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AppWizard
February 22, 2025
Endermen are hostile creatures in Minecraft that inhabit the Nether, Overworld, and the End. They teleport and become aggressive when a player makes direct eye contact. To prepare for battle, players should equip a strong weapon (preferably a netherite sword), good armor (netherite or diamond), have plenty of food, and carry water buckets to exploit Endermen's weakness to water. Players can also wear a carved pumpkin to avoid provoking them. Endermen typically spawn at night, in the Warped Forest biome, or within the End. To engage safely, players should look at the Enderman's feet and strike first if they remain neutral. Effective strategies to defeat Endermen include using water to deter attacks, hiding under a 2-block high shelter, and trapping them in a boat to prevent teleportation. Players should avoid using bows or crossbows, as Endermen will teleport away from arrows, and throwing snowballs or eggs will not cause damage. Teaming up with friends can make battles easier, and players should be aware that Endermen can pick up blocks. Defeating an Enderman rewards players with Ender Pearls, which are used for teleportation and crafting Eyes of Ender, as well as experience points.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Kinzoo Messenger is a free social media application for children and families, launched in 2020, with over a million downloads in countries including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. The platform focuses on providing a safe environment for kids to connect through talk, text, and games. Its monetization strategy includes in-app currency for purchasing stickers, brand partnerships, and a paid subscription tier for exclusive content. Kinzoo has engaged children through collaborations with popular intellectual properties, achieving significant engagement metrics, such as 423,000 opt-ins for Rovio's Angry Birds and 321,000 for the Dog Man campaign within 20 days. The platform allows children to choose which brands to engage with, providing a secure alternative amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of traditional media.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Meta has updated Messenger with new features focusing on privacy, usability, and enjoyment. Privacy and safety updates include the View Once Media option for single-view media messages, screenshot and screen recording blocks, in-app scam alerts via Spam Protection, and streamlined reporting and blocking of suspicious contacts. Usability improvements consist of HD photo sharing, enhanced HD video calls, noise-suppressed audio for clearer calls, and Siri integration for easier navigation. Expressive features allow users to personalize chats with themes, add music to notes, and use new sticker packs, including the Butterbear stickers. Social features encourage community building through Messenger Communities, enabling topic-based chats via QR codes, and engaging with public figures through Broadcast Channels.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Payday 3's financial performance has significantly declined, with sales dropping to million in the 2024 financial year, compared to million in its inaugural year. In contrast, Payday 2 generated million during the same period. The game's disappointing performance led to the departure of the CEO in early 2024 and the game director in September 2023. A lead producer described the 2023 launch as 'disastrous.' Starbreeze is collaborating with platforms like PUBG and Roblox and is offering Payday 3 for free on PlayStation Plus in February to attract new players. The company is also developing a co-op Dungeons & Dragons game, currently in internal playtesting, which has received positive feedback from potential business partners.
AppWizard
February 20, 2025
Sony has been expanding its portfolio of classic games onto the PC platform, driven by the recognition of the potential market and financial benefits. Shuhei Yoshida, former head of PlayStation Studios, advocated for this shift, noting that releasing games on PC allows access to new audiences, particularly in regions where consoles are less popular, such as China. He highlighted that porting games to PC is cost-effective compared to developing new titles, providing additional income to invest in new projects. Despite concerns from some fans about the impact on the PlayStation brand, Yoshida mentioned that many titles are released on PC years after their console launch, ensuring that console owners have experienced the games first.
AppWizard
February 18, 2025
Elon Musk has blocked links to the encrypted messaging app Signal on his platform, X, causing concerns about the selective application of free speech. Cybersecurity researchers reported that accessing Signal links results in a warning page, although users can still proceed. Donald Trump is advocating for leniency towards Andrew Tate, who, along with his brother, faces serious legal charges in Romania but has temporarily blocked his indictment and remains under investigation. Musk's DOGE initiative seeks access to sensitive taxpayer information from the IRS, prompting ethical and security concerns among officials. Musk has also expressed support for Trump's criticisms of CBS’s 60 Minutes, reflecting a growing alignment with Trump's narrative against mainstream media. The Associated Press is in conflict with the Trump administration over the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," resulting in the revocation of its access to significant areas like the Oval Office and Air Force One.
AppWizard
February 17, 2025
The Epic Games Store's 2024 year-in-review report reveals that its PC user base has grown to 295 million, an increase of 25 million from the previous year. The total number of Epic cross-platform accounts is nearing 900 million. There was a slight decrease in peak monthly users from 75 million to 74 million, but average daily users rose by 6% to 31.5 million. In 2024, users claimed 595 million free games across 89 titles, averaging 6.6 million claims per game. The top five games of 2024 based on player spending and engagement are Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai: Star Rail, Grand Theft Auto V, and Fortnite. Looking ahead, Epic plans to continue its free game program and introduce new features, including non-gaming applications and a new download manager.
Tech Optimizer
February 17, 2025
Apple devices, particularly Macs, are facing an increase in cyberattacks, with a new wave of sophisticated malware targeting sensitive data. The emergence of Atomic Stealer (AMOS) in mid-2023 marked a shift from less harmful adware to more serious threats, with AMOS being marketed as a user-friendly service. By mid-2024, Poseidon became the leading Mac information stealer, responsible for 70% of infections and capable of draining various cryptocurrency wallets and capturing sensitive credentials. Cybercriminals are also using malvertising to lure users into downloading disguised malware. Android users are experiencing an even more severe situation, with a significant rise in phishing attacks. In 2024, researchers identified 22,800 malicious apps designed for phishing, along with thousands capable of reading one-time passwords (OTPs). These apps often mimic legitimate software and can easily infiltrate app stores, including Google Play. While Google Play Protect offers some malware protection, it is not entirely effective. To protect against malware threats, it is recommended to use strong antivirus software, be cautious with downloads and links, keep software updated, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for critical accounts.
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