communication Archives

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Messaging apps alleged coup conspirators used for communication

The choice of communication methods, such as WhatsApp and Zangi, influenced the outcome of a clandestine operation related to an alleged coup against President Bola Tinubu's government. Retired navy captain Erasmus Victor, facing treason charges, mentioned being recruited to find financial backers for the coup by Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, who introduced him to Zangi for its security features. Zangi claims it does not store communication histories and uses end-to-end encryption, but investigators may still access data on users' devices. The investigation includes evidence from devices rather than relying solely on messaging companies. Mr. Victor and his co-defendants have denied wrongdoing and are challenging the admissibility of their statements in court.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

There was originally supposed to be a ‘much bigger’ reveal of Light No Fire: here’s why Sean Murray changed his mind

Hello Games has been working on a project titled Light No Fire for nearly three years, following the success of No Man's Sky. Studio founder Sean Murray indicated that there was an intention to showcase more content at the Summer Game Fest 2024, but the positive reception of the initial teaser, which received 20 million views and made it the number two game on the Steam wishlist, led to a change in plans. Murray emphasized a cautious approach to sharing information, stating that they prefer to let the game speak for itself and avoid unnecessary press communication. He mentioned having played Light No Fire recently and noted that the current state of the game exceeds typical expectations for what a studio would reveal at this stage.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Big Walk: So, what’s the deal with that number puzzle?

Players in Big Walk can find a prize called a nubbin inside a frosted glass container near the beach, marked by two four-digit numbers. The numbers 4166 and 1899 are coordinates (latitude and longitude) that lead to the button's location on the island. To solve the puzzle, players need to first place five nubbins atop the red tower to access a map room. The map indicates that the button is located east and south of the starter hub, with specific measurements derived from the numbers. A small button is hidden behind a rock, and one player must hold it down while another retrieves the nubbin. Players can also use a GPS device to assist in locating the button.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

2026’s Best PC Game Officially Steam Deck Verified

2026's highest-rated PC game, Big Walk, has received Steam Deck Verified status, indicating it operates smoothly on the device. It has a Metacritic score of 92, surpassing competitors like Forza Horizon 6 and Resident Evil Requiem. Although Sektori has a higher score of 94, it is a 2025 release and not eligible for the 2026 title. Big Walk, developed by House House and published by Panic, is an online co-op adventure game with a 92% approval rating from over 5,000 user reviews on Steam, priced at .99. The game features a vast open world filled with puzzles and requires teamwork for success.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Minecraft for Switch 2 has a closed beta available to selected players

The enhanced version of Minecraft for the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch in October. Mojang and Microsoft are conducting a closed beta test for this version to refine gameplay and address bugs before the official release. The number of beta testers is undisclosed.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Organized crime is using encrypted messaging apps to enlist youth. This spells trouble for police

Toronto has seen an increase in gunfire incidents aimed at the U.S. consulate, leading to the arrests of a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old. These incidents are linked to alleged gun-for-hire plots that also target Jewish schools, synagogues, and waste management facilities in the Greater Toronto Area. Investigators are facing difficulties in identifying the masterminds behind these operations, partly due to the use of encrypted messaging apps to recruit young individuals. The federal government's Bill C-22 aims to provide law enforcement with tools to address these challenges, but it has faced criticism for potential overreach and privacy concerns. Police Chief Myron Demkiw emphasized the need for effective tools to prevent violence facilitated through encrypted communication. Technology analyst Carmi Levy raised concerns about balancing law enforcement needs with privacy rights. Additionally, there is a societal responsibility to protect children from online recruitment by criminal networks, with calls for proactive conversations between parents and children and educational initiatives in schools.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

PC Game Permanently Removed From GOG in Sudden Delisting

Circle Empires has been permanently removed from the GOG digital storefront, following a wave of delistings that included six other games on July 31. Developed by Luminous and published by Iceberg Interactive, Circle Empires was released in 2018 and has over 1,000 user reviews on Steam with an 88% approval rating, qualifying it for the “Very Positive” distinction. On GOG, it has a score of 3.8 out of 5. The reasons for its delisting are unclear, as it remains available on Steam. GOG announced the delisting on August 6, providing only 48 hours' notice. Circle Empires is currently priced at .99 on Steam. A sequel, Circle Empires 2, was launched earlier this year but is not available on GOG. Despite the delisting, a classic PC game was recently added to GOG for free.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Big Walk patch addresses voice volume complaints with restraint: ‘We consider it an important part of the game’s design that you can only hear players who are close to you’

The puzzle game Big Walk features a proximity voice chat that has received mixed feedback from players regarding volume levels, especially for those with quieter microphone setups. In response, developer House House released a patch to enhance audio, making quieter voices more audible at close and medium distances, while maintaining the original distance at which voices fade. The patch does not increase the range of voice communication or allow for separate adjustments of voice and background audio levels. Players have reported varying experiences with the voice volume, with some adapting quickly while others find the volume drop-off challenging.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Witchfire, Avowed, Ninja Gaiden, Ready or Not, and more

The Epic Games Store is offering a giveaway of two titles, We Were Here Together and Beacon Pines, available until August 13. Steam is giving away the action RPG Moonlighter for free until August 9. The August Humble Choice includes eight games, such as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge Ultimate Edition, available until September 1. Humble also has several bundles, including the Unhinged Indie Anthology collection and the In Your World VR collection. The GOG store features a variety of DRM-free titles. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Hidden code in ChatGPT’s Android app suggests OpenAI is building a direct WhatsApp sticker export

OpenAI is developing a feature in ChatGPT's Android app that would allow users to create stickers and export them directly to WhatsApp via an "Add to WhatsApp" button. This feature is not yet officially announced but aims to simplify the current multi-step process of creating custom WhatsApp stickers from ChatGPT. The anticipated functionality would enable users to convert text prompts into WhatsApp stickers easily. OpenAI has removed usage limits for free ChatGPT users, and image generation has become a popular feature. The integration with WhatsApp could enhance user engagement and streamline the sharing of AI-generated images as stickers.