visual design Archives

Winsage

July 11, 2025

Microsoft says Black Screen of Death better ‘aligns with Windows 11’s visual style’ – but I think the new crash screen is missing a key detail

Windows 11 has changed its Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) to a Black Screen of Death, maintaining the BSoD abbreviation but adopting a new design that aligns with Windows 11's aesthetic. The new interface features a black background and a message stating, "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart," along with a stop code for error information. Microsoft is testing this redesign in the Release Preview channel, aiming to improve user experience during crashes. The updated design removes the frowny face and QR code, which were previously part of the BSoD. Concerns have been raised about the new design's similarity to a standard Windows update screen, potentially causing confusion among users.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

Microsoft Drops New Windows 11 Builds for Canary and Release Preview Testers

Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders on the Canary and Release Preview Channels. The Canary build 27881 includes features such as: - Speech recap in Narrator for monitoring spoken content and live transcriptions. - A profanity filter setting for voice typing that can be disabled. - A redesigned needy state pill UI for taskbar icons. - An accessibility flyout in quick settings categorized by assistive technology types. - Enhanced Windows Share allowing image editing and sharing through the context menu. - A new FAQs section in Settings addressing common system questions. - Updated touch input visual design with "animating bubbles." ISOs for the Canary build 27881 are available for clean installs, and an updated Snipping Tool with GIF export is accessible for Insiders. The Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4482 for the Release Preview Channel includes: - An option for the taskbar to automatically resize icons. - Enhanced Windows Share with visual previews and three image compression levels. - A Screen Curtain feature in Narrator for privacy. - A settings homepage tailored for managed PCs with enterprise features. - Updated app defaults in the EEA for selecting new default browsers. - A new PC-to-PC migration experience for transferring files and settings during setup. Additionally, Microsoft has released the Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.5548, which addresses issues from a previous build, and Windows 10 Insiders can access build 19045.6033 to rectify issues from an earlier release.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Android Automotive now lets apps show your food order status and more on your car’s home screen

Google is introducing a new feature called AppCard to its Android Automotive OS, which allows applications to display essential data and functionalities directly on the home screen. The design of these AppCards will be determined by car manufacturers, ensuring a consistent user interface across vehicles. AppCards can include images, text, tappable buttons, and progress bars, although space limitations may restrict the amount of information displayed. This feature may not be exclusive to Android 16 and could function independently of primary operating system updates. AppCards aim to optimize applications for automotive environments, encouraging developers to refine their apps for vehicle use.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Pixel Phones Get a Taste of Material 3 Expressive in Android 16 Beta

Google I/O 2025 has concluded, and the Android 16 QPR1 Beta has been launched, introducing the Material 3 Expressive design language. This update is the first Quarterly Platform Release following the stable Android 16 Beta program and is primarily aimed at developers and testers. It enhances user experience with a fresh visual design, which will also extend to Wear OS 6. Key features of the update include a redesigned user interface with increased space for widgets and apps, new system icons in the status bar, a colorful quick settings panel, expanded customization options, and enhanced controls for home and lock screens. The beta is available for various Pixel devices, including Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series, as well as Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.

Winsage

May 18, 2025

This free Windows 11 tool actually makes the File Explorer bearable

Microsoft's File Explorer has introduced a tab-based layout, but users still find it lacking in functionalities. The Explorer Tab Utility enhances the experience by integrating with Windows to transform new File Explorer windows into tabs. It offers hotkey commands for quick access, such as Win + E for the Home page and Ctrl + D to duplicate tabs. Users can customize hotkeys and create custom commands by specifying a name, hotkeys, scope, and action. Actions include opening File Explorer, conducting a tab search, and managing tab visibility. The utility provides a simple setup process and can be managed through a taskbar icon.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Google just accidentally revealed Android’s new design language

Google's Material Design, launched in 2014, has evolved significantly with the introduction of "Material You" or Material 3 in May 2021, focusing on personalized and adaptive interfaces for Android users. Upcoming features of Material 3 Expressive include a vibrant color palette that adapts to user choices, varied and organic shapes for a fluid design, and enhanced animations for intuitive user interactions.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

For a limited time you can get all the XCOM games for just $10—yes, even that one

Humble Bundle has launched the XCOM Complete bundle, offering every major title in the franchise for £7.51, excluding only the mobile game and a lesser-known Hasbro title. The bundle includes XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2, their DLC expansions, and the original five X-COM games from the 1990s. It also features Chimera Squad and The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. An alternative tier is available for £5.26, but it includes fewer titles. The offer expires on May 18th.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

REVIEW: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ calls for a first watch, but not much more

The film "A Minecraft Movie" follows siblings Henry and Natalie as they navigate their mother's loss and relocate to the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho. They embark on an adventure with Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison and realtor Dawn, leading them to the Overworld. The plot is coherent, with whimsical moments, but struggles to incorporate nostalgic elements due to its runtime of one hour and 40 minutes. Creative liberties, such as Henry's "tot launcher," may alienate some fans. The film balances humor and deeper character development, though juvenile humor often overshadows serious themes. Jack Black's performance is noted for its commitment but can be exaggerated. The visual design opts for a realistic style, which contrasts with the game's blocky aesthetic. Overall, the film celebrates creativity and offers an enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

Epic Games Store Makes PC Game Free 13 Years Later

The Epic Games Store is offering the game Botanicula for free until April 24. Originally developed by Amanita Design in 2012, Botanicula has an 88 rating on Metacritic and a 95% approval rating on Steam. The game is a point-and-click adventure featuring five tree creatures on a quest to save their home tree from evil parasites. Players can keep the game permanently once downloaded. Additionally, players logging into the Epic Games Store between now and April 24 can receive an exclusive skin and in-game currency for the free-to-play game Firestone Online Idle RPG.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Pixel Weather is my favorite weather app; there’s just one problem with it

Google's Pixel Weather app was launched alongside the Pixel 9 series and is noted for its user-friendly design and comprehensive data offerings. It provides hourly and 10-day forecasts, sunrise and sunset times, humidity levels, visibility, air quality, and UV index, all presented in an easily digestible format. The app features an AI Weather Report for quick summaries and has a visually engaging design with bold temperature displays and animated backgrounds. Customization options allow users to rearrange tiles and widgets according to their preferences. Currently, Pixel Weather is exclusive to Pixel devices, limiting its accessibility compared to other essential apps available to all Android users. There is a suggestion for Google to make Pixel Weather available on the Play Store for all Android devices, potentially retaining some exclusive features for Pixel users.