user-friendly experience Archives

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

Best City Builder 2024: Manor Lords

Manor Lords is a city-building game that combines strategy with medieval life simulation, emphasizing thoughtful decision-making over quick reflexes. Players must make strategic choices, such as farm placement and market manipulation. The game features impressive graphics and a user-friendly interface, providing a relaxing gameplay experience. It creates a tranquil atmosphere with sounds of villagers and soothing music, offering a comforting escape from modern life. The game's design focuses on seasonal survival and community management, allowing players to engage in rural activities without overwhelming objectives.

AppWizard

December 19, 2024

Google Contacts could streamline connected app video calls (APK teardown)

Google Contacts is set to enhance its video call functionality in version 4.46.53.705303683. Users will be able to set a default app for video calls by long-pressing the video call button, allowing for direct connections through their preferred application. Additionally, users can view all available calling options for a contact with multiple numbers by long-pressing the video call button. If a contact is unavailable on the selected app, a network bar icon will indicate that the call will be routed through the carrier.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

5 ways to make Windows 11 feel less annoying

Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements, a centralized taskbar, a redesigned Action Center, and advertisements on the Start menu, which frustrate some users. Users can make the following adjustments to improve their experience: 1. To silence account notifications, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle off "Show account related notifications occasionally in Start." 2. To disable targeted Microsoft ads, navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > General and toggle off "Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID." 3. To remove the news feed from Widgets, press Windows key + W, click the gear icon in the Widgets board, select "Show or hide feeds," and toggle off the switch next to Feeds. 4. To hide ads in Microsoft Edge, open a new tab, click the gear icon, and set the Content setting to Off. 5. To remove Bing from Windows Search, open Registry Editor, navigate to ComputerHKEYCURRENTUSERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, create a new key named Explorer, create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, set its value to 1, and restart the PC.

AppWizard

December 14, 2024

I tried an AI-powered lighting kit that syncs with PS5, Xbox, Switch and even PC games — here’s how it took my gaming setup to the next level

The Secretlab Magnus Pro desk measures 60 inches across and 27 inches deep, featuring built-in cable management. The Govee AI Sync Box 2 is designed to sync smart lighting with gaming experiences, available as a standalone unit or as a kit that includes a lightstrip and two light bars for monitors sized 27-34 inches. The kit includes the AI Sync Box, two braided HDMI 2.1 cables, and has four HDMI inputs and two USB-C ports. It incorporates a neural processing unit (NPU) for real-time color and pattern detection, offering faster response times and accurate color matching compared to camera-based systems. The setup involves assembling light bars with circular stands and attaching a lightstrip to the monitor. The AI Sync Box 2 features intuitive controls, with a front light indicating active HDMI inputs and the Govee logo syncing with screen content. It supports over 40 games and can integrate with Govee's DreamView-compatible lights for further customization.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

This Linux distro is so Windows-like, it even comes with Microsoft apps

Linux allows for extensive customization of desktop environments. Wubuntu is a Linux distribution that mimics the look and functionality of Windows 11, featuring elements like Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot, and the Edge browser, while avoiding intrusive advertisements. It is built on Ubuntu and uses the KDE Plasma desktop, providing a familiar interface for Windows users. Upon first login, Wubuntu presents a Settings window for theme selection and includes a weather app, sidebar, comprehensive menu, run command launcher, favorites, system tray, and Copilot. It also offers tools such as Microsoft PowerShell and quick access to Office 365 applications, with OnlyOffice Desktop Editors available for local document management. Wubuntu supports interaction with Android devices, Active Directory, and comes pre-installed with applications like Google Chrome, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Steam, Thunderbird, VLC media player, Webcamoid, Wine/Winetricks, and Flatpak. Wubuntu is user-friendly and compatible with a wide range of hardware, running on kernel version 6.8.0-48. An icon for Copilot is located at the bottom right of the desktop, requiring a Microsoft account for access. Wubuntu caters to users who appreciate the Windows desktop experience but prefer a Linux environment, offering stability, ease of use, and the ability to run Windows applications. It combines the strengths of Ubuntu and KDE Plasma with a Windows-like aesthetic, making it a suitable option for those transitioning from Windows.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Windows 11 Recall officially comes to Intel and AMD

Microsoft has expanded its Recall AI feature to support Copilot+ PCs with Intel and AMD processors, following initial availability on Qualcomm-powered devices. The feature has stabilized after previous challenges, and the latest update (version 26120.2510) will be available to Intel and AMD users in the Windows Insiders Dev Channel. Users must manually enable snapshot functionality and can control the retention and deletion of snapshots, which do not record sensitive information. The update also includes security enhancements, requiring Windows Hello for identity authentication and the use of BitLocker and Secure Boot. Additionally, a new "Click to do" feature allows users to interact with snapshots more easily.

Winsage

December 3, 2024

Microsoft plans to make searching in Windows 11 better – I just hope it doesn’t screw it up

Microsoft is developing a new application called "File Search" to improve the Windows Search tool. The app will enable users to search for local files and cloud storage, including OneDrive, using specific details like file names, keywords, and associated individuals. It may allow searches directly from the taskbar. Screenshots show a user interface with search queries and an FAQ section, but the app's name might change during development. File Search is part of a series of 'Companion' apps for Windows 11, aimed at enhancing the operating system. The integration with existing Windows Search functionality is still unclear, and there are concerns about potential premature release or promotion of Microsoft's services.

Winsage

December 2, 2024

Save your computer from Microsoft’s Windows 10 end-of-life planned obsolescence

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, ceasing free updates, technical support, and security fixes. Canalys estimates that this decision could lead to 240 million PCs becoming obsolete, which is one-fifth of all computers globally. The environmental impact of disposing of these computers in landfills includes the release of heavy metals and a potential carbon footprint of 158 million metric tons of CO2e emissions if all 240 million PCs are replaced. Linux distributions can provide alternatives for older machines, allowing them to continue functioning.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

The YouTube TV app for Android gets the new PiP mini-player design

The YouTube TV app for Android has introduced a new mini-player design in version 8.47.0, featuring a picture-in-picture layout that enhances user experience. The updated mini-player includes a central play-pause button and controls for skipping forward or rewinding by 15 seconds. Users can return to the main screen by tapping the center button, and the mini-player allows for pinch-to-zoom functionality. While the default size remains small, the update aligns the YouTube TV app more closely with the overall YouTube ecosystem. Users have expressed appreciation for the intuitive controls, although some have noted the occasional return of the older mini-player style.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

Microsoft may finally be fixing some of the most annoying parts of File Explorer

Microsoft is updating File Explorer to improve tab functionality, allowing users to toggle tab behavior in settings, which will enable folders opened from external applications or the desktop to appear as new tabs instead of new windows. Additionally, users may soon have the option to disable persistent OneDrive backup prompts. Microsoft is also enhancing Recall and Click To Do with a feature that allows users to find files related to content displayed on their screens. Furthermore, Microsoft has unveiled Windows 365 Link, a mini PC that operates through Windows 365, and some users have accessed a build of the operating system called Windows CPC, which may influence future updates to Windows 11, including the potential addition of Bluetooth keyboard pairing during setup.