feature Archives

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Minecraft Movie Build Challenge winner announcement

The Tree Village Build was removed from Grand Prize consideration due to an oversight in the admission process, as it incorporated blocks from multiple biomes. However, it will receive a special mention and be featured in the movie alongside the finalists and overall winner. The Tranquil Taiga Tower, another semifinalist, will also be included in the final movie. A Minecraft Movie Squared is set to release on July 23, 2027. All Finalist Builds will transition to the movie, with minor adjustments possible. The exact placements of the Builds in the movie are not disclosed, and the Tree Village Build is included to honor its popularity within the community. Warner Bros. will determine the placement of the Build in the movie.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

The Windows Central Podcast breaks down the Copilot OS leaks, the latest Microsoft layoffs, and what all of this means for the future of Windows and the company’s AI strategy

Microsoft has laid off 4,800 employees, particularly in the Xbox division, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its management structure, which includes 14 layers of middle management. A leaked internal project, "Project Aion," proposes a web-native operating system integrated within Microsoft Edge, replacing the traditional Start menu with Copilot. The podcast discusses consumer skepticism regarding AI adoption and the high costs of cloud-based large language models. Upcoming products include the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12, which will feature a new 24 GB RAM configuration and more affordable 8 GB options. Additionally, Microsoft has confirmed the discontinuation of the 10-inch Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go lines.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.

Tech Optimizer

July 11, 2026

Norton 360 Deluxe by Gen Digital Inc. – multi-device security with VPN bundled

Norton 360 Deluxe is a subscription service from Gen Digital that combines antivirus, firewall, VPN, and password management tools, covering up to five devices across various platforms. It includes features such as Norton Secure VPN, cloud backup for Windows PCs (up to 50 GB), Norton Password Manager, a smart firewall, and real-time malware scanning. The service is priced at €34.99 for the first year in Germany and around .99 in the U.S., with higher renewal prices. It is designed for households and small offices, providing multi-device coverage and ease of use. Norton 360 Deluxe is available through Norton’s website and retailers like Amazon, and it is recommended by review platforms for its comprehensive security features.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Call of Duty fans surprised to discover new Black Ops 2 port preserves the emblem editor, not surprised to find swastikas being made with it

Activision has released updated ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) and Black Ops 2 (2012), exclusively for PlayStation and priced at each. The ports feature enhanced graphics up to 1080p and include the return of the emblem editor, allowing players to create custom emblems. However, the absence of strict moderation may lead to inappropriate content. Critics noted the lack of an option to disable custom emblems and the omission of Wager matches from Black Ops. Additionally, modern enhancements like field of view sliders and high refresh rates are not included in these ports.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

8 Retro Nintendo Switch Online Games That Play Better On PC

Nintendo Switch Online offers various games, but some gamers find it lacking in quality and affordability. Several titles available on the service have superior versions on PC, particularly Nintendo 64 games. - Harvest Moon 64 features quality-of-life enhancements like variable game speeds and streamlined controls. - GoldenEye 64 has been revitalized by modders with improved framerates, higher resolutions, widescreen support, and online multiplayer. - Earthbound Beginnings has a fan-made rom-hack that updates visuals and gameplay. - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is considered best experienced on PC via Ship of Harkinian, which offers performance enhancements and gameplay improvements. - The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask has PC versions with unlocked framerates, improved resolutions, and customizable day lengths. - Super Mario World PC ports upscale graphics and introduce new mechanics like a double-jump feature. - Star Fox 64 PC port runs at 60fps with higher resolutions and customizable controls. - The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap has a PC port that modernizes the game and allows for user-created dungeons.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

Windows Central Podcast: Copilot OS leaks and Microsoft Layoffs

Microsoft is undergoing significant changes, including layoffs of 4,800 positions primarily in the Xbox division. An internal memo by Asha Sharma revealed 14 layers of middle management within Xbox, raising concerns about leadership effectiveness. The podcast discussed the reasons for the layoffs and management's failure to leverage franchises like Fallout and Minecraft. Additionally, a leak regarding "Project Aion," an experimental web-native operating system for 2024, was mentioned. The hosts also addressed consumer pushback against AI technologies and the associated costs. The anticipated launch of the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 will feature a 24 GB RAM option, while Microsoft has canceled the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go lines.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

3 Big Changes Coming To Google Messages In 2026

Google Messages is set to introduce several improvements aimed at enhancing user experience, particularly in sharing and forwarding messages. The app will allow users to share content with both individual contacts and groups, recognizing pre-existing groups to simplify the process. Additionally, it will issue warnings when sending multimedia to mixed groups of RCS and MMS users. Another upcoming feature is the ability to forward multiple messages at once, including images, with a preview option before sending. These enhancements are currently in beta testing and may change before their official release.

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2026

Google Cloud: PostgreSQL community contribution updates

Google Cloud actively participates in the PostgreSQL ecosystem by supporting community-driven events and contributing to open-source initiatives. Recent key events include: - **PGConf.dev 2026**: Featured strategic discussions on logical replication and global index architecture, with a consensus to adopt a deparsing-based approach for DDL replication. Dilip Kumar presented on global indexes. - **PGConf India 2026**: Attracted over 580 participants, featuring various sessions including keynotes and technical talks by Google Cloud contributors. - **PGDay Paris & PGDay France 2026**: Matt Cornillon was involved in organizing PGDay France, with sessions led by him and Yves Colin. - **PGDay FOSDEM 2026**: Focused on AI-assisted workflows in PostgreSQL development, with a technical talk by Matt Cornillon. - **PGConf Belgium 2026**: The session was selected as supplementary material for a database exam, indicating student engagement. - **Nordic PG Day 2026**: Google participated as a Partner-level sponsor and hosted a dedicated booth. - **Swiss PGDay 2026**: Featured a demonstration on processing vectors in PostgreSQL. - **Postgres Conference 2026 San Jose**: Google sponsored the event, with Vikas Arora discussing PostgreSQL adaptations for AI workloads. Community leadership roles included: - Dilip Kumar on the Program Committee for PGConf.dev 2026 and the Paper Selection Committee for PGConf India 2026. - Matt Cornillon on the organization committee for PGDay France, and Yves Colin on the Program Committee. Acknowledgment was given to various contributors for their dedication to PostgreSQL conferences.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Worried about status bar clutter with Android Halo? Google may let you clean it up

In Android Canary 2607, Google is developing a new "Status bar" settings section that will allow users to manage the visibility of specific system and notification icons. Notable features include the ability to toggle off the Android Halo AI assistant icon and a new option to hide the mute icon, similar to the existing option for the vibration icon. The settings will include toggles for showing the assistant agent in the status bar and controlling mute icon visibility. The Android Halo icon will only be visible on devices that support the unannounced "Agent Task" feature, which is distinct from Gemini Intelligence. These features are still in development and not yet available to the public.