internet connectivity Archives

Winsage

August 15, 2025

RIP Peripherals? Next-Gen Windows to Lean Heavily on AI, Voice, and Vision

Microsoft's corporate VP, Pavan Davuluri, discussed the future of the Windows operating system, focusing on the role of generative AI and voice-activated controls. He indicated that significant changes in human interfaces are expected over the next five years, moving away from traditional input methods like mice and keyboards. Windows will expand across various devices, allowing users to interact through voice commands while writing or inking. Upcoming devices may have the capability to visually understand desktop content, leading to a more multimodal and intuitive user experience. Concerns about data privacy arise due to increased reliance on AI, but Microsoft is exploring AI models that can operate directly on devices to enhance user privacy. Some AI functionalities are already available in Windows 11, while a large portion of users still operates on Windows 10, which will lose official support in October.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Officials in North Ossetia ordered to use Russian Max messaging app

Officials in North Ossetia are required to use the Russian messaging app Max for all official communications, as mandated by Daniil Gakhov, head of the region's Digital Development Committee. This directive is part of a federal initiative promoting 'digital sovereignty' in Russia and follows restrictions on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. A working group has been formed under regional head Sergei Menyailo to facilitate Max's integration into government operations, with communications to foreign services restricted to this domestic app due to national security concerns. President Vladimir Putin has called for increased use of Max within government frameworks. A new law aims to streamline domestic digital services and create a unified national information exchange service. Users have reported disruptions in established platforms, with selective blocking being tested by telecom operators. The introduction of Max has raised skepticism, especially regarding user data access by state authorities. Meanwhile, residents of Ingushetia are experiencing mobile data outages affecting essential services.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Windows 11 Start menu’s OneDrive backup nagging won’t stop, as it pushes Microsoft 365

Windows 11 users are experiencing a recurring alert in the Start menu that encourages them to back up their data to OneDrive, particularly highlighting a subscription fee for those without Microsoft 365. The alert states, “Action advised – back up your PC,” and prompts users to use OneDrive for backup, which some view as a marketing tactic. Users cannot permanently dismiss these alerts, as they tend to appear intermittently, and attempts to disable them through Settings have been largely ineffective. In regions like the EU, users do not encounter these persistent alerts, suggesting a difference in user experience based on location. Additionally, these notifications may contribute to performance issues reported by some users.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

Ollama’s new app makes using local AI LLMs on your Windows 11 PC a breeze — no more need to chat in the terminal

Ollama allows users to engage with AI language models directly on personal computers, with an improved installation process that simplifies access through a system tray or Start Menu. The application features a user-friendly interface for typing queries and includes the ability to adjust context window size and support for multimodal inputs, such as images and code files. Some advanced functionalities still require command-line interface (CLI) usage. Recommended system specifications include an 11th Gen Intel CPU or Zen 4-based AMD CPU with AVX-512 support and a minimum of 16GB of RAM, while offline functionality is a key advantage.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Samsung TV glitch locks users out of apps worldwide

Samsung TV users worldwide are experiencing difficulties loading applications, with many reporting a "202 error" message when trying to access apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video, despite stable internet connections. Samsung has acknowledged the issue and informed affected customers that engineers are working to restore service. Some users found that holding down the power button to restart the TV temporarily resolved the problem. As of the latest update, Samsung confirmed that service has been restored and users can resume normal operations by restarting their TVs.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

6 reasons why I prefer self hosted apps — and why you should too

Self-hosting and operating personal applications on home labs or NAS devices have gained popularity as individuals seek alternatives to commercial applications. The motivation for self-hosting includes filling gaps left by commercial apps, enhancing data privacy, and reclaiming control over applications. Users experience frustrations with changing app functionalities and subscription fees, leading them to prefer open-source solutions. Self-hosted applications provide secure data storage, tailored backup strategies, and uninterrupted access during internet outages. Customization is a significant advantage, allowing users to adapt applications to their specific needs. Self-hosting also offers transparency and control over data security, fostering a sense of ownership. Overall, self-hosting presents a viable alternative to cloud-based tools, empowering users to manage their digital environments more effectively.

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.