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AppWizard
October 19, 2026

Beyond These Stars | | PAX Australia 2026 Preview

Beyond These Stars is a city-building game where players construct settlements on the back of a space whale named Kewa. Players manage resources, build pathways, and maintain the whale's health and happiness. A demo at PAX 2026 included a tutorial and gameplay focused on expanding settlements and nurturing the relationship with Kewa. The game features a charming aesthetic with 3D modeling and a hexagonal grid layout, making resource identification and navigation intuitive. Beyond These Stars is set to launch on October 17, 2026, on Steam.
Review
AppWizard
October 18, 2026

Review

Minecraft Dungeons II is a sequel that builds on the original's accessible loot-driven action role-playing game (ARPG) formula, appealing to both younger players and families. The narrative involves mysterious rifts in the Overworld and the Supreme Evoker seeking to conquer it. The game features an interconnected open world with side quests, but the story lacks emotional depth. Gameplay enhancements include new mechanics like jumping, an expanded equipment system, and the introduction of Talisman slots, though it has limitations such as only three Artifact slots. Arrow regeneration improves gameplay flow, while the world design fosters a cohesive experience. Visually, it retains the voxel style with vibrant colors, but the sound design lacks a memorable soundtrack. The game is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Android TV Debloat Gets a Free tvOS-Style Makeover vibehack
AppWizard
October 18, 2026

Android TV Debloat Gets a Free tvOS-Style Makeover vibehack

A developer named Gathin has created tv-vibehack, a free and open-source tool for Android TV users that removes unwanted advertisements and preloaded applications. The tool operates over Wi-Fi and allows users to customize their home screens to resemble an Apple TV interface without rooting or physical connections. It can identify and debloat various TV models, such as Xiaomi, Redmi, TCL, Hisense, Sony, OnePlus, Realme, and Nvidia Shield, but does not support Samsung, LG, or Amazon Fire TV. The process takes about 15 minutes and includes a custom launcher with features like a sleek black background, a dock for favorite apps, and a drifting clock screensaver. Users must enable USB debugging and trust their computer to initiate the debloating process, which is facilitated by a coding assistant. While the tool does not root or permanently delete anything, users are advised to back up data and review documentation carefully, as disabling critical packages may disrupt essential features.
Microsoft is actively rebuilding Windows 11 Search. What does it mean? Our deep‑dive answers every major question.
Winsage
October 18, 2026

Microsoft is actively rebuilding Windows 11 Search. What does it mean? Our deep‑dive answers every major question.

Microsoft is transforming the Windows Search feature in Windows 11 to improve speed, accuracy, and utility. The new experience will allow users to perform tasks directly from the Taskbar and will include file previews, enriched web results, and integration with Copilot. A preview is available through the Windows Insider Program, with more features expected later this year and deeper integration with the Start menu planned by 2027. The introduction of WinUI 3 will enhance performance and search accuracy. Users can perform actions like switching to Dark mode, enabling Bluetooth, adjusting volume levels, and arranging windows directly from the Search box. Future updates will include inline file previews and richer web results, with AI-generated responses for certain queries through Copilot integration. The new Windows Search experience is accessible to Insiders running specific builds and can be enabled manually if not visible after installing the latest preview build. It does not require a Copilot+ PC or an NPU, as it uses a small machine-learning model that operates locally. Currently, it cannot perform actions on connected phones, but a feature for sending text messages is in development. The redesigned interface will be smaller and include inline previews and richer file details, along with comprehensive web results. Filters will be introduced to refine search results by category. The rollout for Insiders began on October 7, 2026, with plans for richer search results and Copilot integration later this year, and the new Search experience is expected to be incorporated into the Start menu by 2027. A general availability date for all Windows 11 users has not been announced.
All Users Can Now Download Android Auto 18.0 As "Cielo" Update Is Coming
AppWizard
October 18, 2026

All Users Can Now Download Android Auto 18.0 As “Cielo” Update Is Coming

Android Auto 18.0 has transitioned to production, rolling out to devices outside the beta program, focusing on under-the-hood improvements. The update includes references to the Cielo update, which introduces a redesigned layout, widgets integrated into the main interface, and expanded app support for video applications. Users will soon be able to watch videos on their infotainment screens while parked, with an audio-only mode being developed for use while driving. The full build number for the update is Android Auto 18.0.6642, and the Cielo update is expected to be ready for production devices by the first quarter of 2027.
Demon's Souls runs on PC at 60 FPS, while God of War Ragnarok still blinds players - PlayStation games tested on KyTyPS5 emulator
AppWizard
October 18, 2026

Demon’s Souls runs on PC at 60 FPS, while God of War Ragnarok still blinds players – PlayStation games tested on KyTyPS5 emulator

The KytyPS5 emulator, version v20261017, demonstrated impressive performance by achieving over 60 frames per second (FPS) on a setup with an MD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card while testing the Demon's Souls remake. With frame generation activated, the FPS increased to 120. The emulator currently supports a maximum resolution of 1440p, but stutters are still present. In contrast, God of War Ragnarok experienced performance issues, running at 10 to 25 FPS with graphical glitches. However, Astro Bot successfully runs on PC at approximately 60 FPS.
Cultists broke free - Cult of the Lamb ported to Android
BetaBeacon
October 17, 2026

Cultists broke free – Cult of the Lamb ported to Android

Enthusiasts ported the iOS exclusive game Cult of the Lamb to Android, using the original version as a base. The port works well on various smartphones, with stable 60 FPS reported even on older devices like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE.
Microsoft is killing a pointless extra process that slows Windows 11 app launches, but you can't force enable it yet
Winsage
October 17, 2026

Microsoft is killing a pointless extra process that slows Windows 11 app launches, but you can’t force enable it yet

Windows 11 has introduced an "accelerated app launch" feature, initially benefiting Microsoft Edge. This feature allows Windows to open Edge more quickly by routing requests directly to the existing instance of the app instead of starting a new temporary process. The update, KB5127936, was rolled out to Windows Insiders on October 16, 2026, and is part of updates for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2. The enhancement primarily improves the launch speed of Edge when it is already running in the background, particularly benefiting warm launches. Testing showed that Edge launched faster when other applications were active post-update. Microsoft aims to extend this feature to other single-instance applications, but it requires developers to meet specific prerequisites and request access to certain APIs. The accelerated launch feature is expected to be available as an optional update around November 10, 2026.
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