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Winsage

June 6, 2025

7 accessibility features in Windows 11 that make life easier for everyone

Windows 11 includes a variety of accessibility features designed to enhance usability for all users. Key features include: 1. Customize Mouse Appearance: Users can change the mouse pointer's style, color, and size, and enable a mouse indicator for easier location on the screen. 2. Change Text Cursor Appearance: Users can customize the text cursor's color, thickness, and size to improve visibility. 3. Voice Control: Users can control their PC entirely through voice commands by enabling the Voice Access feature. 4. Voice Typing: Users can convert spoken words into text using the Voice Typing feature, which can be activated with a keyboard shortcut. 5. Always Show Scrollbars: Users can ensure that scrollbars are always visible in applications by enabling the corresponding setting. 6. Control Keyboard Sensitivity: The Filter Keys feature allows users to adjust keyboard sensitivity to manage repeated keystrokes. These features aim to improve navigation and overall user experience on Windows 11.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

I’m hooked on this free Google app that transports me to different countries from my couch

Saeed Wazir, a daily user of Google apps, discovered the Google Arts & Culture app, which transformed his perspective on art. Initially hesitant about the Visual Arts feature, he found it engaging due to its diverse collection of artwork and user-friendly interface that allows for casual exploration. The app offers a Nature feature showcasing breathtaking locations, a Food feature highlighting unique dishes and culinary traditions, a Travel feature providing virtual visits to various landmarks, and a Design section displaying historical artifacts and inventions. Wazir appreciates the app's extensive features but notes that its cluttered interface can be challenging to navigate, and some sections may not resonate with him as much.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

5 Windows terminal tricks I use to improve my productivity

Windows Terminal is a productivity tool in Windows 11 that allows users to manage multiple profiles, such as Windows PowerShell and Linux distributions, within the same window. Users can rename and recolor tabs for easier navigation. The Command Palette, activated by Ctrl+Shift+P, provides a searchable interface for commands, simplifying execution without needing to memorize shortcuts. Focus mode hides the title bar and tabs for distraction-free use and can be set as the default launch option. The split pane feature enables users to display multiple profiles simultaneously, enhancing multitasking. Quake mode keeps the terminal visible at the top of the screen, minimizing distractions and allowing easy access to other applications.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

More than a decade later, WhatsApp finally brings out an iPad app

WhatsApp has launched its app for iPads, now available on the App Store, allowing users to access its full functionality on a larger screen for the first time in over a decade. The iPad app includes features like chat synchronization across devices, compatibility with Apple's Magic Keyboard, and navigation using the Apple Pencil. Previously, iPad users could only use WhatsApp through a web version that required a constant connection to a mobile phone. The new app enables better multitasking by allowing users to run WhatsApp alongside other applications.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

I tested Bitdefender and McAfee in an antivirus software showdown, and here’s what I found

Bitdefender and McAfee are two leading antivirus software options known for robust malware protection and additional security features. Bitdefender achieves 98% effectiveness in real-time threat detection, while McAfee uses machine learning for threat identification but may produce false positives. Bitdefender offers a basic firewall, not available for macOS, whereas McAfee provides a more advanced firewall with device monitoring. Bitdefender has a standalone Digital Identity Protection service, while McAfee offers comprehensive identity theft protections in its Premium subscription. Bitdefender includes a VPN with a 200MB daily data cap, while McAfee provides unlimited VPN access but with fewer countries and features. Both offer password managers, but Bitdefender lacks two-factor authentication, while McAfee's True Key includes multi-factor authentication. Bitdefender’s parental controls are basic, while McAfee’s Safe Family includes location tracking. Bitdefender is known for lightweight performance, but recent tests suggest McAfee may have better system optimization. Both have user-friendly interfaces, with Bitdefender organizing features into tabs and McAfee offering a simpler design. In terms of protection, Bitdefender has a 98.7% detection rate, while McAfee excels online with 99.6% but struggles offline. Bitdefender's pricing starts at .99 for the first year, while McAfee's Basic plan starts at .99. Overall, Bitdefender is more budget-friendly, while McAfee offers advanced identity theft protection.

BetaBeacon

June 3, 2025

Limited-Time Offers: Free Premium Apps You Need to Download!

- Various Android apps and games are currently free for a limited time - PhotoApp allows users to modify pictures by integrating their face into other photos - Simple App Locker offers the option to secure desired applications with a PIN code or fingerprint - Touch Lock allows users to temporarily deactivate the touchscreen - PowerAudio is a music player with a 4.4-star rating - Smart Navigation Bar - navbar provides an alternative navigation bar for free - Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD is a tower defense game with great graphics - Cooking Quest challenges players to run a street food cart - Sudoku Master Premium offers a nice implementation of Sudoku - Crossword Quest Premium is for crossword puzzle fans - WindWings is a spin-off of the Atari classic Galaxian with a great rating

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

Malwarebytes Premium Security review

Malwarebytes, founded in 2004 by Marcin Kleczynski, is an independent cybersecurity company that provides effective malware protection globally. The Malwarebytes Premium Security suite includes antivirus, phishing and identity protection, and an unlimited VPN powered by Mullvad. Pricing for the one-year license for a single device is .99, while a five-device license costs .99, and a two-year plan is priced at .98. The Premium Security Ultimate plan offers full identity protection and credit monitoring for .99 for the first year, with renewal at 9.99. A limited free version is available that detects and removes existing threats but lacks real-time protection. The app features a straightforward design with a clear dashboard, prioritizing user experience. Malwarebytes focuses on efficient scanning of commonly infected areas, completing test scans in 13 minutes. However, it does not automatically scan removable drives and lacks a warning system for password-protected files. Independent lab testing is infrequent, but Malwarebytes has received an AVLab 'Product of the Year' award and demonstrated strong performance in MRG Effitas assessments. In practical tests, Malwarebytes effectively detected known malware but struggled with behavioral detection against custom ransomware. It includes anti-phishing features, initially blocking 16% of phishing sites, which improved to 62% with the BrowserGuard extension. The unlimited VPN offers encryption and privacy but has limitations in unblocking streaming services. The identity protection feature scans for breaches associated with user email addresses and Social Security Numbers for U.S. users.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC

Windows 11 has released a new preview build, 26200.5622, in the Dev channel, introducing several features aimed at improving user experience. Key additions include Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) for recovering from boot failures, a PC-to-PC migration feature for easier transitions to new devices, a new option in Phone Link to mirror Android phone screens from the Start menu, enhancements to the widgets board with a navigation bar, and a Click to Do feature for drafting text in Word using Copilot on Copilot+ PCs. These features are in early testing and may be included in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 release.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

YouTube confirms Android app bug affecting navigation bar

YouTube has acknowledged a technical glitch affecting the navigation bar in its Android app, causing the disappearance of key buttons like Subscriptions, Notifications, and Library for some users. The issue primarily impacts Android users in the United States, including YouTube Premium subscribers, but reports have also come in from countries such as Germany, Spain, Poland, and India. YouTube is investigating the matter and has committed to providing updates through a community thread, but has not yet shared information on the bug's scope or a timeline for a fix.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

Streamline code conversion and testing from Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle to PostgreSQL with Amazon Bedrock

Organizations are transitioning from legacy database systems like Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle to open-source alternatives such as PostgreSQL to reduce costs and enhance scalability. This migration process involves several steps, including schema conversion, business logic transformation, data migration, application changes, and performance tuning. Amazon Bedrock aids this process by automating schema and code conversion, data transformation, identifying code compatibility issues, and generating test cases for validation. The migration challenges include adapting database objects to PostgreSQL's syntax, converting stored procedures and functions, executing ETL processes for data accuracy, modifying application code, and optimizing performance. Amazon Bedrock utilizes generative AI to simplify these tasks, significantly reducing manual effort and errors. An example of code conversion from Microsoft SQL Server to PostgreSQL is provided, illustrating how to convert a stored procedure into a PostgreSQL function while generating corresponding test cases. The process involves using the Amazon Bedrock chat interface to submit prompts for conversion and validation. To support the migration, table creation scripts for the Employees and SalaryUpdateLog tables are included, along with test data that covers various employee scenarios. This data allows for comprehensive testing of the converted function, ensuring it correctly applies salary updates based on specified criteria.