Enhancing Accessibility

Winsage
December 3, 2025
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Windows Accessibility team emphasizes their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, guided by the principle of “nothing about us without us.” They collaborate with advisory boards from the disability community to enhance product features. Fluid Dictation on Windows allows users to dictate text seamlessly, correcting grammar and punctuation in real time, and operates offline on Copilot+ PCs. Voice Access has been improved to accommodate diverse communication styles, with features like adjustable wait time, a custom word dictionary, flexible command recognition, enhanced speech pattern recognition, and support for Chinese and Japanese. Narrator and Magnifier now feature human-like voices developed with Azure AI, enhancing the user experience with natural conversation nuances. Recent updates to Narrator in Microsoft Word improve navigation and text drafting, with clearer announcements and concise feedback on spelling and grammar. Additional enhancements include a Screen Curtain for privacy, richer image descriptions, and tools for speech recap and live transcription. Users are encouraged to provide feedback to guide further development, and technical assistance is available through the Disability Answer Desk.
AppWizard
December 3, 2025
Modder 'Luke JC' has released the Just Cause 3 Unlimited Edition mod, which includes significant gameplay enhancements such as a 50% increase in grapple range, longer auto-align time for the wingsuit camera, a new spawn menu, reintroduced police mechanics, and Bavarium wingsuit rockets functioning like those in Just Cause 4. Rico's movement has improved, eliminating accidental grapple firing midair, allowing better vehicle balance, and enhancing wingsuit speed and control. All main characters can now appear outside missions, and the game world has expanded with Black Hand vehicles and accessible mission-exclusive areas during free roam. Visual enhancements include smoother location transitions, better-rendered trees, and improved performance by increasing the game’s model budget. The mod adds over 200 tweaks, 60 new vehicles, and 25 new weapons, making it a comprehensive update for Just Cause 3. The mod is available for download.
Winsage
November 23, 2025
Microsoft has introduced a Digital Signage mode in Windows 11 that automatically suppresses system error screens, including the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), after a fifteen-second display period. This feature aims to enhance user experience on public displays and is particularly useful for IT managers using Intune for device management. Additionally, Microsoft is previewing advanced text-generation tools for applications, including automated email summarization in Outlook and alternative text generation for images in Word, to improve productivity and accessibility.
AppWizard
October 29, 2025
In the latest beta version of the Google app (16.43.60.sa.arm64), several new features are being tested to improve user interaction with AI functionalities. 1. A new “Interrupt Live responses” toggle is being considered for Search Live settings, allowing users to control whether their interjections pause the AI's responses. 2. Live captions can be displayed at the bottom of the screen while Search Live is active, enhancing accessibility. 3. AI Mode may become a separate option in the main search bar, with a plus button (+) allowing users to attach images and activate AI Mode before searching. 4. Gemini’s image markup tools are being refined, including a new tooltip to guide users on how to sketch on images for AI transformation, and a new Text option in the markup toolbar that is still under development.
AppWizard
October 15, 2025
YouTube is rolling out updates to enhance the video-watching experience, including a new video player that is more expressive and intuitive, a redesigned centrally located play/pause button, and a "threaded" comments system for better viewer interaction. The video-saving feature has been simplified for easier management. Additionally, YouTube is launching "YouTube Labs," allowing users to test upcoming features, starting with an experiment involving AI music hosts on YouTube Music.
AppWizard
October 9, 2025
Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 are now available on Game Pass, enhancing accessibility for new gamers. Microsoft recently increased Game Pass subscription prices, which now limits day-one new releases to the premium tier at .99 / £22.99 per month. The price hike has led some players to reconsider their subscriptions, with fees rising by up to / £8. October's offerings include the Baldur's Gate games, Supermarket Simulator, and upcoming titles like The Casting of Frank Stone and Ninja Gaiden 4. The games are available for Premium and Ultimate subscribers as of October 9.
AppWizard
October 5, 2025
World of Warcraft Midnight is implementing significant changes to its combat mod landscape, impacting popular addons like WeakAuras. The WeakAuras team has decided to cease support for the mod with the upcoming expansion, citing Blizzard's new restrictions that prevent access to essential combat data. The alpha phase of Midnight began on October 2, and while some addon creators plan to adapt, the WeakAuras team does not expect to release a version for Midnight, although they will continue supporting WeakAuras Classic. The core issue is Blizzard's introduction of 'secret values,' which obscures crucial player combat state information, rendering WeakAuras unable to function as intended. Stanzilla, the project lead, expressed skepticism about any reversal of these restrictions and noted that a simplified version of WeakAuras would not meet user needs. Blizzard has made some adjustments to its changes, but these do not resolve the fundamental issues faced by WeakAuras. Stanzilla remains uncertain about his engagement with Midnight, depending on how the situation evolves.
AppWizard
September 18, 2025
Kakao Corp. is enhancing KakaoTalk, a messaging application used by over 90% of South Korea's 50 million residents, into an AI-driven super app through a partnership with OpenAI. They plan to integrate ChatGPT and their own large language model into KakaoTalk and Kanana, their new messenger with a conversational AI agent. Kakao aims to transform its messaging platform into a comprehensive app that includes messaging, payments, shopping, and other services. Competitors like WhatsApp, WeChat, and Line are also incorporating AI to enhance their platforms. Tencent has added its chatbot Yuanbao to WeChat, while Meta has introduced an AI chatbot for WhatsApp, and Line has launched its own AI assistant based on ChatGPT. Other Korean companies like Viva Republica and Coupang are expanding their services to include messaging and AI functionalities. The competition for super-app dominance is increasing as these advancements in AI are adopted.
Winsage
September 17, 2025
To check computer hardware specs in Windows 10, you can use several methods: 1. Settings: - Open Settings > System > About to view processor, memory, architecture, and software specifications (Edition, Version, Installed on, OS build). 2. System Information: - Open Start, search for msinfo32, and select it. In the System Summary, view system model, processor brand, UEFI version, memory capacity, and motherboard details. 3. Create Hardware Specs Report: - In the System Information app, select specifications, go to File > Export, choose a folder, and save the report. 4. DirectX Diagnostic Tool: - Open Start, search for dxdiag, and check the System tab for processor and memory, and the Display tab for graphics card information. 5. PowerShell: - Open Start, search for PowerShell, run as administrator, and type Get-ComputerInfo to view specifications. 6. Command Prompt: - Open Start, search for Command Prompt, run as administrator, and type systeminfo to access detailed system information. For monitoring temperatures, third-party tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp are recommended. To check RAM, use Task Manager's Performance page. For network information, navigate to Settings > Network & Internet. To check FPS, access Task Manager's Performance page or use dxdiag.
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