exit Archives

Winsage

May 22, 2026

MediaDailyNews: Microsoft Consumer CMO To Leave, Hints At Changes To Windows OS

Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, is leaving the company after 35 years. He plans to continue working through the next fiscal year on projects related to Windows, Microsoft 365, and One Copilot. Mehdi's departure follows other notable exits at Microsoft, including Rajesh Jha, who will retire next month, and others such as Charlie Bell, Phil Spencer, and Sarah Bond, who left in February.

Tech Optimizer

May 22, 2026

Threat Protection Pro: all you need to know about IPVanish’s anti-malware tool

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have evolved into comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, offering features like ad-blockers, antivirus software, and dark web monitoring. IPVanish offers a feature called Threat Protection Pro, available with the Advanced plan, which protects against malware, ads, and trackers. It enhances online security by blocking ads and tracking scripts, quarantining suspicious downloads, and preventing access to malicious websites. All IPVanish plans include core Threat Protection, utilizing DNS filters to combat trackers and malware across various platforms. Threat Protection Pro, launched in March 2026, provides 24/7 malware and antivirus protection, even when the VPN is not active. This feature is exclusive to Advanced-tier subscribers and currently supports Windows and Mac platforms. It employs VIPRE’s antivirus engine and initiates detailed measures to identify risks at multiple levels. Users can activate Threat Protection Pro through a straightforward setup process on Windows or MacOS. IPVanish allows unlimited devices per subscription and includes DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Advanced users also have access to a Secure Browser for disposable browsing.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Binance’s Android app privacy fight is back in the spotlight

Binance is facing scrutiny regarding the data collection practices of its Android app, which some users believe functions more as a data collection tool than a trading platform. Concerns have been raised about the app's extensive permissions and tracking capabilities, with a report indicating the presence of numerous tracking components, including SDKs from TikTok and WeChat, and over 50 system permissions. Binance's privacy portal states that data is collected for account management, security, marketing, fraud prevention, and legal compliance. Despite this, there are questions about whether the data collection practices are proportionate to the app's intended functions. Binance has a history of legal issues, including a guilty plea in November 2023 that resulted in a .32 billion penalty for anti-money laundering violations. The exchange claims to tailor its privacy framework to regional regulations, but user concerns about the app's tracking capabilities persist. As of early 2026, Binance has over 300 million registered users, making any privacy-related disputes potentially impactful. The ongoing scrutiny may lead to gradual adjustments in Binance's practices rather than a complete overhaul.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Now that Subnautica 2 is out, the most wishlisted game on Steam is… a game that’s been out for almost 2 years?

Subnautica 2 held the top spot on Steam's most-wishlisted titles since the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong in September 2025, but its recent launch has allowed Light No Fire to become the new frontrunner for the most-wishlisted game. Deadlock, which has been available for nearly two years and receives regular updates, now ranks at the top of the wishlist despite being in early access. It has a peak concurrent player count of 171,490 and an average of over 50,000 players at any given moment.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Lego racing game 2K Drive will be delisted next week, but online multiplayer won’t shut down until next year

Forza Horizon 6 has been released, while Lego 2K Drive will be removed from the digital marketplace on May 19, three years after its launch. Players who own or purchase the game before this date will retain access to its multiplayer features until May 31 of the following year, after which online functions will cease. Lego 2K Drive has received mixed reviews, with a critic rating it at 59%, citing "greedy microtransactions" as a downside. The game features a kart creator based on real-life Lego specifications but has faced scrutiny for its digital currency bundle aimed at children. Other games, including Disney titles and Star Trek: Resurgence, have also been removed from digital storefronts, with potential licensing issues suggested as a reason for Lego 2K Drive's withdrawal.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Android 16 VPN Bypass Lets Apps Reveal Users’ Real IP Address

A security vulnerability in Android 16 allows malicious applications to expose a user's real IP address, even with "Always-On VPN" and "Block connections without VPN" features activated. Discovered by security researcher 0x33c0unt and disclosed on April 30, 2026, the flaw exploits the registerQuicConnectionClosePayload feature, which lacks permission checks. This vulnerability has been verified on a Pixel 8 with Proton VPN active. Google has not released a patch, but users can disable the feature via ADB commands.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Former Windows boss reveals why modern Windows 11 apps feel slower, says Microsoft once gave every engineer a stopwatch

Steven Sinofsky, former head of the Windows Division at Microsoft, discussed the company's engineering culture and its focus on resource management from 1980 to 2000, where every engineer was given a physical stopwatch to measure various performance metrics. This practice emphasized optimizing software for speed and efficiency, a stark contrast to modern applications that consume significant RAM due to shifts in market dynamics and hardware advancements. The current trend prioritizes rapid feature deployment over optimization, leading to performance issues in applications. Microsoft is responding to criticism by enhancing the performance of Windows 11, focusing on native desktop applications and optimizing core components, including the Start menu and File Explorer. They are also testing new CPU scheduling profiles to reduce micro-lags during user interactions.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Valve made more than 27 million unique images for Counter-Strike listings as part of its new ‘major update’ to Steam’s Community Market

Valve has initiated a beta test for a significant update to the Steam Community Market, which now includes over 13,000 games and more than 700 with in-game items. The update features a new layout with a full-width grid display to enhance user navigation. Counter-Strike players will be the first to experience these changes, including specially generated images for individual items that showcase their characteristics. Valve has created over 27 million unique images for Counter-Strike listings. The updates are set to go live today, and all marketplace users can access the beta, with an option to opt out.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Path of Exile’s overwhelming complexity isn’t the real reason new players pass on it, director believes: ‘I think that PoE 1’s being such an old game is in itself the accessibility problem’

Many dedicated players of Path of Exile (PoE) consider themselves novices even after investing over 3,000 hours into the game, highlighting its complexity. The game features a sprawling skill tree that can overwhelm new players, leading some to exit quickly. Jonathan Rogers, co-director of PoE, believes that the game's age is a primary barrier to entry rather than its complexity. As Grinding Gear Games prepares for PoE 2, they aim to balance the expectations of long-time players with the need to make the game accessible to newcomers. A significant development for PoE 2 is the introduction of "Return of the Ancients" tutorial quests, designed to simplify the game's mechanics and create a more welcoming environment for new players. The developers are committed to addressing the challenges faced by new players while maintaining the intricate nature of the game.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Where to find the key code to Carter’s PC in Directive 8020

The key code to access Carter's PC in Directive 8020 is 2808 or 0828. The clue to the password is a post-it note on Carter's monitor that says "Luna's," pointing to a calendar in Crew Quarters. The calendar reveals that Luna's birthday is on August 28th, which provides the necessary digits for the code. After entering the code, a cutscene occurs with Simms entering Crew Quarters, and players receive a new objective to follow her. Interaction with Carter's PC is no longer possible after this cutscene.