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Organized crime is using encrypted messaging apps to enlist youth. This spells trouble for police
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Organized crime is using encrypted messaging apps to enlist youth. This spells trouble for police

Toronto has seen an increase in gunfire incidents aimed at the U.S. consulate, leading to the arrests of a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old. These incidents are linked to alleged gun-for-hire plots that also target Jewish schools, synagogues, and waste management facilities in the Greater Toronto Area. Investigators are facing difficulties in identifying the masterminds behind these operations, partly due to the use of encrypted messaging apps to recruit young individuals. The federal government's Bill C-22 aims to provide law enforcement with tools to address these challenges, but it has faced criticism for potential overreach and privacy concerns. Police Chief Myron Demkiw emphasized the need for effective tools to prevent violence facilitated through encrypted communication. Technology analyst Carmi Levy raised concerns about balancing law enforcement needs with privacy rights. Additionally, there is a societal responsibility to protect children from online recruitment by criminal networks, with calls for proactive conversations between parents and children and educational initiatives in schools.
PC Game Permanently Removed From GOG in Sudden Delisting
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

PC Game Permanently Removed From GOG in Sudden Delisting

Circle Empires has been permanently removed from the GOG digital storefront, following a wave of delistings that included six other games on July 31. Developed by Luminous and published by Iceberg Interactive, Circle Empires was released in 2018 and has over 1,000 user reviews on Steam with an 88% approval rating, qualifying it for the “Very Positive” distinction. On GOG, it has a score of 3.8 out of 5. The reasons for its delisting are unclear, as it remains available on Steam. GOG announced the delisting on August 6, providing only 48 hours' notice. Circle Empires is currently priced at .99 on Steam. A sequel, Circle Empires 2, was launched earlier this year but is not available on GOG. Despite the delisting, a classic PC game was recently added to GOG for free.
Blocky zombie survival sim Unturned releases its source code so players can build a 'lasting legacy' for the game 'regardless of the changes we make'
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

Blocky zombie survival sim Unturned releases its source code so players can build a ‘lasting legacy’ for the game ‘regardless of the changes we make’

Smartly Dressed Games has released the source code for their free-to-play zombie survival simulator, Unturned, for non-commercial use, encouraging community creativity. They emphasized the importance of their passionate community and hope to empower players to expand the game. Modifications must be non-commercial and free for players, with some code elements excluded due to licensing restrictions. Unturned is not classified as open source, and the developers aim to re-license the U3 SDK under the MIT License in the future. Unturned was created by Nelson Sexton and entered Steam early access in 2014, reaching full release in 2017. A significant update in April expanded the game's California map and introduced over 100 new quests.
8 free Android productivity apps I can't live without in 2026
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

8 free Android productivity apps I can’t live without in 2026

Notesnook is a free, open-source note-taking app that offers end-to-end encryption and syncs across devices, featuring a text editor, support for attachments, and organizational tools. Obsidian serves as a personal knowledge base with customizable plugins, Graph View, and Advanced Tables for structured note-taking. TickTick is a to-do app with essential features in its free version, including task lists, subtasks, reminders, and Smart Recognition for creating tasks using natural language. Trello is a project management tool with a Kanban-style interface, allowing users to manage multiple projects with custom fields and subtasks. Toggl Track is a time management app that logs hours spent on tasks and provides insights into productivity through a calendar view. Airtable is a database app with a spreadsheet-like interface for organizing information, customizable for various purposes. Raindrop.io is a bookmark manager that allows users to save articles, images, and videos, with tagging and search features for easy retrieval. MacroDroid is an automation tool for Android that enables users to create macros for repetitive tasks, improving efficiency.
Take-Two CEO says he expects the games industry to be in 'commercial streaming mode within 3 years,' which is great news if you hate owning things
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

Take-Two CEO says he expects the games industry to be in ‘commercial streaming mode within 3 years,’ which is great news if you hate owning things

During Take-Two's earnings call, CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed the ongoing computing hardware crisis, noting that purchasing a GPU from Nvidia's QuakeCon booth is currently more economical than buying one online. He expressed concern about rising costs potentially alienating consumers but remained optimistic that this challenge is manageable, expecting more gamers to turn to streaming services. Zelnick highlighted the potential for low-latency, user-friendly gaming experiences through streaming, which could democratize access to gaming. However, he acknowledged consumer apprehensions about relying solely on streaming and subscription services, especially following Sony's decision to halt disc production. Zelnick has previously expressed skepticism about subscriptions being the primary method for delivering interactive entertainment. Ubisoft director Philippe Tremblay predicted that by 2024, gamers may become accustomed to not owning their games, suggesting a shift in consumer attitudes may be necessary if current trends continue.
Steam Giving Away $25 PC Game for Free Until August 9
AppWizard
August 8, 2026

Steam Giving Away $25 PC Game for Free Until August 9

A free game, Breathedge, is available on Steam until August 9, after which it will revert to its original price of .99. The game is categorized as “Unsupported” for Steam Deck users, who can still claim it but may face difficulties playing. Breathedge, developed by Red Ruins Softworks and published by HypeTrain Digital, is a space survival adventure game with over 5,300 user reviews and a 72% approval rating. Players take on the role of a space traveler delivering his grandfather’s ashes, encountering a larger conspiracy. The game offers approximately 15 to 30 hours of playtime. The giveaway is part of a promotional strategy for the upcoming sequel, Breathedge 2, which will not be free.
Hackers use fake Adobe and Zoom updates to load malware onto victim devices — here's what to look out for
Tech Optimizer
August 8, 2026

Hackers use fake Adobe and Zoom updates to load malware onto victim devices — here’s what to look out for

Securonix Threat Research has identified a cyber campaign called SMOKE#SCREEN that uses deceptive tactics to trick users into installing weaponized versions of ScreenConnect, a legitimate remote monitoring software. The attackers disguise their malicious intent with fake update notifications for applications like Zoom and Adobe, as well as counterfeit business documents. This campaign allows attackers to gain persistent remote access to victims' systems, disable security protections, and exploit trusted services like Dropbox and Cloudflare for delivering malicious payloads. Victims have been reported on both Windows and macOS platforms. Businesses are advised to verify updates through official channels and train staff on the risks of unexpected software installations.
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