user interaction Archives

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame,” and imagines an alternate history where it won

Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.

Winsage

September 26, 2026

“We’re building Copilot as a new OS,” says Satya Nadella, even as Microsoft strips it from Windows 11

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a unified Copilot experience that integrates Home, Code, and Autopilot into a single application, transforming the Microsoft 365 suite into a “super app.” Copilot is described as a “new OS for work,” serving as a central hub for productivity across various tasks and devices. The Home section features Chat and Cowork functionalities, while the Office section includes full integration of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The Code feature allows users to create applications using natural language, democratizing app development. Autopilot, previously known as Scout, functions as a virtual colleague that manages tasks and projects. Microsoft has revised its pricing model to include a standard per-user subscription for basic functionalities and a usage-based billing model for advanced features. The announcement on September 25 met the timeline set during the Build 2026 conference, although features are still being rolled out incrementally. The new Copilot experience aims to enhance user interaction with AI without introducing a new operating system.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

Guess who patented a new system for in-game ads

Microsoft has a patent titled "Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access" (US 202610260258 A1) that describes a system for pausing gameplay to present advertisements to players. Key features include: - A content management system that can suspend user interaction with the game based on a content trigger event. - The presentation of promoted audiovisual content to the user. - A credit system that delays the suspension of user interaction. This system aims to integrate advertisements into gameplay, similar to ad-supported models in mobile gaming. Matthew Ball, Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer, supports in-game advertisements, while EA has launched EA Advertising for in-game integrations and scalable advertising capabilities. The integration of advertisements poses both opportunities and challenges for monetization and user experience in gaming.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

Optimus Gen 3 Leaked: 5 Details From the APK Images

Images of Tesla's next-generation Optimus robot, Gen 3, were leaked from the Tesla Android app APK by researcher @wholemars, showcasing design assets of both Gen 2.5 and Gen 3. The leak reveals significant design evolution, suggesting enhancements in aesthetics and functionality. Preliminary observations indicate that Gen 3 may feature advanced sensors and improved mobility, along with a more intuitive user interface. This model could position Tesla as a leader in the humanoid robot market and enable diverse applications, from personal assistance to industrial automation.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

Google Keep redesigns its Note collection widget on Android

Google Keep for Android has redesigned its "Note collection" widget, replacing the traditional Material You sidebar with a circular floating action button that opens a pop-up menu for note creation. This change requires an additional tap to select the note type but aligns with the design of the "Quick capture" widget. The new layout maximizes widget space, allowing for an edge-to-edge presentation of notes and reducing empty space. This update is part of version 5.26.365.x, currently being rolled out via the Play Store. The redesign aims to standardize the note creation process across widgets and improve the overall user experience.

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

Google Messages is preparing its biggest search overhaul yet

Google Messages is testing a redesign of its search functionality to improve user experience. The search bar will move to the bottom of the home screen, featuring a dynamic visual overview of shared content, including preview rows for images, videos, links, and places. Users will be able to search within specific conversations from the main search page without opening each chat. The search results will display all matching messages on a dedicated results page instead of grouping them by conversation. Links and places will have larger, visually appealing cards, although timestamps and sender names will not be visible. A new media viewer will allow users to swipe through images and videos, enhancing the overall experience.

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

Gemini’s big UI cleanup gets ready for a settings overhaul

Google's Gemini platform is undergoing a transformation in its user settings interface, with developers refining the design to enhance user experience. The latest version of the Google app for Android (version 17.60.13.sa.arm64) reveals early glimpses of a redesigned Gemini Settings, which will feature a more organized layout with distinct categories such as Preferences, Data & Privacy, and Get Support. This reorganization aims to improve navigation by moving some options to sub-screens. Additionally, options related to Voice and Device controls will be grouped logically on new pages. A new feature called "Tasks on Android" has also been introduced, potentially linked to advancements in Gemini Spark or Gemini Intelligence.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

I tried the Gemini app for Windows. It wasted my time

The Gemini app for Windows allows users to interact with a generative content LLM chatbot, but non-Google account users can only use the chatbot. Signing in with a Google account provides access to stored chats, dedicated tabs for images and videos, and a daily brief summarizing essential emails for Workspace account users. Unlike ChatGPT’s Windows application, Gemini does not allow direct connection to desktop or services like Slack for task performance. A feature anticipated in the app is access to Spark, Google’s personalized AI agent, but it was not found during exploration. The app includes a “Scheduled Actions” section for Google’s suggestions and a “Personal Intelligence” tab to manage user interaction memory. There is also an “Import memory to Gemini” tab for transferring information from other LLMs. The app offers customization options but has limitations compared to competitors.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Microsoft patches 966 vulnerabilities: Two Windows zero-days actively exploited

On September 8, 2026, Microsoft released 966 security updates, the largest Patch Tuesday to date, addressing various vulnerabilities. Among these, 105 were classified as critical, including two zero-day vulnerabilities: CVE-2026-81963 and CVE-2026-85880. Both allow authorized local attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level. CVE-2026-81963 is related to the Windows Update Stack, while CVE-2026-85880 involves a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC). The updates included 438 vulnerabilities related to privilege escalation, 258 concerning remote code execution, and 173 involving information disclosures. Users are advised to prioritize the installation of these updates due to the potential exploitation of the two critical vulnerabilities.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

CVE-2026-85880 and CVE-2026-81963: Microsoft Patches Two Actively Exploited Windows Zero-Days

Microsoft's Patch Tuesday on September 8, 2026, addressed two critical Windows privilege escalation vulnerabilities: CVE-2026-85880 and CVE-2026-81963, both with a CVSS score of 7.8. CVE-2026-85880 is a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC), allowing attackers with low-privilege local access to escalate privileges to SYSTEM. CVE-2026-81963 involves improper link resolution in the Windows Update Stack, enabling similar privilege escalation. Both vulnerabilities require no user interaction and have been actively exploited prior to the patch release. CISA added them to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on September 8, 2026, with a remediation deadline of September 22 for U.S. federal agencies. CVE-2026-85880 affects various Windows 10 and Server versions but excludes Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. CVE-2026-81963 impacts newer Windows platforms, including Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft released security updates for both vulnerabilities on September 8, 2026, and organizations are advised to prioritize these updates. Security teams should monitor for signs of privilege escalation and unusual SYSTEM-level activities related to these vulnerabilities.