broadcast Archives

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Don’t miss Minecraft LIVE!

Mojang's Minecraft LIVE event is scheduled for March 21st at 10 AM ET, featuring a community preshow at 9:30 AM PT. The event will showcase new features and updates, including the upcoming game drop titled Tiny Takeover, with insights from developers. An aftershow will provide further engagement and live gameplay. The event will be streamed on YouTube and Twitch.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

YouTube App for TVs Gets 30-Second Unskippable Ads Globally

Google has introduced longer, 30-second unskippable ads on the YouTube app for smart TVs, marking a shift in advertising strategy compared to mobile and laptop platforms. This change is part of an initiative to enhance content delivery on larger screens, utilizing Google AI to alternate between different ad formats. YouTube's growth is projected to lead to revenues reaching billions by 2025, with the living room becoming its fastest-growing venue. Viewers on smart TVs are experiencing longer engagement times, making the "Skip Ad" button less common unless they subscribe to YouTube Premium. YouTube is also exploring subscription models, including a budget-friendly “Premium Lite” tier. However, some markets, like Vietnam, have imposed restrictions on ad lengths. Despite this, YouTube remains the leading streaming platform in the U.S., and the trend towards longer ads is expected to continue.

AppWizard

March 7, 2026

Get Up, Samurai. Cyberpunk 2077 Is Coming to Xbox Game Pass

Last month, Xbox Game Pass added The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. In March, Cyberpunk 2077 is a notable release, along with a variety of other games. Xbox Game Pass is available on multiple platforms, with subscription plans starting at a monthly fee. To a T, created by Katamari Damacy's Keita Takahashi, is available for Game Pass Premium, Ultimate, and PC subscribers, featuring a teenager in a T-pose navigating a seaside town. F1 25, the latest in Codemasters' Formula One series, is now available for Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscribers, featuring last season's teams and circuits. Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf is available for Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscribers, continuing the puzzle-platforming journey of its predecessor. Construction Simulator launches on March 10 for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC subscribers, allowing players to manage a construction company. Cyberpunk 2077 debuts on March 10 for Game Pass Ultimate and Premium subscribers, featuring a mercenary named V in a dystopian setting. DreamWorks Gabby's Dollhouse: Ready to Party is scheduled for release on March 17 for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC subscribers, based on the animated Netflix series. Microsoft will remove six titles from Game Pass on March 15.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Wary of strangers recording you? This app warns you when smart glasses are nearby

A new Android application called Nearby Glasses, developed by Yves Jeanrenaud, alerts users when smart glasses are nearby by scanning for specific Bluetooth signatures. It is available on the Google Play Store and GitHub, functioning by identifying Bluetooth advertising frames from brands like Meta and Luxottica Group S.p.A. The app aims to address privacy concerns associated with smart glasses, particularly in light of reports about facial recognition technology being integrated into these devices. Jeanrenaud created the app to provide a countermeasure to surveillance technology, though he warns it may generate false positives with other devices that emit similar signals. The market for smart glasses is expanding, with companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple expected to enter the market.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Local school district files civil complaint against Roblox, Microsoft and creator of Minecraft

The Champion Local School District has filed a civil complaint against gaming companies Roblox, Mojang AB, and Microsoft in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The lawsuit claims these companies contribute to a mental health crisis among children by designing addictive video games that utilize operant conditioning to encourage prolonged gameplay. The district alleges that this addiction leads to increased anxiety, depression, declining academic performance, chronic absenteeism, and worsened ADHD symptoms among students. The district has had to hire counselors and implement measures to address video game addiction. The lawsuit also criticizes the companies' marketing strategies for portraying their products as educational while allowing access to younger players than recommended. The district is seeking a jury trial, damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The defendants have not yet responded to the allegations.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Russia’s ‘national messenger’ was billed as a platform for the people. It’s dominated by state-run channels.

Approximately 70 percent of the channels on Russia's state-promoted messaging platform, Max, are registered by government agencies and public institutions, according to an analysis by Agentstvo. The platform has over 170,000 public channels, attracting an audience of 80.5 million followers. Government entities have established at least 118,200 channels, with municipal authorities and state institutions contributing over 70,000 channels. Schools and kindergartens have set up more than 34,000 and 19,000 channels, respectively. Business channels make up about 13 percent of the total, with approximately 21,600 channels. The analyzed channels have a combined total of 88.3 million followers, but only 26.3 million, or about 30 percent, are subscribed to state-run channels. More than half of all subscriptions on Max are concentrated among just one percent of the most popular channels, with seven of the ten most-subscribed channels being state-affiliated or propagandistic.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

KONAMI Unveils Rev. NOiR, a New RPG, on Sony Interactive’s State of Play Broadcast

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. has announced the development of a new role-playing game titled Rev. NOiR for PlayStation®5, revealed during Sony Interactive’s State of Play broadcast. A teaser trailer and a dedicated website have been launched to provide insights into the game. The story is set in a world affected by a phenomenon called light fall and follows a boy with amnesia and a girl on a quest to stop this destructive force. The narrative explores themes of destiny and the human spirit. Further announcements regarding the game's features and storyline are expected.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Russia moves to block WhatsApp, pushes state-backed rival

Russia has announced steps to block WhatsApp, part of a broader initiative to control foreign technology while promoting its own messaging app, MAX. WhatsApp has about 100 million users in Russia and 3 billion globally, and has expressed commitment to keeping users connected amid these challenges. Russian regulators have also imposed restrictions on Meta's platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, as well as international media outlets. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Meta could resume operations in Russia if it complies with local laws. Russian authorities have removed WhatsApp from an online directory managed by communications regulator Roskomnadzor. Additionally, users of Telegram in Russia reported slow traffic and potential restrictions, with the app's founder asserting a commitment to freedom and privacy despite government pressure.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

UK-based pair behind messaging app accused of giving data to Iranian regime

Hadi and Mahdi Anjidani, co-founders of TS Information Technology, operate a messaging app called Gap Messenger, which is associated with the Iranian regime. Their company is based in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, and is linked to the Iranian software corporation Towse’e Saman Information Technology (TSIT). Despite claims of encryption and user privacy, experts have raised concerns about Gap Messenger's role in government censorship in Iran. Mahdi Anjidani has expressed pro-regime views in Iranian media and has connections to the Iranian government through his ventures. Gap Messenger has over 1 million downloads on Google Play and is part of Iran's domestic internet network aimed at controlling citizen access to information. Reports suggest that the app may have shared user data with Iranian authorities. The Anjidani brothers have ties to various business ventures in Iran, including a social network and a payment platform.

AppWizard

February 10, 2026

Why LAN Messenger Download? The Smart Solution for Offline Team Communication

A LAN messenger is a lightweight, secure, and efficient tool for internal communication over local networks, functioning offline without the need for an internet connection. It enables instant messaging, file sharing, private chats, and group messaging among computers within the same network. Key features include simple setup without server requirements, efficient file sharing that bypasses cloud storage limits, and minimal impact on system resources. LAN messengers are particularly suitable for small and medium offices, remote branches, educational institutions, and companies with sensitive data. They enhance communication efficiency, security, and collaboration while reducing reliance on internet-dependent platforms.