media library Archives

Winsage

June 7, 2025

‘Screenbox’ Is a Sleek and Capable VLC-Based Video Player for Windows

Screenbox is a free and open-source video player designed for Windows 11, offering a user-friendly interface and extensive media format support. It is built on the LibVLCSharp framework, ensuring compatibility with all media formats supported by VLC. The application features a visually appealing interface with essential buttons, support for YouTube's keyboard shortcuts, picture-in-picture functionality, and a media library that includes default video and music folders with options to add more directories. Screenbox is suitable for both casual file playback and organization of media libraries.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

7 things you can do with your old Windows 10 PC instead of trading it in

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and suggests trading in old PCs that cannot be upgraded. However, trading in may not provide significant discounts, and there are various ways to repurpose old hardware. 1. Install Linux: Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Pop! OS can extend the life of older PCs due to their low system requirements and long-term support. 2. Make it a retro gaming machine: Using Emulation Station, an old PC can be transformed into a retro gaming machine, allowing access to thousands of classic games. 3. Make it a media server: Old PCs can be converted into home media servers using platforms like Plex and Jellyfin, enabling offline viewing of shows and movies. 4. Use it as a game server: An old PC can host game servers for titles like Minecraft, allowing for a unique gaming experience with friends. 5. Power your smart home: Turning an old PC into a Home Assistant server can help manage smart home devices from a single interface. 6. Turn it into a NAS: An old PC can be transformed into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution for centralized data backup across multiple devices. 7. Kickstart your home lab: Setting up a home lab using dedicated operating systems or platforms like Docker can turn an old PC into a multifunctional server for various services.

AppWizard

November 20, 2024

The first Android 16 developer preview is out (much) earlier than expected

Google has released its first developer preview of Android 16, shortly after the rollout of Android 15. The company plans to introduce two significant Android APIs in 2025: a major SDK release in the second quarter and a minor SDK release in the fourth quarter. Key features for Android 16 include an API for managing SDK versions, an embedded photo picker for selective media access, a Health Connect Developer Preview for managing health records in FHIR format, and the latest iteration of the Privacy Sandbox. Developers can experiment with Android 16 on recent Google Pixel devices or through the Android emulator and are encouraged to use a preview version of Android Studio for app development.

Winsage

October 22, 2024

How I turned my old Windows PC into a streaming server with Plex

A recent transition from a Windows PC to an M3 MacBook Air has led to repurposing older Windows PCs into a Plex-powered streaming server for accessing a personal media library. To set up a Plex server, a Windows PC should have at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 5, 4GB of RAM, and Windows 10. Plex is compatible only with x86 or x86-64/x64 architectures. The setup involves downloading the Plex Media Server, which runs in the background, and configuring it through a web browser. Users should create a structured file system for their media and can easily add libraries for different media types. Plex automatically fetches metadata for content, and users can connect various devices to access the server. Sharing library access with others is also possible through the settings. Transforming an old PC into a Plex server is a practical and sustainable option, with alternatives like Jellyfin available.

AppWizard

October 18, 2024

Google restricting apps that request unlimited access to media library

Google is tightening access to the full media library on Android devices for app developers, urging them to use the more privacy-conscious Android Photo Picker. The Photo Picker API allows apps to access specific photos or videos without needing permission for the entire media gallery. Starting in early 2025, only apps with core functionalities related to media will be granted permissions to access the entire media library. Google has begun enforcing this policy, with a crackdown on non-compliant apps starting September 18, 2024. Developers must justify their need for full access by October 31, 2024, through a declaration form. Private and enterprise management applications are exempt from this policy.