free trial Archives

BetaBeacon

August 11, 2026

A Space for the Unbound Brings Its Emotional Adventure to Android

A Space for the Unbound is now available on Android devices through the Google Play Store. Players can download the game for free and play the first chapter before unlocking the full experience for US.99. The game follows high school sweethearts Atma and Raya in a small Indonesian town during the late '90s, exploring themes of memory, identity, and emotional connection. The game's strong sense of place in rural Indonesia and its narrative-driven gameplay make it a standout indie release.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Notchify brings macOS-style “Dynamic Island” flair to Windows 11 — and it’s surprisingly useful if you can get by the ick factor

Notchify is an application that simulates a "fake" notch or "island" at the top of the screen on Windows PCs, displaying information such as notifications, media playback controls, weather updates, battery status, timers, and microphone indicators. It features a user-friendly interface with options to toggle between Island and Notch modes, select display monitors, and customize themes and effects. Users can combine small and large widgets for information display, and the notch remains "always on top," expanding to show details when hovered over. The app centralizes information, enhancing workflow, especially for users with large monitors. It is priced at .99 after a free trial and emphasizes updates based on user feedback. The developer engages with the community for performance improvements, reflecting the spirit of indie development.

Tech Optimizer

August 7, 2026

Best Antivirus Software August 2026: I Tested the Top 5

The top five antivirus software packages for 2026 are: 1. Norton 360: - Best overall antivirus software. - First-year pricing: .99 for Standard, .99 for Deluxe, .99 for Select Plus. - Features: Fastest scanner, uncapped VPN, robust firewall, 50 GB cloud backup, dark web monitoring, and a refund guarantee. - Detection rate: 99.8% with three false alarms. - Scan times: Quick scan in 58 seconds, full scan in 13 minutes and 22 seconds. - Renewal prices: .99 for Standard, .99 for Deluxe, .99 for Select Plus. 2. Bitdefender: - Best value and lightest on system resources. - First-year pricing: .99 for Antivirus Plus, .99 for Total Security, .99 for Family. - Features: Advanced Threat Defense, multi-layer ransomware remediation, Safepay banking browser. - Detection rate: 99.8% with five false alarms. - Scan times: Quick scan in 1 minute and 4 seconds, full scan in 14 minutes and 3 seconds. - Renewal prices: .99 for Antivirus Plus, .99 for Total Security, .99 for Family. 3. Avast One: - Best free antivirus and ideal for gamers. - Free tier available; paid options start at .99 for the first year. - Features: Modular features allowing users to activate only what they need. 4. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro: - Best antivirus and VPN in one. - Pricing starts at .49 per month on the Complete plan. 5. McAfee+: - Best for unlimited devices and mobile. - First-year pricing: .99 for unlimited devices. - Features: Top-notch mobile applications. Overall rankings are based on independent lab results, system impact, bundled features, two-year cost, and customer support. Norton 360 is rated 4.8/5, and Bitdefender is rated 4.7/5.

BetaBeacon

July 30, 2026

PSP Classic Lumines Hits iOS And Android

The mobile and tablet ports of Lumines Remastered are now available with a free trial.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

You have 3 days to obtain Big Boss rating in Metal Gear Solid 1’s free-to-play period on Steam

The author achieved the Big Boss rating in Metal Gear Solid 1 using the easier Japanese version of the game and speedrunning techniques. A free-to-play trial for Metal Gear Solid 1 ends on July 27 at 10 AM EDT. The trial is linked to the upcoming release of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2 on August 27, which will include Metal Gear Solid 4. The Master Collection Vol 1 has received significant patches that improve the games, including higher-resolution rendering and improved controls. The MGSM2Fix mod can be installed on Steam Deck or desktop Linux to enhance gameplay.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Meta Horizon+ Adds XBOX Game Pass

Meta and XBOX have launched a starter edition of XBOX Game Pass on the Meta Horizon+ platform, providing access to over 50 games. This edition includes 10 hours of cloud gaming each month, allowing players to stream select titles without downloads. Users can also download games for unlimited play across various devices. The library features notable titles such as Fallout 4, Overcooked 2, Grounded, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, and SnowRunner. Meta Quest Touch controllers will soon emulate an XBOX gamepad, enabling easy access to Game Pass titles. The subscription to Meta Horizon+ costs .99 USD per year or .99 USD per month, with a one-month free trial for new users, and includes over 100 VR games.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

LG admits its monitor app installs bloatware via Windows Update, and Microsoft is letting it happen

A growing number of LG monitor users have reported that connecting their devices to Windows systems results in the automatic installation of the LG Monitor App Installer, which prompts users with a McAfee trial advertisement. YouTuber Gamers Nexus found that connecting an LG UltraGear monitor led to the installation of LG's driver package and the LG Monitor App Installer, with the McAfee pop-up appearing 31 times over 32 boots. This automatic installation is facilitated by device metadata, which Windows uses to download associated applications without user notification. Users must be signed into the Microsoft Store and connected to the internet for this to occur, leading to frustrations about transparency. Reports of unsolicited McAfee pop-ups have been shared on platforms like Reddit, with users confirming the app's installation was logged as part of a Windows Update. LG has acknowledged the inclusion of McAfee in their app updates, promoting a free trial, which has raised privacy concerns. The app's rating on the Microsoft Store has dropped to around 1 out of 5 due to user dissatisfaction. Users can prevent automatic installations by adjusting Group Policy settings, while macOS requires manual approval for third-party applications. Neither Microsoft nor LG has formally addressed the concerns regarding silent installations and McAfee pop-ups.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Get ready for more bloatware on your next Samsung Galaxy device

Samsung has partnered with Amazon Music to preload the Amazon Music app on select Samsung smartphones and tablets. New subscribers will receive a three-month free trial of the Unlimited subscription, which will cost .99 per month afterward, with a reduced rate of .99 for Amazon Prime members. The Unlimited subscription includes one audiobook from Audible each month. Concerns have been raised about the increasing presence of preloaded applications, often referred to as bloatware, on Android devices.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Try Marketplace Pass for Free

The Marketplace Content series on .net offers a variety of content available through the Marketplace Pass, with a monthly showcase of popular items. The Marketplace Pass Free Weekend allows users to participate without a credit card, but discounts on content are only available to active subscribers. Free Character Creator items are exclusive to Marketplace Pass subscribers, while various skin packs can be accessed by all players. After the Free Weekend ends, any paid content downloaded will be removed from users' accounts, although built worlds will remain. Users can retain content by purchasing it with Minecoins or by signing up for a free trial of the Marketplace Pass, which provides temporary access to subscription content.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Beloved Racing Title Now on Mobile

Golden Lap is a popular racing game that has now been released on Android and iOS devices. Players take on the role of a team boss and make strategic decisions similar to those in F1 racing. The game features driver selection, car customization, and sponsorship deals, with a focus on strategic gameplay. Players can fine-tune their cars and select tires before races. The game offers a deep and immersive gaming experience with a variety of stats to keep track of. The full game can be unlocked through a single in-app purchase for a limited-time offer of .99.