smart home

Winsage
December 3, 2025
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.
AppWizard
November 30, 2025
A user has developed a renewed appreciation for Samsung's software, particularly One UI 8, highlighting three pre-installed apps for their functionality and user-friendliness: 1. Clock: The Samsung Clock app allows a snooze interval of up to 60 minutes, adjustable even after the alarm has sounded, and offers unlimited snoozes, catering to users with chronic pain or fatigue. 2. Reminder: The Reminder app features an updated interface that simplifies setting location-based reminders and offers various templates, making it more user-friendly compared to competing apps. 3. Modes and Routines: This app enables users to create automations based on existing device data, such as weather-based notifications, and provides customizable templates for routines. Additionally, the Now Brief feature serves as a central hub for daily information but has room for improvement.
Tech Optimizer
November 1, 2025
Bitdefender offers a 30-day trial for users to evaluate its antivirus software before purchasing. The company has ten personal plans and four business packages, with five core plans being most relevant for users. Subscriptions are available annually or biennially and can cover up to 20 devices. The plans include: 1. Ultimate Security Plus Extended (5 to 25 devices) 2. Ultimate Security Plus Standard (5 to 25 devices) 3. Ultimate Security (5 to 25 devices) 4. Premium Security (5 to 25 devices) 5. Total Security (5 to 25 devices) 6. Antivirus for Mac (1 to 3 devices) 7. Antivirus Plus (1 to 3 devices) Pricing for the plans typically ranges from .99 to .99 annually. For small businesses, the Ultimate Small Business Security plan supports 2 devices per member and is available in bundles for three, six, ten, or 25 members, priced from .99 to .99 annually. Bitdefender also provides a product called Bitdefender BOX for IoT device protection, with an initial cost of .99 for one year. The company was founded in 2001, has over 1,800 employees, and serves clients in more than 150 countries. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for subscriptions. Bitdefender has been recognized for its comprehensive virus detection and competitive pricing.
AppWizard
November 1, 2025
Google is introducing home screen widget support for Android Auto, currently codenamed “Earth.” This feature is in early stages and has limitations, such as not supporting all widgets or allowing multiple installations simultaneously. Among the potential widgets is Fuelio, which tracks refueling expenses and locates gas stations, offering Quick Actions for logging refueling and Trip Control for journey recording. The Google Home Favorites widget allows users to control smart devices from their car. The KWGT app enables users to design custom widgets for personalized functionality.
AppWizard
October 30, 2025
The Always-On Display (AOD) feature on Android devices will be enhanced in Android 17 with a new feature called Min Mode. Min Mode allows for persistent, full-screen displays from favored applications during idle periods, rather than just basic status updates. It operates using low-power technology to conserve battery life. Developers need to integrate a component called “MinModeActivity” into their apps for compatibility. Google Maps is leading the implementation of Min Mode, developing a power-efficient interface that provides essential navigation data in a monochromatic mode. Min Mode will be introduced as a new developer API, allowing various applications to display critical information while the device is idle. The success of Min Mode will depend on developers focusing on delivering essential information efficiently.
BetaBeacon
October 28, 2025
Marcel's wife wanted to find him a dedicated gaming device with proper physical controls and higher-quality games to replace the ad-filled games he played on his Android phone. After considering the Switch and Steam Deck, she decided on an Android gaming handheld based on advice from a colleague. When she gave Marcel the Retroid Pocket Classic as a gift, he was surprised but delighted, as he had been curious about old Game Boy units. He was unfamiliar with the concept of emulation and Android gaming handhelds but was excited to figure it out.
Tech Optimizer
October 14, 2025
Ethernet relies on a physical cable for direct connection to the router, reducing the risk of data interception, while Wi-Fi transmits data wirelessly, making it more vulnerable to unauthorized access. A well-secured Wi-Fi network can be more secure than a poorly managed Ethernet setup. The security of a network depends on factors such as router configuration, software updates, and the number of connected devices. To enhance internet security, users should employ strong passwords, enable the latest encryption, keep router firmware updated, review connected devices, install antivirus software, and consider using a VPN for sensitive tasks.
AppWizard
October 13, 2025
The integration of Android applications into desktop environments is increasingly popular due to their superior functionality compared to desktop versions. Applications like WhatsApp and Google Maps demonstrate enhanced usability on Android, with features such as flexible window resizing and better multitasking capabilities. Waydroid is an open-source project that allows Android apps to run on Linux systems without the performance issues associated with traditional emulators. It utilizes Linux namespaces and shares the host OS's kernel for near-native performance. Users can customize their experience by choosing builds with or without Google apps, and once installed, Android apps integrate into the PC's application menu. Waydroid offers smooth performance and the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously, although it has some limitations, such as restricted hardware access and notification issues. Despite these drawbacks, Waydroid presents a viable solution for users looking to combine Android and desktop computing.
AppWizard
October 11, 2025
Widgets are important in the Android ecosystem for managing various tasks, with widget stacks introduced by Samsung in One UI 5 in 2022. Pixel device users lack this feature, but a workaround using the Smartspacer app allows them to achieve similar functionality. Widget stacks enable users to combine multiple widgets into a scrollable unit on their home screens, maintaining a clean aesthetic while displaying more information. Smartspacer enhances the At a Glance widget by allowing extensive customization and introducing the Expanded Smartspace feature, which provides access to a curated list of selected widgets. Users must download Shizuku and adjust developer settings to use Expanded Smartspace, allowing customization of features like search box inclusion and lock screen access. Smartspacer also allows users to prioritize items in the At a Glance widget and introduces complications for persistent visibility of essential information. The At a Glance widget has become more useful with Smartspacer, transforming from a static feature to an essential tool for Pixel users.
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