screen brightness Archives

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Own an Android phone? 12 settings I changed to greatly extend its battery life

Many users seek to extend battery life on Android devices, especially budget models. Here are twelve settings that can enhance battery performance: 1. Turn off the always-on display to improve battery life. 2. Enable Adaptive Battery to optimize resource management based on usage patterns. 3. Activate Battery Saver mode to limit background activity and visual effects. 4. Switch to dark mode to reduce energy consumption on OLED displays. 5. Adjust display brightness and sleep time to enhance battery longevity. 6. Remove unused accounts to prevent background syncing that drains battery. 7. Turn off keyboard sounds and haptics to conserve energy. 8. Reduce notifications to limit background activity that drains battery. 9. Turn off "Hey Google" detection to prevent unnecessary battery drain. 10. Reduce the screen's refresh rate to improve battery performance. 11. Turn off unused wireless features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services. 12. Use low-power mode to limit background activity and reduce screen brightness in critical situations.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

5 tools I still use on Windows 11 that I wish Microsoft included natively

Windows 11 has introduced updates to its native applications, including the Snipping Tool's new OCR capabilities, Paint's additional utilities, and improvements to File Explorer such as expanded archive format support, a tabbed view, and a revamped Home page. However, users still find a lack of essential features that should be included by default. Key tools that could enhance Windows 11 include: - Monitorian: A minimalist app that allows users to adjust display brightness for external monitors directly from the system tray. - Bulk Crap Uninstaller: A tool that enables batch removal of applications, including Store apps, which is not supported in Windows 11's Settings app. - VLC Media Player: A versatile media player that supports a wide range of formats and simplifies playback without the need for additional codecs. - ExplorerPatcher: A tool that restores the movable Taskbar design from Windows 10, allowing for greater customization. - WinDirStat: A storage management tool that provides a comprehensive view of disk usage and allows users to identify and delete large folders and files easily. These tools highlight the potential for Windows 11 to improve user experience by integrating basic functionalities that are currently missing.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Android 17 Will Put Full-Screen Apps on Your Always-On Display

The Always-On Display (AOD) feature on Android devices will be enhanced in Android 17 with a new feature called Min Mode. Min Mode allows for persistent, full-screen displays from favored applications during idle periods, rather than just basic status updates. It operates using low-power technology to conserve battery life. Developers need to integrate a component called “MinModeActivity” into their apps for compatibility. Google Maps is leading the implementation of Min Mode, developing a power-efficient interface that provides essential navigation data in a monochromatic mode. Min Mode will be introduced as a new developer API, allowing various applications to display critical information while the device is idle. The success of Min Mode will depend on developers focusing on delivering essential information efficiently.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X review – a great gaming handheld, but not because of Xbox

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X features an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and is priced at 9/£799. It has a 7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The device includes 24GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an 80Wh battery. It weighs 715g and has dimensions of 290 x 121 x 27.5 - 50.9mm. The controls follow an Xbox layout and include various I/O options. The device offers exceptional gaming performance, reliable battery life, and an ergonomic design but has a Windows interface that is not optimized for handheld use, a higher price point, and disappointing Xbox app features. Battery life ranges from under two hours in high power mode to four to six hours in less demanding scenarios.

AppWizard

August 16, 2025

This excellent Samsung Good Lock feature should come to all Android phones

Samsung's One UI features the Display Assistant, which allows users to set individual screen timeout periods for specific apps, addressing issues like unwanted timeouts during ebook reading or downloads. It also includes a Quick Settings toggle to keep the screen on for 30 minutes and enables specific refresh rate adjustments for selected applications. Additionally, Display Assistant enhances adaptive brightness controls by allowing users to modify the speed of brightness adjustments and reset adaptive brightness patterns easily.

Winsage

July 20, 2025

Next major Windows 11 update could boost battery life on your laptop with a single click

Microsoft is introducing a new feature called Adaptive Energy Saver for Windows 11, which will automatically toggle Energy Saver mode based on user activity to maximize battery efficiency. Currently, users must manually activate Energy Saver mode, which reduces display brightness and curtails background activities. The Adaptive Energy Saver feature, currently being tested by Windows Insiders, will maintain screen brightness while managing power-intensive components like the CPU and GPU during lighter tasks. This feature is exclusive to devices with built-in batteries and is expected to be rolled out to the wider public later this year. Users can access it through Settings > System > Power & Battery once available.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft introduces fresh Windows 11 update to help laptops last longer on battery

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 11 that enhances battery life for laptops through a new adaptive energy saver mode. This mode manages power consumption based on the laptop's workload, activating energy-saving features during light activities like web browsing and reducing power during intensive tasks. The energy saver mode dims the display brightness by about 30%, disables transparency effects, and pauses background app activity. The update will also provide more accurate battery estimates and insights into power-hungry applications. Additionally, it includes smarter controls for screen refresh rates and brightness, automatically lowering them when the user steps away. The update is being rolled out in the latest Windows 11 release.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft has a plan to give Windows 11 laptops better battery life – and I think it sounds like a winner

Microsoft is testing a new feature called the adaptive energy saver for Windows 11 laptops, currently in the Canary channel. This feature activates when the battery is low, but users can set the activation threshold. It operates intelligently at any time, optimizing CPU and GPU performance based on power state and system load, without changing screen brightness. The adaptive energy saver is designed for laptops only and will be opt-in for users who prefer to keep their current settings. There is no guarantee it will be included in the final release of Windows 11.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

New Windows 11 trick will improve your Galaxy Book’s battery life

Microsoft is testing a new feature called Adaptive Battery Saver Mode for Windows 11 devices, which adjusts battery usage based on workload rather than just battery level. Unlike traditional Energy Saver mode, it maintains screen brightness and allows background tasks to continue without interruption. This feature is currently being tested in the Canary Channel under build number 27898, and if successful, it will be rolled out to all Windows 11 devices. The development coincides with advancements in power-efficient processors from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, aimed at improving battery performance in Windows laptops.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft wants Windows 11 to periodically enable battery saver mode while you work — even when your battery isn’t low

Microsoft is piloting an "adaptive energy saver" feature for Windows 11 that activates battery saver mode based on user activities, regardless of battery level. This opt-in feature automatically enables and disables energy saver without changing screen brightness, depending on the device's power state and system load. It aims to extend battery life during less demanding tasks by monitoring CPU and GPU usage. The adaptive energy saver is currently being tested with Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel and is exclusive to battery-powered devices. Users must activate it in Settings, as it is not enabled by default. The feature is part of Windows 11 build 27898, which is rolling out in preview.