sensor Archives

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Your Android phone may no longer stop you from walking into a pole

Google is winding down its "Heads Up" pedestrian safety feature within the Digital Wellbeing suite. The latest beta version of Digital Wellbeing has revealed code strings indicating that users will soon receive an in-app alert about the feature's impending removal. Heads Up, launched in 2021, was designed to enhance pedestrian safety by using motion sensors and location data to remind users to stay aware of their surroundings while walking with an unlocked screen. Initially available for Pixel devices, it later expanded to other Android phones. There is currently no specified timeline for the feature's removal, and Google has not provided a formal statement regarding its discontinuation.

AppWizard

September 21, 2026

Google Unveils Googlebooks: Premium Laptops Built for Android and Gemini Intelligence

Google is launching its new line of premium laptops called Googlebooks in Australia, with pre-orders starting today and devices available from manufacturers like HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS. The laptops will start at an RRP of ,299 and are set to be available on October 5th. They feature the new Googlebook OS, built on the Android technology stack, and include advanced functionalities powered by Gemini Intelligence. The devices will support over 20,000 games and allow seamless integration with Android phones, enabling users to transfer settings and access apps easily. The Googlebooks will have a premium build quality, powered by Intel and Qualcomm processors, with battery life exceeding 14 hours, and will come standard with 16GB of RAM and SSD storage starting at 256GB. Various models will be offered, including different form factors and specifications. Additionally, users will receive a 12-month subscription to Google AI Pro, which includes cloud storage and access to advanced tools.

Winsage

September 11, 2026

A Windows 11 Software Glitch Resulted In One User’s Account Disappearing From The Login Screen, But Two Registry Fixes Helped Saved Hours Of Troubleshooting

A Windows 11 user experienced an unusual software glitch that caused their account to disappear from the login screen, although the local account remained intact. The original profile and files were still accessible. Two registry modifications were suggested to restore the account's visibility: 1. Navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogonSpecialAccountsUserList, locate the DWORD for the affected account, and change its value from “0” to “1”. 2. Go to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem and change the HideFastUserSwitching key from “1” to “0”. These changes should allow the account to reappear under the login screen's "Other user" section without needing a system restart. Users may need administrative privileges to access the Registry Editor, and a workaround is available for those whose accounts are missing.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down a couple of apps; vows to return new and improved

Samsung is phasing out its Quick Measure and AR Doodle applications, with a shutdown date set for December 31, 2026. After this date, Quick Measure will not be available for new downloads or updates, although existing users can still use it, albeit with potential feature limitations. The AR Doodle app will also cease operations on the same date. Samsung previously discontinued its Messages app in July, replacing it with Google Messages. Notifications about the app closures were highlighted by social media user Tarun Vats. Samsung has indicated a commitment to enhancing user experience and may reintroduce these applications with improved services in the future. Quick Measure was designed to monitor heart rates without navigating the full Samsung Health app and was first introduced in 2021. The future of these applications remains uncertain, with potential for reinvention or integration into existing platforms.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

This Android phone has a detachable action camera, coming to the US for $999

The RugOne XSnap 7 Pro is a new rugged Android phone by Ulephone, featuring a detachable action camera. It will launch on Kickstarter next week, priced at 9 in the U.S. and €1,099 in Europe, with availability in October. The phone has a 19.1mm profile, IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certifications, a 6.67-inch FHD+ display, MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chip, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage. It includes a 9,300 mAh battery and a 50MP primary camera with a 64MP night vision camera. The action camera has a 133-degree field of view, records in 2.7K, operates for up to 40 minutes, and has 64GB of storage. It can stream footage up to 50 meters away and is waterproof up to 5 meters. The phone ships with Android 16 and promises updates through Android 20.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Windows bug incorrectly tells users that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off

Microsoft Defender's reliability is under scrutiny due to a recent security alert that affects a wide range of Windows versions, including both Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012. Insurers will require more than verbal assurances about software performance in six months, necessitating the archiving of telemetry data, including sensor check-ins and Defender versions, by Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). The alert's impact is significant, as a single flaw in Defender can affect various systems categorized into different patch rings, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and proactive management of security protocols.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Windows 11 Will Now Let Android Smartphone Users Shutdown Or Restart Their Systems Remotely Using The Native Phone Link App

Microsoft's Phone Link app for Windows 11 is set to introduce a feature allowing Android users to remotely shut down or restart their Windows 11 machines. Code findings indicate the presence of a "RemoteControlManager" component, along with labels confirming functionalities for initiating a "Restart" or "Shut down" from smartphones. Additional features may include the ability to perform updates remotely. A sleep feature is also in development, but it will prevent users from restarting or shutting down their devices until they unlock their computers. There is currently no official timeline for the rollout of these updates.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

GBA Emulator Android: My Boy! vs John GBAC vs RetroArch

Game Boy Advance emulation on Android has gained significant traction in 2026, with key applications like My Boy! priced at .99, John GBAC receiving an update on May 19, 2026, and RetroArch enhancing its mGBA core for free use. The search term "gba emulator android" sees around 8,100 monthly searches in the U.S., reflecting a resurgence in interest, particularly among former GBA owners now in their late 20s and 30s who prefer using their smartphones for gaming. All five apps—My Boy!, GBA.emu, John GBAC, RetroArch, and Lemuroid—can run the entire GBA library at full speed on devices from the last six years. The main differences lie in software quality, including save state management, cheat code reliability, controller mapping, and update frequency. My Boy! and GBA.emu utilize cores derived from VisualBoyAdvance (VBA), while John GBAC uses a custom core, and RetroArch and Lemuroid rely on the mGBA core. In terms of features, all apps support save states, but My Boy! offers multiple named slots with thumbnail previews, while RetroArch has a more complex system. Cheat code support is available across the board, with My Boy! and GBA.emu accepting GameShark and CodeBreaker formats, and RetroArch providing a built-in cheat database. My Boy! stands out for its link-cable emulation, allowing local multiplayer connections, whereas RetroArch's netplay is designed for online gaming. All apps support external controllers, but RetroArch excels in visual enhancements with its extensive shader options. The setup process for all five apps is similar and typically takes under ten minutes. GBA ROMs are small, ranging from 4MB to 32MB, making them easy to store on modern devices without significant battery drain. Common issues include save files not loading, audio problems, and cheat codes failing to apply, with solutions often involving file management and settings adjustments. Users can migrate save files between emulators by ensuring the correct file naming and directory structure. Pros and cons of each app include: - My Boy!: Ad-free, strong multiplayer support, but lower rating and closed-source. - GBA.emu: High rating and broad support, but outdated and lacks a free trial. - John GBAC: Free and recently updated, but lower rating and ad-supported. - RetroArch: Free and feature-rich, but complex setup. - Lemuroid: User-friendly and actively maintained, but limited shader options. All five apps are legally available on Google Play, as they do not distribute copyrighted ROM files. Users are advised to source their ROMs legally, ideally by dumping from their own physical cartridges. GBA emulation remains an accessible entry point into retro gaming on Android, especially compared to more demanding systems like the PS2 or GameCube.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Windows 11 KB5121003: Game crashes caused by inpoutx64

Microsoft has acknowledged issues with the August security update KB5121003 for Windows 11, affecting versions 24H2 and 25H2. Users reported problems such as game freezing, unexpected closures, and system restarts after installing the update. The issues are linked to drivers and software for specific RGB-enabled peripherals or components, particularly involving the inpoutx64.sys driver. Games mentioned include ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and THE FINALS. Embark Studios has released a support guide suggesting users stop and remove the inpoutx64.sys service as a temporary workaround. Microsoft is investigating the issue but has not provided a definitive fix or patch timeline.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

AI vendors are turning to custom hardware as Microsoft winds back the clock on Windows

This week, insights into datacenter technology reveal a shift in GPU dominance, with companies exploring alternatives. Cerebras, founded by Andrew Feldman, has developed chips the size of dinner plates that contain 44 gigabytes of ultra-fast SRAM, circumventing high-bandwidth memory supply constraints. In 2024, Cerebras launched an inference server that processes tokens faster than any GPU configuration, utilizing structured sparsity and partnering with AWS and AMD. The latest Cerebras chips, CS-4 systems, feature a modular architecture that doubles performance and bandwidth. Google is also moving towards custom silicon with its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), while Marvell competes with Broadcom in providing IP for custom chips. Waymo announced a custom machine learning accelerator for its autonomous vehicles to enhance compute density and address limitations of previous FPGA use. On the software side, Microsoft is reintroducing the ability to move the taskbar in Windows 11, responding to user feedback after nearly five years. This change reflects Microsoft's focus on user experience amid competition from alternatives like macOS and Linux.