minimalist aesthetic Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

What’s The Best Alternative To Shazam For Android Users?

Shazam was launched in the UK in 2002 as a service where users could call a number to identify songs for a fee. Acquired by Apple in 2018, it remains available for Android users and integrates with various music platforms while being free to use. Shazam struggles with identifying earworms. SoundHound, Shazam's main competitor, has around 100 million users and can identify songs quickly, providing detailed information and lyrics. It allows users to hum or sing songs for identification, though this feature is not always accurate. SoundHound's free version includes ads, while SoundHound Infinity offers an ad-free experience for .99. Musixmatch is another alternative that identifies songs and focuses on lyrics, allowing users to create "lyrics cards" and offering a translation feature. It requires the actual song for identification. The Google app also provides quick song identification, including for hummed or sung versions, but gives candid feedback on user performance.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Here’s why Windows 7 took so long to boot with solid color backgrounds in 2009

Some users of Windows 7 experienced a 30-second boot delay when using solid color desktop backgrounds shortly after its launch in October 2009. This issue arose because Windows waited for system components, including desktop icons and the background, to report readiness. If any element was absent, the operating system paused for up to 30 seconds. The problem was also linked to group policies that hid desktop icons. Microsoft addressed the glitch by November 2009. As of recent data, Windows 7's market share has decreased to 2.5 percent, and Microsoft has ceased support for the operating system.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

A Minecraft Movie Review: An Imaginative Family Fun Adventure

The recently released A Minecraft Movie is directed by Jared Hess and features a whimsical and campy aesthetic. The plot follows a quirky group of characters, including an eccentric video game store owner, two grieving siblings, and an aspiring petting zoo entrepreneur, as they embark on a classic fantasy quest in the Overworld. Jack Black voices the iconic avatar Steve, while Jason Momoa plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a comedic lead. The film effectively translates the game's blocky aesthetic into a vibrant cinematic experience, with detailed environments and action sequences that reference in-game mechanics. However, it faces pacing issues, particularly in the middle act, and sometimes struggles to balance humor with emotional storytelling. The movie appeals primarily to fans of Minecraft but remains accessible to newcomers, incorporating Easter eggs without overwhelming them.

Winsage

March 9, 2025

Enable old Classic Notepad in Windows 11 24H2 without AI and modern UI

Users can restore the classic Notepad experience by disabling the .txt execution for notepad.exe in the App execution aliases settings. To launch the legacy version, they can use the Windows Run dialog and type notepad.exe. Microsoft has introduced a ChatGPT-based "Rewrite" feature in Notepad, requiring a Microsoft account and a Microsoft 365 subscription for access, while core functionalities remain available without an account. To enable the classic Notepad in Windows 11, users should check if it is installed, remove the association with the new Notepad, and associate .txt files with the legacy version. They can also create a Start menu shortcut for the classic Notepad. To revert to the new Notepad, users can delete the classic shortcut and adjust settings in the Registry Editor and App execution aliases.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

5 apps that give you the desktop widgets Microsoft won’t

Microsoft has reintroduced a side widget feature in Windows 11, but it lacks extensive customization options. Users nostalgic for Windows 7's desktop gadgets can explore several third-party applications to enhance their desktop experience: 1. Rainmeter: A powerful desktop customization tool that allows users to create and apply skins as widgets displaying various information, with a vibrant community providing thousands of skins and mods. 2. Widget Launcher: A simple application for adding various widgets like calendars and clocks to the desktop, allowing resizing, but includes ads during the installation process. 3. GadgetPack: Restores the classic Windows 7 gadget experience on Windows 10 and 11, featuring around 50 pre-installed gadgets that can be customized and placed anywhere on the desktop. 4. BeWidgets: A modern widget application for creating custom widgets for time, date, finances, and weather, designed with a minimalist aesthetic, though it requires manual creation of widgets each time. 5. Widgets Box: Offers a diverse collection of widgets, including digital clocks and calendars, but many features require a paid subscription. It includes unique tools like a browser search bar and a stylish flip clock.

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.