testing phase Archives

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 11 starts giving custom advice based on your PC hardware

A new hardware assessment feature for Windows 11 has entered the testing phase for Windows Insiders and will soon be available to all Windows 11 24H2 users. This feature can be found in the Settings app under a dedicated FAQ section on the About page. It includes expandable questions related to system performance, such as RAM capacity and GPU requirements for gaming and video editing. Users will receive tailored answers based on their specific hardware configurations, helping them determine if their setup is adequate for various tasks.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

For the first time since launch you’ll finally be able to craft saddles in Minecraft

Minecraft will introduce saddle crafting for horses and pigs, allowing players to create saddles using one iron ingot and three pieces of leather. This feature is currently in testing and will be part of the second game drop of the year, though no release date has been confirmed. The update will also include five new music tracks composed by Amos Roddy, with one track titled "Tears" obtainable by defeating a specific ghast in the Nether, while it will also be available on Spotify.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft shares its process (and discarded ideas) for redone Windows 11 Start menu

Microsoft is testing a revamped Start menu for Windows 11, which retains familiar elements but offers reorganization and customization options. The redesign process included concepts that were ultimately discarded, such as a Windows XP-inspired sidebar, a full-screen Start experience from Windows 8, and various layouts emphasizing different functionalities. Ideas included an abundance of icons, thumbnail previews for recently opened files, a dedicated area for calendar reminders, and a "create" button suggesting generative AI capabilities. Microsoft engaged over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts for feedback to inform the redesign, aiming to enhance user experience while maintaining familiarity.

Tech Optimizer

May 8, 2025

The Search Stack That Nearly Broke Us — Until We Did This

The initial architecture for the finlight.me real-time financial news API utilized Postgres full-text search, which was effective for early needs but faced limitations as article volume increased. Key challenges included performance degradation due to the inability to combine GIN indexes with regular B-Tree indexes, leading to slow query performance, especially with complex user queries and pagination. The decision was made to transition to OpenSearch for its optimized search capabilities while retaining Postgres as the source of truth for data integrity. Testing with OpenSearch revealed the need for production-grade resources, which led to a successful deployment that improved search response times significantly. The current architecture separates ingestion, storage, and retrieval responsibilities, with Postgres managing data storage and OpenSearch handling user-facing search queries. Regular snapshotting and thoughtful index management ensure resilience and scalability.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

AI Inside the Messenger: How Gem Space Helps with Everyday Tasks

Gem Space is a multifunctional super app that integrates messaging, news feeds, AI tools, and various features to enhance productivity. It allows users to manage tasks from a single platform, utilizing AI for tasks like drafting emails, translating messages in real-time, and transcribing voice messages. Users can create content quickly within the app and receive curated news tailored to their interests. Additionally, it offers gift suggestions through its built-in AI and is testing a marketplace for delivery across Russia. The app aims to simplify daily tasks and improve work-life balance.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Legendary Voodoo4 GPU modded into laptop, benchmarks work with Windows XP

Daniel Simionescu, known as sdz, has been working on porting the Voodoo graphics from 3dfx to mobile platforms, resulting in a design that integrates a Voodoo4 GPU into a Dell Precision M4800 laptop via a custom MXM card. YouTuber Omores tested this setup with Windows 98 and XP, facing initial compatibility issues but ultimately achieving partial functionality. The Voodoo brand was significant in the late 90s for making 3D acceleration accessible. sdz created a PCB with the Voodoo4 GPU using the VSA-100 core and 64MB of SDR memory. During testing, various VBE drivers were explored, with Windows XP showing better compatibility for running 3DMark 2001 and Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed. Games using the Glide API may require wrappers, and the community plans to compile a list of supported titles. sdz intends to keep the design open-source for collaboration.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Windows 11’s voice typing will soon let you turn off the ****ing profanity filter

Microsoft is updating its Windows 11 voice typing feature to allow users to toggle the profanity filter on or off, enabling the transcription of expletives without censorship. Additionally, enhancements for Surface Pen users are being introduced, including a new Click to Do feature that lets users configure the stylus button for various on-screen actions. Both features are currently being tested with Windows Insiders and will be available to the broader Windows 11 community in the coming months.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Samsung Wallet’s installment payments and tap-to-send features show up in the app

Samsung Wallet is testing two new features: 'Buy Now, Pay Later' (BNPL) and 'Tap to Transfer,' with a potential launch in the U.S. The BNPL feature, powered by Splitit, allows users to split payments for purchases using Visa or Mastercard without a credit check, though activation may require approval and could incur fees. The 'Tap to Transfer' feature enables peer-to-peer money transfers by tapping an NFC-compatible device, allowing immediate fund transfers to the recipient's bank account linked to their debit card. Both features are currently in testing and may prioritize a U.S. launch.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

Marathon Alpha Requirements And Minimum PC Specs Revealed

Bungie will conduct a closed alpha test for its shooter game, Marathon, from April 23 to May 4 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in North America. Players must join the official Marathon Discord channel to receive invitations and must be at least 18 years old, located in North America, and have a Bungie.net account in good standing. The alpha test does not require a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live account, but one will be needed at the official launch. The test will require approximately 6GB of storage and will only support the English language. Progress made during the alpha will be wiped after the test. Minimum PC specifications for the alpha include: - Processor: Intel Core i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 - Memory: 8GB RAM - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (4GB) / Intel Arc A580 (8GB) - Video Memory (VRAM): 4GB - DirectX: DirectX 12 with Feature Level 12_1 support - Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack) Marathon is scheduled for launch on September 23 and will feature cross-play and cross-save capabilities. It is expected to have a premium price point but will not be a full-price game. Early previews suggest that while the gameplay may be engaging, there are areas that could be improved.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

The Google Home app seemingly has a few small changes for its UI in the works

Google is enhancing its Home app to simplify smart device management with user interface modifications. Upcoming updates will include a dedicated QR scanner in the Devices tab and a search bar in the Favorites section. In December, Google began a Public Preview test for the "Help me create" feature, which uses Gemini AI to help users automate their smart home systems by defining a Starter, Condition, and Action. Additionally, a separate Public Preview test for "Gemini in Assistant" aims to improve responses for Nest devices, allowing users to interrupt or request clarification from the Assistant.