user interface Archives

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

New Slay the Spire 2 update reworks Ironclad’s most unpopular card and makes lower Ascensions easier

Developer Megacrit has released beta patch notes for Slay the Spire 2, focusing on refining the Ascension difficulty scaling. Changes include reduced HP for Scrolls of Biting, Owl Magistrate, and Slimed Berserker at lower Ascensions, while making them stronger at higher levels. The Vantom Act 1 boss has been nerfed, and the Waterfall Giant elite heals less in low-difficulty encounters. The team is monitoring the performance of the Act 3 boss, Doormaker, but is hesitant to make further changes. Card updates feature new artwork and significant reworks for Conflagration and Drum of Battle for Ironclad, with Conflagration now dealing two damage to all enemies four times at base. Regent's Parry has been adjusted to align better with Dexterity and Frail mechanics. Neow's blessings have seen some improvements, with Booming Conch providing additional energy and Neow's Fury allowing players to choose cards from the discard pile. Tezcatara's Nutritious Soup relic has been buffed to grant Strikes additional damage and cost nothing. The patch also includes various smaller balance changes, user interface enhancements, and bug fixes.

Winsage

April 23, 2026

Microsoft just made Windows 11’s Drag Tray for sharing files less annoying, and it actually works now

Microsoft has introduced the Drop Tray in Windows 11, replacing the previous Drag Tray to enhance file sharing. The Drop Tray features a more compact design and aims to minimize accidental openings while being easily dismissible. It is expected to roll out to all Windows 11 PCs by May as part of a set of reliability fixes. The new design encourages users to engage with it intentionally for file sharing, improving usability for those with desktop folders. The option to enable or disable the Drop Tray can now be found under Settings > System > Multitasking > Drop Tray.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

Ookla’s Windows 11 Speedtest mockup looks suspiciously like macOS

Ookla and Microsoft announced a partnership to integrate Speedtest as the network performance testing platform across Bing and Windows, allowing Windows 11 users to check their internet speed from the taskbar. This feature was initially available to Windows Insiders in February 2023. A humorous remark by Rafael Rivera, a Windows Dev MVP, suggested that Ookla leaked a glimpse of the Windows vNext UI, which appeared to include elements from macOS. The incident has sparked discussions about design trends and user interfaces in the tech community.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

I just found out the creator of Windows Task Manager accidentally left his phone number inside the app

Dave Plummer, the creator of the original Task Manager at Microsoft in the 1990s, encountered an issue where CPU utilization readings occasionally exceeded 100%, which he suspected was a bug in the kernel. Despite being a user interface designer and facing skepticism from the kernel team, he implemented 'asserts' in the code to diagnose the problem. One assertion specified that CPU usage should not exceed 100%, and he embedded his name and home phone number in the code for anyone who might encounter the issue. No one ever contacted him about the bug, and it remained unresolved until the kernel developers identified and fixed it later.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

You can now run WSL on Windows 95, in case you’re crazy, too

Hailey has developed the Windows 9x Subsystem for Linux (WSL9x), which allows the 6.19 Linux kernel to run on Windows 9x systems without a graphical user interface, relying instead on a terminal experience. WSL9x consists of three main components: a modified Linux kernel that interacts with Windows 9x APIs, a virtual device (VxD) driver that initializes WSL9x and manages userspace events, and a simple 16-bit DOS client for passing commands to the Linux kernel. The system handles syscalls through a general protection fault handler due to limitations in the Win9x architecture. However, this setup poses security risks as both the Linux kernel and Windows kernel operate with the same CPU privileges, meaning instability could occur if either crashes. Comprehensive instructions for installation are available on Hailey's Codeberg page.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Masters of Albion does what Peter Molyneux promised, “it brings joy”

Peter Molyneux, the creator of Masters of Albion and founder of 22cans, aims to bring "joy" through his latest project. The game combines elements of god games, strategy, and fantasy RPGs, where players revitalize an old English town using divine magic while defending against undead threats at night. Daytime gameplay involves exploration and quests in a third-person perspective, reminiscent of Dungeon Keeper. Combat mechanics can be inconsistent, and building systems may lead to gaps in defenses. The town management system allows players to assist villagers and create recipes for critics, encouraging creativity. The game features humor and clever puzzles, creating a lighthearted atmosphere similar to the Fable series. Masters of Albion is currently in early access on Steam for .99, with a launch week discount bringing the price down to .49.

Winsage

April 21, 2026

Microsoft’s next Windows 11 update targets stability and speed

Microsoft has released new preview versions of Windows 11 for Insiders across the Beta, Dev, and Canary channels, focusing on enhancing stability and performance. Key enhancements include: - File Explorer: Faster, smoother, and more reliable experience. - Settings App: Improved navigation and consistent user interface. - Drop Tray: Functioning seamlessly. - Clipboard History: Quicker response time. - Storage Settings: Enhanced performance for large-volume storage. - Windows Hello: Greater reliability. - Keyboard Input and Voice Control: More uniform experience. - Startup Applications: Improved performance and memory management. - Screen Content Display: Enhanced stability in displaying content, audio, and fonts. - Overall Security: Improved security measures. These updates aim for reliability and consistency, with significant enhancements expected to be available to the public by May 2026.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Inware now tells you even more about your Android device with expressive makeover [Gallery]

Inware 7.0 is set to be released this week, featuring a Material 3 Expressive design and new functionalities. The update is available for free on the Play Store and enhances the app's ability to provide comprehensive data about Android devices, including metrics like storage capacity, memory usage, camera specifications, and display characteristics. New insights include monitoring thermal throttling, 6GHz Wi-Fi utilization, Thread connectivity, and battery cycle count. The app interface has been redesigned with visually appealing tiles for key information, and it incorporates the Google Sans Flex font for improved readability. Additionally, the update includes better language translations and an overhaul of the app's architecture for a smoother user experience.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Amazon chooses nuclear option for Fire TV Sticks – no Android, no sideloading, no installing apps

Amazon will transition all future Fire TV devices to its proprietary Vega OS, which will eliminate the ability to sideload apps on Fire TV Sticks. This change aims to enhance security and reduce illegal streaming but limits user customization. The latest models, including the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and the upcoming Fire TV Stick HD, will feature Vega OS. The cloud-based system allows for seamless access to updated streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, reducing reliance on device processing power and production costs. However, it significantly reduces user autonomy by removing the option to sideload third-party applications.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Gemini Live redesign replaces fullscreen interface on Android

Gemini Live, a feature within Google's ecosystem, is being redesigned to enhance user experience on Android devices. The new design will integrate Gemini Live into the Gemini app's homepage instead of occupying the entire screen. The top bar will read “Live with Gemini” and include a transcript button. The prompt box has been replaced with a pill-shaped container showcasing a blue waveform, allowing users to share their camera or screen from the left side and mute the microphone from the right side. Exiting Gemini Live can be done through a keyboard icon or the system back gesture. This redesign is currently being tested with beta users of the Google app (version 17.14) and is exclusive to the Gemini app. The overlay remains unchanged for now, but future plans include aligning it with the new in-app aesthetic.