navigation experience Archives

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 2, 2025

Here’s a better look at Gmail’s Material 3 Expressive makeover, rolling out to some users

Google has begun rolling out its Gmail app's Material 3 Expressive redesign through a server-side switch, allowing select users to experience the new design ahead of a broader release later this year. The update, Gmail app v2025.05.11, features a vibrant color palette and a card-based user interface with a lighter background for the message list, rounded corners, and a more visible Compose button. The account switcher has been repositioned outside the search bar for improved navigation. The email screen's card-based UI has been refined, with a full-width order summary snippet and lighter colors. A new pill-shaped button animation for swipe gestures has also been introduced. Users can expect to see these design elements on their devices soon.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

One UI 8 finally expands support for an Android 15 feature sorely missed on One UI 7

The latest beta version of One UI 8 for the Galaxy S25 series introduces support for Android 15’s predictive back gesture in various Samsung applications, including Clock, Calculator, Weather, Settings, Voice Recorder, and Contacts, which was not available in One UI 7. However, it remains unavailable in some apps like Calendar and Reminders. The update also improves access to the predictive back animations toggle in the Developer Options menu. Users must disable the One Hand Operation+ Good Lock module and enable gesture navigation to use the expanded predictive back gesture. Google plans to extend predictive back support to three-button navigation in Android 16.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Tweak your settings in Windows 11 to make it feel more familiar

Users transitioning to Windows 11 can realign the Start menu to the left by opening the Settings menu (Windows + I), searching for Taskbar Settings, scrolling to the Taskbar Behavior section, and selecting Left under Taskbar Alignment. To disable search trends and news teasers in the Start menu, navigate to Privacy and Security in Settings, select Search Permissions, then More Settings, and disable the Show Search Highlights option. Users can change the default browser by going to Apps in Settings, selecting Default Apps, and choosing their preferred browser from the list.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Samsung Auto vs Android Auto: What’s same and what’s not

Samsung has launched Samsung Auto, a platform for Galaxy devices in China aimed at enhancing the driving experience with features similar to Android Auto. It is part of the One UI 7 software update and is currently limited to select regions, primarily utilizing Samsung's previous “Car Mode.” The platform includes a custom launcher and app support for in-car use. A key feature of Samsung Auto is its intelligent location-based navigation, which allows users to reroute by extracting addresses from incoming messages, enabling navigation with a single tap. The app also ensures navigation continuity between the user's phone and vehicle. Samsung Auto connects to compatible vehicles through Baidu CarLife+ or ICCOA CarLink, which are mainly found in Chinese-market vehicles, limiting its reach. The user interface resembles that of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, featuring a central dashboard for navigation and music controls. Currently, there are no plans for a global rollout of Samsung Auto, as it relies on Chinese vehicle systems, and significant modifications would be needed for broader implementation.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Microsoft might finally get me to use Xbox Game Bar with its latest update

The Xbox Game Bar has been updated with an improved design for easier controller navigation, featuring a new Compact Mode optimized for controllers. This mode offers a user-friendly interface that allows for seamless cycling through widgets and settings. Additionally, a new widget store enables users to browse and install widgets directly using their controllers, which is particularly beneficial for portable Windows devices. The update enhances the overall gaming experience, especially for handheld gaming devices.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows 11’s Photos app is about to get a big update, and it’s all about AI

The Photos app on Windows 11 is undergoing significant updates, currently available for Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. Key features include Optical Character Recognition (OCR) supporting over 160 languages, allowing users to extract and search text from images. A new "Search in Web" function enables users to find online results for selected text. The update also introduces a Copilot button within the Photos app for image enhancement tips, insights, and framing suggestions. Additionally, new shortcuts in File Explorer provide direct access to AI editing and Visual Search, allowing users to create with Designer and erase unwanted elements. The app now supports JXL files and includes bug fixes for improved performance. Users can enable the "Show subfolders" option to view images and videos from subfolders in the Gallery.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

5 reasons why Linux Mint is the best distro for Windows converts

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be overwhelming due to concerns about software compatibility, gaming capabilities, and the learning curve. Recent advancements in Linux distributions, particularly Linux Mint, have made this shift more accessible. Linux Mint features a start menu for easy navigation, is built on Ubuntu with Debian foundations, and offers a graphical user interface for installing applications through an integrated software store. It is compatible with a wide range of hardware, requiring only 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk space, making it suitable for older PCs. Gaming on Linux has improved significantly with Valve's Proton, allowing many Windows games to run smoothly on Linux, sometimes even better than on Windows.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Microsoft changes Windows 11’s Start menu for the better (gasp) while introducing nifty new file sharing options

Windows 11 is testing a new preview build (22635.4950) in the Beta channel, featuring enhancements for user experience. Notable updates include a revamped file-sharing feature that allows drag-and-drop functionality to applications like WhatsApp, My Phone, and Microsoft Teams. The Start menu is being redesigned with options for a grid view and a category view in the 'All apps' section. The grid view expands horizontally to display more apps, while the category view organizes apps into groups based on function. The update also improves accessibility support in File Explorer and addresses several bugs. These features are expected to appear in Dev builds soon and are nearing public release.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Google Maps tests new weather-related incident reports on app & Android Auto

Google Maps has enhanced its incident reporting feature by expanding the types of incidents users can report, now visible to select users on mobile and Android Auto. The new reporting options include flooded roads, low visibility, and unplowed roads, appearing after the "Stalled vehicle" option. The "Police" report has been moved out of the main view. This update follows a previous enhancement in November that simplified the reporting of speed traps.