HDR Archives

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Google Photos now lets you spice up your pictures with Ultra HDR glow

Google Photos has introduced the Ultra HDR feature, replacing the previous HDR effect, allowing users to enhance the brightness and vibrancy of their photos. The rollout has begun, with select users already experiencing it, and it is part of version 7.24.0.747539053 found in the “Adjust” tab. When applied, images will have an “Ultra HDR” tag in the metadata, and the Ultra HDR version may take up less storage space than the original image due to a compact gain map. Each Ultra HDR file also includes a standard dynamic range (SDR) version for compatibility with non-HDR displays.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

GeForce NOW Adds Hunt: Showdown 1896, Forever Skies and 9 More Games This Week

NVIDIA has updated its cloud streaming platform, GeForce NOW, by adding 11 new PC games, including notable titles such as Hunt: Showdown 1896 and Forever Skies. Hunt: Showdown 1896, developed by Crytek, is a horror-themed extraction shooter that has been enhanced with updates to the CryEngine, featuring NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution, DirectX 12 support, HDR display compatibility, and multi-bounce global illumination. The game is set to receive a new DLC titled Last of the Herd, introducing the Plains Warden playable character and a new weapon, the Herd Thinner. Forever Skies, a first-person sci-fi survival game from Far From Home, has launched its version 1.0 after nearly two years in early access, bringing new content including the final chapter of the narrative, new biomes, colossal creatures, and various collectibles. It also features new tools, resources, crafting recipes, and performance enhancements with NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation. The complete list of new additions to GeForce NOW includes: - Forever Skies (New release on Steam, available April 14) - Night Is Coming (New release on Steam, available April 14) - Hunt: Showdown 1896 (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass April 15) - Crime Scene Cleaner (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass April 17) - Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree (New release on Steam, available April 17) - Tempest Rising (New release on Steam, Advanced Access starts April 17) - Aimlabs (Steam) - ContractVille (Steam) - Gedonia 2 (Steam) - MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (Steam) - Path of Exile 2 (Epic Games Store)

Winsage

April 13, 2025

Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for less than a movie ticket

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for upgrade at a price of .97, reduced from its standard price of 9. The operating system features a modern interface, Snap Layouts, Virtual Desktops, a revamped Start menu, BitLocker encryption, Windows Information Protection, an AI-driven assistant called Windows Copilot, and DirectX 12 Ultimate for enhanced graphics. This limited-time offer is valid until April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

Score Windows 11 Pro for life for £12

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for £11.63, down from its regular price of £154.58. Key features include improved voice typing, enhanced search experience, Snap Layouts, virtual desktops, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, Auto HDR, an AI assistant called Copilot, biometric login capabilities, smart app control, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses. System requirements for compatibility are 4GB of RAM, 40GB of hard drive space, an operating system of Windows 10 or higher, and a processor of 1GHz or faster.

Winsage

April 6, 2025

You have until 27 April to score a A$24 Windows 11 Pro license

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for a reduced price of A, down from A1, but this offer expires on 27 April. The operating system features improved voice typing, enhanced search experience, Snap layouts, virtual desktops, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, Auto HDR, and an AI assistant called Copilot. Security features include biometric login, smart app control, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses. The minimum system requirements are 4GB of RAM, 40GB of hard drive space, Windows 10 or higher, and a processor speed of 1GHz or faster.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Nvidia driver 572.83 is causing a black screen on Windows 11, Windows 10

Nvidia's driver version 572.83, released on March 18, is causing black screens during installation, after rebooting, and while gaming for users of Windows 11 and Windows 10. The update was intended to fix issues with RTX 5080 and 5090 graphics cards but has instead led to widespread reports of black screens, particularly affecting newer 50-series GPUs like the 5070 Ti, 5080, and 5090, as well as some 40-series and older 30-series cards. Users have reported needing to force reboot their systems due to the black screen issue. Additionally, there are isolated reports of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) linked to the nvlddmkm.sys file, and some users have experienced severe issues like random white lines on the screen and crashes of Windows 11. Speculation regarding the root cause includes potential DisplayPort handshake problems at high refresh rates, although this has not been conclusively proven. Users facing these issues are advised to revert to a previous stable driver version or try workarounds such as disabling G-Sync or lowering refresh rates.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered review

The Last of Us Part 2 features a narrative that explores themes of vengeance and the moral dilemmas of violence, focusing on characters Abby and Ellie who are caught in a cycle of revenge amidst conflicts involving the military junta FEDRA, the Washington Liberation Front, and the Seraphites. The game introduces several enhancements in its recent PC release, including ultrawide support, HDR, enhanced graphics options, improved accessibility settings, and a new “speech to vibrations” feature. It also includes new gameplay modes such as a guitar-playing feature for Ellie and a roguelite mode called No Return, which emphasizes strategic resource management in randomized combat encounters. Despite its rich audiovisual presentation and engaging combat, the game has faced performance issues on PC, particularly with an RTX 3060 Ti, and its narrative has been criticized for being clichéd and for its handling of violence and power dynamics. A day-one patch is expected to address some of these performance concerns.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

Grand Theft Auto 5 is Coming Back to PC and Xbox Game Pass on April 15

Grand Theft Auto 5 will return to Xbox and PC Game Pass on April 15, allowing players to access both the standard and Enhanced Edition. The Enhanced Edition, released in March, has received mixed reviews on Steam, currently holding a "Mixed" rating with over 33,000 user reviews. Enhancements include graphical upgrades, new vehicles, and activities like the Wildlife Photography Challenge, along with an initial boost of GTA 000,000 for new players. Since its release in 2013, GTA 5 has sold over 210 million copies globally, contributing to over 440 million units sold across the entire GTA franchise. Rockstar is also developing Grand Theft Auto 6 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with no announcements regarding a PC version.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Is Windows 11 Finally Better Than Windows 10 For Gaming?

Windows 11 has introduced several gaming-focused enhancements that are not present in Windows 10, including: - DirectStorage: Optimized for Windows 11, this technology allows games to load data directly from an NVMe SSD to the GPU, reducing load times. - Auto HDR: Enhances older games by automatically applying high dynamic range lighting effects for users with HDR-capable monitors. - Improved Scheduling for Hybrid CPUs: Offers better task scheduling for Intel's 12th or 13th generation CPUs, resulting in smoother frame rates during CPU-intensive gaming sessions. Benchmark tests show minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, with slight FPS improvements in some titles on Windows 11, especially when using advanced hardware and DirectStorage. As of March 2025, over 55% of Windows users on Steam have transitioned to Windows 11, indicating growing confidence in the operating system among gamers. Windows 11 has addressed many early bugs and driver issues, providing robust stability on compatible systems. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for TPM 2.0 and UEFI secure boot. Windows 10 remains supported until October 2025, making it a viable option for users with older hardware. Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a centered Start Menu and Taskbar, rounded corners, and expanded personalization options. It also simplifies the update process with annual feature updates and smaller, faster security updates. Windows 11 enhances integration with Microsoft services, supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, and introduces productivity tools like Snap Layouts and improved Task View. Security improvements include mandatory TPM 2.0, enhanced Windows Defender, and a redesigned privacy dashboard for better user control over app permissions. Despite its advancements, Windows 11 has limitations such as ongoing stability issues, driver compatibility concerns, and a simplified taskbar that lacks certain functionalities from Windows 10. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows 11 Pro is just $15 for life – and it could level up your gaming setup (Reg. up to $199)

A lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is available for .97. Windows 11 Pro offers features like Auto HDR, DirectStorage technology, and Windows Copilot, which enhance gaming performance and experience. It includes security features such as BitLocker encryption and supports multiple monitors and high-refresh-rate displays. The offer is valid until April 27.