displays Archives

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Own an Android phone? 12 settings I changed to greatly extend its battery life

Many users seek to extend battery life on Android devices, especially budget models. Here are twelve settings that can enhance battery performance: 1. Turn off the always-on display to improve battery life. 2. Enable Adaptive Battery to optimize resource management based on usage patterns. 3. Activate Battery Saver mode to limit background activity and visual effects. 4. Switch to dark mode to reduce energy consumption on OLED displays. 5. Adjust display brightness and sleep time to enhance battery longevity. 6. Remove unused accounts to prevent background syncing that drains battery. 7. Turn off keyboard sounds and haptics to conserve energy. 8. Reduce notifications to limit background activity that drains battery. 9. Turn off "Hey Google" detection to prevent unnecessary battery drain. 10. Reduce the screen's refresh rate to improve battery performance. 11. Turn off unused wireless features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services. 12. Use low-power mode to limit background activity and reduce screen brightness in critical situations.

Winsage

November 23, 2025

Microsoft Swaps BSOD to Black, Adds Auto-Hide and AI Tools for Reliability

Microsoft is launching an initiative to eliminate the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) by introducing a new black screen error interface in Windows 11, which will replace the traditional blue backdrop. This redesign aims to modernize the error display and provide actionable insights while removing the frowning face emoji. A new feature called Digital Signage Mode will automatically conceal BSODs on public displays after 15 seconds, preventing prolonged visibility of errors. This mode suppresses all Windows error dialogs and allows systems to reboot or enter recovery without displaying errors, which is crucial for environments like retail and transportation. Microsoft is also enhancing remote recovery tools for IT administrators and promoting proactive measures for error prevention, such as regular driver updates and system scans. The company is collaborating with hardware manufacturers to improve driver compatibility and reduce BSOD incidents. Despite concerns about obscuring underlying issues, Microsoft ensures that all incidents are logged for future review. By 2026, experts anticipate advancements in AI-driven error handling that could eliminate public BSODs entirely. User adoption remains a challenge, particularly among small businesses, and Microsoft is addressing this through educational campaigns. The transition to a black screen has been positively received in consumer spaces, marking a cultural shift away from the blue screen as a symbol of computing errors.

Winsage

November 23, 2025

Windows: New “Digital Signage Mode” Ends Bluescreens

The new Digital Signage Mode introduced by Microsoft allows Windows to display system error messages, such as the Blue Screen of Death, for only 15 seconds before turning the screen black. This feature aims to prevent public visibility of technical errors on digital signage while still allowing support teams to address issues. The mode also applies to other disruptive Windows dialogs, but it is specifically designed for non-interactive public displays and does not extend to kiosks, which require direct user interaction. The mode can be enabled through the Windows Settings app or a registry key.

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.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

How to complete the Black Ops 7 Ashes of the Damned Easter Egg

The Zombies map "Ashes of the Damned" features the largest round-based map in Call of Duty history, with a main questline and numerous easter eggs. Players use a truck named Ol' Tessie for transport, which carries the Pack-a-Punch machine. To unlock Pack-a-Punch, players must retrieve T.E.D.D.'s Head from the Server Room at Janus Towers Plaza and install it on Ol' Tessie. Players can drive to Blackwater Lake to restore power by shooting orange pods off a Power Pump, then proceed to Ashwood for further objectives. Players can upgrade Ol' Tessie with the Abomination Beam after defeating zombies and collecting items. The unique Wonder Weapon, the Necrofluid Gauntlet, is obtained by defeating a miniboss named Uber Klaus and completing various tasks. Players gather six ingredients for a serum, which involves specific actions at different locations. They must find three keys to unlock a box in Ashwood, which rewards the DG-2 Turret Barrel upgrade for Ol' Tessie. Players solve various puzzles at different locations, culminating in a final boss fight against Veytharion, where they must utilize Ol' Tessie and strategic gameplay to succeed.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

Samsung is hosting a Black Friday sale on curved gaming monitors — With these top picks, you’ll never suffer input lag playing your favorite PC games again

Samsung has announced significant discounts on its premium PC gaming monitors for Black Friday, featuring high refresh rates, expansive field of views, and resolutions from HD to 4K. Curved monitors provide an immersive experience with enhanced visual fidelity, making them suitable for gaming and movie-watching. They offer high refresh rates and rapid response times, improving gameplay in fast-paced titles. While they require more desk space and may not be for everyone, they can elevate the visual experience for those who can accommodate them. Cyber Monday will start on December 1, 2025.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307) has been released for both the Dev and Beta Channels. Insiders can switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel while both channels have the same updates. The Xbox full screen experience is now available for additional Windows 11 PC form factors, accessible through Task View, Game Bar settings, or the Win + F11 hotkey. Point-in-time restore is introduced for both channels, allowing users to revert their devices to a previous state. Fluid dictation is now available for voice typing users on NPU devices, enhancing the dictation experience. Vivo Android phone users can resume browsing activity from their phone to their PC, and users of Honor, Huawei, Oppo, Samsung, and Vivo can continue working on M365 Copilot app files across devices. The context menu in File Explorer is being refined, and users can now uninstall Store-managed apps directly from the Microsoft Store. Fixes include resolving taskbar issues, internet connectivity problems, and crashes in Settings. Known issues include the virtual keyboard not being visible for controller users and some applications exhibiting unexpected behavior with the Xbox full screen experience.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Data Doctors: Beware fake Windows Defender alerts

Microsoft's Windows Defender has vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals, including a method to remotely disable it using a trusted Windows driver. There has been an increase in counterfeit "Windows Defender" pop-ups that prompt users to call a phone number, connecting them to scammers. These pop-ups do not originate from Microsoft and are often triggered by compromised websites or malicious ads. Scammers use these alerts to gain remote access to victims' computers under the pretense of fixing non-existent issues, often charging for fraudulent services or installing malware. Windows Defender struggles against advanced threats, lacks deeper monitoring capabilities, and is a prime target for attackers due to its widespread use. A multi-faceted security approach, including third-party solutions like Trend Micro, is recommended to address these gaps and enhance protection. Additionally, maintaining smart security habits, such as updating software and using strong passwords, is crucial for overall system security.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

We used to be a society (with a good Windows Task Manager icon)

Microsoft has made changes to its Task Manager, including addressing a bug that allowed it to function with unusual persistence. The Task Manager icon has been redesigned to align with Windows 11's aesthetic, featuring an abstract design that has drawn criticism for lacking clarity compared to the previous straightforward light blue line graph. Users have expressed frustration over the new icon, which resembles vague imagery rather than a clear performance indicator. There is a nostalgic fondness for the original Task Manager icon from the Windows 2000 and XP era, which effectively communicated its purpose.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

Poor designs and plagiarism accusations: Forty years ago, Windows got off to a rocky start

In the early 1980s, the concept of a graphical interface was still a visionary dream, as computers were primarily navigated through text commands. Microsoft, with its MS-DOS software, was a leader in this text-based era. Bill Gates recognized the need for user-friendly computers, leading to the development of Windows, first introduced in 1983 and officially launched on November 20, 1985. Prior to this, elements of graphical interfaces had been conceptualized in the 1960s by Douglas Engelbart's team and realized in 1973 by Xerox with its Alto computer. The Alto's graphical interface inspired developers, including Gates and Steve Jobs. However, the initial reception of Windows was not successful, indicating challenges for Microsoft in redefining personal computing.