firmware Archives

Winsage

July 15, 2025

How to maximize your Windows 11 PC’s battery life in 9 easy steps

Windows PCs come with tools to manage power consumption, notably the Power Settings Command-Line Tool (Powercfg.exe), which can generate a battery report. This report, saved as an HTML document, details battery usage, capacity, and historical data. Users can create a battery report by opening Command Prompt and entering specific commands. The report shows the design capacity and current full-charge capacity of the battery, helping track degradation over time. The battery report also includes usage data over the past three days, allowing users to analyze which activities impact battery performance. The Battery Life Estimates section provides insights into potential battery longevity based on usage patterns. Windows 11 allows users to check app-specific power consumption through Settings > System > Power & Battery. The Energy Recommendations checklist in Windows 11 offers energy-saving options and direct links to relevant settings. Users can adjust sleep and display settings according to their preferences. The Shutdown command can be executed from Command Prompt or the Run dialog box for transitioning between power states. The Battery Saver feature, now called Energy Saver in version 24H2, conserves battery life by disabling non-essential activities and can be manually activated.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2025

The Game Boy of my dreams is finally back in stock for good

The ModRetro Chromatic is the ultimate Game Boy, with an enhanced but authentic screen and exquisite build quality. It only plays Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, replicating the original hardware closely. It has a backlit LCD panel, premium build quality, and a battery indicator. The device has been restocked with new colorways and accessories. The price has been adjusted, making it a pricey option for diehard Game Boy fans. It is considered the ultimate way to play Game Boy cartridges for dedicated collectors.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Malware Surge Hits Android: Adware, Trojans and Crypto Theft Lead Q2 Threats

A concerning trend in mobile security shows that malicious applications and spyware are increasingly targeting Android users. Adware, particularly the Android.HiddenAds family, remains the most prevalent threat, despite a decrease in detections. The Android.MobiDash adware trojans have increased by over 11%. The Android.FakeApp malware, which disguises itself as legitimate applications, has seen a 25% decline in activity, primarily targeting Turkish and French-speaking users. The Android.Banker variant has surged by over 70%, indicating a rise in banking trojans. A large-scale crypto theft operation involved the Android.Clipper.31 trojan embedded in a modified WhatsApp version and low-cost Android firmware, which replaces cryptocurrency wallet addresses. Spyware named Android.Spy.1292.origin targets Russian military personnel through a counterfeit mapping application. Malicious applications continue to be found on Google Play, including adware disguised as cryptocurrency news apps and fake finance applications. The open nature of Android poses ongoing cybersecurity risks, even within official app stores.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Android users pumped with features as the OnePlus 13 update arrives

OnePlus has started rolling out a firmware update for the OnePlus 13 in the U.S., identified by build number CPH2655_15.0.0.832(EX01), with a size of 7.47GB. The update includes the June Android security patch and introduces several new features: remote control support for Windows PCs, a Game Camera for live screenshots and recording during gameplay, a Speaker Cleaner for audio performance, a Drag & Drop feature for third-party apps, and a "reduce white points" option for color sensitivity. Additionally, it brings system-wide improvements such as enhanced app management in Settings, improved responsiveness of floating windows, smoother animations, stacked notifications summary, better color consistency for navigation and app icons, and optimized background app support. A similar update is also being rolled out to the OnePlus 13R.

Winsage

July 4, 2025

Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Upgrade Your PC Now

Windows 11 has matched the market share of Windows 10, with less than a percentage point separating them as of the end of June, according to Statcounter. Microsoft has decided to allow Windows 10 users to continue using the older operating system for an additional year, despite urging eligible users to upgrade due to security risks. The company reports a 62% decrease in security incidents and a threefold reduction in firmware attacks for new Windows 11 PCs. Of the 700 million Windows 10 users, over 400 million are eligible for an upgrade, with around 240 million PCs lacking the necessary security hardware. Microsoft clarified that it has 1.4 billion monthly active devices, correcting earlier reports of a loss of 400 million users. The upgrade program timeline extends to either October 2025 or October 2026.

Winsage

July 3, 2025

Windows Update: Unwanted side effects occurred

Microsoft has acknowledged issues with the latest Windows 11 updates, particularly affecting the update preview released last Friday. Users have reported firewall error messages and some computers failing to boot after applying the updates. The Windows Release Health Notes indicate that these firewall errors, specifically event number 2042 related to Windows Defender Firewall, can be ignored as they do not indicate a malfunction. The issue is linked to a function under development and primarily impacts Windows 11 24H2, with a resolution planned for a future update. Additionally, users of older Fujitsu Esprimo PCs have reported startup problems after installing the June security updates, with affected devices displaying a black screen. Investigations suggest these issues may be related to a DBX update affecting bootloaders when Smart Boot is enabled. Users have speculated that outdated BIOS may be a factor, and instructions for updating firmware have been shared, although they are not user-friendly. Microsoft has not confirmed the startup issues with Fujitsu PCs and is not currently working on a specific solution.

BetaBeacon

June 28, 2025

Why I keep coming back to this clamshell retro gaming handheld

Clamshell handheld gaming devices like the Anbernic RG34XXSP have become popular due to their unique form factor and affordable prices. These devices run on custom builds of Linux and offer a variety of games up to N64 and Dreamcast. The RG34XXSP features dual sticks for better control and is portable enough to be carried in a pocket without the need for a case or screen protector. These retro handhelds are easy to recommend due to their low cost and variety of form factors.

Tech Optimizer

June 27, 2025

Microsoft is trying to get antivirus software away from the Windows kernel

Microsoft is engaging with third-party companies to establish new standards for collaboration and address concerns. The company is implementing security enhancements for Windows, including a redesign of the "blue screen of death," now called the "unexpected restart screen," which will change from blue to black. This redesign aims to improve readability and align with Windows 11 aesthetics. A new feature, "quick machine recovery" (QMR), will help users recover from multiple unexpected restarts or boot loops by transitioning to Windows Recovery Environment (RE). QMR will be enabled by default on Windows 11 Home, with configuration options for Pro and Enterprise versions. Both QMR and the redesigned screen will be included in the Windows 11 24H2 update, set to launch later this summer, with additional customization options planned for later in the year.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

How PC makers exploited BIOS copyright strings to unlock trial software during the Windows 95 era

Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen recounted issues during the development of Windows 9x, particularly regarding software copyright violations among PC manufacturers. The Windows 95 team aimed to ensure compatibility with various PCs, discovering a BIOS string "Not Copyright Fabrikam Computer" while examining firmware. In the early 1990s, branded PCs often had preinstalled software that unlocked premium features based on specific BIOS strings. Some manufacturers, like the fictional "Contoso," manipulated these strings to bypass licensing fees, which was likely illegal. The developers faced challenges retrofitting Plug and Play technology onto older systems while navigating these deceptive practices.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Stay secure with Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs and Windows 365 before support ends for Windows 10

Windows has been the most widely used operating system globally since its launch in 1985, currently powering over a billion active devices each month. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, meaning Microsoft will stop providing security and feature updates, as well as technical support for Windows 10 PCs. Users can check their eligibility for upgrading to Windows 11 through the Settings menu or the PC Health Check app. Windows 11 features enhanced security, improved performance, and a modern user interface, with built-in accessibility tools and AI capabilities. The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will provide critical security updates for personal devices from October 15, 2025, to October 13, 2026. Organizations can subscribe to ESU for continued security updates for a year, with the option to renew annually. Windows 365 offers a cloud-based solution for transitioning to Windows 11 without needing to replace all devices immediately. Various Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs are available from partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Surface.