expansions Archives

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Mysterious Windows 11 “actions” menu appears in latest preview build — here’s what it’s for

Microsoft has begun rolling out a new Windows 11 preview build for Dev Channel testers, introducing a new "Actions" menu in the Settings app. This feature allows users to manage which applications can present suggested actions in the operating system. Currently, contextual suggestions appear only in the Click To Do feature, available exclusively on Copilot+ PCs. The Actions menu provides an overview of applications using this functionality, enabling users to toggle their visibility. Access to these features is limited to Copilot+ PCs, which require a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40+ TOPS. Microsoft plans to introduce more proactive Copilot features across the Windows 11 interface later this year, allowing the AI assistant to suggest actions based on user engagement. The new settings menu for suggested actions aligns with potential integration of third-party applications into the Copilot experience.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Microsoft is supercharging Windows 11’s voice commands on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon CPUs, and fine-tuning a few Recall features

Windows 11 is enhancing its voice command capabilities for Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon (Arm-based) processors through the latest preview build, 26120.3576. Users can now issue commands in natural language, such as “Please open the Chrome browser,” instead of using rigid phrasing. This feature is being rolled out to testers, and Microsoft is also expanding Voice Access support to include simplified and traditional Chinese. Adjustments have been made to the Recall feature to fix bugs and process ‘intelligent text actions’ locally for improved security and efficiency. The natural language processing in voice commands aims to enhance user experience and accessibility. Currently, these advancements are limited to Snapdragon (Arm-based) Copilot+ PCs, with no specific details on future expansions to Intel or AMD processors. The testing phase does not guarantee all features will be included in the final release.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

2011 was an amazing comeback year for PC gaming

In the 1990s, personal computers became popular in homes, leading to a surge in gaming among children, particularly with the rise of CD-ROM technology. The 2000s saw a decline in PC gaming, attributed to piracy concerns, with notable figures expressing skepticism about the platform's future. However, in 2011, the PC Gaming Alliance reported a 15% profit increase in PC gaming, driven by a growing market in China. The open-world genre thrived on PC, with significant releases like Skyrim and Batman: Arkham City, which emphasized exploration and fluid gameplay. RPGs experienced a revival in 2011, highlighted by Skyrim, Fallout: New Vegas, and The Witcher 2, alongside BioWare's Dragon Age 2 and the immersive sim Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Indie games like Bastion and Limbo gained popularity, while strategy games such as Total War: Shogun 2 also performed well. The year 2011 is recognized as a landmark period for PC gaming, marking its resurgence.

AppWizard

March 15, 2025

Grab the brilliant Doom 2016 for its lowest price ever

Doom 2016 is available for less than two dollars due to a 90% discount during Steam's spring sale, reducing its price from £15.99 to £1.59 in the UK and under two dollars in the US. Doom Eternal is also discounted by 75%, bringing its price to £8.74. The discounts coincide with the upcoming release of Doom: The Dark Ages on May 15, which will reinterpret the original Doom and feature a more grounded Doom Slayer.

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

25 Best Free PC Games To Play In 2025

Hearthstone is a digital card game developed by Blizzard, released on March 11, 2014. Players select a hero class from the World of Warcraft universe and build decks with unique cards, engaging in turn-based duels to reduce opponents' health to zero. The game features an automatic mana system, making it accessible while maintaining strategic depth. Various game modes include Battlegrounds, Tavern Brawl, and single-player matches. Blizzard regularly updates the Core Set of cards and offers pre-constructed decks and "catch-up packs" to help new and returning players.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

Minecraft Live 2025 Announced – Date, News, Updates & More

Minecraft Live 2025 is confirmed for March 22 at 1:00 P.M. Eastern Time, to be streamed live. The event will include updates on Minecraft split screen functionality, new content for Minecraft Dungeons, and patch notes. A teaser video has been released, hinting at climate-related changes and the introduction of flowering cactuses. Players are hoping for improvements to split screen on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, as well as updates for PlayStation 4 and Minecraft Dungeons multiplayer. The event will also cover custom world creation tools, community discussions, and updates on Minecraft vote mechanics. The Minecraft Movie is set to premiere on April 4, shortly after the event. Speculation includes exclusive items or limited-time content being unveiled during Minecraft Live 2025, with a focus on biome updates, particularly for the Desert biome and various animals.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

The next Minecraft Live show is coming with new game updates, the Minecraft movie, and more

Mojang Studios is shifting its strategy for community engagement by moving from major Minecraft Live events to smaller, more frequent showcases to enhance transparency and keep players informed. The next Minecraft Live is scheduled for March 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GMT. It will be streamed on Minecraft.net/Live, YouTube, and Twitch. The event will include three segments: insights into the Minecraft franchise, announcements for future content updates for Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, and details about 'A Minecraft Movie' featuring Jack Black, set to premiere on April 4, 2025. Speculation suggests potential updates may include enhancements to Minecraft's ecosystems and the introduction of regional variants for mobs. The community welcomes the shift towards more frequent updates but hopes they will remain significant and exciting.

TrendTechie

March 6, 2025

Final Fantasy 16 появилась на торрентах

Final Fantasy XVI's anti-piracy measures were removed with the release of patch 1.03, which eliminated Denuvo protection. This change was noted in the update notes on SteamDB and led to the game appearing on torrent trackers. The patch also fixed various graphical glitches and text errors in localizations, and introduced a portable version of the game, approximately 160 GB in size, that does not require installation and includes all expansions with Russian subtitles. The game's narrative follows Clive Rosfield, who seeks vengeance against the dark icon Ifrit after a tragic event involving his younger brother, Joshua.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

Windows 11 will soon fix the most confusing part of Task Manager

Microsoft released updates for Windows 11 Insider Builds, including Build 27802 for the Canary Channel and Builds 22635.5015 or 26120.3360 for the Beta Channel. Customizable lock screen widgets are now available to Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing users to add, remove, and rearrange widgets like Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic. A new group policy, "Disable Widgets On Lock Screen," enables IT administrators to disable these widgets on managed PCs, currently limited to EEA regions. Build 26120.3360 includes an updated Task Manager that calculates CPU utilization using standard metrics and introduces an optional CPU Utility column for those preferring the previous method. A new file sharing feature allows users to share files directly to apps from File Explorer or the desktop. Build 22635.5015 tests a new system tray icon for the emoji and more panel, enhancing discoverability and allowing customization through taskbar settings.

AppWizard

February 24, 2025

A Minecraft Movie: Is the Bar Below the Bedrock?

The official Minecraft movie began development in 2014 and is set to be released on April 4th, 2025. The first trailer was released on September 4th, 2024, and a second trailer followed on November 19th, 2024. The film's narrative features a diverse group of live-action actors who enter the Minecraft universe and are guided by the character Steve in a quest to return to the real world. The film incorporates realistic graphics and live-action elements, which may alienate its core audience. High-profile actors such as Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Jennifer Coolidge are cast, overshadowing appearances by popular Minecraft content creators. The film's approach appears formulaic, focusing on mass appeal rather than enriching the narrative. Minecraft has expanded into various marketing avenues, but these expansions have not surpassed the original game's popularity. The film risks being perceived as a cash grab rather than a meaningful contribution to the franchise.