platform

Winsage
September 27, 2026
Microsoft has unveiled two new Surface PCs, the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch, which will not carry the Copilot+ branding. The redesigned Surface Mouse is set to launch later this month with a soft-touch finish and improved haptics. The decision to not label the new Surface devices as Copilot+ PCs reflects a shift in Microsoft's AI PC development strategy, influenced by feedback from manufacturers. Microsoft’s branding strategy has faced scrutiny due to the extensive use of the Copilot name across various products, leading to confusion among users. However, Microsoft clarified that the discontinuation of Copilot+ PCs does not indicate the end of the Copilot platform, which is set to evolve with significant enhancements.
AppWizard
September 27, 2026
F-Droid has released version 2.0 of its official Android app, marking the most substantial update in a decade after over a year of development and 14 test builds. The app has been reconstructed using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, aligning it with Android’s Material Design principles and improving maintenance and feature expansion. Navigation is simplified into three sections: Discover, Search, and My Apps. The Discover section showcases new apps, updates, and popular downloads, while categories have been refined for easier access to specific software types. The search functionality has been enhanced to allow users to filter by application names, descriptions, categories, and languages. F-Droid 2.0 now automatically checks for and installs updates, with manual controls still available. Recent changes in the Android platform enable smoother installation experiences for alternative app stores. Privacy features have been updated, but the F-Droid Privileged Extension is not supported in this version, and the app-wiping capability has not returned.
Winsage
September 27, 2026
Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.
AppWizard
September 26, 2026
Modder gebdag has released GTA2 RTX Remix, a mod for Grand Theft Auto 2 that utilizes Nvidia’s RTX Remix technology to enhance the game, originally launched 27 years ago. The mod introduces full path tracing, dynamic time-of-day cycles, and modernizes the aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9. It improves gameplay fluidity with frame rates up to 60 FPS and addresses issues like the sudden appearance of cars and pedestrians. Players need a copy of Grand Theft Auto 2 version 9.6, available for free since 2004, and a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or 11, along with the RTX Remix runtime files, to use the mod. The RTX Remix platform has also enabled similar enhancements for other classic games.
BetaBeacon
September 26, 2026
Google is enhancing the gaming experience for Android Auto users by refining the GameSnacks feature. Developers worldwide can now bring their games to Android Auto, and Google is working on bringing full-screen mode to GameSnacks titles. A significant update to Android Auto is expected in late 2026, which will include support for widgets and video apps, allowing users to watch YouTube videos in their cars when parked.
Winsage
September 26, 2026
Microsoft is evolving its offerings in artificial intelligence, particularly with updates announced at its Copilot event, which signify a shift towards a more integrated Microsoft 365 experience. The latest version of Copilot aims to create a cohesive workspace that connects documents, conversations, data, and tasks, making AI more accessible for everyday users and enterprise customers. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of keeping humans "in the flow of work" and creating systems that learn continuously. Key features include Autopilot, a digital teammate that manages tasks across Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and other applications, allowing users to focus on strategic initiatives. At the core of these advancements is Microsoft IQ, a unified intelligence layer that connects data and workflows throughout the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft is also introducing a plugin registry for custom integrations and implementing FinOps for AI to optimize spending. Regular consumers can access these features based on their M365 Premium or Pro subscriptions, with further developments expected at Microsoft Ignite in November.
AppWizard
September 26, 2026
Ads are prevalent on Android devices, leading users to choose between enduring them or paying for premium subscriptions. BlockAds is a free, open-source app that blocks ads on Android by creating a local VPN, filtering traffic without requiring device rooting. Users can also employ DNS filtering to block ads by changing their DNS server settings, with services like AdGuard and NextDNS available for this purpose. Firefox supports the uBlock Origin extension for ad-blocking on Android, while NewPipe allows users to watch YouTube videos ad-free and access premium features. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a built-in YouTube ad blocker, and the Brave browser automatically blocks ads and trackers without additional setup.
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