connections Archives

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

These two apps finally fixed my creative workflow

Notion is a flexible tool for managing structured tasks like invoices and project tracking but can feel restrictive for creative workflows due to its need for organization. Capacities, on the other hand, allows for free thought and creativity without the pressure to categorize ideas immediately. The author has found that using both tools together enhances productivity: Capacities is used for brainstorming and collecting ideas, while Notion is utilized for structured tasks and organization. Each application serves distinct purposes, with Capacities fostering creativity and Notion providing a reliable system for daily operations.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

Why I Use simplewall Instead of Windows Firewall (And You Should Too)

Simplewall is a rule-based firewall controller for Windows that enhances the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) without replacing it. It allows users to manage network access for applications and services with a user-friendly interface, supporting advanced features like filtering rules by IP, port, or protocol. Users can create tailored profiles for different scenarios and have comprehensive control over network interactions, including blocking telemetry data and automatic updates. Simplewall is lightweight, portable, and operates without background processes or telemetry, ensuring a straightforward user experience. Setting up simplewall involves downloading it, extracting the files, and enabling filters, allowing users to establish a functional firewall profile quickly. While it offers many advantages, such as being open-source and compatible with older Windows versions, it may be overwhelming for beginners and lacks detailed app profiling compared to premium firewalls.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Google should learn from this rumored Apple Watch app upgrade

Apple is preparing to introduce watchOS 26, which may allow third-party widgets to be integrated into the Control Center of Apple Watches, enhancing user experience by providing access to actions or data from various applications. Currently, the Control Center only includes first-party functionalities. Meanwhile, Google is also updating Wear OS, which may not include this feature in version 6 but will offer enhancements such as a refreshed visual style, improved battery life of up to 10%, and a better always-on display.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Citadel Launches Digital Signage Software, Android App

Citadel Texas has launched an upgraded version of its Citadel Digital Signage software suite, featuring a new Android app and media player aimed at enhancing customer engagement through dynamic video content and real-time updates. Key features include enhanced engagement tools, effortless management, and accessibility at an affordable price. The software allows businesses to create impactful visuals, influence purchasing decisions, and transform displays into educational hubs. The Android app and media player offer features like integrated Google Reviews, live weather widgets, and reliable connectivity. The solution is particularly beneficial for healthcare settings, improving patient experiences during wait times. Pricing starts at a competitive rate, making it accessible for various businesses.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

MVRDV’s ‘Out of the Box’ Project Looks Like a Building Pulled Straight from Minecraft

A new residential tower named Out of the Box, designed by Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, is being built in Taipei’s Tianmu neighborhood. The 25-story structure reaches a height of 250 feet and features a dynamic facade with box-like protrusions that create additional living spaces such as balconies and terraces. MVRDV utilized digital scripting to navigate Taiwan’s building regulations, allowing for a balance of sunlight and privacy. The design includes a small number of repeating apartment types with variations due to the protruding boxes. The tower aims to foster community by providing private outdoor spaces in a humid subtropical climate. It is clad in marble, enhancing its sophisticated appearance while integrating with planned greenery to create a vertical garden.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

I put McAfee and Norton head-to-head in an antivirus showdown, and the results were quite surprising

McAfee and Norton are two leading antivirus providers known for their robust online safety solutions. Both offer essential security features such as real-time threat detection, firewall protection, identity theft protection, VPN services, password management, and parental controls, but they differ in implementation. McAfee uses advanced machine learning for real-time threat detection but has a higher rate of false positives and shows room for improvement against ransomware and phishing. Norton excels in malware detection and has a strong performance against ransomware, blocking 95% of phishing links in tests. McAfee's firewall monitors incoming threats and protects connected devices, while Norton’s firewall prevents untrusted applications from accessing the internet with extensive configuration options. In identity theft protection, McAfee offers comprehensive features with live agent support, whereas Norton partners with LifeLock for enhanced services, including credit monitoring and up to one million dollars in compensation for identity theft losses. McAfee provides unlimited VPN access with basic functionality, while Norton’s VPN includes advanced features like split tunneling and a kill switch. Both include password managers, but McAfee's lacks some functionalities, whereas Norton’s is user-friendly and supports data import from other managers. For parental controls, McAfee allows website blocking and app restrictions, while Norton offers detailed content filtering and monitoring of online activities. In system performance, both have received high marks, with McAfee showing a superior impact score in tests. User experience varies, with McAfee being more accessible for non-technical users and Norton catering to more experienced individuals. Recent testing indicates both effectively blocked nearly all threats, but McAfee had more false positives. Both brands received high ratings from SE Labs for protection and accuracy. The choice between them depends on individual needs, with McAfee being user-friendly and Norton offering advanced features and enhanced identity protection.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Expect more ‘Chicken Jockey’ moments in movies. At least, if traditional brands start taking advice from Minecraft

The 'Chicken Jockey' easter egg in A Minecraft Movie highlights the connections between gaming culture and film. Harry Elonen, associate brand director of Minecraft, discussed this at SXSW London, noting that many casual players struggle to explain what a chicken jockey is due to its rarity in the game. The movie has grossed 8 million worldwide, making it the second most successful video game adaptation after The Super Mario Brothers Movie from 2023. A Minecraft Movie will be available for streaming on Max starting June 20.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Facebook, Yandex Apps Secretly Track Users Via Hidden Ports, Research Claims

Recent findings from IMDEA Networks Institute indicate that Facebook and Instagram apps have been tracking Android users' web browsing activities without consent, bypassing privacy controls and functioning even in incognito mode. This tracking affects millions of websites using Meta's tracking code. Yandex has employed similar tracking techniques since 2017, creating a cross-platform surveillance network. The tracking exploits Android’s permission system by establishing background services that listen on network ports, allowing the apps to capture browsing data and associate it with users' accounts. Meta's pixel is present on about 5.8 million websites, while Yandex Metrica is on around 3 million sites, potentially impacting billions of users. Approximately 78% of sites with Meta’s pixel and 84% of Yandex's sites attempted localhost communications without user consent. This tracking method operates at the operating system level, unaffected by cookie clearing, incognito modes, or privacy settings. Researchers have demonstrated that malicious apps could exploit this technique to gather users' browsing histories. Many website operators were unaware of these localhost communications, leading to confusion and complaints. In response, major browser vendors are implementing measures to block these tracking methods. Meta ceased this tracking on June 3rd, coinciding with the research's public release. The research highlights a significant security gap in mobile platforms regarding localhost communications, emphasizing the need for stricter policies and vetting processes.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Shueisha Games and SAYIL GAMES announce sci‑fi boss‑rush action game BAKUDO for PC

Publisher Shueisha Games, in collaboration with developer SAYIL GAMES, has announced BAKUDO, a science-fiction boss-rush action game set to launch on PC via Steam, with the release date yet to be revealed. Players assume the role of Yuria at an elite academy focused on mastering BAKUDO, as they seek to uncover the mystery of her missing father while battling formidable opponents. The game features a unique combat system that combines ball-sport mechanics with action gameplay, allowing players to engage in real-time battles against powerful bosses and confront the academy's elite known as the Eight Stars, each with distinct combat styles.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

This Android loophole could have let your apps spy on your web browsing

Meta and Yandex have exploited a loophole in the Android operating system, allowing them to link web browsing data with app identities, bypassing privacy measures like incognito mode. This was revealed by researchers from the Local Mess project, who found that tracking scripts (Meta Pixel and Yandex Metrica) embedded in millions of websites transmit data from web browsers to apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Yandex Maps through local network connections. Meta began using this technique in late 2024, while Yandex has been doing so since 2017. The loophole allows browser data to be sent to localhost, enabling apps to access it without user notification. In response, Meta has paused the feature and is working with Google to address the issue, which Google acknowledges violates Play Store policies. Some browsers are blocking this tracking, but researchers warn that solutions may be temporary without stricter restrictions on app access to local ports. The study indicates that most sites using these trackers start data collection immediately upon visiting, often before consent is requested. To prevent this tracking, users are advised to uninstall the affected applications.