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AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Google might be working on a new Gemini UI that makes sense on tablets

Google is enhancing the user experience of its Gemini platform on tablets with a new beta release that features a tablet-friendly layout, including a sidebar for quick access to chats and a hamburger menu for navigation. The updated design includes shortcuts for starting new conversations and searching past discussions, as well as a modified prompt bar that highlights tools like “Deep Research” and “Canvas.” A new “Search History” function allows users to retrieve past chats using keywords. The latest beta version (v16.20.48.sa.arm64) for Android mirrors the web interface, with a left-hand sidebar for navigation and practical shortcuts for new and archived chats. Users can switch between different Gemini models using a dropdown menu, and a full-screen mode option is available to hide the sidebar for a distraction-free view. The timeline for the widespread rollout of the tablet-optimized layout is currently uncertain.

Winsage

May 25, 2025

6 reasons OneCommander is my favorite free file manager for Windows, and it’s not even close

OneCommander is an alternative file management solution for Windows 11, featuring a modern and customizable user interface with various themes. It offers a dual-pane view for side-by-side folder management, tab management for quick access to multiple locations, and a sidebar for pinned locations and recent history. The application provides swift navigation, allowing folders to open instantly, and includes advanced file preview capabilities for various file types without needing to open them separately. OneCommander simplifies file creation with templates and includes a note-taking feature for organization. Its File Automator toolkit allows for bulk renaming of files using presets or custom RegEx rules.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Screw the Windows Search Bar, and Use Command Palette Instead

Mac users utilize Spotlight for searching applications, files, calculations, and web browsing, while Windows users have the Search Bar, which is less versatile. Command Palette is a new keyboard launcher for Windows, replacing PowerToys Run, allowing users to execute commands, search the web, find files, and create custom bookmarks with global keyboard shortcuts. Command Palette is part of PowerToys, which can be downloaded from GitHub, the Microsoft Store, or via the Windows Package Manager. After installing PowerToys version 0.9 or higher, users can enable Command Palette in the settings and customize its keyboard shortcut. Users can search for files by selecting the File search option and typing the desired term, and they can switch between open windows and execute commands in the Terminal. The hidden package manager WinGet allows users to install applications via Command Palette without opening the Terminal. Users can also enhance Command Palette with third-party extensions, which are currently limited but may expand in the future.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

Files by Google is also getting a fresh coat of Material 3 Expressive (APK teardown)

Google is testing its Files app with new Material 3 Expressive components in a beta version. The beta version, Files by Google v1.7528, features repositioned Quick Share and File Scanner floating action buttons to a centralized location, larger thumbnails for recent files, and a redesigned image viewer with updated Edit and Circle to Search FABs. The sidebar has undergone changes in padding and sizing, and the progress bar has been moved to the center of the screen with a new wavy design. These features are still under development and may not appear in the final public release.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft shares its process (and discarded ideas) for redone Windows 11 Start menu

Microsoft is testing a revamped Start menu for Windows 11, which retains familiar elements but offers reorganization and customization options. The redesign process included concepts that were ultimately discarded, such as a Windows XP-inspired sidebar, a full-screen Start experience from Windows 8, and various layouts emphasizing different functionalities. Ideas included an abundance of icons, thumbnail previews for recently opened files, a dedicated area for calendar reminders, and a "create" button suggesting generative AI capabilities. Microsoft engaged over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts for feedback to inform the redesign, aiming to enhance user experience while maintaining familiarity.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Struggling with the latest Windows 11 update? You aren’t alone

Many users are experiencing issues with Windows 11 following a recent update, including sluggish performance, Wi-Fi connectivity problems, and blue screen errors. To troubleshoot, users should first ensure their PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, which include: - Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC. - RAM: At least 4 GB. - Storage: 64 GB or more of available storage. - Firmware: UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability. - TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 must be enabled. - Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later and have a WDDM 2.0 driver. - Display: High definition (720p) display, at least 9 inches diagonally, with 8 bits per color channel. - Internet and Microsoft account: Required for initial setup of Windows 11 Home and for updates and some features on all editions. To resolve issues, users can: 1. Uninstall the latest update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. 2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter found in Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. 3. Check for driver updates in Device Manager by looking for devices with a yellow exclamation mark. 4. Perform a System Restore through Control Panel > Open System Restore. 5. Use Microsoft's built-in repair tool "Fix problems using Windows Update" found in Settings > System > Recovery. 6. Check for known issues acknowledged by Microsoft. 7. Access advanced startup options by holding down the Shift key while clicking Restart to use Startup Repair or Command Prompt. 8. Reset the PC from the advanced recovery menu, which can reinstall Windows while preserving files or perform a clean reset. Users should back up important files before proceeding with significant troubleshooting steps.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft Reveals New Windows 11 Start Menu and Upcoming Copilot+ Features

Microsoft has announced upcoming features for Windows 11, including a redesigned Start Menu, enhancements to Click to Do, and improvements in Windows Search. Key features for Windows Insiders using Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs include an AI Agent in Settings, new Click to Do actions for scheduling and messaging, dynamic lighting controls in Photos, a Paint sticker generator, object selection in Paint, an improved Snipping tool, and rich image descriptions in Narrator. Additional features for all Windows Insiders include a new Start Menu with a phone companion sidebar, AI actions in File Explorer, updates to Notepad, Copilot improvements, and a Microsoft Store AI Hub. Notably, Copilot+ PC experiences will not be available in all markets until later, with some features expected to arrive in the European Economic Area in 2025.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

My favorite File Explorer replacement just got better

Files has released an update to version 3.9.7, enhancing its functionality and introducing new customization features. Key improvements include a revamped Release Notes dialog that opens automatically after updates, customizable file size units, automatic encoding detection for ZIP file extraction, and UTF-8 encoding as the default for creating ZIP archives. The app is recognized for introducing features ahead of Windows File Explorer, such as tabs and unique functionalities like diverse view modes, sorting options, and tagging capabilities.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

The Gemini app is becoming more like NotebookLM in April’s Workspace feature drop

In the April 2025 Workspace feature drop, Google introduced new AI tools across Gemini, Gmail, Slides, and Chat. Gemini gained two features similar to NotebookLM: Canvas and Audio Overviews. Gmail can now automatically detect event invites in emails and prompt users to add them to their Calendar with one click. Additionally, Gmail will offer Contextual Smart Replies for efficient communication. Google Slides received a new design sidebar for easier presentation creation, allowing users to explore templates and add elements without leaving their current slide. For enterprise users, a board tab in Chat will enable teams to pin messages, files, and links, and a new HubSpot app for Google Chat will enhance workflow efficiency. These features are now widely accessible as part of the April 2025 update.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

I turned my Windows PC into an EdgeBook — Microsoft’s web apps were the most glaring issue

Microsoft Edge was used as the sole application for two weeks to explore its capabilities as a potential alternative to ChromeOS for Windows 10 users. The experiment revealed that while Edge has useful features like the Sidebar and Edge Drop, the web versions of Microsoft Office were inadequate for daily tasks, often performing poorly and lacking functionality compared to desktop versions. Essential applications identified during the experiment included Snipping Tool, PowerToys, Microsoft Office apps, and a dedicated photo editor. The experiment also highlighted the possibility of uninstalling many applications from Windows 11, emphasizing the benefits of a clean install. Additionally, the potential of Windows 10X as a competitor to ChromeOS was noted, though it remains unrealized.