magnifier Archives

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft Releases Two New 26H1 Builds to the Windows Insider Program

Participants in the Windows Insider Program can now install new builds in the Beta (26H1) and Experimental (26H1) channels, specifically Beta build 28020.2818 and Experimental build 28120.2824. Key updates include: - Personalization enhancements with DIB image support for desktop backgrounds and improvements to the Background settings page, including slideshow support across multiple displays. - Windows Recovery Environment (WRE) enhancements allowing automatic reuse of saved Wi-Fi profiles. - Temporary removal of the modernized Print Management experience for refinement, while traditional tools remain accessible. - File Explorer improvements that retain the state of sections on the Home page. - Magnifier user interface updates with improved icons and spacing. - Inclusion of Emoji 17.0. - Taskbar reliability improvements. - The Experimental build introduces first launch reliability for the new WinUI-based Run dialog.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Android Clock App Gets a Fresh Icon in v9.1

On August 24, 2026, version v9.1 of the stock Android Clock app began its gradual rollout, primarily for Google Pixel devices. The update features a redesigned icon with a blue-based color scheme but does not introduce new features. The new design aligns with visual updates in other Google Pixel applications.

Winsage

August 20, 2026

I spent time with the August Windows 11 Insider builds, and these 8 changes reveal Microsoft’s next phase for the OS

In early August, there were no new Windows 11 builds released for over 15 days in the Windows Insider Program. On August 17, Microsoft released five new preview builds, introducing several features and enhancements. Key updates include a fully customizable context menu, allowing users to tailor options directly from Settings under Personalization, and improvements to the desktop background experience with higher resolution previews and better slideshow transitions. The Camera Roll backup feature now automatically backs up photos and videos to OneDrive. The Magnifier tool received a visual refresh, and the Windows Recovery Environment was upgraded to reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles automatically. Microsoft also removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool and the Drag Tray feature while maintaining access to WMI through PowerShell. File Explorer improvements include a faster launch for the "Home" page and touch scrolling support in the "Recommended" section. Minor visual adjustments were made to the Windows Security app, enhancing its alignment with the Windows 11 design language.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft Vows To Fix Windows 11’s ‘Cluttered And Sluggish’ Right-Click Menu

Microsoft has released an update in its Insider Experimental Preview build for Windows 11, specifically Build 26340.9212, featuring a redesigned right-click menu in File Explorer that is more aesthetically pleasing and organized intuitively. This update includes a customizable dropdown menu for app extension options, addressing a banding issue with image previews, and introducing various enhancements such as updated "Get Started" screens, a modernized Magnifier tool, and upgraded Emoji 17.0 designs. Additional changes include new entry points for the Camera Roll Backup feature, the removal of the deprecated Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line, and the discontinuation of the Drag Tray. The update aims to improve performance and user interface experiences, particularly in File Explorer.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

I found an Android magnifier app for my aging eyes that beats camera zoom

The Magnifier + Flashlight app has over 10 million downloads and a 4.9-star rating from nearly 250,000 reviews on the Google Play Store. It functions as a digital magnifying glass, allowing users to enlarge text and images. Key features include the ability to freeze images on the screen, a color inversion option for easier reading, and a flashlight feature for low-light conditions. The app has been tested in various settings, successfully helping users read small print on medicine bottles, nutrition labels, and signs. While it lacks a reference window found in the built-in Google Magnifier, it is free to use with ads, and a paid ad-free version is available for .99 per year.