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Google Clock's alarm failed me so I found 5 better apps to wake me up
AppWizard
May 2, 2026

Google Clock’s alarm failed me so I found 5 better apps to wake me up

Google Clock may not effectively wake heavy sleepers. Alternatives include: - Chrono: An open-source alarm app with customizable alarms and a Tasks section that requires users to complete challenges before dismissing the alarm. - Sleep As Android: A comprehensive sleep health app that tracks sleep patterns and offers wake-up tasks (CAPTCHAs) and a Smart Wake Up feature for a gentler waking experience. - NFC Alarm Clock: A lightweight app that allows users to disable alarms using NFC tags placed around the home, promoting physical activity to get out of bed. - Alarmy: An app designed for heavy sleepers, featuring various wake-up tasks, including physical challenges and notifications, to ensure users wake up. - Sun Alarm: An app that allows users to set alarms for astronomical events like sunrise, suitable for photographers and weekend mornings.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era sold 250,000 copies and 'broke even on development costs' in 1 day
AppWizard
May 2, 2026

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era sold 250,000 copies and ‘broke even on development costs’ in 1 day

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era sold over 250,000 copies within its first day of early access. It received 91% positive reviews from more than 3,500 user reviews on Steam, achieving a "very positive" overall rating. The game reached a peak concurrent player count of nearly 52,000 on Steam and is currently among the top-selling games on the platform. The first patch for the game has been released, which includes bug fixes, network enhancements, balance adjustments, and localization fixes.
PC Builder Proves You Can Game Without Touching the Usual Trio of Intel, NVIDIA and AMD
AppWizard
May 1, 2026

PC Builder Proves You Can Game Without Touching the Usual Trio of Intel, NVIDIA and AMD

A gaming PC was built using components from lesser-known manufacturers instead of the typical Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD. The key components include a KaiXian KX-7000 processor from Zhaoxin with 8 cores, 8 threads, and a maximum clock speed of 3.6 GHz, paired with a Moore Threads MTT S80 graphics card featuring 16GB of GDDR6 memory and a clock speed of 1.8 GHz. The system booted into Windows 11 after resolving initial memory issues, utilizing a single 16GB Samsung workstation stick. The total investment in the CPU and motherboard was around 0. Performance benchmarks included a Geekbench single-core score of 789 and a multi-core score of 3,344, a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 570 and a multi-core score of 4,432, and 3DMark scores of 3,682 for graphics and 3,625 for the CPU.
AI may be coming to Windows 11’s Clock app as Microsoft turns it into a focus tool
Winsage
April 29, 2026

AI may be coming to Windows 11’s Clock app as Microsoft turns it into a focus tool

The upcoming Focus feature in the Windows Clock app includes enhancements aimed at improving user productivity, such as integration with Tasks, a visually appealing interface, analytics on focus sessions, and customization options. It will leverage the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in newer Windows PCs, particularly enhancing the Insights feature, although the NPU page in the test version is mainly for debugging. The current test version lacks traditional elements like the clock and timer, featuring a modernized aesthetic with rounded corners. Users can customize their experience with music playback, volume adjustments, and background images. The redesigned tasks pane allows sorting by various criteria and includes options for AI-generated suggestions. Integration with Microsoft To Do is seamless, and a feature called Reflection prompts users to evaluate their focus sessions. An Insights page for focus sessions is under development, and initial tests show the new app consumes nearly double the RAM of its predecessor. The Settings page offers extensive customization options, including focus and break durations, and hints at future integration with e-learning platforms. Users can enable Focus insights to monitor concentration levels and pause sessions when needed. The timeline for the rollout of the new features remains unclear.
Surfshark Has Dropped to $1.78/mo: Unlimited Devices, One Subscription (Ends Soon)
Tech Optimizer
April 28, 2026

Surfshark Has Dropped to $1.78/mo: Unlimited Devices, One Subscription (Ends Soon)

Surfshark is offering a VPN service at a discounted price of .49 per month, down from the regular price, with an upfront cost for a two-year commitment being approximately .76, which includes three additional months free. The service supports unlimited devices, provides security for online activities, access to popular streaming services, and offers unlimited data and speeds with over 4,500 servers in 100 countries. It allows unlimited simultaneous connections and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, Surfshark has introduced an antivirus option for .08 per month, which includes features like dark web monitoring and anonymous browsing. The antivirus plan costs .96 for the initial two-year period, also at an 88% discount. Surfshark maintains a no-logs policy and has been audited by third parties, making it a secure choice for users.
Top 10 Security Suites with VPN Included in 2026
Tech Optimizer
April 28, 2026

Top 10 Security Suites with VPN Included in 2026

Purchasing a VPN can lead to a minor reduction in internet speed, but advancements like optimized protocols (e.g., WireGuard) have made this less of a concern. Acquiring a comprehensive cybersecurity suite is generally more cost-effective than separate VPN and antivirus software, and these suites are designed to minimize software conflicts. Many well-known security packages, such as Norton and McAfee, offer licenses that cover multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS). While no cybersecurity software is completely impervious to attacks, these suites significantly reduce risk and defend against various threats. It is recommended to enable a VPN when using public Wi-Fi, and many users opt to keep their VPN active continuously for enhanced privacy and security.
Peter Molyneux's right about one thing: It's sad how no one seems to care about god games anymore
AppWizard
April 23, 2026

Peter Molyneux’s right about one thing: It’s sad how no one seems to care about god games anymore

Peter Molyneux, creator of Masters of Albion, expresses sadness over the decline of god games, a genre he pioneered with Populous. He notes that modern iterations are rare, leading to a perception that the genre is overlooked compared to others like first-person shooters and role-playing games. Molyneux identifies a vicious cycle where dwindling interest from developers results in less enthusiasm from publishers, further discouraging new projects in the genre. His studio, 22cans, has chosen to self-publish Masters of Albion, which blends elements from his previous works. Despite mixed initial impressions, there is hope that the game could revive interest in god games.
Now You Can Run GameCube and Wii Games on Switch Without Android
BetaBeacon
April 22, 2026

Now You Can Run GameCube and Wii Games on Switch Without Android

- Tico v0.7.0 update includes an experimental Dolphin core for GameCube and Wii emulation on the Switch. - The Dolphin core runs on Horizon OS via custom firmware, eliminating the need for a second operating system like Android or Linux. - Tico allows for automatic game library management and a controller-first interface for better handheld use. - Custom firmware is required to run Tico on a Nintendo Switch, with different methods depending on the Switch model. - GameCube and Wii games have been tested on Tico v0.7.0, with some titles running well and others experiencing minor issues.
'A performance tool that requires a graduate seminar before breakfast has already lost the room': Why Windows Task Manager looks like it's getting CPU usage wrong
Winsage
April 22, 2026

‘A performance tool that requires a graduate seminar before breakfast has already lost the room’: Why Windows Task Manager looks like it’s getting CPU usage wrong

Users have expressed frustration with Windows 11's Task Manager CPU usage reporting, believing it relies only on base clock speeds. Dave Plummer, the original architect of Task Manager, indicated that discrepancies may arise from average calculations and inherent compromises in the metrics. In response, Microsoft announced a fix in a recent Preview build, stating that Task Manager will now use standard metrics for CPU utilization across all pages to align with industry standards. Plummer also suggested a distinct Windows mode for power users to enhance flexibility.
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