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Winsage

May 18, 2025

It just got way easier to control your Android phone from your Windows PC

Microsoft is adding a Phone Link panel to the start menu of Windows 11 to improve the user experience for managing Android devices. The panel provides an overview of the Android device's status, including connection status and battery level, and features direct access buttons for Messages, Calls, and Photos. It includes a 'Recent' section for the latest phone calls, text messages, and images, while notifications can be received as banners. The Phone Link app can also stream Android apps to Windows 11 PCs, with file transfer capabilities through a 'send files' button. This feature is being rolled out to all Windows 11 users after being available to Beta and Dev channel users for several months.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

In this week's roundup of applications for Windows 10 and 11, it is noted that consumer support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, but users can purchase a year of extended support and receive three years of security updates for Microsoft 365 apps. New applications highlighted include: - DiskCopy: Free disk and partition cloning software for backing up partitions or entire disks, facilitating data migration. - IrfanView: An image viewer that now includes batch file multithreading and new hotkeys in its latest version. - Registry Finder: A freeware tool for managing the Windows Registry, with improved search capabilities and usability.

Tech Optimizer

May 17, 2025

Do You Really Need Antivirus on Windows 11? Probably Not—Here’s Why

Windows 11 has robust built-in security features that may reduce the need for third-party antivirus software. Windows Security now offers comprehensive protection, including real-time malware detection, firewall protection, SmartScreen alerts, hardware-level security, account monitoring, and system health reports. According to AV-TEST results from January and February 2025, Microsoft Defender Antivirus scored 6.0/6.0 in protection, performance, and usability, effectively stopping advanced malware and phishing attempts with minimal system resource usage. Users of Microsoft Edge benefit from SmartScreen filtering, while those using other browsers receive system notifications for network protection. Basic digital hygiene practices, such as avoiding suspicious downloads and keeping software updated, are crucial for security. Third-party antivirus solutions may offer additional features but can lead to performance issues and privacy concerns. For casual users who maintain their systems and practice safe browsing, Windows Security is generally sufficient, while those handling sensitive information or needing advanced features may consider premium antivirus options.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Best VPN for Android 2025: NordVPN Voted Best of VPNs for Android

NordVPN has been recognized as the Best VPN for Android in 2025, continuing its commitment to trusted VPN services since launching its Android app in 2016. The user interface has been redesigned for a streamlined experience, featuring a clean, map-based home screen and easy server access. It has received praise for exceptional speed on Android devices, attributed to its NordLynx protocol, and boasts over 7,000 servers in more than 100 countries for reliable internet access. NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy to protect user privacy and includes advanced security features like Threat Protection Lite. The app is optimized for battery efficiency and offers robust customer support, including 24/7 live chat. NordVPN's competitive pricing plans and various payment methods enhance its accessibility.

BetaBeacon

May 16, 2025

Samsung Game Booster Plus lets you remap controllers and enhance game graphics

The Game Booster Plus module is now available for download on One UI 7 devices via the Galaxy Store. Some features of the module are not accessible on older devices. The module offers three menus for controller remapping, GPU settings for games, and game categorization. The GPU settings menu introduces new options for adjusting performance modes and settings on a per-game basis, but it requires a more modern Samsung phone. The game category settings allow users to designate any app as a game in the system, enhancing the quality and performance of emulated games.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

Best antivirus software for Windows 2025, tried and tested

Antivirus software has been a common tool for PC users over the past two decades, with many opting for third-party solutions for enhanced protection despite Windows 11's built-in features. User behavior significantly impacts computer security, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unknown links and not reusing passwords. Antivirus packages are designed to combat threats like ransomware, spyware, and viruses. The evaluation process for antivirus applications involved testing on a Windows 11 PC with simulated virus attacks and scanning the SSD for performance metrics. The top antivirus apps for 2025 include BitDefender Total Security (£49.99), Avira Free (free), Malwarebytes Plus (£49.99), and Sophos Home Premium (£37.46).

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Google is about to unleash Gemini Nano’s power for third-party Android apps

Google is expanding its Gemini Nano AI model by introducing new ML Kit GenAI APIs, expected to be unveiled at the I/O 2025 event. These APIs will allow developers to integrate features such as text summarization, proofreading, rewriting, and image description generation into their applications. Gemini Nano operates on devices, enhancing privacy by processing data locally. The ML Kit GenAI APIs will support various languages and functionalities, including generating concise summaries, correcting grammar, transforming chat messages, and providing image descriptions. Unlike the experimental AI Edge SDK, the GenAI APIs will be in beta, allowing for broader device compatibility beyond the Pixel 9 series, including other Android devices. Public documentation for the ML Kit GenAI APIs is now available for developers.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Chrome for Android could soon automatically fill verification codes sent via SMS

Google Chrome for Android is set to introduce a feature that will automatically detect and fill two-factor authentication (2FA) codes sent via SMS. This functionality aims to enhance user convenience by eliminating the need for manual copying and pasting of 2FA codes, streamlining the process for users accessing websites through the browser. A screenshot from tipster Leopeva64 suggests this feature will provide a more integrated approach to online security. While SMS-based 2FA is considered less secure than alternatives, this addition could significantly improve the experience for users who rely on SMS for verification.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Valve refutes reports of massive Steam hack

Valve addressed concerns about alleged breaches of user data, refuting claims of a significant hack involving Steam account information. The company clarified that reports of leaked two-factor authentication text messages do not indicate any compromise of its internal systems. The source of the leak is under investigation, and it involved older text messages containing one-time codes valid for 15 minutes, without linking phone numbers to Steam accounts or exposing sensitive information like passwords or payment details. Valve emphasized that old text messages cannot compromise account security and that attempts to change account details via SMS will trigger additional confirmation steps. Allegations from Underdark.ai about a dataset containing over 89 million Steam user records are questioned due to the low asking price for the data.

BetaBeacon

May 15, 2025

This Dreamcast memory card can emulate Game Boy games

8BitMods has released the VMU Pro for the Sega Dreamcast, which is a handheld emulation machine for 8-bit games. It offers full backward compatibility, supports microSD cards up to 2TB, and features built-in emulators for popular consoles.