testing ground Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

Reported changes to Android development aren’t really a change

A recent report indicates that Android's development is shifting towards a more private model, despite its perception as an open-source initiative. Google retains ultimate control over the code, dictating project direction, feature development, and release timelines. Currently, Android 16 is in development, with a main branch that remains private during development and an experimental branch that serves as a testing ground for features. While some code from the experimental branch is accessible, its visibility is expected to decrease. Companies involved in smartphone manufacturing will continue to receive early access to private code, allowing them to prepare devices ahead of public releases. Developers of custom ROMs will still rely on the stable version of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for compatibility with essential components. The shift towards a more private development model may impact online discussions and speculation within the Android community.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update exorcises possessed printers that spewed out pages of random characters

Microsoft released an optional March update for Windows 11 on March 25, 2025 (KB5053657), which fixes a printer bug that caused USB-connected printers to produce pages with random characters. Users are encouraged to install this update as it resolves the printer issue and includes other improvements. The bug first appeared in a preview update at the end of January 2025, and while it was not considered severe, it resulted in wasteful printing. A cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2, which will also include the fix, is scheduled for release on April 7, 2025.

Winsage

March 8, 2025

Developer Review of Warp for Windows, an AI Terminal App

Warp for Windows has been introduced, providing a unified terminal experience for developers who previously lacked a Windows version. David Eastman tested Warp on an older AMD Phenom II machine running Windows 10, encountering initial compatibility issues due to the machine's lack of support for SSE4.1. The application no longer requires a mandatory sign-in, making it more accessible. Users can choose their preferred shell, including PowerShell and Git Bash, although Eastman faced functionality issues with Git Bash. Warp integrates AI features to assist in command execution, intelligently formatting outputs and allowing for chat-style interactions to generate scripts. It also offers session management capabilities, enabling users to organize workflows and share commands, which is beneficial for team collaboration in DevOps settings.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

“If we can do it… This will be something groundbreaking”: PUBG creator Brendan Greene is five years into making a 10,000km “realistic Minecraft” – but there’s still a decade to go

Brendan Greene, known for creating PUBG, is working on a new project called Prologue, which tests innovative terrain generation technology for his larger vision, Project Artemis. Prologue aims to refine machine learning algorithms that can produce over 4 billion unique map configurations. Greene acknowledges past leadership challenges but credits CTO Laurent Gorga for fostering a collaborative development approach. He estimates that achieving Project Artemis could take up to a decade and emphasizes the importance of Prologue's commercial success for securing resources. Greene envisions Project Artemis as a vast, player-driven universe, inspired by games like Minecraft and No Man's Sky, with a world measuring 10,000 square kilometers. He aims to create an environment where players can craft diverse experiences and distances himself from commercial interpretations of the Metaverse, focusing instead on genuine user-generated experiences.

Winsage

November 23, 2024

Windows 10 KB5046714 update fixes bug preventing app uninstalls

Microsoft has released the optional KB5046714 Preview cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2, which includes six bug fixes. Notable fixes address issues with uninstalling or updating packaged applications, backup of Win32 shortcuts to the cloud, dragging and dropping files from cloud folders, Windows activation after a motherboard replacement, updates for mobile operator profiles, and responsiveness issues with IPP USB printers. The update does not introduce new features and is part of Microsoft's routine non-security preview updates. Users can install it through Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. After installation, Windows 10 22H2 will be upgraded to build 19045.5198. There are currently no known issues associated with this update.

Winsage

November 13, 2024

DirectML unlocks new silicon for AI experiences across Windows Copilot+ PCs

October saw the introduction of various applications utilizing the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) on Copilot+ PCs, enhancing AI innovations on the Windows platform. Adobe Premiere Pro became the first Adobe application to leverage NPU capabilities, integrating features like the Audio Category Tagger, which automatically tags audio clips. Capture One announced two AI-powered features, Match Look and AI Crop, for Copilot+ PCs, utilizing Qualcomm's NPU. Affinity Photo 2 introduced AI-enhanced Object Selection capabilities, automating the creation of layer masks using machine learning with Qualcomm's Hexagon NPU. DirectML facilitates compatibility across hardware architectures, supporting these advancements in AI applications on Windows.

AppWizard

November 12, 2024

Overwatch: Classic brings the 2016 game back as a limited-time event and promises to ‘capture the charm’ of its original heroes and maps

Blizzard Entertainment has announced the launch of Overwatch: Classic, a limited-time mode within Overwatch 2 that aims to recreate the gameplay of the original release. While it will not be a perfect replica, it will feature familiar hero dynamics such as D.Va’s mech exploding upon destruction, Torbjorn distributing armor packs, and Mercy being able to resurrect her entire team. This mode will also test 6v6 matches to gather feedback on hero balance and queue times. Overwatch: Classic will become a recurring event with potential future modes inspired by significant moments in the game's history. It is set to go live on Tuesday, November 12.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

AI Has Come for Sweet, Innocent Notepad

Notepad has introduced a new feature called Rewrite, powered by Microsoft's GPT AI model, which allows users to rephrase sentences, adjust tone, and modify text length. Users can access this feature by highlighting text and selecting the Rewrite option from the context menu or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I. The feature generates three variations of the modified text based on user-selected options. Currently, it is available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels of Windows 11, specifically in the U.S., France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany, with additional access for Microsoft 365 and Copilot Pro subscribers in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Users need to sign in with their Microsoft accounts and have credits to use the GPT model, starting with 50 complimentary credits. Microsoft Paint has also been updated with AI features, including Generative Fill and Generative Erase tools.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

the AI of ASI Alliance that learns and adapts on Minecraft

The ASI Alliance has introduced AIRIS, an AI system that learns autonomously within Minecraft, representing a significant step towards artificial general intelligence (AGI). AIRIS, which stands for Autonomous Intelligent Reinforcement Inferred Symbolism, is designed to adapt independently in a virtual environment, showcasing dynamic learning capabilities. Developed in collaboration with partners like SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and Ocean Data, AIRIS utilizes a robust infrastructure to efficiently store and process information. It features real-time environmental adaptation, allowing it to navigate complex terrains and develop its own rules based on observations. AIRIS also aims to cultivate advanced interaction skills, including construction and object creation, potentially enabling collaborative tasks with other agents. The ultimate goal is to apply AIRIS in real-world scenarios, such as autonomous robots and intelligent assistants, across various sectors requiring adaptive learning and problem-solving abilities.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

“We automated 150 tasks with AI agents, just copy us”: Microsoft’s Windows Agent Arena brings AI assistants keyboard-deep to Windows PCs but there are critical security and performance concerns

Microsoft introduced Windows Agent Arena, a benchmark for testing AI agents in realistic Windows environments. Multi-modal AI agents currently have a performance success rate of 19.5%, compared to the average human performance rating of 74.5%. The benchmark includes over 150 diverse Windows tasks and allows for evaluations in Azure, potentially completing assessments in 20 minutes. Microsoft Research developed a multi-modal agent named Navi, which demonstrated a 19.5% success rate in tasks like converting a website to a PDF. Privacy and security concerns are highlighted, with Microsoft recalling the Windows Recall feature to enhance user security. The open-source framework promotes research and the development of reliable AI models, with an emphasis on responsible AI practices. Other companies, like Anthropic, are also advancing AI capabilities, exemplified by their new API "Computer Use" for human-like interactions with computers.