transition Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Lidl announces major change to loyalty rewards app in May

Starting May 5, Lidl will replace its Coupon Plus feature with a new rewards system called Lidl Plus Points. Customers will have until May 4 to meet their April spending targets under the current program. While Coupon Plus will be discontinued, Personalised Coupons and Weekly Offers will remain unchanged. Under the previous Coupon Plus program, customers earned rewards through monthly spending milestones, while the new Lidl Plus Points system allows customers to collect points for every purchase (£1 = one point) and redeem them for rewards in the Rewards Marketplace. From May 5 to May 22, customers will earn double points on fresh fruit and 100 welcome points by opening the app until July 31. Louise Weise, chief customer officer at Lidl GB, mentioned that customer feedback inspired the transition to Lidl Plus Points, which aims to provide more flexibility in rewards. Reactions from customers have been mixed, with some expressing nostalgia for the old system. Further details can be found on Lidl's website.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Everything new in Minecraft Bedrock 26.30.25/26 beta and preview

Mojang has released the Minecraft 26.30.25/26 Beta and preview build, introducing new features such as Geysers that launch players skyward and Sulfur Cubes that can absorb TNT blocks with varying fuse times based on activation methods. The update includes bug fixes, such as correct generation of iron doors and stone buttons in strongholds, crafting adjustments for Sulfur Spikes, and improvements to video settings and user interface. Technical updates feature the transition of four entity components to the 1.26.30 format, the addition of voxel shapes for 46 vanilla blocks, and a new SoundInstance API class for sound playback control.

Winsage

May 3, 2026

Microsoft Defender Adds Dashboard for 2011 Secure Boot Certificates

Microsoft has introduced a feature in the Microsoft Defender dashboard to help IT managers identify devices using 2011 Secure Boot certificates, which expire in June of this year. The recommendation view categorizes devices into three groups: Exposed Devices (trust outdated certificates), Compliant Devices (use new 2023 certificates), and Not Applicable Devices (Secure Boot disabled or unsupported). The dashboard provides a centralized overview of device security status and the distribution of 2023 certificates, allowing filtering by operating system and device context. Devices without the new certificates will still boot but may lack the latest protection during the early boot phase, exposing them to threats. Microsoft does not automatically distribute new certificates via Windows updates on servers, requiring manual action from administrators. The dashboard aids IT teams in prioritizing action on Exposed Devices and exporting data for collaboration.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

UT Dallas class uses Minecraft to help students get into medical school

A young intern addresses the concerns of a first-time patient with tingling sensations, dizziness, and unusual fatigue, which may indicate conditions like multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. The intern consults with a nurse and an attending physician in a virtual environment created using the game Minecraft, as part of a pre-med class at the University of Texas at Dallas. The course, titled Experiential Medical Reasoning, aims to prepare students for the MCAT by providing hands-on learning experiences in a simulated hospital setting. Students like Sahar Bavandi and Omar Choudhry engage with virtual patients and diagnostic tools, enhancing their understanding of medical concepts and improving their performance on tests. Dr. Eric Kildebeck, the course instructor, has noted significant improvements in student performance and plans to develop additional Minecraft-based educational games focused on biology and chemistry.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Why PC Gaming Has Never Been More Accessible Than In 2026

The entry point into PC gaming has become significantly easier, moving away from complex installation issues and compatibility challenges. Platforms now prioritize convenience, allowing players to transition from download to gameplay with minimal friction through pre-configured installations and one-click launchers. This evolution has attracted casual gamers who previously avoided PC gaming due to technical barriers. The variety of PC games available has expanded, with a focus on user-friendly platforms that feature large, organized libraries and straightforward download processes. Curation has become essential for accessibility, helping players discover new titles easily. There has been notable growth in simulation and survival genres, while open-world RPGs remain popular. The modding community has also contributed to the longevity of older titles by introducing new content. Overall, the trend toward accessibility and convenience in PC gaming continues to grow, making it an inviting time for new players.

Winsage

May 2, 2026

New Windows Insider Experience Starts Rolling Out to Some Canary Testers

Microsoft's Windows Insider program has transitioned Dev Channel testers to the new Experimental Channel and is expanding this initiative to include Canary testers on the 28000 series builds, who will also move to the Experimental (26H1) Channel. The new Windows Insider experience introduces feature flags in Windows Update settings, allowing testers to toggle features on and off. Microsoft plans to roll out new features through Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFRs) and has stopped gradual feature rollouts on the updated Beta Channel. Recently, Microsoft released four new builds available via downloadable ISOs. Canary testers on 29500 series builds will soon transition to the "Experimental (Future Platforms)" Channel and can currently download build 29580.1000, which includes a revamped Feedback Hub with a 500 MB file upload limit and design improvements. For Canary testers on the 28000 series, the transition to the "Experimental (26H1) Channel" follows the installation of build 28020.1921, which enhances the Task Manager app. Insiders who moved from the Dev Channel to the Experimental Channel can download build 26300.8346, featuring improvements such as a Widgets board that remains closed by default, a redesigned Run dialog, promotional app recommendations in Windows Share for Microsoft Entra account users, sharper file thumbnails in File Explorer, and enhanced Windows Magnifier functionality. The Beta Channel build 26220.8340 includes similar Windows Share improvements and minor UI enhancements for Task Scheduler. The Beta Channel is set to transition to a new experience that will eliminate Controlled Feature Rollouts.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

I’ve used Android Auto for years, and these 5 changes solved my biggest issues

The author has had a positive experience with Android Auto, despite occasional issues like signal loss and erratic responses from Google Assistant. They have customized their Android Auto settings to enhance their driving experience by using Custom Assistants for executing multiple actions with a single tap, streamlining routines for navigation and communication, and managing notifications effectively. They recommend using taskbar widgets for a dynamic screen layout, especially in vehicles with smaller infotainment systems. A significant upgrade noted is the shift from Google Assistant to Gemini. The author also addresses communication challenges with the assistant, suggesting that pressing the steering wheel's call/hang-up button can silence it when needed.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Microsoft releases first big update after Nadella’s vow to ‘win back fans’

Microsoft released a non-security update on April 30 aimed at enhancing Windows stability and performance, particularly improving Windows Explorer functionality. The update improves the reliability of explorer.exe processes, enhances sign-in processes, interactions with taskbar menus, and unpinning items from Quick Access. It optimizes startup application performance and storage performance, raising the maximum FAT32 format size limit from 32GB to 2TB. Additional reliability improvements were made to Windows Hello, the Microsoft Store, and the taskbar system tray. The update also introduces Enterprise State Roaming (ESR) for device transitions, policy-based removal of preinstalled Microsoft applications, and enhanced security for batch files.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Xbox mode is now available on PC Windows 11

Microsoft has begun rolling out a dedicated Xbox mode for Windows 11 PCs, providing a full-screen console interface that enhances the gaming experience. Users can switch between this Xbox mode and the standard desktop by pressing the Win and F11 keys. The new interface is optimized for modern gamepads and reduces background processes by 15%, improving performance during gaming. It includes a built-in library for easy access to the Xbox catalog, Game Pass, and other digital storefronts like Steam. Early access to the mode can be obtained through the update center, with a gradual rollout planned. Users will eventually be able to set the Xbox app as the default Home app for quicker access to gaming.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Turn your PC into an Android gaming powerhouse with this Google app

Google Play Games allows users to play Android games on their computers by signing in with their Google accounts and downloading games. It synchronizes progress automatically, enabling players to continue their games seamlessly between devices. The platform supports keyboard, mouse, and controller inputs, enhancing gameplay, especially for strategy and simulation games. It offers a stable, ad-free experience compared to traditional Android emulators. The library includes over 200,000 titles optimized for PC performance, catering to both seasoned gamers and newcomers.