portfolio Archives

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

How to change to a vertical scrolling app drawer on One UI 7

Samsung has introduced a vertical scrolling app drawer in One UI 7, responding to user demand. This update is available for the Galaxy S25 series and for users who upgrade to One UI 7. The rollout for older devices has faced delays, with beta versions currently available for Galaxy S24 owners and a final build expected in early April. New features in One UI 7 include the Now Bar, which provides real-time updates, and Now Brief, offering personalized briefings. Other features include cross-app action, audio eraser, auto trim, and AI drawing assist. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a larger display, improved ultrawide camera, and lighter design compared to its predecessor.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Naughty Dog And Nixxes On The PC Port Of The Last Of Us Part II: “We Take The Steam Deck Very, Very Seriously”

The Last of Us Part II is set to launch on Steam on April 3, marking a shift in Sony's strategy to release titles across multiple platforms. The porting process involves adapting the game from PlayStation hardware to PC, which presents challenges due to differences in architecture and the need for customizable experiences for PC gamers. The development team, including members from Naughty Dog and Nixxes, has implemented a system for real-time shader compilation to enhance performance. The port will also include new characters and gameplay modes, while maintaining the original narrative. Extensive collaboration between Naughty Dog and Nixxes has ensured support for various input devices and accessibility options.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Expanding Copilot+ PC experiences across AMD, Intel and Snapdragon powered devices

Last year, Copilot+ PCs were introduced as the fastest, most intelligent, and secure Windows PCs. They have since integrated new silicon, devices, and AI experiences to enhance user interaction and productivity. New accessibility features include Live Captions, which provide real-time translations in English for audio and video content during virtual meetings and media playback, now available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for Simplified Chinese and translations from over 40 languages. Voice Access has also been updated to improve navigation through voice commands. AI-enabled creativity features are now available on AMD and Intel devices, including Cocreator in Paint, which allows users to create designs using text prompts and freehand drawing, and new tools in Photos for transforming images and creating visuals based on prompts. Some features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, requiring the November 2024 update. Features may vary by device and region, with updates continuing through 2025. Users can check for updates in Windows Settings.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

A useless Copilot button is being tested on Windows Photos

Mark has a 30-year career in technology journalism, contributing over 3,500 articles to PCWorld in the last ten years. He has also written for PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science, and Electronic Buyers' News. He shared the Jesse H. Neal Award for breaking news. Recently, he donated several dozen Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs due to his office reaching capacity for tech gadgets.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Jack Black and Dave Grohl collab on new Minecraft movie song “I Feel Alive”

The live-action adaptation of Minecraft is set to be released in theaters on April 4th. The film's soundtrack features an original song titled “I Feel Alive,” performed by Jack Black and featuring Dave Grohl on drums. The song has an ’80s rock vibe and was created in collaboration with songwriters and producers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. Danielle Brooks provides additional vocals, and Troy Van Leeuwen plays guitar. Black and Grohl have a history of collaboration, including work with Black's band, Tenacious D. The official soundtrack will also include an original score by Mark Mothersbaugh. The film's cast includes Black, Brooks, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, and Jennifer Coolidge. Black will promote the film by hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live on April 5th. Tenacious D is currently on hiatus but will return in the future.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Hitachi Energy’s upgrade to Windows 11 on 89% of desktops

Hitachi Energy has migrated over 40,000 desktops to Windows 11 across 12 countries, starting with a pilot of 500 devices in November 2023 and full rollout beginning in March 2024, expected to complete by October 2024. The company assessed 45,335 devices, with 43,568 suitable for upgrade, and found 2,330 out of 3,034 applications compatible with Windows 11, achieving a 76% compatibility rate. Approximately 40,600 devices, nearly 90%, successfully transitioned to Windows 11, while the rest were upgraded to Windows 10. The migration utilized ManagementStudio integrated with various platforms for efficiency, with nearly 10,000 devices upgraded in May 2024. A pilot program tested the new OS with selected users to identify issues before broader deployment. Transitioning is crucial as Windows 10 approaches end-of-support, with Microsoft addressing numerous vulnerabilities in its updates.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

NCSoft’s PC Games Struggle as Lineage Mobile Generates More Revenue Than Their All PC Games Combined

NCSoft's revenues have sharply declined since peaking in 2022, with 2024 revenues falling below 2017 levels. The company's stock price has decreased by 71% over the past five years. The transition from PC gaming to mobile platforms initially increased revenues, but profitability has suffered due to high platform fees from Apple and Google. NCSoft's legacy MMOs, like Lineage and Lineage 2, avoid these fees. Currently, Lineage M generates more revenue than all of NCSoft's PC games combined, and in 2022, Lineage W brought in nearly three times the revenue of the entire PC game portfolio. However, revenue from Lineage W has also declined. The player base for Throne and Liberty has decreased rapidly, raising concerns about its long-term viability. The upcoming release of Aion 2 is expected in the latter half of 2025, but expectations for success are cautious.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

Xbox Gaming Handheld details emerge as millions of soon-to-be stuck Windows 10 PCs get an unlikely savior in ChromeOS and Microsoft prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary

An upcoming Xbox gaming handheld, known as "Project Kennan," is being developed through a collaboration between ASUS and Microsoft. This device will run PC games but will not support exclusive Xbox console titles. Users will have access to a wide range of games through services like Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. As Windows 11 enforces strict hardware requirements, many PCs will remain on Windows 10, prompting Google to enhance ChromeOS for Microsoft 365 compatibility, potentially attracting users to Chromebooks or allowing them to convert their existing Windows PCs to ChromeOS. Microsoft has integrated Copilot into GroupMe to enhance the messaging experience, aiming to revitalize the app among college students. This announcement coincides with Microsoft's plans to phase out Skype. Microsoft's 50th anniversary event is scheduled for April 4, 2025, where new AI and Copilot announcements are expected, although significant product launches may be unlikely. Epic Games and Qualcomm are collaborating to enhance the Easy Anti-Cheat system for Snapdragon X PCs, improving gaming experiences on these devices. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has been reviewed and described as the "Surface Pro on steroids." Windows Central has identified deals, including a bundle with a free Meta Quest 3S and discounts on WWE 2K25 Deadman Edition.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Split Fiction hits 2m sales in one week

Hazelight's co-op adventure game, Split Fiction, sold over two million copies within its first week of release on March 6th. This achievement was announced on BlueSky, highlighting the game's rapid success compared to its predecessor, It Takes Two, which took three weeks to reach one million sales and three months for two million. Split Fiction reached one million sales in just two days. Hazelight expressed gratitude for the positive reception from players.

AppWizard

March 13, 2025

Skype is dying, but this niche messaging app once bought by Skype just integrated with Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft has integrated a new Copilot feature into GroupMe, allowing users to interact with AI for generating responses and enhancing group chat communication. Users can summon Copilot with a long press on messages, enabling functionalities such as brainstorming ideas, curating playlists, and simplifying complex concepts. GroupMe, acquired by Microsoft after its launch in 2010, has become popular among students due to its user-friendly features. The 2024 update represents a significant overhaul, emphasizing adaptability and user engagement. Future enhancements may include AI that understands group dynamics for more interactive experiences.