Prism Archives

Winsage

February 22, 2026

Windows 12 Forecast Six Expert Predictions

Microsoft is preparing for the release of Windows 12, which is expected to feature an AI-native experience with deep integration of Copilot, showcasing capabilities like on-screen comprehension, voice activation, and task automation. The hardware requirements will be elevated, necessitating 16GB of RAM, rapid NVMe storage, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for advanced features. Windows on Arm is gaining momentum, with improvements in app compatibility and battery life, while a modular architecture called CorePC is being developed to facilitate faster updates and enhance security. Licensing for Windows 12 is expected to remain unchanged for consumers, with optional cloud-enhanced services available. The update cadence will increase, allowing for faster feature drops independent of major OS releases, with the Windows Insider Program continuing to test new features. Upon its release, Windows 12 will integrate Copilot, provide a more cohesive OS core, and support both x86 and Arm architectures.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

“Windows 11 26H1” is a special version of Windows exclusively for new Arm PCs

The recent developments in Windows versions present challenges for app developers and IT professionals, particularly with the introduction of a new Windows version designed exclusively for the latest Arm PCs. This shift highlights Microsoft's commitment to Arm processors, moving away from its historical focus on x86 versions. The 24H2 update for Windows 10 and 11 introduced significant enhancements for Arm PCs, including an optimized x86-to-Arm translation layer called Prism, improving compatibility and performance for applications not originally designed for Arm. This update coincided with the launch of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X-series processors, leading to more Arm-native Windows applications being released by third-party developers. Microsoft's hardware strategy has shifted, as the new Surface PCs launched in mid-2024 now exclusively use Qualcomm processors, moving away from Intel chips. Since the 24H2 update, development on Arm and x86 versions of Windows has progressed at different rates, with certain features available on Arm versions earlier than on x86 systems. Windows 11 24H2 was also available on Arm PCs in retail stores months before being released to the broader PC ecosystem. Microsoft has been contacted for details on the upcoming Windows 11 26H1 update and its potential enhancements.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Little Woody is an adorable 2D puzzle game with a great short demo that you can check out now, but be warned: It’ll leave you wanting more

Little Woody is a 2D point-and-click puzzle game with a free demo that leaves a lasting impression. The demo is brief, ending abruptly just as the player begins to engage with the puzzles. Despite its short length, the experience was enjoyable enough for the player to add it to their wishlist, with the developers targeting a full release in Q2 of this year.

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Xbox App officially launches on ARM-based Windows 11 PCs from Microsoft

Microsoft has launched an ARM-compatible version of its Xbox App, enhancing the gaming ecosystem for ARM-based Windows 11 devices. Over 85% of the current Game Pass library is functional on ARM systems, although full compatibility remains exclusive to x86-based systems. Gamers can access unsupported titles through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft’s Prism emulation layer allows native x86 and x64 applications to run on ARM PCs, with recent updates improving Game Pass compatibility. Popular titles like Gears of War: Reloaded and Fortnite now support ARM. This development encourages innovation from companies like Nvidia and Qualcomm, while the gap in game compatibility between ARM and x86 architectures is closing. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is highlighted as a top choice for building or upgrading gaming PCs.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Arm-Based Windows 11 PCs Can Now Download and Play Games from the Xbox App

Microsoft's Xbox app on Windows 11 now supports game downloads on all ARM-based PCs, expanding functionality beyond cloud gaming for Qualcomm-powered devices. This update follows an initial rollout for Xbox Insiders in August, coinciding with Epic Games' compatibility of its Easy Anti-Cheat system with Windows on ARM. The Prism emulator was updated in December to support more x86 games on ARM devices, and the Xbox app now includes a Windows Performance Fit feature to assess game performance based on hardware. Over 85% of the Game Pass catalog is compatible with ARM PCs, with ongoing efforts to increase support. Emulation performance has improved on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series chips, with further enhancements expected from upcoming X2 series chips, although native ARM64 game versions are still anticipated.

Winsage

January 21, 2026

The Xbox app is now available on Arm-based Windows PCs

Microsoft has launched its Xbox app for Windows 11 PCs with Arm chips, specifically those using the Snapdragon X processor. Over 85% of games on Microsoft’s Game Pass are now compatible with Arm architecture. The app allows for native game execution on devices, moving beyond previous limitations of cloud streaming. Microsoft has improved its emulator, Prism, to support AVX and AVX2 instructions. Additionally, a new feature called Game Save Sync integrates save data across PC and handheld devices. Microsoft plans to expand the Xbox app to select Hisense and V HomeOS-powered smart TVs in 2026. Xbox Game Pass offers various subscription tiers: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, with the Ultimate Tier providing access to both Xbox and PC Game Pass games, including day-one releases for first-party titles.

Winsage

January 21, 2026

Play more: Xbox app is now available on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs

Windows 11 has made significant advancements in gaming, particularly for Arm-based devices. The Xbox app is now available on all Arm-based Windows 11 PCs, with over 85% of the Game Pass catalog compatible. Xbox Cloud Gaming offers an alternative for unsupported titles. The introduction of Prism allows x86/x64 software to run on Arm, supporting AVX and AVX2 for modern games. Epic Anti-Cheat support has enabled popular games like Gears of War: Reloaded and Fortnite on these devices. The Windows Performance Fit feature helps players choose games based on their hardware capabilities. Ongoing collaborations aim to enhance catalog compatibility and improve the gaming experience on various Windows 11 devices. Player feedback is shaping updates and new titles for Arm-based Windows 11 PCs.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven’t forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig

The latest update to VLC, versions 3.0.22 and 3.0.23, introduces native support for Arm processors, specifically for Windows ARM64, requiring a minimum of Windows 10 RS5 17763 / 1809. This update improves playback across various formats, enhances subtitle rendering, includes codec updates, introduces a Dark Mode user interface, allows users to manage playing files, and addresses multiple security issues. The Snapdragon X2 Plus chip outperforms Intel's Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors, delivering up to 3.5 times the CPU performance of the former and a 52% increase in multi-core performance compared to the latter. Microsoft reported that 90% of usage time on Arm-based PCs is dedicated to natively compiled applications.

Winsage

January 3, 2026

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 12-inch delivers rich Windows‑on‑Arm performance at a new low price — now under $760 for New Year’s

In 2026, Amazon is offering a 16% discount on the Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch laptop, reducing its price to .99 from the original .99. The laptop features a Snapdragon X Plus (8 Core) processor, 16GB of RAM, a 12-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2196x1464, a refresh rate of 90Hz, and a brightness of 400 nits. It has 512GB of storage, a battery life averaging around 16 hours, and supports Windows on ARM. Additionally, a 256GB version is available for .99, down from .99, with various color options for the 512GB model.

Winsage

December 11, 2025

Your Windows 11 on Arm PC can now run even more x86 apps and games thanks to Microsoft’s latest Prism emulation update

Microsoft has updated its Prism emulator, allowing x86 applications to run on Windows 11 devices with Arm chips. This update improves performance, especially for applications using AVX or AVX2 extensions, and increases the number of compatible apps and games. The Prism emulator is a significant enhancement over the previous x86 app emulation layer from Windows 10, enabling most x86 applications to run smoothly on Snapdragon devices, comparable to traditional Intel PCs.