New York Times Archives

Winsage

November 23, 2025

Microsoft Swaps BSOD to Black, Adds Auto-Hide and AI Tools for Reliability

Microsoft is launching an initiative to eliminate the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) by introducing a new black screen error interface in Windows 11, which will replace the traditional blue backdrop. This redesign aims to modernize the error display and provide actionable insights while removing the frowning face emoji. A new feature called Digital Signage Mode will automatically conceal BSODs on public displays after 15 seconds, preventing prolonged visibility of errors. This mode suppresses all Windows error dialogs and allows systems to reboot or enter recovery without displaying errors, which is crucial for environments like retail and transportation. Microsoft is also enhancing remote recovery tools for IT administrators and promoting proactive measures for error prevention, such as regular driver updates and system scans. The company is collaborating with hardware manufacturers to improve driver compatibility and reduce BSOD incidents. Despite concerns about obscuring underlying issues, Microsoft ensures that all incidents are logged for future review. By 2026, experts anticipate advancements in AI-driven error handling that could eliminate public BSODs entirely. User adoption remains a challenge, particularly among small businesses, and Microsoft is addressing this through educational campaigns. The transition to a black screen has been positively received in consumer spaces, marking a cultural shift away from the blue screen as a symbol of computing errors.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

Android spyware disguised as legitimate messaging apps targets UAE victims, researchers reveal

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered two families of Android spyware that impersonate messaging applications Signal and ToTok, linked to campaigns named ProSpy and ToSpy. ToTok was discontinued in 2020 after being identified as a surveillance tool for the UAE government, but the spyware is disguised as an enhanced version called ToTok Pro. The spyware requests extensive permissions upon installation and exfiltrates sensitive data. It was distributed through third-party websites posing as legitimate services, with confirmed detections in the UAE, indicating a targeted operation. The spyware campaigns primarily aim at privacy-conscious residents in the UAE, as suggested by the domain name ending in “ae.net.”

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Internal revelations have emerged that Meta has neglected its messenger application ‘WatsApp’ even t..

Meta allegedly overlooked a significant security vulnerability in its messaging application, WhatsApp, as revealed by former WhatsApp security director Ataullah Baik, who has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Northern California. Baik claims that numerous employees had unrestricted access to sensitive user data and that the company failed to address over 100,000 daily account hacking incidents. He alleges that he reported these concerns to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and faced retaliation, leading to his termination in February. Meta has denied Baik's claims, stating he was laid off due to underperformance. Additionally, four current and former employees testified before the U.S. Congress, alleging that Meta minimized research on risks to children on its virtual reality platform, "Horizon Worlds." Reports indicate that Meta's legal team instructed employees to avoid gathering data related to minors or to downplay risks. Former employee Frances Haugen previously revealed that Facebook prioritized profit over user safety, aware of the negative impact of its algorithms on adolescents' mental health. Internal documents also showed features aimed at young children, prompting a response from 44 U.S. attorneys general to prevent exploitation by AI.

AppWizard

August 23, 2025

What kids don’t want you to know about Gen Alpha culture

Adults have historically struggled to understand youth culture, as exemplified by the generational gap highlighted in the 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night. Generation Alpha, born between 2010 and 2024, engages with culture in ways that differ from previous generations, primarily through digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where nearly half of younger kids' viewing time is spent. This shift has led to the formation of micro-communities and fleeting cultural moments rather than a cohesive narrative. Video games serve as a unifying force among youth, with a survey indicating that only 12 percent of 10- to 24-year-olds do not play games. In a post-pandemic context, young people prioritize safe spaces for self-expression, often seeking comfort in media that allows for autonomy, such as sandbox and open-world games like Roblox and Minecraft. The success of media like A Minecraft Movie reflects this trend, catering to children's interests rather than adult nostalgia. Young people actively resist content that feels imposed on them, seeking to reclaim their agency in a world that often overlooks their voices.

BetaBeacon

June 23, 2025

Wikipedia introduces a daily quiz game for Android users

Wikipedia has introduced a new history quiz game called Which Came First? on its official Android app.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

Windows Weekly 935: Don’t Spritz Yourself

Leo and Paul discuss various topics on the latest episode of Windows Weekly, including Notepad, updates in Windows 11, Microsoft 365, artificial intelligence, and Xbox gaming. A new free newsletter offers time-saving tips and complimentary Field Guides for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Microsoft is reorganizing its AI initiatives and phasing out password management features in the Microsoft Authenticator app. The upcoming June 2025 update for Outlook will introduce new features, and Microsoft 365 Copilot now has general availability for Research and Analyst AI agents. The New York Times has licensed its content to Amazon, and Samsung is reconsidering its partnership with Gemini. Microsoft has delayed the launch of its first-party Xbox and Windows gaming handheld and has secured its first agreement with a game studio union. J Allard, a former Microsoft executive, is among many ex-Microsoft leaders now at Amazon. A tip suggests replacing OneDrive/Google Drive with a NAS, and Microsoft Edge 137 is highlighted as a significant update. Photoshop for Android is now available for free during its beta phase.

BetaBeacon

April 26, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: NYT launches new multi-game leaderboard that lets users share scores

NYT Games has introduced a multi-game leaderboard where players can showcase their skills in Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and The Mini Crossword. Players can track the scores of celebrity puzzle solvers and connect with other word game enthusiasts. The feature is available on the New York Times Games app and website, with a rollout expected across all devices in the coming weeks.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Manychat taps $140M to boost its business messaging platform with AI

Manychat has secured million in a Series B funding round led by Summit Partners to expand its operations. The company has approximately 1.5 million customers in 170 countries, including brands like Nike and the New York Times. Manychat facilitates the transmission of billions of messages annually across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Since its inception in 2015, Manychat had raised around million prior to this round, mainly from a million Series A round in 2019. The company operates at a near break-even point and has experienced significant growth, particularly after Facebook opened its Messenger APIs. Manychat's focus on user engagement distinguishes it from many generative AI chatbots. The new funds will be used for research and development to enhance AI capabilities and improve global sales, marketing, and customer support.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Bill Gates says, “I thought I was one mistake away from death.” — Microsoft’s success and his billionaire status didn’t really arrive until the late ’90s

Microsoft's 50th anniversary is approaching, prompting reflections on its history. CEO Satya Nadella admitted that discontinuing Windows Phone was a strategic misstep. Co-founder Bill Gates revealed in a 1995 retrospective that he did not feel confident in Microsoft's success until around 1998, eleven years after its public debut. Microsoft established itself alongside tech giants like Apple during its early years. By 2025, Microsoft became one of the most successful companies globally, significantly boosted by investments in artificial intelligence and a partnership with OpenAI, achieving a market capitalization of over a trillion dollars. Gates identified his greatest mistake as missing the opportunity to dominate the mobile market, resulting in a potential loss of 400 billion dollars due to mismanagement and antitrust challenges. Gates remains connected to Microsoft, providing insights despite stepping back from daily operations for philanthropy.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Perplexity launches an assistant for Android

AI-powered search engine Perplexity has launched a new feature called Perplexity Assistant, available for Android devices, which integrates reasoning, search capabilities, and app functionalities. The assistant can perform multi-app actions, such as hailing rides and searching for songs, and can set reminders by creating calendar entries. It utilizes the phone's camera for contextual inquiries and maintains context across various tasks, like researching restaurants and making reservations. The assistant is initially free for users in 15 languages. CEO Aravind Srinivas acknowledged that some features may not perform as expected and improvements are planned. Perplexity has also introduced Sonar, an API service for enterprises, and acquired Read.cv. Founded in 2022, Perplexity has raised over 0 million in funding and processes over 100 million queries weekly. The company faces legal challenges from publishers, including lawsuits from News Corp and a cease and desist order from The New York Times, but emphasizes its commitment to respecting publisher content through a revenue-sharing program.