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Winsage
July 14, 2026
Microsoft's design strategies continue to influence users towards its Edge browser, as revealed in a study by Dr. Harry Brignull and Cennydd Bowles, published by Mozilla. The researchers tested Windows 10 and 11 across the US, UK, India, and Germany, focusing on whether users could download, set, and maintain a default browser other than Edge without interference. Findings showed that users encountered harmful design patterns that hindered their ability to choose alternative browsers. For example, searching for "download Chrome" on Bing led to Edge promotions, and downloading Chrome triggered an Edge banner. In Windows 11, the setup prompts users to allow Edge to import data from other browsers, with the accept option more visible than the decline option. Additionally, Microsoft's Copilot and Windows Backup tool opened links in Edge regardless of the user's default browser choice, resetting the default browser to Edge during migration without consent. The study noted regional differences, with fewer harmful patterns in Germany due to the EU's Digital Markets Act, although some issues persisted. The researchers recommend eliminating these harmful design patterns and advocate for global regulatory enforcement.
AppWizard
July 8, 2026
Polish studio Rebel Wolves is developing an open-world vampire RPG titled The Blood of Dawnwalker, which draws inspiration from The Witcher 3. The game features a three-hour prologue where players control Coen, a villager under the rule of Brencis, who imposes a bloodletting ritual on the citizens. The gameplay includes a time system that divides each day into eight segments, influencing quest completion and player choices. Coen interacts with various characters, including a local bully and a herbalist, while navigating moral dilemmas in a society dominated by vampiric rule. The combat mechanics allow for varied styles based on Coen's human and vampire abilities, though they may not appeal to all players. The game is noted for its visually stunning environment and rich narrative potential.
AppWizard
July 7, 2026
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.
AppWizard
June 27, 2026
The Epic Games Store is offering RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition and Voidwrought for free until July 2, after which I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream and River City Girls 2 will be available. The Humble Store has launched new game bundles, including the Going Rogue collection featuring Rogue Legacy, UnderMine, and None Shall Intrude, along with an Arc System Works Evo bundle with titles like Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code and Guilty Gear -STRIVE-. The Steam Summer Sale has started, offering discounts on nearly all PC games. The GOG store is also having a summer sale with various highlights. Availability and pricing may vary by region.
AppWizard
June 21, 2026
Microsoft is undergoing a restructuring that includes layoffs across its game studios and further job cuts and studio closures as part of the "Xbox reset" initiated by new CEO Asha Sharma. This initiative has resulted in the cancellation of several game projects, including: - Odyssey: Shelved in 2024 after challenges in development, including a switch from Unreal Engine to an internal engine. - Everwild: Canceled in 2025 after years of development and at least one reboot. - Perfect Dark: The reboot was canceled in 2025 despite a positive gameplay reveal, with reports of interest from Take-Two Interactive. - Contraband: Development ceased in 2025, leaving the future of the co-op smuggling game uncertain. - Project Blackbird: Canceled in 2025 after over six years of development due to financial concerns regarding the investment required for an MMO. Following the cancellation of Project Blackbird, some team members formed a new studio named Sackbird.
Winsage
June 16, 2026
Microsoft's Outlook for Windows is facing criticism for its notification handling, particularly in the new Outlook version built on the WebView2 framework. Users experience a delay of approximately 10 seconds when clicking on email notifications, compared to the near-instantaneous access provided by Outlook Classic, which allows users to open new emails in about five seconds. The new Outlook consumes significantly more memory and CPU resources, using between 490 MB and 636 MB of RAM, while Outlook Classic operates within 117 MB to 148 MB. Despite updates aimed at improving the new Outlook, the core issue of notification handling remains unresolved. Microsoft is working on enhancements, but the performance limitations of the WebView2 architecture continue to affect user experience. Outlook Classic will continue to be supported until April 2029.
Winsage
June 13, 2026
Microsoft is enhancing transparency in Windows 11 app updates through the Windows Insider Program, allowing users to view detailed descriptions of updates for key applications like Calculator, Camera, Clock, Media Player, Paint, Photos, and Sound Recorder on the Windows Insider Documentation Hub. Notable changes include: - Calculator: Enhanced accuracy for square-root results, improved readability in high-contrast themes, fixed layout for right-to-left languages, and reliability updates. - Camera: Improved zoom slider, front camera support, additional video resolution options, better QR link functionality, and intuitive default settings. - Clock: New timer features, option to disable daily goals in Focus mode, and a 15-minute snooze feature. - Media Player: Custom captions, indexing banner in the play queue, playlist enhancements, bug fixes, and improved reliability. - Paint: More responsive toolbar, adjustable eraser transparency, refined stamp brush strokes, selection improvements, and performance enhancements. - Photos: AI watermarking, improvements for viewing small images and pixel art, enhancements for scanned text, crash bug fix, and streamlined keyboard navigation. - Sound Recorder: Live waveform display for Bluetooth microphones, simplified deletion processes, bug fixes, and additional enhancements. The timeline for these updates is uncertain, but app updates are expected to be deployed more quickly than system updates.
AppWizard
June 7, 2026
An enthusiast began collecting video game and anime soundtrack vinyl with a four-disc box set of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which featured both music and stunning interior artwork. The collection expanded to include soundtracks from titles like Dark Souls 3, Bloodborne, Demon's Souls Remake, Total War: Three Kingdoms, The Banner Saga, Outer Wilds, Hollow Knight, Baldur's Gate 3, Dishonored, and Persona 5. The collector values the ritual of listening to vinyl, which offers a mindful experience compared to streaming music. They browse sites like Black Screen Records and iam8bit for new releases while being mindful of shipping costs. The collector transitioned from an Audio Technica turntable to a portable Sound Burger for added fun and functionality. Common mistakes include buying soundtracks for games played extensively, which can diminish enjoyment. Storage solutions vary, with some using stylish crates or portable cases. Limited pressings make many soundtracks coveted collector's items, and the collector regrets missing Supergiant's 10th anniversary collection. They hope for future releases, particularly for Silksong.
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