features Archives

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Dawncaster, Pocket Stables, Prune, more

Discounted applications are available on Google Play. The Motorola 2025 Razr Ultra has a price reduction of 0. Discounts are also available on the Google Pixel Watch 3 lineup and official cases for the Galaxy S25/+ and Ultra. The Google 2-node Nest Wi-Fi Pro mesh system is at its lowest price of the year.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game review

Players immerse themselves in a life simulation game called Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game, set in the town of Bywater, where they experience the daily lives of hobbits through activities like cooking, fishing, and farming. The game is developed by Wētā Workshop and published by Private Division, priced at .99 in the U.S. and £29.99 in the UK. Players take on the role of a newcomer helping local hobbits, engaging in detailed environments to forage for ingredients and prepare meals. The cooking system allows players to create various dishes, enhancing the gameplay experience, while foraging and fishing offer limited engagement. Farming is restricted to small planter boxes, and quests often involve repetitive tasks. The game features complex hobbit characters, adding depth to the narrative, but overall, it may lack gameplay variety and depth.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

July Update for Xbox Delivers Two Major New Features for PC Gamers

The July Xbox update introduces enhancements for PC gamers, including the ability to stream over 250 compatible games directly through the Xbox app on Windows without additional downloads. It also features cross-device history, allowing players to continue gaming sessions seamlessly across devices, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access all cloud-playable titles, including console-exclusive games. Additionally, gamers can track their Xbox rewards through the app on Windows.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Super Mario Bros. Remastered Fan Game Hits PC Soon, Includes Lost Levels

Super Mario Bros. Remastered, a fan-made remake of the 1985 NES classic, will launch on September 13, 2025. Created by YouTube creator JoeMama, it features high-resolution graphics, widescreen support, improved physics, enhanced sound effects, and chiptune music. The game includes extensive customization options, allowing players to alter visuals and audio, as well as a built-in Level Editor for designing custom levels. It also incorporates classic titles like The Lost Levels and Super Mario Bros. Special, all benefiting from visual and audio upgrades. The development team is not using original assets to navigate legal issues, requiring players to supply their own NES ROM.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Alert for Android users: Experts say these apps could be spying on you

A comprehensive investigation by Which? and Hexiosec analyzed 20 popular Android applications, revealing that all request permissions that could compromise user privacy. The Xiaomi Home app had the highest number of permission requests at 91, followed by Samsung SmartThings with 82, Facebook with 69, and WhatsApp with 66. While some permissions are necessary for functionality, the excessive requests raise concerns about digital surveillance. TikTok faced scrutiny for its audio recording and device file access requests, while Temu was criticized for excessive promotional emails linked to its location access. Amazon defended its camera access requests as enhancing user experience, and Meta stated that its apps do not use the microphone without user involvement. The investigation highlights the trade-off between free services and the collection of personal data.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

AdGuard joins the Windows Recall backlash party — “Leaving backdoors wide open and hoping Microsoft will always act in good faith isn’t a solid privacy strategy”

Windows Recall is a feature from Microsoft that has faced criticism for being a potential security hazard and a public relations misstep. It was introduced with the 24H2 release, which included advanced AI functionalities. The feature relies on a neural processing unit (NPU) that operates independently of the cloud to emphasize privacy and security. In April 2025, Windows Recall became widely available for Copilot+ PCs, with security measures like isolating it within a "VBS Enclave" to protect sensitive data. However, skepticism remains, leading platforms like Signal and Brave to implement their own protective measures against Windows Recall. Signal has introduced a feature to prevent Windows Recall from capturing snapshots of its app, while Brave blocks Windows Recall by default for all its browser windows. AdGuard has also released an update to enhance user privacy by allowing users to disable Windows Recall on Copilot+ PCs, expressing doubts about the effectiveness of Microsoft's security measures.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Home Assistant app update brings new invite flow

Home Assistant is an open-source platform for managing smart home devices, allowing users to create personalized and automated living environments. It supports a wide range of devices, enables users to set up complex automation routines, and offers community resources for enhancement. The platform prioritizes privacy by operating locally, ensuring user data is not sent to the cloud.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

This week in PC games: Hobbits, gigahorses, internet fixers, ninjas, hellships, junkbots and window cleaners

Graham is departing from RPS, marking a significant transition for the publication. New PC gaming releases this week include: - Fumes: A Mad Max-inspired open-world vehicular combat game. - Primal Planet: A side-scrolling metroidvania adventure featuring primordial humans. - Grounded 2: A sequel where tiny protagonists build homes and engage in turf wars. - Tales of the Shire: A game where players craft homes and impress neighbors with cooking. - Day Of The Shell: A turn-based tactical game set in a flooded world. - Sky The Scraper: A quirky window-cleaning simulator with life simulation elements. - Morgan: Metal Detective: A treasure-hunting game on a Cornish island. - Gold Gold Adventure Gold: A colony-building game with dungeon-diving heroes. - Tower Networking Inc: A management simulation for internet services in a tower. - Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound: A pixel-art reinterpretation of the classic series. - Mashina: A mining narrative set in a junkyard. - Hell Galaxy: An open-world space shooter with body horror elements. - Heartworm: A survival horror homage to 90's classics. - Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz: A curious addition. - Ikarus Parkour: A 3D tower-climbing game in vibrant environments. The RPS team is engaged in various personal projects, including interviews and other pursuits.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Kung fu action game Phantom Blade Zero’s has my new favorite take on hard mode balance: Beating it ‘in a very beautiful manner’ is the true challenge

During a preview event in Beijing, gameplay in Phantom Blade Zero showcased a transition from novice to skilled player, successfully completing an hour-long demo on "Hellwalker" difficulty. The game emphasizes aesthetic elegance and engaging gameplay, offering a more forgiving experience compared to traditional Soulslike titles. It features fluid, dance-like combat and allows for success through straightforward tactics, while also presenting a challenge for those aiming for mastery. The AI adapts dynamically to player actions, incorporating a 'lucky draw' mechanic where boss attacks depend on previous hits, and can recognize its disadvantage in combat. The game includes diverse boss encounters, with some exhibiting intelligent behavior and others relying on brute force, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

UpDownTool lets you move from Windows 11 to Windows 10 in just 5 clicks – without losing any data

A new application called UpDownTool allows users to revert from Windows 11 to Windows 10 without losing programs, files, drivers, or settings. Many users are dissatisfied with Windows 11 due to sluggish performance, a less intuitive interface, increased system requirements, and the removal of familiar features. Microsoft has limited options for downgrading, typically allowing a 10-day rollback period or requiring a clean install. UpDownTool simplifies the process by enabling users to transition to Windows 10 LTSC 2021 while preserving core data and configurations. Windows 10 LTSC 2021 is designed for long-term deployment and receives extended updates, with support for the IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 edition lasting until January 2032. The LTSC edition does not include preinstalled applications like the Microsoft Store and Cortana, making it appealing for users seeking a minimalist experience. UpDownTool can also repair existing Windows 10 LTSC installations or convert other editions to LTSC. Users must be cautious of licensing implications, as LTSC licenses are typically not available through consumer channels. The downgrade process involves downloading the installer and executing a batch script, with the system booting into Windows 10 LTSC 2021 upon completion. Users are advised to back up important files before proceeding.