notification system Archives

Winsage

January 11, 2026

Microsoft’s first Windows 11 preview build of 2026 brings more Copilot+ PC features to everyone

Microsoft has released its first Windows 11 preview build of the year, featuring an enhancement to the Narrator app that allows it to use Copilot for detailed image descriptions. This capability, previously available only to Copilot+ users, is now accessible to all Windows 11 devices, aiding blind and low-vision users. Additionally, Microsoft has improved the Cross Device Resume capability by introducing a new integration path via the Windows Notification System (WNS). The latest preview build is 26220.7535 (KB5072046) and is available through Windows Update for Insiders in the Dev or Beta Channel. Users are advised to switch to the Beta Channel to remain on the current 25H2 release, as the Dev Channel will soon change to higher build numbers, removing the option to switch between channels.

Winsage

January 10, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046) has been released for both the Dev and Beta Channels. Insiders in the Dev Channel have a limited opportunity to switch to the Beta Channel, which will close soon. New features include Copilot-powered image descriptions in Narrator, which enhances accessibility for blind and low-vision users. Administrators can now uninstall the Microsoft Copilot app for specific users under certain conditions. Improvements include enhancements to Cross Device Resume for developers and a refresh of the Windows Spotlight icon. Fixes have been implemented for various issues in the Start menu, File Explorer, input methods, print dialogs, and Windows Update settings. Known issues include problems with the Xbox full-screen experience, Start menu access, system tray visibility, Settings crashes, Bluetooth battery level display, and the Microsoft 365 Copilot prompt box functionality. Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are rolled out gradually to Insiders.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

Android 16 QPR3 adds a blue dot to show when apps are using your location

Google is introducing a blue dot feature in the upcoming Android 16 QPR3 beta to inform users when applications access their location. This feature builds on privacy measures from Android 12, which introduced a green dot to indicate when the camera or microphone is in use. The blue dot will appear next to the battery icon and will not show simultaneously with the green dot. The updated notification menu will be labeled “Microphone, Camera & Location,” allowing users to see which apps have accessed these permissions and to close applications directly from the menu. The beta version is currently available on Google Pixel devices and is expected to roll out to more devices early next year, with plans for adoption across all Android devices running version 12 or newer.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

5 Linux desktop environments that make ditching Windows 10 easy – including my top pick

KDE Plasma is a Linux desktop environment that resembles the Windows desktop and offers extensive customization options. It serves as the default desktop for distributions such as KDE Neon, Kubuntu, openSUSE, and Fedora KDE. Cinnamon is the default desktop environment for Linux Mint, designed for user-friendliness and closely resembling Windows in aesthetics and functionality. It is included in distributions like Linux Mint, Ubuntu Cinnamon, and Fedora Cinnamon. MATE is a continuation of GNOME 2, retaining familiar Windows features while being lightweight for older hardware. It can be found in distributions such as Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, and Ubuntu MATE. Budgie features an elegant design that mimics Windows and offers a customizable experience with a notification system called Raven. It is available in distributions like Ubuntu Budgie and Fedora. Xfce resembles Windows and includes essential features, but its high level of customization may overwhelm new users. It is the default desktop for distributions like Xubuntu and MX Linux.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

This Android weather app is a must-have during the hurricane season

The Tropical Hurricane Tracker (THT) app provides near real-time updates on tropical storms and disturbances, utilizing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It features a home page that displays active storms, NOAA advisories, and historical data, with detailed information available for each storm, including its Saffir-Simpson scale strength and wind speed. THT includes tabs for various ocean basins, allowing global storm tracking, and offers educational resources on storm preparedness and safety practices. The app also features a Buoy Data page for atmospheric data and a notification system for timely updates. THT is designed to complement standard weather apps, focusing on specialized information during hurricane season.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Dev says Steam bug ruined “more than 10 years” of work and tanked their game’s 1.0 launch, Valve says oops and offers a Daily Deal slot “to help make up for lost visibility”

The developers of the indie game Planet Centauri experienced a significant setback during their 1.0 launch due to a bug in the Steam wishlist notification system, which resulted in their launch notifications not being sent out. This glitch, affecting less than 100 games since 2015, severely impacted their sales. Valve acknowledged the issue on September 12 and offered a Daily Deal to help mitigate the visibility loss, but industry experts noted that such deals cannot fully compensate for the effects of a failed launch. The developers highlighted the improbability of their situation, being one of only a few games affected out of over 86,000 on Steam.

AppWizard

June 22, 2025

Your favorite apps might betray you, thanks to a new Android trick that fools even smart users

A significant security vulnerability has been discovered in Android's notification system, allowing malicious actors to exploit invisible Unicode characters to open deceptive links without user awareness. Research indicates that this flaw enables attackers to redirect users from seemingly legitimate links, such as "amazon.com," to malicious sites like "zon.com" through the use of zero-width space characters. Major applications including WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Discord, and Slack have been confirmed as vulnerable to this exploit. Attackers can also use this vulnerability to initiate deep links that perform actions like making calls or sending messages without user consent. Traditional antivirus solutions may not detect these threats, as they do not involve conventional malware, highlighting the need for endpoint protection tools that focus on behavioral anomalies. Users are advised to be cautious with notifications and links from unfamiliar sources.