testing Archives

Winsage

June 2, 2025

‘Two firm promises of USB-C on Windows 11’ — How Microsoft plans to eliminate connectivity confusion

USB-C ports are standard on contemporary Windows laptops, but not all deliver the same performance. A recent blog post by Microsoft revealed that 27% of Windows PCs with USB4 ports experience a "limited functionality" notification when connecting peripherals. This issue arises from inconsistent USB-C implementations by manufacturers, often leaving users unaware of their ports' capabilities. To address these challenges, Microsoft is updating the Windows 11 Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) to ensure that laptops shipping with Windows 11 version 24H2 will have WHCP certification. This certification guarantees universal USB data, charging, and display support across all USB-C ports, and full compatibility for USB4 ports with 40Gbps performance with Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 peripherals. The WHCP will enforce minimum capabilities for each USB-C version, requiring USB-IF certified silicon in certified laptops, ensuring USB Power Delivery capabilities for all ports, and mandating DisplayPort Alt Mode for external display support. Additionally, a new requirement for Microsoft's driver stack will ensure PCs receive the latest USB driver updates. USB4 introduces two performance tiers: 40Gbps and 80Gbps. New laptops with USB4 connections at 40Gbps will be required to ensure compatibility with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 accessories. WHCP certification will also apply to 80Gbps USB4 ports, mandating 80Gbps transfer speeds and a specific mode for high-resolution displays. The WHCP certification will be enforced through a Hardware Lab Kit, incorporating user feedback and automated testing.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Google’s Phone App Is Getting a Makeover in Android 16

Google is preparing to release Android 16, which will feature a redesign of its Material Design language, now called Material 3 Expressive. The Phone app will allow users to choose how to answer calls, with options for "Answer" and "Decline" buttons, as well as horizontal swipe gestures. The redesign will also include larger, pill-shaped buttons that change shape when tapped and a new animation for caller profile photos. Other Google applications, such as Google One, Google Meet, and Google TV, will also receive updates in line with the Material 3 Expressive design.

BetaBeacon

June 2, 2025

The best Nintendo 3DS emulator on Android just got even better

The update brings performance and compatibility gains on all platforms.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft finally cracks down on PC builders using subpar USB-C ports with new WHCP rules

Microsoft has updated the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) to establish minimum standards for USB-C ports on devices certified for Windows 11. The new requirements include: - USB-C 3: Minimum data transfer speed of 5 Gbps. - Power Delivery: At least 4.5W of accessory power. - PC Charging: Capability for charging the device. - Display Output: Support for at least one external display. For USB 4, additional requirements include support for dual 4K 60Hz resolutions, PCIe, and Thunderbolt 3. All USB-C ports on certified devices must also support USB-IF certified silicon, USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort Alt-Mode, and utilize Microsoft’s built-in USB controller drivers. Manufacturers are expected to achieve WHCP compliance in the coming years.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

X Launches XChat Beta: Elon Musk’s Bold New Messaging Platform with Encryption and Disappearing Messages

Elon Musk has introduced XChat, a new messaging platform currently in beta testing for select users, primarily those subscribed to X's paid service. XChat aims to enhance user interaction on X (formerly Twitter) and includes features such as group chats, end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, file sharing, an option to leave messages unread, and a four-digit passcode lock. The launch of XChat coincides with the suspension of a previous encrypted direct messaging service that failed to gain traction. XChat represents a strategic shift towards a more sophisticated messaging framework, aligning with Musk's vision of creating an 'everything app' that integrates social media with secure communication. The success of XChat will depend on user adoption and its integration with existing platform functionalities.

Tech Optimizer

June 1, 2025

Supercharging vector search performance and relevance with pgvector 0.8.0 on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition has integrated support for pgvector 0.8.0, enhancing vector search capabilities significantly. This version achieves up to 9x faster query processing and delivers 100x more relevant search results compared to previous iterations. Key improvements in pgvector 0.8.0 include: - Up to 5.7x improvement in query performance for specific patterns. - Introduction of the iterative_scan feature, enhancing recall for filter queries requiring approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) index searches. - Improved cost estimation for more efficient query planning, allowing the selection of traditional indexes for complex filtered searches. - Flexible performance tuning with two modes for iterative_scan: relaxed_order and strict_order. Previous versions faced challenges with overfiltering, where combining vector similarity search with traditional SQL filters resulted in fewer results than expected. The HNSW indexing algorithm accelerates vector similarity searches by creating a multi-layered graph structure for efficient navigation. Iterative index scans in pgvector 0.8.0 improve query reliability and performance by applying filters during the scanning process, reducing false negatives and enhancing performance. The configuration options for iterative scanning include off, strict_order, and relaxed_order, with relaxed_order providing the best balance between performance and accuracy. In performance tests, pgvector 0.8.0 demonstrated substantial improvements across various query patterns, with significant enhancements in result completeness and recall. The database can now efficiently handle enterprise-scale applications, such as e-commerce and recommendation systems, with high performance and result quality even as product catalogs expand. Best practices for deploying pgvector 0.8.0 include using HNSW with recommended parameters, creating additional indexes on commonly filtered metadata columns, and tuning query parameters based on specific use cases. Operational best practices involve using Graviton4-based instances for optimal performance, monitoring and tuning slow vector queries, and considering partitioning for very large tables.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

I just tested the new Legion Go S — and it’s the Steam Deck killer I’ve been waiting for

The Lenovo Legion Go S is a handheld gaming device that operates on SteamOS, starting at a price of 9. It features an AMD Z2 Go chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage in the base model, while the reviewed unit has an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. The device has an 8-inch WQXGA (1920 x 1200) LCD display, a weight of 1.63 pounds, and includes ports such as a Micro SD card slot, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack. The design is ergonomic with a Nebula color scheme, and it has responsive controls. The SteamOS version outperforms the Windows 11 variant in gaming performance, achieving higher frame rates in gameplay tests.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Bring your PWA closer to users with App Actions on Windows

App Actions on Windows have expanded to include Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) starting from Edge version 137. Developers can now publish their PWAs to the Microsoft Store, allowing for enhanced user interactions. App Actions enable users to access key features of an app directly from their current context, reducing distractions from switching between applications. For example, the note-taking app Goodnotes allows users to send text directly to the app without toggling windows. Developers can integrate App Actions into their Microsoft Store PWAs by defining an Action manifest, setting up a custom protocol handler, configuring the app as a share target, and packaging the app for the Microsoft Store using PWABuilder. Optionally, developers can define a PWA launch handler and test actions using the App Actions Testing Playground.

Tech Optimizer

May 31, 2025

Authorities Dismantled AVCheck, a Tool For Testing Malware Against Antivirus Detection

Law enforcement agencies from multiple nations dismantled a cybercriminal operation that provided malware testing services to evade antivirus detection. This effort led to the seizure of four domains and their servers, disrupting infrastructure that facilitated ransomware attacks globally. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the disruption of an online software crypting syndicate that helped cybercriminals keep their malware undetected. The seized domains offered counter-antivirus tools and crypting services, allowing criminals to obfuscate malware and gain unauthorized access to systems. Investigators conducted undercover purchases and analyzed services, revealing connections to ransomware groups targeting victims in the U.S. and internationally. The operation, part of Operation Endgame, involved collaboration among the U.S., Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Ukraine, and Portugal, with the FBI Houston Field Office leading the U.S. investigation. The seizures occurred on May 27.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

WordPad is dead in Windows 11, but Notepad is absorbing its skills

Microsoft has announced updates to Notepad, integrating "lightweight formatting" capabilities that include support for markdown input and file formats, bold and italic fonts, and hyperlinks, accessible via a new toolbar. These features are not in testing and will be available on Windows PCs soon. This shift follows the retirement of WordPad in late 2023, leaving a gap for basic text editing. The enhancements position Notepad as a viable replacement for WordPad. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing the Edit app, an open-source command-line interface, to complement Notepad's new features and improve user experience.