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Foreign spies can see Telegram messages sent by Russian soldiers, Ifax cites minister
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Foreign spies can see Telegram messages sent by Russian soldiers, Ifax cites minister

Foreign intelligence agencies have accessed communications sent by Russian soldiers via Telegram, as stated by Maksud Shadayev, Russia's Minister for Digital Development. He mentioned that there are "numerous indications" of this access being used to gather information against the Russian military, though the government will not block Telegram for troops in Ukraine immediately. Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications regulator, has begun measures to slow down Telegram's service as part of a crackdown on foreign-owned messaging platforms. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, defends the platform’s commitment to user privacy and freedom of speech. The Yabloko opposition party has applied to hold a rally in Moscow to defend Telegram, framing it as a vital space for free expression in Russia.
Proton VPN kills OpenVPN support on Android — here’s why that’s a good thing
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Proton VPN kills OpenVPN support on Android — here’s why that’s a good thing

Proton VPN has discontinued support for the OpenVPN protocol in its Android application as of February 17, aiming to enhance user experience by promoting faster protocols like WireGuard and its proprietary Stealth protocol. This change reduced the app's size by approximately 36% and was driven by the fact that OpenVPN was used by less than 1% of Android users. The transition to WireGuard and Stealth improves performance with near-instant connection times and reduced battery consumption. OpenVPN can still be accessed through third-party configurations on Proton's servers.
YouTube fixes major outage that knocked the platform offline for hours
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

YouTube fixes major outage that knocked the platform offline for hours

YouTube experienced a significant outage affecting its services, including YouTube Music, YouTube Kids, and YouTube TV, primarily due to issues with its recommendations system. Downdetector recorded 300,000 to 350,000 user reports in the U.S. and numerous complaints globally. By late evening, YouTube confirmed that full service was restored across all platforms, and no videos or accounts were deleted during the disruption. YouTube's engineers are expected to investigate the cause of the failure to prevent future occurrences.
I never worry about photo composition thanks to this Google Pixel 9a trick
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

I never worry about photo composition thanks to this Google Pixel 9a trick

Google Pixel phones offer AI-powered photography tools, including the Magic Editor and Auto Best Take in Google Photos. A notable feature is Auto Frame, introduced with the Pixel 9 series and available on the Pixel 9a, which automatically crops and resizes images for better composition. This tool helps users focus on capturing moments rather than technical details. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series utilize the rule of thirds in photo arrangements, enhancing visual appeal and teaching users about composition. Auto Frame can be used in real-time or for editing older photos, making it useful for quick shots. It employs generative AI for minor adjustments but primarily focuses on cropping and resizing. Auto Frame is available on the Pixel 9, Pixel 10 series, and the A-series model.
Pokopia's multiplayer copies Minecraft's beloved 24/7 server feature
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Pokopia’s multiplayer copies Minecraft’s beloved 24/7 server feature

Pokopia has introduced a multiplayer feature called Cloud Island, allowing players to visit a host's town or collaborate in creating their own town. Players can join and contribute to the shared environment regardless of the host's online status, with no limit to the number of participants. This feature promotes creativity and teamwork as players strategize together to build habitats for their Pokémon.
Pokémon Pokopia to have Minecraft-like servers » Esports
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Pokémon Pokopia to have Minecraft-like servers » Esports

Pokémon Pokopia has announced the introduction of shared servers, allowing players to join their friends' worlds even when the host is offline. The game is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5, 2026, and features a sandbox-style experience where players assume the role of a Ditto transformed into a human in a post-apocalyptic setting.
Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 8
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 8

Players can expect the introduction of the final baby mobs, including visual updates for pandas, hoglins, zoglins, striders, and snifflets. The Stonecutter now allows crafting of Deepslate and stone into various cobbled variants. Adult horses have updated black dot markings, and sound assets for adult variants have been enhanced. A bug related to cat variant sounds has been fixed. Hitboxes for several mobs have been adjusted to fit into smaller spaces. Operators can use Ctrl + Pick input on players and mannequins in Creative Mode. Input Method Editors will now appear above the text field in supported platforms. A new debug screen entry for memory usage has been added, and the initial heap size has been decreased to 2GB to reduce crashes. The Data Pack version is updated to 99.2, and the Resource Pack version is at 81.1. New UI sprites and entity textures for various baby mobs have been introduced. Several bugs have been fixed in the snapshot.
Minecraft has revealed its final batch of baby mobs ahead of the spring update, and they might be the cutest ones yet
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Minecraft has revealed its final batch of baby mobs ahead of the spring update, and they might be the cutest ones yet

Minecraft's first major update of 2026 is expected to launch within the next month and will introduce five new baby mobs, including a redesigned baby panda with a whimsical two-pixel eye design. Other new baby mobs include baby zombies, zombie villagers, and husks. This will be the final set of baby mobs revealed before the update, which is slated for spring.
What Happens When You Make Signal Your Main Messaging App?
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

What Happens When You Make Signal Your Main Messaging App?

Signal is an open-source, encrypted messaging app known for its commitment to privacy, favored by developers, journalists, and security experts. The app prioritizes user privacy by default, encrypting all messages, calls, group chats, and files, and limiting metadata collection through features like sealed sender, disappearing messages, and view-once media. Users may face challenges such as difficulty in registering (e.g., requiring a VPN for access) and a sparse contact list, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Signal operates as a nonprofit, prioritizing user privacy over monetization and advertising. The app is designed for those who need stringent encryption, though some users may find services like WhatsApp sufficient for their needs. The experience of using Signal can create barriers to engagement and connection, despite its privacy benefits.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Is Marathon coming to Game Pass?

Marathon will not be available on Game Pass at launch, as Bungie has stated it is a "premium" offering across all platforms. Players should expect to pay for Marathon, with the price set at .99. Xbox console users will need a Game Pass Core subscription to access the game. A Marathon Server Slam event will allow players to experience the game for free before making a purchase.
'That is extremely stupid design' — The Witcher story lead blasts epilogue he mostly created
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

‘That is extremely stupid design’ — The Witcher story lead blasts epilogue he mostly created

Artur Ganszyniec, the lead story designer of The Witcher, shared insights during a YouTube playthrough about the game's development, particularly the epilogue chapter, which he and project lead Jacek Brzeziński worked on during late-night sessions. He also expressed frustrations with certain design challenges, referring to them as "stupid" parts that complicated the development process.
Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more
Winsage
February 18, 2026

Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 26H1 will be supported for consumers until March 2028, with rollout starting for PCs with eligible CPUs, specifically the Snapdragon X2 family, which includes Snapdragon X2 Plus, Snapdragon X2 Elite, and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. The official launch occurred on February 10, 2026, alongside its first cumulative update. Users with first-generation Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs cannot upgrade to this version. Windows 11 26H1 is described as a "hardware-optimized release" aimed at enhancing performance and efficiency for Arm-based chips, though it does not promise significant enhancements over version 25H2 or the upcoming 26H2. Enterprise and Education editions will be supported until March 13, 2029, while Home and Pro editions will be supported until March 14, 2028. Windows 11 SE is not supported in 26H1. A new release, Windows 11 26H2, is expected to be available for all users, including those with first-generation Arm-based PCs, and will be the recommended update for broader deployment. Upgrades from version 25H1 to 26H1 are not possible, and all upgrade paths are currently closed, with plans to transition to version 27H2 in the latter half of 2027.
Your instant Android annoyance eliminator
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Your instant Android annoyance eliminator

DoNotNotify has streamlined its interface to enhance user experience with a focus on simplicity, featuring two primary fields for notification title and text. Adjusting the dimensions of these fields could improve the effectiveness of notification rules by allowing for more descriptive notifications. The platform also includes a "Blocked" tab where users can access all blocked notifications for better management and oversight.
Google Photos on the web forgets how to sync with mobile app
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Google Photos on the web forgets how to sync with mobile app

Users of Google Photos are experiencing syncing issues where images uploaded via the Google Photos website are not syncing back to the mobile app. This problem began last Thursday, affecting some users while others report normal functionality. Google has not issued a formal statement but a product expert confirmed that the Photos team is aware of the issue and is working on a fix, although no timeline has been provided.
В Болгарии закрыли популярные торрент-сайты
TrendTechie
February 18, 2026

В Болгарии закрыли популярные торрент-сайты

Bulgaria recently conducted a crackdown on torrent sites violating national and international laws, part of a broader international effort against online piracy. Three major torrent sites—ArenaBG, Zamunda, and Zelka—had their domains confiscated, and four individuals were detained. The operation involved collaboration among Europol, Bulgaria's General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, the State Agency for National Security, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Justice. The crackdown was prompted by the illegal distribution of copyrighted materials, including films and software. Searches and seizures occurred at 30 locations, coordinated with the Bulgarian prosecutor's office. Authorities are currently assessing evidence to determine potential criminal charges related to the distribution of pirated content.
Steam Drops Free New Adventure Game With 100% Review Score
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

Steam Drops Free New Adventure Game With 100% Review Score

Steam has released a new free adventure game titled "Another Day With You," which currently holds a 100% positive review score. The game focuses on making a good impression on a first date and features various minigames that influence conversation topics during the date. Players can explore a city, interact with residents, play arcade games, and fish while waiting for their date. The game encourages strategic planning to complete activities before the date arrives, and it allows for replayability to explore different choices. "Another Day With You" is available for free on Steam.
PC Gamers Can Grab 9 Games For Just $12 In Huge Bundle Deal
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

PC Gamers Can Grab 9 Games For Just $12 In Huge Bundle Deal

Humble Bundle is offering the 'Love You to Death' bundle, which includes nine horror-themed games for a minimum payment of £10.53, with a total estimated value of nearly £100. The games included are: 1. Have a Nice Death - A 2D action roguelike where players control Death in a whimsical world. 2. Ghost Watchers - An online co-op horror game focused on ghost hunting in abandoned houses. 3. Devour - A co-op game where players must stop possessed cultists. 4. Iron Lung - A short horror experience set in a submarine adrift in an ocean of blood. 5. Lunacid - A dark fantasy dungeon crawler with retro aesthetics. 6. Faith: The Unholy Trinity - A pixelated horror game where players confront demons and cultists. 7. The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication - A first-person survival horror game based on Taiwanese folklore. 8. Life Eater - A controversial horror fantasy kidnapping simulator. 9. Without a Dawn - A visual novel horror about a woman in a remote cabin. The bundle is available exclusively on PC and supports charitable causes.
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