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"It's not great news": Halo: Campaign Evolved on the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme shows how far Windows on Arm gaming still has to go
Winsage
August 3, 2026

“It’s not great news”: Halo: Campaign Evolved on the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme shows how far Windows on Arm gaming still has to go

Halo: Campaign Evolved is available on Game Pass and can be played on PC, Xbox, and PS5. YouTuber Ghobso Gaming tested the game on the ASUS Zenbook A16, which features the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip, and rated its performance as one star due to significant issues, including missing textures. Despite being praised as a flagship Windows laptop, the Zenbook A16 is not primarily designed for gaming. Reviewer Ben Wilson noted a range of gaming experiences on the device, indicating that gaming on Snapdragon X processors is still developing.
Own Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for Just $33
Winsage
August 3, 2026

Own Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for Just $33

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is available for .97 until August 9, down from its regular price of 9.99. The suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and a free version of Microsoft Teams. It offers lifetime access on a single Windows PC and features significant performance enhancements and updated collaboration tools. The software is installed locally, allowing use without an internet connection for many tasks. It does not include continuous feature updates like Microsoft 365, providing a stable, perpetual version of the software.
Steam Week in Review: Once positioned as mainstream-friendly PC gaming solutions, can Valve's hardware survive the memory crisis?
AppWizard
August 3, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Once positioned as mainstream-friendly PC gaming solutions, can Valve’s hardware survive the memory crisis?

Last week, a discussion arose regarding the decline in Steam Deck sales, as noted by PC Gamer's Andy Edser. An analysis by Boiling Steam questioned the mathematical accuracy of the sales figures, leading to concerns about Valve's hardware future. Gabe Newell's million donation to OpenAI in 2018 has been suggested to negatively impact Valve's hardware ambitions. The price of the anticipated Steam Deck OLED increased significantly in May, with the 1TB model rising from 9 to 9 and the 512GB version from 9 to 9, causing potential buyers to reconsider. The Steam Machine's projected retail price has also surged from around 0 to ,049. In gaming, Mistfall Hunter has quickly reached the third spot on the live concurrent players list. The latest Steam deep cuts ranked Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Palworld as the top three games. Despite new releases, Counter-Strike 2 remains at the top of the rankings. DragonSword: Awakening and Shift at Midnight have gained attention for their unique gameplay. A notable Steam review of Alien Kink VR expressed a darkly humorous sentiment.
Former Microsoft dev brings Windows Task Manager to Mac
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Former Microsoft dev brings Windows Task Manager to Mac

Dave W. Plummer, the original developer of the Windows Task Manager, has launched a beta project called Task Manager OG (TMOG) as an alternative to macOS's Activity Monitor. TMOG is built from scratch using Swift and does not contain any code from Windows XP. Microsoft provided Plummer with the source code of the XP Task Manager, but TMOG is independent. Initially intended for distribution through the Mac App Store, TMOG will instead be available for direct download due to Apple's sandboxing restrictions and guidelines against terminating other applications. Plummer plans to develop a Windows version and potentially a Pro version in the future.
How to sideload Android APKs on your Chromebook
AppWizard
August 2, 2026

How to sideload Android APKs on your Chromebook

A Chromebook can be used for productivity, gaming, and entertainment, and users can sideload Android apps when they are not available on the Google Play Store. Sideloading involves installing Android Package Kits (APKs) directly onto the device, but caution is advised as these apps have not been verified by Google. Users should research APKs to ensure they are legitimate and free from malware. To sideload an app, users can enable Linux on their Chromebook and use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires enabling ADB debugging in the Linux development environment and using the Terminal to install the APK. Alternatively, users can run APKs using an emulator in Android Studio, which involves setting up Android Studio and creating an Android Virtual Device to install the APK.
I can't get the Pixel's Now Playing feature on my Android phone, but one of my long-time favorite apps gets the job done
AppWizard
August 2, 2026

I can’t get the Pixel’s Now Playing feature on my Android phone, but one of my long-time favorite apps gets the job done

The Now Playing feature on Google Pixel phones allows users to identify songs playing nearby, but Google has no plans to extend this feature to other Android devices. Shazam is a popular alternative for song identification, offering an Auto Shazam feature that works in the background on nearly all Android devices. This feature processes song identification on-device, conserving battery life and data usage. Shazam is often one of the first apps downloaded when setting up a new phone, making it a key tool for music discovery.
Windows 11's Photos app just got debloated, but Microsoft is already ruining it with a WebView2 sequel
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Windows 11’s Photos app just got debloated, but Microsoft is already ruining it with a WebView2 sequel

Microsoft Photos for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel has been updated to feature a cleaner interface with fewer icons and a faster context menu. The update removes unnecessary elements, including the "Ask Copilot" button, and focuses on essential actions like Edit, Print, and Share. The context menu now opens faster and includes a concise list of relevant options. Additional enhancements include a richer file info pane, support for HEIC files without conversion, SVG viewing support, improved launch performance, and new device import controls. However, a new app called "Photos (Preview)" has been introduced, which operates as a WebView2 process and adds complexity to the user experience. Microsoft is seeking user feedback on this experimental app.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
August 2, 2026

The maker of the Baldur’s Gate 3 over-the-shoulder camera mod has gone to great lengths to demonstrate it’s not like other third-person viewpoint solutions

Relysia's True Third-Person Camera mod for Baldur's Gate 3 transforms the game's traditional bird's-eye perspective into an immersive over-the-shoulder viewpoint. While Baldur's Gate 3 has a third-person mode accessible via controller, many players find Relysia's mod enhances the experience significantly. The mod has sparked discussions on platforms like Nexus Mods, highlighting the dedication of modders. Players have reported a distinctly different experience after using the mod, leading them to revisit the game. Other popular mods include the WASD Character Movement mod and the Party Limit Begone mod, which offer additional gameplay enhancements.
Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test

Microsoft is expanding the testing of its redesigned taskbar for Windows 11 to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program with the release of Beta Build 26220.9022 on July 31, 2026. This update allows selected participants to reposition the taskbar along any edge of the screen—top, left, right, or bottom—and introduces a more compact variant that reduces icon size and overall height. Users can adjust their taskbar position through the Settings menu under Personalization, and Windows will adapt associated flyouts and animations accordingly. The implementation aims to restore flexibility lost when Windows 11 was launched, where the taskbar was fixed to the bottom of the screen. However, some features remain under development, and limitations exist for alternative positions, including incomplete touch gestures and a simplified search box. The compact taskbar feature currently only supports reduced height at the top or bottom positions. Microsoft is also exploring taskbar positioning across multiple monitors but has not guaranteed different positions for each screen. The recent updates include renewed certificates for the Windows Insider Program and additional builds, with the timeline for stable release of these taskbar adjustments still uncertain.
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