beauty Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Can you guess the PC game based only on the health bar?

Health bars are essential informational tools in gaming, experiencing a resurgence in RPGs while declining in popularity among big-budget shooters. Recent years have seen the creation of aesthetically pleasing and uniquely designed health bars. Players often spend significant time looking at these indicators, raising questions about their memorability. A quiz is available to test players' ability to identify games by their health bars, featuring a mix of classic and contemporary titles. Some iconic health bars, like Isaac's from Dead Space, may not be included in the quiz.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Unlock Your Android 10 Secret Apps Only Power Users Know

1. The Yin-Yang Minimalistic Launcher features a grayscale interface to minimize visual clutter and includes phone usage statistics. 2. The Transfer App enables seamless file sharing over Wi-Fi without needing an internet connection or user account. 3. The Everything Widget offers over 125 customizable widgets for home screen personalization. 4. The Bluetooth Camera Shutter app allows remote photo capturing with a range of up to 30 meters and supports burst mode. 5. The Noid File Manager automatically categorizes files and includes smart filters for efficient file management. 6. Choy Wall provides over 600 handcrafted 4K wallpapers with multiple color variants for device personalization. 7. The Glit Photo Editor allows users to create retro-inspired images with features like light leaks and vintage filters. 8. The Flip Clock app combines retro aesthetics with practical features, including a Pomodoro timer and world clock.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

This brilliant dark and moody cyberpunk city builder is my kind of cosy game—and for less than $7 you might as well see if it’s yours too

Dystopika is a low-pressure city-building game that challenges traditional cozy aesthetics by offering a darker, more complex experience. Players construct megacities filled with towering structures and vibrant holograms, evoking a unique sense of coziness amid a harsh environment. The game features a simple interface, allowing players to focus on creativity with customization options for colors, sizes, and personal images. It incorporates procedural generation, enabling smaller buildings to emerge organically, creating a vibrant ecosystem. The developer, Voids Within, has released updates that introduce new districts, props, and a synth soundtrack. Dystopika is priced under £6, providing an accessible and uncomplicated escape for players.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2025

Atlassian moved 4 million Postgres databases to AWS Aurora

Atlassian has migrated its database infrastructure to Amazon Web Services’ Aurora, transferring four million Postgres databases that support Jira implementations. The migration involved approximately 3,000 PostgreSQL servers across 13 AWS regions. The move aims to reduce costs, enhance reliability, and improve performance, upgrading the service level agreement from 99.95% uptime on RDS to 99.99% on Aurora. Samsung has postponed the completion of its chip manufacturing plant in Texas due to difficulties in securing customers. Infosys has advised its employees against exceeding nine hours and 15 minutes of work daily to combat burnout. Qantas has acknowledged a cyberattack affecting six million customers and will provide details on the incident's impact. Xerox has acquired Lexmark from Ninestar Corporation for .5 billion. India and Australia are collaborating on a research initiative to improve tracking of submarines and underwater vehicles. JPMorgan Chase has requested to terminate its custom top-level domains, ".CHASE" and ".JPMORGAN." China’s National Space Administration has released images of Earth and the Moon taken by its Tianwen 2 probe.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Lilo & Stitch Breaks Minecraft Movie’s Major Box Office Record

Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has grossed 7.5 million globally, making it the highest-grossing MPA film of the year. It surpassed A Minecraft Movie, which earned 4.9 million, and trails behind the Chinese animated feature Ne Zha 2, which has grossed .8 billion. Domestically, A Minecraft Movie leads with 3.9 million, while Lilo & Stitch has generated 3.7 million in the U.S. The film debuted with 2.6 million during the Memorial Day weekend and is on track to potentially become the first MPA title to surpass the billion mark this year. Disney plans a live-action sequel to Lilo & Stitch, though no release date has been confirmed. The film held the top spot at the box office for three consecutive weeks before facing competition from How to Train Your Dragon. Upcoming releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash may pose challenges to its box office performance.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

5 reasons I prefer this distro over Ubuntu as a Windows-to-Linux convert

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be challenging due to the variety of distributions available. Users often experiment with different options using virtual machines or dual-boot setups. Ubuntu is a popular choice, especially within the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Hyper-V, but Zorin OS is highlighted as a more seamless alternative for users familiar with Windows. Zorin OS provides a desktop experience similar to Windows, making it user-friendly for new Linux users. It allows customization of the taskbar's position, reminiscent of earlier Windows versions. Zorin OS also supports running Windows applications through preconfigured Wine and Bottles, simplifying the process compared to Ubuntu. Zorin OS performs well on older hardware, with its Lite version using the XFCE desktop environment to enhance responsiveness, unlike Ubuntu, which can be sluggish on legacy systems. Zorin Connect enables integration with Android devices, allowing users to sync notifications and control their desktop from mobile devices. Zorin OS is noted for its minimalist approach, optimizing resource usage and avoiding unnecessary applications, particularly in its Lite version. The author currently prefers Zorin OS over Ubuntu Core for its user-friendly design and performance but remains open to exploring other Linux distributions.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

PC users can claim a $25 game for free, limited-time only

Sable, an exploration adventure game developed by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury, is available for free on the Epic Games storefront until July 3rd, 2025. The game focuses on exploration rather than combat, inviting players to traverse its visually stunning landscapes and engage with non-playable characters. It features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the experience.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Inside Former Minecraft Boss Jonas Mårtensson’s Cleeks Culture Play

Jonas Mårtensson is the general manager of Cleeks Golf Club, a LIV Golf team, after previously leading Mojang Studios, the company behind Minecraft, which Microsoft acquired for .5 billion in 2014. He enjoys his current role more than his time with Minecraft, appreciating the smaller team dynamic and the opportunity to refresh the Cleeks brand. Mårtensson has initiated a brand revamp with design firm AKQA and adopted the tagline “tradition refreshed” to honor golf’s heritage while appealing to new fans. Collaborations with Public Drip and designer Martin Key are part of this strategy, along with a future partnership with The Rookies, a platform for emerging digital artists. Mårtensson aims for the Cleeks logo to achieve cultural significance similar to iconic logos in sports and emphasizes the importance of building a community around the brand. The team currently ranks 12th in standings, but Mårtensson focuses on long-term brand development and consistency. He engages with fans through events, akin to beta testing in gaming, to gather insights for brand building. The team recently added Frederik Kjettrup to the roster, prioritizing personality compatibility alongside performance. Mårtensson envisions achieving cultural relevance and winning trophies in the next five years.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Isometric narrative mystery adventure game Pera Coda announced for consoles, PC

Turkish game developer Elyzio and its subsidiary Falan have announced Pera Coda, an isometric narrative mystery adventure set in a surreal reimagining of Istanbul. The game features a protagonist named Deniz, an attorney navigating a subconscious limbo between life and death, focusing on themes of guilt, regret, and the search for peace. Players will engage in impactful dialogue choices and solve layered environmental puzzles, exploring Deniz’s traumatic memories. The game draws inspiration from titles like Disco Elysium and Outer Wilds, and emphasizes a rich psychological narrative with branching dialogue and puzzle integration. Pera Coda utilizes an accessible point-and-click mechanic and is designed with visually striking environments that reflect the emotional depth of the story. Specific console and PC platforms have not yet been disclosed, nor has a release date been confirmed.

AppWizard

June 22, 2025

Best Minecraft Shader Packs To Use In 2025

Shaders are specialized mods that enhance the visual aesthetics of games by adjusting lighting, shadows, and colors. They can create realism, distinct atmospheres, and evoke emotions through color manipulation. A selection of top shaders for Minecraft includes: - SEUS (Sonic Ether's Unbelievable Shaders) - Known for stunning realism and dynamic lighting effects. - Continuum Shaders - Offers cinematic quality with breathtaking visuals and atmospheric effects. - BSL Shaders - Balances performance and beauty, popular among players. - Chocapic13's Shaders - Provides a customizable experience with various presets for different hardware. - Lagless Shaders - Enhances visuals without compromising performance. These shaders improve the graphical fidelity and immersive experience of Minecraft.