distraction Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Google Tests Unified Gemini Interface On Android

Google is experimenting with a streamlined interface for its Gemini assistant on Android devices, aiming to reduce clutter and enhance consistency. The redesigned sidebar includes a dedicated Settings & Help section, organizes key items like Scheduled Actions and Notebooks, and features collapsible sections for tidiness. The header has been compacted to create a more spacious typing area. The app now prominently displays the last-used extension, enhancing transparency about the tools utilized for user queries. The model switcher has been relocated to the app header, decluttering the input area and defaulting to the “Fast” model for most queries. These changes are part of a broader effort to unify the Gemini experience across app and web platforms, with the Google app version 17.11.54 beta indicating a phased rollout of these features.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

This week in PC games: a new Hooded Horse city-builder, some PS2-style horror, a school-day RPG and an absolutely tremendous catfish

The atmosphere in gaming is currently lacking excitement due to a lull with no major releases. Notable upcoming games include: - Journey of the Garden Rose: An adventure game featuring a princess battling insects in a low-poly palace. - Frog Holm: A bar-running game that combines cocktail mixing with Tetris mechanics. - No Vacation for an Executioner: An action-horror game with a PS2 style and intricately designed monsters. - Come Again, Chachii?: A game where players help quirky aliens find jobs by deciphering their speech. - Roombattle: A top-down multiplayer game featuring competing vacuums. - Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy: A dungeon-crawling RPG with cheerful characters and perilous elements. - Beast Breaker: A tactical pinball game where players launch a mouse at kaiju. - Nova Roma: An early access city-builder focusing on water management. - Damon and Baby: An action-adventure game featuring a baby and a demon king. - Screamer: A cyberpunk racing game known for its colorful mechanics. - Project Songbird: A game about overcoming writer's block while battling tree monsters. - EverSiege: Untold Ages: An action-strategy game from the creators of Aliens: Dark Descent. Additional activities include capturing images of mushrooms in Rova, constructing a mycelial web in ChloroLink, battling vintage supervillains in Marvel Maximum Collection, searching for a sister in Too Well Hidden, harvesting fuel in Venus in Transit, and transforming clouds into sea creatures in The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish. The Treehouse is working on guides for Crimson Desert, evaluating Slay The Spire 2, assessing hardware, and participating in a preview event.

Winsage

March 20, 2026

Windows Insider Feedback Hub Gets a New Design and Simpler Submission Flow

Microsoft is rolling out a revamped Feedback Hub app to Windows Insiders on the Canary and Dev Channels, featuring a redesigned Home page with a "give a compliment" feedback option. The feedback submission process has been simplified with a unified template and searchable categories. Enhanced editing tools allow users to edit screenshots before submission, and privacy options let users choose between private or public feedback. A streamlined interface is dedicated to filing suggestions, problems, or compliments. The redesigned Feedback Hub is accessible to Canary Insiders with build 28020.1743 and optional build 29553.1000, while Dev Channel users can access it with build 26300.8085. The Beta Channel build 26220.8079 does not include the new Feedback Hub.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

This week in PC games: Crimson Desert and Death Stranding 2 plus frogs, cubes and one amazingly menacing chicken

The Maw consumed the narrator but they have returned to the waking world. The narrator successfully escaped through one of the Maw's mouths. New PC games highlighted include: - Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime: A strategy game with grid-based battles alongside frogs. - Deadline Delivery: A fast-paced adventure involving errant apes and exploding mail trucks. - Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War: Players embody bugs to understand and combat foes. - The Ratline: A game about tracking Nazi fugitives in the 1970s. - Everwind: An early access first-person survival RPG set in a world of floating islands. - Opus Magnum DLC: A new addition to an engineering sim with fresh content. - Crawling Angels: A game where players navigate a carnival to satisfy a character's whims. - The Cube, Save Us: An early access melee extraction game focused on loot in a sky cube. - In Their Shoes: A slice-of-life game reimagining visual novel mechanics. - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach: Now available on PC. - Crimson Desert: An action-RPG from the creators of Black Desert Online. - Briar Flame: A 2D dark fantasy action-platformer. The team is currently engaged with Crimson Desert and reflecting on classic games, while also dealing with cooking and food-related thoughts.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

After decades with Linux, I tried to use Windows 11 – and found 9 glaring issues

Jack Wallen transitioned from Linux to Windows 11 for a week and encountered several frustrations: 1. Creating a local account was cumbersome compared to Linux. 2. Google passkeys did not work without enabling the "Hello" service. 3. The Mailbird email client demanded payment after installation, locking him out of other applications. 4. The natural scrolling feature reverted to its default setting despite attempts to disable it. 5. Advertisements appeared within the Windows 11 interface. 6. The default save location for files was OneDrive, which he had not logged into. 7. Windows 11 used excessive resources, causing his laptop to run hot. 8. Virus and Threat Protection settings were not enabled by default. 9. The laptop screen failed to enter hibernation or turn off automatically, risking battery drain.

Tech Optimizer

March 12, 2026

Bitdefender Just Crushed the Competition Again — And Now It’s 50% Off

Bitdefender consistently ranks among the top choices in independent antivirus evaluations due to its impressive detection rates and minimal impact on system performance. It is currently offering a 50% discount for the first year on its consumer plans, which include Antivirus Plus, Total Security, and Premium Security. Each plan provides varying levels of protection and features, such as malware defense, ransomware blocking, VPN access, and password management. Bitdefender operates quietly in the background, allowing users to work without interruptions, and has been noted for its resource efficiency. Customer feedback highlights users' confidence in the software's stable performance. The current pricing for the discounted plans starts at .99 for Antivirus Plus, .99 for Total Security, and .99 for Premium Security.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Microsoft adding Xbox mode to Windows 11

Organizations using consumer-grade PCs or allowing employees to bring their own devices now face concerns due to the introduction of a virtual Xbox within Windows 11, announced by Microsoft. This initiative aims to create a seamless gaming experience across devices, allowing developers to reach a larger audience while reducing development costs. Microsoft has begun merging Xbox and PC experiences with devices like ASUS’s ROG Ally, a handheld PC that can switch between Windows and gaming operations. In April, Xbox mode will roll out to select markets on all Windows 11 PC form factors, offering a controller-optimized interface. However, it may not be included in the Windows Professional edition, which is preferred by businesses. Features may still enter organizations through bring-your-own-device policies or consumer-grade equipment. The announcements are part of "Project Helix," a new gaming platform designed to enhance Xbox console and PC game play, featuring a custom System on Chip from AMD, with alpha versions expected to be shipped to developers by 2027. This timeline may impact revenue opportunities for AMD, as it suggests no new console will be available for the holiday season of 2026.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Microsoft to Make New ‘Xbox Mode’ Available on All Windows 11 PCs Next Month

Microsoft announced that the Xbox Full Screen Experience, now called "Xbox Mode," will be available for all Windows 11 PCs starting in April. This mode is designed for a controller-optimized experience, allowing users to browse their game library, launch titles, and switch applications while maintaining an immersive gaming environment. It will support various PC form factors and disable certain background tasks to enhance gaming performance. Additionally, Microsoft is expanding Advanced Shader Delivery for all game developers and enhancing its DirectX gaming API with machine learning advancements. The next generation of Xbox consoles, Project Helix, is expected to support four generations of Xbox games and PC games by 2027.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Android Auto Has 5 Apps That Make Driving Easier and More Enjoyable

Utilizing Android Auto can enhance the driving experience by integrating smartphone applications into the vehicle's dashboard. Key applications include: 1. Pocket Casts: A podcast app designed for in-car use, offering intuitive playback controls and easy access to shows. 2. GameSnacks: A collection of browser-based games for use when parked, developed by Google, featuring various game formats without ads. 3. SmartLife: An app for controlling smart home devices via the Tuya platform, allowing users to manage connected devices from their car's display. 4. Sygic: A navigation app designed for offline use, enabling users to download maps for turn-by-turn navigation without an internet connection. 5. BlackPlayer: A local music player that allows users to play music files stored on their devices without ads or a network connection. These applications can enhance daily commutes and provide entertainment while parked.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

Minecraft has finally revealed the name of its baby mob update, and I honestly didn’t think it could get any cuter but here we are

Minecraft's upcoming 2026 update, previously known as the "baby mob update," has been officially named the Tiny Takeover drop. The update will introduce the ability to craft name tags, unique spawn eggs for baby mobs, and a new note block called the trumpet. A specific release date has not been announced, but it may arrive in the spring.