skepticism Archives

Winsage

December 3, 2025

New Windows 11 ‘PC you can talk to’ ad pushing Copilot is proving divisive – and I can see it seriously backfiring

Microsoft has released a holiday advertisement featuring its 'Hey Copilot' voice input and AI capabilities in Windows 11, set to the song A-Punk by Vampire Weekend. The ad showcases family-oriented scenarios, such as syncing Christmas lights to music and navigating assembly instructions with Copilot's assistance, including a cameo from Santa. Viewer reactions have been mixed, with some expressing skepticism about Copilot's capabilities and suggesting humorous voice commands. Concerns have been raised regarding the disconnect between the ad's portrayal of Copilot's functionality and the actual limitations of the technology, particularly its inability to connect smart home devices to a Windows 11 PC. Users appreciate advancements in voice input technology but feel that the advertisement may oversell its current capabilities, leading to potential disappointment.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

Microsoft can’t fix Windows 11 because it won’t stop breaking it

Windows 11 was launched in October 2021 but has faced significant challenges, including stringent hardware requirements that alienated many users, persistent bugs, and stagnant adoption rates. Key components of the Windows 11 interface, such as the Start Menu, Taskbar, File Explorer, and Settings app, have been unreliable, with major failures following updates due to a problematic XAML software component. Microsoft acknowledged these issues, which have left users dealing with non-functional menus and taskbars. The fragility of Windows 11 is partly attributed to the integration of AI-generated code, which raises concerns about software quality. The operating system has also introduced ads, leading to user resentment and a decline in trust. Many users continue to prefer Windows 10, which still powers about 1 billion PCs, as adoption rates for Windows 11 lag behind those of Windows 10 at a similar stage. Microsoft faces a dilemma on whether to focus on AI features or restore core functionality to regain user confidence.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

WhatsApp Launches EU Interoperability for Encrypted Cross-App Messaging

Meta Platforms Inc.’s WhatsApp is rolling out interoperability features across Europe, allowing users to send messages to individuals on third-party applications starting in November 2024. This initiative is in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires dominant tech companies to enhance competition by opening their platforms. Users will be able to communicate while maintaining end-to-end encryption, a process that has taken over three years to develop. Users must opt-in to receive messages from third-party applications, and the initial rollout is limited to specific partners. The interoperability allows for sharing text, images, voice messages, videos, and files. Meta's engineering team adapted WhatsApp's infrastructure to accommodate external services while upholding encryption standards. Concerns have been raised about potential security vulnerabilities and the implications of proposed regulations like "Chat Control" that could conflict with encryption efforts. This development could influence competitive dynamics in the messaging sector, providing smaller applications like BirdyChat and Haiket visibility by integrating with WhatsApp’s large user base. Compliance with the DMA helps Meta avoid fines while risking dilution of WhatsApp's market dominance. Privacy implications are a significant concern, with discussions around how interoperability could facilitate surveillance or compromise user security. Meta's journey involved regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with DMA objectives, and the success of this initiative could set a precedent for global standards in digital communication.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

As Windows 11 turns into an AI OS, Microsoft Copilot boss does not understand how AI is underwhelming

Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI CEO, noted user frustration with the aggressive integration of AI into Windows 11, despite the company's efforts to enhance user experience with features like Copilot, which operates on models similar to ChatGPT. Windows 11 includes various AI functionalities, such as Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision, and aims to transform the OS into an "agentic OS" with features like Copilot Actions in Microsoft Edge. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with AI being present in applications like Notepad and File Explorer, perceiving it as intrusive rather than beneficial. Microsoft 365 applications have also integrated Copilot functionalities, but concerns about safety and privacy persist. User feedback indicates a desire for more thoughtful AI integration, as many feel that AI is being applied to problems that do not exist, leading to stress and uncertainty regarding the operating system's control.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Google Pixel Ghost Apps Bug Plagues Models 7-10 in Android 16 Update

In late November 2025, Google Pixel users reported a "ghost app" issue where apps reopen without user intervention, affecting multiple models from Pixel 9 to Pixel 10. This problem has been linked to recent software updates and has been described as a systemic glitch. Users also reported "ghost touches" on older models like the Pixel 7, where screens register inputs without contact. Complaints include apps struggling to stay closed, overheating, and inconsistent performance, with theories suggesting bugs in Android 16 and issues with the Pixel's Tensor chips. A botched privacy update may have exacerbated the problem by throttling background processes. The ongoing reliability challenges have led to a significant erosion of user trust in the Pixel brand.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

After 13 years, Euro Truck Simulator 2 smashes its all-time concurrent player peak on Steam by dropping two DLCs with, let me check my notes here, more Europe and more trucks

Euro Truck Simulator 2 has surpassed its all-time peak player count on Steam with over 72,678 concurrent players, more than 13 years after its release in 2012. Recent expansions, including Nordic Horizons and the Forest Machinery add-on, have enhanced gameplay. The game offers a meditative quality, allowing players to experience tranquility while driving through scenic routes, serving as a form of escapism from daily life.

Tech Optimizer

November 30, 2025

PrivadoVPN bundles VPN with antivirus for just $1.11 per month with our exclusive deal

PrivadoVPN is offering a Black Friday deal at .11 per month, which includes unlimited antivirus protection at no extra cost. The 27-month plan costs .99, making it the most affordable premium VPN option available. PrivadoVPN provides speeds exceeding 800 Mbps, essential features like a kill switch and parental controls, and can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously. It claims a strict no-logs policy, but lacks independent audit verification.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Playing Minecraft on a receipt printer: YouTuber reaches the Ender Dragon and goes viral

A YouTuber transformed Minecraft into a physical gaming experience by using a custom-built application that renders the game in grayscale and sends screenshots to a printer at a frame rate of 0.5 to 1 frame per second. To manage the printed material, the YouTuber created a paper roller from K'NEX pieces. Players experience a two-second delay, and visuals are simplified to rough outlines, with inventory often appearing as a solid black blur. The YouTuber, known as Smill, successfully reached the Ender Dragon with guidance from speedrunners Johnny A. and Fulham. The project has received mixed reactions from the gaming community, with some praising its inventiveness and others questioning the authenticity of the gameplay experience.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

How the ‘Minecraft Movie’ VFX team created that viral ‘chicken jockey’ moment

Video game adaptations are gaining popularity in cinema, with Jared Hess’s A Minecraft Movie becoming the second game adaptation in three years to top the global box office, following The Super Mario Bros. Movie. A sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, is set for release next year. Prime Video’s Fallout has also received acclaim and will premiere its second season next month. The adaptations have varied in their approach to source material; The Super Mario Bros. Movie is fully animated, while Fallout uses practical sets, and A Minecraft Movie combines live-action performances with digital landscapes. The film's visual effects team faced challenges in adapting Minecraft due to its open-world nature and lack of a definitive storyline. Warner Bros. acquired the rights to Minecraft over a decade ago, and after years of development, the project found direction under Hess's leadership, framing the story as a “fish-out-of-water” narrative. Initial reactions to the film's trailer were mixed, leading to skepticism about the adaptation. Jack Black's character, Steve, showcases enthusiasm for the game, and he actively participated in building set pieces within Minecraft. A notable scene, the “chicken jockey,” references an obscure game element and resonated with fans, becoming a highlight of the film. The scene's success was attributed to Hess's humor and creative vision, ultimately connecting with the audience and proving skeptics wrong.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Tested: Windows 11’s ‘faster’ File Explorer (preloaded) is still slower than Windows 10, and uses additional RAM

Microsoft is testing a new feature for Windows 11's File Explorer that involves preloading the application in the background to improve performance. This preloading aims to address user complaints about File Explorer's sluggishness compared to Windows 10. Preloading involves pre-caching necessary data to facilitate quicker launches. Testing showed that RAM usage increased slightly from 32.4MB to 35MB with preloading enabled, resulting in a total of 67.4MB during background preloading. While there was a slight improvement in launch times, it was not significant without close examination. Under full load conditions, preloading demonstrated clearer advantages in launch speed. However, the overall sluggishness of File Explorer, particularly with context menu interactions, remains an issue. Users can optimize their experience by disabling transparency and animation effects and changing default folder settings. The performance disparity between Windows 10 and Windows 11 File Explorers is attributed to additional rendering layers in Windows 11. The preloading feature is available for testing in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307), with a broader rollout expected in early 2026.