aesthetic Archives

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Digital Domain vs. the Nether Horde: Behind the VFX of Minecraft

VFX Supervisor Piotr Karwas and Animation Supervisor Liz Bernard discussed the visual effects of Minecraft: The Movie, which includes 187 shots completed in 25 weeks. Karwas, with experience from films like World War Z, served as Cinematic Director, merging CG storytelling with Minecraft's aesthetic. Bernard, with a background from The Lion King, was the Previs Supervisor, focusing on visual planning and comedic tone. Digital Domain assisted with the final battle sequence, and Karwas learned about Minecraft lore from his children. The team worked to balance humor and visuals, ensuring consistency across departments. They faced technical challenges in creating custom VFX shots and animating characters like Piglins and Iron Golems, navigating the constraints of their blocky designs. Karwas is also exploring generative AI to enhance creativity in visual effects workflows.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Updaing your Windows 10 PC? I found a Linux distro that can give it 5 to 10 more years of life

FunOS is a Linux distribution focused on stability, performance, and security, built on Ubuntu LTS. It features a lightweight architecture with Joe's Window Manager, resulting in an idle RAM usage of approximately 250 MB and an installer size of 1.8 GB. The installation process takes less than five minutes, and the desktop layout resembles traditional environments. FunOS lacks a graphical user interface for the package manager and does not include an app store, requiring users to manage software via the command line. Users can install Synaptic for easier software management. FunOS is designed for older Windows 10 machines, offering a practical solution for extending their lifespan without the bloat of heavier operating systems.

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 30, 2025

‘According to Steam, I have around 10,000 hours logged,’ says the modder who’s spent a decade turning GTA 5 into a photo realistic wonderland

The first trailer for GTA 6 was released in late December 2023, revealing characters, settings, and mission structures, but the release date was postponed to May 26, 2026, for consoles, with the PC version still pending. Meanwhile, the NaturalVision modding project has significantly enhanced GTA 5's visuals, improving lighting, shadows, and textures. Razed, the creator of NaturalVision, emphasizes the importance of subtle details in creating a realistic atmosphere and expresses enthusiasm for advancements in lighting technology. The modding community has been supported by custom tools that streamline development, and there is optimism that modding will flourish with the release of GTA 6, potentially including official modding tools from Rockstar. Razed envisions innovative projects, such as reimagining Vice City, within the modding community.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign’s first patch warns of possible PC performance problems on some setups

Elden Ring Nightreign is launching at 3 PM PT and 6 PM ET, accompanied by patch version 1.01, which includes updates such as improved handling of playable characters, soundtrack adjustments, text adjustments, balance adjustments, added character scenarios, and bug fixes. There is a caution regarding potential frame rate drops on certain PC configurations, particularly with the latest graphics cards. Players unable to launch the game can verify game files via Steam. To mitigate performance issues, players are advised to lower graphics settings and ensure their graphics card drivers are up to date. The developers are investigating the frame rate drop issue.

Tech Optimizer

May 28, 2025

Avast Premium antivirus review

Avast Premium is priced at .99 per year and offers a robust suite of security features without unnecessary bloatware. It allows users to back up sensitive files, search for personal data, and block unauthorized webcam access. The software includes quick scans, targeted folder scans, and boot-time scans. It features Email Guardian for scanning incoming messages, a sandbox mode for secure application use, and a banking mode for safe online transactions. A quick scan takes about three minutes, while a full boot sector scan takes approximately 12 minutes. Avast Premium identified around 900,000 files during testing, fewer than some competitors. It lacks comprehensive privacy protection and performance enhancement tools, which may require additional subscriptions. The interface is functional but lacks the sleekness of competitors. Support is available 24/7 via chat, with phone support primarily for billing inquiries and email support tickets for further assistance.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Warner’s ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Debuts No. 1 Atop Weekly U.K. Home Entertainment Sales Chart Through May 28

The upcoming Minecraft Movie aims to translate the popular block-building game into a cinematic experience, focusing on themes of friendship, exploration, and resilience. It features a talented cast of actors voicing iconic characters and is directed by a skilled team experienced in animation and live-action films. The filmmakers are using innovative animation techniques to replicate and enhance the game's distinctive visuals, creating an immersive experience. The production team is engaging the Minecraft community for input and inspiration, fostering a sense of ownership among fans. The film is generating significant anticipation as its release date approaches.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Here’s an early look at Google TV app’s Material 3 Expressive overhaul (APK teardown)

Google is updating its Google TV app to align with Android's Material 3 Expressive design language, featuring a more colorful interface with accented gradients and enhanced visual elements. A beta version has shown a revamped blue color palette, a new section for recent searches, and a potential "Hot and New" tab, although these features are still in development. The latest app version (4.39.3208.761013668.5) includes updates to the For You tab, making it more vibrant with an updated search icon and larger text and buttons. The floating action button has changed from gray to blue. The rollout of these design changes is expected after the stable release of Android 16 QPR1.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Metroidvania game Bolt & Wahlington announced for PC

Publisher OKJOY and developer Team Orca have announced the Metroidvania action-adventure game, Bolt & Wahlington, featuring a Siamese cat protagonist navigating floating ruins. The game will launch on PC via Steam, with a beta test scheduled for June. Players will pilot a mech aboard the mobile fortress Whalington, utilizing unique gameplay mechanics such as transforming into a mouse, exchanging health points for keys, and morphing the mech into different forms. The game encourages exploration in a non-linear world filled with hidden areas and secrets. It features a hand-drawn 2D comic aesthetic and includes cat-centric elements, such as saving progress in cardboard boxes and encountering quirky feline characters.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

This lean Linux distro can give your Windows 10 PC an extra 5 to 10 years of life

FunOS is a Linux distribution built on Ubuntu LTS, focusing on stability, performance, and security. It has an idle RAM usage of approximately 250 MB and an installer size of 1.8 GB, making it suitable for older hardware. The installation process is straightforward, taking about five minutes. FunOS features a familiar desktop layout but lacks a graphical user interface for the package manager and does not include an app store. Users can install Synaptic via the terminal for software management. FunOS is designed for users with older Windows 10 machines, aiming to extend their lifespan while prioritizing a simple and efficient user experience.