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Call of Duty coming to Nvidia's RTX Spark is a huge win for Windows on ARM
Winsage
October 7, 2026

Call of Duty coming to Nvidia’s RTX Spark is a huge win for Windows on ARM

Microsoft announced that the Call of Duty series will debut on Nvidia RTX Spark-powered devices in 2027, including the Surface Laptop Ultra. The Ricochet anti-cheat system will be adapted for Arm64 architecture to address challenges faced by gamers on Arm-based laptops. Upcoming RTX Spark-powered laptops from manufacturers like Asus, Dell, MSI, and HP were also mentioned. Speculation suggests that the title may be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
October 7, 2026

Googlebooks and Intel: Google’s Android app caveat

Google confirmed that most Android applications work well on both Intel and Qualcomm-powered Googlebooks, but some complex applications may need adjustments for optimal performance on Intel architecture. This need for tuning arises because many Android apps were originally designed for Arm processors. Google introduced five Googlebook models, three with Intel processors and two with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors. The application binary interface (ABI) distinguishes how compiled code relates to specific processor platforms, with arm64-v8a for Arm CPUs and x86_64 for x86-64 CPUs, explaining why some complex apps may require tuning for Intel-based devices.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
October 5, 2026

Googlebook Android App Compatibility: Here’s why you might choose Qualcomm over Intel models

Google has acknowledged that not all Android applications will function flawlessly on its newly launched Googlebooks powered by Intel processors. Users may find better compatibility with devices utilizing ARM-based Qualcomm chips. Google stated that the “vast majority” of Android apps on the Play Store operate without issues, but some complex applications may encounter challenges. The company is working with app developers, Intel, and Qualcomm to optimize performance and expand compatibility. Devices like the Dell XPS and HP Googlebook feature Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPUs, while Lenovo, ASUS, and Acer Googlebooks have Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. These laptops are designed for AI-first usage, come with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and promise up to 14 hours of battery life.
Microsoft Touts Windows on Arm Ahead of Nvidia RTX Spark
Winsage
August 25, 2026

Microsoft Touts Windows on Arm Ahead of Nvidia RTX Spark

In June, Microsoft and Nvidia introduced the Windows on Arm-based RTX Spark chipsets, signaling a shift in personal computing. New PCs, including models from Microsoft’s Surface line, are expected soon, driven by increasing customer demand for efficient Windows on Arm devices. This interest follows Apple's announcement of its Arm-based chips, prompting Microsoft to adapt to the changing market. Klaus Diaconu from Microsoft indicated that Nvidia RTX Spark PCs from manufacturers like ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI are set to launch in fall 2026. The growth of the Windows app ecosystem is also noted, with over 7,000 verified apps and games available for Windows on Arm. Microsoft’s App Assure program collaborates with developers to enhance application representation in this ecosystem. Significant advancements in compatibility have been reported across various app categories since the last update. Diaconu emphasized that Windows on Arm is now characterized by a growing ecosystem of PCs and applications that meet consumer needs. Microsoft has not explicitly referenced "Windows 11" in its communications, focusing instead on the "Copilot+ PC" narrative.
Microsoft celebrates major progress with Windows 11 on Arm PCs, confirms Windows on Arm is now "a first-class platform for any workload" and that "customer demand is growing"
Winsage
August 25, 2026

Microsoft celebrates major progress with Windows 11 on Arm PCs, confirms Windows on Arm is now “a first-class platform for any workload” and that “customer demand is growing”

Microsoft has announced advancements in the Windows on Arm platform, highlighting the upcoming addition of NVIDIA's RTX Spark SoC later this year, which will enhance the existing Qualcomm Snapdragon X platform. By fall 2026, devices from manufacturers like Microsoft Surface, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI will feature RTX Spark technology. There are currently over 7,000 compatible applications for Windows on Arm, available on the "Works on WOA" website. Users can engage in discussions about these developments on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral.
Minecraft Java Edition gets a PC system requirement update 17 years after launch
AppWizard
July 28, 2026

Minecraft Java Edition gets a PC system requirement update 17 years after launch

Mojang Studios has updated the system requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition, necessitating more memory, faster processors, and enhanced graphics capabilities. The new minimum requirements are: - Target: 1080p @ 30 FPS, Fast preset - OS: Windows 10 64-bit, Windows on ARM, macOS 12+, or Linux 64-bit - Architecture: x64, ARM64 - Memory: 8 GB (with discrete GPU) or 12 GB (with integrated GPU) - Processor: Intel Core i3-10100, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, Qualcomm Snapdragon X, or Apple M1 (minimum of 4 physical cores) - Graphics: Vulkan 1.3-capable GPU with at least 2 GB VRAM (e.g., NVIDIA GTX 950 or newer, AMD Radeon RX 460 or newer) The recommended requirements are: - Target: 1080p @ 60 FPS, Fancy preset - OS: Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 14+, or Linux 64-bit - Architecture: x64, ARM64 - Memory: 16 GB - Processor: Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600, or Apple M2 Pro - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, Intel Arc A580, or Apple M2 Pro with 6 GB VRAM If a computer does not meet the minimum requirements, it may still run Minecraft but with potential issues such as lower frame rates and visual glitches. Mojang has indicated that support for older hardware may be phased out in the future.
Minecraft system requirements raised for the first time in 17 years — Microsoft now recommends 16GB of RAM and a 2020s or newer CPU to run the Java Edition
AppWizard
July 26, 2026

Minecraft system requirements raised for the first time in 17 years — Microsoft now recommends 16GB of RAM and a 2020s or newer CPU to run the Java Edition

Microsoft has updated the minimum and recommended system requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition for the first time in 17 years. The new minimum requirements are as follows: - OS: Windows 10 64-Bit, Windows on ARM, macOS 12+, or Linux 64-bit (previously Windows 7, macOS 10.14.5 Mojave, or later) - CPU: Intel Core i3-10100 / AMD Ryzen 3 3100 / Qualcomm Snapdragon X / Apple M1 (previously Intel Core i3-3210 / AMD A8-8600 / Apple M1) - GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 950 / AMD Radeon RX 460 / Intel Arc A310 / Intel i5-6400 (iGPU) (previously Intel HD Graphics 4000 / AMD Radeon R5) - Memory: 8GB (discrete GPU) / 12GB (iGPU) (previously 2GB) The new recommended requirements are: - OS: Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 14+, or Linux 64-bit (previously Windows 10, macOS 10.14.5 Mojave, or later) - CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 / AMD Ryzen 5 5600 / Apple M2 Pro (previously Intel Core i5-4690 / AMD A10-7800 / Apple M1) - GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT / Intel Arc A580 (previously Nvidia GeForce 700 series / AMD Radeon RX 200 series) - Memory: 16GB (previously 4GB) Players whose systems do not meet the new minimum requirements can switch to the Bedrock Edition to continue gameplay, though this may result in the loss of certain mods.
Why Your Windows 11 PC Doesn't Get AI Features
Winsage
May 18, 2026

Why Your Windows 11 PC Doesn’t Get AI Features

Several hundred million Windows 11 users are experiencing frustrations due to the absence of Microsoft features like Recall and Cocreator, which are only available on Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft has divided Windows 11 into two tiers, with the latest AI functionalities requiring specific hardware known as Copilot+ PC. To qualify, a device must have: - An NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS - A minimum of 16 GB of RAM (DDR5 or LPDDR5) - At least 256 GB of SSD storage - Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer - A processor from specific families: Qualcomm Snapdragon X series, Intel Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake), or AMD Ryzen AI 300 series Many PCs lack these features due to missing NPUs, insufficient TOPS ratings, unsupported processor generations, outdated Windows versions, rollout delays, or regional limits. Features locked behind Copilot+ include Recall, Click to Do, Cocreator in Paint, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions with Translation, Improved Windows Search, and Auto Super Resolution. To check for Copilot+ compatibility, users can verify the presence of an NPU in Task Manager, ensure they have Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and confirm their processor against the approved list. While some workarounds exist to enable features on unsupported PCs, they are often unstable and not recommended for primary use. Most users may not need to upgrade their laptops unless they require on-device AI features or their current device is significantly outdated. The AI feature gap is not currently critical for most users, as many features are optional or not essential.
Windows 11 Task Manager is finally getting deeper insights into NPU usage in AI PCs — No more trying to guess which apps are using the specialized hardware
Winsage
April 2, 2026

Windows 11 Task Manager is finally getting deeper insights into NPU usage in AI PCs — No more trying to guess which apps are using the specialized hardware

Windows 11's Task Manager is being updated to provide more detailed insights into Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance. The latest Insider Preview Build 26300.8142 introduces optional columns for NPU Dedicated Memory and NPU Shared Memory in the Details tab, along with showcasing neural engines associated with the GPU in the Performance tab. The NPU was first introduced in mainstream devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips and Microsoft Copilot+ PCs in 2024. Many new laptops and desktops now come equipped with NPUs, compatible with Copilot+, regardless of whether they use Qualcomm, Intel, or AMD hardware.
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