dynamics Archives

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

WhatsApp to introduce adverts as Meta pushes to monetise messaging app

WhatsApp, with nearly three billion monthly active users, is set to introduce paid advertisements for the first time, moving away from its previous ad-free policy. This initiative, led by its parent company Meta, will include ads in the app's "status" section, similar to Instagram Stories, while ensuring that private conversations remain secure and encrypted. Businesses can promote content in the updates tab and charge users for premium content, with WhatsApp taking a 10 percent commission. Limited metadata, such as location and user interactions with ads, will be shared with advertisers, but sensitive information will remain confidential. Users who do not engage with status updates or channels will not see ads in their inbox. Meta's decision comes amid competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube and regulatory scrutiny, including a lawsuit from the FTC regarding its acquisition of WhatsApp and Instagram. The introduction of advertising and subscription features aims to tap into WhatsApp's business potential, although it may face mixed reactions from users concerned about privacy.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Millions Of Windows Users Get Microsoft’s Free Upgrade Offer

As of June 17, Windows 10's global market share has fallen below 50% for the first time, now at 48.9%, while Windows 11 is at 47.7%. This suggests that nearly 60 million users have switched from Windows 10 to Windows 11. In the United States, Windows 11 holds 55.2% of the market compared to Windows 10's 42.0%. In Asia, Windows 10's share has decreased from 59% to 49%, while Windows 11 has increased to over 46%. Approximately 700 million users remain on Windows 10, with over 240 million devices not meeting the upgrade requirements. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade and will introduce a migration tool to facilitate the transition. The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for compatible PCs, but unsupported systems may face security risks post-October 14.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 director offers the most sympathetic answer I’ve yet heard for the $80 game question: ‘We don’t set the prices for our games,’ and ‘You’d have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks’

Brandon Adler, the director of The Outer Worlds 2, stated that game developers do not set the prices for their games, emphasizing that pricing decisions are made by corporate executives. He expressed a desire for broader accessibility to games but indicated that pricing inquiries should be directed to Xbox executives. The economic landscape has shifted, making home ownership difficult while consumer electronics have become more affordable. Gamers now have various options, including subscription services and budget-friendly hardware. The perceived normal price for games has shifted to the range of to , with being a stretch, particularly for highly anticipated titles. Pricing challenges reflect deeper issues in the gaming industry, including recent layoffs and rising development costs. Obsidian Entertainment has adopted a strategy of working on multiple smaller projects, resulting in more affordable pricing for some titles, while the upcoming Avowed is set at a full retail price. Concerns exist that The Outer Worlds 2’s price might hinder its success, especially given the unclear metrics Microsoft uses to evaluate sales performance.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Xbox handheld rumoured to be ‘essentially cancelled’ but the new Asus Xbox Ally is actually a preview of all future Xbox consoles, not just handhelds

A recent report suggests that the anticipated Xbox handheld console may be "essentially canceled." The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, recently unveiled, are not true Xbox consoles but PC handhelds using existing PC chips and a new iteration of Windows optimized for gaming. Microsoft has rebranded its gaming division as 'Xbox PC' and acknowledged Steam as a competitor. None of these developments have been officially confirmed.

Winsage

June 12, 2025

UEFI Vulnerabilities Galore

The FAA is requesting a budget allocation of .0 billion for fiscal year 2026, in addition to a previously committed .0 billion, to address critical infrastructure needs. The agency aims to modernize its outdated telecommunications infrastructure, including the air traffic control (ATC) system, which currently relies on antiquated technology such as paper strips, floppy disks, and Windows 95 computers. The FAA has a four-year timeline for overhauling the ATC system, which poses significant challenges and risks to aviation safety. Additionally, there is a need to replace the existing radar system and transition to a modern IP-based network, requiring careful consideration of security measures and operational dynamics.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

With WH40K Boltgun and Dungeons of Hinterberg, this month’s Humble Choice lineup is stacked for less than $12

The June 2025 Humble Choice bundle includes eight games available for subscribers at a price of .99. The featured titles are: 1. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun - A first-person shooter with a retail price of .99. 2. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered - A remastered classic with a retail price of .99. 3. Nobody Wants to Die - A narrative-driven adventure with a retail price of .99. 4. Dungeons of Hinterberg - An adventure game with a retail price of .99. 5. Tchia - An open-world exploration game with a retail price of .99. 6. Sker Ritual - A zombie survival FPS with a retail price of .99. 7. Biped - A co-op adventure game with a retail price of .99. 8. Havendock - A colony simulation game with a retail price of .99. Additionally, the bundle includes a month of IGN Plus valued at .99 and a one-month subscription to Boot.dev worth .00. For June, 5% of every Humble Choice membership will be donated to The Trevor Project, which supports programs aimed at preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Dune: Awakening

Dune: Awakening is a survival genre game that has received mixed reviews. DualShockers rated it 90, praising its polished execution and expansive content, while GameRant rated it 80, noting impressive ambition but areas for improvement. Game8 provided a balanced view with a score of 74, describing it as a worthwhile experience for all players. Hands-on impressions highlight stable survival mechanics and a rewarding PvE experience, with IGN noting a wealth of content even after 35 hours of gameplay. The game merges sandbox survival features with social dynamics in a persistent world, positioning it as a pioneering Open World Survival MMO.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

New data reveals GTA Online players also love Minecraft and Fortnite | Esports News

Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto Online has 20 million monthly active players as of April 2025, its highest engagement since June 2022. Many of these players also engage with other popular games, particularly Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, and Minecraft, with an 11% overlap of GTA Online players with Minecraft. Despite its large user base, there has been a 19% decline in average playtime among gamers who play both GTA Online and Minecraft on PlayStation. This trend suggests that player engagement with GTA Online can fluctuate based on the popularity of competing titles.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Phil Rogers is Embracer Group’s next CEO

Phil Rogers will become the CEO of Embracer Group on August 1st, succeeding Lars Wingefors, who will transition to executive chair of the board in September. Rogers joined Embracer in 2022 and previously served as deputy CEO, leading Crystal Dynamics and Plaion. Kicki Wallje-Lund will take on the role of deputy chair. This leadership change follows the recent announcement of the spin-off of Coffee Stain into an independent entity.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

Intel Stock (NASDAQ:INTC) Blasts Up as Mac Support Dies

Intel Corporation's stock price surged over 8% during Tuesday afternoon trading, despite the impending loss of support from Apple for its Intel processors in Mac computers. The latest version of MacOS, Tahoe, will end compatibility for several older Mac models powered by Intel chips. Investors reacted positively to this news, viewing it as an opportunity, while the transition to Apple's own silicon has been ongoing for five years. Additionally, renewed trade discussions between the U.S. and China have sparked optimism among investors, contributing to Intel's stock gains. Intel is also expected to benefit from initiatives at the Department of Defense aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures. Analysts maintain a Hold consensus rating on Intel's stock, with one Buy, 26 Holds, and four Sells over the past three months. The average price target for INTC is .29 per share, indicating a potential downside risk of 3.88% from current levels.