Lock screen widgets Archives

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Google releases Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 to fix app crashes on Pixel phones

Google has released a patch called Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 to address app crashes affecting Pixel devices in the Android 16 QPR3 beta. This update focuses on restoring app stability rather than introducing new features. The issues arose after the rollout of Android 16 QPR2, which introduced system-level instability. The patch aims to prevent apps from crashing at startup and is approximately 58 MB in size. It is available to devices enrolled in the Android Beta Program, including the Pixel 6 series and newer, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 8, 9, and 10 lineups. Users can install the update through the standard over-the-air process or manually using OTA images and ADB tools.

Winsage

December 21, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7523 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7523 (KB5072043) has been released to the Dev and Beta Channels. Users in the Dev Channel can switch to the Beta Channel while both channels continue to receive the same updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2. New features include Ask Copilot on the taskbar for commercial users, which allows voice or text engagement with contextual information, and enhancements to the taskbar for monitoring AI agents. The update also introduces Agent Launchers for AI agents across apps, improved customization for Narrator announcements, a refined voice typing experience, and a new Discover Windows widget for tips on Windows features. Language support for the Settings Agent has expanded to include additional languages. Fixes have been made for various issues in the taskbar, File Explorer, login screens, and more. Known issues include unresponsiveness of Researcher on the taskbar and problems with Bluetooth device battery levels. The Paint app has been updated with a collapsible toolbar feature.

Winsage

December 21, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7523 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7523 (KB5072043) is being released to the Dev & Beta Channels. Insiders in the Dev Channel can switch to the Beta Channel while both channels are offering the same 25H2-based updates. New features include Ask Copilot on the taskbar for commercial customers, which provides one-click access to Microsoft 365 Copilot and a streamlined search experience. The update also introduces Agents on the taskbar for monitoring tasks, Agent Launchers for app integration, and enhanced Narrator customization. Voice typing experience has been improved, and a new Discover Windows widget is being introduced. The Settings Agent now supports additional languages, and the Click to Do feature now supports Microsoft 365 Copilot. Various fixes and known issues have been documented, including improvements to File Explorer and taskbar functionality. The Paint app is also receiving an update with a collapsible toolbar feature.

Winsage

December 14, 2025

My top 17 Windows 11 features introduced in 2025 — personal picks from cleaner UI experiences to major PC gaming upgrades

- Windows 11 received numerous enhancements in 2025 through monthly cumulative updates. - The revamped Start menu consolidates Pinned, Recommended, and All sections into a single scrollable interface, allowing up to eight pinned items per row. - The Recommended section can showcase up to six app and file suggestions, with an option to disable it. - The All section organizes apps by category by default, with options for grid or list view. - A redesigned Widgets board integrates a new settings page, allowing users to select which board opens by default. - Users can customize Lock Screen widgets through a new section under Personalization. - A new setting allows users to reposition on-screen hardware indicators for brightness and volume. - A dedicated page for Virtual Workspaces in the Settings app centralizes virtualization controls. - Users can opt for smaller icons on the Taskbar for a more compact arrangement of app buttons. - A new sharing shortcut allows users to send files to compatible apps directly from recent file icons. - An option to disable the "Drag Tray" has been added in the Nearby Sharing settings. - The Notification Center now supports a large clock with seconds and multiple clocks. - The Windows Hello interface has been redesigned with animations for better user engagement. - Support for third-party passkey providers has been integrated into Windows Hello. - A new security feature, Administrator Protection, adds an authentication prompt for actions requiring elevation. - Quick Machine Recovery is designed to repair the operating system during boot failures. - Windows Backup now supports local file transfers during new device setup. - The Xbox Full Screen Experience has been tailored for handheld gaming devices. - A battery percentage display has been added to the Taskbar, along with new battery iconography. - Multi-stream support for cameras allows multiple applications to access the same camera feed simultaneously.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

The latest Android 16 QPR2 beta makes it easier to add app shortcuts to home screen

Google has released Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 for Pixel devices, focusing on stability improvements and new features. Key additions include a "+" button for app shortcuts on the home screen, a Live Caption shortcut in volume controls, and larger icons in the search bar. Stability fixes address issues such as failed Google Play System Updates, blank home screen shortcuts, inconsistent Wallet icon coloring, battery charging anomalies, swipe-up gesture malfunctions, theme application errors, rainbow artifacts in 50MP images, poor battery performance due to CPU usage, incorrect Bluetooth audio routing, access issues to 6GHz Wi-Fi networks in New Zealand, crashes in the Terminal app, typing issues in the GUI terminal, laggy animations, screen unresponsiveness upon unlocking, display freezes, and unexpected device crashes. Users can enroll in the Android Beta Program for early access, with over-the-air updates being rolled out, and the stable version expected by December 2025.

Winsage

September 11, 2025

Windows 11 has a new update – these are the top 5 features, but there’s also an annoying drawback

The Windows 11 update KB5065426 for version 24H2 introduces new features, primarily benefiting Copilot+ PCs. Key enhancements include a revamped Copilot home page showcasing recent activities, broader availability of the AI Agent in Settings for more Copilot+ laptops, and improved customization options for lock screen widgets. The search experience has been streamlined with images presented in a grid view and a progress bar for indexing files. The Task Manager now reports standardized CPU usage percentages. Additional features include a tutorial for Click to Do, a refreshed Windows Hello interface, a larger clock display in the notification center, and improved system permission prompts. However, many enhancements are exclusive to Copilot+ devices, leaving traditional users with limited benefits. The September patch is 4GB in size, including AI models for Copilot+ devices, which may consume storage space on standard PCs.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Patch Tuesday Arrives with New Features for Windows 11

Windows 11 users can expect new features with the cumulative updates KB5065426 for versions 23H2 and 24H2. Key improvements include: - Revamped homepage experience in Recall with shortcuts and enhanced filtering controls. - Interactive tutorial for Click to Do available on first launch. - Agent in Settings now accessible on AMD- and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs, limited to English. - Taskbar search now uses a grid view for images, with a status pane for indexing and clear distinctions between local and cloud files. - Option for a larger clock in the Notification center through Date and Calendar settings. - System dialogs now appear modally, dimming the desktop. - Lock screen widgets can be added, removed, and rearranged, with a new small sizing option. - Minor visual changes in File Explorer's context menu. - Redesigned Windows Hello interface with various authentication methods. - New section in Settings for managing third-party applications using generative AI models. - Widgets board supports multiple dashboards and an organized Discover feed. - Task Manager displays more accurate CPU usage with an optional CPU Utility column. The updates also include security and bug fixes for ReFS, the Chinese (Simplified) IME, and Arm64 performance, requiring a reboot for installation.

Winsage

September 2, 2025

Windows 11 adds a wealth of new features with optional August update

KB5064081 is an optional update for Windows 11 24H2 that introduces a personalized start page for the AI-driven Recall feature, a new navigation bar, a "Recent Snapshots" section, and "Top Apps" and "Top Websites" sections. It adds a seconds display to the Notification Center clock (requiring user activation), enhanced customization options for lock screen widgets, a revamped Windows Hello interface, and a revised Task Manager with uniform CPU performance display. After installation, the build number will be 26100.5074, and it will become a mandatory update during the next Patch Tuesday in September.

AppWizard

August 21, 2025

Android 16 QPR2 Update is Out — These Upgrades Might Surprise You

Google has announced the Pixel 10 range and the Pixel Watch 4, along with the release of the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel users. The QPR2 beta introduces features such as lock screen widgets (Hub mode), an expanded dark theme for apps, auto-theming for app icons, improved haptic feedback, a new HDR brightness slider, native PDF editing capabilities, a personal audio switcher for Bluetooth LE devices, and enhanced security with a new Secure Lock Device mode. Users enrolled in the QPR1 beta can transition to the QPR2 beta, which is available for Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 series, the Pixel Tablet, and the upcoming Pixel 10. The stable release of Android 16 QPR1 is expected in September, with the public release of QPR2 anticipated in December.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5733 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5733 (KB5062673) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as people icons in File Explorer for work or school accounts, and the removal of the option to manage Bing search history from Settings. Fixes include resolving crashes in the Start menu and lock screen widgets, and issues with multi-finger touchpad gestures. Known issues involve potential rollbacks during installation, unexpected categories in the Start menu, and display issues in dark mode for drive space indicators. There are also specific issues related to Xbox controllers and live captions on Copilot+ PCs. Windows Insiders can receive updates gradually by enabling a toggle in Settings.