photo Archives

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

What Google’s new Android laptops can do with your Galaxy phone

Google has launched preorders for Googlebooks, a new category of laptops that combine Android's mobile capabilities with ChromeOS features. Initial offerings come from manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, while Samsung is not included in this launch. Googlebooks are designed to integrate with Android phones, allowing users to transfer information during setup. Key features include Continue On, which lets users pick up tasks started on their phones, and Cast My Apps, enabling control of phone applications on the laptop. Quick Access allows users to open files from their phones without transferring them first, and notifications can be managed on the Googlebook. Users need to have One UI 9 (Android 17) or newer to utilize these features. Samsung is reportedly developing its own Android-based Galaxy Book laptops that may incorporate similar functionalities.

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

This Good Lock module turns Samsung’s Gallery app into a more capable editor

Samsung's Gallery app now includes advanced editing features, allowing users to edit images and videos, create collages and GIFs, and remove backgrounds. A hidden feature called Gallery Labs offers album-entry locks and the ability to save images as PDFs. The Gallery Assistant, part of Samsung's Good Lock, enhances the app with batch processing capabilities and seven new tools: 1. Reduce size - compresses images and videos. 2. Rotate and flip - bulk rotation and flipping of images. 3. Image clipper - extracts subjects from images. 4. Add watermark - adds customizable watermarks to images. 5. Compare images - side-by-side comparison of similar images. 6. Save as PDF - converts images into PDFs with customizable options. 7. Print - simultaneous printing of multiple images. Gallery Assistant integrates with Enhance-X for improved image and video quality. Users can access it through the Good Lock app, and it allows rearranging tool order for convenience. Users appreciate its features but suggest improvements like format conversion and EXIF metadata editing.

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

The Ultimate APK Safety Checklist Every Android User Needs

Downloading an APK file allows Android users to access various applications, including those not available in official app stores. Users should consider the source, developer credibility, and requested permissions before installation. APK files are the format used by Android for app installation, and users may download them for reasons such as regional restrictions, needing older versions, or testing beta releases. APK files are not inherently unsafe; the risks arise from unknown sources, which may contain malware, tracking software, or other harmful elements. To ensure safety, users should verify the origin of the file, the developer's identity, and the permissions requested by the app. They should also scan APK files with security tools and be cautious of warning signs like unrealistic promises or missing developer information. A checklist before installation includes researching the app name, confirming the developer, reviewing permissions, checking security information, and monitoring the app after installation. Safe practices involve downloading from official sources, avoiding unknown websites, and keeping Android security updates current. Trusted information sources can help users make better decisions regarding APK files.

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

Samsung’s Gallery App is Getting New Google Photos Sync Feature

Samsung is replacing the OneDrive integration in its Gallery Android app with Google Photos, following Microsoft's announcement that OneDrive photo backup will cease after September 30, 2026. The new cloud sync feature with Google Photos is being rolled out to select Galaxy users, who must update their Gallery Cloud Sync, Samsung Cloud, and Samsung Gallery apps. The integration does not support supervised personal Google accounts or Google Workspace accounts. Users can back up their camera roll, specific albums, and local device folders to Google Photos, but edited photos will appear as separate items, and some Google Photos features will not be accessible for synced photos. Samsung's Gallery app will continue to operate alongside Google Photos, and the company is developing its own web browser for Android and Windows.

AppWizard

September 18, 2026

Samsung Gallery finally gets Google Photos sync — here’s what you need to do

Samsung is ending its OneDrive integration on September 30 and will instead offer direct Google Photos backup within the Samsung Gallery app. The update, version 15.9.01.7, introduces a "Sync photos and videos" option that allows users to connect a personal Google account for photo and video backup. Users can selectively sync specific local folders or disable main camera roll uploads. This feature is available only on devices running Android 13 or later and requires a compatible Samsung device. Users can disable the Google Photos sync if they prefer not to use it, while still accessing previously backed-up photos via Google Photos.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Speed Fixes Are Coming to All Users

Windows 11 users have experienced delays in File Explorer and the Start menu since the operating system's launch in 2021. Recent reports from Windows Insiders indicate significant improvements in system responsiveness, confirmed by Marcus Ash from Microsoft, who stated that these enhancements will be rolled out to all users by fall 2026. Recent cumulative updates have addressed issues like File Explorer lag and Start menu stuttering, with specific updates (KB5120998, KB5095093, and KB5089573) improving responsiveness and reducing micro-stutters. Enhancements to the taskbar, Start menu, and context menus are also being developed, including taskbar repositioning and streamlined context menus. Users on the 25H2 version can expect these improvements through cumulative updates before the 26H2 update this fall. Keeping Windows Update active will ensure access to these enhancements.

AppWizard

September 16, 2026

The MSI Codex Z2C RTX 5070 Prebuilt Gaming PC Drops to $1399 and Includes an Upcoming PC Game

B&H Photo is offering a limited-time deal on the MSI Codex Z2C RTX 5070 gaming PC for ,399 with free shipping. Buyers will receive a download voucher for the game Control: Resonant, releasing on September 22. The PC features an AMD Ryzen 7 8700F CPU, GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The Ryzen 7 8700F has an 8-core, 16-thread architecture with a boost clock speed of 5.1GHz. The GeForce RTX 5070 is designed for 1080p and 1440p gaming, typically retailing around 0. It can run most titles at 4K, but upgrading to a 5070 Ti may provide better performance at that resolution.

AppWizard

September 16, 2026

Android 17 QPR1 Drops: Top New Features, Customization & UI Changes Explained

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR1, which includes user interface enhancements, multitasking capabilities, and digital wellbeing features. Key features include: - Pause Point: Introduces a delay before opening distracting apps, encouraging users to engage in calming activities. - Material 3 Blur Expansion: Adds background blur effects to various system surfaces, including the volume panel and power menu. - Multi-Screensaver Support: Allows users to select and switch between multiple screensavers. - Custom Ringtone Vibrations: Users can assign unique vibration patterns for individual ringtones. - Taskbar Recent Apps: Displays actual recent apps on large-screen devices. - HID Access: New APIs enable applications to interact with connected USB and Bluetooth peripherals. - Health Connect Tracking: Natively tracks distance and calories through a built-in step counter. - Media Player Tweaks: Enhancements to the media player carousel and screen recorder functionality. Android 17 QPR1 is initially available for eligible Google Pixel devices, with other manufacturers to follow based on their release schedules.

AppWizard

September 11, 2026

My old Android phone runs faster after one quick change

Users often experience sluggishness in their devices despite deleting apps and clearing photo galleries, leading to delays in capturing photos and slow app openings. Upgrading can be costly due to high RAM prices, but a simple adjustment in the settings, specifically disabling animations, can significantly enhance smartphone performance. This minor tweak can rejuvenate the device, making it feel smoother and more efficient.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

4 super-minimalist apps that replace Windows’ bloated, cluttered defaults

Microsoft's updates to Windows have led to criticism over the default applications becoming overloaded with unnecessary features, particularly with the introduction of AI capabilities. Users are seeking alternatives that emphasize simplicity and efficiency. One Photo Viewer is a lightweight replacement for the Photos app, focusing on straightforward image viewing without complex editing tools. Lively Weather is a resource-efficient alternative to the default Weather app, consuming around 170MB of RAM while providing clean weather information. TinyRetroPad is a minimalist text editor under 3KB, offering essential features without the complexity of the updated Notepad. Pinta is a modern, open-source alternative to Microsoft Paint, retaining simplicity while providing sufficient tools for various projects. The trend of incorporating AI features into applications like Notepad has raised concerns about Microsoft’s direction, prompting users to prefer third-party alternatives that prioritize core functionality and performance.