delay Archives

AppWizard

December 24, 2024

Fan-made PC port of Star Fox 64 is out now

A new PC port of Star Fox 64, called Starship, has been developed by a team known for their PC ports of Nintendo titles. This project does not include copyrighted assets, requiring users to provide their own data files from a legitimate copy of the game. The current build is for Windows users, with Linux and Mac versions in progress. The developers are seeking contributions from Linux and MacOS developers and have made the source code available on GitHub. Takaya Imamura, the designer of Star Fox, expressed mixed feelings about the project on social media, acknowledging potential issues with Nintendo while also expressing happiness about the initiative. Further details can be found on the project's GitHub page.

Winsage

December 24, 2024

Adobe warns of critical ColdFusion bug with PoC exploit code

Adobe released out-of-band security updates to address a critical vulnerability in ColdFusion, identified as CVE-2024-53961, which is a path traversal weakness affecting ColdFusion versions 2023 and 2021. This flaw could allow attackers to read arbitrary files on compromised servers. Adobe categorized the flaw with a "Priority 1" severity rating and urged administrators to apply the emergency security patches—ColdFusion 2021 Update 18 and ColdFusion 2023 Update 12—within 72 hours. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has highlighted the risks associated with path traversal vulnerabilities and previously mandated federal agencies to secure their Adobe ColdFusion servers against other critical vulnerabilities by August 10, 2023. CISA also noted that hackers had been exploiting another ColdFusion vulnerability targeting outdated government servers since June 2023.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

New Windows 11 24H2 bug list: 12 reasons to avoid this update for now

On October 1, Microsoft released the 2024 update for Windows 11, named Windows 11 24H2, which includes an upgraded Copilot AI, a revamped File Explorer, and performance improvements. The update is available through the Windows Update screen or can be downloaded from Microsoft's website. However, the rollout has encountered several bugs, prompting Microsoft to temporarily halt the update for certain devices. Key issues reported include: 1. Conflicts with Ubisoft games, causing freezes or crashes. 2. Problems with the Auto HDR feature leading to incorrect color displays or unresponsive games. 3. Incompatibility with Easy Anti-Cheat software, resulting in blue screens for users with Intel's Alder Lake+ processors. 4. Blue screens due to driver incompatibilities, particularly with Intel's Smart Sound Technology and certain hardware configurations. 5. A bug causing the mouse pointer to disappear in Chromium-based applications. 6. Erratic internet connectivity issues, with some devices unable to obtain a valid IP address. 7. A time zone setting issue preventing users without administrative privileges from changing their time zone. 8. Problems with the clipboard history feature appearing empty despite copied items. 9. Network sharing issues where devices fail to appear in the network list. 10. Printer setup difficulties for users of Copilot+ PCs, particularly with HP, Canon, and Brother printers. 11. Audio output issues for users utilizing Dirac Audio technology. 12. Microsoft Outlook failing to launch for users relying on Google Workspace Sync. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and is working on patches and solutions. Users are advised to delay upgrading to the 2024 version until these problems are resolved.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 breaks audio and Auto HDR, update blocked on affected PCs

The Windows 11 24H2 update, released in October, has caused issues for users, particularly with audio output and the Auto HDR feature. Microsoft has acknowledged that the audio issue affects systems from an undisclosed manufacturer using Dirac Audio and the cridspapo.dll file, preventing sound output through various devices without a workaround. The Auto HDR feature is experiencing glitches, including incorrect colors and system crashes, with the only temporary fix being to disable it. Microsoft has blocked the update on affected systems until these issues are resolved.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

The Windows 11 experience (from someone in a hurry)

The author needed to acquire a new laptop for a colleague and chose one at Costco after conducting personal research. Upon bringing the laptop home, the setup process was delayed by a lengthy update that took over 30 minutes, followed by an upgrade to version 23H2 that took an additional hour. The update process was complicated by the laptop entering sleep mode and requiring multiple updates, including a substantial 24H2. Additionally, the manufacturer’s software added 1.4 gigabytes of drivers, necessitating a reboot. The entire process stretched from around 6 PM to midnight, with significant data downloads involved. The author also faced issues with Microsoft Edge, which prompted unwanted notifications and settings imports despite instructions to keep browsers distinct.

AppWizard

December 17, 2024

Google urges Android developers to prep for 16 KB memory page

Android developers are preparing for a transition to a 16 KB memory page size, expected to improve performance by 5–10% across applications and games. Google has introduced developer options for testing on Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 devices, with support from other OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi anticipated. Developers using native code must assess and rebuild their apps, ensuring compatibility with the new page size by upgrading to Android Gradle Plugin version 8.5.1 or later and using NDK version r28 or later. Applications without native code will remain compatible without modification. Testing for compatibility can be done using emulators or physical devices like the Pixel 8/8 Pro and future Pixel 9 models. Developers are advised to avoid hardcoding assumptions about memory page sizes to prevent compatibility issues.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

Windows 11 to finally address this webcam deficiency

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2702 introduces a feature that allows multiple applications to access the camera simultaneously, aimed at improving inclusivity for users needing video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and an audience. A new “multi-app camera” setting is available in the advanced camera options, along with a “basic camera” feature for troubleshooting webcam issues. Future builds will include options for selecting specific media types like resolution or frame rate. Users previously relied on third-party software for multi-app camera access, but this new feature simplifies the process by integrating it directly into Windows 11. Adjustments to camera settings must be made through the Windows 11 camera settings interface when using the multi-app feature.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Microsoft says it will not lower Windows 11 system requirements

Microsoft has confirmed that the system requirements for Windows 11 will not change, disappointing many Windows 10 users with older PCs lacking hardware-level security features like Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0. Windows 10, launched in 2015, will end its support lifecycle next year, leaving millions of computers without security updates. Currently, 61.82% of PC users are on Windows 10, while Windows 11 has 34.94%. In the gaming community, 43.31% of players use Windows 10 compared to 52.98% on Windows 11. Popular browsers and applications are expected to continue supporting Windows 10 for the foreseeable future. Users can choose to upgrade hardware, buy new devices, switch to Linux, or use third-party applications to manage updates. Microsoft will offer Extended Support Updates for Windows 10 at a cost.

AppWizard

December 15, 2024

AT&T shuts down its messaging apps prematurely and deletes cloud backups

AT&T has retired its pre-installed messaging applications for phones and tablets as of December 4, following an announcement in May about the closure of the AT&T Messages Backup & Sync app and the AT&T Messages for Tablet app. Users are encouraged to migrate to Google Messages, which AT&T prefers due to its Rich Communication Services (RCS) capabilities. Messages stored in the cloud will be deleted, but conversations saved locally on devices will remain accessible. AT&T had made Google Messages the default Android messaging app in 2021 and transitioned to Google's Jibe platform in 2023 to improve RCS features. Unlike Verizon's experience with customer backlash, AT&T's user base has shown more acceptance of this change.

AppWizard

December 14, 2024

The Last of Us Part II Remastered arrives on PC in April 2025

Naughty Dog announced that The Last of Us Part II Remastered will be released on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on April 3, 2025. The game will retain the narrative from the PS5 version and include features like rich combat mechanics and behind-the-scenes commentary. Pre-purchase offers are available, including an ammo capacity upgrade and a crafting training manual. While specific system requirements are not yet disclosed, there is hope that it won't require ultra-high-end hardware. The PC version will feature nearly all PS5 functionalities, including guitar free play and developer commentary, as well as a new roguelike survival mode called No Return. A PSN account will be required to access the game on PC, a policy consistent with other recent Sony PC releases.