ecosystem Archives

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Microsoft wants Windows 10 holdouts to buy ARM-based Copilot+ Windows 11 AI PCs

Microsoft is urging users to transition from Windows 10 to its new Snapdragon ARM-based Copilot+ PCs, highlighting the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. The company has introduced a feature for users to trade in or recycle their Windows 10 devices through Windows Update. Microsoft emphasizes the advantages of ARM technology, stating that native ARM versions of applications now account for 90% of total user minutes. Users can expect significant benefits from upgrading to ARM Copilot+ PCs, including on-device AI capabilities, extended battery life, and performance enhancements, with devices reportedly being up to 85% faster than the MacBook Air M2 and 47% faster in AI tasks compared to the M3 chip. Microsoft is targeting Windows 10 users and IT departments to encourage adoption of ARM Copilot+ PCs during their next upgrade cycle.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

How to Stop Android Battery Optimization from Killing Apps

Users and developers managing Android devices must navigate the balance between battery life and app functionality. Android's aggressive power-saving features can mute notifications or suspend background processes, leading to a state known as “sleeping.” To maintain app functionality, users can exempt specific applications from battery optimization through the Settings app under “Battery” or “Apps & notifications.” This feature, introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allows apps to operate seamlessly in the background. For example, disabling sleep mode for essential apps like WhatsApp can prevent missed notifications. Samsung's Adaptive Battery is particularly aggressive, often pushing unused apps into a “deep sleep” state after a few days, which can disrupt vital functions. Users may need to manually exempt applications in Samsung’s “Device care” settings. Other manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi impose similar restrictions, while Google’s stock Android offers more straightforward adjustments. Developers can incorporate foreground services or request permissions like “android.permission.WAKE_LOCK” to keep apps awake, balancing user privacy and battery health. Android’s Doze mode activates during inactivity and organizes background tasks into maintenance windows, but apps can request exemptions. Monitoring battery usage statistics can help identify problematic apps. In enterprise environments, tools like Ivanti’s mobile device management can automate these settings. Combining exemptions with notification settings ensures that apps remain active, although blanket exemptions may lead to faster battery depletion. The dynamic between operating system efficiency and app demands continues to evolve, particularly with Android 14’s enhanced foreground service requirements.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

Samsung is preparing to say goodbye to Microsoft for your photo backups (APK teardown)

Samsung will discontinue support for Microsoft’s OneDrive within the Gallery app, transitioning to its own cloud solution for photo backups. A leaked version of One UI 8.5 indicates that phrases like “Sync with OneDrive ending soon” suggest this change is imminent. Users currently syncing their photos in the Samsung Gallery app will need to back up their content directly to Samsung Cloud, as OneDrive support will be phased out. The exact timeline for this transition is unclear, but users must adapt to the upcoming changes.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

Xbox says 2025 marks its “largest investment in Game Pass”

Microsoft has made its largest investment in the Game Pass subscription service in 2024, welcoming 50 new developers. Many studios are eager to return to Game Pass for future projects, indicating a positive reception. Microsoft has partnered with over 150 developers to expand the Game Pass catalogue and engaged with more than 50 teams to finalize inaugural agreements in the previous year.

Tech Optimizer

September 22, 2025

Get Webroot Essentials, the #1 rated antivirus software, for 50% off

Webroot Essentials was ranked number one in the July 2025 PassMark study for antivirus software. It is currently offered at a 50% discount, with pricing for a single device at .99 per year and .99 annually for up to five devices. The software is a cloud-based antivirus solution that protects PCs, Macs, tablets, Chromebooks, and smartphones. It features a Password Manager and Web Threat Shield, providing real-time defense against malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Webroot Essentials completes virus scans six times faster than competitors like Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender.

Winsage

September 21, 2025

DreamScene is (spiritually) back in Windows 11, letting you use videos as your desktop background — Latest Insider build finally returns coveted feature

Microsoft is introducing the option to use video files as desktop backgrounds in Windows 11, reviving the Windows DreamScene feature that allows for video wallpapers. This feature is currently being tested in the Windows 11 26x20.6690 Dev/Beta builds and is accessible through the Windows Insider program. Users can enable it by using feature ID 57645315 and restarting the explorer.exe process in Task Manager. Supported video formats include .mp4, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .wmv, .avi, and .webm.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Zorin OS 18 opens its doors to those fleeing Microsoft as the Windows 10 end-of-life date looms

Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025. Zorin OS 18 Beta is designed for users unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements. It offers OneDrive support and assistance with Windows installers to facilitate the transition to a new operating system. The interface of Zorin OS 18 resembles Windows, making it user-friendly for those migrating from Microsoft's ecosystem.

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

Blockchain Based Messaging App Market Segmentation Analysis by Application, Type, and Key Players-Signal Foundation, Telegram Messenger, WhatsApp Inc., WeChat, Matrix.org

The global market for Blockchain Based Messaging Apps is projected to grow to USD 5.5 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.5% from 2025 to 2031. The market is expected to reach USD 1.2 billion by 2024. Key drivers of this growth include concerns over data privacy and security, the demand for decentralized communication solutions, and the integration of decentralized identity management and smart contracts. Adoption is anticipated across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. Factors supporting future growth include technological advancements, expanding applications across various industries, favorable government policies, and increased investment in research and development. Key players in the market include Signal Foundation, Telegram Messenger, WhatsApp Inc., WeChat, Matrix.org, Status.im, Mainframe, Holochain, Sphinx Chat, Oraculos, Blockstream, and Pigeon Messenger.

Winsage

September 19, 2025

Firm predicts wildly optimistic view of 2025 PC gaming, then an exodus

A firm has forecasted a 3.9 percent decline in consumer PC sales in the U.S. for 2025, resulting in approximately 25.284 million units sold, with a rebound of 5.4 percent expected in 2026, bringing sales to around 26.651 million units. IDC predicts flat sales in the U.S. but a 6.5 percent increase in the global PC market. Retail sales in August increased by 0.6 percent. The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 requires CPU upgrades for over 100 million gamers, leading to unique challenges. Intel's market share in PC graphics has reportedly dropped to nearly zero. JPR projects a 13 percent decrease in entry-level PC gaming over the next five years, with over 10 million people leaving the PC platform entirely, while some gamers are migrating to consoles and mobile devices for better value.

Winsage

September 19, 2025

Microsoft insists Copilot+ PCs are ’empowering the future’

Microsoft is promoting its Copilot+ PCs as a transformative advancement in personal and enterprise computing, supported by the expanding Windows on Arm ecosystem. However, enterprise customers have expressed skepticism due to disappointing sales figures and a lack of compelling applications justifying the increased average purchase prices. By July, exclusive features like Recall did not attract business interest, leading Microsoft to continue advocating for its vision. User experiences with devices like the Surface Laptop 7 have been mixed, with issues such as cursor misplacement and performance lags overshadowing the claimed breakthroughs. HP reported that AI PCs make up a quarter of its sales, while Dell and Intel are promoting AI-ready technologies. Despite claims of enhanced productivity, many highlighted applications are merely adaptations of existing tools. Microsoft has advertised impressive battery life for its Arm-based devices, claiming up to 15 hours of web browsing, but actual performance during productivity tasks was around ten hours. The company asserts that the app gap for Windows on Arm is nearly resolved, with 90 percent of total user minutes spent on Arm-native applications. However, concerns remain about users potentially switching to Apple Macs as they move away from Windows 10 devices. While Copilot+ PCs can run familiar applications natively, these applications also work well on non-AI devices, raising questions about the necessity of on-device AI capabilities.