companion Archives

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

Come September, you won’t need a single Total War: Warhammer game to play its colossal, trilogy-spanning Immortal Empires campaign

The upcoming Lords of the End Times expansion for Total War: Warhammer 3 will be released on September 24 and will feature characters such as Nagash, Boris Todbringer, the Glottkin, and Grey Seer Thanquol. The Immortal Empires campaign will be accessible without needing previous Total War: Warhammer titles, and it includes 14 distinct factions, 24 legendary lords, various Free-LC lords and heroes, and free factions like Bretonnia. Total War: Warhammer 3 is currently available at a discounted price due to a 10th anniversary sale. The expansion aims to enhance the experience for both new and returning players.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

The MSI Claw EX is the most important handheld since Steam Deck — I still wouldn’t buy one

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus is a handheld gaming device powered by a next-generation Intel chip, known for its impressive performance and reliability. It features a seamless sleep and wake mode, allowing for extended hibernation without significant battery drain. The device retails at approximately 0 and has limited availability in the U.S. market. It has an 8-inch 1920 x 1200 display, weighs 1.73 pounds, and outperforms competitors like the Xbox Ally X, showing a 40% performance increase at 1080p resolution. The Claw EX has an 80 watt-hour battery, providing longer playtime compared to rivals under heavy load. However, users have reported graphical and performance issues in some games, and the Windows operating system can be frustrating due to slow game launches and frequent driver updates.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Beast of Reincarnation director apologizes for not providing ‘a sufficiently enjoyable experience,’ but promises Game Freak is working on it

Game Freak's latest title, Beast of Reincarnation, has received a mixed reception, with an aggregate score of 73/100 on Metacritic and a similar score of 73% in reviews. Players have expressed that the game feels "close, but not quite," prompting game director Kota Furushima to apologize for certain aspects that need refinement. He acknowledged the need for updates to improve story pacing, introduce frame generation, and allow players to skip cutscenes, while noting that difficulty adjustments are not a primary focus. Despite the critiques, co-op combat and the game's atmosphere have received positive feedback, with a unique post-apocalyptic vibe resonating with players. PC Gamer's Shaun Prescott praised the game's mature presentation, highlighting its commitment to a serious and immersive ambience.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

The Pixel Tag takes Google’s Find Hub network to the next level

Google has introduced the Pixel Tag, its first in-house Bluetooth tracker, during the Made by Google event alongside the Pixel 11 series. The device has an oval design, weighs 11.8 grams, and is available in a color called "Fog." It has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Pixel Tag utilizes a crowdsourced location system leveraging over 1 billion Android devices, and features Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for precise tracking up to 50 meters. Users can attach it to items like keys or wallets and locate them via the Find Hub app. A unique feature is a built-in button that allows users to ring their phone. The dimensions are 28 x 46.1 x 5.4 mm, powered by a replaceable CR2032 battery with a lifespan of over a year. The retail price is set for each or a bundle of four, with availability starting on November 11. It is compatible with other Google devices like the Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Students finally have real Windows laptop options that don’t break the $1,000 barrier — head back to school with the right PC

Dell's XPS 13 is priced starting at 9 and features Intel's "Wildcat Lake" processors with 8GB of high-speed LPDDR5x RAM. It weighs 2.2 lbs, making it a lightweight option for students. Dell's 16-inch model is priced at ,199, offering 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the 15-inch model provides 1TB of SSD storage. Microsoft is optimizing Windows 11 for devices with 8GB of RAM. Dell is offering back-to-school deals on its laptops.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Monopoly Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains for Switch 1/2 from $22 all-time low, Minecraft pre-orders now live, more

9to5Toys is a reliable source for the latest deals and insights in technology and lifestyle products. The homepage serves as a hub for news, trends, current deals, and in-depth analysis. Users can follow 9to5Toys on social media for real-time updates and discussions. They curate attractive Apple deals, host a daily podcast with expert commentary, and have a YouTube channel for product reviews and unboxings.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

1666: Amsterdam has the makings of something brilliant but I came away from its preview with a bad feeling as it’s early access release creeps too close for comfort

1666: Amsterdam is a game developed by Patrice Désilets at his indie studio, Panache Digital Games, after a legal battle with Ubisoft for the rights. The studio produces 15 to 20 builds a day, focusing on progression over perfection. The game features a vast map, a compelling narrative, and innovative exploration mechanics, with an early access launch scheduled for August 25. The protagonist, Noa, embarks on a quest with her feline companion, who contains the soul of a man named Aaron from the 1990s, to uncover demonic Originals and reclaim their powers while facing witch hunters.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

6 hidden Google apps you aren’t using, but should be

YouTube Create is a free mobile video editor that offers features for creating videos for platforms like Instagram Reels, including filters, effects, and AI capabilities for editing. Snapseed is a free photo editing app with professional-grade features and a user-friendly interface, recently updated to include a camera mode. Google Opinion Rewards allows users to earn Play Store credit by completing short surveys. Action Blocks enables users to create customizable buttons for specific smartphone actions, aiding those who struggle with traditional navigation. Gallery is a minimalist photo management app that focuses on viewing images and videos without distractions. Google Lens is a versatile tool that identifies objects, extracts text, translates in real-time, and engages users in conversations about their surroundings.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

The latest Expeditions game launches into early access today, and I can’t think of a better setting for the series than feudal Japan

Campfire Cabal has released Expeditions: Samurai in early access on Steam, transitioning from ancient Rome to feudal Japan. Players create a custom character arriving in Japan aboard the Dutch frigate De Albatros during the Sengoku era. The game features an expanded companion system with eight characters, stealth mechanics for tactical combat, and cooperative gameplay allowing a second player to control a twin of the main character. Expeditions: Samurai includes five main quests, three side quests, and 14 locations, with plans for future updates to add new content and features. The final version aims to have over 35 side quests, a player village, crafting mechanics, and mini-games, with completion expected by early 2027. Early adopters can purchase the game at a lower price.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

The best Android weather app you should be using isn’t on the Play Store

Megan Ellis transitioned from basic weather notifications to dedicated weather apps, discovering the benefits of tailored insights. Breezy Weather stands out for its customization features, allowing users to select various data blocks such as precipitation, forecasts, wind data, pollen levels, UV index, and more. The app offers customizable notifications and widgets, enhancing user experience without intrusive ads. Breezy maintains a clean interface, focusing on relevant weather data. However, its alert system has limitations compared to competitors, lacking customizable options for specific weather conditions.