remapping Archives

BetaBeacon

November 18, 2025

Android 17 Might Turn Your Phone Into A True Gaming Beast

Google is working on a dedicated settings section for connected gaming accessories like gamepads in the Android 17 update. Users may be able to program or remap buttons on their controllers, and there could be support for an on-screen gamepad for large-screen Android devices. The update may also bring wider compatibility with external controllers, lower latency connections, and performance boosts in graphics APIs like Vulkan.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Microsoft Unveils Windows 11 Security, Resilience Features

Microsoft is enhancing the security framework of Windows through the Secure Future Initiative, focusing on trust, privacy, and enterprise controls. Key features include the introduction of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) APIs for quantum-safe encryption, and an upgrade to BitLocker with hardware-accelerated support for improved disk encryption, set to roll out on new Windows 11 devices in Spring 2026. Microsoft is also integrating passkey manager support with Windows Hello, allowing users to choose from various passkey managers. Windows 11 employs App Control for Business to ensure only trusted applications run, while Microsoft Intune’s Managed Installer helps IT teams manage business applications. Additionally, Sysmon functionality will be integrated into Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 for better threat detection. Microsoft is implementing Zero Trust DNS for encrypted name resolution and supporting Wi-Fi 7 for Enterprise with WPA3-Enterprise authentication. The Windows Resiliency Initiative (WRI) includes stricter driver standards, a shift in antivirus enforcement from kernel to user mode, and new safeguards like driver isolation and DMA remapping to enhance system stability.

BetaBeacon

November 17, 2025

Android 17 update to bring native game controller remapping for mobile gamers

Android is working on a new feature for Android 17 that will allow users to remap controllers at the system level, providing a native controller area in Settings. This feature will also include a "virtual gamepad" that can map physical buttons to touch regions in games that do not have native controller support. This new feature aims to provide consistency for clip-on controllers, Android handhelds, cloud gaming players, Android TV boxes, laptops, and improve accessibility for players who rely on remapping buttons for gameplay.

BetaBeacon

November 17, 2025

Android 17 is getting serious about physical controllers

Android 17 is expected to include gaming-centric upgrades such as native gamepad remapping, deeper support for external controllers, and graphics API improvements. These changes aim to make Android devices more like proper gaming machines with better controller support. The update may lead to more console-style games being brought to Android and higher performance expectations. Android 17 is still in development, and more information will be revealed as Google refines the depth of controller support.

BetaBeacon

November 15, 2025

Android 17 May Bring Forced Controller Support for Every Game

Google is preparing a quality-of-life update for Android 17 that will introduce native, system-level support for managing game controllers. This update will include a new Controller Remapping permission restricted to system-signed apps, a central hub for controllers in the Settings app, and a virtual gamepad that can map on-screen touch controls to physical controller inputs. This update aims to provide stable, low-latency, and predictable behavior across all games and devices, making mobile gaming more enjoyable for users.

BetaBeacon

November 15, 2025

Google is preparing big Android 17 gaming upgrades for fans of real controllers

Android treats USB or Bluetooth gaming controllers as input devices, translating button presses into key codes and axis values for in-game actions. Android relies on predefined configuration files for popular controllers, but many niche peripherals are also compatible. Android does not support button remapping out of the box, but evidence suggests that a future version of Android, possibly Android 17, will bring native controller remapping. This feature will be restricted to apps signed with the platform key. Additionally, a new game controller menu within the Settings app and a virtual gamepad feature have been discovered, which could allow for button remapping and mapping on-screen touch controls to physical controller inputs.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Storied Windows dev reminisces about Microsoft’s first hardware product 45 years ago — the Z-80 SoftCard was an Apple II add-in card

Raymond Chen, a developer at Microsoft, discussed the company's first hardware product, the Z-80 SoftCard, launched in 1980 for Apple II users. The SoftCard allowed access to CP/M software but faced development challenges, requiring complex coding and hardware adaptations. It integrated the Z80 processor with the Apple II's 6502 processor, necessitating innovative techniques like simulated Direct Memory Access (DMA) to manage operations. Microsoft’s hardware launch timeline includes the Z-80 SoftCard (1980), Microsoft Mouse (1983), various Windows peripherals in the 1990s, Xbox (2001), Zune (2006), Windows Mobile phones (2010), Surface (2012), and HoloLens (2016). Microsoft redefined itself as a ‘software and devices’ company in 2013.

Winsage

October 23, 2025

How To Get Rid Of Microsoft Copilot On Windows 11

Microsoft has developed in-house AI models to improve user interaction with PCs through text and voice commands, featuring a Copilot that can perform actions on behalf of users. However, some Windows PC users are hesitant to adopt this AI-driven environment and prefer to maintain control over their interactions with AI. Microsoft has adjusted its AI features in response to past challenges, including privacy concerns that delayed the launch of its Recall feature. For users who wish to disable the Microsoft Copilot experience in Windows 11, they can follow specific steps in the Settings menu and the registry editor. Additionally, users can uninstall Copilot via the Start Menu or use PowerToys to remap the Copilot button.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Best EA Sports FC 26 settings for optimized PC performance

Finding the best settings for EA Sports FC 26 on PC is easy for users with modern gaming rigs. A mid-range graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 4070 can achieve smooth performance at 4K with ultra settings. The system requirements are low, and older PCs may need adjustments for optimal performance. Recommended settings include Ultra rendering quality, high grass and crowd quality, and motion blur enabled. Testing on an RTX 4070 showed an average frame rate of 153fps at 1080p, 132fps at 1440p, and 92fps at 4K. EA Sports FC 26 features four graphics presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra, with subtle differences in gameplay. An accessibility menu includes options for subtitles, colorblind settings, controller remapping, and enlarged UI elements. The game does not require an SSD, with a download size just under 70GB. Performance monitoring can be done using Nvidia or AMD overlays or third-party software like CapFrameX.

AppWizard

September 6, 2025

I uninstalled all button mapper apps from my Google TV, and you should too

The journey through various streaming devices, from the first Android TV unit in 2015 to the latest Google TV Streamer, has highlighted user frustration with branded buttons for services like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. Many users resort to installing button mapping applications to regain control over their remotes. However, these apps can introduce significant lag and inconsistency in performance, negatively impacting the overall user experience. Initial experiences with the Google TV Streamer were positive, but issues resurfaced due to the reliance of button mapping applications on Accessibility services, which caused delays in response times. Uninstalling the button mapping app restored the device's responsiveness, confirming that these applications compromise performance. Testing alternative applications yielded similar negative results, leading to the conclusion that remapping buttons on the Google TV remote hinders responsiveness. Users experiencing sluggishness with their devices are advised to review and potentially remove button mapping applications to enhance performance.