new features Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft starts rolling out AI to these decades old popular tools on Windows

Microsoft is integrating advanced AI capabilities into its Paint and Notepad applications. Paint will feature Generative Fill, allowing users to add or alter image elements through text prompts, and Generative Erase, enabling the removal of unwanted objects while filling in the background. These features are being rolled out to Windows Insiders, with Generative Fill initially available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs and Generative Erase accessible to all Windows 11 users. Notepad will introduce a Rewrite feature for rephrasing text, currently in preview for select regions, and has improved launch performance, reducing app launch time by over 35% for most users and up to 55% for some.

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Co-op survival game Icarus is celebrating 153 consecutive weekly updates by giving you a flamethrower and a free weekend

Icarus, a co-op survival game developed by RocketWerkz, has received 153 updates since its launch in December 2021. The latest update introduces a flamethrower and expands the game with new operations, missions, weapons, items, and a fishing system. Downloadable content has doubled the game map size. Players navigate a narrative involving corporate ambition and survival challenges on a planet with toxic air and unpredictable weather. The game allows for building homesteads and farming. To celebrate the update, Icarus is offering a 50% discount on the flamethrower and other editions for a week.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows on Arm apps are about to get access to the secret sauce Adobe used to get Premiere Pro 25 to work on Copilot+ PCs

Windows on Arm PCs with the Snapdragon X Elite processor are receiving a preview build of Windows 11 that enhances Prism emulation, specifically Build 27744. This update expands support for various CPU features, allowing non-native Arm applications to run more efficiently. The update increases the range of 64-bit x86 applications that can be emulated, integrating support for additional CPU extensions like AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. Currently, only x64 applications are supported, and users can provide feedback on compatibility and performance issues. Additionally, the Start menu has been simplified, a new Gamepad keyboard layout is being introduced for Xbox controller navigation, the Task Manager's Disconnect and Logoff dialogs have been updated for dark mode and text scaling, and the detach virtual hard disk button has returned in the Settings menu.

BetaBeacon

November 7, 2024

Play, Manage, Collect and Compete Anywhere with NBA® 2K25: MyTEAM on iOS and Android

Pre-registration for NBA 2K25: MyTEAM mobile game has started on November 7, 2024. The game will be launched on November 29, 2024, and players can build their dream roster, engage in favorite modes, and sync progress across platforms. New features include the Auction House, Showdown & Breakout modes, roster management, and refreshed gameplay. The game is developed by Visual Concepts and requires compatible Apple or Android devices.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Latest Windows 11 Insider Preview brings updated Prism emulator for Arm PCs

Microsoft has introduced an updated Prism emulator in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744, improving compatibility with x86-based applications and games. The new emulator supports additional CPU extensions, enabling applications like Adobe Premiere Pro 2025 and games such as Starfield and Helldivers 2 to run on Arm PCs. Devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus SoCs can now run more legacy applications and games without native ARM64 versions. The update also includes a new on-screen gamepad keyboard for better navigation and typing on gaming handhelds and touchscreen devices. The changelog for Build 27744 includes various enhancements and fixes, such as resolving display issues for older NVIDIA GPUs, fixing problems with the Emoji Panel and Clipboard History, improving Windows Sandbox performance, correcting dynamic refresh rate issues, and addressing multiple bugs related to remote desktop connections and app functionalities.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

Google is ending Android Auto support for older phones. Here’s why (and the simple fix)

As of this week, Android Auto has officially ceased support for smartphones operating on Android 8. Users with Android 8 devices are receiving notifications that their phones no longer support Android Auto, and to maintain functionality, an upgrade to Android 9 or later is essential. The integration of Android Auto into the operating system starting from Android 9 eliminates the need for a standalone app, and it is possible that the Android Auto app may be removed from the Play Store. Approximately 5% of Android users are still on version 8, and while some have attempted to sideload older versions of the app, this method has not been effective. Upgrading to a newer smartphone is the most viable solution, with budget-friendly options available, such as the CMF Phone 1 from Nothing, retailing around 0.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

A decade and $22 billion later, Meta’s big bet on messaging is finally starting to pay off

Meta's investment in WhatsApp has begun yielding substantial returns, with a 48% year-over-year increase in non-advertising revenue reported in Q3, largely due to WhatsApp's business messaging capabilities. This product enables companies to engage in paid conversations with customers, contributing to revenue growth since Q3 2022. Non-advertising revenue in Q3 was million, compared to .9 billion in ad revenue, but is growing at over twice the pace of advertising. Messaging products, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram Direct, are still in the early stages of monetization, with estimates suggesting messaging could account for around 10% of Meta's total revenue. A significant increase in content shared through direct messages has been noted, with a 100% year-over-year rise. Meta is also exploring revenue opportunities through sponsored messages and "click-to-message" ads. Generative AI is expected to enhance the messaging business's efficiency and potential revenue generation. User behavior is shifting towards sharing in direct messages rather than traditional feeds, prompting Meta to enhance its Messenger app with new features. Each messaging product serves different user bases and presents unique monetization opportunities.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Arm PCs are getting even better at emulation with the latest beta build

Windows 11 build 27744 in the Canary channel enhances the Prism emulator, allowing broader support for x86-based applications on Arm devices. This update includes support for additional CPU extensions such as AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, improving compatibility with various applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro 2025. The new features are limited to 64-bit x86 applications, with future updates expected to address the limitations for 32-bit apps. Additionally, the build introduces a new gamepad keyboard, reinstates the option to detach a virtual hard disk from the Settings app, and includes minor improvements to Task Manager. Fixes address issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Clipboard History, Windows Sandbox performance, dynamic refresh rates, and remote desktop connections. Users in the Canary channel can access the update by checking for updates on their PCs.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Microsoft Notepad to get AI-powered rewriting tool on Windows 11

Microsoft is introducing AI-enhanced functionalities to its applications Notepad and Paint, which were originally launched in the 1980s. These updates are currently being tested by Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels. In Paint version 11.2410.28.0, new features include generative fill and generative erase, allowing users to manipulate images by replacing elements with AI-generated content. The generative fill feature enables edits and additions with simple text prompts while maintaining the existing art style. The generative erase tool helps remove unwanted objects from images while preserving the artwork's integrity. Additionally, a new background remover tool is being added to enhance user experience. Notepad is introducing the "Rewrite" feature, which allows users to automatically rephrase content, adjust tone, and modify length. This feature is available in preview for users in select countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Germany, and requires a Microsoft account for access. Since 2018, Notepad has been updated with various features such as a built-in character counter, spell check, autocorrect, wrap-around find and replace, improved compatibility with Unix and Mac systems, tabbed browsing, text zoom, UTF-8 support, autosaving, and line number displays.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows on Arm update could open the door to more gaming

Microsoft is testing a new update for Windows 11 on Arm processors that aims to enhance the performance of gaming applications and broaden the range of applications capable of running on these devices. The update introduces an emulator named Prism, which allows x86 applications to operate on Arm devices, addressing challenges faced by gaming applications. Adobe Premiere Pro is highlighted as a supported application under the new build, part of the Windows 11 24H2 update, which extends compatibility to x64 applications running under emulation. The update includes additional support for various extensions within the x86 instruction set architecture, such as AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C. However, it is specifically tailored for 64-bit applications, meaning older 32-bit applications will not benefit from these new features. Qualcomm is collaborating with developers to create Arm-specific versions of popular applications, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the Arm ecosystem.