feature Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

PC gamers remain skeptical of Steam’s AI disclaimers, poll shows many believe game devs are hiding it

A poll by GameDiscoverCo involving nearly 3,800 Steam users from June 25 to July 2, 2026, found that 43% of respondents are comfortable purchasing games with AI disclosures, while 31% view such disclosures negatively, and 8% refuse to buy games featuring them. Approximately 44% of participants read AI disclosures in detail, and 45% at least glance at them, indicating that 89% consider this information in their purchasing decisions. Trust in the accuracy of these disclosures is low, with only 17% believing developers fully disclose AI use, while 25% think many are transparent, and 35% feel only some provide accurate information. Additionally, 56% of respondents believe AI-assisted development tools should be disclosed, with only 8% disagreeing. Nearly 20% of games in Steam’s recent Next Fest event included a generative AI warning, a figure expected to rise as the industry evolves.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Microsoft Teams removal shows why we shouldn’t get too excited about preview features

Microsoft has paused the development of two anticipated minimized views for Teams meetings, originally expected to roll out in May 2026. The Expanded view was designed to show up to four participant videos, while the Compact view aimed to provide quick access to meeting controls. The future of these features remains uncertain, with questions about potential changes or cancellation.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Microsoft is making Windows 11’s search box 4 whole pixels taller for some reason

Microsoft plans to increase the height of the search box on the Taskbar and within the Start menu in Windows 11 by 4 pixels, resulting in a chunkier appearance and slight displacement of content in the Start menu. This change is speculated to align the search box's design with the Ask Copilot feature. The update is not yet available for preview.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Buckshot Roulette: The Viral Horror Phenomenon Joins XBOX Game Pass Today

Buckshot Roulette has officially launched today on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX on PC, and cloud services. It is available at no additional cost for XBOX Game Pass subscribers. The game replaces the traditional revolver of Russian Roulette with a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, where players alternate turns with The Dealer, drawing items and deciding whether to aim at their opponent or themselves. It offers a single-player experience and has integrated multiplayer support for up to four players as a post-launch update. The game has evolved from an experiment on Itch.io to a celebrated title with a vibrant community, featuring fan art and enthusiasm. Today marks its first availability on console.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review: 22 CPU and 30 GPU Benchmarks

Ubisoft is releasing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the original 2013 game, developed by Ubisoft Singapore. The remake utilizes an enhanced Anvil engine, featuring technological advancements such as ray tracing, fluid-based wind simulation, and virtualized geometry. Players will again control Edward Kenway, with a narrative that follows his transformation from a buccaneer to an Assassin. The game includes redesigned environments with new paths and parkour elements, expanded mission designs, and omits modern-day scenes for better immersion. Players can upgrade their ship, the Jackdaw, and interact with historical figures like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Naval combat has been revitalized with improved customization, boarding maneuvers, and combat mechanics.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Sitting finally comes to Minecraft as a feature, no more tricks or mods

Microsoft's Mojang team showcased new developments for Minecraft at TwitchCon, including the upcoming Chaos Cubed update and the introduction of The Dappled Forest biome. They have begun rolling out test builds for players to experience these features. A notable addition is the ability to sit, facilitated by a new item called The Cushion, crafted from three Wool Slabs and available in 16 colors. Additionally, Straw Beds will be introduced as a single-use sleeping option, crafted from three hay bales to create four beds, which do not alter the player's respawn point. Players can download the Minecraft Bedrock Edition Preview 26.40.30 and Java Edition 26.3 Snapshot 3 to test these features. Further enhancements are expected during the testing phase based on player feedback.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit

Minecraft's latest update introduces cushions, allowing players to sit in the game for the first time since its launch 17 years ago. Cushions can be crafted using three Wool Slabs of the same color and are available in 16 color variants. The update also features straw beds, which are single-use and allow players to sleep without setting a spawn point, crafted from three Hay Bales to make four beds. The update, version 26.40.30, includes new abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes and improvements to the Dappled Forest. Additionally, Microsoft announced significant layoffs affecting over 3,200 jobs across various Xbox-owned studios, marking a major restructuring in the industry.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

‘Video Remix’ in Google Photos reimagines reality into your ideal scenario

Google Photos has introduced a new feature called "Video Remix," which allows users to enhance their videos by adjusting lighting, applying different themes, and exploring various styles. This feature builds on the Remix option that was first introduced in 2025 for transforming photos. The rollout of Video Remix was announced on July 8 and utilizes Google's Gemini Omni model to facilitate user editing prompts. It also includes quick sharing functionality for spontaneous creativity. Previously, the Remix feature was limited to images, enabling users to transform photos into themed scenes. Additionally, the feature has been integrated into Google TV, allowing users to create dynamic slideshows from their stored photos.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Wear OS 7: New features, eligible smartwatches, and everything you need to know

Wear OS 7 has been rolled out for smartwatches currently operating on Wear OS 6, with future models like the Galaxy Watch 9 expected to come with this update pre-installed. Current devices eligible for the upgrade include the Galaxy Watch 8 series and the OnePlus Watch 3 (release date pending). Key features of Wear OS 7 include Live Updates for real-time notifications, Remote Media Routing and Per-App Auto Launch for media apps, and Android XR Control for managing Android XR devices. The update introduces a new Neural Expressive design language, Gemini Intelligence for task automation, and a Personal Intelligence feature for personalized suggestions based on app data. Customization is enhanced with Widgets replacing traditional tiles, allowing users to create dynamic dashboards. Updates to the Google Contacts app include an improved search interface and an Emergency Sharing feature for location sharing during emergencies. The Wear Workout Tracker standardizes fitness tracking across devices, and battery life improvements promise up to a 10% increase in longevity. Samsung's One UI Watch is evolving with the upcoming One UI 9 Watch, which is expected to feature a refreshed interface and new customizations. Firmware for One UI 9 Watch has been detected on Galaxy Watch 8 models, indicating an imminent release, with the Galaxy Watch 9 series anticipated to launch in July alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Google Play Store will look a little different the next time you open it

Google is rolling out a redesigned user interface for its Play Store, specifically for the Games and Apps sections. The update features a new aesthetic with pill-shaped containers for navigation tabs and a streamlined layout. The "For you" tab has been removed and integrated as the default landing page for both sections. Users will now navigate to dedicated pages for "Top charts" or "Categories," requiring a return to the home screen via an arrow in the top left corner. The presentation of Google Play Points has changed, now appearing without a blue container, and users have noted a new design for notification badges.