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Call of Duty fans surprised to discover new Black Ops 2 port preserves the emblem editor, not surprised to find swastikas being made with it
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

Call of Duty fans surprised to discover new Black Ops 2 port preserves the emblem editor, not surprised to find swastikas being made with it

Activision has released updated ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) and Black Ops 2 (2012), exclusively for PlayStation and priced at each. The ports feature enhanced graphics up to 1080p and include the return of the emblem editor, allowing players to create custom emblems. However, the absence of strict moderation may lead to inappropriate content. Critics noted the lack of an option to disable custom emblems and the omission of Wager matches from Black Ops. Additionally, modern enhancements like field of view sliders and high refresh rates are not included in these ports.
'Surprised there was anyone left to post this': Fans react as The Elder Scrolls Online debuts seasonal content days after hundreds laid off from studio
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

‘Surprised there was anyone left to post this’: Fans react as The Elder Scrolls Online debuts seasonal content days after hundreds laid off from studio

The Elder Scrolls Online has launched its new seasonal content, Return of the Thieves Guild, amidst significant turmoil at ZeniMax Online Studios, which has seen a reduction of over half its development team due to layoffs, totaling 213 employees. The launch has generated a muted response from fans, with many expressing support for the developers in the comments on the trailer, despite some sarcasm regarding the timing of the release. Players have shown dedication to the game, highlighting its positive impact on their experiences, while also voicing frustration over the corporate decisions affecting the studio.
3 Big Changes Coming To Google Messages In 2026
AppWizard
July 10, 2026

3 Big Changes Coming To Google Messages In 2026

Google Messages is set to introduce several improvements aimed at enhancing user experience, particularly in sharing and forwarding messages. The app will allow users to share content with both individual contacts and groups, recognizing pre-existing groups to simplify the process. Additionally, it will issue warnings when sending multimedia to mixed groups of RCS and MMS users. Another upcoming feature is the ability to forward multiple messages at once, including images, with a preview option before sending. These enhancements are currently in beta testing and may change before their official release.
Doom Studio id Software Tries to Ease Concerns After Xbox Layoffs
AppWizard
July 10, 2026

Doom Studio id Software Tries to Ease Concerns After Xbox Layoffs

id Software reassured its fanbase that it remains committed to game development despite being impacted by layoffs within Microsoft's Xbox division, which saw 136 employees let go. The studio stated that it still has the necessary team size to continue building games and technology, similar to when they developed DOOM (2016). They expressed solidarity with affected team members and emphasized their dedication to creating games over the past 35 years. The layoffs are part of a broader reduction of 3,200 positions within Xbox, raising concerns about the future of key projects and the id Tech game engine. Co-founder John Carmack shared his thoughts on Twitter, expressing hope for the studio's future but skepticism about Microsoft's management of the brand.
Google Cloud: PostgreSQL community contribution updates
Tech Optimizer
July 10, 2026

Google Cloud: PostgreSQL community contribution updates

Google Cloud actively participates in the PostgreSQL ecosystem by supporting community-driven events and contributing to open-source initiatives. Recent key events include: - **PGConf.dev 2026**: Featured strategic discussions on logical replication and global index architecture, with a consensus to adopt a deparsing-based approach for DDL replication. Dilip Kumar presented on global indexes. - **PGConf India 2026**: Attracted over 580 participants, featuring various sessions including keynotes and technical talks by Google Cloud contributors. - **PGDay Paris & PGDay France 2026**: Matt Cornillon was involved in organizing PGDay France, with sessions led by him and Yves Colin. - **PGDay FOSDEM 2026**: Focused on AI-assisted workflows in PostgreSQL development, with a technical talk by Matt Cornillon. - **PGConf Belgium 2026**: The session was selected as supplementary material for a database exam, indicating student engagement. - **Nordic PG Day 2026**: Google participated as a Partner-level sponsor and hosted a dedicated booth. - **Swiss PGDay 2026**: Featured a demonstration on processing vectors in PostgreSQL. - **Postgres Conference 2026 San Jose**: Google sponsored the event, with Vikas Arora discussing PostgreSQL adaptations for AI workloads. Community leadership roles included: - Dilip Kumar on the Program Committee for PGConf.dev 2026 and the Paper Selection Committee for PGConf India 2026. - Matt Cornillon on the organization committee for PGDay France, and Yves Colin on the Program Committee. Acknowledgment was given to various contributors for their dedication to PostgreSQL conferences.
Worried about status bar clutter with Android Halo? Google may let you clean it up
AppWizard
July 10, 2026

Worried about status bar clutter with Android Halo? Google may let you clean it up

In Android Canary 2607, Google is developing a new "Status bar" settings section that will allow users to manage the visibility of specific system and notification icons. Notable features include the ability to toggle off the Android Halo AI assistant icon and a new option to hide the mute icon, similar to the existing option for the vibration icon. The settings will include toggles for showing the assistant agent in the status bar and controlling mute icon visibility. The Android Halo icon will only be visible on devices that support the unannounced "Agent Task" feature, which is distinct from Gemini Intelligence. These features are still in development and not yet available to the public.
id Software provides proof of life, says it 'still has the crew we need to build the games and tech we're known for' after massive layoffs
AppWizard
July 10, 2026

id Software provides proof of life, says it ‘still has the crew we need to build the games and tech we’re known for’ after massive layoffs

Microsoft plans to eliminate 3,200 positions across its Xbox studios by the end of the year, with id Software facing a reduction of 136 employees, over half of its workforce. The studio reassured staff that it still has the necessary team size to continue producing games and maintaining its proprietary engine, idTech. Despite the layoffs, id Software is not pressured to transition to Unreal Engine and intends to continue development on id Tech. The current workforce size is comparable to a decade ago, raising concerns about the studio's ability to meet the demands of modern game development.
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