playback Archives

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

My top 6 open-source Android apps from the Google Play Store – and why that’s important

Android supports a variety of open-source applications available on the Google Play Store. Notable open-source apps include: 1. Bitwarden: A password manager with open-source transparency, strong encryption, secure sharing, two-factor authentication, an intuitive interface, auto-fill capabilities, and a random password generator. It offers both free and paid versions. 2. Brave: A secure browser built on Chromium that prioritizes user privacy, includes an AI tool for summarizing websites, a toggleable VPN feature, and a privacy stats widget. It is free and resembles the Chrome interface. 3. Wavelet: An app for optimizing music playback through wireless earbuds, featuring preset sound profiles, AutoEQ, and a graphic equalizer. It is free and simplifies sound customization based on earbud models. 4. Tor Browser: A browser focused on privacy and anonymity, providing robust security layers, though it may be slower due to these protections. 5. KDE Connect: An app that connects Android devices with Linux systems for sharing clipboard content, files, URLs, and notifications, and allows remote command execution. It is freely available and compatible with various desktop environments. 6. ProtonVPN: A VPN service offering secure and private internet access, tracker blocking, and servers in over 110 countries. It has a free version with limitations and a subscription option for enhanced features.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

I want to use YouTube Music for podcasts, but it keeps letting me down

Edgar Cervantes shared his experience with YouTube Music's podcast functionality, highlighting frustrations with its navigation and organization, which detracts from the user experience. He noted that YouTube Music prioritizes music and video content, making it difficult to locate podcasts, with subscriptions buried in the Library tab. The app defaults to video for podcasts, requiring users to switch to audio mode manually. Despite these issues, there is potential for improvement, and users like Cervantes continue to use the app due to its music streaming capabilities. To enhance its podcast experience, Google needs to implement a dedicated podcast tab, improve navigation, remember playback positions, and enhance search functionalities. Until these improvements are made, users may prefer dedicated podcast apps like Pocket Casts for a better experience.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft Edge UI Now 40% Faster on Average, Key UI Elements Load Up to 4x Quicker

Microsoft has updated its Edge browser, achieving a First Contentful Paint (FCP) of under 300 milliseconds by using its WebUI 2.0 architecture instead of the traditional React framework, resulting in a 40% average reduction in load times for thirteen core features. The updated settings UI shows a fourfold improvement in performance compared to the previous version. This release builds on enhancements from May 2024, which improved launch times by 42-76%, and an optimization effort in February 2025 that targeted fourteen interface subsystems. Internal tests confirm the settings panel now consistently renders in under 300 ms. Microsoft plans to extend these performance improvements to Print Preview and Extensions management throughout 2025.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft Edge is now faster than ever — again — with 40% quicker load speeds

Microsoft Edge has introduced a significantly improved user interface with a First Contentful Paint (FCP) time of under 300 milliseconds. Since February, load times have been reduced by an average of 40% across 13 features, including enhanced settings navigation, an AI-powered Read Aloud feature with multi-language support, a Split Screen function for seamless task transitions, and more responsive Workspaces. These improvements are attributed to the implementation of WebUI 2.0, which streamlines code bundles and reduces JavaScript for UI initialization. The Edge team also reported a 9% increase in speed as measured by Speedometer 3.0 earlier this year. Additional features like sleeping tabs and startup boost have been added to enhance performance, with plans for further improvements in Print Preview and Extensions.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft’s Edge browser now loads sites even faster

Microsoft has announced significant enhancements to the Edge browser, achieving a First Contentful Paint (FCP) of under 300 milliseconds, which improves user interface responsiveness. This performance metric indicates that the browser can display initial website elements in less than 300 milliseconds. Microsoft emphasizes that waiting longer than 300 to 400 milliseconds can negatively affect user satisfaction. Edge currently holds less than five percent of the global browser market share, while Chrome has 68 percent. Recent upgrades include faster downloads, browsing history, and private tabs, with improvements to 13 additional features. Microsoft plans to introduce further performance enhancements targeting Print Preview and Extensions in the coming months.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft Edge sets a new standard for speed and responsiveness

Microsoft Edge has achieved a global First Contentful Paint (FCP) time of under 300 milliseconds, reflecting a commitment to enhancing user experience through speed. This milestone was influenced by research indicating that delays beyond 300 to 400 milliseconds can negatively impact user satisfaction. Load times have been reduced by an average of 40% across 13 key browser features, including Settings, Read Aloud, Split Screen, and Workspaces. Future performance enhancements are expected for features like Print Preview and Extensions. FCP measures how quickly the various feature UIs of Microsoft Edge visually load.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Spotify just dropped ‘Jam’, its most social in-car feature yet for Android Auto

Spotify has updated its Android Auto app with a new design and features, including the "Jam" feature that allows drivers to host shared playback sessions. Passengers can join by scanning a QR code and contribute to the music queue, while the host maintains control. The update also includes a "Downloaded" tab for easier access to offline music, a floating Search button for manual track selection, and a streamlined interface for safer navigation. This update is part of Google's plans to enhance media app capabilities within Android Auto, with similar updates expected for other apps. The update is currently being rolled out on the Google Play Store.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Fix Error 0xc00d36c4 in Windows 10/11: 5 Working Methods

Error code 0xc00d36c4 is a common media playback issue in Windows 10 and 11, occurring when the operating system cannot open certain video or audio files. This error can appear in applications like Windows Media Player, Groove Music, and the Movies & TV app, and is often associated with file corruption, unsupported formats, external storage issues, DRM restrictions, or outdated software. Five solutions to fix the error include using 4DDiG Video Repair for corrupted files, converting files to supported formats with a converter, trying a different media player like VLC, updating media components, and checking external storage devices. 4DDiG Video Repair supports various formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, M4V, FLV, 3GP, and MP3 and WAV.

AppWizard

June 23, 2025

Spotify may finally launch lossless audio after years of delays

Recent updates in the Spotify app (version 1.2.66) indicate the upcoming introduction of a lossless audio feature, which is expected to be exclusive to Spotify Premium subscribers and support high-resolution playback up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz. The app's code and user interface reference this capability, aligning with earlier reports of a new subscription tier called Music Pro, which will offer high-quality audio streaming along with additional features like remixing tools and concert ticket access. Despite the anticipation for lossless streaming since its announcement in 2021, Spotify has not yet rolled out this feature, but recent developments suggest a focus on high-fidelity audio.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

This open-source tool gave me the Windows desktop I’ve always wanted

JaxCore is an open-source suite designed to enhance the Windows 11 experience through customization. It operates as a collection of plugins and tools built on the Rainmeter platform, providing users with various widgets for their desktops. JaxCore simplifies the customization process with pre-made tools and allows for deeper customization for those familiar with coding. The suite includes modules like YourFlyouts, YourMixer, ValliStart, Keylaunch, and IdleStyle, as well as widgets such as ModularVisualizer, ModularClocks, ModularPlayers, and Plainext. Although JaxCore is no longer under active development, users can still utilize it, though they may encounter bugs. The author successfully customized their desktop with a media player, clock, and revamped start menu, enhancing their workflow and aesthetic experience. They express a desire to further explore JaxCore and other customization tools.