visual refresh Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Google’s Phone App Is Getting a Makeover in Android 16

Google is preparing to release Android 16, which will feature a redesign of its Material Design language, now called Material 3 Expressive. The Phone app will allow users to choose how to answer calls, with options for "Answer" and "Decline" buttons, as well as horizontal swipe gestures. The redesign will also include larger, pill-shaped buttons that change shape when tapped and a new animation for caller profile photos. Other Google applications, such as Google One, Google Meet, and Google TV, will also receive updates in line with the Material 3 Expressive design.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

First look: Google’s Phone app is getting a tasty Android 16 redesign (APK teardown)

Google's Phone app has undergone significant design enhancements in its version 177.0.763181107-publicbeta-pixel2024, aligning with the Material 3 Expressive design language. Key changes include larger contact names and caller images, a transition from circular to oval-shaped buttons, and an enlarged pill-shaped end call button. Additional modifications feature the removal of the “call from” text, immediate display of the phone number after answering, and a redesigned “more” menu. The app also introduces an animation for the incoming caller’s profile picture. Similar updates are being rolled out across other Google applications, and these redesigns will be supported on earlier versions of Android as well.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Android 16 is just right

Android 16 has been unveiled at Google I/O, introducing significant enhancements to the Google Play Store and various Google applications. The update features a visual refresh with Material 3 Expressive while maintaining a seamless user experience for those transitioning from Android 15. The developer community has expressed satisfaction with the update, indicating improved communication and collaboration from Google. The anticipated QPR1 update will bring additional cosmetic improvements. The Android 16 QPR1 beta is available for select devices, including the Pixel 9a, with Samsung rumored to prepare for an early rollout.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Xbox Launches Retro Classics Collection With 50+ Activision Titles; PC App Adds Game Assist, GeForce Now Support

Xbox and Antstream Arcade have launched Retro Classics, a collection of over 50 Activision titles from the ’80s and ’90s, available to Xbox Game Pass members worldwide. Notable games in the collection include Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!, accessible on consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming devices. The collection features modern enhancements like cloud saves, achievement support, and gameplay pause/resume options, with plans to expand to over 100 titles from Activision and Blizzard in the future. Additionally, Xbox has introduced updates for PC gaming, including a revamped Game Bar with Quick Settings, an upcoming Microsoft Edge Game Assist for in-game browsing, and GeForce Now streaming integration for the Xbox app. The Xbox Rewards program has also been updated, allowing players to redeem points for customizable gift cards for various purchases.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

News Weekly: Android Show’s I/O edition, Google teases smart glasses, Nothing Phone 3 is on the way, and more

Google I/O is set to begin on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, with live updates from Android Central. Google has revealed advancements including Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and enhanced safety tools. Gemini will integrate across the Android ecosystem for a hands-free AI experience. Material 3 Expressive will enhance the user interface in Android 16, focusing on five design components. Wear OS 6 will receive a visual refresh. New warning systems in Android's caller and Google Messages will combat fraud, while the Find My Device feature will evolve into Find Hub with improved tracking capabilities. Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand Max back to HBO Max this summer, marking the second rebranding in three years. Nothing's Phone 3 is set to launch this summer, priced around £800. Samsung introduced a limited-edition Galaxy Ring in South Korea, featuring a new colorway.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

How do you use Android app shortcuts?

App shortcuts were introduced with Android 7.1 in October 2016 and have seen user interface changes while retaining their functionality. They provide quick access to specific tasks within applications. Commonly used app shortcuts include Chrome's New Tab, Play Store's My apps, Gmail account shortcuts, Fitbit's Log Water, Files by Google: Downloads, Google Calendar: New task, Google Keep: New text note, Google Maps: Home and Work, and Pixel Camera: Take a selfie and Take a video. Users can access shortcuts by long-pressing application icons rather than cluttering their homescreen. Improvements suggested include the ability to hide unused shortcuts, a more compact presentation, and a layout without text labels for easier one-handed use. There are currently limitations on the number of shortcuts per app, and some users find the long-press action on Pixel Launcher and Samsung’s One UI distracting.

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.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

The ultimate Windows 11 upgrade guide: Everything you need to know

Windows 11 was launched in October 2021 and is now a significant operating system on hundreds of millions of PCs worldwide. It features a redesigned Start menu, taskbar, and Settings app, along with a Widgets pane, tabbed File Explorer, and AI-powered Windows Copilot. The operating system requires hardware-assisted security features, including Secure Boot and device encryption, and mandates specific hardware compatibility, such as a 1GHz processor, 4GB RAM, and TPM version 2.0. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, after which it will not receive updates unless users subscribe to Extended Security Updates. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for licensed Windows 10 users, and the installation process includes various options for upgrading. Microsoft reports higher customer satisfaction with Windows 11 compared to previous versions.

Winsage

August 24, 2024

The Windows 10 Start menu will soon remind you to subscribe to Microsoft 365 via backported Windows 11 upsells

The latest preview build of Windows 10 has introduced modifications to the Start menu and Settings app, including the repositioning of the user tile at the top of the hamburger menu for easier access to Microsoft Account information. Users not subscribed to Microsoft 365 will receive notifications about their subscription status. The Settings app is also being visually refreshed with vibrant icons to encourage user engagement. Since reaffirming its commitment to Windows 10, Microsoft has backported features like Windows Copilot and MSN widgets to enhance user experience. The updates suggest a strategic focus on promoting subscriptions to Microsoft services rather than just aesthetic improvements.

AppWizard

August 6, 2024

Minecraft Players Argue Over Which In-Game Creature Needs a Visual Refresh

The Minecraft community is advocating for visual updates to classic mobs, as many have remained unchanged since the game's launch 15 years ago. Players have expressed a desire for enhancements to various entities, including the Creeper, Skeleton, rabbit, Enderman, and Ghast, citing their outdated designs compared to newer mobs. Suggestions include redesigning the Creeper for a more organic appearance and improving the textures of the Skeleton. The community also believes that original animal mobs like pigs, cows, chickens, and sheep need revamping. While Mojang has not announced any official updates, they have a history of incorporating community feedback into the game.