badges Archives

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Study of 281 Free Android VPN Apps Finds Traffic Leaks, Unencrypted Data, and Tracking

Researchers analyzed 281 popular free VPN applications on the Google Play Store and found significant privacy and security shortcomings. The study, conducted by teams from the University of Michigan, the University of New Mexico, and IIT Delhi using a framework called MVPNalyzer, revealed that flagged apps had over 2.4 billion downloads. Key findings included: - Five apps transmitted configuration files unencrypted, allowing attackers to intercept and modify them. - 29 apps allowed user traffic to leak outside the encrypted tunnel, with 24 leaking DNS traffic and six leaking full browsing traffic. - 169 apps made no effort to disguise their traffic, making it identifiable to network operators or government censors. - 76 apps transmitted the device's Advertising ID to advertisers, and over 80% contacted known advertising and tracking servers. - Only one of 108 OpenVPN configurations adhered to recommended security practices; 89% used a single authentication method, and nearly 20% employed outdated encryption techniques. - Many apps passed through Play Store checks without adequate scrutiny, with safety labels often serving as marketing tools rather than security indicators. These findings align with previous research highlighting similar issues in popular Android VPN apps. Users are advised to be cautious when selecting VPNs, prioritizing those with recent independent security audits.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Google Play Store will look a little different the next time you open it

Google is rolling out a redesigned user interface for its Play Store, specifically for the Games and Apps sections. The update features a new aesthetic with pill-shaped containers for navigation tabs and a streamlined layout. The "For you" tab has been removed and integrated as the default landing page for both sections. Users will now navigate to dedicated pages for "Top charts" or "Categories," requiring a return to the home screen via an arrow in the top left corner. The presentation of Google Play Points has changed, now appearing without a blue container, and users have noted a new design for notification badges.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft Preview 26.40.30

Players can find abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes, which include a one-time use Straw Bed crafted from three hay bales. Cushions, available in 16 colors and crafted from three wool slabs, allow players to sit comfortably but are not currently spawning in abandoned camps. Various gameplay and graphical improvements have been made, including fixes for crafting recipes, ambient sounds, and rendering issues. Additionally, there are updates to the user interface, technical features, and stability enhancements, such as improved server self-repair capabilities and bug fixes related to commands and entity behavior.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Announcing new builds for July 6 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds have been released for both the Beta and Experimental channels. The latest updates are as follows: - Beta (26H1): Build 2820.2380 - Experimental (26H1): Build 28120.2387 - Experimental (Future Platforms): No new build available today. Notable new features include: 1. Cloud Recovery: A new recovery option called Cloud rebuild allows users to restore their Windows 11 PC to a known-good state through a complete OS reinstall, downloading the necessary files directly from Windows Update without the need for USB media. 2. Account Control: The Account Control flyout has been redesigned to include a subscription badge, making account status, benefits, and upgrade options easily identifiable.

BetaBeacon

June 26, 2026

11 Essential Apps Every Retro Gamer Needs On Their Phone

RA Tracker is an unofficial companion app for RetroAchievements that allows users to track their progress, browse leaderboards, and look up achievement sets. It connects to your account via the public API and is free to download from the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

This new launcher makes your Android phone look like a Nintendo DS

A new Android launcher developed by Mr. Rubik aims to replicate the look and feel of Nintendo's DS and DSi consoles. It features a home screen displaying installed apps alongside a library of DS, DSi, and GBA games, with customization options for app icons and notification badges. The launcher will operate offline without tracking or analytics, prioritizing user privacy. It includes a dark mode option and will feature PictoChat, initially limited to local networks, in version 1.0.4. A specific release date has not been announced.

Winsage

June 21, 2026

Microsoft reveals how to verify Windows 11’s Secure Boot update, what to do if your PC missed it

The expiration of Microsoft's Secure Boot 2011 certificates on June 24 will not prevent older Windows PCs from booting, as confirmed by Microsoft. Devices will continue to operate normally, but they will miss future boot-level security updates, including updates to the Windows Boot Manager and mitigations for newly identified vulnerabilities. The ability to receive the Secure Boot 2023 update depends on the device firmware's compatibility, with many manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS, having cutoffs for BIOS updates based on the device's End of Service Life. Older PCs using Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM) mode do not utilize UEFI Secure Boot, making the update irrelevant. Users running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may have Secure Boot disabled or improperly configured. Without the 2023 certificates, devices cannot receive future revocation updates to the Secure Boot DBX, which lists compromised bootloaders. Users on Windows 10 with supported OEMs may receive the update if a compatible BIOS is available, while those on older PCs without updates can continue using their devices but will lack future security updates. The Secure Boot status can be checked through the Windows Security app, with color-coded badges indicating the status of the certificates.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

I dug through the Windows 11 Insider builds for June 2026 and found 7 features worth paying attention to

Microsoft rolled out several preview builds of Windows 11 in early June 2026 as part of the Windows Insider Program, focusing on refining existing functionalities rather than introducing many new features. A new Beta channel for version 26H1 was launched, featuring: - Screen Tint: An accessibility feature that provides a system-wide color overlay to reduce eye strain, accessible through Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Screen Tint, offering six preset colors or custom hues. - Low Latency Profile: Temporarily boosts processor frequency for 1 to 3 seconds during interactive tasks, improving application launch times by up to 40% and interaction times by as much as 70%, operating automatically without manual toggles. - Widgets Experience Update: Widgets now open without hover activation, Taskbar badges are off by default, and alerts are limited until user interaction. The dashboard displays Widgets under "widgets," and badging aligns with the system accent color. - Magnifier Enhancements: Users can input specific zoom percentages directly and access additional zoom presets ranging from 5% to 400%. - File Explorer Changes: Improvements for compatibility, performance, and reliability, including support for paths with double backslashes and quotation marks, and middle-click support for opening folders in new tabs. - Windows Update: Unification of drivers, .NET, and firmware updates with monthly quality updates, reducing required restarts to one per month. - Windows Search Enhancements: Improved handling of typos, missing letters, and partial app names, prioritizing accurate search results even with input errors.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

How PlayStation And PC Games Shape Reward Systems

PlayStation and PC gaming ecosystems both aim to make progress feel worthwhile through various rewards, including trophies, cosmetics, and seasonal items. PlayStation rewards are typically clear and straightforward, linking effort to outcomes, while PC rewards offer more choice and personalization, often involving community-created content. Cosmetics play a significant role on both platforms, allowing for personal expression without affecting gameplay balance. The trophy system on PlayStation fosters social interaction and is integral to the console experience, while PC rewards can create a vibrant market culture based on item rarity and demand. Battle passes are bridging the gap between the two systems by introducing seasonal content and objectives. Random rewards, which rely on chance, require careful navigation to ensure players maintain control over their spending. Effective reward systems are characterized by generosity, clarity, and fairness, guiding players toward goals without creating a sense of entrapment. The divide between PlayStation and PC rewards is narrowing, with both platforms increasingly adopting elements from each other to enhance the gaming experience.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

New on Java Realms: Sabines takeover

Beaconators has introduced over 40 new items, bringing the total to 200 unique items, along with quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes. Songs of Greavesoyl added six new community-created characters, eight new maps, Player vs. Player and Free-for-All game modes, and a revamped lobby and user interface. Chill N’Grill now supports Swedish, Ukrainian, and Romanian languages, and includes new badges, cosmetics, currencies, and an inventory management system. Bug fixes have been implemented in several modes, enhancing stability. The Back on Realms initiative has reintroduced modes like Anaglyph and Toy Turtle Royale. Players can access guidance for Java Realms content and a complimentary 30-day trial through Minecraft: Java Edition. Creators can showcase their work on Java Realms and Minecraft.net and can contact Bine Birk or Oskar Thysell for assistance.