consumer concerns Archives

Winsage

October 16, 2025

£2B UK cloud licensing claim against Microsoft seeks backers

The ongoing legal challenge against Microsoft seeks £2 billion in damages for alleged overcharging of businesses using its software on competing cloud platforms. The case was filed with the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) and highlights significant cost disparities when running Windows Server on rival clouds compared to Microsoft's own services. Dr. Maria Luisa Stasi is leading the initiative, which was officially filed in December 2024, following a 637-page report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that found Microsoft's licensing policies disadvantage customers using services from competitors. Key findings from the CMA's investigation include significant price discrepancies, restrictions on product availability through AWS and Google, and limitations on transferring licenses to these platforms. The CAT hearing in December will determine if the case proceeds to trial. Microsoft is also facing additional legal challenges, including a complaint from Google regarding its licensing practices and a ruling from Austria's Data Protection Authority about illegal tracking of students. The CMA has recommended leveraging digital market powers to address these issues, but no official actions have been announced.

Winsage

September 26, 2025

Turns out, Microsoft will offer Windows 10 security updates for free until 2026—but unfortunately not in the US or the UK

The author's mother is using a 2009 HP machine with Windows 10, which will lose official support on October 14. To keep her system secure, she can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program at no cost until October 13, 2026, by logging into her Microsoft account. This enrollment can be done using Microsoft Rewards points or by enabling Windows Backup. Euroconsumers have expressed concerns about the limited one-year extension of the ESU program and criticized Microsoft's acceleration of Windows 10's phase-out compared to previous versions. Windows 10 remains popular, as indicated by its status in a recent Steam survey. For those outside the EEA, Microsoft offers options for enrolling in the ESU program, including enabling Windows Backup or making a one-time payment.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

Report: Borderlands 4 has sold 1.3m copies on Steam

Borderlands 4 has sold over 1.3 million copies on Steam and more than 2.5 million units overall since its launch on September 12th. The game generated over million in revenue on Steam and exceeded 0 million across all platforms. Over half of its players are from the United States, with China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada as the next largest markets. The Borderlands franchise is approaching 100 million copies sold across all titles. There have been reports of technical issues with the game, prompting discussions about the public relations strategy of Gearbox's CEO, Randy Pitchford.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

GPU Sales Rise 27% QoQ in Q2 As Buyers React to Tariff Uncertainty

In Q2 2025, GPU sales increased by 27% quarter-over-quarter, driven by consumer concerns over impending tariffs that will raise prices on PC components. The U.S. government plans to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made chips, prompting buyers to purchase GPUs and CPUs in advance. CPU sales also rose by 8% QoQ and 13% YoY, with desktop CPUs holding a 33% market share. While mid-range and entry-level GPUs have seen price reductions, high-end models have increased in price. Nvidia holds a 94% share of the add-in board segment. As the holiday season approaches, rising prices and potential declines in sales may challenge the market. Nvidia has reduced prices on its Blackwell GPU lineup to manage inventory amid reports of oversupply.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Windows 11 SSD failures could be caused by glitchy drive firmware – here’s what you need to know

Recent investigations by the PCDIY group in China suggest that SSD failures may be linked to the use of pre-release Phison firmware intended for engineering rather than consumer use. Phison's U.S. General Manager, Michael Wu, stated that many reports of disappearing SSDs stem from media testing on hardware with early firmware versions, which differ from those provided to consumers. Tests by PCDIY indicated that SSD failures related to the Windows 11 update were associated with pre-release firmware. There is speculation that SSD manufacturers may have shipped drives with outdated firmware due to a failure to implement updates. While most affected drives are Phison-based, issues have also been reported in SSDs without Phison controllers. Consumers are advised to ensure their drives are running the latest firmware and to verify firmware versions in Windows' Device Manager.

AppWizard

August 10, 2025

McDonald’s sales improved last quarter, thanks to Minecraft

McDonald’s reported a 2.5% increase in U.S. same-store sales in the second quarter, the highest growth rate since late 2023, driven by the Minecraft Movie Meal promotion. This promotion also contributed to a 3.8% rise in global same-store sales. In the quarter ending June 30, McDonald’s system sales increased by 6%, with revenues of .8 billion and net income rising 11% to .3 billion, or .14 per share. The Minecraft Movie promotion included a Happy Meal for children and an adult meal option featuring either a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets or a Big Mac, along with collectible items. McDonald’s has also introduced value offerings like the McValue Menu and new menu items such as McCrispy Strips to attract customers. The MyMcDonald’s Rewards loyalty program generated billion in sales over the past year, with 0 million in the last quarter. CEO Chris Kempczinski highlighted the significance of technology investments in enhancing the customer experience.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Ubisoft CEO responds to the Stop Killing Games petition, stating the publisher is ‘working on’ improving its approach to end-of-life support, but that ‘nothing is eternal’

During Ubisoft's annual shareholder meeting, CEO Yves Guillemot addressed concerns about the Stop Killing Games campaign, which arose after the shutdown of Ubisoft's online racing game, The Crew. He acknowledged the complexities of supporting online games and stated that while Ubisoft strives to support its games, "nothing is eternal." Guillemot clarified that the campaign does not demand perpetual support but calls for end-of-life plans allowing games to function independently after official support ends. Ubisoft plans to implement such measures for The Crew 2, enabling offline play in the future. He also noted that as technology evolves, certain software may become outdated, necessitating new versions of games. The Stop Killing Games campaign has surpassed one million signatures, but concerns about potential signature spoofing have been raised by organizer Ross Scott, which could affect the campaign's credibility.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Ubisoft’s Guillemot: “Support for all games cannot last forever”

Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, discussed the challenges of service-based games during an investor meeting, stating that "nothing is eternal" in the gaming industry. He addressed concerns from shareholders about the Stop Killing Games petition, which calls for the continued availability of purchased games. Guillemot mentioned that Ubisoft is working on solutions to lessen the impact of game deprecation on players, citing The Crew's availability for offline play as an example. He also noted a promotional event in September 2024 for The Crew 2. Guillemot acknowledged that the issue of game longevity is not unique to Ubisoft and that all video game publishers face similar challenges. He explained that as technology evolves, software can become obsolete, leading to the discontinuation of services. He emphasized Ubisoft's commitment to ensuring a positive experience for players amid these industry changes.