internet connectivity Archives

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Goodbye, blue screen of death. I won’t miss you

Microsoft has announced the retirement of the "blue screen of death," a long-standing error screen in Windows, as part of its Windows Resiliency Initiative. This change marks the end of an era that has lasted over three decades. The blue screen will be replaced by a black restart screen that displays a simplified message: “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with a code for technical details and a progress indicator. The frequency of critical errors has decreased in recent years, partly due to better internet connectivity and software updates.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Microsoft Tests Streaming Xbox Games on PC

Microsoft's Xbox division is testing a new feature that allows users to stream their personally owned games through the Xbox PC app, eliminating lengthy installations. This feature is currently available to Xbox Insiders with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and enables players to access their game libraries on Windows devices using cloud technology. The app manages processing on remote servers, conserving local storage and reducing download times. This initiative is part of Microsoft's strategy to unify its gaming ecosystem and respond to competition from services like Nvidia's GeForce Now and Amazon's Luna. The feature aims to democratize access to games without requiring a subscription for owned titles. Challenges include reliance on internet connectivity and privacy concerns regarding cloud data management. If successful, this could lead to broader integration across Xbox platforms, including smart TVs. Feedback from Insiders will influence the rollout pace.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

A new Windows feature could allow your PC to fix itself

Microsoft is introducing a feature called "quick machine recovery" for Windows users, currently available in Windows 11 Build 26100.4762. This feature allows PCs to autonomously troubleshoot and fix issues after a crash, such as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), by booting into the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). Quick machine recovery can connect to Microsoft’s servers to send crash data for analysis, eliminating the need for users to interpret error codes. It employs cloud remediation and auto remediation methods, though auto remediation is disabled by default on home PCs. The existing Startup Repair tool will still be available as a fallback option, and users can disable quick machine recovery if desired. Additionally, the build includes a refined "semantic search" capability in Settings, integration of Microsoft’s Reading Coach app, and the ability to export Recall snapshots to third-party applications in Europe.

TrendTechie

July 11, 2025

Масштабный сбой интернета в России: не работают Steam, торренты и мобильные операторы

Users of major mobile operators in Russia, including T2, MTS, MegaFon, and Beeline, are experiencing significant mobile internet connectivity issues, particularly in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region, with complaints also reported from Moscow, Tula, and Tver. Additionally, popular online services such as Steam, RuTracker, and Zen are facing connectivity problems, affecting users both domestically and internationally.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Twitter Co-Founder Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat Aims to Kickstart the Offline Messaging Revolution

Jack Dorsey is developing Bitchat, a decentralized messaging application created over a weekend. It operates on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, allowing devices within a 300-meter range to exchange encrypted messages without the need for internet connectivity or phone numbers. Bitchat forms a dynamic mesh network where messages can hop through nearby devices if a direct connection is unavailable. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, stored only on the sender's and receiver's devices, and disappear after a set time. Users can create group discussions, called "rooms," with hashtags and passwords, and a "Panic Mode" feature enables quick data deletion. Bitchat includes store-and-forward messaging for offline users and has plans for a Wi-Fi Direct update. The app does not collect personal information or track user activity, making it suitable for use in regions with censorship or network issues. Its beta launch on TestFlight quickly reached 10,000 users, and it features a minimalist interface for ease of use. The open-source code is available on GitHub for developer contributions.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Twitter co-founder launches Bluetooth-only messaging app

Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, has launched Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app that operates over Bluetooth without the need for internet or phone numbers. Currently in beta testing via Apple's TestFlight, Bitchat uses local Bluetooth mesh networks to relay messages, ensuring encrypted conversations that disappear by default. Users can create password-protected group chats and future updates may include Wi-Fi Direct support. The app is designed for use in situations with compromised internet access and does not collect user data or require accounts. A whitepaper on GitHub outlines its technical framework aimed at resisting censorship. While still in early testing, the app's effectiveness at scale is yet to be evaluated, and there are no announcements for an Android version or public launch plans.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

No Internet, No Problem: Jack Dorsey Unveils Bluetooth Messaging App ‘Bitchat’

Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has launched a messaging app called Bitchat, which enables communication without internet connectivity using Bluetooth mesh networking. Bitchat operates on a peer-to-peer basis, does not require user accounts, and ensures messages are encrypted and temporary, without interaction with a central server. Users can communicate within a 300-meter radius, and messages can be relayed to others beyond direct Bluetooth range. The app features password-protected group chats, delayed message delivery for offline users, and will support Wi-Fi Direct for improved range and speed. All messages are stored solely on users' devices and are designed to disappear over time. Bitchat is described as a decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging application resilient to network outages and censorship. The beta release quickly filled all 10,000 slots, indicating significant interest.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Jack Dorsey’s New Private Messenger App Doesn’t Need an Internet Connection

Jack Dorsey has launched a beta project called Bitchat, a private messaging app that uses mesh networks and Bluetooth technology to facilitate communication without internet connectivity. Bitchat allows direct peer-to-peer messaging within physical proximity and features automatic message relay to extend its range. The app prioritizes user privacy by not requiring phone numbers or permanent identifiers and ensures end-to-end encryption. Dorsey emphasizes the app's independence from traditional internet infrastructure, making it resilient to outages and censorship. The project is still in its early stages, and its technical robustness remains to be evaluated.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

‘bitchat’ Jack Dorsey’s New Side Project Is A Bluetooth Messenger App; The Internet Begs ‘No More Chatting Apps’

Jack Dorsey, former CEO and co-founder of Twitter, is developing a Bluetooth-based messaging application called Bitchat, which enables communication without internet connectivity, Wi-Fi, or cellular service, using peer-to-peer connections over distances up to 300 meters. The app is currently in the testing phase on TestFlight, which has reached its capacity of 10,000 users. Dorsey has expressed interest in learning about Bluetooth mesh networks and related technologies through this project. The app has sparked discussions about mesh networks and resilient communication, but it has also received mixed reactions, with some users expressing skepticism and concerns about potential misuse.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Jack Dorsey’s new messaging app works without internet. What is Bitchat?

Jack Dorsey has introduced Bitchat, a messaging app that operates without internet connectivity by using Bluetooth technology for direct messaging. The beta version is available via TestFlight, and a white paper is accessible on GitHub. Bitchat functions as a peer-to-peer platform, leveraging Bluetooth mesh networks to allow users to exchange encrypted messages without requiring internet access, central servers, phone numbers, or email addresses. Messages can travel up to 300 meters by relaying through other devices. All messages are stored on users' devices, disappear by default, and do not pass through central servers, prioritizing user privacy and resistance to censorship. Bitchat allows for group chats called “rooms” and includes a feature for saving messages for offline delivery. Future updates will introduce WiFi Direct capabilities. Following the announcement, all 10,000 beta spots were filled.