design Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2026

Is It Us, Or Did Xbox Just Get A Major Makeover On The Microsoft Store For Windows?

The Microsoft Store app for Windows has undergone a significant redesign, particularly in its "Gaming" section, making it more visually appealing and user-friendly. The new design features rectangular game cards and a modern aesthetic, especially under the "dark" color scheme. Users have reported smoother and more intuitive navigation within the app. This update may encourage gamers to purchase games directly through the Microsoft Store instead of relying on the Xbox PC app or other storefronts like Steam and the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

‘What’s your salary? I told him, and he said no problem, we’ll double. And those days are gone:’ Listening to game dev legends reminiscing in 1989 about the ‘golden days of computer games’ already being over is a trip

Cassette tape recordings from the 1989 Computer Game Developers Conference reveal insights into the gaming industry's evolution. Robert Garriott of Origin Systems expressed concerns about an oversaturated PC gaming market, reflecting ongoing industry anxieties. A panel titled "The Golden Days of Computer Games" highlighted nostalgia for gaming history. Steve Cartwright credited Activision co-founder David Crane for his entry into game design, while M.U.L.E. designer Danielle Bunten Berry lamented the shift from a product-oriented mindset to one influenced by market demands. Garriott noted the decline of the "one programmer, one product" model, emphasizing the need for specialization and the importance of marketing in contemporary game development. Despite these challenges, indie development continues to thrive, with small teams creating celebrated titles. The complete panel recording is available from the Video Game History Foundation.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Instead of making a joke, Valve celebrates April Fool’s Day by rolling out a Steam storefront ‘refresh’ that makes it look much nicer

Valve is testing updates to the Steam store home page aimed at enhancing user experience. The redesign includes a more cohesive feel across the platform, with a "Featured and Recommended" section providing in-depth insights and user reviews. Hovering over a game's cover art triggers a micro-trailer, which can be disabled. The "Discounts and Events" section features larger artwork, and the Discovery Queue opens as a transparent overlay. New sections for wishlists and downloadable content (DLC) have been added, along with an infinite scroll feature. The storefront now showcases higher-resolution game art, improving the visual experience for users with high-resolution monitors. The updates result in a layout that utilizes screen space more effectively. Valve has not announced when these changes will be available to all users, as it depends on beta testing outcomes. Users can join the beta program through the Steam client settings.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

‘NoVoice’ Android malware on Google Play infected 2.3 million devices

A new Android malware called NoVoice has been found in over 50 applications on Google Play, with more than 2.3 million downloads. The malware targets older Android versions, specifically those patched between 2016 and 2021, and attempts to gain root access by exploiting vulnerabilities. It conceals malicious components within the com.facebook.utils package and uses steganography to hide an encrypted payload within a PNG image file. NoVoice avoids infecting devices in certain regions and has checks to detect emulators and VPNs. Once activated, the malware contacts its command-and-control server to gather device information and polls it every 60 seconds for tailored exploits aimed at rooting the device. It can exploit 22 vulnerabilities, including kernel bugs, and establishes persistence by replacing key system libraries and installing recovery scripts. The malware injects code into applications, particularly targeting WhatsApp to extract sensitive data for session replication, which is then exfiltrated to the C2 server. The malicious apps containing NoVoice have been removed from Google Play, but users who installed them should consider their devices compromised. Upgrading to devices with later security patches is recommended to mitigate the threat.

Winsage

April 1, 2026

Microsoft teases Windows 11’s vertical taskbar — then deletes the video

Users will soon be able to reposition the taskbar along any edge of their screen in Windows 11, a feature similar to macOS. This functionality was hinted at in Microsoft's roadmap and briefly showcased in a now-removed video. The taskbar can currently be moved by dragging, but the new feature aims to refine this process. Microsoft has not confirmed if the right-click method demonstrated will be the final implementation, as the finalized version is expected to integrate with the Settings app. Additionally, users will have the option to resize the taskbar, which currently cannot be adjusted in physical dimensions. Microsoft executives have also discussed upcoming features like dark mode and updates to legacy UI elements.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

Latest Steam Freebie Shames You And Your Backlog

Steam users often accumulate a large collection of unplayed games due to enticing sales and discounts. BOXROOM is a game that functions as a design simulator, allowing players to curate a virtual bedroom and import their Steam library, turning digital games into physical boxes for organization. This feature encourages players to confront the reality of their unplayed titles. BOXROOM is set for full release in the second quarter of the year, with a free demo currently available for players to explore.

Tech Optimizer

April 1, 2026

EDB Postgres AI for WarehousePG: Reclaiming control of the enterprise data warehouse

Many enterprises are transitioning from traditional proprietary data warehouse platforms, such as Teradata and Snowflake, due to issues like vendor lock-in, unpredictable pricing, and limited flexibility. EDB Postgres® AI (EDB PG AI) offers WarehousePG, an open-source, petabyte-scale data warehouse built on Postgres, designed to provide control, predictability, and data sovereignty while maintaining performance. WarehousePG utilizes a massively parallel processing (MPP) architecture, allowing it to efficiently execute complex queries across large datasets. It offers predictable performance without proprietary constraints, enabling organizations to avoid vendor-controlled execution engines. WarehousePG supports hybrid storage and SQL access to external data lakes through the Platform Extension Framework (PXF), simplifying ETL processes. It includes FlowServer for real-time data ingestion and supports in-database AI and machine learning, allowing for advanced analytics without transferring data outside the warehouse. The platform is engineered for high availability and enterprise readiness, with features like workload management and observability. Migration from legacy platforms is facilitated through a low-risk modernization pathway. Overall, WarehousePG provides a modern alternative to traditional data warehouses, emphasizing architectural control and open-source economics.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

Best Cryptocurrency Trading Apps for Android, Reviewed for 2026

Several crypto trading apps stand out in the market, including OKX, Coinbase, and Binance. All of these trading apps are responsive, user-friendly, and offer a variety of trading options. OKX supports spot, futures, and options trading, along with decentralized exchange access and advanced trading tools. It features a well-organized interface, encourages the use of passkeys for security, and offers tools such as leverage, trading bots, and copy trading. Coinbase is beginner-friendly, offering spot trading and advanced trading tools, as well as derivatives in select regions. Its interface is divided into Home, Portfolio, Trade, Prices, and Settings, and it promotes security through passkeys and authentication methods. Binance supports spot, futures, and options trading, along with demo trading options. It features quick loading times, an intuitive navigation bar, and security measures including passkeys and anti-phishing codes. Users can create multiple charts and select various indicators for detailed analysis.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

The Google Play Store has a serious problem with shady cast-to-TV apps

Recent investigations into the Google Play Store have revealed that a small group of developer networks is dominating the cast-to-TV and screen mirroring category, operating over 280 apps under deceptive accounts with a total of 1.8 billion installs. Users have reported that many of these apps do not function as advertised, displaying uncloseable ads, charging for "free trials," and promoting high weekly subscription fees. Key problematic networks identified include: - iKame/Begamob (Vietnam): Manages over four accounts and more than 130 apps, with approximately 1.5 billion installs. - MaxLabs (Hong Kong): Operates eight developer accounts with various app names. - Package ID ai.chatbot.alpha.chatapp: Originally an AI chatbot, now rebranded as a casting tool. - Nice – Polska Sp. z o.o.: Claimed to be a UK shell company run by an individual in Pakistan. - Incube Technologies (Pakistan/UAE): Offers app store optimization services under the name “SwiftBiz Apps.” Google is currently investigating these allegations and has stated that it will take appropriate action against apps violating its policies.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

RenatusNetwork Launches the Ultimate Minecraft Parkour Experience for Players of All Skill Levels

RenatusNetwork is a Minecraft parkour community inviting players globally to experience its jumping challenges. The server offers a variety of maps catering to different skill levels, including beginner-friendly courses, intermediate to advanced maps, and "impossible" levels for expert players. The staff team focuses on creating a supportive and engaging environment, maintaining the server, moderating interactions, and introducing new content. Players can connect to the server via Mc.RenatusNetwork.com or Renatus.cc, and more information is available on their official website at https://renatusnetwork.com/.