debate Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

What are the most secure messaging apps in 2025? Here’s how to keep your online communications safe

A leaked Signal group chat, referred to as Signalgate, has raised concerns about national security and the use of messaging applications for sensitive information exchange. The incident involved former U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of Atlantic, who was mistakenly added to the chat meant for national security leaders discussing military operations. This breach has prompted discussions about the security protocols of digital communication tools used by government officials.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Games Inbox: Are video games too expensive on console and PC?

Bethesda's latest game, Doom: The Dark Ages, is priced at £70 for both PC and console and can be completed in about 13 hours. This pricing strategy has raised concerns among gamers, especially since PC games typically have lower price points. Some gamers believe this may be an attempt by Microsoft to promote its subscription service, Game Pass, while others plan to wait for sales. Additionally, there are concerns about Bungie's management following its acquisition by Sony, with critics questioning the effectiveness of such corporate acquisitions in revitalizing franchises. In contrast, Nintendo is innovating with its upcoming Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, moving the series to an open-world format, which has generated excitement among fans. The gaming community remains engaged in discussions about pricing, management, and innovation as the industry evolves.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Signal resorts to “weird trick” to block Windows Recall in Desktop app

Microsoft's Recall feature indexes a wide range of personal data, including Zoom meetings, emails, photos, medical conditions, and conversations on Signal, affecting both users and their contacts without consent. Researcher Kevin Beaumont found that the feature captures sensitive information like payment card details and can decrypt its database using a fingerprint scan or PIN. Developers, such as those at Signal, lack tools to prevent their content from being indexed by Recall, leading Signal to utilize a Digital Rights Management API to protect privacy. This workaround may help, but it depends on all chat participants using the Windows Desktop version with default settings. Microsoft has not addressed concerns regarding developer control over Recall.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

A delayed review, a controversial GOTY pick, and Big Geralt: PC Gamer’s strange 10-year relationship with The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, marking its evolution from a niche title to a significant influence in modern fantasy storytelling, partly due to the Netflix adaptation. Upon release, it received a score of 92% from PC Gamer and was recognized as a top title in 2016, despite not winning the Game of the Year award in 2015. The game faced distribution challenges, with console versions prioritized over PC, leading to delays in review copies. The community has embraced various memes, including the "tub scene" and "Big Geralt," contributing to the game's cultural impact. The ongoing conversation about its legacy and anticipation for a sequel keeps the franchise relevant.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

Files by Google is also getting a fresh coat of Material 3 Expressive (APK teardown)

Google is testing its Files app with new Material 3 Expressive components in a beta version. The beta version, Files by Google v1.7528, features repositioned Quick Share and File Scanner floating action buttons to a centralized location, larger thumbnails for recent files, and a redesigned image viewer with updated Edit and Circle to Search FABs. The sidebar has undergone changes in padding and sizing, and the progress bar has been moved to the center of the screen with a new wavy design. These features are still under development and may not appear in the final public release.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

‘We are doing our best to resolve most of it’: Stellar Blade’s PC release will be restricted in 130 countries as the devs fight to have it lifted

The PC release of Stellar Blade in June is facing region-lock issues affecting players in 130 countries, with six countries—Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, and Vietnam—having no price point listed. PlayStation Network (PSN) requirements have been controversial, with developers stating that PSN connection is optional, despite past titles facing restrictions leading to negative reviews. The disparity in game pricing across regions has led to exploitation by key resellers. Shift Up, the developer of Stellar Blade, is actively discussing the region lock issue with the publisher to resolve it.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

After raising over $800 million from its community, Star Citizen’s developer delays the release of a new ship upgrade as players baulk at having to pay for it

Cloud Imperium Games has raised over 0 million for Star Citizen through various funding methods over thirteen years. Recently, a new ship upgrade caused significant backlash from the community, with nearly 2,000 forum responses expressing discontent. Players criticized the introduction of purchasable flight blades, with some feeling disillusioned about investing further in the game. Despite the criticism, some players remain excited about the Greycat MTC, a planetary exploration vehicle priced at . In response to the uproar, Cloud Imperium Games announced that flight blades would be available for in-game currency in the upcoming June patch and acknowledged the need for better alignment between store items and in-game availability. The development of Star Citizen and its single-player counterpart, Squadron 42, continues, with Chris Roberts suggesting Squadron 42 may launch in 2026.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Stellar Blade Devs Address PC Release Controversies

Stellar Blade has become highly popular on the PlayStation 5, topping the PlayStation Store charts and selling out merchandise. The game is set to release on PC on June 11th, following its transition from a former exclusive. The developer, Shift Up, has addressed community concerns regarding region locks, content parity between PC and PlayStation versions, and the necessity of a PlayStation Network account for the PC version. All content, including the Nier: Automata crossover, will be available on PC. The introduction of Denuvo DRM has sparked debate due to potential impacts on frame rates and offline playability, but the development team claims it is optimized to maintain performance. Stellar Blade is available for pre-order on Steam, with the base version priced at .99 and a Complete Edition at .99, which includes additional content.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Windows Upgrade Choice—You Must Now Decide

Microsoft has released a mandatory update for Windows 11, identified as “KB5058411,” which includes essential security fixes and introduces a new feature called Recall. Recall uses artificial intelligence to capture snapshots of the user's screen at regular intervals, creating a photographic memory of digital interactions. Users will be prompted to enable Recall during the installation of the May 2025 Windows 11 24H2 update, and opting in for the first time simplifies future re-enabling. However, enabling Recall raises privacy concerns, as it records activities and communications from secure messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, potentially exposing sensitive information. A user reported that someone was able to access his entire PC history, including deleted messages, highlighting the vulnerabilities associated with the feature. Users are advised to carefully consider the implications of opting into Recall.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft moved the goalposts before. Could it happen again?

Retired Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer has expressed concerns about the hardware requirements for Windows 11, questioning whether they are genuinely for security or a sales strategy. He noted that many PCs excluded from compatibility due to the lack of TPM 2.0 or modern CPUs are not necessarily old or underpowered. Plummer highlighted that Microsoft's history of discontinuing support for older operating systems, like Windows XP and 7, was typically based on security and compatibility challenges. He warned that future versions of Windows could impose even stricter hardware demands, potentially leaving many functional PCs unable to upgrade. Additionally, he pointed out the ambiguity behind Microsoft's refusal to allow users to opt out of security enhancements if they lack the necessary hardware, raising concerns about potential e-waste. Many users are hesitant to transition to Windows 11, and while hardware compatibility is a factor, it is part of a broader decision-making process. Microsoft’s shift towards a subscription model and the introduction of new hardware requirements suggest a significant evolution in Windows.