SDK Archives

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Windows App Development CLI Updated with .NET Project Support, More

Microsoft has released version 0.2 of its Windows App Development CLI (winapp), incorporating several new features based on community feedback. Key updates include first-class support for .NET projects, allowing integration of WinUI 3, WPF, Windows Forms, and .NET console applications. Developers can initialize projects with winapp init, which aligns them with the appropriate Windows SDK version and generates necessary folders. The update also introduces manifest placeholders for easier app packaging, integrates Microsoft Store CLI commands into winapp, and enhances the help and error messaging system for better usability. Additional improvements include new commands for external catalogs and package identity, updates to winapp pack and manifest update-assets, and a Flutter guide with a sample project for using Windows App SDK APIs.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Android 17 Fixes Long-Standing App Orientation Frustrations

Android 17 Beta 1 has launched for Pixel phones, introducing significant changes in app orientation and resizability restrictions. It eliminates the option for developers to opt-out of these restrictions on larger screens (width greater than 600 dp), disregarding five specific attributes and APIs for applications on large screens or games. This aims to improve user experience on Android tablets, foldable phones, and Chromebooks, addressing issues with apps that lock into a single orientation. Developers must adapt their applications to comply with the new standards set by SDK 37, ensuring compatibility with the phase-out of certain manifest attributes and runtime APIs from Android 16. Users will retain control over their app experience through aspect ratio settings. The upcoming Aluminum OS will require Android applications to operate seamlessly in landscape mode, indicating a push for a more unified Android experience.

Winsage

February 17, 2026

Making music with MIDI just got a real boost in Windows 11

MIDI serves as a crucial tool for musicians, enabling instrument synchronization, effects control, and electronic music creation. It began at the 1983 NAMM Show with the introduction of MIDI 1.0, which transmitted messages over a DIN serial cable. MIDI 1.0 has limitations, such as a control parameter range of 0-127 and inadequate support for orchestral articulation. In 2020, MIDI 2.0 was introduced, offering improvements like bidirectional communication, automatic device discovery, and high-resolution controllers. Windows 11 now supports both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 through Windows MIDI Services, which includes features like multi-client support, customizable MIDI endpoints, built-in loopback, and tighter message timing. A new USB MIDI 2.0 class driver has been developed, and tools for MIDI scripting will be released soon. The development of Windows MIDI Services involved community collaboration, and future enhancements are planned for music creation on Windows.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Android 17 improves the camera experience and apps for foldables and tablets

Google announced plans for the beta release of Android 17, which has been delayed without official clarification. Key features of Android 17 include a new policy for app orientation and size, requiring developers to support resizing and windowed multitasking. The update will also introduce professional-grade camera APIs, support for Versatile Video Coding (VVC), integration of VoIP calls into the built-in dialer, enhanced Wi-Fi ranging capabilities, and new profiles for Fitness Trackers and Medical Devices. Improvements for Android XR devices will enhance app responsiveness and display state changes. Additional beta versions will be released in the coming months, with developer stability expected by March 2026 and a stable release anticipated around June 2026, initially for Pixel devices. One UI 9, based on Android 17, is expected to debut with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 in June 2026.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Android 17 Beta 1 is here with major updates for adaptive apps, performance, and media

Google has unveiled Android 17 Beta 1, targeting developers with enhancements for app adaptability and performance. Key features include: - Mandatory app adaptability for devices with a minimum width of 600dp, requiring support for resizing and windowed multitasking. - Introduction of professional-grade camera APIs for smoother mode transitions in camera apps. - Access to metadata from all active physical camera sensors. - Enhanced audio controls for normalizing loudness and support for Versatile Video Coding (VVC). - Performance improvements, privacy and security enhancements, and connectivity updates affecting VoIP calls. - New profiles for “Medical Devices” and “Fitness Tracker” to simplify application setup. - A new engagement mode for extended reality devices. Android 17 is set to follow a release schedule similar to Android 16, with Platform Stability targeted for March 2026 and the first major stable release expected in Q2 2026. Eligible Pixel devices for the Android 17 Beta 1 update include Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, 10, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro Fold.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft fixes six actively exploited flaws in latest Windows 11 update

Microsoft's February 2026 Patch Tuesday addressed 59 vulnerabilities in Windows 11, with six confirmed as actively exploited. The most critical vulnerability is CVE-2026-21510, a Windows Shell security feature bypass with a CVSS rating of 8.8, allowing attackers to evade warnings by tricking users into opening malicious files. Another significant vulnerability, CVE-2026-21513, also rated at 8.8, affects MSHTML and allows remote attackers to bypass execution prompts through malicious code in HTML or shortcut files. CVE-2026-21514 impacts Microsoft Word and enables adversaries to disable OLE mitigations, posing risks through document-based attacks. Two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities are CVE-2026-21519 in Desktop Window Manager and CVE-2026-21533 in Windows Remote Desktop Services, with CVSS scores of 7.8. CVE-2026-21525 is a denial-of-service vulnerability in Remote Access Connection Manager. The update includes 53 additional vulnerabilities across various Microsoft products and services, with CVE-2026-21531 in Azure SDK rated at 9.8 and CVE-2026-20841 affecting Windows Notepad rated at 8.8. The cumulative update for Windows 11 (KB5077181) also includes enhancements and resolves WPA3 Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Microsoft reminded users of the June 2026 expiration of Secure Boot certificates, which requires timely updates to ensure secure booting. Users can install the updates via Windows Update.

Tech Optimizer

January 17, 2026

ClickHouse: $400 Million Series D Raised, Langfuse Acquisition, And Native Postgres Service Debuted

ClickHouse has secured 0 million in a Series D funding round led by Dragoneer Investment Group, with participation from investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners, GIC, and others. The funding will support global expansion and product development, focusing on AI infrastructure and application monitoring. ClickHouse currently has over 3,000 customers on its ClickHouse Cloud platform, with an annual recurring revenue growth exceeding 250% year over year. Recent adopters include Capital One, Lovable, and Airwallex, alongside established clients like Meta and Tesla. ClickHouse has acquired Langfuse, an open-source platform for LLM observability, and introduced a native Postgres service for integrating transactional workloads with its analytical engine. The company is also expanding its ecosystem and geographic reach through partnerships, including one with Japan Cloud and collaboration with Microsoft Azure.

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

Development of a Counter-Strike 1.6 remake has been “frozen” as Valve silence leaves its future in doubt

CS: Legacy, an unofficial remake of Counter-Strike 1.6 developed by a team of veteran modders, has faced significant challenges since its announcement. The project aimed to use Valve's 2013 Source Engine but received a warning from a Valve employee regarding the use of the Counter-Strike intellectual property, leading to uncertainty about its future. Communication with Valve has been minimal, prompting the developers to freeze the project and seek one last attempt to engage with Valve while shifting their focus to a new multiplayer game in the Godot engine. The team has refunded Patreon backers and halted development, expressing frustration over the lack of response from Valve. They have made progress on their new game, which features elements reminiscent of classic Valve shooters.

Winsage

December 21, 2025

Windows 11 gets a December Insider update packed with new features and AI upgrades — reveals Microsoft’s next big push. Here’s everything that is new.

Microsoft has slowed down the development of Windows 11 but released several preview builds through the Windows Insider Program in December 2025, showcasing various enhancements. Key updates include: - Model Context Protocol (MCP): Introduced in build 26220.7344, allowing AI agents to communicate with applications and tools via a secure on-device registry. It includes the File Explorer Connector for managing files through natural language searches and the Windows Settings Connector for navigating settings. - Unified Update Orchestration Platform (UOP): Provides a consistent update experience for developers through the Settings app. - Windows MIDI Services: Rollout of a new MIDI API, Service, and SDK, supporting MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 devices with enhancements like app-to-app MIDI support. - Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE): Expanded to additional handheld gaming devices, replicating console gaming on PCs. - Settings app with AI agent: Enhanced navigation and modification of settings with an integrated AI agent. - File Explorer dark mode improvements: Extended dark mode to various elements and improved search functionality using AI. - Drag Tray disable option: Users can now disable the Drag Tray feature through Settings. - Mobile Devices settings integration: Features for managing mobile devices are now integrated within the Settings app. - Virtual Workspaces in Advanced settings: New access to manage virtualization features without using the legacy "Windows Features" page. - Keyboard and text cursor settings: New settings added for customizing keyboard and cursor behavior. - Quick Machine Recovery improvements: Now enabled by default on Windows 11 Home and Pro editions. - Windows Studio Effects compatibility: Expanded to more camera hardware for improved user appearance. - Windows Spotlight for desktop changes: New context menu options for wallpaper changes and additional details. - Taskbar with Ask Copilot: A toggle to replace Windows Search with AI-driven searches. - Taskbar with AI agents: AI agents can function as apps in the Taskbar, providing real-time updates. - Windows 11 Agent Launchers: A framework for registering AI agents within the OS. - Narrator customization: Users can select which properties are announced while navigating applications. - Voice Typing animation: New animation for the dictation key in the Touch Keyboard and a "Discover Windows" widget added. - Voice Access streamlined setup: Simplified setup process for Voice Access. The Windows Insider Program will pause further builds until January.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Google Unveils New Tools and Libraries for Building AI Glasses Apps

Google has released Android XR SDK Developer Preview 3, which enhances AI Glasses development with two new libraries: Jetpack Projected and Jetpack Compose Glimmer, and expands ARCore for Jetpack XR to include motion tracking and geospatial capabilities. Jetpack Projected allows apps to project XR experiences from host devices to AI Glasses, enabling interaction with the glasses' hardware. Jetpack Compose Glimmer provides UI components for creating augmented experiences, utilizing optical see-through technology. An AI Glasses emulator is also available in Android Studio for developers to preview UI designs. The expanded ARCore capabilities include retrieving planar data, anchoring content, motion tracking, and geospatial pose support. Developers can access these features through Android Studio Canary with the latest emulator version.