discussions Archives

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

How to Turn Off Meta AI Features on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp

Meta AI, integrated across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, does not provide a straightforward way to disable it entirely. Users can minimize its influence by following specific steps: - On Facebook, users can disable AI-generated comment summaries in the “audience and visibility” section of the “settings” tab. - In Messenger, users can mute Meta AI through the “information” tab by clicking the “i” button and selecting the mute option. - On Instagram, users can mute Meta AI by clicking the Meta AI logo, accessing its information page, and toggling the mute option. - In WhatsApp, users can mute notifications from Meta AI by selecting the AI icon and adjusting notification settings. European users have a form available on Facebook’s help page to object to their data being used for training purposes. In 2024, the European privacy group NOYB filed complaints against Meta AI in 11 countries regarding data usage. Although Meta paused its training plans for nearly a year, it resumed in April 2025, notifying EU users and providing an opt-out form. Meta AI utilizes user-generated content from its platforms for training, raising privacy concerns, especially for users outside the EU who cannot opt out of data collection.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Cozy conversational campfire game Fireside Feelings for PC now available

Fireside Feelings, a cozy conversational campfire game developed by Team Empreintes and published by The CoLab, is now available for PC on Steam. The game aims to provide a serene escape from modern life's complexities, encouraging heartfelt conversations among players. Players can customize avatars from six animal options and engage in discussions guided by a sentient campfire named Spark, who poses thought-provoking questions. The game prioritizes player safety by anonymizing responses and using a moderated database for conversations. Players can also avoid sensitive topics by customizing discussion parameters. Additionally, the developers have partnered with Safe In Our World to support mental health awareness, providing resources within the game.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Game of Thrones strategy game War for Westeros announced for PC

The game titled "War for Westeros" was unveiled during the Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles on June 6th, with a release date set for 2026. It draws inspiration from George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series and allows players to command armies from House Stark, House Lannister, House Targaryen, or the Night King. The gameplay features real-time strategy battles, unique faction strategies, and a variety of units, including infantry, cavalry, siege engines, giants, and dragons. Players can traverse the realm from the Wall to King’s Landing, engage in skirmishes or longer campaigns, and their decisions will impact the narrative. A trailer depicts Jon Snow's death and resurrection as a wight, showcasing the game's dynamic storytelling. Additionally, multiple TV spin-offs from the Game of Thrones universe are in development, including the third season of "House of the Dragon" and a new series titled "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

‘I’m not here to apologize but I am here to clarify’: Splitgate 2 boss says his Make FPS Great Again hat is ‘not a political statement’

1047 Games unveiled a battle royale mode for Splitgate 2 at the Summer Game Fest, announced by CEO Ian Proulx. Proulx wore a hat with the phrase "MAKE FPS GREAT AGAIN," which drew mixed reactions from viewers. He later clarified the hat's message on social media, emphasizing the company's commitment to improving the multiplayer FPS experience. The launch included a shop refresh with a new skin bundle, the most expensive item in the game, prompting discussions about in-game purchase value. The new mode led to a surge in players and technical issues, including problems with the experience points (XP) system, which the company is working to resolve.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Google Messages could get a dedicated spot to see all media from your chats

Google is experimenting with a swipe feature in its Messages app to improve navigation through pictures and videos, allowing users to reply to media without being redirected to the main chat. This update includes a quick-access bar for reactions and comments on media, and a dedicated media overview section for accessing older shared images and videos. These features are currently in testing and are expected to be available to all users in the coming months.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

Windows Weekly 935: Don’t Spritz Yourself

Leo and Paul discuss various topics on the latest episode of Windows Weekly, including Notepad, updates in Windows 11, Microsoft 365, artificial intelligence, and Xbox gaming. A new free newsletter offers time-saving tips and complimentary Field Guides for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Microsoft is reorganizing its AI initiatives and phasing out password management features in the Microsoft Authenticator app. The upcoming June 2025 update for Outlook will introduce new features, and Microsoft 365 Copilot now has general availability for Research and Analyst AI agents. The New York Times has licensed its content to Amazon, and Samsung is reconsidering its partnership with Gemini. Microsoft has delayed the launch of its first-party Xbox and Windows gaming handheld and has secured its first agreement with a game studio union. J Allard, a former Microsoft executive, is among many ex-Microsoft leaders now at Amazon. A tip suggests replacing OneDrive/Google Drive with a NAS, and Microsoft Edge 137 is highlighted as a significant update. Photoshop for Android is now available for free during its beta phase.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Summer Game Fest 2025 preview: The big games and developers to expect at Friday’s livestream

E3 has transitioned into the Summer Game Fest, led by Geoff Keighley, featuring a livestream on June 6 at 2 pm Pacific on YouTube. New developers include Raw Power Games, working on a medieval sandbox game, and Soft Rains, developing a sci-fi action game. Big studios like 505 Games, 2K Games, Bandai Namco, Capcom, CD Projekt, Embark, IO Interactive, Square Enix, Techland, Xbox, PlayStation, Epic Games, Pearl Abyss, and Sega are expected to showcase new titles or updates. Additional partners include 1047 Games, Amazon Games, Annapurna Interactive, Atari, Bellring Games, Blumhouse Games, Coffee Stain, Devolver Digital, Dotemu, Dreamhaven, Enhance, Focus Entertainment, Frontier, Funcom, iam8bit Presents, Kakao Games, Kinetic Games, Kuro Games, Level Infinite, Magic the Gathering, Megabit, Meta Quest, Mundfish, NCSoft, Nekki, Neowiz, Netmarble, Niantic, Nintendo Switch 2, Nuverse, Playstack, PlaySide, PM Studios, Razer, Supermassive Games, Xsolla, and Yacht Club Games. An "intense body horror" game titled ILL and beta access to Soulframe will also be featured, with Hideo Kojima confirmed to attend.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Meta found ‘covertly tracking’ Android users through Instagram and Facebook

Experts at Radboud University and IMDEA Networks found that Meta and Yandex have been covertly tracking Android users by monitoring browser activity without consent. This tracking was first identified in January and involves apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Yandex Maps operating in the background and loading scripts that transmit data back to their respective apps. These scripts bypass Android's security measures, allowing the companies to track users' web browsing activities. The tracking affects all major Android browsers, including incognito mode. Google confirmed that Meta and Yandex exploited Android's capabilities in violation of security and privacy principles. Meta is investigating the issue and has paused the feature, while Yandex claims to adhere to data protection standards. Meta's tracking has been ongoing for about eight months, while Yandex's practices date back to 2017. Facebook tracked users on around 16,000 websites in the EU, and Yandex was active on 1,300 sites. Google has begun implementing changes to address these tracking techniques and is conducting its own investigation. Browsers like Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and DuckDuckGo are also affected, with efforts underway to prevent future incidents.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

One of Linux’s big hitters declares your Windows 10 PC “is toast,” and one angle needs talking about MUCH more

The end of life for Windows 10 is prompting discussions about alternatives, particularly Linux, as users consider their options. KDE, a key player in the Linux ecosystem, encourages users with obsolete Windows 10 devices not to discard them but to consider repurposing them with Linux, which can extend the lifespan of older PCs and reduce electronic waste. Many functional PCs, even those over a decade old, can run alternative systems like Linux or Chrome OS Flex efficiently. KDE's initiative highlights that Linux can revitalize old machines, promoting sustainability in the face of potential e-waste accumulation from Microsoft's push for new hardware.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Watch: Fetal development model created in Minecraft

Sara Leonard's video, "The Cubed Sphere," which models fetal development using Minecraft, won the top honor in the 3D visual art category of the 2024 "Create | Encounter" contest hosted by Rehumanize International. Rehumanize International is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting peace and human dignity. The "Create | Encounter" contest invites artists to engage with issues surrounding human dignity and encourages dialogue through creative works.