encounters Archives

Winsage

July 12, 2025

A new Windows feature could allow your PC to fix itself

Microsoft is introducing a feature called "quick machine recovery" for Windows users, currently available in Windows 11 Build 26100.4762. This feature allows PCs to autonomously troubleshoot and fix issues after a crash, such as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), by booting into the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). Quick machine recovery can connect to Microsoft’s servers to send crash data for analysis, eliminating the need for users to interpret error codes. It employs cloud remediation and auto remediation methods, though auto remediation is disabled by default on home PCs. The existing Startup Repair tool will still be available as a fallback option, and users can disable quick machine recovery if desired. Additionally, the build includes a refined "semantic search" capability in Settings, integration of Microsoft’s Reading Coach app, and the ability to export Recall snapshots to third-party applications in Europe.

AppWizard

July 11, 2025

Zero Caliber 2 Highlights PC VR Upgrades And Launch Window

XREAL Games unveiled new gameplay footage for Zero Caliber 2 during the UploadVR Summer Showcase and announced a projected release window for its PC VR version on Steam, set for Q3 2025. The game, initially launched on Quest, is being adapted for PC VR with enhancements including advanced enemy AI, improved ragdoll physics, dynamic shadows, enhanced explosion and weapon effects, refined environments and lighting, and smoother vehicle animations. Several missions are being rebuilt, and character models are receiving further refinement. Additionally, Zero Caliber 1 is targeting a Q3 2025 launch on PlayStation VR2, with plans for Zero Caliber 2 on the same platform contingent on the performance of Zero Caliber VR. Currently, Zero Caliber 2 is available on Quest.

AppWizard

July 11, 2025

6 free Android apps I use to learn something new every day

Megan Ellis reflects on her educational journey, transitioning from a childhood interest in encyclopedias to using modern learning apps. She navigates various platforms to learn in bite-sized lessons due to time constraints. In a poll, 75% of respondents use only one learning app at a time, with none using multiple simultaneously, and 25% do not use any learning apps. 1. Mimo is a coding app that offers concise lessons tailored to individual learning paths. Ellis is taking an introductory Python course to enhance her coding skills. 2. Drops is a vocabulary app for language learning that allows users to select specific topics. It has a daily time limit unless users subscribe to a premium version. Ellis uses it to supplement her Mandarin vocabulary. 3. The Vocabulary app helps users expand their English vocabulary by allowing them to choose types of words to learn, including slang. It sends daily notifications and has a home screen widget for reminders. 4. Primer requires a subscription or scholarship for access. Ellis received a scholarship and explores short lessons in computer science and other topics of interest. 5. Reddit provides value through its communities, where Ellis joins subreddits related to her professional interests and other topics like zoology and history. 6. The Facts app offers daily trivia tailored to user interests, with customizable topics and a widget for easy access. Some content is subscription-based, but it aligns with her desire for quick learning experiences.

AppWizard

July 11, 2025

10 best indie games you can play on PC for less than $10

The 2025 Steam Summer Sale has concluded, but budget-friendly indie games remain popular among gamers. Notable titles include: - Terraria: A sandbox platformer released in 2011, featuring digging, fighting, exploring, and building, with a rewarding progression system and multiplayer options. - R.E.P.O.: A co-op horror game where players act as repo agents reclaiming items from alien entities, offering humor and teamwork. - PEAK: A co-op game where players scale a mountain while tethered, featuring four biomes and a map that refreshes every 24 hours. - Undertale: An RPG known for its clever writing, engaging gameplay, and unique mechanics, created by Toby Fox. - Limbo: A puzzle-platformer that combines psychological thriller elements with a striking visual aesthetic. - Look Outside: A Lovecraftian survival horror RPG with pixel art, focusing on resource management and immersive storytelling. Indie games provide accessible and creative experiences for players.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft Didn’t Kill Blue Screen Of Death, But What’s Coming May Be A Problem

Microsoft is redesigning the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) for Windows 11, transforming it into a Black Screen of Death with a black background and without the frowny face icon. The new screen will still provide essential information about the need to restart the device. This redesign may cause confusion among users due to its resemblance to the Windows Update screen. Additionally, with the introduction of Windows 11 24H2, the operating system can create a crash dump collection file more quickly, allowing for reboots from the BSOD screen in approximately two seconds.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

LET’S PLAY: DWELLERS 2.0

The blood moon phenomenon casts an eerie glow and signals a series of challenges, including encounters with zombies, spiders, and witches. After facing numerous deaths, a ruined portal is discovered near the spawn point, leading to a loot chest containing a golden sword. A wandering trader appears, offering potential trades to improve survival chances, but negotiations do not go as planned.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Video Game Review | ‘Stellar Blade’ Comes to PC

Stellar Blade, originally a PlayStation 5 exclusive, has been released as a PC port. The game's narrative follows Eve, the last member of the 7th Airborne Squad, as she navigates a post-apocalyptic Earth to confront the Elder Naytiba. The combat system features heavy-hitting combos and a satisfying parry mechanic, with impressive animations. The game was tested on an RTX 4070 Super with 32 GB of RAM at maximum settings, running smoothly at 60 frames per second with minor audio glitches and occasional lag. Critics have compared it to Nier Automata, describing it as a budget version, but the combat mechanics are considered superior. Stellar Blade is available on Steam, the Epic Store, and the PlayStation Store.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Rust’s developer is overhauling the survival sim’s mission system so it can create in-game quests faster and more easily: ‘The process to create new missions internally is quite cumbersome and error prone’

Rust's latest patch introduces a party system that allows players to join servers as a group, ensuring friends spawn on the same map. The mission system has been overhauled, simplifying the creation of missions, with a new mission enabling players to unlock a spawn point at the Outpost by assisting an NPC. The update also includes a snapping mechanism for deployables, improving alignment with other objects, and adjustments to the patrol helicopter's behavior to enhance player engagement. Additionally, there is an improved erosion simulation for more realistic mountain landscapes. Future content includes a naval update for boat construction and cannon battles, an overhaul of AI and animal behaviors, and a collaboration with Warhammer.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

Cladun X3 Announced For PC & Console Release This Year

NIS America has announced the release of Cladun X3 for PC and consoles, set to launch before the end of the year. In the game, players assume the role of a villain in the realm of Arcanus Cella, participating in a death game for world peace. Players can customize their experience with six weapon types, ten jobs, and the Magic Circle System, which allows for strategic character enhancements. The game features both a story mode and randomly-generated dungeons called Ran-geons.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

Call of Duty: WW2 Players Say the Game Is “Not Safe” After Coming to Xbox Game Pass

Call of Duty: WW2 has been added to Xbox Game Pass, but PC players are cautioned against playing it due to significant risks, including a decline in player engagement and the presence of hackers. Older titles, like WW2, are particularly vulnerable as Activision offers limited support, making them targets for malicious actors. Reports indicate that hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities, such as remote code execution (RCE) exploits, which can lead to unauthorized control over players' machines. Incidents have been reported where players experienced unexpected shutdowns and intrusive pop-ups, including inappropriate content. While no confirmed cases of data theft have emerged, the potential for malware remains a concern. Players are advised to avoid online matches in Call of Duty: WW2 on PC until an official resolution is provided.