preferences Archives

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Windows 11’s desktop is now a full-screen ad for Harry Potter movies

The Bing Wallpaper app displays different images based on geographical location and user preferences, resulting in varying advertisements for users. For example, one user noted that only one out of four PCs showed the Harry Potter theme, while the others displayed a serene view of Bamberg. Microsoft has the right to display ads within these wallpapers, a detail that may not have been clearly communicated to users. The app is integrated into both Windows 10 and 11 and aims to enhance user experience with daily updates to desktop backgrounds, though it now includes promotional content.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Announcing new builds for 8 September 2026

New Insider Preview builds for Windows 11 are being released for the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring enhancements aimed at improving user experience. 1. Cross-device resume improvements: Users can now continue browsing on their PC from where they left off on their phone, with options to open the webpage in the PC's default browser or install the phone's browser if not already present. 2. Narrator: The Narrator feature has been upgraded to include math reading and navigation support, enhancing accessibility for users who are blind or have low vision, especially in STEM fields. 3. Magnifier: The Magnifier tool now allows each display to maintain its own zoom level, enabling users to set different zoom percentages for multiple screens, improving comfort and clarity when working across different resolutions.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: MO Astray, Old Man’s Journey, ELOH, more

Amazon has reduced the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, offering a discount of 0, marking its all-time low pricing. Additionally, a selection of Google Play app and game offers includes titles such as Old Man’s Journey, Elemental Dungeon: Roguelike, MO: Astray, Skel and Defense, ELOH, Argo’s Choice: Offline Game, Angelo and Deemon (Full), Escape Alive, and Inbetween Land (Full). A broader array of Google Play deals is also available.

BetaBeacon

September 8, 2026

Wave Launcher Drops V1.0: A PS3-Style XMB Frontend for Android Retro Handhelds

Wave Launcher, an Android launcher inspired by the PlayStation-style XrossMediaBar design, has officially reached its V1.0 release. It prioritizes controller-first functionality, offers game management features, robust asset scraping capabilities, multimedia functionality, and extras such as FTP support and Discord Rich Presence integration. It is available for download on its official page and GitHub.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Sony rolls out Android 17 with Desktop mode, new camera tools, and more to Xperia phones

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is receiving an upgrade to Android 17, with the rollout currently live in the UK and Germany, featuring software version 73.1.A.2.61 and a download size of approximately 1.2GB. Key features include a new Desktop mode for connecting to external displays, enhanced personalization options, improved Quick settings panel, advanced screen recording capabilities, and enhancements to the AI Camera Assistant. The update is also available for the Xperia 1 VII, Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 10 VIII, and Xperia 10 VII. The Xperia 1 VIII is set to receive four major OS updates and six years of security updates.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

GTA 6’s Criminal Profile system sounds pretty interesting, isn’t a direct copy of Red Dead’s Honor system

Grand Theft Auto 6 features a detailed environment where player choices significantly impact the narrative. Unlike previous games, it offers immersive gameplay with various actions reflecting players' moral decisions. Recent leaks reveal chaotic behaviors, such as violent outbursts and confrontations with NPCs, emphasizing player freedom in Vice City. Rockstar Games is not implementing punitive measures for player behavior but instead introduces a 'Criminal Profiles' system categorizing behavior into four states: Professional, Aggressive, Violent, and Psycho, with a fifth state called 'shattered' for disengaged players. Players can disable Criminal Profile notifications for a tailored experience. Protagonists Jason and Lucia can display different Criminal Profile states, influencing their interactions. Maintaining a 'Professional' state requires restraint, encouraging reflection on actions and consequences. Player actions are expected to impact narrative outcomes, with comments from Rob Nelson highlighting the interconnected systems of the game. Players will navigate choices that affect their experience, balancing chaos with a more measured approach.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

5 Reasons To Switch To Waze On Android Auto

Waze, owned by Google since 2013, is a navigation app focused on driving, offering a streamlined interface that prioritizes route efficiency. It excels in suggesting optimal routes using real-time data from users, including reports on road closures and accidents. Waze provides real-time insights about traffic conditions, speed cameras, and police sightings, fostering a community through user-submitted reports. The app features a simple, user-friendly interface that adapts to lighting conditions and is designed for driving. Waze includes car-specific features, such as locating gas stations based on fuel type and sorting them by price, as well as helping electric vehicle owners find charging stations. Users can customize their experience with themes, custom voices, and alerts, enhancing engagement and enjoyment.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

How to find and hide an app on Android Auto

The sudden disappearance of apps from the Android Auto launcher can be resolved by launching the app on your phone and reconnecting to Android Auto. This issue is often due to features in the Android operating system, such as Samsung's automatic disabling of unused apps to conserve battery life. To prevent apps from disappearing, users can disable the "Auto disable unused apps" setting in their phone's battery settings. Users can also customize the apps displayed in Android Auto by navigating to Settings > Connected devices > Android Auto > Customize launcher. Not all applications are compatible with Android Auto; only those designed for the platform will appear. While there is no dedicated "hide app" function, users can manage app visibility through customization options.

Winsage

September 7, 2026

Microsoft just stumbled onto a way to fix Windows 11, but it hasn’t realized it yet

Microsoft has launched Project Zenith to improve the Windows 11 experience for developers, providing a streamlined environment primarily for high-end PCs. Devices under this initiative will come preloaded with essential development tools and optimized settings to reduce setup time. While the features are tailored for developers, similar configurations can be achieved on any Windows 11 machine by adjusting settings and installing applications like Visual Studio Code. Additionally, Microsoft plans to enhance security in Windows 11 by automatically enabling memory integrity protection on eligible devices starting next month.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

5 Of The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Using Android Auto

The choice between wired and wireless connections for Android Auto has generated discussion, with wired connections often providing a more reliable experience. Wireless connections can drain the phone's battery and lead to unstable connections, while wired setups charge the device and ensure a steady link. Unlocking the phone for Android Auto use may be inefficient, and users can enable settings to start Android Auto while locked for immediate access. Downloading offline maps is recommended to avoid issues in areas with poor mobile data coverage, as it allows navigation without a signal. Customizing notification settings in Android Auto can help reduce distractions, and activating the automatic media resume feature can streamline the experience by resuming music or podcasts upon connection.