user frustration Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Fairphone 4 skips Android 14, gets Android 15 instead

Fairphone has announced that the Android 14 update for the Fairphone 4 will not be released as planned, and the company will instead focus on upgrading directly to Android 15 due to delays and challenges in delivering a stable Android 14 version. Fairphone 4 users were expecting the Android 14 update early this year, but the company cited limited resources as a reason for bypassing it. Fairphone has committed to improving communication with users during the upgrade process, though no specific timeline for Android 15 has been provided. The Fairphone 4, launched in 2023, was initially set to receive the Android 14 update. Fairphone has acknowledged user frustration over the delays and is actively working on the Android 15 upgrade while encouraging users to engage with community forums for updates. Additionally, the Fairphone 5, which launched with Android 13, is promised at least five OS updates and eight years of software and security updates.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Android users lose key Nextcloud feature because Google said so, and the reason doesn’t add up

Google has restricted file upload capabilities for the Nextcloud Files Android app by revoking the "All files access" permission, which has been essential for the app since 2011. This change prevents Android users from uploading various file types to their Nextcloud accounts. Nextcloud has expressed frustration over this decision, suggesting it is a strategic move by Google to maintain dominance in the cloud storage market and favor its own applications. The alternatives proposed by Google, such as the MediaStore API or Storage Access Framework (SAF), do not meet Nextcloud's functionality needs. Nextcloud draws parallels to past corporate tactics that limited competition and highlights ongoing concerns regarding fair competition and regulatory responses.

Winsage

May 8, 2025

6 reasons I want Microsoft Plus back, even though I never had it growing up

Microsoft's evolution of Windows has included various enhancements and features over the years, originally exemplified by the Microsoft Plus! add-on package. Key features that could be included in a modern add-on pack are: - Ad-Free Experience: An option to eliminate advertisements from the Windows experience, addressing user frustration with prompts for subscriptions like Microsoft 365 or Game Pass. - Engaging Games: The potential to reintroduce classic games or develop new titles that provide a more engaging gaming experience without microtransactions and ads. - Dynamic Desktop Themes: The ability to create dynamic themes with animated wallpapers and custom frames, allowing for more personalized desktop experiences. - DVD Playback and Codec Support: Inclusion of DVD playback functionality and enhanced codec support for modern formats like H.265 and AV1, along with a transcoding tool for media conversion. - Enhanced Video Editing: Development of a robust, native video editing application similar to Windows Live Movie Maker, with advanced features and support for 4K exports.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

New Windows 11 beta brings more changes to Control Panel settings

Microsoft is transitioning away from the traditional Windows Control Panel, moving settings to the Windows 11 "Settings" app. Recent updates have relocated keyboard character repeat delay and repeat rate options to the Accessibility > Keyboard section in the Settings app, although these changes are currently hidden and require manual activation by users. Additionally, all remaining options from the mouse properties dialog box have also been transferred to the Settings app. Despite these updates, keyboard options still exist in the traditional Control Panel. Microsoft began this transition in 2020 and plans to retire the Control Panel entirely, but the process is progressing slowly, with remnants of the Control Panel still present in Windows 10 and 11.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Microsoft starts trimming the clock on Windows 10

Microsoft is testing a change that removes the seconds display from the Calendar flyout in Windows 10, coinciding with the operating system's approaching end-of-support date in October. The update to build 19045.5737 includes bug fixes but strips away the clock feature for some users as part of an A/B testing phase. User reactions on platforms like Reddit indicate frustration over this change, which may be linked to the new Outlook application introduced earlier this year. Restoring the previous functionality requires technical skills in registry editing, and the new design is criticized for providing less information and having a visually unappealing layout. While Windows 11 still supports the seconds display, some Windows 10 users do not have this feature. Microsoft has also released a checklist advising Windows 10 users to consider upgrading their machines.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

How to replace your Windows 11 Start menu with a better alternative

The Windows 11 Start menu has received criticism for its layout and limited customization options, prompting user frustration. Microsoft has made minor updates, such as allowing folder creation for organizing shortcuts, but a comprehensive redesign is expected in 2025. The Start menu has not changed significantly since its launch in October 2021. Third-party applications like Start11 and StartAllBack offer alternatives to the Windows 11 Start menu. Start11, developed by Stardock for .99, provides seven layouts, including classic Windows 7 and Modern styles, with extensive customization options for appearance and functionality. It also enhances the Taskbar, allowing modifications to color, transparency, and size. StartAllBack, available for .99, offers three themes and similar customization features, including options for the Taskbar and File Explorer. Open Shell Menu is a free alternative that supports various styles and customization options for the Start button and Taskbar. Each of these alternatives aims to improve the user experience on Windows 11.

Winsage

April 6, 2025

Microsoft changes the blue screen of death in Windows 11: why?

Microsoft has changed the blue screen of death to a green screen in its operating system, aligning it with the aesthetics of Windows 11. The new error screen features a simple message stating, “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with a progress percentage and minimal technical details. Reports suggest that Microsoft may eventually switch the error screen color to black for future public releases. Additionally, the sad emoji and QR code previously found on the error screen have been removed.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Windows’ Iconic Blue Screen of Death Is No Longer Blue

Microsoft is changing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to a Black Screen of Death (BSOD) in the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update. This change is currently being tested in the Beta, Dev, and Canary channels. The new message during a crash will state, “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with an error code for troubleshooting. A temporary Green Screen of Death (GSOD) was introduced in recent Insider builds, but the stable release will feature the Black screen. This change aims to modernize Windows' error messaging. Users in the Insider program can test the new feature with build 26120.3653 by triggering a BSOD.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

What you need to know about One UI 7: Software is hard

Samsung initially aimed to deliver the One UI 7 update to eligible Galaxy S phones by Q1 2025, but this timeline will not be met, with a new expected arrival date in April. The recent launch of the Galaxy S25, which includes the update, has added to user frustration. Users have formed distinct groups in response to the situation: some vow to stop purchasing Samsung devices, others rationalize the delays by blaming Google, and some remain indifferent as long as their devices function properly. The situation highlights issues in communication and transparency from Samsung regarding software updates.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

How has the Windows Start menu evolved? Looking back in time as Microsoft turns 50

In 2025, Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Start menu was first introduced in Windows 95 on August 24, 1995, replacing the "Program Manager" and providing a more intuitive user experience. Subsequent versions included refinements in Windows 98, minimal changes in Windows ME, a redesigned two-column layout in Windows XP, enhanced search functionality in Windows Vista, and updates in Windows 7 that included "Jump Lists." Windows 8 replaced the traditional Start menu with a full-screen Start screen, while Windows 10 reintroduced the Start menu with a hybrid design. Windows 11 featured a centered Taskbar and a simplified Start menu layout with static icons. Each iteration has aimed to balance innovation with user familiarity.