catalog Archives

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google Revamps Android App Store Rules, Cuts Fees Amid Global Antitrust Pressure

Alphabet's Google has announced a transformation in app distribution on Android devices, allowing external companies to register and launch their own app stores by paying a one-time fee. This change aims to enhance accessibility for competitors and lower costs for developers. Google will reduce its standard commission for developers from 30% to as low as 15% or 10% in some cases, with implementation expected by June in the US, UK, and EU, and similar changes in Australia, South Korea, and Japan by the end of 2026. Developers using Google’s billing services will incur a flat fee of 5%, while they can also opt for third-party payment processors. Epic Games has expressed approval of these changes, which they believe will help resolve ongoing litigation. Google generated approximately .66 billion in sales from its app marketplace in 2020, and regulatory changes could reduce its gross profit by around billion. The European Commission has accused Google of violating the Digital Markets Act, which could lead to fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue. Google has previously faced €9.5 billion in fines for competition law violations. A US jury ruled in 2023 that certain Android policies violated antitrust law, leading to an injunction requiring Google to allow competing app stores access to its app catalog. Despite regulatory pressures, Google stated that the changes to the developer fee structure were voluntary and not mandated by legal rulings.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Capcom Says 50% of Its Game Sales are Now From PC, Expects Ratio to Continue to Grow

Capcom reported that approximately 50% of its game sales are attributed to PC platforms as of the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, and they expect this percentage to increase. The company highlighted the importance of their evolving PC development framework and the technical skills gained from previous projects. Additionally, Capcom noted strong catalog sales for the Resident Evil series and attributed this success to effective pricing measures and the anticipation of new titles. They plan to continue promotional activities in the fourth quarter to enhance catalog sales further.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

How to migrate applications to Windows 11

Organizations are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 following the end-of-support date for Windows 10. Windows 11 is designed to support most applications that ran on Windows 10, but challenges may arise due to undocumented legacy applications and configurations. A thorough evaluation of devices, including installed applications and data locations, is essential to minimize disruptions during the upgrade. Migrations can be categorized as clean installations or in-place upgrades. A clean installation erases the previous OS and data, while an in-place upgrade retains existing settings and applications. In-place upgrades are not allowed for certain transitions, such as from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro without first upgrading to Windows 10 Pro. IT professionals often prefer clean installations to avoid carrying over issues from the previous OS. During an in-place upgrade, data in library folders is retained, but data in the Windows folder may be at risk. Compatibility issues may arise with poorly designed applications or drivers post-upgrade, particularly with legacy applications reliant on outdated frameworks. Preparation for migration includes creating an inventory of applications, identifying potential incompatibilities, and ensuring backups of data. IT must also confirm hardware meets Windows 11 requirements. If a clean installation is chosen, strategies for application installation must be developed, utilizing tools like System Center Configuration Manager or Microsoft Intune. Validation and testing of migration tools should occur in a lab environment, followed by a pilot deployment on a small percentage of machines. After successful pilot testing, the final deployment can proceed, followed by an audit to address any issues. Careful planning and testing are crucial for a smooth migration process.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Newzoo: Top Games of 2025 on PC & Console

PC and Nintendo Switch are more welcoming to new intellectual properties (IPs) compared to PlayStation and Xbox. The top-selling PC game of 2025 is Battlefield 6, followed by ARC Raiders and Schedule I. New IPs like R.E.P.O. and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are also performing well on PC. In the console market, sports games dominate revenue rankings for PlayStation and Xbox, while first-party titles excel on Nintendo Switch. Indie and AA games such as Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades II, Fantasy Life i, and Tiny Bookshop are achieving impressive sales on the Switch. The top games by Monthly Active Users (MAU) include Counter-Strike 2, Roblox, and Fortnite.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

GOG adds 10 more games to its Preservation Program to provide long-term support with DRM-free access

GOG has expanded its Preservation Program, which now includes 100 games, ensuring they remain accessible and playable on modern systems. Recently, 10 new titles were added, including The Wolf Among Us and The Last Express. Notable classics in the program include Fallout, The Witcher 1+2, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Dungeon Keeper, and Resident Evil 2. GOG is also developing native support for the GOG Galaxy application for Linux users.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Cozy-punk record shop sim Wax Heads is spinning onto PC and consoles on May 5, 2026

Indie developer Patattie Games, in collaboration with publisher Curve Games, will launch the game Wax Heads on May 5, 2026, available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Players will take on the role of a team member at Repeater Records, a vinyl shop, engaging with customers and making choices that affect their experience. A playable demo will be available during Steam Next Fest from February 23 to March 3. The game features over 80 in-game records, more than 60 hand-drawn characters, and over 30 original songs. Key features include a handcrafted musical world, an emotional narrative, puzzle designs, and a comic book art style. Patattie Games is co-founded by Murray Somerwolff and Rothio Tome, while Curve Games is an award-winning publisher based in London.

BetaBeacon

February 16, 2026

Top Mobile Games to Try in 2026: PlayStation‑Level Fun on Android

- Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG game available on Android with high-end visuals and constant seasonal updates. - Call of Duty: Mobile brings the classic FPS franchise to Android with fast-paced multiplayer matches and a battle royale mode. - Hearthstone is a strategy card game set in the Warcraft universe, offering deep strategy for veterans and regular expansions. - Just Dance Now brings the energetic dance-filled experience of the Just Dance series to mobile devices with thousands of popular songs to dance to. - The Elder Scrolls: Blades brings the world of Tamriel to mobile devices with fast-paced combat, dungeon crawling, and town building.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Digging a huge hole has never been as exciting (or terrifying) as it is in Mole

A game titled Mole is set to launch in Q2 2026, focusing on piloting a post-war drilling machine within a horror and simulation framework. The game features a nostalgic PS2 aesthetic and includes menial tasks essential for maintaining the drilling machine. A demo is currently available and will continue into Steam Next Fest. Players experience tactile controls with satisfying sound effects, creating an immersive environment. The narrative introduces surreal elements, including foreign dialogue and a grave-digging scenario that hints at deeper themes. Players are encouraged to explore the demo on Steam and can wishlist the game for its upcoming release.

Winsage

February 16, 2026

Windows 11 KB5077181 Security Update Causing Some Devices to Restart in an Infinite Loop

Microsoft's security update KB5077181, released on February 10, 2026, for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, has caused critical boot failures, leading to infinite restart loops for users. The update addresses 58 vulnerabilities, including six zero-day exploits, and introduces new Secure Boot certificates. Users have reported errors such as “a specified procedure could not be found” and DHCP failures, with installation errors like 0x800f0983 and 0x800f0991 affecting specific hardware. To resolve issues, users are advised to uninstall the update and pause Windows Update. Accessing the Windows Recovery Environment may also be necessary for persistent boot loops. While some users experienced improvements, the overall instability highlights risks associated with updates. Microsoft has not acknowledged any known issues related to this update as of February 15.

Tech Optimizer

February 16, 2026

How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows 11 (3 Methods Including winget)

To uninstall McAfee on Windows 11, go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find McAfee, and select Uninstall. Alternatively, use the command winget uninstall --id "McAfee.TotalProtection" in an elevated terminal. After uninstalling, run McAfee’s MCPR removal tool to remove any leftover files and registry entries. Windows Security (Defender) will automatically activate after McAfee is removed. McAfee is often preinstalled on Windows 11 laptops by manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS. It is recommended to create a system restore point before uninstalling and ensure you have administrative rights. After uninstalling, check for any remaining McAfee entries in installed apps, running services, Task Manager processes, leftover folders, and scheduled tasks. If issues arise during uninstallation, booting into Safe Mode or using the MCPR tool can help. Windows Security is a built-in antivirus that activates automatically after McAfee removal, providing protection.