breaks Archives

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Path of Exile 2’s new boss-taming summoner class breaks ARPG minions like never before

The Path of Exile 2 Return of the Ancients update is set to launch on May 29, introducing significant changes, including a redesign of the endgame and a crafting overhaul. Two new Ascendancies will be added: the Martial Artist Monk and the Spirit Walker Huntress. The Spirit Walker Ascendancy allows players to control powerful beast bosses and features three branches: Vivid, Primal, and Wild. The Vivid Path summons stag spirits, the Primal Path enhances projectile skills, and the Wild Path provides a spirit bear companion that boosts minion damage and life. The Idolatry path expands minion build options. The Natural Order feature allows the Tame Beast skill to work on unique beasts, starting with early-game adversaries and escalating to tougher foes. Game director Mark Roberts showcased a "zookeeper build" that utilizes the unique scepter Sylvan's Effigy, which removes companion limits. Companion damage has been buffed, and new features include a raven flock and a cluster grenade launcher called Redemption.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Android adds a feature to stop you from doomscrolling

Google has introduced a feature called Pause Point for its Android operating system, which imposes a mandatory 10-second delay when users attempt to open apps identified as distractions, such as TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. This initiative addresses concerns about technology's impact on well-being and aims to help users disconnect from habitual app usage. Unlike traditional app timers, Pause Point disrupts the app-launching process, encouraging users to reflect on their engagement with the app. During the delay, users are prompted to engage in alternative activities, such as breathing exercises or using productivity apps. Users can also set personalized app timers and must restart their phones to disable Pause Point, fostering intentional engagement with their digital habits.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

My Windows 11 PC now has the iconic Windows XP taskbar, and it’s weirdly perfect

An enthusiast with a gaming PC featuring an RTX 4070 Ti and 32GB of DDR5 RAM integrated a Windows XP taskbar into their Windows 11 setup using Windhawk, a customization tool. After installing Windhawk, they selected the "WinXP" theme from the "Windows 11 Taskbar Styler" mod, transforming the taskbar into a nostalgic XP version without compromising functionality. Core features like notifications and pinned applications remained intact, and the system tray adopted the XP theme. The user also explored various other mods, including real-time CPU and RAM usage display, a middle-click application close feature, and a volume control center on the taskbar, enhancing their personalized computing experience.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

WinApp: the ultimate tool to create apps without programming on Windows

WinApp is a command-line interface (CLI) developed by Microsoft for Windows 11 that simplifies application development by eliminating the need for extensive coding knowledge. It integrates with popular editors like VS Code, Rust, Python, and JavaScript, allowing users to create native Windows applications easily. Key features include the command "winapp init" for automating project setup and dependency management, automatic updates to the "appxmanifest.xml" file, and the command "winapp restore" for quick reconfiguration of the development environment. WinApp supports various programming languages and frameworks, making app creation accessible to a broader audience, including those without programming skills.

Winsage

May 10, 2026

Microsoft Confirms KB5083769 Breaks Macrium and Acronis Backups

Microsoft's April 2026 Windows security update, KB5083769, may disrupt image-mount operations for backup applications such as Macrium Reflect, Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, UrBackup Server, and NinjaOne Backup due to the addition of the psmounterex.sys kernel driver to its Vulnerable Driver Blocklist. This action was taken to address a high-severity buffer overflow vulnerability, CVE-2023-43896. The inclusion of this driver in the blocklist has rendered several backup products inoperable, and Microsoft will not retract the block for security reasons. Administrators can use Event ID 3077 in the Code Integrity log to confirm that the blocklist is causing the failures. Microsoft advises updating backup applications to versions that include necessary driver protections instead of uninstalling or pausing the security patch. Additionally, the April updates have caused other issues, such as failures in Windows Server installations and devices booting into BitLocker recovery mode.

BetaBeacon

May 9, 2026

7 Addictive Card and Strategy Games Android Users Should Try in 2026

Hearthstone has a Google Play rating of 4.1+ and has been downloaded over 100 million times.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Samsung Driving Insights app could be the backseat driver no one asked for

A newly leaked build of Samsung's One UI 9 reveals an app called Driving Insights, which uses artificial intelligence to provide personalized feedback on driving habits. The app analyzes driving behaviors through location tracking and AI algorithms, generating weekly summaries for users. It assesses aspects such as speed and braking intensity, and activates when a phone connects to a vehicle's Bluetooth. Users can filter reports by time and distance, receiving feedback ranging from commendations to constructive advice. The app will also monitor rapid acceleration and sharp turns. Driving Insights aims to enhance driving practices, but raises concerns about the reliability of AI-generated advice in promoting safe driving.

Winsage

May 5, 2026

April 2026 Windows Update Breaks Third-Party Backup Software by Blocking Vulnerable Driver

Microsoft will include the psmounterex.sys driver in its Vulnerable Driver Blocklist in the April 2026 security update, affecting third-party backup applications that use this driver for image mounting and Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) snapshots. This decision addresses CVE-2023-43896, a critical buffer overflow vulnerability. Affected software includes Macrium Reflect, Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, UrBackup Server, and NinjaOne Backup on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server platforms. Users may face issues during image-mount operations, receiving error messages related to VSS timeouts and Code Integrity errors in the Event Viewer. To check if a system is affected, users can look for Event ID 3077 in the Code Integrity Operational log. Microsoft recommends upgrading to newer versions of backup applications that do not use blocked drivers and advises against uninstalling or delaying the April update. Additionally, the update may cause certain Windows Server 2025 devices to boot into BitLocker recovery mode and has led to out-of-band updates for Windows Server update failures and restart loops on domain controllers.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Valve breaks down the issues causing Steam Machine launch delay

Valve's Steam Machine, a compact gaming PC running on SteamOS, was initially set for an early 2026 release but is facing delays due to supply chain challenges, particularly RAM and SSD shortages. Lawrence Yang, a UX designer at Valve, expressed disappointment over the situation, noting that these shortages are impacting all products that rely on those components. Despite the delays, there are rumors of a significant shipment of game consoles to Valve warehouses, suggesting a potential full launch of the Steam Machine this summer. The Steam Machine is one of three hardware launches Valve has planned for the year, alongside the Steam Controller and the Steam Frame VR headset.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

There’s an extreme lack of good quality, easy-to-find video game figures, and after seeing people make their own I’m tempted to try it myself

The author is new to figure collecting and enjoys searching for figures, particularly Hatsune Miku, at shops like Surugaya and Book Off. They highlight the creativity in customizing figures, mentioning a transformation of a Mizuhara Chizuru figure into Mari from Omori by yumenikkis, which involved detailed alterations. Another creator, Fallen Petal Studios, makes clay figures from scratch, including characters from various video games and shows, showcasing intricate details and craftsmanship. The author considers the possibility of customizing some of their own figures, particularly those that are less visible in their collection.