AI Archives

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

The new PC games of April 2026: Pragmata, the next Diablo 4 expansion, and Final Fantasy 14’s big month

In April 2026, the pace of new game releases has slowed compared to March. Notable releases include: - Samson (April 8) - An open-world crime game with a focused narrative. - Mouse: P.I. For Hire (April 16) - A quirky boomer shooter with a 1930s cartoon aesthetic. - Pragmata (April 16) - A Capcom title set in a dystopian future featuring an AI doomsday scenario. - Vampire Crawlers (April 21) - A card game similar to Slay the Spire 2. - Outbound (April 23) - A mobile base-building game focused on exploration and cooperative gameplay. Upcoming events include: - The Triple-I Initiative indie showcase on April 9. - The London Games Festival starting April 13. - The BAFTA Game Awards on April 17. - The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival on April 24. Steam sales in April are: - March 30 – April 6: House & Home Fest - April 9 – April 13: Hidden Object Fest - April 20 – April 27: Medieval Fest Early access and full releases include: - Temtem: Swarm (April 2) - Transitions to 1.0 with new features. - Road to Vostok (April 7) - A survival FPS entering early access. - Spark in the Dark (April 7) - A hardcore dungeon crawler in early access. - Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (April 30) - Launching in early access. Major updates include: - Starfield (April 7) - Free Lanes update and new story DLC. - The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (April 22) - First closed beta test. - Final Fantasy 14 (April 28) - Patch 7.5 launching. - Marathon - Updates expected throughout the month. Additional game releases: - April 1: Breath of Fire 4 (Steam) - April 1: Resident Evil (1996) (Steam) - April 2: Darwin's Paradox (Steam) - April 15: Cleaning Up! (Steam) - April 28: He-Man: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Steam)

Winsage

April 3, 2026

Native Apps? It’s a Trap! ⭐️

Microsoft's Copilot+ launch event in May 2024 introduced a feature called Recall, which sparked privacy concerns among enthusiasts. Pavan Duluri, head of Windows, indicated a focus on addressing Windows 11's "pain points" in 2026, but expectations among fans exceeded his promises. The introduction of AI features, including Copilot, received mixed reactions, with some users fixating on the removal of elements like the Copilot icon rather than overall functionality. There is a divide between passionate enthusiasts and the broader user base, complicating Duluri's task of balancing user needs with corporate demands for new AI features. Rudy Huyn, a principal lead architect at Microsoft, promised to replace web-based inbox apps with "100 percent native" applications, a claim viewed skeptically due to the complexities involved. While enhancing web-based experiences is feasible, many significant web apps are designed to remain as such. The challenges facing Windows include broader corporate strategies and user dissatisfaction, with concerns about perceived declines in quality. Improvements to features like the Start menu and File Explorer may not satisfy ongoing complaints from enthusiasts.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Workspace account? No problem; Google Home rolls out support for you, too

Google has rolled out support for Workspace accounts within its Home app, allowing users to set up the latest Nest devices and invite others for collaborative device control. The update includes improvements to the AI's responsiveness, reducing lag time by approximately 30% to 40% and enhancing its ability to understand user commands. Users should be aware that access to certain features may depend on their Workspace account settings, and they are advised to consult their administrator for assistance if issues arise.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Minecraft creator Notch says ‘DLSS fundamentally makes no sense’, but the X comments say ‘um, actually’

Markus Persson, known as Notch, criticized Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology on social media, arguing that it is illogical to use the same hardware that struggles to run games at reasonable speeds to operate a neural network for generating additional frames. He compared DLSS to anti-aliasing, suggesting both technologies complicate the rendering process. Nvidia's vice president, Bryan Catanzaro, highlighted a shift in the industry towards artificial intelligence to improve graphics rendering, stating that traditional methods are no longer sufficient. He emphasized the need for smarter approaches to optimize resource use in graphics rendering. Nick, a tester, is evaluating DLSS and Frame Generation, illustrating the GPU's workload in rendering versus AI interpolation of frames.

Winsage

April 2, 2026

Malwarebytes highlights Microsoft findings on WhatsApp attachments used in Windows attacks

A campaign targeting Windows users exploits WhatsApp attachments to execute a malicious .vbs script. Victims receive what appears to be a harmless attachment, which, when opened, duplicates legitimate Windows tools into a hidden folder and renames them to avoid detection. These tools are then used to download additional malware from reputable cloud services, disguising the malicious activity. The malware seeks administrator privileges by altering User Account Control settings and registry entries for persistence. It ultimately installs remote-access software and other payloads to maintain control over the compromised device. Malwarebytes recommends safety measures such as avoiding unsolicited attachments, enabling file extensions, using updated anti-malware tools, downloading software from official sites, being cautious of unexpected UAC prompts, and keeping systems updated.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

I had high hopes for Nvidia’s DLSS 4.5 Dynamic Multi Frame Gen, but it’s not quite what I expected

Nvidia DLSS 4.5 has been released in beta, featuring advancements in frame generation technology, including the ability to generate up to five "fake frames" with a 6x frame generation option. The Dynamic Multi Frame Generation (MFG) allows users to benefit from multi-frame generation without it being constantly active. This feature is available exclusively for RTX 5000 series graphics cards. Testing with an RTX 5080 showed that activating 2x frame generation increased frame rates to an average of 105fps, while 4x frame generation raised it to approximately 180fps, albeit with increased input lag. The Dynamic Frame Generation mode maintained frame rates between 210fps and 250fps but resulted in a peak PC latency of 68ms. Lowering the target FPS to 120 stabilized frame rates around 120fps with 2x or 3x frame generation, improving responsiveness. Results may vary based on game settings, and exceeding 3x frame generation can lead to input lag. Dynamic MFG allows for easier configuration by automatically adjusting frame generation based on the target refresh rate.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Fire TV Stick users left confused by ‘random app’ on device

A new app called 'Music Videos' has automatically appeared on Amazon Fire Stick devices in the UK, raising concerns among users who did not install it. Amazon confirmed that it pre-installs apps to enhance user experience and promote ad-supported content. The app offers quick access to music videos, but users have reported issues with it freezing and being unable to uninstall it. Amazon stated that the Fire TV experience aims to facilitate access to entertainment options and that 'Music Videos' is part of their strategy to provide more free content to users.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Google embraces the future, mandates 64-bit apps for Wear OS

Google has mandated that all Wear OS applications must include a 64-bit version starting September 15, 2026. This requirement is part of a broader strategy that also applies to Android TV and Google TV, which will require 64-bit app versions from August 2026. Developers can still offer a 32-bit version alongside the new 64-bit applications, and the Play Store will continue to support legacy applications. A majority of Wear OS developers have already adopted the 64-bit architecture, although some dormant apps may present challenges. The transition to a 64-bit architecture is expected to enhance performance, security, and efficiency for chip manufacturers, as well as allow smartwatches to utilize more than 4GB of RAM.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Google AI Pro just got a massive storage upgrade for free

Google has increased AI Pro storage from 2TB to 5TB at the same monthly rate, exclusively for AI Pro subscribers. This upgrade is being rolled out globally, although there may be a slight delay in users seeing the new limits. The additional storage can be used across various Google services, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos backups. Standard Google One plan users will not receive this increase and will remain at their existing limits. The storage increase represents a 150% boost for the same price.

Tech Optimizer

April 2, 2026

Norton Review 2026: Solid Antivirus With Great Safe Browsing Tools and Parental Controls

Norton Antivirus has a score of 8.3/10. It offers extensive parental controls on some plans, cloud backups for sensitive data, and a high-quality safe browser. However, its identity theft protection features are limited to US-based users, it has higher resource usage than most competitors, and reaching human customer support can be difficult. Norton began as an antivirus company in 1982 and has expanded to include a password manager, safe browser, cloud backups, and privacy monitoring tools. The LifeLock plans provide identity theft protection and insurance for US users. The antivirus software features easy setup, optimization tools for Windows and MacOS, scam detection, and privacy monitoring. Norton offers various plans, including Norton AntiVirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus, each with different features and pricing. The plans can cover multiple devices, with costs starting at a competitive rate for the first year. Norton’s antivirus software includes real-time protection, manual and automated scans, and scan scheduling. Its parental controls are a notable feature, and while cloud backups are available, storage may be limited. Free tools include a password manager, data breach scan, and safe browser. Norton’s usability is straightforward, with an intuitive account setup and installation process. The antivirus operates with moderate resource usage, maintaining a low footprint during routine tasks. Norton has a strong reputation for malware detection, maintaining a perfect security ranking from AV-Test and high online detection rates from AV-Comparatives. Its password manager and backup systems use AES-256 encryption, and its VPN follows a no-logs policy. Customer support options include a community forum, knowledge base, and 24/7 live chat and phone support, though email support is not available. Norton is considered a good value for families and budget-conscious users, with pricing starting at an affordable rate for single-device coverage. It is suitable for users seeking active threat protection and parental controls, though alternatives like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes may be better for those prioritizing efficiency and advanced features.