visual design Archives

BetaBeacon

September 29, 2026

Free-to-Play Racer Kartboard Dash is Out Now on PC, Android and iOS.

- Kartboard Dash is a free-to-play arcade kart-racing game available on PC, Android, and iOS. - The game features a handcrafted cardboard world with unique tracks, scenery, and vehicles. - Players can collect and deploy power-ups to gain an advantage in races. - Global modifiers can change race conditions in the final laps. - Kartboard Dash is designed for competition and replayability, with dynamic power-ups and close finishes.

AppWizard

September 16, 2026

How to manually update Android Auto (and what it might mean if you can’t)

The Android Auto application is available on the Google Play Store and relies on smartphones for its features. It receives updates automatically, but users can manually check for updates if needed. Android 9.0 or higher is required for the latest updates. To force an update, users can reset the app by clearing its storage, which does not affect other apps. If issues persist, users can revert to the original version of Android Auto by uninstalling updates.

AppWizard

September 9, 2026

Call of Duty introduces a gun skin that you can only see on an Xbox console

Call of Duty has introduced the Inner Circuit blueprint, an exclusive gun skin for the M4, available only to Xbox players. While it can be pre-ordered across various platforms, the design differs on Xbox compared to PC, PlayStation, and Switch 2. Despite the visual differences, the weapon blueprint has the same attachments and performance across all platforms.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

Android Pulse app may already be on your phone, and now we know what it does

Google's Android Pulse app is an update option in the Play Store, designed to monitor the performance of other applications and components within the Android ecosystem. It detects unusual resource consumption patterns, such as excessive battery drain or spikes in memory and processing power usage. The app has been available since March and has over 10 million downloads. Its icon resembles a heartbeat monitor, symbolizing its role in checking the "vitals" of the Android system. Users can find Android Pulse in the Play Store by checking for available updates.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

The 32-year-old Windows placeholder that Microsoft says is now a permanent feature

The Windows Format dialog box was initially created in late 1994 by Microsoft engineer Dave W. Plummer as a temporary solution during the transition from Windows 95 UI to Windows NT. It has remained largely unchanged for over three decades, retaining many of the same options and layout, despite the advancements in Windows 11's design. The dialog box has effectively functioned over the years, leading to a lack of updates or complaints from users. Additionally, the FAT32 format limit of 32GB, also established by Plummer, persisted until it was raised to 2TB in 2024, although the maximum file size remains at 4GB. Windows 11 features many elements from older versions, including the Windows 7 personalization menu and the Disk Management utility, showcasing a blend of nostalgia and functionality.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

The Windows 11 Microsoft shipped in 2021 and the Windows 11 we have in 2026 are worlds apart — this is the full breakdown of what changed

Microsoft unveiled Windows 11 in October 2021, featuring a centered Start menu, revamped Taskbar, and rounded corners, along with productivity enhancements like Snap Layouts and a redesigned Microsoft Store. The initial release faced criticism for lacking familiar features from Windows 10, such as tabbed File Explorer and extensive Taskbar customization. Over the years, Microsoft has worked to restore many of these features and improve user experience. The Start menu has evolved from a basic design with limited customization options to a more flexible interface with size options and better organization of content. The Taskbar has seen the restoration of drag-and-drop functionality, app labels, and repositioning options. File Explorer now includes tabs, a Gallery feature, and improved cloud integration. The Settings app has become more consistent and capable, reducing reliance on the Control Panel. Productivity features like Search and Snap Layouts have improved significantly, with AI becoming a central aspect of the operating system. Performance has also enhanced, addressing initial sluggishness. Security and accessibility features have evolved, with stronger protections and expanded interaction methods. The setup experience has shifted to emphasize connectivity and Microsoft accounts, making local account creation more challenging. Despite these improvements, some legacy components and issues remain.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Check out the latest Pixel Watch apps to get a new look for their icons

Google is updating the visual design of its Wear OS applications, particularly for the Pixel Watch series, ahead of the Pixel Watch 5 launch. The Clock and Stopwatch apps are receiving a redesign with a more natural color palette and refined aesthetics. The Clock app now features a classic 10:10 hand positioning and a toned-down appearance, while the Stopwatch app has a revamped color scheme. These changes are part of Google's broader effort to modernize its smartwatch offerings.

BetaBeacon

July 29, 2026

5 Android Games Actually Worth Your Time (And Storage)

- Balatro is an addictive card game where players play illegal poker hands, discover jokers, and trigger massive point combos to beat the house.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

A new expansion and the ability to be a crow wizard has me enjoying a 10-year-old action RPG for the first time

Grim Dawn is a polished action RPG developed by Crate Entertainment, celebrating its ten-year milestone. The recent expansion, Fangs of Asterkarn, introduces quality-of-life improvements, including full WASD movement support. The expansion also adds a new class, the berserker, which features a skill tree node for transformation into a werewolf. Grim Dawn offers a more relaxed gameplay experience compared to titles like Diablo 4. The game's ongoing development includes plans for Grim Dawn 2, as stated by founder Arthur Bruno. Fangs of Asterkarn is available on Steam.

Tech Optimizer

June 27, 2026

How AI and Visual Tools Improve PostgreSQL Query Performance and Schema Management

PostgreSQL performance tuning and schema synchronization can be time-consuming and complex, often involving manual queries, EXPLAIN plans, and schema drift. The release of dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL 2026.1 introduces AI-assisted query optimization, a visual query builder, improved schema comparison and synchronization, and a visual table editor. The AI Assistant analyzes database indexes and suggests query optimizations, providing specific recommendations rather than generic advice. The new Query Builder allows users to visually assemble queries, simplifying the process of creating multi-table joins. The Schema Compare feature enables users to compare and synchronize schemas visually, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual synchronization. The visual Table Editor facilitates table design and maintenance, automatically identifying indexes and offering auto-completion for index names. The transition from traditional methods to these new capabilities enhances efficiency, allowing developers to save time on query writing, tuning, and schema changes. The integration of AI and visual tools streamlines workflows and reduces guesswork in performance tuning and schema management.