virtual environment Archives

Winsage

April 21, 2025

How to keep using Windows 10 in a virtual machine after support ends

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can run Windows 10 in a virtual machine (VM) to continue using it safely. The tool Disk2Vhd can convert a physical Windows 10 installation into a virtual hard drive (VHD or VHDX) for use in virtualization software like VirtualBox or Hyper-V. To use Disk2Vhd, download and extract it, launch the appropriate executable, select partitions for conversion, and choose between VHD and VHDX formats based on the virtualization software. After conversion, transfer the VHD file to the target computer and set up a new VM, integrating the backup file instead of creating a new virtual hard drive. Users can also reinstall Windows 10 in a VM using an installation medium and the Media Creation Tool to download the ISO file. When creating a VM, allocate at least 4GB of virtual memory and install necessary programs and guest extensions afterward. Creating a backup point after installation is recommended for stability.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

4 reasons you should embrace virtual machines instead of jumping straight to dual-booting

Operating multiple systems on a single machine, particularly Windows and Linux, can be achieved through dual-booting or using a virtual machine (VM). Dual-booting can lead to complications, such as Windows obstructing access to Linux and overwriting Linux's boot manager. In contrast, VMs allow users to run multiple operating systems concurrently without rebooting, making them more flexible and user-friendly. VMs facilitate the management of separate environments for different tasks and can be easily deleted and recreated if needed. They also provide enhanced security by operating in a sandboxed environment, reducing the risk of damage to the primary system. VMs are portable, encapsulated in a single file for easy transfer between computers, and support snapshots for quick rollbacks.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Download MSI App Player (free) for Windows

MSI App Player is a versatile tool for users seeking gaming and productivity enhancements on a larger screen. It features a user-friendly interface for setting up a virtual Android environment on Windows without requiring advanced technical skills. The app allows keyboard and mouse mapping to emulate touchscreen controls and supports console pad connectivity in Console Mode. Users can open multiple windows for different applications and launch the same game with different accounts. It is integrated with the Windows operating system for mobile software testing and can handle high-end graphics and fast-paced mobile games. MSI App Player optimizes CPU, GPU, and memory usage, ensuring smooth performance even on less advanced hardware. It includes an error-checking mechanism and a built-in recovery system to prevent gameplay disruptions, with regular updates for compatibility with the latest Android games and applications.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

Dream teases fan-centric idea for new Minecraft tech as he doesn’t plan to sell

Dream, a popular YouTuber, showcased innovative technology at Orlando's MegaCon that allows players to insert their own images into Minecraft using 360 cameras and virtual reality techniques. He aims to foster community engagement rather than seeking financial gain, envisioning virtual conventions or meet-and-greets within the game. Despite technical difficulties during the demonstration, he remained positive and emphasized the importance of preparation. Dream plans to expand the technology's capabilities, potentially incorporating an omnidirectional treadmill, and noted that the setup operates on a consumer-friendly 4090 PC with accessible alternatives for cameras. He also highlighted the significance of accessible learning, sharing his self-taught journey in coding and camera calibration.

BetaBeacon

February 3, 2025

This major brand has a tool to run PC games, Steam on your Android tablet

Xiaomi has introduced a new tool called WinPlay for Android tablets, which allows users to play Windows games locally using three-layer virtualization technology. The tool is currently restricted to China as part of an internal beta program for the Xiaomi Pad 6s Pro, with no plans for a global launch in the short term.

BetaBeacon

February 3, 2025

Windows Games On Android? Xiaomi’s WinPlay Engine Enables PC Gaming On A Tablet

Xiaomi has introduced the WinPlay Engine, allowing users to play PC games on an Android tablet, specifically designed for the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Google just gave us our first look at what Samsung XR headset apps might look like

Samsung's XR headset, known as Project Moohan, will debut within the next year and is powered by the Snapdragon XR Plus Gen 2 chip. The Android XR developer blog features a six-second video showing app windows layered over real-world environments. Android XR has two modes: Home Space, which allows multitasking with multiple app windows, and Full Space, which offers a single window experience against a virtual backdrop. Home Space is the default view, with a toggle to switch between modes. Samsung's app windows are expected to reflect the aesthetic of One UI. Android XR will support various input methods, including hand and eye tracking, voice commands, keyboard and mouse, and dedicated controllers. CES 2025, starting January 7, will provide more information about the headset's features and capabilities.

AppWizard

December 15, 2024

Android XR: The Gemini era comes to headsets and glasses

The upcoming launch of Android XR, featuring headsets developed by Samsung under the codename Project Moohan, is set for next year. These headsets will enable users to transition between immersive virtual environments and the real world, enhanced by an AI assistant named Gemini. Gemini will assist users in interacting with their surroundings and managing tasks. Google is also adapting popular applications for this headset experience, allowing users to watch YouTube and Google TV on a virtual big screen, view Google Photos in 3D, explore Google Maps in an Immersive View, manage multiple virtual screens with Chrome, and use Circle to Search for information. Android XR will support existing mobile and tablet applications from Google Play, with more tailored content expected to be released next year.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Latest Quest Update Brings Big Improvements to Virtual Desktop and Hand-tracking

Meta has rolled out the Quest v72 update for its Quest 3 and 3S headsets, enhancing user experience with improvements in hand-tracking and the integration of Windows 11 Remote Desktop. The update allows users to connect their headsets to Windows PCs by gazing at their PC, although the setup requires specific steps on both the PC and the headset. The feature is labeled as "experimental" and may have initial challenges. The update also improves keyboard tracking for a wider range of devices, enhances hand-tracking technology with reduced latency and improved stability, and introduces Instagram chat, an upgraded Media Gallery, and live call captions in Horizon Worlds. Users can check for the update through the headset's settings menu, and advanced users can force an update if desired.

AppWizard

November 30, 2024

AI created a Minecraft AI village with up to 1,000 inhabitants — Project Sid sees AI bots implement a taxation system and spread Pastafarianism religion

AI startup Altera conducted experiments in Minecraft, deploying AI-powered "players" that formed a society of up to 1,000 agents with unique personalities and roles. The experiments aimed to explore autonomous group behavior, resulting in AI agents exhibiting human-like behaviors, such as a chef adjusting food distribution based on appreciation and roles like guards, artists, farmers, traders, builders, explorers, and defenders emerging from interactions. An in-game taxation system was introduced, where agents paid taxes based on collectively voted laws, leading to fluctuating tax rates. Some agents engaged in playful pranking and environmental advocacy. The AI agents, lacking true self-awareness, displayed emergent behaviors under Altera's "Project Sid," utilizing a sophisticated architecture with modules for gameplay navigation and task-specific functions powered by large language models. Altera's founder, Robert Yang, envisions developing genuinely autonomous agents capable of large-scale collaboration and forming deep connections with humans.