features Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Google passes 1 bln monthly users for Gemini app

Google's Gemini app has surpassed 1 billion monthly active users. Approximately 63 percent of users engage with the app vocally, and 20 percent use visual communication methods like the app's camera and screen-sharing features. Most users access Gemini on Android devices, but 10 percent use Apple devices.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Saber CEO hides jab at Randy Pitchford in game trailer as payback for Pitchford dumping on Embracer: ‘Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living’

Saber Interactive's upcoming Rideshare "Stimulator" trailer features a narrator who makes a reference to "randy" passengers, which is a nod to Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. This reference stems from a humorous incident involving Pitchford and a drive left at Medieval Times, which was explored by his colleagues. The underlying motivation for the reference relates to tensions following Embracer Group's acquisition of Gearbox in 2021 for .3 billion and subsequent downsizing, leading to Gearbox's sale to Take-Two for 0 million. Pitchford later indicated that the narrative for Borderlands 4 was inspired by the sale of Gearbox, and the game includes critiques of Embracer Group, such as a location called Embracer's Bluff. Saber Interactive CEO Matt Kartch expressed disappointment over Pitchford's shift in loyalty, highlighting the rapid change in relationships following the sale.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Legacy Edition Gets Shadow Drop on Modern Consoles and PC

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North has been re-released on modern consoles and PC, remastered by Aspyr. It is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC, priced at .99 until August 25th, after which it will increase to .99. The remaster features 60fps, bug fixes, and quality of life improvements, including enemy lock-on and character hot swapping. Originally launched in November 2011, the game received mixed reviews, with IGN rating it 7/10. It includes an online co-op feature and a narrative that runs parallel to the events of the books and films. War in the North was the first in the franchise to receive an M for Mature rating. Aspyr hinted at the possibility of more Lord of the Rings re-releases in the future, though specific titles have not been disclosed.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Believe the hype for Wardogs, possibly the next great multiplayer FPS

Wardogs, a military simulation first-person shooter from the creators of Battalion 1944, will enter early access on September 10. The game supports up to 100 players in player-versus-player action and features a mode where three teams compete for control over a territory on a large map. Players earn account-level currency through various actions, which can be spent on gear, creating a personal stake in survival. The game encourages collaborative play and strategic loadout management, offering generous cash rewards for gameplay. Preorders are available, and players can request refunds if they find the beta unsatisfactory. The studio has committed to avoiding monetization during early access, with cosmetic skins earned through gameplay. Wardogs is designed as a PC-first FPS and will support community servers.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Budget-friendly RTX 50-series gaming PC sees decent discount at Newegg and comes with two free games

Newegg is offering a budget-friendly RTX 5060 gaming PC for 9 after a 0 discount. The Stormcraft Sirus gaming PC features 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM, an Intel Core i5-14400F CPU with 10 cores and a boost clock speed of 4.6 GHz, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It includes a tower cooler fan and six ARGB fans for cooling, and a 650W 80+ Gold PSU. The deal also comes with complimentary games: Tomb Raider: Legend of Atlantis and Star Wars Galactic Racer. Prices are accurate as of July 10th, 2026.

BetaBeacon

August 12, 2026

Not Samsung, Not Google: Users Say This Brand Makes The Best Android Phone For Gaming

The RedMagic 11 Android phone is praised by tech and gaming reviewers for being one of the most powerful gaming smartphones available. It features a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a 7,500mAh battery, a BOE X10 OLED display, and a unique cooling system. Users can enjoy high graphics settings and physical touch triggers for gaming.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Privacy or Evasion? The Policy Dilemma Around Messaging App Usernames

On June 29, 2026, WhatsApp introduced a feature allowing users to create usernames to enhance privacy by enabling connections without revealing phone numbers. The Government of India expressed concerns about potential increases in cybercrime linked to this feature and issued a notice to WhatsApp requesting a pause on its rollout. The notice demanded justification under various laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000. Similar inquiries were sent to other messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal. This scrutiny represents a shift from reactive measures to proactive assessments of platform design, emphasizing how features like usernames can impact user safety and accountability. The Delhi High Court upheld a temporary ban on Telegram during an examination period, recognizing the relevance of platform architecture in assessing risks. The increase in cybersecurity incidents in India raised concerns about usernames enabling fraud and evasion. The government is advocating for a balanced approach that allows pseudonymous interaction while ensuring accountability.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Marvel Tōkon PC Patch Traces Stuttering to Audio Device Checks Inside Game Loop

Arc System Works identified two critical audio-system bugs that caused frame rates to drop below 60 FPS on high-end PCs for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, which launched on August 6. A patch of approximately 10 GB was released on August 10, improving the game's Steam approval rating from around 39% to approximately 46% by August 11. The PC version faced severe stuttering and input lag, leading to negative reviews, while the PS5 version received acclaim. The patch addressed three main issues: a CPU-heavy startup routine, an unnecessary audio-processing task during matches, and a polling loop for audio input devices. Players were advised to accept a shader warm-up prompt on first launch to ensure optimal performance. Despite the improvements, issues like the PSN account requirement and Linux compatibility remain unresolved.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

This week’s most compelling new Steam game is Horse Magnifier, which is about magnifying horses

In 2026, Steam's Popular New Releases section features several notable titles, including "Shelves & Sorcery," a new entry in the sortslop genre, and "Landscaper Simulator," which focuses on landscaping. The reissue of "The War in the North" appeals to fans of classic gameplay, while at least two incremental games indicate a slight shift in player preferences. The most talked-about release is "Horse Magnifier: The Full Horse," where players magnify horses, accompanied by a visually striking trailer and a nostalgic drum 'n' bass soundtrack. The game has received mixed reactions, described by user Toasterban as "beautiful," "confusing," "horrifying," and "horse." A launch discount is currently available for "Horse Magnifier."

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Microsoft isn’t scrapping its unwanted OneDrive Photos app; it’s just giving you a way to get rid of it

Microsoft's OneDrive Photos app was inadvertently distributed to millions of PCs. Jeff Teper, Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Apps and Agents, confirmed the premature rollout but indicated it has led to insights about the app's capabilities and future plans. Microsoft is preparing for a formal release that will include administrative controls allowing organizations to manage user sign-ins with personal Microsoft accounts. Additionally, users will soon have the option to uninstall the OneDrive Photos app independently without affecting the OneDrive app or file sync. The new app raises questions about its necessity, given the existing Photos app for Windows, which already integrates with OneDrive. Further details are expected to be reflected in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap.