insights Archives

Winsage

June 25, 2026

This free app puts Microsoft to shame by bringing widgets to the Windows 11 taskbar

WidBar is a beta application for Windows 11 that allows users to integrate widgets into the taskbar, currently offering two widgets: "Now Playing" and "System Metrics." Users can drag and drop these widgets into a live preview of their taskbar and place them across multiple monitors. The native Widgets Panel in Windows 11 has 56 widgets but lacks a dedicated Now Playing widget, as media controls are only available in the Action Center. WidBar is gaining attention for its potential to enhance user experience and is being discussed in the tech community on platforms like Reddit.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

This free Pixel app is the reason I canceled my AI note-taking subscription

Sanuj Bhatia from Android Authority highlights the capabilities of Google’s Pixel Recorder app, which he found effective enough to cancel his subscription to a paid AI note-taking service. The app, upgraded with Gemini Nano technology in the Pixel 9 series, can record audio and generate live transcripts with punctuation and grammar corrections, identifying multiple speakers during meetings. It integrates with a web application for easy access to recordings and transcripts on desktop devices. The app processes data on-device, ensuring privacy, which is advantageous for professionals handling sensitive information. While it has limitations, such as not being able to join meetings virtually and lacking collaborative features, it is considered a reliable and cost-efficient alternative to traditional AI note-taking tools.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

Knight of the Old Republic 2 was great because it peeled back Star Wars’ black-and-white morality

Knights of the Old Republic II is a sequel that deconstructs its predecessor by exploring darker themes and the complexities of morality rather than adhering to a simple good versus evil narrative. Designer Chris Avellone challenges traditional Star Wars mythos, presenting players with the Exile, an outcast dealing with the consequences of past decisions. The game features a diverse cast, including Kreia, a mentor whose philosophy complicates the understanding of morality. Despite facing development challenges, such as a rushed timeline leading to technical issues and incomplete content, the game has been enhanced by the Sith Lords Restored Content mod, which restores missing material. Kreia is recognized as one of gaming's most compelling characters, and the game's writing and character development are praised, contributing to its legacy in video game history.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

PC price rises to slow this year, says Asus, though not in time for the Steam Machine launch

Asus's Systems Business General Manager, Liao Yi-hsiang, indicated that while some price adjustments for Asus PC products are expected, they will likely be modest, falling within the 1-9% range. This comes in light of a recent decline in component prices, including memory and hard drives. Yi-hsiang noted that any price increases must consider consumer acceptance to avoid exceeding market tolerance. The adjustments are anticipated in the third quarter, coinciding with the peak tech sales season in Fall and Winter. Overall, there is a growing consensus that the market is stabilizing around current pricing structures, although significant price drops, particularly for products like the Steam Deck, are unlikely in the near term.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

Building a better PC than the Steam Machine for cheaper: is it possible?

The Steam Machine, Valve's gaming console, has received criticism for its high price and poor performance, largely due to rising component costs influenced by investments in artificial intelligence. In response, Linus Tech Tips, led by Linus Sebastian, is working on creating a more affordable and better-performing gaming PC. They are focusing on functionality and value while exploring various components and configurations for an exceptional gaming experience. Alternative builds may not fit as well under televisions as the Steam Machine but offer better performance and cost-effectiveness for dedicated gamers.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

Sorry, Xbox fans: GTA 6 “will play best on PS5,” Sony declares, but with no PC version in sight, I can’t say I’m surprised

Sony claims that Grand Theft Auto 6 will provide its best experience on the PlayStation 5, with pre-orders starting at midnight in various time zones. Rockstar Games has released information about the game, including pricing and details about the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition, noting that physical copies will only contain a code and that GTA Online will not be available at launch. Mary Yee, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SIE, stated that "Grand Theft Auto 6 plays best on PS5" and highlighted the PS5's advanced hardware capabilities, including the DualSense controller and 3D audio technology. European retailers have suggested that the game may feature performance and quality modes, although skepticism exists regarding these claims.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

Steam Machine: Hardly any cheaper gaming PCs, 8 GiByte is enough

PCGH and PC Games discussed the new Steam Machine with Valve's Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat. The final cost of the Steam Machine exceeded initial expectations due to unforeseen supply chain challenges related to memory and storage. Aldehayyat expressed pride in the product's quality and performance, despite its higher price point potentially excluding some buyers. Yang mentioned that future price adjustments could be considered if market conditions allow. The SteamOS does not currently support dual booting, but users can set up dual boot systems using external media. Valve is collaborating with anti-cheat providers like Easy Anti-Cheat and BattlEye to implement solutions for Linux. The Steam Machine is equipped with 8 GB of VRAM, which Aldehayyat believes is sufficient for most games at 1080p resolution. A verification program for the Steam Machine will be implemented, similar to that of the Steam Deck, ensuring better performance for verified games.

Winsage

June 24, 2026

Windows 11 is finally rethinking the Start menu and Taskbar, and it might win back people who gave up on it

In 2026, Microsoft will enhance the Start menu and Taskbar in Windows 11, allowing users greater customization options. This update will reintroduce features from Windows 10, such as the ability to manually resize the Taskbar and create multi-row layouts. The changes indicate a shift from the minimalist design of the initial Windows 11 launch in 2021 towards a more flexible operating system that balances personalization with a modern aesthetic. The updates reflect a reassessment of customization capabilities, moving away from the limitations imposed at launch.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

This open source app unlocks the Fitbit Air’s premium features at no cost

The Fitbit Air is a screenless fitness wearable that allows users to subscribe to Google Health Premium for advanced health insights. An open-source desktop application named OpenFit, created by developer Flavio Adamo, replicates Google Health Premium's functionalities for free, providing comprehensive health data analysis from the Fitbit Air. OpenFit uses ChatGPT Codex to enhance user experience by interpreting health data. Another developer, Francesco Oddo, has created a similar open-source app, and both are considering collaboration. Users of Fitbit Air can access a three-month free trial of Google Health Premium, and subscribers to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra plans can use the service at no cost.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

Pixel testers are getting Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5: this is what’s important

Google has released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which includes the June security patch and fixes for disappearing widgets. The update is available for enrolled Pixel devices with the build number vCP31.260608.007. It addresses issues related to the Game Dashboard, download functionalities, and camera corrections. Despite these improvements, Pixel users have reported problems with 5G connectivity and display performance. The previous Beta 4 introduced May's security enhancements and a new feature called Screen Reactions for content creators. Users experiencing issues are encouraged to report them through the Issue Tracker.