challenge Archives

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Amazon App Store to shut down on Android within 48 hours

Amazon's App Store will no longer be accessible to Android users starting August 20, 2025, although it will still function on Fire TVs and Fire Tablets. Applications downloaded from the App Store will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices after this date, raising concerns about app stability and security. Amazon will also discontinue its Amazon Coins program on the same date, and users with unspent balances will be eligible for refunds if their payment information is current. Users are advised to log into their Amazon accounts to verify their balance and update their payment details. Forbes recommends that Android users use the Google Play Store for app needs due to its security measures. The shutdown reflects Amazon's strategic shift away from competing with Google Play on Android devices, focusing instead on its Fire ecosystem, which has sold over 40 million units globally in 2024. The Amazon App Store, launched in 2011, struggled to gain market share, with downloads dipping below 1% of the global app market by 2022.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Sword of the Sea review

Giant Squid will release their surfing game, Sword of the Sea, on August 19, 2025. The game features fluid movement across diverse landscapes, allowing players to surf while solving light puzzles. It includes enhanced haptic feedback for DualSense controller users, adding immersion to the gameplay. Players embody a warrior who awakens in an ancient kingdom to restore the flow of life, transforming barren areas into vibrant ecosystems. The main storyline takes approximately 3.8 hours to complete, and while the puzzles may be simplistic, the game focuses on exploration and visual beauty.

Winsage

August 18, 2025

Microsoft finally fixes Windows 11’s broken Dark mode after nearly a decade – The Times of India

Microsoft is updating dark mode in Windows 11 to address inconsistencies that have persisted since 2016. Recent preview build 26100.5061 shows dark themes applied to file operation dialogs, which previously remained bright. While the window backgrounds are now dark gray, some buttons still appear lighter, indicating ongoing work. The updates may be included in the Windows 11 25H2 update later this year. Despite the improvements, other legacy interface elements like the Registry Editor and Group Policy windows still need to be addressed for a consistent dark mode experience.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

1930s media mogul sim News Tower leaves early access in November, letting you build your journalism empire on the shoulders of the Mafia

News Tower is a management simulation game set in the 1930s that allows players to run a newspaper while interacting with the Mafia. The 1.0 edition is set to launch in November, introducing new features such as a competition system where players expand their newspaper's reach and face rival publications, and a faction system that enables alignment with various influential organizations. The game will leave early access on November 4, following positive reviews highlighting its engaging gameplay and tactical challenges.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Hordelord Unleashes Chaos on PC with Arena-Style Roguelike Action

Hordelord is a roguelike first-person shooter released on August 18, featuring wave-based arenas focused on survival. The game emphasizes a straightforward design, avoiding cinematic narratives and excessive content, and instead centers on player skill and adaptability. Each playthrough offers unique experiences due to dynamic enemy spawns and procedural elements, with upgrades that significantly alter gameplay. The game encourages constant movement and quick decision-making in confined spaces, creating a relentless pace. Players can access Hordelord on Steam, where it aims to provide an adrenaline-fueled experience without unnecessary distractions.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Five new Steam games you probably missed (August 18, 2025)

Steam releases approximately a dozen new games daily, making it easy for hidden gems to be overlooked. Recent notable releases include: - OFF: Released on August 16, developed by Mortis Ghost and Fangamer. This remake of the 2015 RPG features enhanced aesthetics and a new soundtrack by Toby Fox. - The Dark Queen of Mortholme: Released on August 16, developed by Mosu. Players assume the role of the final boss in an action platformer, engaging in battles and narrative choices that affect the outcome. - Ovis Loop: Released on August 15, developed by Lifuel. This early access roguelite platformer features a pixel art style and fluid combat similar to Dead Cells, with a complex skill tree for character evolution. - Abyssus: Released on August 13, developed by DoubleMoose Games. This "roguelite brinepunk" first-person shooter focuses on cooperative gameplay and weapon customization, with players retrieving brine from underwater caves while battling creatures.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Sketch crew Aunty Donna’s latest improv piece turned their set into a giant side-scrolling videogame and it’s great

Aunty Donna has released a sketch titled "IRL videogame," featuring comedians Mark Bonanno, Zachary Ruane, and Broden Kelly, who navigate a whimsical digital realm reminiscent of 1990s gaming. The sketch includes bizarre challenges, such as marching in place, and features eccentric characters, including a juvenile king. A notable element is the humorous portrayal of milkshakes as an overwhelming challenge. The sketch is available on YouTube, with a longer 70-minute version on Aunty Donna's Patreon.

AppWizard

August 17, 2025

One of the devs behind System Shock and Thief wants to see more games catering to ‘a new generation of folks discovering the game that demands more from them’

Marc LeBlanc discussed the success of the System Shock Remake on the Nightdive Studios' Deep Dive podcast, highlighting a dedicated audience for games that challenge critical thinking and creativity. He noted that the game encourages deeper engagement due to its lack of a conventional quest log. LeBlanc compared this trend to the success of FromSoftware games and mentioned titles like Stardew Valley as examples of a desire for depth in gaming. He reflected on his own gaming experiences, expressing a preference for challenging gameplay that requires critical thinking. Phil Savage from PC Gamer emphasized that the System Shock Remake did not need simplification for modern audiences but required an intuitive user interface and satisfying gameplay.

AppWizard

August 16, 2025

Save On Hundreds Of PC Games In Humble’s Summer Sale

Humble Bundle has launched its Summer Sale for 2025, running through September 4, featuring a selection of discounted titles. Notable offerings include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the Deluxe Edition, Alien: Isolation, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, and The Batman: Arkham Collection. Other highlighted games are Cult of the Lamb, Streets of Rage 4, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Kenshi. The sale includes bundle deals, such as the Warner Bros. Play The Legends Game Bundle, and the Humble Choice offers eight games, including Persona 5 Royal, for a set price. All games purchased are delivered as official Steam keys.

AppWizard

August 16, 2025

This excellent Samsung Good Lock feature should come to all Android phones

Samsung's One UI features the Display Assistant, which allows users to set individual screen timeout periods for specific apps, addressing issues like unwanted timeouts during ebook reading or downloads. It also includes a Quick Settings toggle to keep the screen on for 30 minutes and enables specific refresh rate adjustments for selected applications. Additionally, Display Assistant enhances adaptive brightness controls by allowing users to modify the speed of brightness adjustments and reset adaptive brightness patterns easily.