Microsoft is set to launch a significant update for Windows 11 in April 2026, focusing on enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. The update will streamline the Settings interface, align dialog boxes with dark mode, and aim for a more intuitive user experience. Under design director March Rogers, the initiative seeks to address historical criticisms of Microsoft's design approach, emphasizing the alignment of form and function. Key features of the update include a clearer Settings layout, dark mode for legacy dialog boxes, the ability to move the Taskbar, voice input for File Explorer, and AI integration with Narrator. Additionally, the update will adapt to evolving hardware needs with improved stylus configuration for 2-in-1 devices. User feedback is being prioritized in design decisions to create a cleaner, more cohesive system.
The HANNspree Lumo features a 7.8-inch reflective LCD display that mimics paper, prioritizing user comfort and versatility. It is categorized as a "Dynamic Paper Tablet," utilizing ambient light for a matte, low-glare screen. The tablet weighs approximately 250 grams and is 6.6mm thick. It supports full color with a 60Hz refresh rate and has a resolution of 1024 x 768, optimized for reading. The device runs on Android 14, powered by a MediaTek MTK8781 chip, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, stylus support (sold separately), front and rear cameras, a built-in microphone, and a 3,000mAh battery that lasts about 6.5 hours for video playback. The Lumo is currently available in Europe for around €369, with no confirmation of a U.S. release.
Windows 11 includes Microsoft Paint, which is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly environment for creativity. The updated interface features a sleek layout, making tools readily available for experimentation. Paint has refined brushes and inking tools that provide a smooth, responsive drawing experience, especially with stylus use, incorporating pressure sensitivity for more authentic strokes. It also offers advanced color tools, including support for RGB, hex, and HSV color options, allowing users to maintain consistency in their projects. Users can create a mini color palette on the canvas and utilize the eyedropper tool to extract colors from references or generated images.
Motorola has unveiled the Razr Fold, its first book-style foldable phone with proper stylus support, making it the only flagship foldable in the US market with dedicated stylus capability. The phone has a 6.6-inch display when closed and an 8.1-inch screen when opened. It also features a main sensor, ultra-wide lens, telephoto lens, external selfie camera, internal camera, and can record video in Dolby Vision. The Razr Fold is expected to launch in the summer with pricing yet to be announced.
Windows 11 is experiencing issues with unfinished AI features and bugs, while its user interface lacks refinement. It offers touch support, unlike macOS. At CES 2026, Intricuit introduced the "Intricuit Magic Screen," an attachable display for MacBooks that provides touch capabilities and stylus input, connecting via USB-C. The anticipated price is , with a Kickstarter launch planned. Users have long requested touchscreen support on macOS, but Apple has not yet responded. Speculation about a touchscreen MacBook continues, while Microsoft has offered touch support in Windows PCs for over a decade.
8BitDo has introduced the FlipPad, a portrait mode clip-on controller for mobile gamers who prefer minimal accessories. The controller has 12 face buttons and a D-Pad, making it suitable for portrait games that do not require shoulder trigger buttons. It is designed to overlay over on-screen keyboards for ergonomic comfort and is compatible with third-party applications and emulators. The controller plugs directly into smartphones via USB-C and does not have Bluetooth connectivity.
A recent poll by Android Authority found that among respondents, 32% create wallpapers using images from their cameras, 7% use drawing apps or wallpaper creators, 9% let their phones generate wallpapers, 23% rely on wallpaper apps, 27% download wallpapers from the internet, and 2% indicated other methods. Users can create personalized wallpapers through drawing, photography, or by using smartphone features that generate wallpapers automatically. Online tools like Canva and Kapwing are also available for those who want to design their own wallpapers.
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 is currently available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. It is a one-time purchase that remains active for life on a single Windows machine and includes Word 2019, Excel 2019, PowerPoint 2019, Outlook 2019, OneNote 2019, Publisher 2019, and Access 2019. Key improvements include enhanced inking support in stylus use, new data analysis functions in Excel, additional presentation features in PowerPoint, and improved email and contact management in Outlook. The system requirements to run Office 2019 are Windows 10 or 11, at least 1GB of RAM, at least 4GB of available storage space, and a display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels or higher. Upon purchase, users receive an instant license key and download link, with customer service available for installation assistance.
ANBERNIC has released the RG DS, a handheld console that allows players to play DS games on modern hardware. The device features two 4-inch IPS displays, additional sticks, and a Rockchip chipset. It is significantly cheaper than other dual-screen emulation handhelds, priced at .99 during the pre-order period.
