text-to-speech Archives

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

This is not a drill: All-timer weirdo game Deadly Premonition now playable on Linux as of Valve’s most recent Proton beta, plus 17 others and your EA library (until EA breaks it again)

Proton 11 beta 1 has been released by Valve, enhancing the Steam Deck and Linux desktops, and incorporating features from Wine 11. This update includes an initial Arm64 version of Proton, with plans for implementation in the upcoming Steam Frame. Some Windows games may perform better on Linux with this update. Newly playable games include "Unknown Faces," "Gothic 1 Classic," "X-Plane 12," "Breath of Fire IV," and "Deadly Premonition." The update also fixes various issues, such as video playback in "She Sees Red," rendering problems with the Ukrainian language option in "Chambers," and voice chat issues in "Phasmophobia." Improvements have been made in VR support for "No Man's Sky," and many other gameplay and performance enhancements have been implemented across various titles. Proton 11 beta 1 is based on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, including vkd3d, dxvk, and Wine Mono.

Winsage

April 7, 2026

Is this the perfect Windows app to emulate? Microsoft needs to take notes.

Microsoft is forming a team to enhance native Windows applications, coinciding with the launch of Speechify in the Microsoft Store. Speechify offers text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionalities, and has been noted for its effective dictation features. It is compatible with various chip architectures, including AMD, Intel, and Snapdragon X, and utilizes WinUI 3 for a native experience. Collaboration with Microsoft has optimized Speechify's functionality, allowing for integration across applications, real-time text input, and OCR-based text capture while ensuring local data security. The app can run in the cloud or locally, leveraging NPU or GPU acceleration. However, it has limitations, such as the inability to manually resize its window. Microsoft is encouraged to adopt Speechify's approach by supporting all chip architectures, ensuring availability in the Microsoft Store, and prioritizing native application development using WinUI 3.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Speechify Launches with On-Device Voice AI for 1B+ Windows Users Worldwide

Speechify has launched a Windows application featuring real-time text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality, allowing for both cloud-based and on-device processing. On-device processing ensures user voice data remains secure on the machine. The application utilizes the Windows ML stack and platform APIs to operate across x64 and Arm64 architectures, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon technology for enhanced performance. The ONNX Runtime's QNN execution provider facilitates real-time transcription on Snapdragon laptops, enabling a split encoder-decoder architecture that optimizes processing. The application includes features like system-wide shortcuts, auto-pasting of transcribed text, OCR functionality, and secure data handling through Windows DPAPI. The Speechify Windows application is available for x64 and Arm64 devices via the Microsoft Store.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Minecraft Tiny Takeover Update Bedrock 26.10 Released via Update 3.34/1.044

The Minecraft update named Tiny Takeover (version 3.34/1.044) was released on March 24, introducing new features including unique sound sets for baby mobs, the Golden Dandelion flower that prevents baby mobs from aging, and craftable Name Tags. The update also includes various bug fixes and gameplay adjustments, such as improvements to accessibility features, character creator functionality, and graphical enhancements. Specific changes include the ability to craft Cobbled variants of Stone and Deepslate, adjustments to mob behaviors, and fixes for issues related to inventory and multiplayer experiences.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

XCOM designer Jake Solomon announces surprise closure of his studio alongside a first look at its canceled life sim, ‘the game we poured our hearts into’

Jake Solomon, founder of Midsummer Studios, announced the studio's closure and shared a gameplay video of "Burbank," a life simulation game. The game aimed to empower players as storytellers and was described as a blend of "Life Sims + The Truman Show." Despite receiving an 88% review score and being a Game of the Year runner-up for "Midnight Suns," the studio struggled with sales. Midsummer Studios had secured funding from various venture capital partners and Krafton but was seeking additional funding rounds. The gameplay footage of Burbank featured a polished aesthetic, with plans to use generative AI for character voices while ensuring visual art was created by human artists.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Valve’s new Steam AI disclosure cares about what you actually see, stressing that behind-the-scenes dev tools are “not the focus”

Valve has updated the declaration form for game submissions to Steam, emphasizing the need for developers to disclose any AI-generated content that is "consumed by players," including art assets, music, writing, and marketing materials. This change shifts the focus from development tools to the actual content delivered to players. Developers are required to declare AI-generated elements such as artwork, sound, and narrative. Valve has maintained a separate check for games using AI to generate content or code during gameplay, allowing players to report inappropriate content and holding developers responsible for safeguarding against such issues. The update clarifies the use of AI in game development without completely overhauling the previous guidelines.

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.