charts Archives

BetaBeacon

June 25, 2026

Winlator vs GameNative vs GameHub 2026: Android PC Gaming

- Winlator is the original Windows container for Android. - GameNative allows you to play PC games from Steam, Epic, and GOG on your Android device. - GameHub is a closed-source app distributed by GameSir, known for its high performance but criticized for invasive permissions and telemetry.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Surprise, surprise, Minecraft players are already using mods to bypass Xbox’s new age restrictions

Xbox has implemented social restrictions for players in the UK who have not verified their age as over 18, in line with the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA). Players may receive a notification stating "chat is not allowed by account settings" due to this age verification requirement. Many Minecraft players on PC are using mods to bypass these restrictions. Following the OSA's introduction, VPN applications gained popularity, and a security breach last October exposed nearly 70,000 user ID photos from an age verification firm associated with Discord. The UK government plans to enforce stricter regulations for users under 16 starting next year, which may lead to increased efforts to take down mod solutions.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Steam’s second most-played game right now is reportedly a bot-filled marketplace that can get you banned

Steam's player population data shows that idle games are popular, with Bongo Cat remaining prominent and Banana achieving the tenth-highest peak for concurrent players. Task Bar Hero, launched at the end of May, reached approximately 450,000 concurrent players overnight and set a new record of 526,596 concurrent players, ranking just below Counter-Strike 2. The game's success is attributed to its passive item earning mechanic, allowing players to sell items on the Steam marketplace, where some items are valued between £50 and £150, and a legendary bow is listed for £1,183.16. Concerns have arisen about market manipulation by a bot farm, leading developers to enhance data collection on private servers to identify unauthorized program users. The data tracked includes user ID, game version, and device information.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

NotebookLM just got a big upgrade, and research could get a lot easier

Google has upgraded NotebookLM to enhance its capabilities beyond simple document summarization, making the research process more efficient and reliable. The new features include: - NotebookLM can now automatically search the web and recommend sources, reducing manual reference gathering. - A cloud-based system allows NotebookLM to perform background tasks and generate various file types, including PDFs, spreadsheets, charts, images, and presentations. - The advanced Gemini 3.5 and Antigravity models improve the accuracy of responses and the handling of complex projects. - The tool previously relied on user-uploaded files for information but now offers more precise responses without placing the burden of reference collection on users. - Some features are currently available to Google AI Ultra subscribers and Workspace customers, with broader access expected soon.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Minecraft is Officially the Best-Selling Video Game of All-Time

The video game industry surpasses both Hollywood and the music sector combined in terms of success. Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, with 350 million copies sold. Its closest competitor, Grand Theft Auto V, has sold 225 million copies, while Wii Sports has sold nearly 83 million copies. The significant sales figures highlight the evolution of gaming from a niche pastime to a dominant form of entertainment.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

I’m a sucker for clean UI — these are the 9 best-looking Android apps I’m using in 2026

Hacki for Hacker News is an open-source app with a sleek design, enhancing user experience for accessing Hacker News. Gradient Weather features stunning visuals with bold typography and animated headers for weather updates. PeakFinder uses augmented reality to identify mountain peaks with a minimalist aesthetic. Mako is a minimalist launcher with pastel themes and extensive customization options. Buzzkill offers vibrant notification management with a visually appealing interface. Zest is a to-do list app with an attractive design and organizational tools. Fotmob provides in-depth soccer statistics and real-time updates with customizable widgets. The Wikipedia app features an attractive interface for easy navigation of information. Txori is a time-management app with a retro-minimalist aesthetic and effective scheduling capabilities.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

Steam Week in Review: 4 Backrooms games released on Steam last week, joining a list of over 500 cash-ins, parodies and legitimate contenders

A24's adaptation of The Backrooms has led to the release of only four new Backrooms-themed video games on Steam, despite over 500 results for "Backrooms" on the platform. Among the released titles, 225 are available, with an estimated 150 being legitimate playable games. Recent adaptations include Backrooms Cats and Lava, Backroom Warfare II, Chained in the Backrooms, Backrooms Santa, and Skibidi Gyatrooms. Escape the Backrooms and Inside the Backrooms are highlighted as quality co-op options, while The Complex: Expedition and Within the Backrooms are recommended for single-player experiences. Additionally, a Backrooms-themed event by publisher Secret Mode aims to help players find quality titles amidst the clutter. The Sims 4 is receiving favorable early access reviews on Steam, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is currently discounted by 70%.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Survey reveals 50% of users don’t like the new Google Health app

Over a week after the Fitbit app transitioned to the Google Health app, users have expressed mixed feelings about the changes. While 51% of users in a poll acknowledged that the app looks better, they found it worse to use. Only 5% enjoyed the functionality while disliking the design, and just 23% felt the app was both visually appealing and user-friendly. Users reported difficulties in accessing basic metrics, with complaints about the app's new layout complicating navigation. Many expressed frustration over the AI coach's intrusive nature and the lack of essential statistics on a single screen. Additional complaints included issues with workout data integration, the removal of hourly move reminders, and food logging challenges. Users are considering switching to alternative platforms, with Garmin being a popular choice.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Google reveals massive list of fixes and new features coming to the Google Health app

Google has announced a series of updates and bug fixes for the Google Health app, focusing on enhancements in exercise tracking, nutrition, daily activity, sleep, and the Google Health Coach features. Key updates include: - Exercise Tracking: - Fixes for misclassified runs, introduction of run splits, improved map loading times, and addressing incomplete TCX exports. - Enhancements to app responsiveness during live tracking and better exercise detection. - Nutrition and Calorie Tracking: - Bug fixes to prevent log duplication, ensure accurate meal types, and correct calorie reporting for Pixel Watch users. - Improvements include custom food logging, enhanced goal-setting, and detailed food log views. - Daily Activity: - Addition of charts for hourly step goals. - Sleep: - Fixes for missing Sleep Scores and improvements like a 24-hour total sleep view and better visibility for sleep metrics. - Google Health Coach: - Refinements for clarity in messages, incorporation of visual elements, and enhanced user preference memory. - Fitness Plans: - Revisions based on user feedback and improvements in coach-generated workouts. - Metric Views: - Fixes for data consistency and easier customization of dashboards. - Data Sharing: - Fixes for app crashes and improvements for sharing data with Apple Health and medical records. - Account Migration and Support: - Enhanced processes for managing child accounts. These updates are set to roll out over the coming weeks and months.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Steam is flooded with liminal spaces games and I approve, but I think I’ve found the best to start with

Dreamcore explores "liminal spaces," featuring environments like indoor pools, low-poly suburbia, and children's play areas, with a notable "liminal hotel" inspired by the Backrooms meme. Liminal spaces evoke feelings of transition and emptiness and have gained popularity on platforms like Steam. Since its release in January 2025, Dreamcore has introduced a new map called Dead Mall, reminiscent of 1990s super malls. Other titles in the genre include Pools, Tainted Pools, and Liminal Waters, while games like Dream Logic offer a PS1-era twist. Dreamcore is noted for its diverse themes and well-optimized performance, allowing players to explore unsettling landscapes. Steam's sales chart from May 12 - 19 lists the top games by revenue, with Subnautica 2 leading, followed by Forza Horizon 6, Counter-Strike 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Night is expected to rise in the charts, and 007 First Light is gaining traction due to pre-orders. Librarian: Tidy Up The Arcane Library ranks eighth despite its April release. A humorous user review for Bubsy 4D received attention for its candidness.