add-ons Archives

Winsage

October 7, 2026

Prime Big Deal Days Surface sales: Save up to $500 on Surface Pro and Surface Laptop 8

Consumers can find significant savings on technology during the Prime Big Deal Days, with Microsoft offering price reductions on the Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and various Surface accessories. Retailers like Best Buy are also providing competitive sales. Price dynamics may change as inventory levels fluctuate, and a curated list of attractive Surface deals is being maintained by Windows Central. The Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models are not included in current listings due to the upcoming release of new versions with Snapdragon X2 processors. Older models with first-generation Snapdragon X chips are still available, but potential buyers may want to wait for the new generation. A paid Prime membership is required to access the best discounts during Big Deal Days, although a 30-day free trial is available for new users. Some deals are accessible to non-Prime members, but the best discounts are typically for Prime subscribers.

AppWizard

October 3, 2026

These 9 Thunderbird features made me ditch Gmail for good

The author switched from Gmail to Thunderbird after 15 years, citing frustrations with Gmail's ad inundation and cluttered features. They appreciate Thunderbird's offline email access, extensive customization options, open-source nature, absence of forced AI features, free distribution without targeted ads, cross-platform compatibility, reliable notifications, effective multi-account management, customizable junk filtering, and its focus solely on email functionality. These aspects have led to a more streamlined and efficient email experience compared to Gmail.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

Opera For Android Adds Free 3GB Travel eSIM To Rival US Roaming Passes

Opera has integrated a built-in travel eSIM into its Android web browser, allowing international travelers to access cellular connectivity without expensive roaming fees. The company is offering a promotional trial that includes 3 GB of free mobile data for three days in 47 major destinations. This feature provides comprehensive cellular data access across the smartphone's operating system, enabling essential apps to function without physical SIM swapping. The activation process does not require credit card registration or personal email verification and can be completed within the app. The service is designed for American travelers as a cost-effective alternative to high international day passes from U.S. carriers. It operates in partnership with Holiday.com, offering additional paid data bundles of 3 GB, 5 GB, and 10 GB with 30-day validity at competitive prices. Users must have a carrier-unlocked smartphone running Android 10 or newer with eSIM support, and the service is exclusive to the standard Opera for Android client. It supports high-speed 5G networks where available and covers popular destinations in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.

Tech Optimizer

September 12, 2026

8 Antivirus (Endpoint Protection) Software for Business: Our Top Picks by Use Case (2026)

If you hold Microsoft 365 E5, you already have access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which provides enterprise-grade endpoint protection at no additional cost. For organizations without a dedicated security specialist, Sophos is recommended. CrowdStrike is suitable for those with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) and sufficient budget. Other options include SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing automation, ESET for older hardware and virtual desktops, Avast Business for very small businesses without IT staff, VIPRE for budget-conscious organizations, and Expel for tool-agnostic managed detection and response. It is essential to assess your organization's current situation honestly when evaluating endpoint protection options. Antivirus and EDR are now essentially the same agent, and organizations should inquire about update staging processes and review independent tests for protection rates. Coverage for servers and Linux environments is often overlooked but crucial, as Linux servers are prime targets for ransomware. Key recommendations include: - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for organizations already on Microsoft 365 E5. - Sophos for organizations with 25-500 staff relying on IT generalists. - CrowdStrike for enterprises with a well-funded security operations function. - SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing autonomous operation. - ESET for organizations with older hardware or virtual desktop infrastructure. - Avast Business for micro and small businesses. - VIPRE for budget-conscious organizations. - Expel for those seeking managed detection across various environments. During deployment, avoid running two real-time agents simultaneously, ensure prevention features are activated, and test on line-of-business applications first. Verify update staging and rollback procedures with vendors, and confirm whether Microsoft licensing covers your needs to avoid unnecessary purchases.

Tech Optimizer

September 10, 2026

8 Antivirus (Endpoint Protection) Software for Business: Our Top Picks by Use Case (2026)

If an organization holds Microsoft 365 E5, it already has access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. For organizations without a dedicated security specialist, Sophos is recommended for its user-friendly management. CrowdStrike is preferred for those with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) and sufficient budget. The choice of endpoint protection depends on specific organizational needs. Business endpoint protection integrates various technologies to defend against malware and attacks on devices. Organizations should assess their current situation before selecting a solution. Key recommendations include: - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for organizations already using Microsoft 365 E5. - Sophos for organizations with 25-500 staff relying on IT generalists. - CrowdStrike for enterprises with a funded SOC. - SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing automation. - ESET for those with older hardware or virtual desktops. - Avast Business for very small businesses lacking IT staff. - VIPRE for budget-conscious organizations needing straightforward coverage. - Expel for organizations wanting managed detection across diverse environments. Organizations should avoid running multiple real-time agents simultaneously and ensure prevention features are activated. Testing should prioritize line-of-business applications, and rollout procedures should be defined before going live. It’s essential to verify update staging and rollback procedures with vendors and confirm existing licenses to avoid unnecessary purchases.

Tech Optimizer

September 10, 2026

8 Antivirus (Endpoint Protection) Software for Business: Our Top Picks by Use Case (2026)

If you hold Microsoft 365 E5, you have access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which provides enterprise-grade endpoint protection at no additional cost. For organizations without a dedicated security specialist, Sophos is recommended for its user-friendly platform. CrowdStrike is suggested for those with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) and sufficient budget. Other options include SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing automation, ESET for older hardware and virtual desktops, Avast Business for very small businesses, VIPRE for budget-conscious mixed estates, and Expel for tool-agnostic managed detection and response. Antivirus and EDR are now unified under a single agent, and organizations should inquire about update staging processes to avoid issues like those experienced in July 2024 with a major vendor's faulty content update. Independent tests from organizations like AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST are crucial for evaluating protection rates and false positives. Linux servers require attention as they are often targeted by ransomware. When deploying endpoint protection, avoid running two real-time agents simultaneously, activate prevention features promptly, and test deployments on critical applications first. Organizations should confirm their Microsoft licensing covers necessary features and ensure there is a plan for responding to alerts. Common pitfalls include neglecting identity management and failing to test response workflows before incidents occur.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

AI vibe coding is so fast that Microsoft had to change how it reviews Edge extensions

Users of Windows and Windows Phone previously faced an app gap, but the rise of artificial intelligence has led to increased development activity, creating challenges for Microsoft regarding the Edge browser. The ad blocker uBlock Origin has stopped functioning on Edge, similar to its status on Chrome. Microsoft revamped the Edge Add-ons site last year to improve user experience with a more intuitive interface and better categorization. This update allows users to find and install extensions more easily, and the Edge team is focused on maintaining quality amidst the growing number of extension submissions.

Tech Optimizer

September 7, 2026

Top 10 Best Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) Solutions in 2026

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) continuously records process, file, registry, and network activity on endpoints, applying behavioral analytics to identify attacker techniques while providing tools for investigation and containment. Several EDR platforms have emerged, each catering to different organizational needs: 1. CrowdStrike: Best overall for its rich telemetry and elite threat intelligence. 2. SentinelOne: Best for autonomous response, featuring strong containment and rollback capabilities. 3. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: Best value for organizations already using Microsoft 365 E5. 4. Palo Alto Cortex XDR: Best for native data fusion across endpoint, network, and cloud telemetry. 5. Sophos: Best for generalist IT teams due to its user-friendly interface. 6. Trend Micro: Best for server and workload coverage, focusing on cloud and hybrid environments. 7. Bitdefender: Best mid-market value with strong detection capabilities at an accessible price. 8. Trellix: Best for organizations already using Trellix products, offering integrated solutions. 9. Huntress Managed EDR: Best for managed endpoint security, ideal for teams lacking full staffing. 10. Cisco Secure Endpoint: Best for Cisco environments, integrating well with Cisco security solutions. Key differentiators among these platforms include the analyst burden, alert management efficiency, and the impact of retention policies on investigation quality. The evaluation of EDR solutions should consider detection depth, response capabilities, operational costs, and the specific needs of the organization.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Minecraft Bedrock Hotfix Version 26.44/45 Now Out via Update 1.057

Mojang has released the Bedrock hotfix version 26.44/45, known as Minecraft update 1.057, for PS5 users on August 28. This minor update addresses various technical bugs, including: - Removed self-selection expansion for non-operator players using commands like /tell. - Vibrant Visuals are now enabled when loading worlds with Education features. - The Back button on Android now performs the correct in-game action. - Arrows shot by a slightly charged Bow no longer hit the shooting player. - Fixed an issue that could disconnect players while loading worlds with certain add-ons. - Shift-clicking items in Creative mode with Pocket UI now quick-moves them instead of deleting them. - Fixed a bug where certain dimension values in a JSON file were ignored.