testing

Winsage
April 6, 2026
The Linux gaming market share among Steam users has reached 5.3%, a historic high, coinciding with Windows usage dropping below 93%. Windows 10 usage has decreased by nearly 15%, while Windows 11 has gained only 10.6%. SteamOS Holo 64-bit is the leading Linux distribution, making up 25% of all Linux users, largely due to the popularity of the Steam Deck. macOS has gained 1.2% market share, indicating a shift in gaming preferences. Valve announced plans to expand SteamOS to desktop PCs, which may further boost Linux gaming adoption.
AppWizard
April 6, 2026
The Google Play Store has introduced a new feature that allows users to search through app reviews using a search bar at the top of the reviews section. This feature is currently being rolled out after extensive testing that began last November. Users can access it by tapping on the ratings section of an app listing and selecting “See all reviews” or by using the magnifying glass icon in the Reviews and Ratings section. The search function requires at least two words to generate results and does not support real-time suggestions. It is available to users with version 50.7.24-31 of the Play Store, and updating the app can be done through the settings menu.
AppWizard
April 6, 2026
Performance analysis in PC gaming has become more complex with the introduction of DirectX 12 and Vulkan, incorporating technologies like asynchronous compute, hardware ray tracing, and machine learning-assisted denoising. Understanding GPU performance requires advanced tools to analyze workload distribution and shader behavior, with NVIDIA Nsight Graphics being a key resource. NVIDIA Nsight Graphics is a graphics debugger and profiler for modern graphics APIs, featuring the GPU Trace Profiler, which provides detailed insights into GPU execution and performance bottlenecks. Recent updates have improved its utility, including a Flame Graph for the Shader Profiler and support for NVIDIA's DLSS in D3D12 applications. The Peak-Performance-Percentage analysis method focuses on identifying GPU workload constraints and optimizing utilization rather than relying on assumptions about performance bottlenecks. This methodology is applied using Nsight Graphics to analyze GPU traces from the game Cyberpunk 2077, contrasting traditional rasterization with path tracing enhanced by DLSS Ray Reconstruction. The test setup included an Intel Core i7-14700K CPU, 32 GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, capturing two scenarios: one with raster-only settings and another with path tracing and DLSS. The analysis revealed that the rasterized frame's most costly aspect was lighting processing, while the path-traced frame showed increased total frame cost and a hybrid workload involving rasterization, ray traversal, and AI-driven processes. Key findings indicated that modern GPU performance is heavily influenced by memory behavior rather than just shader arithmetic, with significant time spent on compute-driven lighting processing and data movement. The analysis also highlighted that ray tracing performance is constrained by memory efficiency, indicating that performance does not scale linearly with RT-core throughput.
Winsage
April 5, 2026
A new iteration of Copilot is being released for Windows 11, transitioning from native code (WinUI) to web components and including a full version of Microsoft Edge. The update replaces the previous native app and is available for download through the Microsoft Store, which now requires an installer similar to the Microsoft Edge installer. The new Copilot resembles the web version and has higher RAM usage, consuming up to 500MB in the background and nearly 1GB during use, compared to less than 100MB for the previous version. The new Copilot is a hybrid web application that operates with a rebranded instance of Edge within a WebView2 container, including a complete Microsoft Edge installation that occupies approximately 850 MB. It contains the msedge.dll file, confirming the presence of a full Chromium browser engine, and includes Edge subsystems like Browser Helper Objects and Trust Protection Lists. The Copilot app functions as a web app rendered via WebView2, raising questions about the necessity of such applications on Windows 11 given the existing alternatives.
Winsage
April 5, 2026
Windows users have historically faced limitations in file management options, but the landscape has changed with the introduction of various alternatives. Microsoft has improved File Explorer in Windows 11, adding features like tabs and a streamlined interface. However, over 60% of global desktop users still experience issues such as slow folder loads and inconsistent menus. This has led some users to seek alternatives. Files is an alternative file manager that integrates well with Windows 11, featuring a clean design and core tab functionality that enhances usability. It allows for quicker navigation and improved organization, making everyday tasks smoother. OneCommander offers a dual-pane layout that changes how users manage files, making tasks like dragging files and comparing folders more efficient. Although it requires some adaptation, it is designed for users needing deep control over file management. After testing both, the user preferred Files for its seamless integration into their workflow, finding it more intuitive for quick tasks, while OneCommander is better suited for extensive file manipulation. The choice between the two depends on individual workflow preferences, with neither fully replacing File Explorer.
AppWizard
April 4, 2026
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers the RedMagic 11 Pro Golden Saga Edition, which can run high-profile PC games through emulation on Android. In a demonstration, it achieved playable framerates in games like Cyberpunk 2077, Ghost of Tsushima, Grand Theft Auto V, Project Cars 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Resident Evil Requiem. The device features a 6.85-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a resolution of 2688x1216, 24GB of LPDDR5T memory, and 1TB of UFS 4.1 Pro storage. It includes a dedicated gaming chip, the RedCore R4, and a liquid cooling system with an active fan. Users can choose from performance modes such as Eco, Balanced, Rise, and Diablo, with the Rise mode providing a balance of performance and efficiency. During testing, Red Dead Redemption 2 averaged framerates in the high 40s, reaching nearly 60 FPS, while Resident Evil Requiem exceeded 90 FPS in some areas. Grand Theft Auto V reached up to 100 FPS indoors and over 60 FPS in the open world.
AppWizard
April 4, 2026
The OpenGOAL initiative is working on native PC ports for the Jak and Daxter trilogy, with Jak 3 now available for public play. The project aims to recreate the original programming language of the games, offering features like support for various aspect ratios, high frame rates, and mod support. While Jak 2 and Jak 3 are in beta and may have minor issues, players can still enjoy the games. Testing on the Steam Deck shows that the games run smoothly at 60 FPS with low battery consumption, although there are minor drawbacks such as PlayStation controller icons and occasional battery drain spikes during intense gameplay.
AppWizard
April 4, 2026
HoYoVerse will conduct a closed beta test for its upcoming game, Petit Planet, starting on April 21. Players will assume the role of a world creator and engage in activities such as farming, fishing, cooking, relaxing, making friends, and forming galaxies. The beta test, called the Stardrift Test, will introduce new Neighbors and enhance experiences at the Galactic Bazaar. Interested players can sign up at planet.hoyoverse.com, with a selection gaining access and unlocking exclusive rewards upon the game's launch. The game is in its final stages of development, but a confirmed release date has not been announced.
Winsage
April 4, 2026
Microsoft is set to introduce a "Feature Flags" page in Windows 11 that will allow users to enable experimental features more easily. Currently, users rely on the third-party application Vivetool to access hidden functionalities in preview builds. The Feature Flags page is still in an experimental phase and not yet active. It was discovered by a user known as PhantomOfEarth, who has been using Vivetool. The page aims to provide a list of features under development, but it may only display features closer to completion, potentially keeping some tools hidden.
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