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Avast settlement: Who gets a second payment
Tech Optimizer
October 17, 2026

Avast settlement: Who gets a second payment

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has raised concerns about Avast's data collection practices through its antivirus software and browser extensions since at least 2014, alleging that it collected sensitive user information. The FTC's settlement order restricts Avast from misrepresenting its data usage and requires the company to pay a total of .5 million to affected users. Claims related to the settlement must be submitted by 2025, with initial payments starting in December 2025. A second round of payments will distribute over .5 million to 91,093 individuals who accepted their initial compensation, with instructions for cashing checks and receiving payments via PayPal and Zelle.
In an effort to look more like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge may get rid of 'Favorites' — here's what you'll get instead
Winsage
October 15, 2026

In an effort to look more like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge may get rid of ‘Favorites’ — here’s what you’ll get instead

Microsoft Edge is transitioning from its Favorites bar to a more streamlined collection of bookmarks, as observed in the Canary version of the browser. This change aims to align Edge more closely with Google Chrome, potentially aiding users migrating from Chrome. The integration of this feature into the stable version of Edge is expected soon. Despite this, Edge has a poor reputation, with a market share of only 6.04%, compared to Chrome's 66.36% and Safari's 18.27%. In the mobile sector, Edge has virtually no market presence.
"A new PC is a meaningful purchase" — Microsoft thinks Windows 11 is finally good enough to be the selling point
Winsage
October 15, 2026

“A new PC is a meaningful purchase” — Microsoft thinks Windows 11 is finally good enough to be the selling point

Microsoft has announced significant updates to Windows 11, including enhancements to the Photos app, an upgraded Search experience currently being tested with Windows Insiders, and improved phone integration. Key features include faster Bluetooth pairing with AirPods, which is up to 15 seconds quicker, and gaming improvements through Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) that reduce initial game load times for titles like Forza Horizon 6 and Gears of War: E-Day. Microsoft has also introduced an Xbox 25th Anniversary bundle with over 0 worth of games, including Skyrim Special Edition, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Age of Empires II Definitive Edition, Minecraft Dungeons, and Gears of War: Reloaded. The company is encouraging users to consider new hardware as it implements changes based on user feedback through its Windows K2 initiative.
"Begun, the clone wars have" — Microsoft 365 apps have been copied by the AI dev who cloned the Adobe suite
Winsage
October 13, 2026

“Begun, the clone wars have” — Microsoft 365 apps have been copied by the AI dev who cloned the Adobe suite

Developer Brandon Thomas is creating open-source alternatives to Microsoft’s applications—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint—using artificial intelligence. His suite includes GridCraft (Excel clone), DeckCraft (PowerPoint clone), and WordCraft (Word clone), all powered by the Claude AI model and available for free download on the ArtCraft GitHub page. These applications mimic the functionality and design of Microsoft 365, challenging the necessity of expensive subscriptions for productivity tools. Thomas has previously replicated the Adobe suite and aims to provide competitive alternatives to established software giants.
Steam Machine Verified vs Steam Deck: 47 vs 38 Games [2026]
AppWizard
October 11, 2026

Steam Machine Verified vs Steam Deck: 47 vs 38 Games [2026]

Valve has revealed that as of October 5, 2026, the Steam Machine has 47 verified games, surpassing the Steam Deck's 38 verified games. Three games—Dragon’s Dogma 2, Control Resonant, and The Blood of Dawnwalker—were upgraded from Unsupported on the Steam Deck to Verified on the Steam Machine. The Steam Machine's verification standard requires a resolution of 1080p at 30 frames per second, while the Steam Deck requires 800p at 30 frames per second. The Steam Machine is powered by hardware comparable to an AMD Radeon RX 7600M, while the Steam Deck uses a custom RDNA 2 APU. The analysis of the top 100 best-sellers shows that 38 games are Verified on Steam Deck and 47 on Steam Machine, with 28 playable on Steam Deck and 23 on Steam Machine. There are 19 Unsupported titles on Steam Deck and 15 on Steam Machine. Valve's compatibility documentation states that any game verified on Steam Deck is also guaranteed to be verified on Steam Machine.
October’s Humble Choice Lineup Is Officially Live, Featuring Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Psychonauts 2, and 6 More Games
AppWizard
October 9, 2026

October’s Humble Choice Lineup Is Officially Live, Featuring Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Psychonauts 2, and 6 More Games

This month, Humble Choice offers a selection of eight games for .99/month, including Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Psychonauts 2, all rated 8/10. Members receive a complimentary month of IGN Plus and contribute 5% of their subscription fee to Hilarity for Charity, supporting families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
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