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Microsoft drops Copilot branding in Notepad for Windows 11 for everyone, but it’s really just a rename
Winsage
April 27, 2026

Microsoft drops Copilot branding in Notepad for Windows 11 for everyone, but it’s really just a rename

Microsoft is refining the integration of its AI features in Windows 11 applications, specifically Notepad and the Snipping Tool. On March 20, Microsoft announced plans to streamline Copilot integration, focusing on useful experiences and reducing unnecessary entry points in apps like Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos, and Widgets. In the latest version of Notepad, 'Copilot' has been rebranded as 'Writing Tools,' which includes AI functionalities such as rewriting, summarizing, and generating new content. These tools are accessible through the Writing Tools menu or the right-click context menu, and users can toggle them off under 'Advanced Features' in Settings. Conversely, the Snipping Tool has completely removed AI functionality, with the Copilot button eliminated for users in the production channel. This indicates a shift in Microsoft's approach to AI integration, retaining it in some applications while removing it from others.
Windows 11’s hidden modern Run dialog (Win+R) gets a slimmer design, but it’s still not rolling out
Winsage
April 27, 2026

Windows 11’s hidden modern Run dialog (Win+R) gets a slimmer design, but it’s still not rolling out

Windows Run, accessed via the Win + R shortcut, is being tested for a modern design update in newer preview builds of Windows 11. The updated version features a slimmer design similar to a floating search bar, with a new 'Run' icon and a centered text field. This modern variant will be optional, allowing users to switch back to the classic version if desired. Microsoft is also exploring additional advanced features for the modern Run dialog, which maintains comparable performance to the legacy version.
"Average Steam Deck framerate" graph shows PC game developers how their Verified titles really run on Valve's handheld — Will users ever see this data
AppWizard
April 26, 2026

“Average Steam Deck framerate” graph shows PC game developers how their Verified titles really run on Valve’s handheld — Will users ever see this data

Valve has introduced new beta Steamworks tools for game developers as part of its Steam Deck Verified Games initiative. These tools allow developers to monitor average framerates over the past 30 days and access user survey results regarding the Verified status of their games. Participation in data collection is opt-in, ensuring user privacy. The user survey appears after at least ten minutes of gameplay, allowing users to agree or disagree with a game's Verified status and provide feedback on various criteria. The Steam Deck Verified program assesses game compatibility based on four criteria: Controller input, Display, Seamlessness, and System support. Games are rated as Verified, Playable, Unsupported, or Unknown, with these ratings displayed in the Steam store. Valve may potentially make the collected data accessible to the public in the future.
Fix: You'll need a new app to open this windowsdefender link
Tech Optimizer
April 26, 2026

Fix: You’ll need a new app to open this windowsdefender link

The message “You’ll need a new app to open this windowsdefender link” indicates issues with the Windows operating system when the Windows Security app fails to launch via the windowsdefender protocol. This can prevent users from accessing the security dashboard, despite Microsoft Defender continuing to operate in the background. Common scenarios leading to this error include clicking on Virus & Threat Protection, trying to open Windows Security from the Start menu, interacting with a Defender notification, or following the uninstallation of third-party antivirus software. Root causes may include corrupted Windows Security app registration, damaged system files, third-party antivirus interference, misconfiguration of the Security Center service, or malware interference. To resolve the issue, users can verify that required services are running, repair system files using SFC and DISM, re-register the Windows Security app, check for third-party antivirus conflicts, and perform a repair installation of Windows. Specific steps include checking the status of the Security Center and Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service, executing repair commands in CMD, re-registering the Windows Security app using PowerShell, uninstalling third-party antivirus software, and performing an in-place upgrade if necessary.
Ring’s Billion-Scale Semantic Video Search with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL and pgvector
Tech Optimizer
April 26, 2026

Ring’s Billion-Scale Semantic Video Search with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL and pgvector

Users of Ring's semantic video search can quickly find specific moments in video data, such as "a dog in my backyard" or "a package delivery," using a system that employs PostgreSQL and pgvector for video data handling. The system utilizes vector embeddings to represent visual content, allowing for efficient storage and similarity searches. When a user queries a term, the system converts it into a vector to retrieve similar video frames in under two seconds. Ring's video search operates on a global scale, processing billions of read requests daily across four continents and nine AWS regions, with strict latency requirements for millions of users. Key metrics include storing 100–200 billion embeddings, generating approximately 2 billion new embeddings daily, and maintaining a data footprint of 140–150+ TB across three PostgreSQL clusters.
WoW came back from the brink because Blizzard ran it like a live service game—but now that same tactic's threatening everything
AppWizard
April 25, 2026

WoW came back from the brink because Blizzard ran it like a live service game—but now that same tactic’s threatening everything

Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft has seen a resurgence following the less favorable Shadowlands expansion, attributed to a structured roadmap that contrasts with previous content droughts. Recent expansions like Dragonflight, The War Within, and Midnight have received positive community feedback. However, patch 12.0.5 faced issues with bugs and design flaws, raising concerns about Blizzard's commitment to its release schedule over quality assurance. Historically, players have experienced long waits for updates, such as a 400-day gap during the Warlords of Draenor expansion. A 2022 Google Play report indicates that many MMO players are aged 25-44, suggesting a preference for a more measured content delivery approach. The text argues that World of Warcraft does not need to strictly follow the seasonal live service model and could benefit from a slower, more deliberate approach to updates.
GPT-5.5 topped a Minecraft building benchmark and the spatial reasoning implications go far beyond gaming
AppWizard
April 25, 2026

GPT-5.5 topped a Minecraft building benchmark and the spatial reasoning implications go far beyond gaming

GPT-5.5 has achieved an xHigh tier result on VoxelBench, placing it at the top of a leaderboard that includes Grok 4.20 Beta, Kimi K2.5 Thinking, and Kimi K2.6. VoxelBench evaluates language models on their ability to construct three-dimensional voxel structures from text prompts, requiring models to translate verbal descriptions into precise 3D objects without images or post-processing. Human evaluators rated GPT-5.5's constructions higher than those of other models tested. Research indicates that producing spatially correct outputs is significantly more challenging than generating executable code, with geometric construction and multi-object composition being the hardest tasks. The MineBench Elo system, calibrated against skilled human Minecraft builders, shows that frontier models are approaching human-level spatial reasoning capabilities, which have implications for fields such as architecture and game development. The VoxelBench leaderboard reflects a competitive landscape where multiple models are achieving similar performance levels, indicating a shift in the AI benchmark landscape. GPT-5.5's results suggest that AI-assisted 3D design workflows may soon be viable, highlighting a transition from capability to integration challenges in the development of AI tools for design applications.
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