UI Archives

Winsage

September 11, 2026

Microsoft fixes Teams, Outlook launch failures on ARM Windows PCs

Microsoft addressed a significant bug that affected the launch of Teams and Outlook on ARM-based Windows devices after updates from the August 2026 Patch Tuesday. The issue primarily impacted users of devices like the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 running Windows 11 24H2 or later, who had not installed necessary updates from the Microsoft Store. The bug caused Teams and Outlook to fail to launch or close unexpectedly following the installation of security updates released on or after August 11, 2026 (KB5121003). Classic versions of Outlook and other applications were not affected. A temporary workaround was suggested, involving updating the Auto Super Resolution Package. The bug was resolved through cumulative updates released on September 8, 2026 (KB5124012), and users were urged to install the latest updates for improvements and issue resolutions. Additionally, Microsoft acknowledged other issues related to updates from August, including disruptions in printing and PDF exporting due to .NET Framework updates, gaming problems from peripherals with RGB lighting, and alerts regarding Microsoft Defender Antivirus being disabled. They also fixed issues related to the loss of custom mouse settings and desktop configurations following the installation of the KB5120998 August 2026 preview update.

Winsage

September 11, 2026

Is this Windows 11’s new modern cursor? Microsoft quietly shows a redesigned pointer

Microsoft released Experimental Windows 11 build version 26340.9354, which includes a mock-up of a new Resume hovercard featuring a redesigned mouse pointer. The new pointer has a broader shape, a softer curve on its lower-left side, and a more symmetrical appearance, differing from the traditional thin tail-like extension of Windows cursors. Although Microsoft has not confirmed any changes to the system cursor, the release notes mention a known issue with cursor customization but do not address any redesign. Reports from June indicated that Microsoft was testing a new cursor as part of its Windows 11 modernization initiative. The mock-up resembles a Fluent icon, with a cleaner and wider shape compared to the classic Windows arrow. Despite this, the current developer documentation still refers to the traditional pointer as the "arrow cursor." Windows 11 has modernized many UI elements, but the pointer has remained largely unchanged, with limited customization options. The combination of the recent mock-up and previous reports suggests a potential transformation in the cursor design may be forthcoming.

AppWizard

September 11, 2026

Another New Android Auto Feature Is Mysteriously Gone

In recent months, the wavy progress bar feature in music applications on Android Auto, which replaced the traditional straight line, has disappeared for some users, particularly affecting Spotify. This feature was introduced to enhance the user interface but did not provide significant functional benefits. Users have reported that the wavy design reverts to a straight line when the app is in full-screen mode, while it appears on the Coolwalk screen. Additionally, Google Maps has stopped displaying a speedometer, which users find frustrating. There are calls for Google to implement a toggle feature for the progress bar design preference. The latest version of Android Auto, build 17.6, is currently available, with updates expected soon.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Announcing new builds for 8 September 2026

New Insider Preview builds for Windows 11 are being released for the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring enhancements aimed at improving user experience. 1. Cross-device resume improvements: Users can now continue browsing on their PC from where they left off on their phone, with options to open the webpage in the PC's default browser or install the phone's browser if not already present. 2. Narrator: The Narrator feature has been upgraded to include math reading and navigation support, enhancing accessibility for users who are blind or have low vision, especially in STEM fields. 3. Magnifier: The Magnifier tool now allows each display to maintain its own zoom level, enabling users to set different zoom percentages for multiple screens, improving comfort and clarity when working across different resolutions.

BetaBeacon

September 8, 2026

Wave Launcher Drops V1.0: A PS3-Style XMB Frontend for Android Retro Handhelds

Wave Launcher, an Android launcher inspired by the PlayStation-style XrossMediaBar design, has officially reached its V1.0 release. It prioritizes controller-first functionality, offers game management features, robust asset scraping capabilities, multimedia functionality, and extras such as FTP support and Discord Rich Presence integration. It is available for download on its official page and GitHub.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down a couple of apps; vows to return new and improved

Samsung is phasing out its Quick Measure and AR Doodle applications, with a shutdown date set for December 31, 2026. After this date, Quick Measure will not be available for new downloads or updates, although existing users can still use it, albeit with potential feature limitations. The AR Doodle app will also cease operations on the same date. Samsung previously discontinued its Messages app in July, replacing it with Google Messages. Notifications about the app closures were highlighted by social media user Tarun Vats. Samsung has indicated a commitment to enhancing user experience and may reintroduce these applications with improved services in the future. Quick Measure was designed to monitor heart rates without navigating the full Samsung Health app and was first introduced in 2021. The future of these applications remains uncertain, with potential for reinvention or integration into existing platforms.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

GrapheneOS is ‘slightly delaying’ its overhauled Messages app

The GrapheneOS team is working on a new OS release to fix a volume bar UI regression caused by an upstream Android security preview patch and a UI issue within the Private Space feature. The release of the revamped Messages app has been delayed to follow the upcoming OS release, and there is currently no timeline for the integration of RCS (Rich Communication Services) into the new Messages app. The team is focused on enhancing user privacy and functionality while developing applications and privacy controls to reduce Google's influence.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

First look: The Play Store could give paid games the overhauled UI they deserve

Google is enhancing the user experience on its Play Store by developing a new user interface (UI) for paid games, differentiating them from free games. The updated UI in version 53.0 includes a prominent banner image for each paid game, along with essential details like reviews, ratings, age ratings, and device compatibility. A new feature called "Ask Play" has been introduced, providing a scrollable strip of contextual question chips for user interaction. The new design has been successfully tested but lacks some information, such as download size and count. The timeline for the public rollout is uncertain, and while the changes are not drastic, they aim to make paid games more appealing. An APK teardown indicates potential future features, but there is no guarantee they will be included in the final release.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down two apps it used to brag about

Samsung will discontinue its augmented reality applications, AR Doodle and Quick Measure, on December 31, 2026. After this date, users will no longer be able to download these apps, which are already unsupported on certain devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The applications will not be supported in future versions of Samsung's One UI, starting with the anticipated stable release of One UI 9. Users can still download and use the apps until the end of the year, but their functionality may be limited due to the lack of future support.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

I use Samsung Reminder every day. These are my 10 favorite tips and tricks

Samsung's One UI includes the Samsung Reminder app, which offers various features that enhance productivity. Key functionalities include: - Location-based reminders that notify users upon arrival or departure from specific places, helping with errands like shopping. - Reminder suggestions that allow users to quickly access and modify previously set reminders by typing keywords. - The ability to create customizable checklists for shopping and task management, including recurring lists. - The option to add photos to reminders for additional context, useful for tracking items. - Custom categories for organizing reminders, making them easily accessible. - Customizable alert styles and wallpapers for reminders to enhance personalization. - Widgets that allow users to view and manage reminders directly from the home screen. - Integration with Samsung Calendar for creating and modifying reminders within the calendar interface. - Compatibility with the Gemini app for setting time-based reminders using voice commands. - A feature that allows reminders to persistently alert users until marked as complete, ensuring important tasks are not overlooked.