tech Archives

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

Google wants to let you use your phone as a remote Googlebook trackpad

Google is set to launch Googlebook laptops, which will integrate with Android devices and serve as an alternative to Chromebooks. An early version of Google’s Cross-Device Services system app has revealed a feature called the “Cast trackpad,” allowing users to control their Googlebooks using their phone’s touchscreen. This feature will support basic gesture controls, include buttons for functions like “back” and volume control, and offer adjustable sensitivity settings. The Googlebooks are expected to be released this fall, with multiple manufacturers involved in their rollout.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Microsoft says some users can’t open the Teams desktop client

Microsoft is addressing an issue (TM1466820) causing delays or preventing some users from accessing the Microsoft Teams desktop client on Windows systems, acknowledged on Thursday at 16:45 EDT. Affected users may experience loading failures or delays of up to two minutes and are advised to use the web or mobile versions of Teams as a temporary workaround. Microsoft is analyzing service logs and telemetry data to identify the root cause and has contacted some affected users for more information. Additionally, there is a separate issue (TM1466659) affecting Mac users, preventing them from joining Teams calls and meetings, confirmed on Sunday at 08:32 EDT. Microsoft is reassessing the cause of this disruption. Earlier this year, Microsoft resolved an issue blocking some Teams Free users from chats and calls. The company also confirmed a bug causing crashes and launch failures for Teams and New Outlook users after recent Windows security updates. Furthermore, there is an ongoing Exchange Online issue affecting multiple mailboxes, resulting in "Server busy" errors and delays in email communications with external domains.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Friend of a Slime, Tiny Bang Story, Guardians Of Light, more

Best Buy and Amazon are offering sales on various Android games and apps, including Friend of a Slime: Survivors, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, Radiant: Guardians Of Light, Halls of Torment: Premium, Guardian War: Ultimate Edition, and Super Dark Deception. The new Galaxy S26 FE comes with a complimentary [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: As the Labor Day sales unfold, Best Buy and Amazon are stepping up to the plate with enticing offers that cater to tech enthusiasts and gamers alike. This Friday afternoon, a selection of Android games and apps is available at remarkable prices, including titles such as Friend of a Slime: Survivors, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, Radiant: Guardians Of Light, Halls of Torment: Premium, Guardian War: Ultimate Edition, and Super Dark Deception. In addition to these app deals, the launch of the new Galaxy S26 FE is generating buzz, especially with the enticing offer of a complimentary 0 Amazon gift card. For those eyeing the latest in foldable technology, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is now available with a staggering discount of 0. Furthermore, LG's latest 65-inch 2026 OLED TV has reached an all-time low price of 0 off on Amazon, making it an attractive option for home entertainment aficionados. Today’s highlight Android app price drops: Friend of a Slime: Survivors The Tiny Bang Story: Premium Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Radiant: Guardians Of Light Halls of Torment: Premium Guardian War: Ultimate Edition Super Dark Deception More Android app price drops still live: Additional titles available at discounted rates Exclusive offers for app enthusiasts Limited-time promotions on select games With these enticing offers, consumers have a unique opportunity to enhance their gaming experience while taking advantage of significant savings. Whether upgrading to the latest smartphone or diving into a new game, the current sales present a perfect blend of technology and entertainment." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] Amazon gift card, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is available at a significant discount. Additionally, LG's 65-inch 2026 OLED TV is priced at an all-time low discount of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: As the Labor Day sales unfold, Best Buy and Amazon are stepping up to the plate with enticing offers that cater to tech enthusiasts and gamers alike. This Friday afternoon, a selection of Android games and apps is available at remarkable prices, including titles such as Friend of a Slime: Survivors, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, Radiant: Guardians Of Light, Halls of Torment: Premium, Guardian War: Ultimate Edition, and Super Dark Deception. In addition to these app deals, the launch of the new Galaxy S26 FE is generating buzz, especially with the enticing offer of a complimentary 0 Amazon gift card. For those eyeing the latest in foldable technology, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is now available with a staggering discount of 0. Furthermore, LG's latest 65-inch 2026 OLED TV has reached an all-time low price of 0 off on Amazon, making it an attractive option for home entertainment aficionados. Today’s highlight Android app price drops: Friend of a Slime: Survivors The Tiny Bang Story: Premium Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Radiant: Guardians Of Light Halls of Torment: Premium Guardian War: Ultimate Edition Super Dark Deception More Android app price drops still live: Additional titles available at discounted rates Exclusive offers for app enthusiasts Limited-time promotions on select games With these enticing offers, consumers have a unique opportunity to enhance their gaming experience while taking advantage of significant savings. Whether upgrading to the latest smartphone or diving into a new game, the current sales present a perfect blend of technology and entertainment." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] on Amazon.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Microsoft Announces Project Zenith, A Clutter-Free Windows Experience Meant To Entice Developers

Microsoft has launched Project Zenith to improve the Windows 11 experience for developers, requiring a system with 64GB of RAM. The project will initially be available on AMD's Ryzen AI Halo mini-desktop, with plans for future expansion. It aims to create a distraction-free environment for developers to run models with over 30 billion parameters locally, while simplifying the user experience by pre-installing tools for various programming languages and enabling settings like full file extensions by default. The initiative allows for customization based on individual developer preferences. However, the high hardware requirement may limit accessibility for independent developers, especially amid rising memory prices.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

WhatsApp rolls out emergency fix for locked Android photo access bug

WhatsApp is rolling out a fix for a privacy vulnerability affecting Android users that could allow individuals with physical access to a locked device to view the owner's photos during a video call. The issue was identified by security researcher Jose Rodriguez, who demonstrated that an incoming WhatsApp video call could provide access from the lock-screen to the device's photo gallery without unlocking the phone. WhatsApp confirmed the implementation of a fix and noted that the issue is limited to situations where someone has physical access to the device. Rodriguez reported the vulnerability to both Meta and Google, receiving limited responses. Users are advised to update WhatsApp and adjust app permissions to enhance privacy.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

First look: Google is working on another new animation for Search Live

Google is refining its Search Live feature in the latest beta version of the Google app (v17.55.8) by introducing a new animation with a vibrant gradient at the bottom of the screen, replacing the previous design of tiny, blurry blobs. The user interface will also see changes, including the removal of labels and repositioning of icons, with the microphone icon becoming the focal point, accompanied by a waveform animation that activates when users speak. These updates aim to enhance both the aesthetic quality and functionality of the app, although the timeline for public release is uncertain.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

This Android phone has a detachable action camera, coming to the US for $999

The RugOne XSnap 7 Pro is a new rugged Android phone by Ulephone, featuring a detachable action camera. It will launch on Kickstarter next week, priced at 9 in the U.S. and €1,099 in Europe, with availability in October. The phone has a 19.1mm profile, IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certifications, a 6.67-inch FHD+ display, MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chip, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage. It includes a 9,300 mAh battery and a 50MP primary camera with a 64MP night vision camera. The action camera has a 133-degree field of view, records in 2.7K, operates for up to 40 minutes, and has 64GB of storage. It can stream footage up to 50 meters away and is waterproof up to 5 meters. The phone ships with Android 16 and promises updates through Android 20.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Gemini could take a leaf out of ChatGPT’s book for this design update

The Google Gemini app is testing a new camera interface in version 17.55.8, which will allow the viewfinder to occupy half of the screen while keeping chat contents visible. This design is inspired by the ChatGPT mobile app and includes a floating viewfinder, a handle for expanding or minimizing the viewfinder, and a redesigned camera shutter key. The camera switcher will be relocated to the three-dot menu. Additionally, the '@' menu is being revamped to potentially hide disabled apps and may be renamed "Connectors," featuring a wider layout and an option to "Connect apps." The Avatars section will allow users to showcase existing avatars and add new ones. These updates are currently in testing and may not be rolled out to the public.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Are Vibe-Coding and AI-Slop the cause of Windows 11 issues (desktop background, mouse pointer, etc.)?

The preview update KB5120998 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, released on August 27, 2026, has caused issues such as erratic mouse pointer behavior and disappearing desktop backgrounds, particularly in non-English versions. Microsoft has acknowledged these problems, indicating that they stem from coding practices that fail to load certain settings correctly. Specific issues include a "black desktop background" due to desktop settings not loading and mouse customization resetting to default configurations. The problems may be related to translation issues within the registry, as registry keys have been altered post-update. Users have suggested that manually adjusting these registry keys could restore normal functionality.

Tech Optimizer

September 4, 2026

Microsoft Confirms False “Defender Antivirus Turned Off” Alerts Spreading Across Windows Devices

Microsoft has acknowledged a software bug in its Windows operating system that causes misleading pop-up notifications, indicating that antivirus protection is disabled. These alerts began appearing after the latest Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates, despite the antivirus functioning correctly. The notifications can occur at startup and intermittently, and cannot be silenced through standard notification controls. The issue affects various versions of Windows and Windows Server with the latest Defender updates. Microsoft is working on a resolution, but no timeline has been provided. Users are advised to verify their antivirus status through the Windows Security app and can ignore the notifications if real-time protection is confirmed as active.