haptic Archives

Winsage

June 1, 2026

Introducing Surface Laptop Ultra: Made for world makers

The Surface Laptop Ultra is designed for creators and innovators, engineered in collaboration with NVIDIA. It features a powerful NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPU, up to 128GB of unified memory, and delivers 1 petaflop of AI compute capability. The device is optimized for RTX Spark and built on the Windows platform, catering to demanding workflows. It includes a 15-inch mini-LED PixelSense Ultra touchscreen with a peak HDR brightness of up to 2,000 nits and high-precision color accuracy. The haptic touchpad is the largest on a Surface device, and it includes essential ports: HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, SD card, and headphone. The Surface Laptop Ultra is designed for high performance, quiet operation, and all-day battery life, and it will be available later this year.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Haptics make racing games feel so real that I can’t believe I was actually indoors using a PC and not on a racetrack.

The MTC-P Extreme is a haptic seat insert designed for sim-racing enthusiasts, offering haptic feedback based on telemetry data from supported racing games. It is compatible with titles such as Assetto Corsa, iRacing, F1 25, and others, but not Forza Horizon 6. The device features 14 actuators and connects to a PC via USB, with an accompanying app for tuning. It provides a visceral experience that enhances the realism of racing simulations. Sensit Haptics aims to deliver an exceptional sim-racing experience and offers a more accessible option compared to full motion platforms.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

007 First Light Best Settings for Gameplay, Controls and Graphics

Players can adjust various settings in IO Interactive's 007 First Light to enhance their gameplay experience across all platforms. Recommended global settings include turning off optional tutorials, adjusting aim sensitivity to 1.50, and setting vibration intensity to high for DualSense controllers. For graphics, it is advised to choose 60 FPS, and turn off motion blur, fullscreen blur, radial blur, wobble distortion, film grain, and chromatic aberration effects. For PC, high-end setups should enable V-Sync, use sRGB for transfer function, adjust gamma correction as preferred, and utilize DLSS or FSR for resolution scaling. Mid-range setups can maintain a mix of medium and high settings for nearly 60 FPS, with similar recommendations for V-Sync and transfer function. The Steam Deck faces challenges with the game, but optimization is anticipated for better performance.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Introducing new Surface devices built for business and AI acceleration

IT leaders face challenges from the rise of artificial intelligence, sophisticated security threats, and scrutiny over investment decisions regarding PC fleets. Microsoft has introduced the Surface line to address these demands, integrating advanced silicon and software for enhanced security and AI capabilities. The new Surface Pro for Business and Surface Laptop for Business, powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, offer significant performance improvements, including up to 35% better graphics than the MacBook Air with M5 and over 90% faster than the Laptop 5 on select configurations. The Surface Laptop for Business is available in 13-inch and 15-inch models, starting at 9.99, featuring a high-resolution touchscreen, advanced haptic touchpad, and up to 23 hours of battery life. The 13-inch Surface Pro for Business, also starting at 9.99, combines multiple input methods with on-device AI processing. All Surface devices are designed with security as a core principle, shipping as Secured-core PCs, and include an optional integrated privacy screen. They support AI applications both in the cloud and on-device, enhancing productivity. Devices can be managed through Microsoft Intune for operational efficiency. The new Surface devices are made from recycled materials, designed for energy efficiency, and certified by ENERGY STAR.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

Microsoft is rebuilding XBOX and Windows 11 while Surface collects dust

Microsoft is making significant updates to Windows 11, including enhancements to the WinUI framework for improved user experience and a new rollback feature for drivers to prevent system crashes. The Xbox brand is rebranding with an all-caps style, reducing Game Pass prices, and discontinuing the "This is an Xbox" campaign while focusing on Project Helix. Windows 11 is also set to introduce a Low Latency Profile feature for better performance, particularly for gamers. Logitech's MX Master 4 mouse now supports native Windows 11 haptic effects. However, the Surface line remains stagnant, with outdated products compared to competitors like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, which offers better value and performance. The size of Windows 11 updates has increased, with some reaching up to 5GB, attributed to various factors including artificial intelligence.

Winsage

May 12, 2026

Windows 11’s May Update Is Actually Good This Time – Here’s What’s Coming on Tuesday

Microsoft's Windows 11 May update is scheduled for release on May 12, 2026, featuring several enhancements. Key highlights include the introduction of Xbox Mode, which provides a console-like gaming experience on PCs, and a rethinking of AI integration, with changes to the Copilot features in various tools. The update also fixes the white flash issue in File Explorer, improves loading speeds, and allows users to maintain view preferences in Downloads and Documents folders. Additional updates include the renaming and relocation of Drop Tray, FAT32 formatting support for drives up to 2 TB, expanded haptic feedback features, and stricter controls on batch file execution for enhanced security. Users can access the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Valve Steam Controller Review

Valve's Steam Controller builds on insights from the Steam Deck and aims to enhance the PC gaming experience. It features an asymmetrical thumbstick layout, ergonomic design, and weighs 292 grams. The controller lacks a headphone jack but includes Grip Sense technology for gyroscope activation. Its charging system combines a 2.4 GHz wireless transmitter and magnetic charging dock, with a battery life rated at 35 hours. The controller offers extensive customization options, including dual trackpads, drift-resistant joysticks, and programmable buttons through Steam Input. It performs well across various games, although some non-Steam titles may require additional setup. The Steam Controller is designed for comfort and versatility, making it suitable for living room gaming, despite its premium price.

Winsage

May 12, 2026

Logitech MX Master 4 update lets you feel Windows 11 through haptics

The Logitech MX Master 4 has integrated haptic feedback on Windows 11, enhancing user experience with tactile feedback through a recent software update. This feature is available for users on Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8155 and requires the latest firmware update for Logi Bolt, version 5.5.30. The integration allows users to feel their interactions with the PC, marking a trend in incorporating haptic technology into various devices and software.

Winsage

May 9, 2026

Windows 11’s iconic system sounds may be getting a refresh, Microsoft drops a hint

Microsoft is planning to refresh the audio experience in Windows 11, as indicated by Marcus Ash, the head of Design and Research for Windows and Devices. He announced that the sound designer who worked on the Windows 11 startup sound has rejoined the team, suggesting the development of new system sounds, including notifications, error alerts, and a potential new startup chime. The current Windows 11 startup sound lasts one second and is noted for its modern quality. The initiative aims to enhance the auditory experience of the operating system, which aligns with broader improvements in functionality and user interaction, including haptic feedback effects and a more compact taskbar design.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Indie shooter devs pull a reverse-Concord: No one played their game, but they ‘make it free to play and keep the servers online indefinitely’ anyway

Blindfire, a multiplayer first-person shooter, has officially launched after a year and a half in early access. The game features a unique mechanic that requires players to use their senses and technology to detect opponents. Developers Double Eleven have made the game free-to-play to ensure the servers remain operational for years, despite active development concluding about a year ago. The full release includes a final update with two new weapons, achievements, new skins, and full haptic support. An "Audio Aim Assist" feature has been added for blind and partially sighted players, providing audio cues for orientation and enemy detection. The developers expressed pride in their work, despite not achieving mainstream success, and the community hopes for self-hosting options in the future.