UI changes Archives

AppWizard

September 16, 2026

Android 17 QPR1 Drops: Top New Features, Customization & UI Changes Explained

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR1, which includes user interface enhancements, multitasking capabilities, and digital wellbeing features. Key features include: - Pause Point: Introduces a delay before opening distracting apps, encouraging users to engage in calming activities. - Material 3 Blur Expansion: Adds background blur effects to various system surfaces, including the volume panel and power menu. - Multi-Screensaver Support: Allows users to select and switch between multiple screensavers. - Custom Ringtone Vibrations: Users can assign unique vibration patterns for individual ringtones. - Taskbar Recent Apps: Displays actual recent apps on large-screen devices. - HID Access: New APIs enable applications to interact with connected USB and Bluetooth peripherals. - Health Connect Tracking: Natively tracks distance and calories through a built-in step counter. - Media Player Tweaks: Enhancements to the media player carousel and screen recorder functionality. Android 17 QPR1 is initially available for eligible Google Pixel devices, with other manufacturers to follow based on their release schedules.

AppWizard

September 15, 2026

Every single new feature in Android 17 QPR1 [Video]

Android 17 QPR1 has launched, compatible with devices from Pixel 6 to the latest models. The update includes several user interface changes such as improved lockscreen animation for media controls, access to Pixel Search settings in App list settings for older Pixel models, and a stashed media player in Quick Settings. Usability enhancements feature a predictive back gesture in Quick Settings, a new Keyboard tile for quick switching between keyboards, an option to dismiss the mobile data pop-up, and adjustments to the screen recording menu. Cosmetic changes include a new Quick Settings edit tile icon, a Gemini Intelligence boot logo for newer models, refreshed default app icons, improved animations in Quick Settings, enhanced system blur effects, and a visual update for app notification dots.

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Pre-Release 1 patch notes: Number system overhaul, bug fixes and more

Mojang has launched the pre-release phase for Minecraft Java Edition 26.3, introducing the Wilderness Drop. The pre-release includes extensive bug fixes and a technical upgrade to the Number Provider system, which has been restructured into separate registries for integer and float calculations. Key changes include new integer-specific providers and float-specific providers, as well as mandatory cooking times for recipes. Block State Providers can now be defined as standalone types. Notable bug fixes address issues with Blast Furnaces, Endermen, Drowned, music events, ore generation, and more. Players can download the pre-release to explore the new features.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Gemini is working on a ton of useful UI changes: filters, notifications, and more

Google is developing significant interface updates for its AI application, Gemini, aimed at enhancing user experience. Key features in development include: - A dedicated Notifications section to consolidate alerts related to completed tasks and activities, addressing the issue of disappearing notifications. - An updated Recents section with filters (Unread, Ready, Needs attention, In progress) to help users sort conversations without relying solely on keyword searches. - A Customize section for Gemini Spark, allowing users to discover and manage various skills and applications, enhancing functionality and personalization. - A new setting to hide Gemini’s status bar icon for a cleaner interface, giving users more control over customization. These features are currently in testing and not yet available to the public.

Winsage

July 17, 2026

This Surface is the only laptop that supports Windows 11’s best new feature

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 8 features Snapdragon X2 chips, enhancing battery life and graphics performance. It uniquely supports Windows 11's advanced haptics, providing tactile feedback through the touchpad, mouse, or stylus. This feature allows users to feel interactions, such as when hovering over Snap Layouts. The Surface Laptop 8 for Business, launched earlier, operates on an Intel processor but also supports advanced haptics. Both models enhance the Windows 11 experience, with popular software like Filmora and Affinity already integrating this feature. Additional devices, such as the Logitech MX Master 4 and Surface Slim Pen 2, can also utilize advanced haptics.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Nightdive’s Thief remaster is adding a weapon wheel and other UI changes, ‘but we’re not forcing you to use it’

Daniel Grayshon from Nightdive Studios discussed the remastering of Thief: The Dark Project, highlighting the original controls, such as the blackjack assigned to number 2 and water arrows to 4. Nightdive aims to preserve the core experience of the game while refining the controls. Grayshon introduced a weapon wheel for easier access to tools, replacing the cumbersome tab key method. This change is intended to enhance gameplay fluidity, allowing for quicker selection during critical moments. The weapon wheel is optional, catering to players' preferences and muscle memory.

Winsage

May 23, 2026

Microsoft says you should pause Windows 11 Updates when you need to work, as it tests greater controller

Microsoft is shifting its approach to Windows updates, responding to user frustrations about receiving update notifications during critical work hours. The company is currently testing more nuanced controls for updates with Windows Insiders, including a "Pick a date" feature that allows users to pause updates for up to 35 days, with the option to extend the pause indefinitely. Retail Windows 11 users can pause updates for up to five weeks, after which updates will automatically download without further pause options. Microsoft acknowledges that the frequency of updates can disrupt workflows for its 1.6 billion users, many of whom view mandatory updates as interruptions. The time required for updates has increased due to larger cumulative update packages, which can exceed 4GB, and the complexity of the operating system. To improve user control, Microsoft is testing a new power menu that separates update and shutdown options, allowing users to power down without installing updates. Additionally, updates will now include device class information in their titles for better user awareness. These changes aim to streamline the update experience and address long-standing user complaints.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

Google just announced Wear OS 6.1, and it adds a time zone feature I’ve wanted for years

Google has introduced Wear OS 6.1, which includes location-based time zone detection, allowing smartwatches to update time settings automatically based on the user's location without needing a paired smartphone. The update is based on Android 16 QPR2 and does not feature major visual changes. Additional features include a "Kids graduation" option for children's accounts and improved re-authentication processes. Wear OS 6.1 has not yet been rolled out but is expected to debut on the Pixel Watch 4 and later on older Pixel Watch models and Samsung's Galaxy Watch lineup.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Windows 11 Update Adds Support for Display Refresh Rates Above 1,000Hz

Microsoft's preview update for Windows 11, KB5079391, initially supported display refresh rates exceeding 1,000Hz, potentially reaching up to 5,000Hz. The update was applicable to Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 26H1. It introduced enhancements such as improved auto-rotation and HDR reliability, better power efficiency for USB4-connected monitors, detailed image descriptions for Copilot and Copilot+ PCs using Narrator, and redesigned dialog boxes in the Accounts settings menu. However, Microsoft retracted the update on March 27 due to installation issues, with plans to roll out the enhancements in a future release.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Windows 11 File Explorer is finally getting faster in 2026, but it’s been slower than Windows 10 for years

Microsoft plans to enhance the File Explorer experience in Windows by 2026, with initial improvements available to Windows Insiders as early as April. Key updates will focus on a quicker launch experience, reduced flicker, smoother navigation, and improved performance for everyday file tasks. Enhancements will address latency issues in search, navigation, and context menus, aiming for faster and more reliable file copying and moving. The context menu will see lower latency when right-clicking, and system-level changes will aim to reduce interaction latency and improve the shared UI infrastructure. Third-party file managers currently demonstrate faster performance compared to the default File Explorer, highlighting the need for Microsoft to improve its application.