system update Archives

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Stellar Blade heads to PC on June 11

Stellar Blade will be released on PC on June 11, following its PS5 launch in April of the previous year. The PC version features enhanced graphics with support for NVIDIA DLSS 4, NVIDIA DLAA, NVIDIA Reflex, and AMD FSR 3, as well as compatibility with ultrawide resolutions. It is designed to work with the DualSense controller and offers customization options for various input methods. The minimum system requirements include 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor, and a GeForce GTX 1060. Sony is expanding its portfolio of first-party games on PC, reflecting a trend away from exclusivity.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Google’s Find My Device gets a much-needed update

Google's Android operating system update on May 13 rebranded Find My Device to Find Hub, adding Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tag support and satellite connectivity for improved tracking. Google plans to partner with airlines to enable Bluetooth tag location sharing for lost luggage recovery, launching early next year. The update is part of the Android 16 revamp, which includes personalization options and the introduction of Material 3 Expressive. Additionally, Google I/O announced the transition from Google Assistant to Gemini Live across various platforms for a more intuitive AI experience.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Google just gave the Pixel Watch app a fresh light theme makeover

Google's Pixel Watch companion app has transitioned to a light theme, moving away from its previous dark aesthetics. This change has been rolled out via a server-side update, with users noticing the new vibrant white backdrop on their Android devices. There is no option to toggle between themes in the app settings, indicating that the update was implemented without user intervention. The last official app update was version 3.4, released in April. The app operates independently of the phone's theme settings. Earlier this year, Pixel Studio also adopted a light theme, while the Clock app remains dark. The Pixel Watch is expected to receive a significant operating system update, possibly introducing Wear OS 6 based on Android 16, during the Google I/O 2025 event, but it will continue to run on Android 15 for now.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Google’s May 2025 Pixel update is here with bug fixes and a critical security patch

The May 2025 security update for Google Pixel devices began deployment on May 6, addressing a critical zero-day security vulnerability (CVE-2025-27363) and including three bug fixes along with 28 security patches. The rollout may take about one week to reach all devices, depending on models and carriers. The update prevents devices from reverting to older, vulnerable versions of the bootloader. It also resolves specific issues for Google Pixel 6 and newer devices, including improvements in microphone recording quality, resolution of Bluetooth pairing issues with certain smartwatches, and correction of secondary language display issues in quick settings. Users are advised to check for the update in the Settings app under System > Software update.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Google’s Android Decision—Bad News For 50% Of All Users

Google will implement changes to app functionality on Android devices starting next month, affecting over half of all Android users. The changes are driven by the Play Integrity API, which aims to reduce fraud and data theft, resulting in an 80% reduction in unauthorized app usage. Devices running Android 13 and above will experience improved performance, while those on Android 12 or older may face slower performance. Google is also introducing enhanced security signals for developers to assess device trustworthiness. Over half of Android devices have not upgraded to Android 13 or later, and approximately 200 million users remain on Android 12, which no longer receives security patches. Users on Android 12 or 12L are advised to upgrade for better security and performance.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

Microsoft fixes bug causing incorrect 0x80070643 WinRE errors

Microsoft has resolved a known issue causing 0x80070643 installation failure errors during the deployment of the April 2025 Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) updates. This issue affected the KB5057588 update for Windows Server 2022 and the KB5057589 update for Windows 10, versions 22H2 and 21H2. The error message was misleading, as it did not reflect the actual status of the update or the device's performance. The error typically occurred when a device attempted to install the WinRE update while another update was pending a reboot. Microsoft confirmed that users will no longer see the incorrect error message after installing the affected updates. Additionally, in August of the previous year, Microsoft retired the January 2024 Windows security updates that also triggered 0x80070643 errors during WinRE updates. During that time, fraudulent IT support websites promoted malicious PowerShell "fixes" for these errors, leading to malware infections among users.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Data Doctors: What’s behind Windows blue screen errors

The blue screen of death (BSOD) indicates a critical system issue in Windows. Common causes include: - Faulty or outdated drivers, often related to hardware changes. - Hardware problems, such as failures in RAM, hard drives, or motherboards. - Overheating due to dust, poor ventilation, or malfunctioning fans. - Corrupt system files from improper shutdowns, power surges, or software bugs. - Software conflicts, particularly with incompatible applications. - Issues from problematic Windows updates. - Viruses or malware that corrupt system files or disrupt functionality. - BIOS or firmware issues that introduce instability. - Defective external devices like USB sticks or hard drives. Resolving BSOD issues requires a systematic approach and understanding of error codes.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Android 16 could bring Identity Check to more smartphones

The Identity Check feature has been observed on the OnePlus 13 operating with the Android 16 beta, indicating an expansion of its availability beyond select Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices. This feature adds a layer of security for devices outside designated trusted locations and requires a comprehensive system update due to modifications in Android's biometric prompt code. Users can find the Identity Check option in the Settings > Google > Theft Protection menu after upgrading to Android 16. To use Identity Check, users must authenticate their identity through biometric means, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, when accessing sensitive information outside a trusted environment. The feature was initially introduced with Android 15 QPR1 for Pixel devices and is expected to be adopted by other manufacturers. It may not be enabled by default and will be compatible with devices equipped with class three biometric hardware.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

How to uninstall the Android 16 beta

Android 16 is currently in beta testing, with Beta 3 achieving platform stability but still containing imperfections. Users with Google Pixel 6 or newer can join the Android Beta Program. To uninstall the Android 16 beta, users should back up their device as the process typically erases data. Three methods to uninstall include opting out of the beta program for an OTA update that reverts to the latest stable version, waiting for the stable version of the update being tested, or installing a stable version using the Android Flash Tool or ADB, which erases all data. To opt out, users must log into the Android Beta Program website, select their device, and follow the prompts to leave the beta. After opting out, users can revert to a stable version of Android 15 by installing an OTA update, which may take up to 24 hours to appear and will delete data if not backed up. Reasons to uninstall the beta include the presence of bugs and instability compared to the public version of Android.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Windows Users at Risk: New Zero-Day Exploit Steals Passwords Without Interaction

A newly uncovered zero-day vulnerability in Windows allows hackers to steal NTLM credentials simply by previewing a malicious file, affecting multiple Windows versions, including Windows 7 and Windows 11 v24H2. Microsoft has not yet issued a patch for this vulnerability, leaving millions of users exposed. The flaw was reported by security researcher Mitja Kolsek from ACROS Security, who noted that stolen credentials could lead to unauthorized access to networks. ACROS Security has created a temporary micro-patch available through its 0patch platform, which users are encouraged to implement. Additionally, a separate zero-day vulnerability identified in Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers allows attackers to bypass sandbox protection with a click on a malicious link, primarily targeting media organizations and government agencies in Russia. Users are advised to install the 0patch fix, avoid interacting with unfamiliar files, and update their browsers to protect against these threats.