digital-only Archives

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

X launches ground-up rebuilt Android app after year-long development

The digital entertainment landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly in India, where mobile-first consumption and value for money are critical. Insights from Amazon MX Player's leadership reveal that the integration of MX Player into Amazon's ecosystem has advanced technology, data utilization, and content distribution. Karan Bedi noted the swift integration process and highlighted the benefits in monetization through Amazon's ad technology, including the “Personas” feature for targeted advertising. MX Player has expanded its distribution across various Amazon platforms, transitioning to a multi-device approach. The platform emphasizes brand safety and has increased its content diversity, focusing on advertiser-friendly shows. Bedi introduced the concept of “micro-genres” with the upcoming MX Fatafat product, featuring short episodes to cater to varying viewer time constraints. MX Player utilizes a robust analytics framework to create content that resonates with diverse audiences, including regional offerings in multiple languages. Girish Prabhu discussed innovative advertising opportunities, emphasizing the integration of brands into content narratives and interactive formats for immediate consumer engagement. MX Player is positioned on major connected TV platforms, aligning with the trend for high-quality, free entertainment. The platform enables direct-to-consumer brands to access larger video formats, leveraging Amazon's consumer insights for personalized advertising and focusing on outcomes rather than impressions. Advertisers are increasingly seeking targeted messages that drive brand growth, highlighting the importance of platforms like MX Player.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Santander customers told to check banking app as service axed

Santander will discontinue its annual paper statement detailing banking fees starting in August, requiring customers to access this information through online or mobile banking platforms. The digital-only approach replaces the physical statement that included a summary of charges such as overdraft interest and international debit card fees. Customers can still access fee information digitally, and 9.2 million customers have opted for paper-free banking. Email notifications will inform customers when new statements or documents are available, and documents can be accessed online for up to seven years.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

PC Gamer Finds Clever Way to Turn Steam Games Into Physical Cartridges

A PC gamer has converted select titles from their Steam game library into physical cartridges using spare 2.5" solid-state drives (SSDs). This reflects a trend among users wanting to preserve gaming experiences in a tangible format, despite the shift towards digital-only releases in the gaming industry. Steam has been a leading platform for PC games for over twenty years, with most titles now available only in digital form. The custom cartridge system created by the gamer highlights the efforts of enthusiasts to maintain a connection to their favorite games and preserve their gaming heritage.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

DIY Steam Cartridges Bring Physical Game Media Back To PC With SSDs

A Reddit user developed a game cartridge system for Steam using individual SATA 2.5-inch 128GB SSD drives, allowing for tangible management of game libraries. This system, created by u/Jibril-sama, directs Steam to the corresponding game page upon SSD insertion and operates on a Linux base, with Windows compatibility lacking auto-navigation. Another user, u/halcyonforeveragain, showcased repurposed SD cards for use with the Steam Deck, enhancing game transfer capabilities. However, modern titles may require SSD performance for optimal gameplay, as traditional hard drives and standard SD cards may not meet the necessary speed. The cost for a 128GB SD card and USB4 card reader is about USD, while a 128GB SATA SSD with a docking station costs approximately USD. Customizing cartridges with art or labels is also suggested for a personalized gaming library.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

PC gamers have days left to pick up 2016 award winner for free

GOG is currently offering a free giveaway of the 2016 point-and-click adventure game Silence. In the game, players control 16-year-old Noah, who searches for his lost sister Renie in a war-torn realm between life and death. The game takes approximately 6.5 hours to complete, with completionists potentially spending up to 12 hours. Silence received mixed reviews but won awards for Best Sound, Best Story, and Best Graphics at the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis. The giveaway lasts for about 40 hours, and players can claim the game by creating a free GOG account. The game is DRM-free, allowing offline play.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

GOG Makes 75%-Rated PC Game Free for the Next 3 Days

Sony has adopted a digital-only model, while Xbox has announced significant layoffs. PC gamers are benefiting from numerous discounts on platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. GOG is offering the adventure game Silence for free from July 7 to July 10, allowing players to permanently add it to their library. Silence, developed by Daedalic Entertainment, features a narrative focused on 16-year-old Noah and his sister Renie, who become trapped in the world of Silence during an air raid. The game includes puzzles, memorable characters, and approximately 12 hours of gameplay. It is known for its hand-painted environments and emotional storytelling. Silence has a user approval rating exceeding 75% on Metacritic and typically retails for around . If players miss the giveaway, the game will still be available for purchase at a discount.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

PC game store GOG explains how digital ownership should be as PlayStation announces end of physical discs

PlayStation plans to phase out physical discs for its consoles starting in January 2028, coinciding with the digital-only release of GTA 6. This shift reflects the industry's move toward a digital-only future, impacting collectors and enthusiasts of physical media. Meanwhile, GOG offers a DRM-free gaming experience, allowing users to retain access to purchased games even if they are removed from the store, as long as the files are installed. GOG's model enables personal backups on physical media and does not require an internet connection for gameplay, although online multiplayer may vary. The future of PlayStation adopting a similar DRM-free approach remains uncertain.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

‘They refuse to offer a meaningful alternative’: Game preservation leader agrees that piracy is the only preservation option for a discless future

Sony plans to discontinue the production of physical game discs for the PlayStation 5 by 2028, shifting towards a fully digital licensing model. Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation has raised concerns about the preservation of video game history, stating that piracy may become the only means of safeguarding digital works. He criticized the Entertainment Software Association for resisting efforts to create a legal framework for preserving digital content. Cifaldi highlighted that museums and archives are preparing for this digital future, questioning the industry's expectations for cultural institutions as physical media is phased out. The transition to digital ownership has sparked discussions in the gaming community, particularly regarding the lack of backward compatibility in the PlayStation ecosystem and the challenges posed by the closure of digital stores for older consoles. The urgency for solutions to protect video game history is increasing as the industry moves towards a digital-only future.

BetaBeacon

July 1, 2026

Sony is officially killing off physical PlayStation games

Sony has announced that all new PlayStation games released after 2028 will be digital-only, making it the first major console to fully embrace digital media.