visual enhancements Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Google Keep is getting a fresh coat of Material 3 Expressive (APK teardown)

Google is redesigning Google Keep using the Material 3 Expressive design language. An APK teardown of version 5.25.182.01.90 reveals a new search bar that is taller and narrower, with the account switcher and hamburger menu icons moved to the edges and a filter button added within the search bar. The placeholder text has changed from “Search your notes” to “Search Keep.” These updates are part of a broader strategy for visual enhancements across Google's Android ecosystem, although some features may not reach the final public release.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The best Oblivion Remastered mods

The modding community has become essential to the experience of Bethesda RPGs, particularly with the launch of Oblivion Remastered. Modders are updating existing mods and creating new ones, although the introduction of Unreal Engine 5 alongside Gamebryo may slow the maturation of the modding scene. Key mods include: - Oblivion Script Extender: A crucial tool expected to support complex customizations. - Ultimate Engine Tweaks: Helps alleviate performance issues by allowing players to disable certain visual effects. - Universal Achievement Unblocker: Prevents mods or console commands from blocking achievements. - Better HUD: Provides smaller compass options and minimalist designs for a more immersive experience. - No HUD No Effects: Toggles off UI elements and visual effects for distraction-free gameplay. - Unleveled Item Rewards: Ensures players receive optimal quest reward items. - Difficulty Slider Fixed: Balances difficulty settings for a consistent challenge. - Auto Local Map: Automatically opens the local map when entering an interior space. - First Person Horse: Allows first-person riding, despite some clipping issues. - Faster Sleep and Wait: Speeds up the waiting process for players.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Medieval strategy sim Manor Lords is getting proper AI village-building, an upkeep system and fancier castles

In Manor Lords, a medieval strategy city builder by Slavic Magic and Hooded Horse, developers have announced updates as the game nears its first anniversary. Key updates include: - New buildings such as a quarry for stone mining and a lime kiln for construction. - Visual enhancements to the user interface and map resource nodes, along with improved castle components. - AI improvements allowing it to construct and manage small villages with new features like burgage plots. - Introduction of a new upkeep system requiring consistent resource flow for buildings like smithies and mines. - Modifications to the Record View for regional production and consumption tracking. - A rewritten pathfinding system for multi-story castles to improve unit navigation. The team has expanded since the game's early access debut and is focused on enhancing gameplay and AI capabilities.

Winsage

April 20, 2025

Windows 11’s File Explorer is getting visual updates, and you probably won’t even notice them

Microsoft is piloting a feature for Windows 11 that allows users to apply their selected accent color to the selection box in File Explorer, moving away from the traditional gray or white. Users can modify their accent color through Settings > Personalization > Colors, choosing either automatic selection based on their background or a manual option. Additionally, Microsoft is refining the visual aspects of progress bars in File Explorer, with the storage progress bar now in a darker blue shade and the file transfer progress bar redesigned to a flatter, darker green tone.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

Windows 7 Elite Edition fixes Microsoft’s biggest Windows 11 mistake

Microsoft ceased support for Windows 7 in January 2020, leading to nostalgia among its users who appreciated its streamlined interface and reliability. Many users prefer the simplicity of Windows 7 over the modern features of Windows 10 and 11. The Windows 7 Elite Edition theme for Windows 11 aims to replicate elements of Windows 7, such as repositioning the Start menu and taskbar to the left. A video by Link Vegas provides details on the theme's transformations and a step-by-step installation guide, which involves meticulous file renaming and copying. Users need to gather specific resources to install the theme.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Windows 11’s Game Bar gets a fresh coat of paint, plus a tweak to work better on handhelds – and I like the direction Microsoft’s heading in here

Microsoft has rolled out updates for Xbox consoles and Windows 11 users, particularly enhancing the Game Bar. The Game Bar has received a graphical overhaul, including redesigned widgets such as Capture, Performance, Resource widgets, and the Widget Store. Improvements have also been made to navigation within the Widget Store for controller users, especially in Compact Mode, which optimizes the display for gaming handhelds. The updates aim to create a cleaner and more organized user interface. There is anticipation for a potential 'handheld mode' for Windows 11, which has been rumored.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Minecraft to Get Vibrant Visuals Graphics Update Soon

Mojang announced the 'Vibrant Visuals' update for the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft, which will enhance the game's graphics with features like volumetric lighting, improved reflections, and subsurface scattering for foliage. The update will also add detail to mobs and items, such as glowing spider eyes and illuminating torches. It is purely cosmetic, leaving gameplay mechanics unchanged and ensuring compatibility for players in the same realm. The update will be tested on various devices, with a beta version to be released soon, and plans to extend it to the Java Edition are in place. The Minecraft With RTX experience offers the highest visual fidelity for players with powerful PCs.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Minecraft officially announces biggest graphical upgrade ever

Minecraft has sold over 300 million units worldwide from 2016 to 2023. Microsoft acquired Mojang Studios and the rights to Minecraft in September 2015 for .5 billion. A new update called ‘Vibrant Visuals’ was announced during a recent ‘Minecraft Live’ event, which will improve textures, lighting, shadows, reflections, and fog. This update will be available for both PC and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition across various devices, maintaining backwards compatibility with previous versions. A specific release date for the update has not been announced, but it is expected later this year.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Amazon warns Surface Laptop 7 shoppers as Mojang unveils massive visual update to Minecraft and Microsoft leaks a potential new feature for the Xbox app on Windows 11

Amazon has reported that the Surface Laptop 7 is frequently returned by customers. Mojang has introduced a "Vibrant Visuals" update for Minecraft, enhancing the game's aesthetics while keeping its gameplay mechanics intact. Microsoft is developing a Steam filter for the Xbox app on PC, suggesting deeper integration with Steam. HP announced 25 new PCs at its Amplify conference, including the EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i and the OmniBook 7 Aero 13. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld received a score of 4.5 out of 5 for its performance and features.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Ubisoft Releases Assassin’s Creed Shadows PC & New-Gen Features Trailer

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, set in 16th-century feudal Japan. The game features two protagonists: Yasuke, a historical African samurai, and Naoe, a skilled shinobi. It will not be available on older consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Key features include uncapped frame rates on PC, multiple performance modes on consoles, ray tracing, AI-driven upscaling techniques, and spatial audio technology. The game is powered by the new Anvil engine, designed exclusively for current-generation hardware, and will run at 60 FPS on consoles. Minimum and recommended system requirements for PC have been specified, and the game requires a constant internet connection for activation and online features. Pre-orders are open with multiple editions available.