text-to-speech Archives

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

5 Underrated Google Apps You Need To Try On Your Android Phone

Photomath allows users to scan math questions and provides answers with step-by-step solutions, catering to all educational levels. It includes a built-in calculator for additional support. Lookout assists visually impaired users by reading text aloud, identifying objects, and interpreting currency, with various modes for different contexts. Read Along by Google helps children develop reading skills through stories that adapt to their reading level, featuring a reading assistant named Diya that provides feedback and encouragement. Chrome Remote Desktop enables users to access their computers remotely from Android devices, allowing for task management across devices. Google Arts & Culture offers a platform to explore art and history through virtual museum tours, interactive games, and various cultural content. These apps were selected based on their performance in the Play Store, each having fewer than 100 million downloads and a minimum rating of 4.0 stars.

Winsage

November 30, 2025

Windows 11 25H2 heralds the dawn of Intelligent Computing

Windows 11 Version 25H2 was released on November 30, 2025, marking a shift from traditional operating system upgrades to a model where Windows is treated as a living service that evolves through feature updates. This version integrates artificial intelligence, notably through the Copilot tool, enhancing user interaction by providing intelligent assistance. The update also improves performance, reliability, and security, addressing increasing cyber threats with fortified default settings and better encryption. Design refinements enhance user experience and accessibility, while energy efficiency optimizations contribute to sustainability. The retirement of Windows 10 in October 2025 emphasizes the importance of Windows 11 as the future platform, with no immediate plans for a Windows 12 release.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Valve dev counters calls to scrap Steam AI disclosures, says it’s a “technology relying on cultural laundering, IP infringement, and slopification”

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized the requirement for AI disclosures on Steam store pages, calling them nonsensical and asserting that AI will become essential in game development. A Valve developer suggested that only those aware their products lack depth fear these disclosures. Games like Arc Raiders and Call of Duty Black Ops 7 have adopted AI and must disclose this on Steam. Ayi Sanchez, an artist at Valve, supports AI disclosures, comparing them to ingredient lists for food products to ensure consumer awareness. He argues that transparency is crucial for informed consumer choices and emphasizes the importance of creators over AI-generated content.

Winsage

November 19, 2025

Windows 11’s November Insider update brings new features and reveals a new version

Microsoft has unveiled several preview builds for Windows 11 in November 2025, including versions 25H2 and 26H1. The notable updates include: - Windows 11 build 26220.7070 introduces a redesigned Widgets board with a new "Discover" section, improved navigation, and alert badges on icons. - The Quick Machine Recovery feature now scans for fixes only once and offers alternative recovery options if no solution is found. - Smart App Control can now be toggled on or off without reinstalling Windows 11. - New widget options have been added to the Lock Screen settings, allowing customization of displayed widgets. - A drag tray feature in the Canary Channel simplifies file sharing from File Explorer or the desktop. - Build 28000 in the Canary Channel is the first preview of Windows 11 version 26H1, focusing on compatibility with newer hardware. - New agentic AI components are being integrated into Windows 11, allowing applications like Copilot to automate tasks. - Haptic feedback capabilities have been introduced for digital pen users. - The Narrator and Magnifier features now use high-definition voices for improved clarity and support structured math reading in Word.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7262 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7262 (KB5070303) has been released for both the Dev and Beta Channels, unifying the experience as both channels will receive the same builds based on Windows 11, version 25H2. Users in the Dev Channel have the option to switch to the Beta Channel while both channels are receiving the same updates. New features include high-definition voices in Narrator and Magnifier, which enhance audio clarity and reduce listening fatigue. The Narrator now supports reading mathematical equations in a structured manner. Other changes include a streamlined Click to Do context menu, improvements to teaching tips, haptic feedback for pens, and various fixes for issues in Task Manager, Settings, and general functionality. Known issues include problems with the Start menu and system tray, as well as crashes for ARM64 users with Visual Studio or .NET Framework applications. Updates are rolled out gradually, and feedback is encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

New Dev and Beta Build Enables New Agentic Features

Microsoft has released new preview builds of Windows 11 version 25H2, specifically build 26220.7262, to the Dev and Beta channels within the Windows Insider Program via cumulative update KB5070303. Key updates include: - An experimental toggle for AI components that allows users to enable or disable agentic features. - High-definition voices in Narrator and Magnifier for U.S. English users, featuring one male and one female voice powered by Azure-based text-to-speech models. - An upgrade to the Narrator tool, which can now read mathematical equations in Microsoft 365 desktop applications. - Improvements to the Click to Do context menu for easier access to actions like Copy, Save, Share, and Open, with automatic appearance for large images or tables. - Other adjustments include the temporary disabling of Image Object Selection, minor enhancements to Teaching Tips and Pen Input, and ongoing configuration of the AI Actions feature, along with various bug fixes.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

10 Of The Best Free Android Apps You Haven’t Heard Of

A selection of free Android apps with a minimum rating of 4.0 on the Play Store includes: 1. Solid Explorer File Manager - Rated 4.3 stars from 150,000 reviewers; features a dual-pane layout, cloud storage integration, file management across various storage options, batch renaming, and AES encryption. 2. Cashew - Expense Budget Tracker - Rated 4.8 stars; provides visual representations of spending, tracks subscriptions, and securely backs up data via Google Drive. 3. RunPee - Rated 4.7 stars with over 500,000 downloads; notifies users of optimal restroom break moments during movies and provides summaries of missed scenes. 4. Orbot: Tor for Android - Rated 4.0 stars; connects users to the Tor network for enhanced online privacy and allows for device-wide or app-specific encryption. 5. Libby, the Library App - Rated 4.8 stars; connects users to their local library's digital collection for borrowing eBooks and audiobooks, supports offline reading, and integrates with Kindle devices. 6. Image Toolbox - Edit & Convert - Rated 4.7 stars; offers photo editing capabilities, file format conversions, and an OCR feature for text extraction. 7. MacroDroid - Device Automation - Rated 4.4 stars; allows users to create custom automation workflows with over 80 triggers and 100 actions. 8. Hermit - Lite Apps Browser - Rated 4.6 stars; enables the creation of lightweight web-based applications with features like ad blocking and dark mode. 9. Bitwarden Password Manager - Rated 4.8 stars; provides secure password management with end-to-end encryption and syncing across devices. 10. ReadEra - Book Reader PDF EPUB - Rated 4.8 stars; supports various document formats, offers an ad-free reading experience, and includes features like bookmarks and text-to-speech.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Arc Raiders dev “in no way uses generative AI whatsoever” for its visuals, but here’s why Embark still has to disclose on Steam

Embark Studios' game Arc Raiders is the third most-wishlisted game on Steam, just behind Subnautica 2 and Valve's Deadlock, with its launch imminent. The game has gained popularity due to its accessible extraction shooter mechanics, including optional account wipes and a pathway for players to recover after losing gear. Its visual aesthetic features vibrant raider gear and robot designs, complemented by a synth-driven soundtrack. Design director Virgil Watkins clarified that Arc Raiders does not use generative AI but employs machine learning for drone locomotion. The game utilizes a text-to-speech system for voice lines, similar to Embark's previous title, The Finals. CEO Patrick Soderlund noted that AI and procedural generation have accelerated the game's development, particularly in content creation pipelines, while emphasizing that generative AI did not influence the game's visual elements.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

Blizzard throws World of Warcraft healers and tanks a bone as Midnight’s UI falls short

Blizzard has decided to eliminate combat modifications in World of Warcraft Midnight, impacting the use of addons that players have relied on for successful raiding. The alpha testing began with strict limitations on addons to address competitive advantages, but some restrictions have since been relaxed. Improvements to the group user interface will focus on healer specifications and tank benefits, with enhancements to default raid frames while still allowing for addon customization. The aim is to prevent addons from automating combat decisions while enabling information presentation customization. New features include a 'boss warning' timeline, enhanced enemy cast bar animations, and text-to-speech alerts for crucial combat events.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

Minecraft New Update 3.20 Ushers in Bedrock 1.21.111 “The Copper Age”

The latest Minecraft update, "The Copper Age," is version 1.21.111 for Bedrock and 3.20/1.029 for consoles, released on September 30. Key features include: - Copper Chest: Players can summon a copper golem to acquire a copper chest, which can oxidize or be preserved with wax. It can be crafted from a standard chest and copper ingots. - Copper Equipment: Copper can be used to craft tools, weapons, and armor that do not oxidize. Copper armor has higher durability than leather but less than iron. - Copper Golem: Summoned with copper and carved pumpkins, it collects and sorts items from copper chests. It drops 1 to 3 copper ingots upon demise and can transform into a statue block when fully oxidized. - Copper Decorations: New items include copper torches, bars, chains, and lanterns that oxidize over time. - Shelf: A decorative block that can store items and connect with powered shelves for redstone functionality. - Accessibility: Updated dye icons for colorblind accessibility and text-to-speech support for dressing room pages. - Blocks: Fire-related changes to blocks and bug fixes for water placement and block destruction. - General Improvements: Corrections to grass color in swamps and enhancements for multiplayer experiences. - Graphical Enhancements: Updates to volumetric fog and particle textures, along with fixes for graphical bugs. - User Interface: Improvements to icons and display issues, including new icons for sale banners. Players can expect potential hotfixes in the coming weeks.