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Winsage

December 28, 2024

Best Windows apps this week

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting Windows 11 installations that hinders future security updates for devices installed using installation media, specifically when the October or November 2024 security updates are included. No workaround is currently available for those impacted. New apps highlighted this week include Ashampoo Burning Studio 2025, an updated CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray burning software; Flow Launcher, an open-source file search tool and launcher for Windows; and Hasleo Backup Suite Free 5.0, which facilitates system, disk, partition, and file backups and includes a new compression algorithm for reduced disk space usage.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

freeDictionaryApp: Open Source Android App That Helps You Get Information on a Word

freeDictionaryApp is a free and open-source dictionary application for Android, developed by Yamin Siahmargooei using Kotlin. It is based on the Free Dictionary API, which has not been updated in two years. The app features an intuitive user interface with a search bar, providing word types, definitions, examples, and a text-to-speech function. Users can save favorite words, access search history, generate random words, and share word details easily. However, it only supports single-word searches. The app can be installed via F-Droid or downloaded from its GitHub repository.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

5 ways to make Windows 11 feel less annoying

Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements, a centralized taskbar, a redesigned Action Center, and advertisements on the Start menu, which frustrate some users. Users can make the following adjustments to improve their experience: 1. To silence account notifications, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle off "Show account related notifications occasionally in Start." 2. To disable targeted Microsoft ads, navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > General and toggle off "Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID." 3. To remove the news feed from Widgets, press Windows key + W, click the gear icon in the Widgets board, select "Show or hide feeds," and toggle off the switch next to Feeds. 4. To hide ads in Microsoft Edge, open a new tab, click the gear icon, and set the Content setting to Off. 5. To remove Bing from Windows Search, open Registry Editor, navigate to ComputerHKEYCURRENTUSERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, create a new key named Explorer, create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, set its value to 1, and restart the PC.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

You Can Now Test ‘Recall,’ Windows’ Controversial AI Feature

The Recall feature in Windows allows users to revisit their digital history by accessing past documents, photos, and webpages through captured screenshots processed by Copilot AI. Users can opt-in during installation and manage settings related to snapshot retention and storage limits. A sensitive information filter prevents the storage of critical data, and users can exclude specific apps and websites. Recall requires identity verification and encrypts all captured information locally. The interface allows users to search through snapshots using natural language and offers options to delete, transfer, or extract content from them. Recall is currently in a preview phase, with ongoing discussions about its privacy and security measures.

AppWizard

December 16, 2024

Here’s how you’ll know if an app was built for Android XR (APK teardown)

Google is launching Android XR to support augmented, mixed, and virtual reality applications, utilizing advanced hardware like Samsung's upcoming "Moohan" headset. The Google Play Store is introducing a “Made for XR” label with a headset icon to help users identify apps optimized for XR experiences. This label will appear in app listings and search results, aiding in the discovery of compatible applications. Microsoft Edge has already begun to support this new technology, indicating early adoption in the XR ecosystem. The enhancements in the Play Store aim to assist developers and users as the XR hardware market grows.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Google App ‘AI Mode’ For Android Lets Users ‘Talk’ Directly to Search, Multimodal Capabilities Available

Google is developing an 'AI Mode' for its Search app on Android, allowing users to interact in a conversational manner. This feature, discovered in an APK teardown, will enable voice inputs and the submission of photos and videos, creating a more intuitive search experience. The AI Mode will be accessible through a dedicated tab represented by a 'wink' icon in the app. This development follows Google's earlier integration of generative AI into Search, including the Search Generative Experience and AI Overviews, which have been refined based on user feedback.

AppWizard

November 29, 2024

Without Android’s new Private Space, here’s how I hide my sensitive apps in plain sight

In the digital age, smartphones store a vast amount of personal and sensitive information, raising concerns about data security in case of loss or theft. Users can enhance app concealment by downloading a third-party icon pack from the Google Play Store or F-Droid. To hide Android apps, users should long-press the app icon, select Customize from the menu, rename the app to a generic title, and change its icon accordingly. Additionally, apps can be removed from the app grid or search results using specific launcher options. This method is easy to reverse by following the same steps to restore the original app identity. While this technique does not provide the same level of security as Private Space or Secure Folder, it can serve as a temporary smokescreen to protect sensitive information. Users should be cautious about forgetting the new names and icons assigned to apps and should group them by category for easier recall.

Winsage

November 27, 2024

5 features Windows 11 needs to copy from macOS

macOS features that could enhance the Windows 11 experience include: 1. Spotlight Search: Offers a more intuitive search experience compared to Windows search, consistently delivering relevant local file results. 2. Live Wallpapers: Introduced in macOS Sonoma, these dynamic backgrounds enhance aesthetic appeal and could improve the visual experience of Windows 11. 3. Folder Color Tags: A feature in Finder that allows users to categorize folders by color, which could streamline file management in Windows. 4. iCloud-like Options for OneDrive: iCloud allows users to opt-out of automatic syncing easily, a feature that could improve OneDrive's functionality. 5. Shortcuts: The macOS Shortcuts app enables users to create custom automations for repetitive tasks, a feature that Windows currently lacks.

AppWizard

November 24, 2024

New Google Play Store Leak—2.5 Billion Users Could Soon See Apps Vanish

Security is a major concern for the Google Play Store, which has 2.5 billion users and 2.25 million apps. Investigations have revealed modifications in the code of version 43.7.19-31 of the Google Play Store app, suggesting a new filtering mechanism that may allow users to exclude apps linking to external sources from search results and recommendations. The specifics of this filtering mechanism are unclear, with no supporting documentation available. There is speculation that this feature could enhance security by preventing malicious entities from redirecting users to external sources through apps. However, it remains uncertain why Google would implement this as an optional filter rather than a mandatory requirement.

Winsage

November 23, 2024

Microsoft is finally testing its Recall photographic memory search feature. It’s not perfect

Microsoft is rolling out its Recall feature for testing on Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. This feature allows users to take snapshots of their screens and search for specific words or objects within those images. Currently, Recall is available to users in the Windows Insider Program's dev channel, but only on devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. Initial testing has revealed challenges, including inconsistent screenshot frequency, incomplete search results, and slow loading times for viewing captured images. Microsoft has addressed cybersecurity concerns by encrypting the database and disabling the feature by default.