electric Archives

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Steam Next Fest is back and you’ve once again got just 7 days to find your favorite demos among hundreds of choices

The Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, offering a week-long celebration of game demos. It features a wide variety of upcoming titles, including: - Prime Monster: A card-based political roguelike where political leaders are depicted as monsters. - All Will Rise: A narrative deck-builder focused on seeking justice for a slain god. - Vampire Crawlers: A card-based dungeon crawler from the creator of Vampire Survivors. - The Last Gas Station: A game where players control a red panda running a gas station in an electric vehicle-dominated world. - Windrose: An open-world PvE pirate survival game with "soulslite combat" and sea shanties. - Tap Tap Loot: An action-packed game featuring a character reminiscent of Bongo Cat. - Phonopolis: An adventure game from Amanita Design. - Titanium Court: Highlighted as the "first must-play demo" of the event. The Steam Next Fest runs until March 2.

AppWizard

February 22, 2026

Debate: Which game series is the most popular to cosplay?

The convention atmosphere is lively, filled with diverse cosplayers from various entertainment realms, including film, anime, television, and video games. The column "Character Select" in PC Gamer highlights the artistry of the cosplay community, featuring remarkable creations and insights into gaming culture. The author shares a memorable interaction with cosplayers from the game "Cult of the Lamb." Cosplay is particularly popular for "Genshin Impact," with a wide range of characters inspiring attendees, including a cosplayer dressed as a Primogem. "League of Legends" also has a significant presence, with characters like KDA, Jinx, and Miss Fortune being popular, especially after the Netflix adaptation "Arcane." The author expresses curiosity about other fanbases or games that may deserve attention at future conventions.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Cozy puzzle exploration game Hakoniwa Electric announced for PC

Japanese developer Anettai has announced the puzzle exploration game Hakoniwa Electric, set to launch on PC via Steam in 2026, available in English and Japanese. Players will take on the role of Akari, who runs her grandfather's electronics shop and helps the community with electrical challenges. The game features 12 isometric stages that change with the seasons, where players solve wiring puzzles at their own pace without time constraints or complex calculations. After completing stages, players can read Akari's "Monthly Diary" for insights into her experiences. The game emphasizes a relaxing atmosphere and a gentle narrative over the course of a year. A trailer for the game is available.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Cozy puzzle exploration game Hakoniwa Electric announced for PC

Japanese developer Anettai has announced the release of Hakoniwa Electric, a puzzle exploration game set for PC via Steam in 2026, available in English and Japanese. Players will take on the role of Akari, who manages her grandfather's electronics shop and helps the townsfolk with electrical issues. The game features 12 isometric stages filled with wiring puzzles, allowing players to connect circuit pieces without time constraints. Completing stages unlocks entries in Akari's diary, providing insights into her life. The game emphasizes a relaxing experience with no challenging calculations or penalties.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Anettai announces cozy puzzle game Hakoniwa Electric for PC

Hakoniwa Electric is a puzzle exploration game developed by Anettai, set to launch on PC later this year. Players assume the role of Akari, who manages her grandfather's electronics shop while he is on vacation. The game features 12 miniature open-world stages filled with puzzles that require creative problem-solving to help townsfolk. It offers a relaxing gameplay experience with no complex calculations or harsh penalties. Key features include nostalgic stages, a stress-free environment, a gentle year-long story, and the ability to explore at one's own pace. The game will be available on Steam in English and Japanese, and an announcement trailer is available.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Google hasn’t forgotten about video apps for Android Auto

Google announced plans to enhance Android Auto by introducing video app support for users while parked, aimed at improving the experience for electric vehicle owners during charging breaks. A new flag, "CradleFeatureallowvideoapps," was discovered in the latest Android Auto beta version, v16.3.160744, indicating that video app functionality may be forthcoming. However, the feature is not yet active, and additional components are needed for seamless video playback. An APK teardown can reveal potential future features, but not all may be released to the public.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Google Signals Android Auto Video Apps Are Imminent

Google is advancing its initiative to enable video applications on Android Auto while vehicles are parked, as indicated by the recent beta update (version 16.3.160744) that includes a configuration flag labeled “CradleFeatureallowvideoapps.” This flag suggests that Google is preparing for approved video experiences on car displays when stationary, although end-user functionality is not yet available. The infrastructure for compatible streaming or playback apps is being established, with safety protocols ensuring that playback will be restricted to parked conditions. Google is likely to introduce a new curated category for video within Android Auto, initially limited to select partners and focusing on content optimized for touch-first interfaces. The beta update also hints at a broader Android Auto UI refresh, including new network icons and driving avatar selection. A staggered rollout of the video feature is anticipated, influenced by content licensing, regional regulations, and automaker collaborations.

Tech Optimizer

February 12, 2026

Constructive unveils secure-by-default Postgres platform

Constructive has launched a Postgres platform focused on security, implementing Row-Level Security (RLS) policies at table creation to prevent vulnerabilities from application-side configurations. The platform targets back-end development teams, particularly those using AI-assisted tools, and aims to enforce permissions and maintain data integrity directly at the database level. Constructive's open-source developer tools have surpassed 100 million downloads, including SQL parsers and migration systems. The platform allows teams to select access models and generates tables with embedded access rules, reducing the need for manual RLS configurations. It features a migration strategy ensuring reproducible security guarantees and validates RLS within CI/CD pipelines through automated checks. The serverless execution layer supports functions in multiple languages while adhering to the same permission model. Constructive's parsing technology is used in various Postgres-related platforms, and the company has filed provisional patents for its security compiler that transforms schemas into secure configurations. Constructive reports its tools are operational across over 10 million databases and is currently in a commercial private beta for enterprise teams.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for February 2 to 6

Next week, several new titles will be released for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC: - DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined Digital Deluxe Edition by SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. priced at .99, and DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined priced at .99, both releasing on February 4, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. - MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice – Ultimate Edition, Deluxe Edition, and standard edition, all by Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., with prices ranging from .99 to .99, releasing on February 5, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. - Carmageddon: Rogue Shift by 34BigThings, priced at .99, releasing on February 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. - Hidden Cats in Christmas by Silesia Games Sp. z o.o., releasing on February 4, optimized for Xbox Play Anywhere. - Lovish by DANGEN Entertainment, priced at .99 (on sale for .99), releasing on February 4. - New Yankee: Through the History Mirror Collector's Edition by Ocean Media, releasing on February 4. - Tiny Biomes by Eastasiasoft Limited, releasing on February 4, optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play Anywhere, and handheld optimized. - Dragon Spira by KEMCO, priced at .99 (on sale for .99), releasing on February 5, optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, and Xbox Play Anywhere. - Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass by Electric Airship, releasing on February 5, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Smart Delivery. - MENACE (Game Preview) by Hooded Horse, releasing on February 5. - Sora – Winds of the Jungle by EpiXR Games, priced at .99, releasing on February 5, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. - Car Cops by QubicGames S.A., releasing on February 6, optimized for Xbox Play Anywhere and handheld optimized. - Dark Quest: Remastered by Brain Seal Ltd, releasing on February 6. - Un.Key by Rebelião Studio, releasing on February 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play Anywhere, and handheld optimized.

Winsage

January 14, 2026

Microsoft Fixes 114 Windows Flaws in January 2026 Patch, One Actively Exploited

On Tuesday, Microsoft released its first security update for 2026, addressing 114 vulnerabilities, including eight classified as Critical and 106 as Important. The vulnerabilities include 58 related to privilege escalation, 22 concerning information disclosure, 21 linked to remote code execution, and five categorized as spoofing flaws. A notable vulnerability, CVE-2026-20805, involves information disclosure within the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) and has a CVSS score of 5.5. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added this flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, requiring federal agencies to implement fixes by February 3, 2026. Additionally, Microsoft announced the expiration of three Windows Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011, effective June 2026, urging customers to transition to newer certificates to avoid disruptions. The update also removed vulnerable Agere Soft Modem drivers due to a local privilege escalation flaw (CVE-2023-31096) and addressed another critical privilege escalation flaw in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (CVE-2026-20876) with a CVSS score of 6.7. Other vendors, including Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and Cisco, have also released security patches for various vulnerabilities.