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Timed Silence: An Open Source Android App to Automatically Silence Your Phone
AppWizard
November 8, 2024

Timed Silence: An Open Source Android App to Automatically Silence Your Phone

Timed Silence is a Kotlin-based application for Android, created by Felix Nüsse, that manages smartphone volume settings, allowing users to mute, vibrate, or ring with sound. The app requires initial setup permissions and features an intuitive interface with a pause/play button. Users can create custom schedules, including pre-defined ones for "Night" and "Day." The app effectively activates Do Not Disturb (DND) at scheduled times, muting notifications while allowing calls and messages from specified contacts. Additional features include Calendar integration, Keywords for managing volume levels, Bluetooth compatibility, and a Sanity Check for priority contacts. The app is available on F-Droid, with source code and APKs on GitHub.
Windows 11 Canary Build 27744 returns the Gamepad keyboard, and fixes old dGPUs
Winsage
November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Canary Build 27744 returns the Gamepad keyboard, and fixes old dGPUs

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 in the Canary Channel, providing a unified experience and eliminating the previous dual-experience model. This build enhances the Prism emulator for Windows on Arm, allowing a wider range of 64-bit x86 applications to run, including support for additional CPU features. The update enables previously incompatible games and creative software to function on Arm devices. Key changes include the simplification of the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, and updates to Task Manager and Settings. Several fixes have been implemented, addressing issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various graphics and app-related bugs. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN on new Copilot+ PCs and desktop background display across multiple monitors. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 (Canary Channel)
Winsage
November 6, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 has been released to the Canary Channel. This build introduces enhanced support for 64-bit x86 applications in the Prism emulator, allowing previously incompatible applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro 25, to run on Arm devices. The virtual CPU for x64 emulated applications now supports various x86 instruction set architecture extensions, such as AVX and FMA. Changes include the simplification of the "All apps" section in the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, redesigned Task Manager dialogs, and the return of the detach virtual hard disk button. Fixes address issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various bugs affecting graphics and application stability. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for new Copilot+ PC users joining the Canary Channel and desktop background display problems across multiple monitors. Insiders are reminded that features in the Canary Channel may not be released and can change during development.
'Palia' Is the Game That Finally Convinced My Wife to Start PC Gaming
AppWizard
November 5, 2024

‘Palia’ Is the Game That Finally Convinced My Wife to Start PC Gaming

The author convinced his wife to try the game Palia, which she enjoys despite its performance issues on the Nintendo Switch. They experienced long loading times and frustration, leading them to set the game aside. In November, the author reinstalled Palia on the Switch and downloaded it on his Ayaneo portable PC, enhancing their gaming experience. He set up a second desk for her Steam account, allowing for shared gaming experiences. The transition from the Switch to PC improved the game's visuals and performance, making their exploration of Palia more enjoyable.
Neon Authorize: Granular access controls at the database layer
Tech Optimizer
November 5, 2024

Neon Authorize: Granular access controls at the database layer

Neon has launched Neon Authorize, a feature that enhances permission and access control management for developers using its serverless Postgres database. This feature incorporates Postgres Row-Level Security (RLS) to protect data from unauthorized access, allowing for the establishment of authorization policies at the database level. Recent findings from OWASP indicate that broken access control is a significant risk in web application security, with 94% of applications tested showing vulnerabilities. RLS enables database administrators to control user access at a granular level, making it particularly useful for multi-tenant applications. Neon Authorize simplifies the integration of authentication providers, allowing developers to authenticate database calls using JSON Web Tokens (JWT). Andy Young from Lockdown Ventures noted that adopting Neon Authorize improved security, simplified application code, and enhanced performance, with the migration process taking less than a day.
This PowerShell script is essential for any fresh Windows install
Winsage
November 3, 2024

This PowerShell script is essential for any fresh Windows install

Chris Titus created a lightweight utility called "The Ultimate Windows Utility" to streamline the process of reinstalling applications and tweaking Windows settings. It can be run from a Windows PowerShell terminal with admin privileges using the command: iwr -useb https://christitus.com/win | iex. The utility allows users to install commonly used applications, uninstall them, and make various tweaks to disable unnecessary features and remove annoyances from a fresh OS install. Users can choose from recommended selections like "Standard" or "Minimal" and can export their configuration to a JSON file for future use. Detailed information about each tweak is available on Chris' GitHub.
It blew my mind when I learned you can set up a laptop as a second monitor on Windows 11
Winsage
November 2, 2024

It blew my mind when I learned you can set up a laptop as a second monitor on Windows 11

Windows 11 allows users to use their laptops as external displays for other computers by installing the Wireless Display app on both devices. To set it up, users must open Settings, navigate to Optional features, and check if Wireless Display is listed. If not, they can add it by clicking "View features," searching for Wireless Display, and following the prompts. To connect, users should open the Wireless Display app on the laptop, then use the "Cast" feature on the other computer to select the laptop. Troubleshooting steps include checking for Miracast support, adjusting power settings, and ensuring both devices are on the same network.
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