustration within the community, with users expressing concerns over perceived censorship and speculating about external pressures, including potential influence from the Chinese government. In response to the outcry, developer MiHoYo announced a hotfix less than 24 hours later, addressing the fading effect and restoring characters' appearances to normal. The community celebrated the reversal, although the motivations behind the initial change remain unclear.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Microsoft is testing live translation on Intel and AMD Copilot Plus PCs

Microsoft has previewed a live translation feature for Copilot Plus PCs, available to Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel. This tool translates audio from over 44 languages into English subtitles, enhancing accessibility. It works with any audio played on the devices, providing real-time captions for content such as YouTube videos and live conferences. Supported languages include Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic. Microsoft is also testing a feature called Recall for Intel and AMD-powered PCs, which captures user activity snapshots. Additionally, the live translation capabilities on Qualcomm-equipped PCs have been updated to include translations into Simplified Chinese.