interface changes

AppWizard
December 24, 2025
Google is updating its Gemini app for Android to reduce visual clutter and enhance user engagement. An APK teardown indicates a redesign of the app’s input box from a static sheet to a dynamic, floating pill-shaped bar in version 16.51.52 beta. This floating bar expands when users start typing, improving one-handed operation on larger devices. The update also introduces a ‘Tools’ menu that consolidates options like image upload and voice input, streamlining workflows for power users. Additionally, hints of ‘Gemini Labs’ suggest an experimental section for users to test upcoming features. The redesign aims to make AI interactions feel more natural and accessible while addressing user feedback about previous designs. Mixed reactions to Gemini's automotive rollout indicate some praise for hands-free capabilities, though interface glitches remain a concern. User privacy is emphasized, with guides available for opting out of tracking. Feedback from beta testers suggests improved multitasking capabilities. The redesign aligns with Google’s broader AI strategy, emphasizing intuitive updates and competitive pressures in the AI market. Developers have noted similarities to past Google designs, and the potential rollout timeline is speculative, with expectations for a gesture-based interaction model. Overall, these changes position Gemini as a leading AI assistant, focusing on a decluttered interface and user-centric design.
AppWizard
December 15, 2025
Google has removed the "Uninstall updates" button from the Play Store interface for core system apps, requiring users to navigate through the Settings app to roll back updates. This change affects several key system applications, including Android Auto, Android System WebView, and Pixel Camera Services. Users can now only find an "Open" button in the Play Store for these apps. To uninstall updates, users must long-press the app icon, select "App info," tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Uninstall updates." This alteration adds complexity to the process of reverting to earlier app versions.
Winsage
November 10, 2025
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000, focusing on hardware optimization rather than major user interface changes. This build supports advanced silicon from Qualcomm and NVIDIA, specifically targeting Windows-on-Arm platforms featuring Snapdragon X2 Elite processors and NVIDIA's N1 and N1x SoCs. The 26H1 update will not be a feature update for version 25H2 but will include platform modifications for new hardware, with no action required from users. Microsoft plans to use an enablement package (eKB) to unlock functionalities within the 26H1 framework, similar to the 25H2 update, which also introduced few new features and emphasized security improvements while deprecating certain features like PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC due to security vulnerabilities. Additionally, IT administrators can remove pre-installed Microsoft default applications on Enterprise and EDU devices through Group Policy or MDM CSP.
Winsage
October 23, 2025
A new test build for Windows 11 has been released in the Release Preview channel, indicating that a revamped Start menu is forthcoming. This build allows users to remove the recommendations section from the Start menu and enhances the Voice Access feature with 'Fluid Dictation' for better voice accuracy. File Explorer will include a 'recommended files' section, though this feature is not available in the European Economic Area due to EU regulations. The taskbar will feature a color-changing battery icon and an option to display the battery percentage permanently. New functionalities for Copilot+ PCs include text selection for translation within the operating system. The update also resolves issues with Windows Update, ensuring that the system complies with user requests to update and shut down without rebooting, and fixes an installation failure error code. Some users have already accessed the new Start menu features through the test build or tools like ViVeTool.
Winsage
October 15, 2025
Zorin OS is developed by Zorin OS Technologies Limited, founded by brothers Artyom and Kyrill Zorin. The recent launch of Zorin OS 18 features a refreshed interface with rounded corners, a floating panel, and lighter colors, along with enhanced animations for better navigation. It is built on the Linux kernel 6.14, which supports AMD Ryzen AI NPU6 and improves AES encryption performance for Zen 4/5 CPUs. The new window tiling manager allows users to organize windows efficiently by dragging them to screen edges or corners. Zorin OS 18 provides a seamless experience for users transitioning from Windows, suggesting Linux alternatives when launching Windows app installers. Zorin OS 18 Core is available for free, while Zorin OS 18 Pro is priced at .99 and includes additional features. Users can upgrade from Zorin OS 18 Core Beta to the stable release and will soon be able to upgrade from Zorin OS 17 to 18.
AppWizard
September 29, 2025
Kakao Corp. will revert part of the redesign of its KakaoTalk messenger in response to user complaints about the new feed-style interface, which many users felt compromised their privacy. The "friends" tab will return to its previous format, allowing users to choose between old and new display styles. The redesign was the most extensive in 15 years, but received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users stating it made the app resemble Instagram. A dual-display feature will be implemented in a technical update expected in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Kakao is enhancing safety features for minors using its short-form video function. Following these announcements, Kakao's shares closed at 60,300 won, marking a 1.69 percent increase.
AppWizard
September 23, 2025
Kakao is integrating OpenAI's ChatGPT into its KakaoTalk messenger app, starting in October, allowing users to access the AI directly within the chat tab without a separate app. This integration aims to enhance user experience by connecting various Kakao services like reservations and music streaming in a conversational format. The initiative is part of a broader digital strategy to improve user engagement and create new monetization options amid declining user activity. KakaoTalk has around 49.1 million monthly active users but faces competition from platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The company seeks to unify services under an intelligent assistant framework, although there are concerns about alienating older users with significant interface changes. Analysts suggest that merely adding AI may not be enough to reverse engagement declines; Kakao needs to offer innovative experiences beyond messaging to attract a wider audience.
Winsage
September 21, 2025
Windows 11 has introduced various user interface changes that may frustrate power users, requiring modifications through the Windows Registry for customization. The Registry Editor (Regedit) allows for these changes, but caution is advised as incorrect modifications can cause system issues. Users with administrative control can access the Registry, while managed machines may restrict access. 1. To restore the full right-click context menu, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareClassesCLSID in Regedit, create a key named {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}, add a key called InprocServer32, and set its default value to blank. 2. To force shutdown when apps resist, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERControl PanelDesktop in Regedit, create a string value named AutoEndTasks set to 1, and create string values WaitToKillAppTimeout and HungAppTimeout set to 2000 milliseconds. 3. To hide web results from Windows Search, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows in Regedit, create a key called Explorer, and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions set to 1. 4. To disable the lock screen, go to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows in Regedit, create a key named Personalization, and add a DWORD (32-bit) value called NoLockScreen set to 1. 5. To bypass the Settings home screen, navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer in Regedit and create a string value named SettingsPageVisibility set to hide:home. 6. To enable verbose mode during startup or shutdown, go to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem in Regedit and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named verbosestatus set to 1. 7. To set the menu delay to zero, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERControl PanelDesktop in Regedit and set the MenuShowDelay value to 0. 8. To display seconds on the system clock, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced in Regedit and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named ShowSecondsInSystemClock set to 1. 9. To add favorite programs to the right-click menu, navigate to HKEYCLASSESROOTDirectoryBackgroundshell in Regedit, create a new key with the program's name, and set the executable path in a string value named Icon and a subkey named Command. 10. To access the last active window with one click, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced in Regedit and create a DWORD (32-bit) value named LastActiveClick set to 1. 11. To speed up startup apps, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer in Regedit, create a key named Serialize, and set two DWORD (32-bit) values: StartupDelayInMSec and WaitForIdleState to 0.
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