visual updates Archives

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Here’s your first look at Google Translate’s Conversation mode redesign (APK teardown)

Google is updating its Google Translate app, particularly the Conversation mode, with new features such as enhanced speaker identification, quick language-switch chips, inline translations, and visual updates. The update will introduce Gemini-based branding and a more intuitive interface, including a prominent "Built with ✦Gemini" branding and a disclaimer about generative AI errors. Users will have access to suggestion chips for quick language changes and a new auto-playback button. The interface will highlight the current speaker and improve automatic language detection visibility. The manual mode will feature two microphone icons for user control and will be visually distinct. The face-to-face conversation mode will be updated for better bilingual interaction. The manual conversation mode will require additional steps to access, as it has been moved to the Settings sheet. These changes aim to enhance functionality and user experience, although they have not yet been officially announced or rolled out.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Windows 11 Build 27898 introduces taskbar icon scaling and system recovery improvements

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27898 to the Canary Channel, introducing several new features aimed at enhancing usability and recovery. Key features include: - Taskbar Icon Scaling: The taskbar will automatically reduce icon sizes when it reaches capacity, with three customizable options for users regarding icon size. - Quick Machine Recovery: This feature allows automatic recovery from boot issues using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), connecting to the internet for targeted fixes from Windows Update. - Accessibility Enhancements: Users can add custom words to the voice access dictionary, and a new Screen Curtain feature for the Narrator screen reader enhances privacy by blacking out the display. - Energy Saver Feature: An adaptive energy saver mode is being rolled out for battery-powered devices, managing energy saver settings based on power state and system load. - Sharing Features: The Windows share window now shows visual previews of shared content and allows users to select compression settings for images. - Performance Improvements: Enhancements have been made to file extraction for large archives, and the Snipping Tool now has a shortcut for launching the text extractor. - Default Browser Management: Users can set their default browser to handle PDFs and pin it to the Start menu and taskbar. The build also addresses various issues within File Explorer and Settings, although some known problems remain, such as display distortion in Remote Desktop on Arm64 PCs.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

I found an Android weather app that looks like Google made it

Google overhauled its weather app, replacing the weather frog with a new Pixel Weather app for the Pixel 9, which can now be accessed through Google Search. Users expressed dissatisfaction with the need to search for the frog, leading to the emergence of a third-party app called Weather Master. In a poll, 59% of users reported using whatever weather app is pre-installed on their phone, 38% used a third-party app, and 3% did not use a weather app at all. Weather Master features an animated frog, displays current temperature and forecasts, offers a Quick Summary section, and provides clothing and activity suggestions. It allows for customization and includes a radar function, though it has limitations in depth of information and visual data transitions. Despite its flaws, Weather Master is considered user-friendly and has become a preferred choice for some users over Google's official offering.

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.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft is putting AI actions into the Windows File Explorer

Microsoft is integrating AI shortcuts, called AI actions, into the File Explorer of Windows 11, allowing users to right-click on files for quick access to various AI features. Four image-related actions currently being tested include Bing visual search, background blurring, object erasure from the Photos app, and a remove background option in Paint. Microsoft plans to introduce AI actions for Office files, enabling document summarization and AI-driven list generation for Microsoft 365 commercial subscribers with a Copilot license. An "Ask Copilot" option will also be added to the right-click menu. Additionally, Microsoft is experimenting with visual updates to the widgets feature and has introduced a new power management feature that reduces energy consumption on laptops and tablets after periods of inactivity.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Android 16 is Google getting serious about foldables

Google recently launched Android 16, featuring significant user interface modifications and new animations, which have elicited mixed reactions from users. The update includes enhancements like improved network connectivity and security against malicious applications. The UI now dynamically adapts to user interactions, adding visual flair. During the Android Show, Google showcased various Android phones, with speculation about future tablet announcements at the I/O conference. The foldable phone market is currently dominated by Android devices, with expectations that foldables could become mainstream, despite challenges related to pricing and durability. Manufacturers are improving foldable designs to enhance resilience. As costs stabilize, foldables may replace traditional devices, offering multifunctional capabilities.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Minecraft snapshot 25w20a explained: New features and updates – The Times of India

Minecraft snapshot 25w20a introduces the ability to craft saddles using three pieces of leather and one iron ingot. It also features a new music disc titled “Tears,” composed by Amos Roddy, along with five ambient tracks for various biomes. Players can now use shears to remove saddles, horse armor, harnesses, and carpets from animals, but not if the mob has a rider or if the player is crouching. Saddles will no longer be found as loot in structures, replaced by leather. Visual updates include fog effects on 3D HUD elements and reduced fog density during thunderstorms and rain. Additionally, players using Minecraft Realms will see new region indicators on the loading screen.

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.

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.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Google TV app may be getting a blue makeover and fresh features (APK teardown)

Google is enhancing its Google TV app with aesthetic and functional improvements. The app will feature a new color palette, replacing dark gray accents with a vibrant blue. Enhancements to the search functionality will include a list of recent searches for easier access to previous queries. Additionally, a new feature called the “Hot and New Tab” is in development, which will showcase trending and newly released content.