criticism Archives

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

These Amazon Fire TV apps are being blocked for promoting piracy

Amazon has begun blocking several streaming applications on its Fire TV platform that promote unauthorized access to DRM-protected content, including Blink Streamz, Flix Vision, Live NetTV, and Ocean Streamz. Users attempting to open or sideload these apps receive a warning message indicating potential risks to device functionality and personal data, with the option to Keep the app grayed out. Although the Fire TV does not automatically delete these applications, the uncertainty about their future functionality is frustrating for users. Reports suggest that some blocked apps may harbor malware, with Flix Vision specifically exploiting device resources. Amazon has not publicly detailed the reasons for blocking these apps. Analysts have criticized Amazon for allowing piracy to proliferate, and Sky has accused the company of failing to curb illegal streaming activities, claiming that over half of the Fire TV devices sold in the UK are illegal jailbroken units.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Despite limping on Steam charts with a 24-hour peak of less than 200, FBC: Firebreak hits 1 million players milestone—and, let’s face it, it’s probably Game Pass

FBC: Firebreak, Remedy's multiplayer shooter, has a peak player count of 169 on Steam and a 'mixed' rating with a score of 60%. However, over one million players have engaged with the game, indicating a broader interest. The game is available on Game Pass, which may contribute to its player base. Criticism has been directed at its progression system, which is seen as stingy and requiring repetitive gameplay to unlock content. Despite some enjoyment, many players express a desire for a different game. The future success of FBC: Firebreak may depend on converting its player interest into sales.

BetaBeacon

June 27, 2025

Epic Games Store: New free game now available on Android and iOS for puzzle fans

The Epic Games Store offers developers a more favorable revenue split of 12% compared to Steam's 30%, attracting many developers and leading to a growing library of exclusive titles.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

New Google app setting disables sharing link shortener on Android

Google has introduced a feature in its Android app that allows users to disable the automatic shortening of URLs when sharing links from Google Search results or the Discover feed. Users can opt out of this feature, which is enabled by default, by navigating to Settings in the Google app and toggling the option under “Other settings.” This change aims to provide clearer links by displaying the original URL instead of a shortened format. However, this setting does not apply to links shared directly from the Google Discover feed, which will still appear as search.app links. The update is being rolled out in both the stable version (16.23) and the beta version of the Google app.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

You Use Windows. Be Resilient (Premium)

Microsoft has launched the Secure Future Initiative (SFI) to strengthen its security against cyber threats following recent breaches. The Windows Resiliency Initiative, part of the SFI, introduced features like Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) and enhanced Administrator protection for consumer users. Microsoft is also integrating existing Windows 11 security features, such as Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-In Security (ESS). A recent update to the Windows Resiliency Initiative was announced, emphasizing the need for accessible information for users.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Steam’s Summer Sale is on the way – and here are the games I’m expecting major discounts for

The Steam Summer Sale is scheduled to start on June 26 at 6 PM BST / 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST, featuring discounts on popular PC games. Capcom's Spotlight will coincide with the sale, highlighting games like Monster Hunter Wilds, Street Fighter 6, Resident Evil Requiem, and Pragmata. The Resident Evil 4 remake is expected to have significant discounts, following a previous Capcom Publisher Sale. Monster Hunter Wilds has not seen discounts on Steam since its launch in February. Cyberpunk 2077 is anticipated to be featured prominently due to an upcoming update. Death Stranding Director's Cut is currently discounted by 60% and may see further reductions. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is likely to have a significant discount ahead of its DLC launch in September 2025. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, launched on PC in April, may attract players due to its recent HBO series finale. Baldur's Gate 3 is expected to offer a more substantial discount compared to its previous sale. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is anticipated to receive a significant discount. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is preparing for its first Steam Summer Sale after an earlier 20% reduction. Assassin's Creed Shadows has not yet seen discounts on Steam, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is poised for a significant discount following its January release.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Forget about Steam in the Xbox PC app — I want Game Pass in the app I actually use

Microsoft plans to integrate the Xbox PC app with leading PC gaming stores to streamline access to games, allowing users to manage their libraries from a single location. This update is currently available to Xbox Insiders for testing and may roll out more broadly with the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X later this year. Users will be able to launch games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, and other significant PC storefronts, but Steam is not included in this initial list. The Xbox app has faced criticism for its usability compared to Steam, with issues like bugs and slow download speeds. The primary barrier to bringing PC Game Pass to Steam is likely financial, as Valve takes a percentage of transactions on its platform. As of February 2024, Game Pass has 34 million subscribers across Xbox and PC. The new game aggregation feature in the Xbox PC App is being rolled out, allowing users to select which third-party storefronts to display.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Windows 11 gets a fresh new Start menu and it’s one of the most useful changes to the UI in yonks

Windows 11 has received an update to the Start menu that enhances customization and accessibility for users in the Insider Program. This update allows users to create a scrollable list of applications and categorize them according to personal preferences, improving access to frequently used apps. Users can now switch between Category, Grid, or List views directly from the Start menu, simplifying the customization process. The update also expands scrolling capability, reducing the need for multiple clicks to access additional recommendations and promoting a more organized workspace. Users interested in this functionality can join the Windows Insider Program to select their update channel.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft removed this feature from Windows, and it’s time to bring it back

Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) was introduced during the Windows 10 era to allow users to run Android applications on their PCs but was removed in Windows 11. Despite Microsoft's withdrawal, there remains a strong demand for Android app capabilities on Windows, as evidenced by the popularity of platforms like Bluestacks and Google's Google Play Games app for Windows. The initial implementation of WSA faced criticism due to poor execution and limited geographic availability, which hindered user access. Users had to navigate through the Microsoft Store to install the Amazon Appstore, complicating the process. The partnership with Amazon restricted the range of available applications, leading to user frustration, as many popular apps required Google services. Performance issues also affected WSA, with users facing resource consumption trade-offs. Microsoft's adjustments to allow some Android services to run in the background were a step forward, but the initial setup could have been more efficient. The discontinuation of WSA left many users puzzled, and there is hope for its reintroduction with improvements in the future.

Winsage

June 23, 2025

Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome in the name of family safety — but this time it actually makes sense

Users of Google Chrome on Windows are experiencing an issue that prevents the browser from launching, which is linked to Microsoft Family Safety. Ellet T, a Chrome Community Manager, stated that for some users, Chrome cannot run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled. The situation has been discussed on platforms like Reddit and The Verge, where users noted that Microsoft Family Safety is designed to restrict access to third-party browsers to manage online activity for children. Microsoft's official site for Family Safety mentions that "Other commonly used browsers will be blocked for this to work." When a child account tries to access Chrome, it should prompt, "Ask your parent for permission," but the absence of this dialog box has raised concerns about the functionality of the tool.