budget Archives

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Gears of War: E-Day devs are embracing ‘old-school’ multiplayer in 2026: ‘No battle pass, no tour of duty, no gimmicks, no bullsh*t’

The multiplayer aspect of Gears of War: E-Day features two modes: Horde Siege (PvE) and Versus (PvP), with gameplay reminiscent of 2007. Players can earn nearly all items through gameplay, without the need for battle passes. The game will launch with 60 unlockable characters and will offer free maps, modes, and cosmetics over five seasons. Cosmetics will focus on authenticity and creativity, staying true to the Gears universe. Players can earn a free currency, Coins, through gameplay, with a weekly cap, while a premium currency, Iron, allows for bypassing the grind for cosmetics.

Winsage

July 30, 2026

ThinkPads from 2008 are some of the hottest used laptops right now — Here’s how (and why) they’re being turned into Windows 11 PCs

The ThinkPad X210Ai is a modified laptop that combines the chassis of older ThinkPad models (X200/X201) with a modern mainboard from TP Art, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors, DDR5 RAM support, dual M.2 SSD slots, Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI 2.1. The modification allows users to retain the original display and keyboard while requiring some chassis adjustments. TP Art offers a kit starting at 9, with complete builds beginning at 9, excluding RAM and storage. The popularity of the X210Ai has surged due to rising RAM prices and the demand for reliable, customizable machines. The modified board allows compatibility with Windows 11 and various Linux distributions. Processing times for orders can take up to six months, and cancellations are not allowed once placed.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand review

Paul's expertise includes videogames, Star Trek, and flannel shirts. He is involved in the gaming world with the expansion "Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand," which focuses on wave defense mechanics and roguelike elements within a World War II setting. The expansion allows players to select factions and face waves of enemies on a compact map, starting with limited units and making strategic decisions after each wave. Players can enhance their capabilities with various abilities, and the gameplay emphasizes survival, adaptation, and strategy. Matches can be completed in around 40 minutes, and the expansion is accessible for both veterans and newcomers. It operates independently from the main game and is budget-friendly, making it a recommended choice for players.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

PlayStation ditching physical games is “a bridge across the bad years” of high hardware costs, analyst says, but it means “casuals and youngsters will drift off to mobile, PC, and free-to-play even faster”

PlayStation announced its intention to cease physical game production by 2028. Analyst Rhys Elliott described this shift as a "stopgap" rather than a long-term strategy, suggesting it may be a temporary measure to address current economic challenges and high hardware manufacturing costs. He raised concerns that this decision could alienate younger and budget-conscious gamers who typically enter the console market through affordable pre-owned discs, potentially impacting their future engagement with the platform.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

4 Android Phones That Will Get Software Updates Until 2030 And Beyond

Long-term support for smartphones is important for consumers, especially regarding data security. Security updates are typically provided, but software updates often lag, leaving devices without the latest features. Samsung committed to four years of OS updates and five years of security updates in 2022, evolving to seven years for newer devices in 2024. The Galaxy S24, launched in early 2024, will receive support through 2030. The Galaxy S23 has already concluded its software updates. Google’s Pixel 8, launched in 2023, is also expected to be supported until 2030 with seven years of updates. Nothing's Phone 3, launching in 2025, promises five years of software support and seven years of security updates, while Motorola's Signature model, debuting in 2026, is projected to be supported until 2033. OnePlus guarantees four years of software updates and five years of security updates, but none of its phones will reach the 2030 mark for new OS upgrades. Other brands like Oppo and Xiaomi lack transparency in their support policies, with Xiaomi only committing to two years of security updates.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Fanatical’s massive new ‘Wholesome’ bundle is offering 18 Steam Deck-friendly games worth $260 for just $51

The Wholesome Collection bundle from Fanatical allows gamers to choose titles in a flexible, build-your-own format, with pricing structured into three tiers: three to four games at .33 each, five to six games at .00 each, and seven or more games at .85 each. The complete set of 18 Steam Deck-compatible games costs .30, an 80% discount from the original total of .72. The bundle includes various games, some of which have confirmed Steam Deck compatibility, such as "The Last Cat in the Universe," "Above Snakes," and "Lonesome Village," among others. As of July 10th, 2026, the prices are accurate. Additionally, Humble’s Twin Sails Interactive bundle offers 13 Steam Deck-friendly games and 14 DLCs for .

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

HMD Asha 305: a sub-$75 Android phone with no Google apps

HMD is reintroducing the Asha brand with the launch of the Asha 305, priced at PHP 3,999 in the Philippines and around 2,390 baht in Thailand. The phone features a Unisoc SC9832E processor, options of 2–3GB of RAM, and 16–32GB of storage. It has a 5-inch display with a resolution of 854×480 pixels, a 5MP rear camera, a 2MP front camera, and a 2,500mAh battery with 5W charging. The Asha 305 operates on Android 14 Go without Google Mobile Services, offering around 100 pre-loaded apps. HMD has not announced availability or pricing for the US or UK markets.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Xbox players can soon access 13 Ubisoft PC games without buying them again

Microsoft and Ubisoft are enhancing their collaboration with a console-to-PC entitlement program, allowing players who own eligible Ubisoft games on Xbox to access the corresponding PC versions through Ubisoft Connect at no extra cost. This feature will be gradually rolled out, with access expected by August 4. The initial wave includes 13 games such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6. Ubisoft has also expanded its catalog in the Xbox PC app, offering more premium editions and downloadable content. However, the program only works one way; PC owners will not receive Xbox versions of games, and consumable items typically do not transfer unless the game supports cross-progression. Players need to update their Ubisoft Connect client to ensure the entitlement is detected.

Winsage

July 27, 2026

You heard wrong, Microsoft isn’t ending pirated Windows 11 with TPM, and the new rule only affects enterprise KMS servers

On July 22, Microsoft announced the KMS Hardware-Secured requirement, linking Windows volume activation servers to a TPM chip. This initiative is aimed at organizations using Key Management Service (KMS) servers to enhance security by ensuring that KMS hosts verify their identity and integrity through the TPM before activating Windows machines. The motivation behind this requirement is to prevent unauthorized activation methods that exploit fake KMS servers. Organizations are advised to ensure their KMS hosts are certified and that TPM is enabled. The KMS Hardware-Secured measures do not target individual users with pirated copies of Windows, as most current piracy methods do not involve KMS servers. Microsoft has not pursued legal action against minor piracy instances, focusing instead on maintaining user engagement through subscriptions and services.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Minecraft Java Edition system requirements want 8/16 GB RAM for the first time, but it isn’t more demanding now, Microsoft just hadn’t updated the specs in a while

Minecraft's updated recommended system requirements for the Java version now include a minimum of 16 GB of RAM and an RTX 2060 or equivalent GPU. This is a significant increase from last year's recommendations of 4 GB and 8 GB of RAM. The GPU requirements have shifted from older 700-series Nvidia graphics cards to more modern options. Microsoft states that these updates aim to clarify the hardware needed for smooth gameplay, although older devices may still run the game but with potential performance issues. Despite these changes, Minecraft remains relatively accessible compared to many contemporary titles, as even budget gaming rigs are expected to meet the new requirements.