filter Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

InPVP acquires Feather Client, rebrands as Dawn

InPVP has acquired Feather Client, a third-party Minecraft launcher, focusing on its in-game technology rather than the launcher itself. The acquisition was announced by InPVP owner Mohamed “PizzaMC” Weheba at the UGCon conference in Las Vegas. Feather Client’s parent company, Silentstack, will launch a new launcher called Dawn. Weheba clarified that the acquisition involves a sale of assets without taking on previous liabilities. The acquisition follows allegations of ad fraud against Feather Client. Weheba plans to reduce reliance on ad monetization and focus on direct-to-consumer revenue streams, including the sale of cosmetics and in-game items. He aims to enhance user experience with features like a profanity filter for voice chat and plans to collaborate with the competitive Minecraft organization MCPVP for tournaments. Aditude, Feather's former ad tech provider, has resumed its partnership with Dawn, expressing confidence in Weheba's leadership and the new direction of the project.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

VWFNDR MBL Is a New Android Camera App and an Actual Camera Is In the Works

VWFNDR has launched the VWFNDR + MBL, an Android camera app designed for mobile photographers seeking a traditional camera experience rather than a computational filter. Founded in Tokyo in 2023 by Álvaro Nuevo.Tokyo and Mireia Gordi i Vila, VWFNDR aims to enhance photography hardware and user experience. The MBL app captures unprocessed Bayer RAW DNG data and JPEGs, offering manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, focus, and exposure compensation, along with customizable user interface options. It includes six built-in aspect ratios and avoids computational photography features, ensuring images reflect what the sensor captures. Each photo taken with MBL is embedded with Content Credentials, confirming image provenance. VWFNDR is the fourth company to achieve C2PA Level 2 conformance and the second to support Content Credentials for DNG files. Sample images have been captured on various Android models, including Google Pixel and Xiaomi devices. The app is currently available for free on the Google Play Store.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Windows Still Vulnerable Despite Microsoft Patch

A vulnerability known as "MiniPlasma," identified as CVE-2020-17103 by Google Project Zero, allows attackers to gain system privileges by exploiting a flaw in the cloud filter driver cldflt.sys. Despite Microsoft's announcement of a fix, independent tests, including simulations on fully patched systems, have confirmed that the exploit remains effective. Security researcher "Chaotic Eclipse" has reported that the vulnerability still operates, while another researcher, Nightmare Eclipse, aims to highlight flaws in Microsoft's security policies. There are indications that a newer insider version of Windows 11 may have resolved the issue, and Microsoft is investigating the matter.

Winsage

May 18, 2026

Old Windows Flaw Returns to Spotlight With MiniPlasma Exploit

Security researcher Chaotic Eclipse has introduced a Windows exploit called MiniPlasma, which may allow privilege escalation from standard user accounts to SYSTEM level access, even on patched versions of Windows. This exploit is linked to CVE-2020-17103, a flaw in the Windows Cloud Filter driver that was addressed by Microsoft in December 2020. Tests have reportedly demonstrated the exploit functioning on a patched Windows 11 Pro system, achieving SYSTEM access from a standard user account. The exploit involves an undocumented registry-key path within the .DEFAULT user hive, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the 2020 fix. There is a discrepancy between public and Canary builds of Windows 11, with the exploit working on the public build but not on the Canary build. Microsoft’s April 2026 Patch Tuesday updates included another entry related to the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver elevation-of-privilege issue. Defenders are advised to monitor the CVE-2020-17103 record for further clarification regarding the status of the original fix and the implications of the MiniPlasma exploit.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

New Windows ‘MiniPlasma’ zero-day exploit gives SYSTEM access, PoC released

A cybersecurity researcher, known as Chaotic Eclipse, has released a proof-of-concept exploit for a Windows privilege escalation zero-day vulnerability called "MiniPlasma," which allows attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges on fully patched Windows systems. The vulnerability affects the cldflt.sys Cloud Filter driver and was reported by Google Project Zero in September 2020, assigned the identifier CVE-2020-17103, and claimed to be resolved by Microsoft in December 2020. However, Chaotic Eclipse asserts that the vulnerability remains unpatched. Testing confirmed that the exploit works on Windows 11 Pro, enabling command prompt access with SYSTEM privileges from a standard user account. Will Dormann, a vulnerability analyst, verified the exploit's effectiveness but noted it did not work in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Canary build. The exploit leverages the undocumented CfAbortHydration API to manage registry key creation improperly. Chaotic Eclipse has previously disclosed other Windows zero-day vulnerabilities and claims their actions are a protest against Microsoft's handling of vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Oppo open-sources Android AI agent X-OmniClaw that uses your camera, screen, and voice without leaving the phone

Oppo's Multi-X team has introduced X-OmniClaw, an open-source AI agent for Android that operates on the device without cloud processing. It uses the camera, screen, and voice functionalities to perform tasks across applications. Unlike cloud-based platforms, X-OmniClaw processes information locally, with the cloud serving as a supplementary resource. The architecture integrates three perception channels into a unified pipeline, allowing it to interpret scenes and user requests effectively. It transforms local data into semantic entries for long-term memory, processes gallery photos into descriptions, and filters out sensitive information. X-OmniClaw captures user behavior into reusable skills, enabling direct navigation to app pages through deeplinks. Demonstrations show its ability to retrieve product prices, assist with homework, and create highlight albums from photos. The project is built on the open-source HermesApp codebase and is accessible on GitHub. It draws inspiration from existing models, including Google's local model and ByteDance's UI-TARS, while enhancing functionality through on-device execution and structural XML data integration.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

I got tired of hunting through Windows for every setting, so I built my own control center

The utility created simplifies Windows management by consolidating various settings and diagnostics into a single interface. It provides an overview of system metrics such as DNS latency, system uptime, and temporary file accumulation. The application includes dedicated pages for health checks, network insights, services, scheduled tasks, drives, drivers, power plans, gaming toggles, privacy settings, and taskbar configuration. Each diagnostic is executed through PowerShell scripts, with results displayed in a user-friendly format. The utility maintains transparency by creating .reg backups before modifying the registry and allows users to revert changes easily. It is open-source, lightweight, and designed for personal use rather than debloating. The program's structure enables users to inspect and modify scripts, ensuring clarity and control over system adjustments.

Winsage

May 16, 2026

I got tired of hunting through Windows for every setting, so I built my own control center

The utility developed streamlines access to Windows diagnostics and tweaks, consolidating functionalities typically spread across various settings panels into a single interface. It features an overview page with key system metrics and organized sections for health checks, network details, services, scheduled tasks, drives, drivers, power plans, gaming settings, privacy options, and taskbar adjustments. Each diagnostic is executed via PowerShell scripts that output JSON data for display. The application ensures transparency in registry changes by creating .reg backups before modifications and allows users to revert changes easily. It focuses on practical tweaks rather than debloating, maintaining a lightweight design without extensive features. The tool is open source and available on GitHub.

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2026

Avast Antivirus: Essential Protection for Devices Worldwide

Avast Antivirus offers a suite of cybersecurity features, including real-time malware defense, phishing protection, and performance optimization for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It has over 150 million users globally and provides both free and premium plans. The software employs a multi-layered defense strategy, including behavior-based detection and cloud-assisted scanning, and can perform quick and deep scans for malware. Key features include a Wi-Fi Inspector, Software Updater, and mobile protection against harmful applications. Avast blocks over 1.5 billion attacks monthly and offers parental controls in premium plans. It serves users in over 170 countries, particularly in North America and Europe, and operates under Gen Digital, which is publicly traded on Nasdaq.

Tech Optimizer

May 13, 2026

AI-Powered Endpoint Detection and Response: Why Modern Cybersecurity Depends on EDR

Every device connected to a corporate network, including laptops, desktops, servers, and mobile phones, can be a potential gateway for cyberattacks. AI-powered Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions are essential in modern cybersecurity strategies, utilizing behavioral analysis, real-time monitoring, and machine learning to detect, investigate, and respond to advanced threats. Traditional antivirus software, which relies on known malicious signatures, is becoming ineffective against modern attackers who use fileless attacks and custom-built malware. EDR continuously monitors endpoint activity, capturing behavioral data to identify anomalies consistent with attacks. It provides forensic capabilities to help security teams understand how breaches occur. EDR is a critical component of a multi-layered security architecture, complementing other security measures like firewalls and patch management. When choosing an EDR solution, organizations should consider real-time detection, automated response capabilities, integration with existing security tools, and ease of investigation.