typing experience Archives

AppWizard

September 14, 2026

This keyboard app brings Pixel 11’s best feature to all Android phones

SwiftKey is introducing a new AI-driven voice typing feature in its beta version, inspired by Google's Rambler feature. This tool cleans up and formats speech but does not provide live transcription. The AI model is about 163MB and allows offline functionality on Android devices. Unlike Google's Rambler, which is exclusive to Pixel devices, SwiftKey's feature is available on a wider range of Android smartphones. Testing on a Galaxy Z Fold 8 showed efficient offline processing and transcription. However, it lacks features like tone adjustments, advanced text formatting, and emoji insertion through voice commands. The SwiftKey Beta app can be installed on any Android device and is available for download on the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

I spent months testing the top Android keyboards; one easily replaced Gboard for good

The author initially favored Google Gboard but began exploring alternatives due to declining typing accuracy and clipboard management issues. They found Microsoft SwiftKey's stable version effective for swiping, predictive text, and multi-language support, but were disappointed with its voice input feature. Transitioning to SwiftKey Beta improved voice typing significantly, though it still lacks support for some niche languages and font scaling options. FUTO Keyboard is noted for its privacy and offline functionality but has limited language support and clipboard management. Samsung Keyboard, now the author's primary choice on their Galaxy Tab, offers deep integration with One UI and improved text prediction, though voice input still needs work. Gboard remains competent, especially in voice typing, but the author feels it is becoming less appealing due to data harvesting concerns and limited customization. Currently, the author plans to continue using Microsoft SwiftKey Beta, which meets most of their typing needs.

Winsage

July 27, 2026

I tested this HyperX OMEN 15 gaming laptop and its RTX 5070 graphics inside, but the OLED display stole the show

The HP OMEN brand has rebranded to HyperX, introducing the HyperX OMEN 15 gaming laptop. It features a mid-range NVIDIA RTX 5050 GPU and a 120Hz OLED display. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor and has 32GB of RAM. It weighs 5.02 lbs and is designed for stationary use with extensive cooling vents. Connectivity options include HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A ports, as well as an Ethernet port. The keyboard has a four-zone RGB backlight, and the audio experience is adequate but may benefit from external speakers. The OLED display achieves a brightness of 503 nits and scores 100% in color accuracy for both P3 and sRGB gamuts. In gaming performance, it averages 47 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings without ray tracing, and can reach up to 111 FPS with NVIDIA's DLSS technology. The specifications include a 15.3" 3K OLED display, 1 TB SSD, and a 70WHrs battery. The pricing strategy has raised questions about its value, especially with recent discounts.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

7 Retro-Themed PC Gaming Gadgets Inspired By Iconic Consoles

Retro gaming enthusiasts can enhance their gaming experiences with modern gadgets that merge nostalgia with contemporary technology. The 8BitDo Retro R8 mouse, priced at .99, is designed to resemble the Nintendo Entertainment System and offers Bluetooth, RF Wireless, or wired USB connectivity with a polling rate of 8,000 hertz and a maximum sensor resolution of 26,000 DPI. It comes in three designs: NES, Commodore 64, and original Xbox, and includes a charging dock. The PromoType KeyBoy Advance keyboard, priced at , replicates the Game Boy Advance and requires DIY assembly. It features L and R buttons that are configurable extras and includes a power indicator and speaker grille. The 8BitDo M30 controller, priced at .99, is designed for the Sega Genesis with a six-button layout and compatibility with various devices including PC and Nintendo Switch. The Retro-Bit V2 Wireless Tribute 64 controller, retailing at .99, is optimized for Nintendo 64 games and features improved latency and a classic button layout, compatible with multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch. The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, available for .99, features a design reminiscent of the NES, customizable A and B buttons, and supports both wired and wireless connectivity with key remapping options. The Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM02, priced at 9, is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7840HS processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, suitable for retro and contemporary gaming, ideally paired with a CRT display. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick, priced at .99, features a design inspired by the NES, customizable macro options, and supports USB-C wired and wireless connections, allowing easy switching between PC and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

5 Android keyboard apps you should use instead of Gboard

The keyboard is a frequently used application on Android devices, with Gboard being a popular choice, but alternatives exist for users with different preferences. Microsoft SwiftKey offers robust customization, unique layouts like split mode, and integrates an AI assistant for message refinement. It also excels in clipboard syncing with Windows when logged into the same Microsoft account. HeliBoard is a free, open-source keyboard that operates offline, prioritizing privacy and offering features like autocorrect and gesture typing. It requires downloading from GitHub or F-Droid, as it is not available on the Play Store. FUTO Keyboard is a free, open-source, offline option that includes offline voice typing but lacks cloud-synced personal dictionaries and AI writing tools. Samsung Keyboard, pre-installed on Galaxy phones, integrates with One UI and Galaxy AI’s writing tools, offering extensive customization options through the Good Lock app and KeysCafe module. Simple Keyboard is a lightweight application that provides a standard keyboard layout with minimal features, focusing on simplicity and requiring less than 1MB of storage.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Windows NT on the GameCube is Basically a Homebrew Project That Brings the Classic OS to Nintendo Hardware

GameCube enthusiasts are utilizing homebrew projects to enhance the console's capabilities, including region-free play and disc backups. A new initiative allows a full PowerPC build of Windows NT to run on the GameCube, leveraging its Gekko CPU's compatibility with early PowerPC-based PCs. The entii-for-workcubes project, led by Wack0, provides components for running Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0 on GameCube and Wii systems, featuring an ARC firmware bootloader for loading homebrew software. Users need to prepare an SD card with specific files and a Windows NT ISO to initiate the process. After installation, basic productivity tools are accessible, but limitations include only 24MB of RAM, slower access speeds, lack of sound support, and potential reboot stalls.

AppWizard

June 5, 2026

My favorite Gboard upgrade looks ready to launch, and I can’t wait

Google is preparing to introduce the Rambler feature for Gboard, its new AI-powered voice typing capability, as part of the enhancements for Android 17. Rambler can understand natural speech, remove filler words, and detect self-corrections during dictation. A hidden toggle for Rambler has been found in the latest Gboard beta, indicating that preparations for its rollout are in progress. The feature may initially be exclusive to select flagship devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Pixel 10 series.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

These are the 5 best Android apps I use that aren’t on the Play Store

Breezy Weather is a free, open-source weather app that prioritizes user privacy and offers flexibility with 50 different weather data sources. It features customization options, including theme modifications, icon packs, and 13 resizable widgets. Seal is a free app that allows users to download audio and video files from various websites, powered by yt-dlp. It enables users to save full videos or extract audio, with options for downloading YouTube videos with subtitles and thumbnails. Kvaesitso is a minimalist launcher that allows users to search for apps, settings, contacts, files, and calendar events from a single search bar. It features vertical scrolling, custom shortcuts, app tagging, and various customization options without ads or paywalls. Aurora Store is a front end for the Play Store that lets users browse, download, and update apps without a Google account. It includes features like Manual Download for older app versions and a Spoof Manager for accessing restricted apps, but does not support paid apps or in-app purchases. HeliBoard is a free, open-source keyboard app that functions offline, prioritizing privacy while offering typing suggestions, themes, customizable layouts, and clipboard history. It provides a reliable typing experience without unnecessary features.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

The 13 biggest Windows 11 changes from early May — and why these updates matter for how the OS evolves through the rest of 2026

Microsoft has released preview builds for Windows 11 in May 2026 as part of the Windows Insider Program, focusing on refining existing functionalities. Key improvements include: 1. The reinstatement of Taskbar position settings, allowing users to place the Taskbar at the top, left, or right edges of the screen. 2. An upgraded Voice Typing experience on the touch keyboard with a new design and animations. 3. Significant changes to the Windows Update system, allowing users to skip updates during the Out-of-box Experience and pause updates indefinitely in 35-day blocks. 4. The introduction of a "Shared Audio" feature enabling two users to share the same audio stream from a single computer using Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology.

Winsage

May 10, 2026

Windows 11 testers say new touchpad upgrades and File Explorer fixes finally make Insider builds feel smoother

Windows Insiders can check for new builds weekly, with Microsoft releasing four Insider builds that include various enhancements. The Beta Channel Insiders have not yet transitioned to the new Beta experience. Users in the Dev Channel moving to the Experimental Channel will receive Build 26300.8376, while those in the Canary 28000 series will also transition to Experimental, receiving Build 28020.2075. Insiders from the Canary 29500 series will be updated to Build 29585.1000. A free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education from Windows 11 Home is available for K-12 educational settings, allowing institutions to manage devices effectively. This upgrade is one-way only. Build 26300.8376 introduces new gesturing functionalities for precision touchpads, including control over scroll/zoom speed and automatic scrolling. File Explorer has received updates for improved address bar functionality, more readable file size formatting, and refinements to the renaming experience. Build 28020.2075 includes improved typing reliability with the ADLaM keyboard and enhanced clipboard history performance. Font improvements have been made for the Leelawadee UI font family. Build 29585.1000 features a streamlined voice typing experience with the touch keyboard, reducing distractions.