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AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Take Control of Your Notifications with Samsung’s One UI 7 Beta

Samsung's One UI 7 update, based on Android 15, introduces a new "Filter notifications" feature that allows users to categorize non-urgent alerts into groups within the notification panel. This feature includes three toggles: 1. Old Notifications: Filters out outdated app notifications. 2. Background Notifications: Filters notifications from apps running in the background. 3. Minimized Notifications: Allows users to manually minimize certain alerts. Grouped notifications will still be visible but organized under a "More notifications" card. The stable version of One UI 7 is expected to be released between January and February of the following year.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

I’ve been a Windows on Arm user for years — Snapdragon X Elite has changed everything

The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Google just gave us our first look at what Samsung XR headset apps might look like

Samsung's XR headset, known as Project Moohan, will debut within the next year and is powered by the Snapdragon XR Plus Gen 2 chip. The Android XR developer blog features a six-second video showing app windows layered over real-world environments. Android XR has two modes: Home Space, which allows multitasking with multiple app windows, and Full Space, which offers a single window experience against a virtual backdrop. Home Space is the default view, with a toggle to switch between modes. Samsung's app windows are expected to reflect the aesthetic of One UI. Android XR will support various input methods, including hand and eye tracking, voice commands, keyboard and mouse, and dedicated controllers. CES 2025, starting January 7, will provide more information about the headset's features and capabilities.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Best Windows 11 AI features that work on any computer

A Copilot+ PC is not required to access many AI features in Windows 11; older laptops that run Windows 11 can still utilize various AI-driven tools. The Photos app includes AI enhancements such as the Background tool, which allows users to blur, remove, or replace backgrounds in images. The Generative Erase function in Photos enables users to remove unwanted objects from photos. Microsoft Clipchamp offers an Auto Compose feature for quick video editing, allowing users to create videos with AI assistance. Microsoft's Copilot has become a standalone app, enabling window movement and custom keyboard shortcuts, and integrates advanced language models to assist with various tasks across Microsoft applications.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Windows 11 Bug Won’t Let You Install Any New Security Updates; Here’s How To Fix It

Microsoft has alerted Windows 11 users to a bug that may hinder system updates, specifically affecting the downloading of future security updates during the installation of Windows 11 version 24H2 when using external media devices like CDs or USB flash drives. This issue is particularly relevant for professional users and tech enthusiasts. However, it does not impact users installing the October 2024 or November 2024 security updates through Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog. The bug is limited to security updates released between October 8 and November 12, with a more recent version rolled out on December 10. Microsoft is working on a solution and recommends that affected users install Windows 11 version 24H2 alongside the December 2024 monthly security update as a temporary workaround. Additionally, Microsoft has identified other potential issues, such as some games using Auto HDR becoming unresponsive and difficulties launching Microsoft Outlook with Google Workspace Sync enabled. Microsoft is aware of these issues and is pursuing solutions.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Microsoft’s wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2024

In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.

BetaBeacon

December 27, 2024

Google’s latest Easter egg invites you to try your luck at Squid Game’s Red Light, Green Light game

Google has released a Squid Game Easter egg that can be accessed by searching for "Squid Game" on Google. The Easter egg is an in-browser game based on the Red Light, Green Light game from the show.

Tech Optimizer

December 27, 2024

Data protection advancements expected to shape 2025 security

Andrew Eva, the Global CIO of Assured Data Protection, predicts that by 2025, there will be a seamless integration of backup systems with ransomware detection, antivirus technologies, and intrusion detection systems. He highlights a collaboration between Rubrik and Google to provide enterprise customers with insights into known exploits for better early detection of malicious codes. Disaster recovery systems will take on a more frontline role in cyber threat management, utilizing machine learning to identify potential viruses. Ransomware is expected to remain the top cyber threat, prompting organizations to prioritize disaster recovery and backup solutions. Concerns about data security in relation to artificial intelligence will lead organizations to seek assurances regarding data protection from managed service providers (MSPs). The criteria for cyber insurance are tightening, making MSPs essential for businesses to meet these requirements. There is also an anticipated surge in demand for Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS), especially in healthcare, driven by resource constraints and a shift towards operational expenditures.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

A weird Windows 11 bug won’t let some people install any security updates

Microsoft has warned users about a bug related to the creation of Windows 11 installer media that may prevent future security updates for new PC installations. The issue affects installations using media created with the October and November 2024 security updates, specifically when the media is made between October 8, 2024, and November 12, 2024. Systems that received these updates via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog are not impacted. To resolve the issue, users must rebuild their Windows 11 media installers to include the December 2024 patch update and perform a fresh installation. Additionally, the Windows 11 24H2 update has introduced other bugs, including problems with certain audio devices, launching Outlook with outdated Google Workspace Sync, and compatibility issues with some Ubisoft games.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

How to remove your activity from Gemini

Gemini is an AI-powered chatbot from Google that can summarize texts, generate images, and learn from user interactions. It retains both textual and spoken data by default, raising privacy concerns. Users can manage their activity by navigating to Gemini's web app, where they can delete activity based on various time frames or remove individual activities. Users can also turn off activity saving and adjust auto-deletion settings for data older than 3, 18, or 36 months. To delete a chat in Google Messages, users can tap the three-dot icon and confirm deletion. Gemini is the default virtual assistant for the Google Pixel 9 series and is expected to be pre-installed on many top Android devices.