visual overhaul Archives

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Minecraft is getting a cute overhaul of baby mobs

Minecraft has released a new testing build that enhances the charm of baby mobs with various updates. Key changes include: - Name Tags are now craftable using 1 Paper and 1 Metal Nugget. - Zombie Horses no longer panic when injured. - Default JVM options have been improved for performance. - New audio cues have been added for baby Wolves, Cats, and Pigs. - Visuals of baby mobs have been revamped, including Cow, Sheep, Pig, Cat, Ocelot, Mooshroom, Wolf, Chicken, and Rabbit. - The bounding box for baby mobs has been adjusted to fit new models. - Adult and baby Rabbits have received new animations. - Armor on baby Wolves and saddles on baby Pigs will no longer be rendered.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Quake modders banded together to release the third Brutalist Map Jam, with two campaigns’ worth of FPS goodness in ‘a megalithic community project more than a year in the making’

Quake Brutalist Jam 3 has launched, featuring 77 maps that blend the classic shooter with brutalist aesthetics. The project began production in winter 2024 as a total conversion mod. It includes new weapons, enemies, power-ups, and 3D art assets, offering a complete visual overhaul of Quake. A trailer highlights these enhancements, making the game feel modern. A teaser for new guns and mechanics will be released in October 2025, including the ability to dual wield wrenches. The announcement blog provides instructions for newcomers to navigate the modding process.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Google Maps in Gemini just got way smarter at finding your next favorite spot

Gemini has revamped its local search functionality by prioritizing a map view in search results, enhancing the user experience with a more intuitive interface. Users will see a map first, followed by visually appealing cards for each location that include photos, star ratings, and highlights from reviews. The update features engaging emoji-style pins for clarity in identifying different types of establishments. This update is currently being rolled out for English-speaking users on both mobile and desktop versions of Gemini, transforming the platform into a more effective tool for discovering local experiences.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Sideloading apps on Android 16 QPR2 has a much nicer-looking UI

Google has updated the Android Package Installer with a new Material 3 Expressive design language, aligning it with the visual overhaul of Android 16. The Package Installer now has a more intuitive layout, centering the app name and icon to emphasize installation actions. New button styles include Filled Buttons for primary actions like “Install” and “Open,” and Elevated Buttons for secondary actions like “Cancel” and “Done.” The installation progress bar features a new Material 3 Linear Progress Indicator, and the dialog’s title font size has been increased for better readability. However, the permission dialog for sideloading apps has not been redesigned and still uses the older button style. Users need to install the Android 16 QPR2 update to access these enhancements, as the Package Installer cannot be updated through Google Play System Updates.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Epic Games Store opens December 2025 PC free games lineup with two acclaimed hits

The Epic Games Store has announced updates to enhance user experience and expand its offerings, including a revamped user interface, enhanced search functionality, and improved social features. Additionally, Epic is supporting developers through a competitive revenue sharing model, funding for indie developers via the Epic MegaGrants program, and access to Unreal Engine technology. These initiatives aim to create a user-friendly platform and nurture a thriving developer community.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Minecraft’s Vibrant Visuals update now looks better than ever, and water is next in line for an upgrade

Minecraft's recent update, Vibrant Visuals, introduced over 3,000 new textures, refined shadows, and improved water reflections, enhancing the game's visual experience. The update aims to create an immersive environment by subtly integrating changes such as consistent sky visuals during rain and improved lighting transitions. Adjustments to gamma calibration have clarified shadows, and future updates will include tweaks to water colors in different biomes. The upcoming Mounts of Mayhem expansion will simplify underwater exploration with a new nautilus mount.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

ARMSX2, the future of PS2 emulation on Android, gets first big release

The ARMSX2 emulator for Android has released its V1.0 on GitHub, with a Play Store launch expected soon. It is open-source and built on a more modern foundation compared to NetherSX2, which currently offers better performance. Users have reported significant bugs affecting gameplay in ARMSX2, and the development team is working to resolve these issues. The emulator's architecture utilizes a recent version of the PCSX2 code, but may experience slower performance due to x86-to-Arm64 translation. Initial tests on devices like the vivo X Fold 5 showed stability problems, prompting the team to prioritize fixes. Future plans include addressing compatibility with Samsung Xclipse and Arm Mali GPUs, updating to the latest PCSX2 core, and improving the user interface. Despite its potential, ARMSX2 is still less robust than NetherSX2 in terms of performance and compatibility.

Winsage

August 16, 2025

Microsoft finally adds dark mode for Windows 11’s legacy file operation dialogs (hands on)

Microsoft is rolling out dark mode support for legacy dialogs in Windows 11, starting with essential file operations like copying, deleting, cutting, and moving files. The latest beta build (Build 26120) integrates this feature into file operation dialogs, aligning them with the dark theme of the operating system. Testing indicates that dark mode is consistent across various dialogs, with plans to extend support to additional dialogs related to file operations. Updated dialogs include those for deleting large files, emptying the recycle bin, confirming folder merges, and notifying users of file access issues. The feature is currently being tested in the Beta and Canary channels of Windows 11 24H2, with a low likelihood of cancellation as it approaches finalization for public feedback.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Windows 11 KB5063878 (24H2) boosts performance, direct download links (.msu)

Windows 11 KB5063878 is a mandatory update that introduces features such as Quick Machine Recovery, improved stability, and enhanced system performance. The update will automatically download and install, identified as the 2025-08 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5063878), advancing systems to Windows 11 Build 26100.4946. It addresses stability issues reported after the May 2025 updates, particularly in gaming scenarios. Direct download links for offline installers (.msu) are available on the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update includes a new Settings UI with an AI-powered search bar, enhancements for handheld gaming, a redesigned Black Screen of Death (BSOD), and Quick Machine Recovery for unbootable systems. Users in Europe with Copilot+ PCs gain new AI features like Recall, which can be disabled through Privacy & Security settings. Fixes in this update include resolving Windows Firewall errors, issues with the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), visibility problems in File Explorer, and bugs affecting the Settings app and laptop lid options. Microsoft is unaware of any current issues with the update and will continue testing.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

8 new features arriving with the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11

On August 12, 2025, Microsoft will roll out the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11, which includes significant security enhancements and new features. Key improvements in version 24H2 include: - A complete reset feature for Windows Recall. - Enhanced AI actions for Click to Do. - A redesigned Search settings page. - A new gamepad keyboard layout with PIN sign-in support. - The Reading Coach app available through the Microsoft Store, allowing users to utilize Click to Do while on a snapshot. - A new action for Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers called "Draft with Copilot in Word." - A new AI agent in the Settings app that improves the search experience using natural language. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature to minimize downtime from boot failures, enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users. - Upgraded Snap Layouts feature with inline descriptions. - Consolidation of "Search permissions" and "Searching Windows" into a single "Search" page. - Enhanced gamepad touch keyboard layout for quicker PIN sign-ins. - Replacement of the Blue Screen of Death with a new black error page that presents essential information. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed, with options for manual checks via Settings > Windows Update.