models Archives

Winsage

July 5, 2026

I tested the new ASUS Zenbook A14 Windows laptop, and its 2026 upgrade to Snapdragon X2 Elite impressed me

ASUS has released the Zenbook A14 (UX3407) featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, retailing at ,999.99. It includes 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD, with a 14-inch non-touch OLED display at 1920 x 1200 resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz. Best Buy offers a version for ,349.99 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, and another for ,799.99 with the same RAM and storage as the ASUS configuration. The laptop weighs 2.18 lbs (0.99 kg) and has a "Ceraluminum" chassis with a 'Zabriskie Beige' finish. It has a maximum brightness of 407 nits, with a peak brightness of 600 nits for certain areas, and covers 100% of the sRGB and P3 color gamuts. The Snapdragon X2 Elite processor outperforms Apple's M5 chip in benchmarks and shows significant improvements over its predecessor. Battery life is claimed to be over 33 hours under ideal conditions, but real-world testing showed a maximum of 23 hours and 38 minutes. The laptop features decent speakers and an adequate webcam, though some pre-installed applications may not be preferred by all users.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Windows 10 grasps for life as Playstation drops discs, Sony takes away movies, and Microsoft ends two Surface PCs

Sony has ceased production of physical discs. Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 and retired the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go, with no plans for restocking or successors. A leaked video revealed Microsoft's development of a Copilot operating system based on a streamlined Windows codebase. Xbox is considering canceling Marvel's Blade as part of a restructuring effort. Microsoft is contemplating a disc-to-digital program to allow users to convert physical game discs into digital licenses. The Dell XPS 13 and HP OmniBook Ultra 14 are currently available at significant discounts.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Perekhod s Windows Xnumx on Windows 11 Fixes AMD Adrenalin Driver Issues

Owners of Radeon video cards are experiencing software challenges on Windows 10, including screen flickering, video game crashes, and system reboots. Attempts to resolve these issues through clean installations of AMD drivers have often been unsuccessful, particularly for users of high-end models like the Radeon RX 7900 XT. Some community members recommend transitioning to Windows 11, which reportedly offers better stability and performance with AMD drivers, though concerns exist about potential performance declines on older CPUs and the costs of upgrading RAM. For users wishing to stay on Windows 10, experts suggest disabling fast startup, disconnecting from the internet, booting in safe mode, using the DDU utility to uninstall old drivers, and then reinstalling the driver package while disabling core isolation in security settings.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Massive lineup of Android game and app deals live for July 4th

A variety of Android games and apps are on sale for the 4th of July, including Streets of Rage 4, Boxville 2, Nerd Survivors, Kero Blaster, Muse Dash, Defenchick: Tower Defense, A Monster’s Expedition, and DREDGE. LG OLED TVs, specifically models C6 and G6, are discounted significantly, and shoppers can receive a complimentary gift card with their purchase. The new Google Home Speaker is offered at 50% off, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra has discounts of up to 0.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Samsung Messages shuts down in favor of Google Messages on July 6 [U]

Samsung has confirmed the closure of its Messages app, which will officially cease operations on July 6. This decision follows the transition to Google Messages as the default texting app on Galaxy devices, starting in 2022. Samsung stopped pre-installing its messaging app on Galaxy phones sold in the U.S. by 2024 and briefly revived it in 2025 before deciding to discontinue it. The closure will primarily affect Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer, while older models will still have access to Samsung Messages. Users with Galaxy devices on Android 14 or later will be redirected to Google Messages automatically. A poll indicated that many users are hesitant to switch to Google Messages due to their preference for Samsung's app layout and customization options.

Winsage

July 3, 2026

Microsoft brags Copilot key has main character energy on Windows 11, but you can soon remap it

Microsoft promoted the Copilot key on social media, branding it as a button with “main character energy,” despite acknowledging that it has negatively impacted productivity for some users. The company plans to allow remapping of the key in an upcoming Windows 11 update. User reactions to the promotion were largely critical, with many expressing dissatisfaction and calling for the removal of the Copilot key. Microsoft had previously admitted that the key caused disruptions in productivity and accessibility workflows. Additionally, only 3.3% of Microsoft 365 users are paying for Copilot, indicating low adoption. Microsoft has distanced its flagship products from the Copilot branding and users have reported preferring alternatives like ChatGPT and Claude over Copilot.

Winsage

July 2, 2026

Windows Weekly 990: Don’t Be Nostalgic for Stupid

Microsoft has extended the Windows 10 Extended Security Update (ESU) program for consumers by an additional year, now set to end in October 2027. Significant changes are being made to the Windows Insider experience, including a new Windows Update feature and the introduction of five new builds. Microsoft has started offering 8 GB models of its Surface Pro and Laptop, while discontinuing its Surface Go products. HP has partnered with OpenAI, and Anthropic has launched Sonnet 5. Xbox Series X|S prices are set to increase on August 1, coinciding with the discontinuation of the 2 TB X model. Microsoft may lay off approximately 5,500 employees, about 2.5 percent of its workforce. The Minecraft Bedrock edition has introduced closed captions, and Sony plans to cease the sale of physical PS media by 2028.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Former Call of Duty frontman launches new studio with a ‘Stop Killing Games’-style mission statement: If the game bombs, it goes open source

Robert Bowling, former strategist of the Call of Duty franchise, has co-founded a new studio called //18.bravo after the closure of his previous venture, Midnight Society, in 2025. The studio aims to foster a collaborative environment by aligning leadership compensation with employee success and introducing a royalty program for employees and profit-sharing with external talents. //18.bravo's debut project will not support live service models, focusing instead on creating a sustainable gaming experience with dedicated servers and optimized peer-to-peer architecture. This approach prioritizes longevity over immediate financial success, addressing gamer concerns about game shutdowns.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: DREDGE, Bendy Lone Wolf, Ninja Hero Cats, more

A selection of Android games and apps are currently on sale, including DREDGE, Bendy: Lone Wolf, Zero Stress King: Idle Defense, Farm Invasion USA – Premium, Ninja Hero Cats Premium, Guns’n’Glory Premium, and Little Berry Forest 2: Stars. There are significant discounts on Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra models, with savings of up to 6 for open-box units. The LG 4th of July sale features the 2026 C6 and G6 OLED TVs at discounts reaching 0, and Acer’s Swift Go 2K touchscreen PC is also discounted. Additional Android apps are seeing price reductions, including new releases and classic favorites, along with exclusive discounts on in-app purchases.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Gemini Omni is ‘like Nano Banana for video’ and I couldn’t believe the results

Gemini Omni is a video-generation tool launched at Google I/O 2026, part of the June Pixel Drop, designed for creating multimedia content through conversational prompts. It is available on any smartphone with the appropriate Google AI subscription, offering a free version with limited access and more extensive features for subscribers of Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra. Users can create videos by uploading photos or videos and selecting aspect ratios, with the app providing suggestions for prompts. Gemini Omni replaces the Veo models within the Gemini app, although Veo remains available in other Google products. The app includes exclusive features like Screen Reactions and Bubbles for Pixel 10 users.