decline Archives

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

Meta’s Threads app to test direct messaging in some countries

Meta Platforms is rolling out direct messaging on its Threads app, starting in select markets like Hong Kong and Thailand, to boost user engagement. The feature will not be encrypted initially. Threads, launched in 2023, has over 350 million monthly active users but is not expected to significantly drive revenue growth by 2025. eMarketer projects a 17.5 percent increase in U.S. monthly active users for Threads, reaching 60.5 million, while X is expected to decline by 14.4 percent to about 50 million users.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Google to Shut Down Android Instant Apps by December 2025

Google has announced it will phase out Android Instant Apps by December 2025. Launched in 2017, Instant Apps allowed users to access parts of applications without full installation but struggled with developer adoption due to technical limitations and a maximum size constraint of 15MB. Participation was limited, with few developers like Vimeo and Wish adopting the feature. The shutdown was revealed in the latest Android Studio canary build, which indicated that all Google Play Instant APIs and publishing capabilities will be discontinued by the end of the year. There has been minimal investment in Instant Apps over recent years, leading to a decline in user interest and signaling the feature's end. Google is expected to focus on enhancing web-based app discovery and developing alternatives similar to Play Store App Clips.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

New data reveals GTA Online players also love Minecraft and Fortnite | Esports News

Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto Online has 20 million monthly active players as of April 2025, its highest engagement since June 2022. Many of these players also engage with other popular games, particularly Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, and Minecraft, with an 11% overlap of GTA Online players with Minecraft. Despite its large user base, there has been a 19% decline in average playtime among gamers who play both GTA Online and Minecraft on PlayStation. This trend suggests that player engagement with GTA Online can fluctuate based on the popularity of competing titles.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

CHARTS: Dune Awakening takes second place on Steam debut

Dune: Awakening became the second highest-grossing title on Steam after its launch on June 10th, with early access starting on June 5th. Counter-Strike 2 remained the highest-grossing title, while Deltarune entered the rankings at third place after its release on June 4th. The Elden Ring: Nightreign expansion dropped to fourth place, and the Steam Deck fell to fifth due to stock shortages. Stellar Blade, with pre-orders, landed in sixth place but slipped two positions. Lies of P returned to the Top 100 at seventh place after a 50% price reduction for its Overture DLC, which debuted at eighth. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma debuted at ninth place on June 5th, and Dead by Daylight climbed 12 places to complete the Top Ten. The Steam Top Ten for the week ending June 10th is as follows: 1. Counter-Strike 2, Valve 2. Dune: Awakening, Funcom 3. Deltarune, Tobyfox 4. Elden Ring: Nightreign, Bandai Namco 5. Steam Deck, Valve 6. Stellar Blade, Shift Up (P) 7. Lies of P, Neowiz 8. Lies of P: Overture, Neowiz 9. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, Marvelous 10. Dead by Daylight, Behaviour

Winsage

June 10, 2025

Intel Stock (NASDAQ:INTC) Blasts Up as Mac Support Dies

Intel Corporation's stock price surged over 8% during Tuesday afternoon trading, despite the impending loss of support from Apple for its Intel processors in Mac computers. The latest version of MacOS, Tahoe, will end compatibility for several older Mac models powered by Intel chips. Investors reacted positively to this news, viewing it as an opportunity, while the transition to Apple's own silicon has been ongoing for five years. Additionally, renewed trade discussions between the U.S. and China have sparked optimism among investors, contributing to Intel's stock gains. Intel is also expected to benefit from initiatives at the Department of Defense aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures. Analysts maintain a Hold consensus rating on Intel's stock, with one Buy, 26 Holds, and four Sells over the past three months. The average price target for INTC is .29 per share, indicating a potential downside risk of 3.88% from current levels.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

Don’t toss your Windows 10 PC! Try switching to Plasma instead

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 at midnight on October 14th, ending new features, security updates, and app compatibility. In response, Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11 or recycle their devices. Many users are hesitant to upgrade due to financial constraints or preference for their current system. KDE has launched the KDE for Windows 10 Exiles campaign, promoting Linux as an alternative for those unable to upgrade. The campaign highlights KDE Plasma, a user-friendly interface compatible with various Linux distributions like OpenSUSE, Fedora, Manjaro, and Kubuntu. Users can install OpenSUSE with Plasma to revitalize their machines, and resources are available to help extend the life of Windows 10 PCs after support ends.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

KDE appeals to Windows 10 ‘exiles’

KDE has launched a campaign called "KDE for Windows 10 Exiles" in response to the end of support for Windows 10, which will occur on October 14. The campaign warns users that while Windows 10 will still function after this date, the lack of updates will lead to performance and security declines, increasing risks of hacking. Users face a choice between switching to the Long Term Servicing Channel, paying for extended security updates, or upgrading to Windows 11, which many are reluctant to do due to various reasons, including corporate policies and hardware incompatibility. KDE advocates for transitioning to Linux, specifically its Plasma Desktop environment, emphasizing its user-friendliness and visual appeal. While installing Linux has become easier, KDE advises users to seek help from Linux enthusiasts for a smooth transition. Once installed, KDE claims users will experience fewer data collection issues and no viruses, although users must remain vigilant against Linux malware. It is important to note that while support for many versions of Windows 10 ends on October 14, Microsoft 365 applications on Windows 10 will continue to receive security updates until 2028.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

‘In a very interesting way, it actually reduces the work’: Destiny 2’s director explains why reinventing the wheel with The Edge of Fate was actually the easier option

Destiny is set to release a new expansion titled The Edge of Fate on July 15, following the success of The Final Shape. The expansion aims to revitalize player engagement and introduce innovative gameplay mechanics, including an expanded buildcraft space and a new gear tiering system for armor and weapons. Bungie is working on enhancing Darkness subclasses and introducing Solo Ops for single-player experiences. The developers emphasize balancing challenge and reward, ensuring that players earn rewards through meaningful challenges. A new World Tier system will apply to the Kepler destination, allowing casual players to navigate the campaign at their own pace. Bungie is cautious about introducing a rarity tier above exotic items to maintain a balanced loot system. The team is also considering the return of class items from the original Destiny.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 lost users again in May, but not among gamers

In March, users of Windows 10 began transitioning to Windows 11, a trend that continued into April. By the end of April, Windows 11 had a market share of 43.72 percent, which declined to 43.22 percent by the end of May. Meanwhile, Windows 10's market share increased by 0.25 points to 53.19 percent. In the gaming sector, Windows 11 held a market share of 58.30 percent, an increase of 0.46 points, while Windows 10's share decreased to 37 percent, a decline of 1.09 points.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Windows 11 market share stalls ahead of Windows 10 cutoff

User adoption of Windows 11 is slowing, with its market share decreasing from a peak of 43.72 percent in May to 43.22 percent in early June 2025. In contrast, Windows 10's market share has increased to 53.19 percent. Expert Kieren Jessop from Canalys notes that while the figures may seem concerning, they align with forecasts, and a monthly increase in Windows 11 adoption of 0.5 to 1.5 percent is anticipated through October. Canalys projects an 8.1 percent growth in commercial shipments of Windows-only devices in the US for 2025, but a decline in consumer shipments is expected, with a -2.5 percent decrease in the US and a -0.7 percent decrease globally.