Death Stranding 2: On The Beach showcases impressive visual fidelity on the PlayStation 5, offering a captivating photo-realistic experience. The PC version, tested on a GeForce RTX 3080, Ryzen 5 5600X, and 32GB of RAM, performs well at 1440P and 60FPS, but struggles with frame drops and stutters, which were not present in the PS5 version. The game can achieve higher frame rates if uncapped, but reaching full 4K resolution requires careful graphics adjustments. On the Steam Deck, the game performs poorly, with frame rates fluctuating between 15-30FPS, making it unplayable. Despite its visual appeal, the PC port's performance issues hinder the overall experience.
Crimson Desert is an action-adventure game set in the continent of Piveil, where players control a character named Cliff on a quest to reclaim what has been lost and protect the realm. The game features an open-world design for exploration. It supports both AMD and Intel processors, offers enhanced stability for smoother gameplay, incorporates advanced security protocols for data protection, and simplifies the configuration process for easier setup.
The command line on Windows can be intimidating for average users, but tools like Windows Terminal enhance its usability with features such as tabbed browsing and improved text rendering. Winget allows users to install multiple applications simultaneously in the background, streamlining the setup process for new PCs. Oh My Posh improves the PowerShell prompt by providing contextual information and customizable themes. Git enables users to track changes and revert mistakes in files, while the bat command allows for quick viewing of text files in the terminal with syntax highlighting. These tools collectively enhance the Windows user experience by making the command line more accessible and efficient.
A Windows vulnerability named "RegPwn" (CVE-2026-24291) allows low-privileged users to elevate their access to full SYSTEM privileges. Discovered by the MDSec red team, it has been in use since January 2025 and was addressed in a recent Microsoft Patch Tuesday update. The vulnerability exploits the management of Windows accessibility features, which generate a registry key that grants full control to low-privileged users. When a user activates an accessibility tool, the configurations are copied into the local machine registry hive, which remains writable by the logged-in user. This creates an opportunity for manipulation, especially when user-controlled settings interact with the Windows Secure Desktop environment. An attacker can exploit this by modifying their user-level accessibility registry key and using an oplock on a system file, allowing them to replace the local machine registry key with a symbolic link to an arbitrary system registry key. This process operates under SYSTEM privileges, enabling the attacker to write arbitrary values to restricted areas of the Windows registry. MDSec demonstrated this technique to gain access to a SYSTEM-level command prompt. Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability, and MDSec has made the exploit code available on GitHub for research purposes.
Google has announced that connected display support for Android has reached general availability with the release of Android 16 QPR3. This feature allows compatible Android phones and foldable devices to initiate a new desktop session on an external display while maintaining the phone's independent state. Supported devices include the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series, as well as various Samsung devices like the Galaxy S26, Fold7, Flip7, and Tab S11. The collaboration between Google and Samsung has been crucial in developing this feature.
The Android 16 QPR3 release has refined windowing behaviors, taskbar interactions, and input compatibility for mouse and keyboard usage. It introduced two new width window size classes: Large (1200dp to 1600dp) and Extra-large (1600dp and above) to assist developers in creating adaptive layouts. Navigation 3 has also been released, providing a system for managing UI flow based on Scenes.
Design principles for desktop contexts have been updated, emphasizing the importance of multitasking, efficient use of screen space, and accommodating various input types. The Android Design Gallery has been launched to showcase design examples across different categories and input types.
The announcement has implications for mobile advertising and app measurement, as the distinction between mobile and desktop ad inventory becomes more complex. Developers are advised to ensure their apps can adapt to changes in display configurations to maintain ad performance and measurement accuracy.
Key dates include the announcement of connected display general availability on March 3, 2026, and the launch of the Android Design Gallery on March 16, 2026.
Microsoft is implementing a two-phase initiative to disable the hands-free deployment feature in Windows Deployment Services (WDS) due to a critical remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2026-0386) identified on January 13, 2026. This vulnerability arises from improper access control related to the Unattend.xml file, which is transmitted over an unauthenticated RPC channel, allowing attackers on the same network segment to exploit it. Successful exploitation could grant SYSTEM-level privileges and compromise OS deployment images.
The initiative includes:
- Phase 1 (January 13, 2026): The hands-free deployment feature will remain operational but can be disabled. New Event Log alerts and registry key controls will be introduced to enforce secure practices.
- Phase 2 (April 2026): The hands-free deployment feature will be completely disabled by default for administrators who have not modified registry settings.
Administrators can temporarily re-enable the feature by setting AllowHandsFreeFunctionality = 1, but this is not secure. Recommendations include reviewing WDS configurations, applying security updates, setting registry keys for secure behavior, monitoring Event Viewer for alerts, and considering alternative deployment methods. Microsoft’s KB article 5074952 provides further guidance for impacted organizations.
Android 17 has introduced Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM) to enhance user security by preventing non-accessibility applications from using the Accessibility API, which has been exploited by malware. AAPM allows only verified accessibility tools to utilize the API and implements stricter security settings, including blocking installations from unknown sources, limiting USB data access, and mandating Google Play Protect scans. Applications must declare themselves as accessibility tools with the attribute isAccessibilityTool="true" to use the Accessibility Services API. Additionally, Android 17 features a new contacts picker that allows applications to request access to specific contact fields instead of the entire address book, enhancing user privacy.
Microsoft has halted plans to integrate Copilot into Windows 11 system interfaces, including notifications, Settings, and File Explorer. These features, initially announced in 2024, never reached the market. A Microsoft spokesperson indicated that feature development may involve private previews and public iterations, with potential changes or removals based on customer feedback. The anticipated Copilot features did not materialize, and after the delay of Windows Recall, resources were reallocated to address related issues. AI functionality later appeared in Settings and File Explorer without the Copilot branding, with new features such as semantic search and an AI actions menu that delegate tasks to other applications. The feature for Copilot suggestions in notifications has been canceled, and Microsoft has no plans to release it under the Copilot name. The company is shifting away from the Copilot branding in Windows 11, focusing on Microsoft 365 integrations and minimizing AI presence in response to user feedback and stock value concerns. Future AI features will be optional and easier to disable.
Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes is a standalone entry in the Little Nightmares franchise, featuring a new cast of characters, immersive environments, and distinct chapters. The game has an independent narrative that enhances the overarching lore with references to previous installments. Developed by Iconik, a French studio specializing in virtual reality, the game is designed to be accessible for new players while still appealing to long-time fans. It includes innovative VR gameplay mechanics tailored for virtual reality, with puzzles and interactions that involve climbing, crouching, and object manipulation. The game will be available on PS5 with PSVR2, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and SteamVR for PC VR, optimized for various headsets. It aims for a minimum target of 72 FPS on PC via SteamVR. Dark Six returns as the main protagonist, and the game is set to launch on April 24, 2026. Recommended PC system requirements include Windows 11, Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce 2060 SUPER or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT. The game takes place in The Pale City, featuring dark and mysterious locations.
