user interfaces Archives

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Gemini’s biggest new features are all about controlling your phone

Google is introducing a suite of features called Gemini Intelligence to enhance user experience on Android devices. This includes task automation, which will expand from select Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models to more apps, allowing Gemini to manage tasks for users. The technology now supports multimodality, enabling it to interpret visual inputs alongside voice and text commands. A feature called "Create My Widget" allows users to generate custom widgets using natural language. Additionally, Gemini features from Chrome will be integrated into the mobile app, including a Gemini button for sharing content and an auto-browse feature for subscribers. The autofill experience will also be improved, potentially pulling information from Google Photos and Gmail. Galaxy and Pixel phones will be the first to receive these updates.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Google announces raft of free upgrades for Android phones

Google recently announced new features for Android during the "Android Show," including the Gemini Intelligence AI system, which will automate tasks and enhance user interaction. This system will be available on high-end Android phones, including Samsung and Pixel models. Key features include: - Automation of tasks like ordering takeout and creating shopping lists. - Chrome browser's auto-browsing capabilities starting in late June. - Enhanced Gboard dictation with the Rambler AI feature. - Pause Point feature to manage distractions from apps. - Expanded compatibility for Quick Share to various phone brands and Apple devices. - New editing tools for Instagram on Android, including smart enhancements and sound separation. - Revamped emoji library with 3D designs. Android Auto will receive a redesign with smoother animations and a 3D navigation experience in Google Maps. Google is also launching a new line of laptops called Googlebooks, supporting Android apps and featuring the Gemini system. These devices will include a "glowbar" and a "magic pointer" for contextual assistance. Further details on models and pricing will be revealed in the autumn.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Fake call logs, real payments: How CallPhantom tricks Android users

A series of fraudulent applications known as CallPhantom have been identified on the Google Play Store, claiming to provide access to call logs, SMS records, and WhatsApp call history for a fee. A total of 28 CallPhantom apps were reported, with over 7.3 million downloads. These apps falsely generated random phone numbers and fabricated data, misleading users into paying for nonexistent services. The apps primarily targeted Android users in India, utilizing UPI for payments and often sidestepping Google Play's official billing system. Users expressed frustration in negative reviews after being scammed. The investigation revealed two clusters of deceptive applications: one that presented hardcoded data and another that promised to send call histories via email after payment. Refunds may be possible for subscriptions made through Google Play, but users who paid outside the platform must contact their payment provider or the app developer for resolution.

Winsage

May 8, 2026

Windows Phone still refuses to die as someone adds a native Telegram app to the OS

Windows Phone users are excited about the launch of 8Marketplace, an unofficial app store, and the introduction of Vianigram, a native Telegram client developed by a user named LegitimatePost2701. Vianigram is built on the MTProto protocol and offers features such as comprehensive login options, real-time chats, a chat list with pagination, typing indicators, rich text formatting, voice messages, background synchronization, and locally generated notifications. However, it is still a work in progress, with some drawbacks like delayed notifications and a need for UI improvements. Users can find the app by searching for the Telegram channels PivoraApps or VianiumApps.

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 6, 2026

Microsoft says it’s finally focusing on Windows 11’s design, starting with Settings (Control Panel’s replacement)

Microsoft's Partner Director of Design, March Rogers, announced on X that the company is enhancing the design of various elements within Windows 11, with updates set to debut in April. Key areas of improvement include redesigned Settings pages, updated account dialogues with dark mode, enhanced Narrator integration with Copilot, a polished Pen settings page, and the ability to use voice typing for renaming files in File Explorer. Some of these improvements were previewed in the March Optional Update. The redesign aims to streamline the user experience and improve aesthetic coherence across the system.

Winsage

April 5, 2026

Claude Cowork and Claude Code Can Now Control Your Windows Desktop

On April 3, 2026, Anthropic expanded Claude’s desktop control feature to Windows for Pro and Max subscribers, allowing users to operate applications, navigate web pages, and manage files on their PCs without prior configuration. The feature is in research preview and includes a Dispatch companion for task assignment from mobile devices. Claude uses a structured tool hierarchy for task execution, prioritizing connectors like Slack and Google Calendar, and engages in direct desktop control only when necessary. Users must opt in to activate the feature, which integrates with existing software without requiring API keys. The technology is partly derived from Anthropic’s acquisition of Vercept AI, which specializes in AI-driven computer control. Security concerns have arisen due to vulnerabilities demonstrated shortly after the launch, prompting Anthropic to implement safeguards while acknowledging the feature's potential errors. Users can stop Claude's operations, but the company admits it cannot disable the technology remotely once tasks have started. Competitors like Microsoft and Google are also exploring similar desktop-level AI automation capabilities.

Winsage

April 4, 2026

Flexibility of settings makes Windows 98 is better than the current one Windows 11

A discussion within the computer enthusiast community has emerged regarding the quality of user interfaces in modern operating systems, sparked by a feature in Windows 98 that allowed users to disable mouse click functionality on checkboxes. Experts argue that Windows 98 offers greater efficiency and user control compared to contemporary Microsoft products, which impose limitations for minimalism. The architecture of Windows 98 provided significant customization options, fostering a trust between users and their machines, while modern systems like Windows 11 restrict user management of hardware functions. This shift is seen as a degradation of the user experience, with older operating systems serving as benchmarks for user-friendly interface design.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

Windows 11 buries its best features for power-users deep behind the worst menus

Windows 11 features a modern interface but retains complex elements that challenge users. It combines the Settings app with the Control Panel, leading to navigation difficulties. The taskbar's right-click context menu has become more cumbersome, requiring additional clicks for essential options. Storage settings are modern but require access to legacy tools like Disk Management, which is less accessible. Sound settings are also split across different interfaces, complicating access to advanced configurations. Sysinternals, a suite of powerful utilities, is largely unknown to users. PowerToys and the "God Mode" folder offer valuable features but are not readily available and require manual activation. Overall, while Windows 11 is powerful, essential tools are often buried under outdated interfaces and inconsistent navigation.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 update to modernize legacy UI, as Control Panel and other legacy features continue to live

Microsoft is phasing out legacy features in Windows 11, including the Control Panel, and is modernizing aspects of the operating system in response to user feedback. The company is working on an overhaul of the dark mode feature, which will extend to legacy pop-ups like the Windows Run dialog and the Windows Registry Editor, although no specific timeline has been provided for these updates. Microsoft is developing new tools to modernize legacy dialogs and user interfaces, with a focus on modernizing Windows as a primary goal. Recent Windows preview builds show a modernized Windows Run developed with WinUI 3, which supports dark mode and will include enhanced search capabilities. The legacy Run will remain available and will also receive a dark mode update. Microsoft plans to roll out these changes throughout 2026. Additionally, features like a movable and resizable taskbar and a native Start menu are being prioritized, along with the introduction of 100% native applications for Windows 11. A major update for Windows 11 was unveiled on March 20, which included plans to reduce ads and potentially remove the requirement for a Microsoft account.