unique features Archives

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Q-Dir may be everything you need in a Windows file manager

Q-Dir is a free file management alternative to File Explorer for Windows 11, featuring a unique quad-pane view that allows users to manage four folders simultaneously. It offers customization options, including a dark theme and adjustable layouts, and can be set as the default file manager. The application is lightweight, under 1MB in size, and includes features like a built-in scanning tool and folder view export. However, its user interface appears dated, with old-school icons and limited theme customization. Overall, Q-Dir provides a practical solution for efficient file management without the need for payment.

Tech Optimizer

March 23, 2025

Killed by Google: These are the apps I miss the most

Google has retired several applications that were popular among users, including: - Google Now: Launched in 2012 and discontinued in 2015, it provided contextually relevant information through scrollable cards. It was replaced by features like the Discover feed and Google Assistant. - Inbox by Google: Introduced as an alternative to Gmail, it grouped similar emails and helped users manage their inboxes. It was retired in 2019, with some features integrated into Gmail. - Google Trips: Launched in 2016 as a travel companion app that integrated travel information from Gmail and Google Maps. It was discontinued in 2019. - Android Auto on Smartphones: Debuted in 2016, allowing smartphones to serve as navigation hubs in cars without built-in systems. It was discontinued in 2022 in favor of dedicated vehicle screens. - Trusted Contacts: Launched in 2016 to share real-time location with family and friends for safety. It was integrated into Google Maps but is missed for its simplicity. - Google Reader: A popular RSS feed aggregator that was shut down in 2013, known for its user-friendly interface and offline functionality. Its absence is still felt by users.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Huawei Pura X flip phone launched; sideways form factor, no Android apps

Huawei has launched the Huawei Pura X smartphone in China, which is the first Huawei device to operate without Android, using HarmonyOS Next instead. The Pura X does not support Android applications and does not offer a choice between Android and HarmonyOS. The phone features a 3.5-inch outer OLED screen, a 6.3-inch foldable OLED screen, and a triple rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor. It is powered by the Kirin 9020 chip, supports up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and has a 4720mAh battery with fast charging capabilities. The device is priced at CNY 7499 (approximately ₹89,000) and is unlikely to be available in India due to its lack of Android compatibility.

Winsage

March 20, 2025

Price drop alert: Get Windows 11 Pro for life for just £11.51

Microsoft has released a significant update for Windows 11 Pro in 2024, featuring enhancements in Copilot AI, platform speed, and phone integrations. Currently, a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro is available for £11.51, reduced from £153.03, representing a 92% discount, and allows installation on two PCs. The update includes a modern design and a fully integrated Copilot, an AI assistant based on GPT-4, which can answer queries and assist with tasks. Windows 11 Pro offers unique features such as BitLocker device encryption, remote desktop access, Azure AD for secure management, and Hyper-V for running virtual machines.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Gaming on Windows on Arm is getting pretty cool

Linux offers a variety of distributions, each with unique features, such as NixOS, Pop_OS! for Nvidia compatibility, Debian for stability, and lightweight options like Q4OS. Many individuals rely on a few fingers for typing despite formal training, questioning the efficiency of using all ten fingers. Windows 11 integrates OneDrive for backing up essential folders, which some users find cumbersome. QD-OLED monitors can experience burn-in, affecting visuals after a year of use. The Dell Inspiron 8500 is often remembered as a first laptop that sparked interest in technology. The rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2 has users debating whether to upgrade, with some preferring to wait for broader availability. Alternatives to Windows File Explorer, such as OneCommander and Total Commander, are being explored by users. The purchase of a first graphics card, like the GTX 760, marks a significant moment in PC building for many. Music streaming preferences vary among users, with platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music being popular choices. Content creators often prefer tools like Greenshot for capturing screenshots due to reliability. Linux desktop environments, such as KDE, allow for aesthetic customization. Transforming an old PC into a smart home hub can enhance living spaces by integrating devices. The first app installed on a new system often reflects personal habits, with browsers like Firefox or gaming platforms like Steam being common choices.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

Hands-on: Google will soon let you customize icon shapes on your Pixel’s home screen

The Pixel Launcher will soon allow users to customize the shape of their app icons, introducing six distinct shapes, including a traditional circle. This feature aims to enhance personalization options, which have been limited in the stock launcher compared to third-party alternatives. The capability for icon shape customization was previously available in Android 11 but was removed. Initial hints of this feature appeared in November, and it has been activated in the third beta of Android 16. The customization process applies a mask to all app icons on the home screen, app drawer, and folders, but does not affect their appearance in other contexts. The six available icon shapes are: “circle,” “square,” “four-sided cookie,” “seven-sided cookie,” “arch,” and “complex clover.” This feature is part of ongoing development for the Pixel wallpaper app, which has been in progress since August of the previous year.

BetaBeacon

March 16, 2025

Android 16 looks to be even better for gamers than we expected

Google has introduced Vulkan as the new default graphics API for Android, replacing OpenGL. This change brings advanced rendering features like ray tracing and multithreading, promising richer visuals for games. The shift to Vulkan could influence the choice of gaming handhelds for consumers, especially those running on older versions of Android. There is hope for devices with more recent hardware to benefit from performance enhancements with the adoption of Vulkan. The move is expected to have a positive impact on gaming handhelds, smartphones, and tablets in the long run.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

7 forgotten Windows apps that somehow still exist

WinAmp, foobar2000, and RealPlayer were once essential media players but have seen a decline in popularity due to improvements in Windows Media Player and the rise of streaming services. Foobar2000 and RealPlayer still appeal to a niche audience. Napster, originally a peer-to-peer file sharing service, has transformed into a legitimate music streaming service after facing legal challenges. TeamSpeak, once favored in the gaming community for voice chat, has been overshadowed by Discord but remains operational with ongoing updates. Netscape Navigator was a leading web browser that declined with the rise of Internet Explorer and was discontinued in 2008, but has been reintroduced as a Chromium-based browser by AOL. WordPerfect was a dominant word processing software in the late 80s and early 90s but lost market share to Microsoft Word; it continues to exist as an office suite. WinZip, once the preferred file compression tool, has seen its relevance decline due to native ZIP support in Windows and free alternatives like 7-Zip; it is now owned by Corel. WindowBlinds, a customization tool for Windows, has been updated for Windows 11 but lacks the popularity it once had, reflecting a trend towards less customizable operating systems.

Winsage

March 12, 2025

6 reasons Hyper-V is the best hypervisor on Windows

Virtualization technology is essential in modern IT infrastructure, allowing the creation of virtual machines (VMs) for various applications. Hyper-V is Microsoft's primary hypervisor for Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Windows Server users. It has been available since Server 2008 and provides tools for efficient VM creation, management, and monitoring. Hyper-V integrates natively with Windows, ensuring compatibility and simplifying VM management through the Hyper-V Manager interface. It is optimized for Windows, enhancing performance and security by utilizing features like Secure Boot and BitLocker. Hyper-V supports large-scale deployments and can configure multiple VMs for demanding workloads. It also allows users to create Linux VMs, such as Ubuntu, easily using the "Quick Create" feature. Hyper-V is a built-in, free hypervisor for Windows, requiring no additional costs beyond the Windows Pro license. Its integration, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness make it a leading choice for virtualization among average users and IT administrators.