dimensions Archives

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Windows 11 Just Fixed One Of Its Biggest Problems

Linux installations are increasing as Windows 10 approaches its expiration date, driven by user dissatisfaction with Microsoft's focus on artificial intelligence and disruptive updates. The Start Menu, a key feature since Windows 95, has faced criticism due to redesigns that complicate user experience. A recent update to Windows 11 has introduced a redesigned Start Menu that allows greater customization, features a wider layout, and enables users to disable the Recommended section. However, issues remain, such as irrelevant search results, loss of access to recently accessed files when disabling recommendations, inability to resize the Start Menu, and absence of categorization for pinned items.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

January Xbox Update: Xbox Expands to Arm-based PCs, Game Save Sync Indicator, and More

Xbox is introducing updates to enhance gaming experiences, including the Xbox PC app for Arm-based Windows 11 PCs, allowing downloads from the Xbox PC app catalog and access to Xbox Game Pass. A new Game Save Sync Indicator feature provides real-time visibility into cloud save status for seamless gameplay across devices. Xbox has partnered with Hisense and V homeOS to enable cloud gaming on select Smart TVs. The Handheld Compatibility Program highlights games optimized for portable play, with recent additions such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. The Xbox Play Anywhere initiative now supports over 1,000 games for cross-platform play, including titles like Abyss DX and Cyberpunk Hacker. The Stream Your Own Game feature allows Xbox Game Pass subscribers to stream from a library of over 1,000 owned games, including Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. Xbox is reviving retro classics through a collaboration with Antstream Arcade, featuring over 100 titles and community challenges. Support for mouse and keyboard navigation has been expanded to over 230 games, and touch controls are available on cloud. Community feedback is encouraged to shape future developments, and players can join the Xbox Insider Program for early access to new features.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Minecraft 2 Is Better Than the Original in 1 Specific Way, According to Jason Momoa (& There’s A Big Filming Update)

A Minecraft Movie 2 is in production, following the success of its predecessor, which was the highest-grossing film of 2025 with a domestic box office of 4 million. The film grossed 8.2 million globally, ranking fifth behind titles like Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2. Director Jared Hess returns, along with original cast members Jason Momoa and Jack Black. Momoa expressed excitement about the new script, stating it made him laugh out loud. The sequel will feature Steve and Alex as distinct characters, with Jack Black reprising his role as Steve. The casting for Alex is still unannounced. The first film's post-credit scene hinted at further adventures involving a mysterious chest, possibly an Ender Chest, which could lead to the End dimension and the Ender Dragon.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Sci-fi survival game Once Human’s got a new set of dangerous creatures, and one will haunt my nightmares for weeks

Once Human is a free-to-play sci-fi survival game that has introduced a new update featuring three new adversaries: the Devourer, the Hoarder, and the Sonivore. The Devourer is a 45-meter-long creature that resembles a subway train and consumes Stardust-enriched ores. It can be interacted with by feeding it minerals, but if players fail to satisfy it, it may burrow underground with valuable materials. The Hoarder is a creature that resembles a shopping cart on legs, collecting items and leading players to its nest, which can be raided at a risk. The Sonivore is a gel-like entity that targets sound and high-value supplies, requiring players to use distractions to escape. The update also includes two new weapons, the EBR-14 rifle and the TEC-9, along with a new gear set and the Deviant Sprout upgrade path. The update is set to launch on January 21.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

New Free Steam Game Has a 95/100 Rating With Players

A new free game called Lavalamp was launched on Steam on January 10 and has received over 200 user reviews, with 95% of players rating it positively. The game features a first-person exploration experience centered around the Space Lemmings, who are trapped between dimensions due to bizarre experiments. Lavalamp has a gameplay duration of approximately one hour and is marked as "Playable" on Steam Deck, though some user configuration may be required. The game is developed by The Space Lemmings from Space Productions, a small independent studio.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts

HP introduced the EliteBoard G1a at CES 2026, a keyboard that integrates a mini PC powered by AMD's Ryzen AI 300 PRO mobile processors, featuring a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of delivering up to 50 TOPS. It is designed to cater to hybrid workers using external monitors with laptops closed. The internal components include upgradeable DDR5 SODIMM RAM and M.2 NVMe solid-state drives. Key specifications include: - OS: Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro - CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 PRO - GPU: Up to AMD Radeon 860M integrated - RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM - Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 512GB encrypted PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 32GB eMMC v5.0 (Ryzen AI 7 350 only) - Ports: 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (detached cable); 1x tethered USB4, 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (attached cable) - Connectivity: MediaTek RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3, MediaTek MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6.0 - Audio: Stereo speakers, Stereo microphones - Power: Configurable 32Whr battery (3.5+ hours), 65W USB-C GaN power adapter - Dimensions: 358mm x 118mm x 17mm, weight 1.49 - 1.69 lbs The design includes a spill-resistant keyboard that can be replaced in about ten minutes and a removable bottom panel for easy access to internal components. Both models support up to four 4K monitors at 60Hz and offer around 3.5 hours of usage on a full charge. The EliteBoard G1a has received a CES Innovation Award.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

This week in PC games: Pathologic 3, a fresh Pokémon rival, a mind-bending FPS and some crablike base building

A hiatus in coverage occurred last December due to seasonal content preparation and personal challenges. New game releases include: - Dunecrawl: A cooperative game allowing up to four players to traverse a desert landscape on weaponized crabs. - Feed The Reactor: An incremental clicker game where players feed fuels into a cosmic vortex, unlocking narratives in a bizarre galaxy. - StarRupture: An early access title where players construct outposts on alien planets while fending off crab-like monsters. - Death Machine: A pixel-art metroidvania featuring 19 bosses, including at least one eight-legged invertebrate. - Oddcore: A first-person shooter set in a theme park with bizarre spaces and corporate satire, lacking crab references. - EvoCreo: A creature-collecting game with over 170 creatures, reminiscent of classic Game Boy Advance titles. - Ancient Farm: A farming game set in ancient Egypt, featuring historical landscapes and the Acanthothelphusa niloticus. - Pathologic 3: A narrative-driven game where players have 12 days to save a town from disease, involving quarantines. The CES hardware tradeshow is currently taking place in Las Vegas, focusing on GPU and RAM prices, new screen technologies, and novelty gadgets.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

How A Minecraft Movie Proved Minecraft is Bigger than Just a Game in 2025

Minecraft has become a cultural phenomenon over the past decade, culminating in the release of A Minecraft Movie in 2025, which broke box-office records. The film's success is attributed to the shared experiences of gamers across generations, highlighting the game's universal appeal. The movie features iconic moments, such as the Chicken Jockey, which resonated with audiences in theaters, creating a communal experience. Despite critiques of its artistic merit, the film attracted large audiences, showcasing the power of nostalgia and community. Minecraft, as one of the best-selling video games, has established a significant presence across platforms, and the film emphasizes its impact on creativity and collaboration within the gaming community. After viewing the movie, many children were inspired to recreate scenes in their own Minecraft worlds, demonstrating the game's influence beyond its original medium.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Millennium Whisper and the case for ethical, on-device AI in games

A recent survey by Google Cloud found that 90% of game developers are exploring generative AI. Millennium Whisper, a dating sim by Parable Studios, is the first game on Steam to run a large language model entirely on-device, avoiding cloud-based inference. This approach allows for unique in-game conversations and addresses ethical data usage, as actors retain ownership of their data and receive royalties. The game uses actor-led role-play sessions for character behavior, ensuring high-quality data. Running AI locally enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, contrasting with traditional server-based models that incur ongoing costs. Millennium Whisper received grant funding from Innovate UK and is currently in Early Access. Ambrose Robinson, the founder of Parable Studios, emphasizes the importance of energy savings and the sustainability of their AI approach.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

Minecraft x Stranger Things – Official DLC Launch Trailer

Netflix has released a trailer for the Stranger Things DLC for Minecraft, allowing players to join "The Party" and embody characters from the series. Each character has unique abilities that enhance gameplay as players solve puzzles and face enemies. Players can also receive a complimentary Hellfire Club T-shirt in the Dressing Room. The Stranger Things DLC for Minecraft is now available.