CEO Archives

Tech Optimizer

April 2, 2026

Cybersecurity expert highlights mobile device vulnerabilities

Cybersecurity expert John Joyce emphasizes the vulnerabilities of mobile devices, noting that many users mistakenly believe their smartphones are secure. He highlights that smartphones often serve as primary computing devices, storing sensitive personal information, which makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Joyce advises users to look for signs of compromise, such as device slowdowns or unusual app behavior, and to keep their devices updated with the latest operating systems and security patches to reduce risks. He recommends using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when on public Wi-Fi and suggests utilizing security apps like Norton and TotalAV for additional protection. Joyce also points individuals to Cirrus Technology Consultants' online resources for further information on mobile cybersecurity.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Garry’s Mod successor s&box finally arrives on Steam on April 28

Facepunch Studios has announced that their sandbox game, s&box, will launch on Steam on April 28. The game will allow users to create and export their own games as standalone titles on Steam without fees to Facepunch, thanks to a licensing agreement with Valve. Garry Newman, the founder of Facepunch, aims to give back to the gaming community, reflecting on his experiences with previous titles. The price for s&box is expected to be between unspecified amounts, making it accessible for developers and gamers.

Winsage

March 31, 2026

Speechify Launches with On-Device Voice AI for 1B+ Windows Users Worldwide

Speechify has launched a Windows application featuring real-time text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality, allowing for both cloud-based and on-device processing. On-device processing ensures user voice data remains secure on the machine. The application utilizes the Windows ML stack and platform APIs to operate across x64 and Arm64 architectures, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon technology for enhanced performance. The ONNX Runtime's QNN execution provider facilitates real-time transcription on Snapdragon laptops, enabling a split encoder-decoder architecture that optimizes processing. The application includes features like system-wide shortcuts, auto-pasting of transcribed text, OCR functionality, and secure data handling through Windows DPAPI. The Speechify Windows application is available for x64 and Arm64 devices via the Microsoft Store.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Remember when Mastercard pressured Steam to remove a bunch of NSFW games? The FTC says that’s not cool—sort of

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has addressed concerns to the CEOs of major financial service companies, including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Stripe, regarding the potential denial of services to customers based on political or religious beliefs. The letters warn that such practices could lead to investigations and enforcement actions. This initiative follows an incident involving Valve, where Mastercard was alleged to have pressured the company into removing adult-themed games from its Steam platform, although Mastercard clarified it did not directly influence the removals. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson emphasized the importance of ensuring all law-abiding individuals can engage in commerce. The situation is further complicated by an executive order from former President Donald Trump, which raised concerns about financial institutions surveilling individuals involved in conservative activities. Ferguson urged Mastercard's CEO to prevent unlawful debanking practices by its network members. There is uncertainty regarding a proposed rule change that may not significantly alter the discretion financial institutions have in customer-related decisions. Inquiries have been made to Valve and the FTC about the implications of these letters for adult video games on the Steam platform.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

We’re finally getting Gears of War E-Day gameplay as Xbox locks in major June 2026 showcase

The upcoming Gears of War E-Day Showcase will take place on June 7, 2026, at 10 AM PDT / 1 PM EDT / 6 PM GMT. It will include a dedicated direct presentation from The Coalition, unveiling new details, gameplay, and insights into the origins of the multiplayer series. Emergence Day, a pivotal event in the Gears of War universe, is expected to unfold primarily in the city of Kalona, where Marcus and Dom's families reside. E-Day marks the catastrophic emergence of the Locust horde, which decimated a significant portion of the human population. The showcase will also feature updates on other titles, including Fable and State of Decay 3, and may provide insights into the future direction of Microsoft's gaming division under new CEO Asha Sharma, who is considering making Game Pass more affordable.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

A programmer with terminal brain cancer was caught in Epic’s mass layoff, but CEO Tim Sweeney says the studio ‘will solve the insurance for them’

Mike Prinke, a technical writer at Epic Games with seven years of service, was among the 1,000 employees laid off while undergoing treatment for terminal brain cancer. His wife, Jenni Griffin, shared their situation on Facebook, seeking assistance as losing his job also meant losing health insurance. Epic Games announced that affected employees would receive paid healthcare coverage for six months. Griffin noted that Prinke's health issues were known within the studio, as he attended appointments for treatments crucial for his cognitive abilities. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the company is in contact with Prinke's family to resolve their insurance issues and acknowledged the oversight in recognizing the severity of his situation before the layoffs.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Over 20 years later, World of Warcraft is finally getting its first official Pride event, supporting this amazing long-running community initiative

Blizzard has officially recognized the World of Warcraft community Pride event, the Running of the Trolls, which has supported The Trevor Project for over a decade. The Darkspear Dash, scheduled for June 27-29, 2026, will take place on the Feathermoon-US server in the Troll starting zone on the Echo Isles. Participants will engage with a Darkspear Dash Event Coordinator to access a portal for a parade across Azeroth, ending at the fountain in Silvermoon City. The event has raised thousands for The Trevor Project, contributing over ,000 in 2018. This marks the first official Pride event in World of Warcraft after nearly two decades.

Winsage

March 27, 2026

Yes, your office admin can fully remove Microsoft’s Copilot app from your work PCs — if you follow this strict criteria for 28 days

In January, Microsoft released an update for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535, allowing administrators to uninstall the Copilot app on managed devices. This update addresses previous criticism regarding the lack of a mass-uninstall feature for administrators. Individual users have been able to remove Copilot from personal devices, but the new feature enhances user experience for managed devices. Microsoft also plans to improve user sentiment by reintroducing a movable and resizable Taskbar, reducing the visibility of Copilot and AI features, allowing indefinite postponement of updates, and eliminating the mandatory Microsoft Account requirement during setup. CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged public skepticism towards AI and emphasized the need for technology to demonstrate its value. Despite limitations on completely uninstalling Copilot, there is a desire for better user control over these features.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Valve veteran slams Tim Sweeney and Epic Games for laying off 1000 people while making ‘as much money as possible… and hey Tim, Gabe’s better at that than you’

Chet Faliszek, a former Valve writer, expressed concerns about the recent layoffs at Epic Games, where over 1,000 employees lost their jobs. He questioned the motivation for employees to remain dedicated to their work after such significant layoffs and highlighted the closure of projects like Fortnite Rocket Racing and Ballistic. Faliszek contrasted his experience at Valve, where he felt a sense of ownership and pride, with the current situation at Epic, suggesting that the lack of agency could lead to a diminished work ethic. He warned that the layoffs could negatively impact the gaming industry's culture, resulting in a loss of passion and care among employees. Faliszek criticized Epic's strategic decisions and emphasized the importance of recognizing and rewarding employees' hard work. Epic Games did not provide specific feedback on his comments but referred to a recent post addressing the layoffs. The atmosphere at Epic is tense, with concerns about the future of Fortnite amid the workforce reductions.

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

One unfortunate Fortnite developer was laid off twice by Epic Games

Epic Games has announced the layoff of over 1,000 employees, despite projecting revenue of approximately billion for 2025. This follows a previous layoff of 830 employees in 2023, which represented 16% of its workforce. The company is facing challenges due to a perceived downturn in revenue from Fortnite and financial strain from a legal battle with Apple. CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the layoffs are not related to AI. The layoffs have impacted a diverse group of employees, including Melissa Wafful, who was laid off twice within three years.