expanding accessibility Archives

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Expanding Copilot+ PC experiences across AMD, Intel and Snapdragon powered devices

Last year, Copilot+ PCs were introduced as the fastest, most intelligent, and secure Windows PCs. They have since integrated new silicon, devices, and AI experiences to enhance user interaction and productivity. New accessibility features include Live Captions, which provide real-time translations in English for audio and video content during virtual meetings and media playback, now available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for Simplified Chinese and translations from over 40 languages. Voice Access has also been updated to improve navigation through voice commands. AI-enabled creativity features are now available on AMD and Intel devices, including Cocreator in Paint, which allows users to create designs using text prompts and freehand drawing, and new tools in Photos for transforming images and creating visuals based on prompts. Some features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, requiring the November 2024 update. Features may vary by device and region, with updates continuing through 2025. Users can check for updates in Windows Settings.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Perplexity is getting one of Android’s coolest AI features

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, announced a new feature for Android devices that enhances user interaction with the AI tool, similar to Google's Circle to Search. During a demonstration, users could circle a bullet point about Roger Federer to inquire about his net worth, and Perplexity provided a prompt response after conducting an online search. The feature does not have a specified launch date and is currently unavailable in the app, although users can still use Google's Circle to Search. Initial tests showed Google's method yielded faster results, but both provided the same information. The new feature aims to make similar capabilities accessible to a broader audience, particularly those with older Android devices. Perplexity is noted for delivering more accurate responses than its competitor, Gemini, and is preferred by many users as a default phone assistant.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Amtrak Enhances Mobile App to Improve the Travel Experience

Amtrak is modernizing its trains, stations, and infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for rail services across over 500 destinations in 46 states and parts of Canada. The company is focused on enhancing the travel experience and expanding accessibility while promoting environmentally friendly travel options. Travelers can access information through Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, and social media platforms. Amtrak offers a Guest Rewards program that allows members to earn points for travel benefits.

BetaBeacon

March 14, 2025

Google is bringing a lot more Android games to PCs

Google Play Games is expanding to include PC games, with all mobile Android games automatically available on the platform unless developers choose to opt out. Google is introducing a new "playability badge" system to highlight game performance on PC, with plans to open up the program to all PC developers later this year.

AppWizard

March 13, 2025

Google expands it PC gaming platform to support ALL Android games and more PC games

Enthusiasts have sought to connect Android gaming with Windows PCs, gaining momentum since Google launched Google Play Games for Windows in 2022. The platform initially had a limited selection of Android games but has expanded to thousands of titles and now supports native PC games. Google announced that all mobile games will be available on PC by default, though developers can opt out, potentially leaving some popular games unavailable. To address compatibility, Google is implementing “playability badges” to indicate whether games are optimized for PC or simply playable. New features include support for custom controls, a game sidebar for adjustments, and multi-account capabilities. Google is collaborating with PC manufacturers to preload Google Play Games on select devices, while the platform remains in beta. Additionally, Google Play for PC is enhancing support for native games through a new SDK for developers.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Apple TV+ App to Be Offered for Android Devices

Apple TV+ will be available on Android devices starting February 12, marking the first time the app is accessible on Android platforms, specifically for devices running Android 10 or newer. Users can subscribe to Apple TV+ and the MLS Season Pass through the app. Prior to this, the app was compatible with various devices, including Roku and smart TVs. Apple reported .12 billion in revenue from its services sector in the fourth quarter, a 14% increase year-over-year, and has surpassed 1 billion subscriptions. In October, Apple TV+ was added to Amazon Prime Video's subscription options in the U.S. The streaming industry is facing challenges such as consumer dissatisfaction and rising subscription costs.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Apple Is Ready to Play Nice With Android, Launching a New Apple TV App for Mobile

Android users can now access the Apple TV+ app on Google Play, allowing them to stream shows like Severance and Silo. Previously, Apple TV+ was available on various television operating systems and gaming consoles, but not on Android devices. The subscription for Apple TV+ is priced at .99 per month, while the MLS Season Pass is available for .99 per month. The app features a "Continue Watching" section and allows downloads for offline viewing, although Google Cast will not be available at launch. Apple has streamlined the subscription process for the app on Google TV. Additionally, Apple is in the third season of its partnership with Major League Soccer, with the next season starting on February 22, offering all games through the MLS Season Pass without regional blackouts.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Report: Apple to release Apple TV Plus app for Android mobile devices

Apple is launching an Apple TV Plus app specifically for Android mobile devices, which will be available through the Google Play Store. This app aims to improve accessibility for Android users who previously accessed Apple TV Plus content via a web browser. The initiative reflects Apple's strategy to enhance user experience and potentially increase its subscriber base. Apple has also developed streaming applications for platforms like Roku and Android TV, and recently offered subscriptions to Apple TV Plus through Amazon’s Prime Video app. The platform features popular shows such as “Severance,” “Ted Lasso,” “Silo,” and “Shrinking,” along with live sports coverage, including Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer events.

Winsage

December 6, 2024

Microsoft expands Recall preview to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft is testing its AI-powered Recall feature on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs within the Windows 11 Insider program. Recall captures screenshots of active windows at regular intervals, analyzes them, and allows users to retrieve specific snapshots through natural language queries. It is an opt-in feature that requires user authentication via Windows Hello and filters out sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords. Users can exclude specific applications or websites from being saved and have options to manage storage settings, delete snapshots, or disable the feature. Recall will support multiple languages and is expanding its availability to the European Economic Area. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing the Microsoft Photos app with new features such as Image Creator, Restyle Image, and Click to Do for Recall, which allows text rewriting and summarization. These updates are being rolled out to Windows Insiders following the installation of a specific Windows 11 Insider Preview Build.

Winsage

November 17, 2024

Microsoft Weekly: one dead Insider Channel, a big drop of Windows updates, and more

November 2024's Patch Tuesday updates have been released for Windows 11 and Windows 10, including KB5046617 and KB5046633 for Windows 11, and KB5046613, KB5046615, KB5046612, and KB5046665 for Windows 10. These updates address security vulnerabilities and resolve app crashes on Windows 10 and Task Manager issues on Windows 11. Microsoft has introduced new group policies to prevent auto-upgrades for Windows Server 2022 and 2019. Both Windows 10 and 11 will see a reduction in updates starting December 2024. Official Windows 11 ISO files for ARM devices have been released. The Microsoft Store will remove instant games from the Arcade tab on November 14, 2024, but will introduce Android games through a partnership with Tencent. A new "Edit with Paint" context menu option has been added for Windows Insiders. Windows 10's Beta Channel has been discontinued, transitioning users to the Release Preview Channel. Microsoft has reintroduced the MSN brand with a new logo. Microsoft Edge has been updated to version 131, and notable driver updates include Intel's 32.0.101.6297 and Nvidia's 566.14 WHQL. Upcoming game releases include Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on December 9 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl on November 20. Blizzard announced remasters of Warcraft I and II. Age of Empires II's fifth anniversary has led to unlocked DLC packs for existing owners and Game Pass subscribers. The Game Pass library has added three Spyro games. Discounts on Xbox Series X|S consoles and controllers are available for the holiday season, along with a software update for Xbox consoles introducing new features. The Epic Games Store is offering free games, including Castlevania Anniversary Collection and Snakebird Complete.