communicate Archives

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

This week’s Epic Games Store free games drops you into a novel, or tasks you and a friend to escape a haunted castle

Epic Games is offering two complimentary PC games: Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together, available for free from August 6 to August 13. Beacon Pines is a narrative adventure where players can alter the story by revisiting pages and using special words called charms. We Were Here Together is a cooperative puzzle game set in Antarctica that requires players to communicate using walkie-talkies to solve challenges and reunite.

Winsage

August 7, 2026

Microsoft Flags BNB Chain Malware Campaign Targeting Windows Users

Microsoft has identified a sophisticated malware campaign that uses the infrastructure of BNB Chain to spread harmful code through compromised websites. The attackers deceive visitors into executing malicious commands disguised as standard security checks, exploiting vulnerabilities in conventional website security measures. This campaign affects both businesses and individual users, utilizing ClickFix lures and EtherHiding techniques. An injected Base64-encoded JavaScript communicates with a BNB Smart Chain RPC gateway to facilitate these malicious operations.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

The offline messaging apps challenging internet shutdowns

Governments are finding it harder to suppress protests through internet shutdowns due to the use of offline messaging applications. Bitchat, an app launched in 2025 by Jack Dorsey, allows devices to communicate via Bluetooth without internet access and gained popularity during recent student protests in New Delhi amid an internet blackout. The Indian government attempted to block access to Bitchat's source code on GitHub, marking a notable first instance of trying to geoblock an open-source repository. On July 26, Bitchat had 430,000 daily active users in India, with 74% of global downloads occurring in the country from July 20 to July 26. The app has been used in various protests globally, including those in Hong Kong, Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda, Madagascar, and Iran. On July 23, the Indian government ordered GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories in India quickly. Jack Dorsey expressed concerns about the Indian government's stance on Bitchat, while digital rights advocates criticized the government's actions as unnecessary. The repositories remained accessible in India and were mirrored on decentralized platforms, complicating removal efforts. India's government has increasingly scrutinized communication platforms based on their design, imposing restrictions on apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.

Winsage

August 7, 2026

Microsoft admits it force-installed AI-powered OneDrive on Windows 11, says it’s not training on your faces (really)

Microsoft has confirmed that it has force-installed the OneDrive Photos app on Windows 11 PCs, including enterprise devices managed through Intune, despite the app being designed for personal Microsoft accounts only. IT departments can either remove OneDrive entirely or keep both the sync client and the new app. Microsoft acknowledged the unintended rollout but has not provided further clarification. The OneDrive Photos app features an AI-enhanced "People" feature, which is disabled by default and does not analyze photos stored solely on users' PCs. Face grouping occurs only in the cloud on images stored in OneDrive, and any data collected is deleted within 30 days if the feature is turned off. Users currently cannot remove the app independently; doing so requires the complete removal of OneDrive. An update is expected to allow users to uninstall the OneDrive Photos app separately.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Couple’s dispute over playing Slay the Spire 2 in bed gets a ruling from comedian John Hodgman: ‘Pick an arbitrary battle and stick with it’

Judge John Hodgman ruled that it is acceptable to play the game Slay the Spire 2 in bed, as long as both partners communicate and respect each other's boundaries.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

Starlink gaming: Can you really play online games via satellite internet?

Starlink uses a network of over 10,000 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet service, requiring users to have a clear view of the sky for optimal performance. It claims download speeds of up to 400 Mbps, which can be beneficial for gamers, although actual speeds may vary by location. Latency ranges from 25 to 60 milliseconds, which can impact performance in competitive gaming. Users can reduce latency by connecting devices via ethernet and ensuring the satellite receiver has an unobstructed view. The service has proven reliable for the author, who has experienced only one significant outage in over a year of use. Upload speeds are lower than traditional broadband, averaging 20-30 Mbps, which can be frustrating for tasks like 4K filming. Starlink is recommended for areas without fiber broadband, but 5G may be a better option where available due to higher potential speeds and lower latency. Starlink's hardware costs and subscription fees can be higher compared to 5G plans.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Google is replacing one of its most popular apps

Google is phasing out the Google Assistant app and transitioning users to its new AI-powered assistant, Gemini. Notifications have been sent to users about the discontinuation, which will begin on September 4 and take several weeks to complete. Devices that meet system requirements and are in supported regions will automatically switch to Gemini, allowing users to use familiar commands. The transition will also impact other connected devices like smartwatches and wireless earphones. Gemini aims to replicate the capabilities of Assistant while offering a more natural conversational experience.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Why I’m so excited for the Googlebook Android app experience on a desktop

Support for independent tech journalism is emphasized, particularly for Chrome Unboxed, which offers a membership for an ad-free experience and exclusive access to a private Discord. The author expresses frustration with the limitations of Android apps on ChromeOS, specifically citing issues with PUBG Mobile's performance on Chromebooks. The introduction of Googlebook, particularly the Lenovo Googlebook ‘Sapphire’ detachable tablet, is highlighted as a potential solution, featuring an architecture built on native Android, which promises improved app compatibility, native input mapping, direct hardware acceleration, and seamless Play Store integration. The author envisions an ideal tablet experience that combines the functionality of a desktop Chrome browser with robust Android applications.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

An official Microsoft engineer gives a favorite unofficial Windows 11 app a shiny polish

Microsoft is addressing performance gaps in Windows 11, particularly with built-in applications. Users have turned to third-party applications like Files, which has received a substantial update focusing on file extraction and folder loading improvements. The update includes enhanced user experience features, such as updated sidebar icons and improved management of encrypted archives. A notable addition is the integration of WindowSill into Files, allowing users to perform various tasks directly from file selections without opening dedicated applications. This integration provides context-aware actions for different file types, including images, PDFs, videos, and Office documents. The update also includes numerous bug fixes and performance enhancements. The latest version of Files, 4.2.2, is available for download on GitHub and the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

August 1, 2026

Not sure whether to use Windows Hello or Enhanced Sign‑in Security? This breakdown makes the choice easy

Microsoft will introduce Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) in the August 2026 update for Windows 11, allowing support for compatible external fingerprint readers. ESS aims to enhance the security of the authentication process rather than improve the accuracy of biometric recognition. Unlike standard Windows Hello, which processes biometric authentication through the operating system, ESS utilizes Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 to isolate sensitive operations in a protected environment. ESS-compatible fingerprint readers have dedicated secure processors, store templates internally, and communicate with the operating system via encrypted channels. Users can enable ESS by navigating to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options on their devices. If a device does not support ESS, standard Windows Hello remains a robust authentication option.