user preferences

AppWizard
May 13, 2026
Auto's mission is to enhance journeys by making them seamless, safe, and connected through Android Auto and vehicles with Google built-in technology. There are over 250 million Android Auto-compatible cars on the roads. The next generation of Android Auto will feature a visually striking interface, premium entertainment options, and an intuitive assistant named Gemini. Vehicles with Google built-in are available in more than 100 models across 16 brands and will receive updates, including improved applications and enhanced Google Maps functionality. The latest Android Auto iteration includes a new interface, premium entertainment options, and enhanced Gemini integration.
AppWizard
May 9, 2026
Obtainium is a tool designed to streamline the update process for Android applications distributed through platforms like GitHub. It supports over 10 app distribution sites, offers compatibility with various release methods, and allows customizable filtering and settings. Users can extract APK files from HTML and share app settings through data import and export functionalities. To install Obtainium, users can download it from GitHub, IzzyOnDroid, or F-Droid, with a focus on installing via F-Droid. The installation process involves opening the official GitHub repository, tapping the F-Droid banner, and following prompts to install and launch the app. Upon first launch, users must allow notification permissions and adjust battery settings. To add apps, users enter the app source URL and select the appropriate source. Obtainium may request permissions to install unknown apps during installation. The app includes an Import/Export tab for managing app settings and a Settings tab for customizing update intervals, source-specific settings, themes, and app sorting preferences.
AppWizard
May 7, 2026
Google is developing an AI assistant named "Remy," powered by its Gemini technology, which aims to function as a digital operator managing various tasks. Internal testing is underway, and Remy will be integrated within the Gemini app to assist with work, school, and personal responsibilities while adapting to user preferences. Google employees are already engaging with Remy in trials. The Gemini app currently summarizes emails, responds to inquiries, creates documents, and interacts with Google services, with Remy's potential extending beyond these capabilities. Google has enhanced Gemini's planning and agent features, preparing Remy for more autonomous tasks. Project Mariner, an experimental browser agent, has concluded, and its technology is now part of Gemini Agent. Researchers have raised security concerns regarding AI agents due to their access to sensitive information. While an official launch date for Remy is not announced, Google suggests that 2026 will be significant for Android, with Gemini absorbing functionalities from the legacy Google Assistant. The development of such assistants raises privacy concerns as users may be uneasy about granting extensive access to their personal lives.
Winsage
May 7, 2026
Microsoft is refining Windows 11 based on user feedback, planning to reintroduce a smaller taskbar and resize controls similar to Windows 10. Early signs of these changes are evident in preview builds, specifically in Windows 11 Build 26300.8346, which features a compact Widgets button. Currently, Windows 11 allows for smaller taskbar buttons but not a smaller taskbar overall. Upcoming updates aim to restore the full functionality of the Windows 10 taskbar. Microsoft has acknowledged past missteps and is committed to enhancements, including improved performance and a more efficient File Explorer. Up to 18 major changes are being tested for Windows 11, with some already implemented in the April 2026 update, which includes improvements to system tray loading, Windows Hello reliability, and performance issues in File Explorer. Future changes will also focus on reducing advertisements and enhancing user experience.
Winsage
May 5, 2026
Microsoft will eliminate the MSN news feed from the widgets panel in Windows 11, shifting to a "quiet by default" experience. This change includes disabling the automatic opening of the widgets panel when hovering over its taskbar icon and turning off distracting taskbar badges by default. Users will now see a more personalized set of information in the widgets panel instead of notifications related to stocks, weather, or news. These updates aim to create a less distracting interface and improve the overall user experience in Windows 11, with further enhancements expected throughout 2026.
Winsage
May 4, 2026
NTLite has released version 2026.04.10936, which allows users to remove AI features like Copilot and Windows Recall from Windows 11 25H2 installation images. The update includes faster, multi-threaded extraction capabilities that reduce processing time for Windows images and results in a smaller installation size. NTLite modifies the installation image directly, enabling a streamlined installation without the need for post-installation uninstallation of these features. The tool is available for free download, with a paid license option for advanced features. The demand for such tools has increased due to Microsoft's integration of AI features in Windows 11.
Winsage
May 4, 2026
Microsoft is removing the Sidebar feature from Microsoft Edge, starting with users of Microsoft accounts (MSA), though no specific timeline has been provided. The Sidebar, which allowed users to integrate web apps like Outlook and Bing, will no longer support adding new apps, and its quick access list will be gradually removed. The Copilot feature within the Sidebar will remain unaffected. CEO Satya Nadella stated that Microsoft is committed to enhancing user engagement across its platforms, including Edge, which has gained market share for 20 consecutive quarters.
Tech Optimizer
May 3, 2026
TigerFS is an open-source project introduced on April 4, 2026, by Michael Freedman, the CTO of TigerData. It allows users to mount a PostgreSQL database as a POSIX-like filesystem, storing database rows as individual files while ensuring ACID guarantees. Key features include an MIT license, support for both file-first and data-first workflows, mounting options using FUSE on Linux and NFS on macOS, and integration with standard Unix tools.
Winsage
May 1, 2026
Microsoft's PowerToys version 0.99 introduces two new tools: Grab And Move and Power Display, along with enhancements to the Command Palette Dock. Grab And Move allows users to reposition application windows by holding the Alt key and dragging anywhere on the window, facilitating easier window management. Users can customize the activation key and toggle the feature off during gaming sessions. There are also options to exclude specific applications from using this feature. Power Display enables users to manage monitor settings directly from the system tray, including brightness, contrast, volume, rotation, and color temperature adjustments. It supports multi-monitor setups with DDC/CI standards and includes a Profiles option for saving specific monitor settings. The Command Palette Dock now features a compact mode and customization options for pinned commands, improving user accessibility and screen space utilization.
Search