productivity Archives

Winsage

August 6, 2025

OpenAI’s New Open Models Accelerated Locally on NVIDIA GeForce RTX and RTX PRO GPUs

NVIDIA has partnered with OpenAI to enhance the gpt-oss models for NVIDIA GPUs, enabling rapid inference and supporting millions of users on NVIDIA RTX AI PCs. The gpt-oss-20b and gpt-oss-120b models, trained on NVIDIA H100 GPUs, feature open-weight reasoning and can handle context lengths of up to 131,072 tokens. Users can utilize these models through frameworks like Ollama, which provides a user-friendly interface for experimentation. The models are optimized for RTX GPUs and support applications such as web search and coding assistance. Developers can also access the models via Microsoft AI Foundry Local and other frameworks, with NVIDIA contributing to open-source projects to enhance performance.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

Microsoft teases the future of Windows: ‘The computer will be able to see what we see, hear what we hear, and we can talk to it’

David Weston, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President for OS Security, envisions a future version of Windows by 2030 that will feature more interactive and intuitive user engagement through multimodal interactions. He suggests that computers will be able to "see what we see" and "hear what we hear," moving away from traditional input methods like mousing and typing. AI is expected to play a significant role in this transformation, taking over mundane tasks and allowing users to focus on more creative work. Speculation exists about a potential new version of Windows, possibly branded as Windows AI or Windows Copilot, which would incorporate advanced AI capabilities. Recent developments indicate the introduction of AI agents within the Windows 11 taskbar, signaling a shift towards an AI-centric experience. While advancements in voice recognition technology may enhance the Windows experience, the timeline for fully implementing these changes remains uncertain.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

I thought it was a cute and casual little mining sim right up until it devoured my entire morning

Players in Gemporium: A Cute Mining Sim take on the role of a mole who inherits a gem shop and a debt of one million dollars. The game features mining mechanics with tools like a television for tracking sought-after gemstones and a magnifying glass for finding gems at dig sites. Players can upgrade their abilities to double gem extraction and use haggling mechanics to negotiate better sales. The game includes a humorous element of owing a loan shark, who is literally a shark. A free demo is available, and the full game will launch on Steam on August 7.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

Security leadership in the age of constant disruption

The business landscape is evolving rapidly due to technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and intelligent agents, which are reshaping operations and increasing security risks. Security is now a strategic imperative, requiring executives to anticipate and mitigate risks through investment in evolving technologies and best practices. Key trends defining the next decade include: 1. AI agents will enhance productivity but also introduce new security risks, necessitating parallel security structures. 2. Cyber-physical agents will expand security perimeters, requiring integration of physical and cybersecurity strategies. 3. Quantum computing poses retroactive threats to current cryptographic standards, prompting the need for quantum-safe encryption. 4. AI-enabled workforces will reshape talent dynamics and risk profiles, requiring collaboration between HR and IT for security programs. 5. Hardware-level security models will enhance protection and necessitate system upgrades. Organizations should adopt strategies such as securing supply chains, prioritizing attack prevention, leveraging AI for threat countermeasures, ensuring source integrity, maintaining security hygiene, and moving towards resilience with proven frameworks. Microsoft is enhancing security through initiatives like the Secure Future Initiative, Windows Resiliency Initiative, Microsoft Virus Initiative, and Zero Trust strategy.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Google is building a Linux terminal app for native Android development – here’s why that’s huge

Google plans to introduce a new Linux terminal app for developers that will run a complete Debian environment on Android devices, allowing users to execute Linux commands directly. This app will enable developers to build Android applications directly on their devices using the Android Virtualization Framework, which boots a Debian image on a virtual machine. However, Android Studio does not currently support ARM-based CPUs, limiting its functionality within this environment. Additionally, the current Android Canary build supports Linux GUI applications, allowing users to run apps like Chromium, GIMP, and LibreOffice on devices such as the Pixel 8 Pro. The exact release date for these features is unclear, but they are expected to be available first on Pixel devices.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Google Gemini Android App to Add Audio Uploads for AI Insights

Google's Gemini app for Android is set to enhance its functionality by supporting audio file uploads, as indicated by an APK teardown revealing code strings and user interface elements for this feature. This development will allow users to summarize podcasts, transcribe meetings, and extract insights from voice memos. The introduction of audio capabilities follows earlier features like Audio Overviews, which enable podcast-style discussions from written documents. However, there are significant privacy concerns regarding the handling of sensitive audio data, with fears that Google may access personal information without explicit user consent. Critics warn that audio uploads could lead to unauthorized data scraping and complicate compliance with data protection regulations. Google has mentioned configurable privacy settings to address these risks, but skepticism remains about their adequacy. The anticipated rollout of this feature is expected in the coming months.

Winsage

August 4, 2025

Microsoft is finally fixing this irritating Windows 11 feature

Windows 11 includes a feature called the Second-chance out-of-box experience (SCOOBE), which can disrupt user experience by requiring users to navigate through multiple prompts before accessing the desktop. In a recent update to the Windows 11 Dev build, Microsoft has streamlined the SCOOBE process into a single-screen interface with a list of optional features that can be toggled on or off. The new interface includes intuitive buttons for accepting or declining all offers with a single click. The SCOOBE feature typically appears on systems using local accounts or the oobebypassnro command, as well as on devices with Microsoft accounts. Users can disable SCOOBE by going to Settings > System > Notifications > Additional Settings and toggling off the relevant options.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

Why Android E-Readers Are Superior to the Kindle Colorsoft (Especially If You Read Comics)

The Boox Go Color 7 is an Android e-reader with full access to the Google Play Store. The Kindle Colorsoft features an impressive color e-ink screen but is limited by Amazon's proprietary operating system, restricting access to content only from the Amazon store and lacking native support for EPUB files. It does not have dedicated comics apps, which is a significant drawback for users interested in comics. In contrast, Android e-readers offer access to various comics apps, improved web browsing capabilities, and the potential for gaming and other creative uses. Alternatives to the Kindle Colorsoft include the Boox Note Air 4C, which has a 10.3-inch display and comes with a stylus, and the Bigme B751C, a budget-friendly option with a seven-inch display.

Winsage

August 4, 2025

I use this official Microsoft application to make booting Windows 11 so much easier

Windows users can streamline their morning routine by using a Microsoft utility called Autologon, which automates the login process. Autologon allows users to bypass traditional login steps and securely stores passwords as Local Security Authority (LSA) secrets, unlike the registry method that stores credentials in plain text. For enhanced efficiency, Autologon can be combined with PowerToys' Workspaces and Task Scheduler to automate the launch and arrangement of applications upon login. Users can create a task in Task Scheduler to trigger the desired workspace, ensuring that applications are ready and arranged as preferred. This setup saves time and improves productivity for users managing multiple applications.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft Windows: Everything you need to know

Windows is the dominant operating system globally, developed by Microsoft, and serves over a billion users. The latest version is Windows 11, which debuted in October 2021, featuring significant visual and functional enhancements. Microsoft began rolling out the 24H2 update in mid-2024, introducing AI hardware support, enhanced security, and new features like Copilot and Recall. The upcoming 25H2 update is expected in late 2025, utilizing a lightweight enablement package for a swift upgrade process. Development on Windows 12, codenamed Hudson Valley, is ongoing, with a potential release in late 2026 or early 2027, focusing on AI-first computing and modular architecture. Users can check their current Windows version by pressing the Windows key + R and typing winver. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for eligible systems, while Windows 11 Home costs 9 and Windows 11 Pro costs 9. The end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, making an upgrade advisable for continued security and access to new features.