displays Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows Central’s highest-rated laptops are already on sale ahead of Black Friday — save up to $640 with my shopping advice

As the holiday shopping season approaches, discounts on Windows laptops are becoming available, including high-end Copilot+ PCs and budget-friendly options. A curated list of the best deals for 2024 is being compiled, which will be updated as Black Friday nears. Windows laptops are categorized into three primary types: 1. Notebook: A classic clamshell design, often used for gaming. 2. Convertible: Heavier, pricier laptops with 360-degree hinges and touch displays, suitable for media and creative tasks. 3. 2-in-1: Devices with a detachable keyboard, allowing tablet-like use. AI PCs, equipped with processors that include a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), are gaining attention in 2024. Examples include Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI 300. Microsoft's Copilot+ PC program enhances the AI experience for laptops with NPUs. However, for most users, having an NPU may not be essential, and focusing on overall performance is recommended. The evaluation process for Windows laptops includes testing hinge strength, chassis durability, port speed, camera quality, speaker performance, fan noise, display quality, and battery life. All laptops in the Black Friday collection have ratings of four stars or higher. Black Friday 2024 is scheduled for November 29, 2024, with many retailers already offering deals. Cyber Monday will follow on December 2, 2024, focusing on online shopping, with some tech deals continuing from Black Friday.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Latest Windows 11 Insider Preview brings updated Prism emulator for Arm PCs

Microsoft has introduced an updated Prism emulator in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744, improving compatibility with x86-based applications and games. The new emulator supports additional CPU extensions, enabling applications like Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 and games such as Starfield and Helldivers 2 to run on Arm PCs. Devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus SoCs can now run more legacy applications and games without native ARM64 versions. The update also includes a new on-screen gamepad keyboard for better navigation and typing on gaming handhelds and touchscreen devices. The changelog for Build 27744 includes various enhancements and fixes, such as resolving display issues for older NVIDIA GPUs, fixing problems with the Emoji Panel and Clipboard History, improving Windows Sandbox performance, correcting dynamic refresh rate issues, and addressing multiple bugs related to remote desktop connections and app functionalities.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Canary Build 27744 returns the Gamepad keyboard, and fixes old dGPUs

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 in the Canary Channel, providing a unified experience and eliminating the previous dual-experience model. This build enhances the Prism emulator for Windows on Arm, allowing a wider range of 64-bit x86 applications to run, including support for additional CPU features. The update enables previously incompatible games and creative software to function on Arm devices. Key changes include the simplification of the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, and updates to Task Manager and Settings. Several fixes have been implemented, addressing issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various graphics and app-related bugs. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN on new Copilot+ PCs and desktop background display across multiple monitors. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Microsoft Notepad to get AI-powered rewriting tool on Windows 11

Microsoft is introducing AI-enhanced functionalities to its applications Notepad and Paint, which were originally launched in the 1980s. These updates are currently being tested by Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels. In Paint version 11.2410.28.0, new features include generative fill and generative erase, allowing users to manipulate images by replacing elements with AI-generated content. The generative fill feature enables edits and additions with simple text prompts while maintaining the existing art style. The generative erase tool helps remove unwanted objects from images while preserving the artwork's integrity. Additionally, a new background remover tool is being added to enhance user experience. Notepad is introducing the "Rewrite" feature, which allows users to automatically rephrase content, adjust tone, and modify length. This feature is available in preview for users in select countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany, and requires a Microsoft account for access. Since 2018, Notepad has been updated with various features such as a built-in character counter, spell check, autocorrect, wrap-around find and replace, improved compatibility with Unix and Mac systems, tabbed browsing, text zoom, UTF-8 support, autosaving, and line number displays.

BetaBeacon

November 7, 2024

Good Pizza, Great Pizza, the hit indie cooking game, is celebrating ten years

Good Pizza, Great Pizza is celebrating its ten-year anniversary with a new in-game event and a real-life exhibition in Los Angeles featuring art from the game. The game has over a million players and has achieved success without any VC funding.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 has been released to the Canary Channel. This build introduces enhanced support for 64-bit x86 applications in the Prism emulator, allowing previously incompatible applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro 25, to run on Arm devices. The virtual CPU for x64 emulated applications now supports various x86 instruction set architecture extensions, such as AVX and FMA. Changes include the simplification of the "All apps" section in the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, redesigned Task Manager dialogs, and the return of the detach virtual hard disk button. Fixes address issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various bugs affecting graphics and application stability. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for new Copilot+ PC users joining the Canary Channel and desktop background display problems across multiple monitors. Insiders are reminded that features in the Canary Channel may not be released and can change during development.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Windows 11 is now the dominant OS among PC gamers

Windows 11 has become the leading operating system among PC gamers, with 51.97% of Steam users, surpassing Windows 10's 45.95% share. Windows 11's adoption among Steam users has risen, accounting for 96.61% of operating systems utilized by PC gamers. Windows 10's share has declined by 2.71% since September. The shift is attributed to Windows 11's superior integration of DirectX 12 technologies and advanced visual effects like ray tracing. Linux holds 2% of the gaming market, while MacOS has 1.39%. In terms of hardware, 46.75% of users have 16GB of RAM, and 31.61% have 32GB. Full HD displays are used by 57.32% of gamers, while 19.71% use 1440p displays.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

Google could soon address several key issues in Pixel Screenshots app (APK teardown)

Google is preparing a significant update for the Pixel Screenshots app, which will include several new features: - Two new app shortcuts for quick access to the Gallery and Camera. - A new gesture for selecting multiple screenshots. - The ability to incorporate multiple images from other applications. - Enhanced actions for interacting with email addresses and phone numbers in screenshots. The app's home page will be updated to allow users to view all screenshots directly, replacing the current arrow icon with a layout option. A long-press and drag gesture will facilitate selecting multiple screenshots. New shortcuts will be accessible through a long-press on the app icon. The update will also improve integration with the Android system share sheet and provide options for managing email addresses and phone numbers from screenshots. These features are expected to be rolled out in future updates.

Winsage

November 2, 2024

It blew my mind when I learned you can set up a laptop as a second monitor on Windows 11

Windows 11 allows users to use their laptops as external displays for other computers by installing the Wireless Display app on both devices. To set it up, users must open Settings, navigate to Optional features, and check if Wireless Display is listed. If not, they can add it by clicking "View features," searching for Wireless Display, and following the prompts. To connect, users should open the Wireless Display app on the laptop, then use the "Cast" feature on the other computer to select the laptop. Troubleshooting steps include checking for Miracast support, adjusting power settings, and ensuring both devices are on the same network.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Microsoft paused the rollout of the new gamepad keyboard for Windows 11

Microsoft introduced a gamepad keyboard for Windows 11 to enhance text input through gamepads, rolling it out to all users with the Windows 11 version 24H2. However, references to the gamepad keyboard were removed from the KB5044384 support article, and users who updated to Windows 11 24H2 lost access to the feature. Microsoft acknowledged the halted rollout in the release notes for build 22635.4400, stating that the gamepad keyboard would be reintroduced in a future update. Additionally, some users reported an issue with Task Manager displaying zero running apps and background processes, which Microsoft plans to fix in a future update.