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AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Apple Maps may soon copy one of Google Maps’ more annoying features

Apple will introduce advertisements in Apple Maps search results in the US and Canada, featuring promoted listings at the top of results with a blue highlight. The ads will be privacy-focused, with no user data linked to accounts or shared externally. The Apple Business program will launch on April 14, 2026, allowing businesses to create and manage their listings on Apple Maps and run advertisements through the platform.

Winsage

March 21, 2026

Microsoft announces major Windows 11 updates designed to fix biggest flaws

Microsoft has announced plans to enhance Windows 11, focusing on user feedback from the past two years. Key improvements will include better system performance, app responsiveness, and user interface adjustments. Users can expect enhancements in tools like File Explorer and the Windows Subsystem for Linux, with a goal of a more responsive and less resource-intensive operating system by year-end. The Taskbar will be repositionable, allowing customization, and the Windows UI framework, WinUI, will be expanded across more system areas. Windows Update will offer users greater control over updates, including the ability to pause them indefinitely. Microsoft aims to improve reliability by strengthening the Windows Insider Program, increasing OS and driver reliability, and enhancing Windows Hello biometric authentication. The focus areas for improvements are Performance, Reliability, and Craft, with specific goals outlined for each category, such as reducing resource usage, enhancing memory efficiency, and improving the search experience.

Winsage

March 20, 2026

Our commitment to Windows quality

- Enhanced Taskbar Customization: Users will be able to reposition the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen. - Intentional AI Integration: Copilot will be integrated thoughtfully across Windows, starting with apps like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad. - Streamlined Windows Updates: Users will have more control over updates, including options to skip updates during setup, restart without installing updates, and pause updates. - Improved File Explorer: Enhancements will lead to quicker launches, smoother navigation, and more reliable performance. - Widget Control and Personalization: Widgets will have quieter defaults and improved personalization options. - Simplified Windows Insider Program: The program will be made more accessible with clearer channel definitions and enhanced engagement opportunities. - Revamped Feedback Hub: The Feedback Hub will be updated to streamline the process for submitting feedback and engaging with the community. - System Performance Improvements: Resource usage will be reduced to enhance performance, resulting in faster app launches and improved memory efficiency. - Fluid App Interactions: Core experiences will transition to the WinUI3 framework to minimize interaction latency. - File Explorer Optimization: Efforts will be made to lower latency for search and navigation. - Elevating the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Performance and integration for developers using Linux tools will be enhanced. - Windows Insider Program Enhancements: Expectations for each Insider channel will be clarified, and the quality of builds will be raised. - OS, Driver, and App Reliability: Improvements will be made to system stability and driver quality. - Windows Update Experience: Updates will be streamlined to minimize disruptions and provide clearer control over timing. - Windows Hello Improvements: Biometric authentication will be enhanced for a more reliable sign-in experience. - Start and Taskbar Enhancements: These areas will be made more reliable and personalized. - Focused User Experience: Distractions will be reduced to help users maintain focus. - Search Enhancements: Faster, more accurate search results will be delivered across Windows surfaces. - Commitment to security enhancements aligned with Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Windows 11 KB5079473 & KB5078883 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released cumulative updates KB5079473 and KB5078883 for Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2 as part of the March 2026 Patch Tuesday. These updates address security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and introduce new features. Users can install the updates via Start > Settings > Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The build numbers will change to 26200.8037 for 25H2, 26100.8037 for 24H2, and 22631.6783 for 23H2. Key enhancements include improved device targeting data for Secure Boot certificates, better reliability in File Explorer searches, and various new features such as a curated selection of emojis, a new backup and restore experience, automatic activation of Quick Machine Recovery, a built-in network speed test on the taskbar, and the ability to set WebP images as desktop backgrounds. Additionally, improvements have been made to the Windows Update settings page and the reliability of waking from sleep. No new issues have been reported with this month's updates.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Microsoft’s year of fixing Windows 11 is off to a promising start, as latest update improves stability — but it still has a lot more work to do

Windows 11's March update includes several enhancements aimed at improving user experience, focusing on performance and reliability. Key features include: - File Explorer improvements allowing users to open new instances more reliably by holding the Shift key or using the middle mouse button. - Enhanced reliability in displaying network devices and improved search functionality across multiple drives. - An 'Extract all' command added for archived folders not in ZIP format. - Taskbar enhancements that prevent stacking of application instances, moving only overflow instances to a separate area for better organization. - Refined taskbar search functionality, allowing users to preview results by hovering and selecting 'Preview,' with group headers indicating the number of results. - Visual consistency improvements, particularly with the taskbar's auto-hide feature, print dialog box, and credential fields in the Windows Security panel. - Security enhancements for login and lock screens, the projection menu, and Nearby Sharing. - New features include updates to the emoji picker, a revamped widgets board, and an internet speed test feature in the taskbar, which received mixed reviews. - A new option in the Start menu's account menu directs users to a 'benefits' page, criticized as unnecessary promotion for Microsoft accounts.

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include: - Emoji 16.0 release with new emojis available in the emoji panel. - Introduction of a sign-in restore experience for Windows Backup for Organizations, reinstating user settings and Microsoft Store apps. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is now automatically enabled for enterprise-managed Windows Professional devices. - A built-in network speed test accessible from the taskbar for measuring network performance. - Enhanced account menu in the Start menu directing users to Microsoft account benefits. - Pan and tilt controls for supported cameras available in the Settings app. - Widget Settings have been updated to a full-page experience. - Search function in the taskbar now displays group headers with the number of results and allows previewing results. - Support for Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) on Windows 11 Arm64 devices. - Improvements to dark mode in File Explorer and fixes for unexpected window behavior. - Reliability improvements in Settings for Bluetooth & Devices options. - Enhanced reliability for sending larger files via nearby sharing. Features are gradually rolled out, and a clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel.

TrendTechie

February 24, 2026

От ffmpeg до торрентов для терминала: 7 новых TUI-инструментов, которые советуем

Many developers are turning to TUI (Text User Interface) tools for tasks traditionally done in GUI applications. MONICA is an interactive layer over ffmpeg that simplifies command usage, available on GitHub. The lic tool allows users to create a LICENSE file with a single terminal command by selecting a license from a TUI menu. It can be installed via Homebrew or pip and debuted in late December 2024, receiving 21 stars. PNANA is a TUI editor that combines the simplicity of nano with features from modern editors like Sublime, built with C++17 and FTXUI. Users need to compile it from source as no binary releases are available. CodeWeaver compiles a codebase into a single Markdown document, allowing for easy sharing and documentation. It can be installed via Go. Clox (version 1.3) introduces console clocks and calendars in the terminal, supporting various time zones and formats, and can be installed as a Python module. Torrra v2 is a TUI torrent client that allows users to search and download torrents directly from the console, enhancing UI speed and navigation. It can be installed via pipx or other package managers. A command for visualizing git history in the terminal is provided: `git log --graph --decorate --all --pretty=format:'%C(auto)%h%d %C(#888888)(%an; %ar)%Creset %s'`. An alias can be created for convenience. All tools aim to enhance productivity in the terminal and are actively evolving.

Tech Optimizer

February 24, 2026

Fake Huorong Site Delivers ValleyRAT Backdoor in Targeted Malware Campaign

A cyber operation is targeting users of Huorong Security antivirus software through a typosquatted domain, huoronga[.]com, which mimics the legitimate site huorong.cn. Users who mistakenly visit the counterfeit site may download a file named BR火绒445[.]zip, which contains a trojanized installer that leads to the installation of ValleyRAT, a remote access trojan. The malware employs various techniques to evade detection, including using an intermediary domain for downloads, creating Windows Defender exclusions, and establishing a scheduled task for persistence. The backdoor facilitates activities such as keylogging and credential access while disguising its operations within legitimate processes like rundll32.exe. Attribution points to the Silver Fox APT group, and there has been a significant increase in ValleyRAT samples documented in recent months. Security measures include ensuring software downloads are from the official site and monitoring for specific malicious activities.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Google Replacing Android’s Weather App with Something Boring

Google is phasing out the full-screen weather report feature in the Pixel Weather app for Android devices, replacing it with standard web search results. Users will now be redirected to a Google search results page when accessing the Weather shortcut, moving away from the previous comprehensive interface that included detailed forecasts and metrics. This change has been gradually implemented over several months, and users have received notifications about the transition. The new interface condenses weather predictions into a single card format and removes the “View all details” button, integrating weather information into Google Search. However, the Pixel Weather experience remains unchanged for Pixel device users.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Fanatical – are its cheap Steam keys legit?

Fanatical is a UK-based online retailer that offers a wide selection of Steam game keys at competitive prices, often lower than those on Steam. It is safe to purchase from Fanatical, as it operates reliably and directly with publishers and developers, avoiding third-party sellers. Fanatical provides bundles, including customizable options and 'Mystery Bundles' with random Steam keys at attractive prices. The retailer frequently matches Steam sales and offers deeper discounts through time-sensitive Star Deals. Fanatical operates on a smaller profit margin, allowing it to undercut Steam's prices by purchasing keys at lower rates. Redeeming keys from Fanatical on Steam is straightforward, allowing users to enjoy their games seamlessly.