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Winsage

December 28, 2024

Microsoft’s wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2024

In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

Best PC Game of 2024 — Best New PC Games This Year

PC gaming in 2024 featured a variety of innovative titles, with Hades 2 winning the Best PC Game of 2024. Hades 2, which entered early access in May, follows Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, as she attempts to thwart Chronos, the Titan of Time. The game introduces new mechanics, including a Magick Bar and a sprint ability, and offers multiple exploration paths. It can be completed in under 20 hours, but completionists may invest nearly 60 hours. Other notable nominations for Best PC Games of 2024 include: - I Am Your Beast: Released in September, this fast-paced action game features 25 levels designed for quick play sessions, appealing to speedrunners. - UFO 50: A collection of 50 distinct games that pays homage to retro console games, showcasing a variety of genres. - Frostpunk 2: A city-builder set three decades after the original, allowing players to manage complex societal issues and construct larger cities. It won the Best Gameplay award at the Gamescom Awards 2024.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

ACPI wake alarm does not disable; How to disable it?

If your Windows system is waking up at night due to an ACPI Wake Alarm, you can try several solutions to resolve the issue: 1. Adjust Hibernate Settings: Change the Hibernate after Sleep feature in Power Options to a higher value or disable it by setting it to 0 (Never). 2. BIOS/UEFI Configuration: Access the BIOS/UEFI setup and disable the Wake on RTC Alarm if enabled. 3. PowerShell and Command Line for Wake Timers: Use commands like PLACEHOLDERd65d9fd27963b5bd to review power settings and PLACEHOLDER0384fd2e90496902 to disable specific devices from waking the computer. 4. Disable Wake Timers: In Power Settings, set Allow wake timers to disable for both On Battery and Plugged In states. 5. Check Security and Maintenance Settings: Uncheck the option for Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer in the Security and Maintenance settings. 6. Task Scheduler Settings: Review scheduled tasks and uncheck the “Wake the computer to run this task” option in the Conditions tab. 7. Event Viewer Analysis: Check the Event Viewer under Windows Logs > System to identify the Wake Source, which may indicate the ACPI Wake Alarm. The issue often arises from ACPI wake alarms that can override wake timer settings, necessitating a thorough examination of all related configurations to fully disable them.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

This year has proved yet again that horror games do best when devs keep it small-scale

Mouthwashing is a notable horror game released this year, set on a broken spaceship named the Tulpar, which can be completed in under two and a half hours. Players experience the story through the perspectives of Curly and Jimmy, exploring themes of violence and corporate dehumanization with a nonlinear narrative. Still Wakes the Deep, developed by The Chinese Room, is another significant title that takes around six hours to complete. It follows protagonist Caz McLeary on an oil rig, blending psychological horror with emotional depth as players evade a monstrous entity while dealing with Caz's troubled past. Lethal Company stands out in the multiplayer sandbox horror genre, featuring whimsical yet terrifying elements and unpredictable gameplay. The game has received updates throughout 2024, enhancing its chaotic and memorable experiences, such as encounters with a hungry bird and a giant robot. Overall, this year has been exceptional for horror gaming, particularly for indie titles like Mouthwashing and Lethal Company, which have gained recognition alongside larger games.

TrendTechie

December 26, 2024

Overclockers.ru: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle появилась на на торрентах за несколько дней до релиза

The game "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" experienced a piracy incident shortly before its official release, with early access owners inadvertently leaking a complete version. Although the developers did not use Denuvo DRM, the game was protected by an internal Steam mechanism that was eventually bypassed by hackers. The online performance on Steam has been disappointing, with a peak of just over 2,196 concurrent players. The game has received a 92% positive rating on Steam and an average score of 86 on Metacritic. The official launch is set for December 9, 2024.

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

Telegram global MAU 2024

Telegram was launched in March 2014 and has consistently increased its monthly active users since then. By July 2024, the number of active users is projected to reach impressive heights. The platform experienced steady growth from 2015 to 2019 as users sought alternatives to mainstream messaging services. In 2020, it saw a surge in popularity due to increased demand for secure communication. From 2021 to 2024, Telegram continued to expand by introducing innovative features and maintaining a commitment to user privacy.

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

Spirit of the PC 2024: Stalker 2

Stalker 2 is a PC game released in 2024 that retains the quirky charm of its predecessors while incorporating modern enhancements. It features systemic oddities and unconventional design choices, creating a lively world filled with unexpected events. The game personalizes character names, such as 'Vanya Badass' and 'Gena Sleepy,' enhancing player interactions. Players experience unpredictability and nostalgia reminiscent of earlier gaming days, with each journey offering unique encounters. Despite a rocky launch with some bugs, the game captivates players with its immersive experience and distinctive charm. Stalker 2 challenges players with a hostile environment and unpredictable gameplay, ultimately earning the Spirit of PC award for its mature and complex gaming experience.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

Windows 11 Vulnerability Lets Attackers Execute Code to Gain Access

Microsoft has addressed a significant security vulnerability in Windows 11 (version 23H2), identified as CVE-2024-30085, which allowed local attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges. The flaw was discovered by security researcher Alex Birnberg during the TyphoonPWN 2024 competition, where he demonstrated the vulnerability, earning third place. The issue lies in the Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver (cldflt.sys), which fails to properly validate user-supplied data during the parsing of reparse points, allowing attackers to overwrite memory and execute code with elevated privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must first run low-privileged code on the system. Microsoft has released a patch for this vulnerability, and users are advised to update their systems to ensure security.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

Sweet aunt Petunia! GSC just announced updates for the 3 classic Stalker games 15 years after release

GSC Game World plans to release a "next-gen patch" for the original Stalker titles—Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat—on consoles in 2025. The studio also intends to update the PC versions of these games in response to community requests. Speculated enhancements may include higher-resolution cutscenes, improved visuals and performance, and controller support. Additionally, GSC will unveil a content roadmap for Stalker 2 in early 2025, detailing two expansions and future DLC. The recent 1.1 patch for Stalker 2 addressed the game's A-Life system.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

7 Android widgets to make your phone or tablet more useful

Widgets on Android devices enhance the home screen by providing quick access to information and functionalities from apps. - Google Calendar: Allows users to view the entire month or daily events, with easy event addition through a + button. Separate widgets are needed for multiple calendars. - Email Widget: Displays incoming messages and enables quick email composition. It can be used with Gmail or other email apps like Thunderbird. - Keep Notes: Offers options for scrolling through existing notes or quickly creating new notes via text, voice, or images. Widget size can be adjusted for tablets or phones. - Arc Search: Enables users to initiate searches directly through Arc Search instead of the Google search bar. - Battery Widget: Provides real-time updates on charge levels for connected devices, including smartwatches and headphones. - Pixel Weather: Exclusive to Pixel devices, it presents weather information in an accessible format, allowing quick checks without switching apps. - Spotify: Grants access to playlists and current tracks, allowing users to launch playlists and control playback easily. To add a widget, long-press on a blank area of the home screen, select Widgets, browse for the desired widget, and drag it onto the screen. Widgets can be resized and repositioned.