Development

AppWizard
October 9, 2026
WhatsApp is rolling out a dedicated Contacts tab in its Android app, currently in beta testing. The tab features a streamlined view of contacts, indicating online status with a green dot. It includes birthday reminders with notifications, an option to invite new users, a search bar for locating contacts, and sorting options by online activity or alphabetically. Contacts who have disabled their last seen status will not appear as online.
AppWizard
October 9, 2026
The AnyPS5 project has achieved 100% implementation of graphics shader instructions, allowing for the direct porting and cross-linking of PlayStation 5 executable files to Windows and Linux without traditional emulation. The project has translated proprietary calls to the PS5's graphics chip into the SPIR-V format for rendering through the Vulkan API. While the complete instruction set coverage indicates successful implementation, it does not guarantee flawless operation in all scenarios. The project has demonstrated stable performance, running a 2D platformer at 60 frames per second on an Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card. The developers plan to implement key system libraries for the PRX format soon, leveraging architectural similarities between the PS5 and modern PCs. Additionally, advancements may support related initiatives like the kytyps5 translation layer for console games on PCs.
Winsage
October 9, 2026
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that Nvidia was founded due to the introduction of Windows 3.1 in 1992, which laid the groundwork for GPUs. He highlighted that Windows 95 and DirectX allowed for the integration of GPUs into PCs, with DirectX 8 enabling the creation of the first programmable GPU featuring programmable shaders, leading to CUDA. Huang emphasized that without Windows, there would be no GeForce, and consequently, AI researchers might not have had the necessary computational resources for deep learning. The conversation also touched on a four-year collaboration between Nvidia and Microsoft that resulted in the RTX Spark project, which required over 4,000 engineering years and extensive testing across more than 1,200 applications. Laptops featuring RTX Spark are available for preorder, with shipments starting on October 16.
AppWizard
October 9, 2026
Authorities in Henderson County, Texas arrested 22-year-old Matthew Hunter Rivers for possession of child pornography following a tip from a messaging app. A search warrant executed by investigators revealed illicit material on Rivers' mobile device. He was apprehended on September 30 and is currently held in the Henderson County Jail on a bond of 0,000.
AppWizard
October 9, 2026
Amazon has announced that it will cease the development of new Fire Tablets and will focus on the Alexa Tablet line, which runs on Android and supports the full Google Play store. The Fire Tablet line, which began with the original Kindle Fire in 2011, will no longer produce new generations, although existing devices will continue to receive security updates. The new Alexa Tablet series includes three models: the Alexa Tablet 8, Alexa Tablet 11, and Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, with prices starting at .99. The Alexa Tablets offer access to popular applications and features that cater to reading enthusiasts, as well as integration with Amazon's Alexa AI assistant. Additionally, Amazon is launching the Alexa Kids Tablet, which includes Google Play and parental controls. The transition reflects Amazon's strategy to enhance its tablet offerings and improve the overall user experience.
Winsage
October 9, 2026
Microsoft is collaborating with Intel, AMD, and Nvidia to improve driver quality for Windows 11, addressing issues that can lead to system failures. Intel has confirmed that its GPU drivers are compatible with Windows 11 26H2, and recent updates have integrated support for this version. The Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) aims to enhance driver stability and quality across the ecosystem. Microsoft emphasizes that high-quality drivers are essential for reliable Windows performance and that a collective effort from all stakeholders is necessary. The DQI focuses on four principles: Architecture, Trust, Lifecycle, and Quality Measures, promoting user-mode drivers, stricter certification, removal of outdated drivers, and assessments based on stability, functionality, performance, power consumption, battery life, and thermal performance.
BetaBeacon
October 9, 2026
Classic Nintendo game The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD has been unofficially ported to Android smartphones, allowing players to extract files from their own game image and compile the code directly on their device. The mobile version features support for Vulkan, on-screen buttons, external controllers, gyroscope-assisted aiming, resolution settings, save state slots, and alternative graphics drivers for devices with Adreno. Users need Android 11 or newer, an ARM64 processor, Vulkan 1.1 support, and 2 GB of free space to run the game, along with an image and keys for the American or European version of the game.
Winsage
October 9, 2026
A developer has successfully run Windows 95 on an ESP32-P4 board using the tiny386 emulator. The project, initiated by GitHub user winitboonkliang, allows Windows 95 to boot from a microSD card onto the ESP32-P4's 1280×800 MIPI-DSI display, with USB keyboard and mouse support. The implementation utilizes a port of tiny386, an x86 PC emulator. This project is not intended for everyday use but serves as a study project to explore the limits of running legacy software on compact hardware. A detailed guide is available on GitHub, outlining compatibility issues and limitations.
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