device Archives

Winsage

April 29, 2026

ON THIS DAY: Continuum will be built into Windows 10 for Phones, turning your phone into a PC

Windows Central is approaching its 20th anniversary in 2027 and is reflecting on significant moments in its history. A notable milestone occurred 11 years ago with the introduction of Continuum for Windows 10 Mobile, which aimed to merge smartphone and desktop PC functionalities. This feature allowed users to connect their mobile devices to external monitors, keyboards, and mice, creating a desktop-like environment. Key features included integration with Windows 10 for phones, support for HDMI connections, an adaptable user interface, and the ability to run familiar applications like Office on external screens. The announcement was made during the Build 2015 keynote, highlighting the potential of the universal app model to enhance productivity and redefine personal computing.

Tech Optimizer

April 29, 2026

Microsoft Says Defender Antivirus Is Good Enough. I Say Nope

Microsoft Defender Antivirus, originally launched in 1993 as Microsoft Anti-Virus for MS-DOS, has evolved over the years but historically struggled with effective malware protection. Recent improvements have led to better performance in independent lab tests. Microsoft claims that Defender's built-in capabilities are sufficient for protection against various threats, but it acknowledges that third-party antivirus solutions may be necessary for users with multiple devices. Defender's phishing protection is limited to the Edge browser, and it lacks many features found in competing antivirus products, such as advanced scam protection and a user-friendly interface. While Defender offers basic protection, it may not meet the needs of most users in today's digital landscape.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Google’s ‘Pixel Glow’ might have several lights as laptop animation surfaces [Video]

“Pixel Glow” is a forthcoming feature for future Pixel phones that will use subtle light and color on the back of the device to notify users of significant notifications while the phone is face down. It will be compatible with Gemini and will notify users of calls from favorite contacts. The Pixel Diagnostics app includes a “Color LED Check” to test the functionality of the LEDs, which will illuminate in red, green, and blue hues. Google is incorporating eight LEDs for the “Pixel Glow” feature, with a system designed to detect hardware failures. An animation has been discovered that shows an LED strip along the inner edge of an upcoming Pixel laptop, potentially illuminating in colors similar to the Gemini interface.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

5 ways your Windows updates are about to get a lot less painful

Microsoft is implementing changes to the Windows Update process in Windows 11 to address user frustrations. Key updates include: 1. Users can delay updates indefinitely by selecting specific end dates for pauses, extending up to 35 days at a time. 2. The Power menu will now include options for "Update and shut down" and "Update and restart," giving users more control over when updates are finalized. 3. Microsoft is consolidating updates to reduce the number of restarts to one per month. 4. Users will no longer be forced to install updates during the setup of a new Windows PC, allowing updates to occur in the background. 5. Microsoft will provide more detailed information on updates, particularly for driver updates, by clarifying the device class in the titles. These changes are expected to be tested in the Windows Insider program before being released to the general public.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

Why Windows updates keep getting bigger and more bloated

Monthly updates for Windows 11 from Microsoft now range from 4 to 9 GB, compared to 300 to 500 MB updates two years ago. The increase in update sizes is attributed to the integration of advanced AI features, cumulative delivery of updates, and a fixed monthly update schedule. Cumulative updates bundle all previous updates, leading to larger file sizes, while the monthly frequency forces consolidation of changes into single releases. Users can check what their PC is downloading during an update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery optimization > Activity monitor.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Valve’s £85 Steam Controller divides gamers ahead of May launch

The initial feedback on the Steam Controller has been largely favorable, indicating a promising reception. It is expected to attract a dedicated segment of core gamers who are willing to invest in specialized peripherals, even at a higher price point. While it may not dominate the broader market, its unique features could lead to respectable sales figures within its targeted demographic.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

More ‘Pixel Glow’ clues surface, and they point straight at Gemini

The Pixel smartphones may soon feature a notification system called "Pixel Glow," which could involve a color LED that cycles through red, green, and blue colors when users receive notifications or interact with the Gemini assistant. Code snippets from the Pixel Diagnostics app suggest users might be able to test the LED's functionality, with terms like “Pass,” “Fail,” and “Rerun” indicating a diagnostic process. Additional references in the code include “PixelLights,” “Gemini Glow,” and “Aurora,” hinting at advanced lighting effects. Speculation suggests the LEDs could be integrated into the rear of the device, possibly around the camera or beneath the "G" logo, but the exact design and timeline for release remain unclear.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

New Android spyware Morpheus linked to Italian surveillance firm

Morpheus is a new spyware identified by the nonprofit organization Osservatorio Nessuno, which spreads through counterfeit Android applications that appear as legitimate updates. Attackers use SMS messages to direct victims to a fraudulent website mimicking an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The spyware installs a dropper app that deploys a concealed payload, which disguises itself as legitimate system components and manipulates users into granting dangerous permissions, including Accessibility access. Once granted, Morpheus initiates a Permission Workflow that creates a fake update overlay, disabling the touchscreen to prevent user interaction. It ensures persistence by restarting after device reboots and can request device administrator privileges. The spyware exploits overlay windows and Accessibility features to gain control of the device and bypass security measures, including disabling antivirus solutions without requiring root access. Analysis suggests Morpheus has Italian origins, with connections to an Italian firm, IPS Intelligence, known for lawful interception technologies. The spyware is capable of invasive actions such as recording audio and video, linking to WhatsApp, and compromising device security. The report highlights a network of dubious companies and shared contacts linked to the spyware's distribution.

Winsage

April 28, 2026

I investigated Windows 11’s massive 5GB monthly .msu updates. AI is only part of the problem.

Windows 11 updates have significantly increased in size, with monthly cumulative updates often exceeding 4GB and some approaching 5GB. One update can expand to nearly 9GB when extracted. Microsoft has shifted to delivering Latest Cumulative Updates (LCUs), which include all previous fixes, leading to larger update sizes over time. The introduction of Checkpoint Cumulative Updates aims to reduce this growth by establishing periodic baselines, but the effectiveness has been mixed. The May 2025 cumulative update saw a size increase from approximately 6.5GB to nearly 9GB, with new MSIX files related to semantic search and on-device AI contributing to this growth. Windows Update uses applicability logic to minimize download sizes for users, but enterprises must download full packages, resulting in increased storage costs. The average yearly storage cost for enterprises rose from about 11 GB in 2024 to 52 GB by 2026. Users can check their actual download sizes through the Windows Update settings and Event Viewer logs.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Don’t fall for the Verizon ‘loyalty’ scam that’s putting $1,500 iPads in the mail

A sophisticated scam targeting Verizon customers has emerged, exploiting the My Verizon app to send fraudulent push notifications. A Reddit user, ApprehensivePace2969, experienced this scam when they received a call from someone impersonating a Verizon representative, claiming they qualified for a 65% discount and a free iPad. The legitimacy of the offer was reinforced by a push notification from the app. The victim received a 256GB iPad Pro, valued at ,500, and was charged a shipping fee, which was promised to be refunded upon activation. However, they later received calls from another supposed Verizon representative, instructing them to return the iPad or face a full charge. Red flags included a return shipping label not from Verizon's official center and an unrelated New York address. The victim took the iPad to a real Verizon store, contacted the fraud department, and successfully returned the device, avoiding financial loss.