user experience Archives

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

Persona 4 Revival gets February 2027 release date

SEGA has announced the revival of the role-playing game Persona 4, originally released in 2008. The revival will feature enhanced graphics, improved character models and environments, expanded content with additional storylines and characters, and modernized gameplay mechanics. The announcement has generated excitement among fans, who are discussing their favorite aspects of the original game and speculating on new features. SEGA plans to share more details, including gameplay trailers and previews, as the release date approaches.

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

Phone by Google on Android Gets New In-Call SIM Switch Menu

In mid-September 2026, the "Phone by Google" application introduced a SIM selection menu on its outgoing call screen, allowing users with dual SIM setups to easily choose which number to use for calls. This feature is available in app version v229 and later, improving the user experience for those with multiple SIM cards.

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

This simple Duolingo trick brings back hearts and gets rid of the annoying ads

The Duolingo app has undergone significant changes, particularly affecting free users who now experience increased ads for Super Duolingo and third-party games, as well as a new energy bar system that limits practice sessions based on energy rather than mistakes. A workaround exists that allows users to create a web app version of Duolingo, which restores the previous heart system, eliminates ads, and reduces distractions, providing a more streamlined learning experience. This web app resembles earlier versions of Duolingo, allowing users to focus on learning without the interruptions of gamification elements. However, it lacks some features like answer explanations and may feel less visually appealing and slightly clunkier.

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

Don’t buy a $500 dumbphone. These apps will make your Android phone calm

The growing interest in minimalist phones, or "dumbphones," is prompting users to seek ways to transform existing smartphones into more focused devices. Key strategies include managing notifications by turning off alerts for most apps and allowing only essential updates, utilizing app blockers like Switchly to limit distractions from social media, and employing BlockAds to eliminate intrusive ads. Users can also opt for minimalist, ad-free versions of apps, such as the Fossify suite for essential functions and Breezy Weather for weather updates. Customizing the home screen to reduce clutter, such as simplifying it to a single page and disabling unnecessary widgets, can further enhance focus. Additionally, customizing popular apps like Chrome, Gmail, and Google Maps by disabling features and notifications helps create a calmer experience. Overall, intentional choices and the right tools can lead to a more serene smartphone environment.

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

Android Auto 17.8 Now Available for the First Users, You Can Also Install It Right Away

Google has launched the beta program for Android Auto version 17.8, which can be manually installed via an APK installer without joining the beta program. The update focuses on subtle enhancements and is expected to precede a significant overhaul, including new features showcased at the I/O developer conference. Anticipated features include support for widgets that provide essential information without opening separate applications, and the integration of video applications like YouTube, allowing video playback on stationary vehicles. Users will need a Premium subscription for YouTube to access this feature. The stable version of Android Auto 17.8 is expected to be available soon through the Google Play Store, with the complete build identified as Android Auto 17.8.1638 beta.

Winsage

September 20, 2026

How Windows turned months of inactivity into a 7-hour update hostage situation

Microsoft is working to reduce the memory footprint of Windows, aiming for acceptable performance with 8 GB of RAM. However, users face challenges with lengthy update processes, as demonstrated by a recent experience where a laptop took approximately seven hours to boot due to numerous updates. This includes patches for Windows components, firmware, and drivers, leading to multiple restarts and frustrating progress bar behavior. The tech industry is recognizing the need for greater efficiencies, but Microsoft must also address the overwhelming frequency of updates that hinder user experience.

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

Sad Update to the Minecraft Situation

The landscape of online platforms is evolving to emphasize seamless sign-in experiences, particularly on platforms like YouTube. There is a shift towards user-centric design, with platforms rethinking authentication processes to integrate passive sign-in options. YouTube has implemented a streamlined login interface to facilitate quicker access to videos, catering to user needs and aligning with trends in digital accessibility. Passive sign-in enhances user engagement by allowing seamless access to content, maintaining security through existing credentials, and encouraging user retention through a smoother sign-in process. This approach positions platforms like YouTube as leaders in the digital space, crucial for maintaining relevance and user satisfaction.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Announcing new builds for 18 September 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds have been released for the Beta and Experimental channels. Notable new features include: - A new animation for the Mouse indicator in the Experimental channel, which can be activated through accessibility settings and kept visible until the escape key is pressed. - A new contrast theme toggle in the Magnifier, also in the Experimental channel, designed to reduce screen glare without altering the appearance of images, charts, and videos. - Updates to the Cloud rebuild feature in the Experimental channel, allowing users to restore their Windows 11 PC to a clean state and sanitize device drives during the process. IT administrators can now configure and initiate Cloud rebuild remotely via the Recovery CSP.

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

This Good Lock module turns Samsung’s Gallery app into a more capable editor

Samsung's Gallery app now includes advanced editing features, allowing users to edit images and videos, create collages and GIFs, and remove backgrounds. A hidden feature called Gallery Labs offers album-entry locks and the ability to save images as PDFs. The Gallery Assistant, part of Samsung's Good Lock, enhances the app with batch processing capabilities and seven new tools: 1. Reduce size - compresses images and videos. 2. Rotate and flip - bulk rotation and flipping of images. 3. Image clipper - extracts subjects from images. 4. Add watermark - adds customizable watermarks to images. 5. Compare images - side-by-side comparison of similar images. 6. Save as PDF - converts images into PDFs with customizable options. 7. Print - simultaneous printing of multiple images. Gallery Assistant integrates with Enhance-X for improved image and video quality. Users can access it through the Good Lock app, and it allows rearranging tool order for convenience. Users appreciate its features but suggest improvements like format conversion and EXIF metadata editing.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Windows 11 is getting a better way to find your mouse cursor, and we tried it

Microsoft has released a modernized version of the Mouse Indicator in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26340.9502 on September 18, 2026. This update features a new animation that can be activated through Accessibility settings, allowing users to keep the indicator on until they press the Esc key. Users can choose to activate the Mouse Indicator with a single or double Ctrl press. The previous version displayed a simplistic circle around the pointer briefly, while the new version offers a smoother, more dynamic animation. The feature is currently available only in the Insider build for the Experimental channel, and users can enable it by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch > Mouse indicator.