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AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Beware new Google ‘yellow warning’ that saves you from costly nightmare

Google has introduced a yellow warning banner in the Google Play Store to alert Android users about apps that are frequently uninstalled. This banner indicates that an app may not be meeting user expectations and could be due to poor functionality, excessive advertisements, or inflated costs. Additionally, Google has implemented two other notifications: one indicating lower user engagement with an app and another showing fewer users compared to other apps. These features aim to help users make more informed app choices and avoid potentially harmful applications. Google Play Protect is also available to scan downloaded apps for security, including those from outside the Play Store. Users can enable settings to improve harmful app detection, enhancing overall safety in the app ecosystem.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

New HDR by Barco Theater Locations Debut With ‘Novocaine’; Upcoming Titles Include ‘Minecraft,’ ‘Warfare’ (EXCLUSIVE)

The Cinepolis Pico Rivera in Los Angeles County and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema New Mission in San Francisco are the first permanent theaters to feature Barco's new premium HDR laser projectors, coinciding with the release of Paramount’s film “Novocaine.” The Pico Rivera location also introduces the Cinepolis MACRO XE premium auditorium format in the U.S. Upcoming films mastered for this system include “A Working Man” on March 28, “A Minecraft Movie” on April 4, “Warfare” and “Civil War” on April 11, and “The Accountant 2” on April 25. “Novocaine” is also being screened in HDR at B&B Theatres Red Oak 12 in Dallas, Regal Dania Pointe in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, and Regal Times Square in New York. The HDR projectors utilize Barco’s “light steering” technology for improved viewing experiences. The pilot program last year included films like “Transformers One,” “The Wild Robot,” “Smile 2,” “Joker: Folie À Deux,” and “Red One.” The projectors will be showcased at CinemaCon starting March 31 in Las Vegas.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Frosthaven’s weighty tabletop tactics are coming to PC in early access this year

The game tutorial introduces players to key mechanics such as card selection for actions, the use of "burn" cards for temporary boosts, and the importance of positioning and teamwork. Players must manage their actions carefully, especially in prolonged battles. The author played as a "Banner Spear," a class that specializes in spear attacks and benefits from strategic positioning. During gameplay, the author learned the significance of advanced strategies and teamwork, particularly with a partner playing as a Deathwalker who utilized summons. An incident occurred where the author attempted to collect loot but forgot the rule that requires ending a turn on a hex to do so. The game's visual elements and user experience were praised, with expectations for improvements during the early access phase driven by community feedback.

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

Call of Duty vet Blundell helming new PlayStation studio Dark Outlaw Games

PlayStation has established a new development studio called Dark Outlaw, led by Jason Blundell, known for his work on the Call of Duty franchise. The studio is currently working on an unannounced project and is in the process of expanding its workforce. Blundell previously worked at Treyarch, where he developed the Zombies mode for Call of Duty, and he founded Deviation Games before leaving in 2022.

AppWizard

March 12, 2025

Guide to make and use Maps in Minecraft | Esports News – The Times of India

Minecraft maps enhance exploration and gameplay. To craft a map in Java Edition: - Gather 8 pieces of paper (from sugarcane) and 1 compass (made from 1 redstone dust and 4 iron ingots). - Access a crafting table, place the compass in the center, and surround it with the paper. In Bedrock Edition, you can create a basic map using 9 pieces of paper without a compass. To use the map: - Hold it and right-click or select the Use button to record terrain. - A white dot indicates your location. To expand a map: - Use the Craft Table method (combine the map with 8 pieces of paper) or the Cartography Table method (1 piece of paper and the map). To mark locations: - Use banners (1 stick and 6 wool) and interact with them while holding the map to create colored dots. Maps can be found in: - Stronghold libraries (11% chance in chests). - Shipwrecks (8% chance in treasure chests). - Cartographer Villagers (trade 7 to 8 emeralds for a map). Advanced tips include overlapping maps for seamless exploration and creating map walls with multiple maps in item frames.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Why is PC gaming so expensive? A lesson from Hideo Kojima

PC gaming requires significant financial investment, with high-end components like the Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU costing nearly three times that of a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. Many PC games suffer from bugs and performance issues, as developers often neglect optimization for the platform. Hideo Kojima is noted for producing well-optimized PC ports, exemplified by Metal Gear Solid V, which runs smoothly on modest hardware despite being nearly a decade old. In contrast, newer titles like Monster Hunter Wilds have struggled with performance. The reliance on AI upscaling technologies, such as Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR, has not compensated for poor game design, leading to player frustration. Developers often rush game releases to meet profit targets, prioritizing financial gain over quality, which has resulted in a demand for better standards in game development. Gamers expect high-quality experiences that justify their investment, and there is a call for patience in the release of polished titles.

AppWizard

March 3, 2025

PTW rebrands as Side

Games services firm PTW has rebranded itself as Side, consolidating its portfolio, which includes 5518 Studios and Ghostpunch Games. Established in 1994, the company aims to provide innovative solutions for its partners globally. CEO Deborah Kirkham highlighted the unity of the company's employees under the new identity, while chief revenue officer Kaley Hurst emphasized the client-centric approach that defines the company. The rebrand reflects years of growth and a commitment to a unified brand and values.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Microsoft’s latest bit of nagging in Windows 11 might come from a good place, but it’s seriously annoying some people

Windows 11 users are receiving persistent reminders in the Settings app to back up their PCs, promoting Microsoft’s Backup app and OneDrive for cloud storage. This notification is particularly directed at users who have opted out of cloud syncing and backup settings, leading to frustration among those who manage their backups independently. Users have expressed a desire for a way to dismiss these reminders, as many already use third-party backup solutions. Discussions on platforms like Reddit indicate that some users are looking for workarounds to disable the notifications.

Winsage

February 27, 2025

Nintendo’s GameCube Gets a Productivity Makeover Thanks to a PowerPC Windows NT Port

Rairii has successfully ported Windows NT 3.51 to the Nintendo GameCube, allowing the console to run this operating system. The project supports Windows NT 3.51 RTM and higher, while earlier beta versions require kernel patches. Windows NT 3.5 is incompatible due to its support for the PowerPC 601 architecture. The GameCube, powered by an IBM PowerPC "Gekko" chip, can now function as a desktop computer with a graphical user interface, controlled via a standard controller or keyboard. The project includes support for the GameCube's keyboard controller accessory and a mapping system for navigation. Some USB device support is available, but without hotplugging functionality. Instructions for the project are provided in a GitHub repository, and users need specific hardware to participate.

Winsage

February 26, 2025

Optional Windows 11 24H2 update brings fixes and more advertising

The optional KB5052093 update for Windows 11 24H2 introduces new camera options that allow users to use their cameras across multiple applications simultaneously, accessible through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. A new "basic camera" mode has also been added for troubleshooting. Enhancements to the taskbar enable file sharing from a drop-down menu when right-clicking on an app, and File Explorer improvements include the ability to snooze or disable "Start backup" reminders, better performance with media files, consistent thumbnails for cloud files, and a fix for misdirected URLs. Microsoft has begun integrating advertisements for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass into the Windows 11 interface, appearing for users logged in with a Microsoft account linked to Game Pass. Additionally, the update resolves issues such as volume maxing out from standby mode and misidentification of HDDs as SSDs in Task Manager. The update is optional and must be manually installed.