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Enhancing Readability

Windows 11’s best utilities are merging — and it's more polished than macOS
Winsage
December 31, 2025

Windows 11’s best utilities are merging — and it’s more polished than macOS

The third-party file explorer, Files, has integrated with PowerToys Peek in version 4.0.24, enhancing user experience by allowing seamless file previews. This integration began rolling out during the festive week between Christmas and New Year’s. The update also includes a feature for faster file and folder creation with prefilled default names, improvements to the Omnibar with a shadow for suggestions, and text wrapping in the Status Center for longer folder names. Users can now use AND and OR operators for tag searches. Additionally, several fixes were made, including resolving crashes in Dual Pane mode and during git branch switching, as well as correcting display issues with PNG-based .ico files. Files is available for free on GitHub and the Microsoft Store.
Sins of a Solar Empire 2 gets a massive diplomacy overhaul that makes wars 'economically ruinous'
AppWizard
December 13, 2025

Sins of a Solar Empire 2 gets a massive diplomacy overhaul that makes wars ‘economically ruinous’

Ironclad Games has been providing updates and downloadable content for Sins of a Solar Empire 2 since its launch last year. Recent enhancements include new scenarios, improved population mechanics, better tutorials, and visual effects. The latest update, titled Diplomatic Repercussions, focuses on improving diplomacy by reworking the artificial intelligence of non-player character factions to make them more intelligent and friendly, increasing their likelihood of forming alliances. A revamped diplomacy menu now shows critical modifiers for proposals, and players can trade influence points for negotiations or intelligence. The update also features new quick-start options, a redesigned research and tech-tree menu, and decorative orbital shuttles. These changes aim to address player concerns about the previous diplomacy system's significance.
Eversolo’s Control app comes to Android TV
AppWizard
August 26, 2025

Eversolo’s Control app comes to Android TV

The author connected an Eversolo DMP-A8 streaming DAC to KEF LS60 Wireless speakers via coaxial cable to achieve bit-perfect and gapless streaming of Apple Music, which the built-in services of KEF could not provide. The Eversolo Control app for Android TV was introduced, allowing seamless integration with various streaming services and displaying essential information about the currently playing track. The app is compatible with all DMP-Ax players and Eversolo's Play products, with an Apple TV version in development. Users are advised to adjust settings on the Google Chromecast TV for uninterrupted playback. The app's design features a gradient background based on cover art, enhancing readability compared to competing apps. Eversolo's app is noted for being the first to offer 'now playing' functionality on Android TV devices, providing practical utility in streaming compared to competitors like Sonos.
Sound the alarm: Google Clock is now getting an Expressive overhaul
AppWizard
August 23, 2025

Sound the alarm: Google Clock is now getting an Expressive overhaul

The Google Clock app has been updated to version 8.1, featuring visual enhancements aligned with the Material 3 Expressive design philosophy. Key updates include distinct backgrounds for active alarms, a revamped alarm setup screen for personalizing alarms, and an improved interface for snoozing or stopping alarms with clearly defined buttons. The stopwatch feature now has larger buttons for better usability. Although the redesigned timer section was not officially included, it can be unlocked, showcasing a more prominent font for time display and a streamlined layout that allows for multiple timers to be viewed simultaneously.
Google is giving Android's headphone and earbud notifications a fresh new look
AppWizard
August 11, 2025

Google is giving Android’s headphone and earbud notifications a fresh new look

Google is enhancing the user experience on Android devices with a visual update for headphone and earbud battery status. The updated notification features color-coded rings around icons for each earbud and their charging case, allowing for quick assessment of battery status. Dynamic icons indicate whether the earbuds are charging and if the case is discharging power. This redesign replaces the previous method of displaying a battery icon with a percentage. The update will be available with the rollout of Android 15 QPR2 on Pixel devices.
Google TV on Android begins its Material 3 Expressive revamp in latest update
AppWizard
July 14, 2025

Google TV on Android begins its Material 3 Expressive revamp in latest update

Google has begun rolling out the Material 3 Expressive design in the Google TV app with the update version 4.39.3356.780959673.5. This update includes design enhancements such as a larger banner on movie and TV show detail pages that displays titles and ratings in a center-aligned format. The buttons for Watchlist, Watched it, Like, and Dislike have been redesigned without circular borders, and the Ratings section shortcuts have adopted a pill-shaped form. Image previews in the Top Stories section now have rounded corners, and the Important Information section has been restructured into a clearer two-column layout. Not all changes from the Material 3 framework are included in this release, and user feedback will be important for future updates.
Here's a First Look at the Redesigned Clock App Coming with Material Design 3
AppWizard
May 5, 2025

Here’s a First Look at the Redesigned Clock App Coming with Material Design 3

Google is redesigning its Clock app to adopt the Material Design 3 Expressive theme, featuring a new font for improved readability, elongated time selectors for better interaction, and a larger squircle-shaped floating action button repositioned for easier access. The Clock tab will be renamed "World Clock," and the Alarms page will see a comprehensive redesign with a modern elongated time selector and additional options for alarm name, sound, vibration, weather forecast, and Google Assistant routines. The Timers section will change the play icon to a rectangular “Start” button, while the Stopwatch tab will shift to a cubical layout. The Bedtime mode will largely retain its existing design. User reactions to the redesign have been mixed, with some expressing concerns about the transition from rounded to boxy elements and the overall consistency of the design. The redesign is still in early stages, and user feedback will influence its final form.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
March 3, 2025

5 reasons why you should use Notepad++ instead of Notepad on Windows 11

Notepad++ is an open-source text editing application that serves as a comprehensive replacement for the basic Notepad in Windows 11. It supports a wide range of file types beyond the limited formats of Notepad, including XML and JSON with proper formatting through plugins. Notepad++ offers syntax highlighting for over 80 programming languages, enhancing readability and reducing errors. It includes an advanced find and replace function with Regular Expressions (RegEx) for efficient bulk text editing. The application features a focused clipboard history that allows users to retrieve previously copied text easily. Additionally, Notepad++ has a rich plugin ecosystem that enables users to expand its functionality with features like spellcheck, FTP support, and code execution for various programming languages.
Official: Samsung is killing DeX for PC with One UI 7
Winsage
December 5, 2024

Official: Samsung is killing DeX for PC with One UI 7

Samsung has introduced One UI 7, featuring a suite of Galaxy AI tools to enhance the writing experience. The update includes an on-device large language model that activates when users select text, displaying a pop-up editing menu with the Galaxy AI icon. The writing tools card offers six options: Spelling and grammar, Writing style, Summarize, Bullet points, and Composer. Each tool serves specific functions, such as checking for errors, exploring different writing tones, condensing content, transforming paragraphs into bullet points, and generating content based on descriptions. These features are available in the One UI 7 beta for Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra, with plans for expansion to other Galaxy AI-compatible devices, while non-Galaxy AI devices may lack support due to computing limitations.
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