preview program Archives

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Microsoft brings back personalization to Windows 11

Microsoft is addressing user feedback on Windows 11 by enhancing taskbar and Start menu customization. Users will soon be able to reposition the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen and choose icon alignment. This feature aims to provide more flexibility and improve user experience, particularly for those needing additional vertical screen space. The updates are currently available to Windows Insider Preview participants and can be adjusted in the settings. Additionally, the Start menu will see changes, allowing users to disable sections like Recommended and Pinned, rename the Recommended section to Recent, and choose between small and large sizes for the menu. These enhancements are expected to roll out to all Windows 11 users soon.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Lilbits: A RISC-V router (crowdfunding), an E Ink color dev kit, and Windows 11 taskbar customization

Microsoft is reintroducing the option to reposition the taskbar in Windows 11, currently available only to Windows 11 Insider Preview program members using an experimental build. Additional customization options for the Start Menu are also being rolled out to Insiders. A crowdfunding initiative has launched for a WiFi router powered by a RISC-V processor and a modified version of OpenWrt, featuring a SpacemiT K1 RISC-V processor, 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage, priced at 9, with no delivery guarantee. M5Stack has launched a development kit with a 4-inch E Ink Spectra 6 color display, priced at , which includes a 1250 mAh battery, microSD card reader, speaker, microphone, and buttons. GEEKOM has upgraded its mini PC lineup with the A9 Max 2026 Edition, featuring a Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 chip for improved AI and CPU performance compared to the HX 370. Pine64 has warned of a defect in a batch of its PinePower V2 power supplies, which may display a 0V output under certain conditions, assuring users that the issue will be fixed in the next production batch.

Tech Optimizer

March 29, 2026

Announcing Lakebase Public Preview

At the Data and AI Summit, Databricks announced the Public Preview of Databricks Lakebase, a fully-managed Postgres database designed for data applications and artificial intelligence. Lakebase addresses challenges in operational databases by merging operational and analytical data, offering a scalable architecture that separates compute from storage. It supports popular Postgres extensions and features low latency and high concurrency transactions. Lakebase includes multi-zone high availability, encrypted storage with point-in-time recovery, and copy-on-write branching for isolated testing. It integrates seamlessly with the Databricks lakehouse, enabling efficient data synchronization and unified governance. Lakebase is accessible across multiple cloud providers and is currently in Public Preview, with hundreds of customers already using it for various applications.

AppWizard

January 8, 2026

Google could soon bring the new Fitbit app experience to free users

Google is enhancing the Fitbit app experience for free-tier users, expanding access to the redesigned app initially available only to Fitbit Premium subscribers and Public Preview participants. The latest version, v4.60, introduces features such as weekly cardio targets, new Fitness and Sleep tabs, and a Health tab for deeper health data analysis. Users will be able to switch between the standard and redesigned app versions. However, certain features, like the AI-powered "Ask Coach," will remain exclusive to Premium subscribers. The changes are part of Google's commitment to health and fitness technology and will soon include a broader audience in the Public Preview program.

Winsage

December 28, 2025

Microsoft tests File Explorer search optimisation to reduce RAM usage in Windows 11

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 File Explorer to reduce its memory usage, currently being tested in Windows 11 Build 26220.7523 and above for Insider preview participants. The updates aim to optimize search functionality by eliminating duplicate file indexing operations, which have historically caused high RAM and CPU consumption. Additionally, Microsoft is refining the File Explorer interface by relocating less frequently used options in the right-click context menu into a dedicated sub-menu, labeled either “Manage file” or “Other actions.” A broader rollout of these updates is expected around late January or February.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

Google Home app update finally makes moving devices from Nest app less painful

Google updated its Google Home app on December 10, allowing users to transfer multiple Nest devices from the Nest app to the Google Home app with a single tap. This update simplifies the process, which previously required transferring devices one at a time. Users can now transition Nest cameras, thermostats, locks, and smoke alarms from 2015 into the Google Home ecosystem. This feature is part of Google's strategy to consolidate Nest devices within the Google Home app and is currently available only to users in the Google Home Public Preview program.

Winsage

November 9, 2025

Microsoft announces first test build for Windows 11 26H1, aimed at ‘specific silicon’ — Rumor mill suggests first “H1” release in Windows 11’s history might be reserved for upcoming Arm PCs

Windows 11 has introduced its latest major feature update, 25H2, and Microsoft has confirmed the upcoming "26H1" release with Preview Build 28000 in the Canary channel of the Insider Preview program. The 26H1 update is currently in testing and is expected to launch early next year, focusing on ARM architecture. Potential candidates for this update include the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Nvidia N1X systems, as Qualcomm prepares to release new chips in early 2026. Microsoft stated that 26H1 is not a feature update for version 25H2 but includes platform changes to support specific silicon, with no action required from customers. This marks the first time Microsoft has planned a major update for the beginning of the year, primarily to enhance support for specific ARM silicon. Preview Build 28000 serves as the base RTM build for Windows 11 26H1, allowing OEMs like Qualcomm and Nvidia to integrate it into their systems.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

You won’t be able to use these features in the redesigned Fitbit app preview yet

Google will begin rolling out a major redesign of the Fitbit app for Android users on October 28, available to Fitbit Premium subscribers with compatible devices. The update includes an AI-powered Fitbit Coach for personalized fitness experiences. However, many key features will be missing during this preview phase, including: - Menstrual health logging and tracking - Nutrition and hydration logging and tracking - Blood glucose logging and tracking - Body temperature logging and tracking - Stress Management Score, Body Responses, mindfulness days, and mood logging - Manual editing of sleep sessions and data - Heart rate zone analysis in exercise summaries - Sedentary time and hours - Advanced running metrics for Pixel Watch 3 and 4 users - Cardio Fitness Score - Friends, groups, leaderboard, and messages - Viewing badges - Sharing workouts on social media - Exporting TCX files from workout summaries - Switching to children’s view for data from children's accounts - Syncing data from Aria Air to the Fitbit app The app also cannot import exercise sessions, routes, and health metrics from third-party applications via Health Connect. Users can revert to the previous app version easily through the settings menu.