minimalist aesthetic Archives

AppWizard

December 11, 2024

I can finally finish Naiad two years after I played through its demo thanks to it shadow dropping during the Wholesome Snack showcase

Naiad is a minimalist adventure game that was officially released during the Wholesome Snack showcase after a demo in 2022. Players take on the role of a river guardian, protecting the ecosystem from human interference and emphasizing environmental conservation. The gameplay involves learning skills from nature, such as swimming like a duck and diving like fish, while completing quests like reuniting lost ducklings with their families. The game's art style is meticulously handcrafted, featuring a minimalist aesthetic with intricate details. Players are encouraged to reflect on their connection to nature while exploring this immersive world.

AppWizard

November 17, 2024

Best Minecraft House Ideas for 2025

Minecraft allows players to build various types of homes, from simple shelters to elaborate structures. The game features a blocky aesthetic that encourages creativity, with recent updates introducing new materials like tuff and copper grates. Common house styles include basic wooden huts, cobblestone cottages, medieval houses with stone bricks and high-pitched roofs, modern houses using concrete and glass, underwater homes with glass walls and airlocks, treehouses built in large trees, and hidden houses concealed in mountains or cliffs. Tips for building include planning designs, gathering materials, experimenting with styles, and adding personal touches.

Winsage

October 9, 2024

The Windows laptop I recommend to most people undercuts the MacBook Air (and it’s on sale)

Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop, which features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor and is available in 13.8-inch and 15-inch models. Priced at 9 on Amazon, it has a sleek aluminum chassis with a bright 120Hz HDR touchscreen display. The laptop offers over 15 hours of battery life, making it suitable for remote work. It includes two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The device is noted for its performance improvements in creative software and has a responsive touchpad and a satisfying keyboard experience.

Winsage

September 24, 2024

Productivity computing has never been so brilliantly compact and mighty as Beelink’s new pint-sized 4K PC

The Beelink EQR6 is a newly launched mini PC designed for productivity tasks, suitable for web browsing, email, Microsoft Office, and video conferencing, while also capable of video and photo editing. It is available on Amazon starting at an entry-level price of 9, with seven configurations featuring different CPUs, RAM, and storage options. The high-end configuration includes an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, priced around 9. The entry-level model features a Ryzen 5 6600H, 16GB of RAM, and a 500GB SSD, typically priced around 9, with discounts sometimes reducing it to 9. The design includes a sleek grey plastic exterior with concealed air vents, a front I/O with a USB-A, USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack, and a built-in power supply. Connectivity options include three USB-A ports, two HDMI 2.0 ports, two LAN ports, and a power connector. The dual LAN ports allow for simultaneous internet and intranet access. The EQR6 comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro and offers easy access to RAM and storage for upgrades. Performance tests show that the EQR6, especially with the Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, excels in multitasking, video rendering, and photo editing, outperforming many high-end Ultrabooks. The integrated Radeon 680M GPU supports light gaming and 4K content creation, and the device operates quietly, with fans only audible during intensive tasks. The Beelink EQR6 is recommended for users needing a powerful yet compact mini PC with quiet operation and dual LAN ports, but may not be suitable for those requiring multiple USB-C ports or high-end gaming capabilities.

AppWizard

September 17, 2024

Amazon updates its Android app interface with Rufus AI features

Amazon has updated its Android app, introducing the Rufus AI shopping assistant to enhance user experience. The Rufus button has been added to the app, which is now being rolled out to a wider audience of US customers. Users can refresh the app by force stopping and restarting it if they do not see the changes. The app features a redesigned search bar and a slimmer top section with compact tabs for store categories. Recently viewed items are integrated into banner ads, and a new Rufus icon in the bottom navigation bar allows for quick access to product information and services. Users can ask questions about products through an expandable tab while browsing. Core functionalities remain largely unchanged. Amazon is also preparing to launch an upgraded version of Alexa later this fall, potentially with a subscription fee, while the classic version will remain free.

Winsage

September 3, 2024

Here is everything new in Windows 11 version 24H2

Windows 11 version 24H2 is set for public release in September or October 2024, with build number 26100. The update will include hardware changes and is expected to be available for both Copilot+ PCs and traditional systems with Intel and AMD processors. Key features include a simplified taskbar, a transformed Quick Settings menu, integration of Phone Link in the Start menu, improved context menus, and enhanced File Explorer functionality for Android device users. New settings allow customization of laptop lid and power button actions, distinct power plans, and color management options. Exclusive features for Copilot+ PCs include Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, Paint Cocreator, AI-generated images in the Photos app, and AutoSR for gaming graphics. Other changes involve optimized Voice Clarity for traditional PCs, performance improvements for Dev Drives, the introduction of hotpatching, HDR wallpapers, removal of certain stock applications, and updated hardware requirements that now necessitate ARM v8.1 support for older devices. Windows 11 version 24H2 officially supports Wi-Fi 7, and no significant performance differences were noted compared to the previous version.

Winsage

August 27, 2024

Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ review: A capable AI PC, but Windows on Arm issues remain

Dell has released a new version of the XPS 13 optimized for Microsoft's Copilot+ AI initiative, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip, transitioning to an Arm-based architecture. This model is expected to offer improved battery efficiency and enhanced AI performance due to its robust neural processing unit (NPU). However, users may face compatibility issues with older x86 applications, which may run slowly or fail to launch. The Copilot+ program requires devices to have at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an NPU capable of 40 tera-operations per second (TOPS). The XPS 13 performs well in productivity tasks and benchmarks compared to its Intel counterpart but has average battery life and some performance lags in specific applications. It features a Snapdragon X Elite chip with 12 cores, operating at speeds up to 3.4GHz, and a dual-core boost of 4GHz. The design includes a minimalist aesthetic with an "invisible" touchpad and edge-to-edge key layout, though usability issues have been noted with the trackpad. The starting price for the XPS 13 is approximately ,300, with a promotional price of ,199 currently available.

AppWizard

August 20, 2024

Poll result: Google’s Pixel 9 weather app is proving incredibly polarizing

Google has launched a refreshed version of its Pixel Weather app alongside the Pixel 9 series, which will be available for older Pixel models in the future. A poll of over 2,600 participants showed that 45.4% approved of the new design, while 38.5% disapproved. Users appreciated the inclusion of metrics like the air quality index but criticized the removal of the animated frog and the lack of a weather radar feature. Concerns were raised about the app's detailed information and the usability of movable widgets. The APK is available for download on devices with Android 14, and initial experiences on larger displays have been positive, though many users are hesitant to replace their current weather apps.

AppWizard

August 5, 2024

This is Google’s New Weather App for Pixel 9

Google will unveil a redesigned Weather app alongside the Pixel 9 series next week. The app will maintain integration with the existing Pixel Weather app and debut exclusively on the Pixel 9 before rolling out to older models. The new design features a minimalist aesthetic with a larger, more prominent temperature display, enhancing readability and aligning with Material Design principles. The location selection screen has also been updated to emphasize current weather conditions and temperature. More details will be shared during the upcoming Made by Google event.

Winsage

August 1, 2024

5 Good Windows Alternatives to MacBook Pro 16-Inch

The 16-inch MacBook Pro, especially in M3 Pro or M3 Max configurations, is recognized for its high performance, exceptional battery life, and quiet operation. It features the Apple M3 Max CPU, a mini-LED display, and the Magic Keyboard. Alternatives to the MacBook Pro include: 1. Razer Blade 16: Features a 14th-gen Core i9-14900HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, and a 16-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate. 2. Dell XPS 16: Made from CNC machined aluminum, it offers a 45-watt Intel Core Ultra 9 185H chipset, RTX 4070 GPU, and a 4K+ OLED display. 3. Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16: Priced lower than the MacBook Pro, it includes a Core Ultra 9 185H chipset and an RTX 4060 GPU, with a mini-LED display. 4. Asus ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED: Designed for creatives, it features a Core i9-13900HX processor, up to an RTX 4070 GPU, and a 3.2K OLED display.