settings panel Archives

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Android 16’s UI redesign reportedly shows its face in massive leak

A recent leak reveals potential redesign features for Android 16, including a blurred and transparent notification panel, a revamped lock screen with a new font and repositioned date/temperature, and geometric app icon options in the Pixel Launcher. The volume sliders will change from a pill shape to a rectangular design, and there will be updates to the Settings menu with colored icons and a new horizontal battery icon format. Android 16 is expected to debut in Q2 2025, with more details likely to be revealed at Google's I/O 2025 event. The Android 16 Beta 4 update has reached "Platform Stability," indicating that final adjustments are being made before the official rollout.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Microsoft continues to dismantle the Control Panel as another feature migrates to Settings

Microsoft is migrating features from the Control Panel to the Settings panel, with keyboard repetition settings being the latest to transition. This change is part of a broader initiative to phase out the Control Panel, which was announced in August 2024. Currently, these keyboard settings are hidden in testing builds and have not yet been rolled out to the live version of Windows. Other settings, such as mouse trails and options to hide the cursor while typing, have already made the transition. Users are generally finding the Settings panel to be a suitable replacement for the Control Panel.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

5 essential tips to optimize Windows 11 for office work

Windows 11 includes features to enhance productivity, particularly through customization for older PCs. Key strategies include: 1. Virtual Desktops: Use Win + Tab or the Task View icon to create separate virtual desktops for work, allowing for a more organized workspace. Applications can be dragged into this desktop and will reappear upon reopening. 2. Focus Sessions: Activate Focus via Settings -> System -> Focus to set timers for work sessions and breaks, enabling Do Not Disturb mode to silence notifications during work periods. 3. System Optimization: Select a High Performance power plan in Control Panel -> Power Options or Settings -> System -> Power & battery, and disable unnecessary startup apps in Task Manager to improve performance. 4. Pinning Apps and Snap Layouts: Pin frequently used applications to the taskbar for quick access and use Snap Layouts by dragging windows to the screen edges for efficient arrangement. 5. Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize essential Windows 11 shortcuts to enhance efficiency, such as Windows key + A for Quick Settings, Windows key + E for File Explorer, and Windows key + H for voice typing.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

Lilbits: Microsoft keeps adding AI to Notepad, a fix for broken Chromecasts, and Android 16 Beta 3

Microsoft Notepad has introduced new features, including a spell checker and an AI-powered Rewrite utility, aimed at enhancing user experience. The latest update includes a Summarize tool for generating concise summaries of selected text, available to Windows Insiders with a Microsoft account and a subscription to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro. Notepad version 11.2501.29.0 is rolling out in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. Additionally, the Windows Snipping Tool (version 11.2502.18.0) has been updated to allow users to draw straight lines during screen capture annotations. Android 16 Beta 3 is introducing "platform stability" and accessibility enhancements. Google is working on a fix for 2015 Chromecast devices affected by an expired certificate.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Windows 11 can now run on unsupported systems, but there’s a catch

Microsoft has allowed users to install Windows 11 on older, unsupported hardware, moving away from its previous strict hardware requirements. Users can manually install the operating system, but devices that do not meet minimum requirements will not receive updates via Windows Update, requiring manual management of updates. A watermark will appear on the desktop, and a notification in Settings will indicate that the upgrade is not recommended. Microsoft will not lower the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, citing cybersecurity concerns. Unsupported devices will also be excluded from the Windows Insider Program. Users can revert to Windows 10 within ten days of the upgrade through the Settings menu.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Microsoft allows Windows 11 to be installed on older, unsupported hardware but specifically nixes official support — minimum requirements for full compatibility remain unchanged

Microsoft has allowed users to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware but warns of potential instabilities and lack of official support, updates, or compatibility. A new guide has been released detailing the installation process and how to revert to the previous version if issues arise. The PC Health Check app can help assess eligibility for Windows 11. Approximately 61.82% of Windows users are still on Windows 10, which will reach its end of life in October 2025. Users installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices will see a disclaimer that voids their warranty and will not receive updates, including security patches. A watermark will indicate hardware incompatibility. Users can rollback to Windows 10 within 10 days of upgrading, and support for Windows 10 will continue with an annual fee. Users are encouraged to upgrade their systems or consider installing a TPM chip, or they can use Windows 11 at their own risk or explore Linux as an alternative.

AppWizard

November 1, 2024

How to completely customize your Android Quick Settings panel

Power Shade and Mi Control Center are two applications that enhance the Quick Settings panel on Android devices through extensive customization options. Power Shade allows users to tailor their Quick Settings interface with a user-friendly design, while Mi Control Center offers a unique layout that enhances functionality and creativity. Both applications cater to the trend of personalization in the Android ecosystem.

AppWizard

October 5, 2024

The redesigned camera app in One UI 7 is all about one-handed usage

Samsung showcased the upcoming One UI 7 at a developer conference, featuring a redesigned camera app for Galaxy devices. The settings menu has been repositioned to the bottom of the viewfinder for easier one-handed operation and is now in a carousel format for swiping through options like exposure and flash settings. While these features may not be finalized, they are expected to be close to the final product, with One UI 7 anticipated for early 2025. Additional updates include a separate quick settings panel, notification shade, and new icons.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

Android 15 volume panel will have useful audio controls for Pixel Buds Pro users

Google has reinstated the Noise Control option for Android 15, enhancing the volume panel and allowing Pixel Buds Pro users to toggle between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode. The Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 was released, revealing a redesigned Quick Settings panel for Android 16. The volume panel redesign includes pill-shaped sliders and the ability to mute audio streams by tapping the source icon. The reinstatement of the Noise Control button is facilitated by the Pixel Buds app. Additionally, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has been introduced, featuring a 6.8-inch display and on-device AI assistance with Gemini features.

Winsage

September 7, 2024

A new ChromeOS update brings a touch of Windows 11 to Chromebooks

Google has begun the rollout of ChromeOS 128 across all supported Chromebooks, introducing several new features and enhancements. Key additions include: - Snap Groups feature for split-screen multitasking, allowing users to pair and manage two windows. - Integration of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in the Camera app, enabling text recognition from physical documents, supporting 77 languages, and allowing text searches and read-aloud functionality. - Improvements to the Magnifier tool, which now works with ChromeVox for better navigation for visually impaired users. - Introduction of Audio Gain Control to optimize microphone volume during video calls. - Simplified privacy controls for cameras and microphones, consolidating permissions management in one location within the Settings menu. Chromebooks automatically check for updates, and users can manually check for updates through the Settings menu.