shapes Archives

Winsage

May 21, 2025

5 Windhawk modules I couldn’t use Windows 11 without

Windhawk is a tool for customizing the Windows 11 interface, allowing users to make significant modifications to their operating system. It provides various mods, including: - Vertical Taskbar Mod: Restores the ability to reposition the taskbar and customize its width and jump list alignment. - Taskbar Labels Mod: Allows users to display labels for app icons, customize label text, combine apps, and adjust taskbar width, with options for increasing label font size. - Start Menu Syler Mod: Enables users to apply themes to the Start menu, including options that mimic the Windows 10 look. - Classic Explorer Navigation Bar Mod: Restores familiar items to the File Explorer navigation bar, enhancing user experience. - Classic Context Menu Mod: Reverts the context menu to a more familiar format, improving accessibility to options. Windhawk also offers a portable installation option and encourages users to create a restore point before installation to safeguard against potential issues. The platform features a marketplace for various modules, allowing users to customize their experience further.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

A Super Mario 64 ROM Hacker Is Recreating Minecraft Inside The N64 Classic

A modder named Arthurtilly has created a voxel engine similar to Minecraft within the Super Mario 64 engine, which operates on an authentic Nintendo 64 console. This project showcases modern modding techniques applied to vintage hardware. Arthurtilly, known for previous ROM hacks, collaborated with rovertronic to develop the Mario Builder 64 tool. His latest hack features an infinite world, multiple block types, diverse biomes, initial fluid dynamics support, and enhanced graphics. Future plans for the engine include a dynamic day/night cycle, flowing lava and water, world saving and loading functionality, integration of trees and vegetation, and an inventory system.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Developer Made Minecraft Run On Nintendo 64

Arthurtilly has developed a Minecraft-style voxel engine within the Super Mario 64 engine, functioning on authentic Nintendo 64 hardware. The engine utilizes advanced multithreading techniques for efficient terrain and mesh generation, providing smooth performance. It features an infinite world with various block types, diverse biomes, and early elements like fluids and sophisticated lighting effects. Future updates will enhance the engine with flowing water and lava, an improved lighting system with a dynamic day/night cycle, full support for saving and loading worlds, terrain features like trees and vegetation, and an inventory system. A demonstration of the engine is available on a genuine Nintendo 64 console.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

The best use for AI: You can now turn yourself into an Android Bot by uploading a photo

Google has launched the Androidify app, allowing users to create personalized Android Bots by uploading a photo and selecting a color scheme. The app utilizes the Gemini API and is designed with Google’s Material 3 aesthetic, ensuring compatibility with various devices. Unlike its previous version, which was limited to a website, the new app offers a more refined experience with plans for a specialized image generator version. Users must compile the app themselves to access its features, which may limit its reach. There are hopes for the app's availability on the Play Store in the future.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2025

Microsoft Defender deactivated by new tool

The OpenEoX Technical Committee, part of OASIS, has introduced a draft framework to standardize end-of-life security notices for software and hardware, involving companies like Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, IBM, Dell, and RedHat. The framework aims to provide clear communication about the security status of technology, helping organizations manage risks associated with legacy systems. It outlines a structured approach for notifying users about end-of-life status, enabling informed decisions on upgrades or replacements to improve security.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google reveals vibrant Material 3 Expressive, coming soon to a Pixel near you

Google has unveiled its new Android design refresh, Material 3 Expressive, which will debut with the Android operating system and extend across the Google app ecosystem. This design builds on the previous Material You system and features "springy" animations, brighter colors, and innovative shapes. The development was informed by user research involving over 18,000 participants, indicating that users can locate important buttons up to four times faster than with older interfaces. Future Android iterations will emphasize playful animations, a bolder color scheme, improved typography for better contrast, a wider variety of button shapes, and more legible status bar icons.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Gothic 1 Remake demo gets huge update after swathes of player feedback

Alkimia Interactive has updated the demo of Gothic 1 Remake based on player feedback, with over 15,000 players participating in a survey since the demo's release in February. The remake, overseen by THQ Nordic, will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The updated demo includes enhancements like faster animations for smoother gameplay. Players can expect a faithful remake of the original 2001 RPG, featuring a hand-crafted open world that reacts to player actions.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

Locomoto is a train management adventure with Animal Crossing vibes and Minecraft-like crafting that’s already claimed hours of my time

In the game Locomoto, the player takes on the role of a train conductor, having commandeered a train from a goat named McGruff, with the mission of assisting a struggling town by transporting the future mayor. The gameplay includes clearing tracks, operating the train, and engaging in quests that involve transporting passengers and locating items. The game features a character customization system, allowing players to modify their character and train, and incorporates a crafting system for creating various items. Players can collect parcels and complete tasks, leading to an immersive and time-consuming experience. Locomoto is currently available on PC.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft unveils new AI agents that can modify Windows settings

Microsoft has introduced a suite of Windows experiences for Copilot+ PCs, featuring AI agents that help users adjust settings on their computers by interpreting user intent and automating tasks with consent. Users can communicate in natural language to receive guidance or have changes executed directly. This feature will initially be available to English-speaking Windows Insiders on Snapdragon-powered devices, with plans for broader support. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Windows search capabilities and expanding Click to Do actions, allowing users to schedule meetings, send messages, consult M365 Copilot, convert data in Excel, and draft documents in Word. Creative tools like Photos, Paint, and the Snipping Tool are receiving updates, including dynamic lighting controls in Photos, a sticker generator in Paint, and new capture capabilities in the Snipping Tool. Upcoming features for Windows 11 Insiders include a phone companion for the Start menu, AI-driven actions in File Explorer, and a new writing function in Notepad for generating text from prompts. Microsoft is also testing a "Draw & Hold" feature in the Snipping Tool and has introduced a text rewriting tool called "Rewrite."

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Google just accidentally revealed Android’s new design language

Google's Material Design, launched in 2014, has evolved significantly with the introduction of "Material You" or Material 3 in May 2021, focusing on personalized and adaptive interfaces for Android users. Upcoming features of Material 3 Expressive include a vibrant color palette that adapts to user choices, varied and organic shapes for a fluid design, and enhanced animations for intuitive user interactions.