distraction Archives

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

WhatsApp Web themes might soon come to save us from boring gray bubbles

Meta is testing 49 chat themes for WhatsApp Web, introducing customization options for the desktop interface. The themes will change not only the background but also the color of message bubbles. These custom themes will be local to each user, meaning that the design choices will not be visible to others. There is no official release date for this feature, and it has not yet appeared in beta versions. Users are advised to check the Settings menu under the Theme section for updates.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

Lilbits: Lenovo teases a larger gaming tablet, OpenBSD ported to the Pomera DM250, Microsoft simplifies Windows Insider channels

Lenovo introduced its Legion brand for gaming tablets in 2022 and has consistently maintained an 8.8-inch screen size across its devices. The company is preparing to launch a new gaming tablet with a larger display and potentially dual rear cameras. So far, Lenovo has released five versions of the Legion Y700 gaming tablet exclusively in China, with only two models available in the United States, and a third model expected soon.

Winsage

April 7, 2026

Windows 11 beta introduces haptic feedback support for mice and touchpads

Members of the Windows Insider Program are testing a new Windows 11 update that introduces haptic feedback support for compatible mice and touchpads. This update provides subtle vibrations during desktop activities, enhancing user interactions. The haptic feedback activates during actions like window snapping and resizing, offering tactile confirmation for tasks. Users can customize or disable these responses through Windows Settings. The update also includes improvements to the initial setup process and enhanced startup performance for applications. A broader release is expected later this spring, pending feedback from testers.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

The Microsoft ecosystem glow-up: How Teams, OneDrive, and Windows 11 now work together without headaches

Windows 11 integrates seamlessly with OneDrive and Microsoft Teams, enhancing productivity and workflow efficiency. It comes pre-installed with these applications, allowing users to access notifications and features easily. Meeting recordings can be saved directly in OneDrive, and the search functionality allows users to find documents and messages across platforms effortlessly. The Fluent Design language provides a cohesive user experience, facilitating smooth transitions between tasks. Additionally, the Copilot AI feature assists users by summarizing missed communications, crafting meeting agendas, and simplifying file management in both Teams and OneDrive. This integration supports a focused work environment, minimizing distractions and interruptions.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Microsoft Reduces Copilot Integrations in Windows 11 — Campus Technology

Microsoft is recalibrating its approach to integrating Copilot within Windows 11, focusing on quality and user experience rather than rapid AI expansion. Pavan Davuluri, president of Microsoft's Windows + Devices division, emphasized three core pillars for enhancing Windows 11: performance, reliability, and "craft." The company plans to reduce Copilot's presence by eliminating "unnecessary Copilot entry points" in applications like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad, responding to user feedback about clutter and distraction. While scaling back on consumer-facing Copilot features, Microsoft will continue to develop AI for developer tools, background functionalities, and enterprise features. Upcoming changes include the option to reposition the taskbar, improvements to File Explorer, more reliable file operations, and modifications to Windows Update. The company aims to decrease OS-level crashes, enhance Bluetooth and USB stability, and strengthen Windows Hello biometric authentication. Microsoft also plans to revamp the Windows Insider Program and engage with the Windows community through in-person meetups.

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.