tech giant Archives

Winsage

August 27, 2026

Is Control Panel dying in Windows 11? Microsoft’s biggest UI revamp says not yet

Windows 11 is undergoing a significant design transformation, with updates to key components like Print Management, the Properties Sheet in File Explorer, and the AutoPlay dialog from Windows 8, all receiving a WinUI makeover. The Control Panel's future is uncertain, but it will remain until Microsoft can transition its features into Windows Settings. Microsoft plans to minimize the need for legacy features and is cautious about removing the Control Panel due to its importance for enterprise compatibility. Upcoming features include a modern Windows Run dialog set to launch in 2026, which will be faster and allow users to navigate to their user directory more efficiently. A modern Properties dialog is also being developed to replace the legacy version, and the AutoPlay dialog will be revamped to remember user preferences. A new Print Management app is in testing, aimed at improving printer management. The overall modernization of Windows 11 suggests that the Control Panel may eventually be phased out, but the timeline for this change is still unclear.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Apps won’t stop randomly crashing on some Pixel phones

Owners of Pixel smartphones are experiencing app-related issues, with reports of music applications skipping tracks and some apps failing to stay open. Users have reported varying experiences, with some experiencing crashes across all apps and others only with specific ones like Google Photos, Spotify, and CapCut. A Reddit thread has emerged where users share their frustrations, and one user noted that joining the System Services beta program resolved their app crashes. The issue seems to affect multiple models, including the Pixel 11 and at least one Pixel 9. Android Authority has contacted Google for further information.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Google sheds some light on the mysterious Android Pulse

Android users have recently noticed a new application called Android Pulse on their devices, which is developed by Google. Google has clarified that Android Pulse is a system service intended to improve the functionality of Android devices and enhance system health monitoring. The visibility of this app in user settings was part of an update aimed at making devices more secure and reliable. Android Pulse functions as an automated tool for maintaining optimal system performance, and users are advised not to be concerned about it, as it is an internal process.

Winsage

August 26, 2026

Windows XP’s most famous pirated key wasn’t a hack, and a Microsoft engineer explains why

The FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8 key is a notorious Windows XP product key that became widely associated with the operating system, which was released on October 25, 2001. Unlike modern free upgrades, Windows XP required users to purchase a physical copy, making the product key essential for installation. The FCKGW key was a legitimate Volume License Key that was misappropriated and allowed users to bypass Microsoft's Windows Product Activation (WPA) system, which linked product keys to specific hardware to combat piracy. This key was whitelisted in the activation logic, enabling installations without activation prompts. Although it is still technically usable on older discs, Microsoft's servers no longer validate it, and the key has been blacklisted. Microsoft recently released a new version of the Windows Bliss wallpaper to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Windows XP.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Googlebooks could make switching between Android and PC much easier

Google has released Play Services v26.33 and Play Store v52.9, introducing several enhancements aimed at improving user experience across devices. Key updates include: - Googlebook Integration allows access to phone apps from Googlebooks on PC and mobile devices. - The Ask Play feature now supports video highlights of apps and games. - New developer features support Utilities-related processes across multiple platforms, including phones, PCs, TVs, Wear OS, and Android Auto. - Enhanced connectivity features support related processes in Google and third-party apps. Additional changes in Play Store v52.9 include: - A Home and Search chip for large-screen device optimization. - Automatic dismissal of the fallback overlay during app installations. - Curated app bundles presented after downloading an app. - Improved Play Protect for better detection of harmful apps. - An audiobook samples cluster added to the app’s home page. The rollout of these features may occur gradually, meaning not all users will receive updates simultaneously.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Foldable phone users spend way more on apps than the rest of us plebs

Google claims that foldable phone users spend 14 times more on in-app purchases compared to users of standard smartphones. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is priced at ,900, while the regular 11 Pro starts at ,100, indicating that consumers of foldable devices are likely to invest more in both hardware and software. Although specific dollar amounts and detailed breakdowns of these purchases are not provided, in-app purchases can include subscriptions and virtual currency for games. Despite foldable phones representing a smaller market segment, their users are inclined to spend significantly more on applications. The reasons for this elevated spending may relate to the demographic of foldable phone users, who may have more disposable income.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Microsoft celebrates major progress with Windows 11 on Arm PCs, confirms Windows on Arm is now “a first-class platform for any workload” and that “customer demand is growing”

Microsoft has announced advancements in the Windows on Arm platform, highlighting the upcoming addition of NVIDIA's RTX Spark SoC later this year, which will enhance the existing Qualcomm Snapdragon X platform. By fall 2026, devices from manufacturers like Microsoft Surface, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI will feature RTX Spark technology. There are currently over 7,000 compatible applications for Windows on Arm, available on the "Works on WOA" website. Users can engage in discussions about these developments on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Microsoft says RGB is responsible for recent Windows 11 and game crashes

RGB lighting setups may be causing system instabilities on Windows 11, particularly during gaming sessions, as reported by Microsoft. The issue affects PCs running Windows 11 version 25H2 or newer, especially after the August 11 KB5121003 update, and is linked to driver or code components associated with 'inpoutx64'. Users have experienced 'ExceptionAccessViolation' blue screens, which occur when software accesses memory outside its designated boundaries. The problem may be related to anti-cheat technology in various games conflicting with RGB software. Affected titles include Arc Raiders, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Microsoft and game developers are working on solutions and recommend temporarily disabling inpoutx64, which may result in loss of RGB functionality. The issue also affects internal RGB components.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Windows 11’s August update is crashing games: Microsoft explains why

Microsoft has acknowledged reports of certain games experiencing operational difficulties following a recent update. Users have reported that games such as ‘ARC Raiders’, ‘MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls’, and ‘THE FINALS’ are not functioning as intended, with symptoms including the game application ceasing to respond, unexpectedly closing, displaying an error message stating “EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION,” and devices restarting without warning. Preliminary investigations suggest that the issues may be linked to specific peripherals or internal components with RGB lighting capabilities, particularly drivers or software components with filenames like ‘inpoutx64’. Microsoft encourages users facing these issues to submit reports through the Feedback Hub. A temporary workaround involves disabling the inpoutx64 driver through the Windows Registry, which should only be done by those familiar with the Registry.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

PSA: Android apps may soon shut down if they use too much RAM

Google announced a trend where new mobile devices are maintaining or decreasing their physical memory capacity due to rising memory prices, referred to as "RAMageddon." With the rollout of Android 17, a new mechanism allows the operating system to manage memory more efficiently by redirecting data usage to zRAM before forcibly closing apps. This feature helps maintain device performance but may still cause delays during data decompression. Developers are encouraged to optimize their applications for these new memory constraints. Additionally, users can enhance their device security by disabling location services, Bluetooth, reviewing app permissions, limiting background data, and disabling installations from unknown sources.