functionality Archives

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2026

Norton 360 for Gamers vs Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes [2026]

Norton, Bitdefender, and Malwarebytes have adjusted their antivirus products to mitigate the negative effects on gaming performance. In June 2026, Norton 360 and Bitdefender Total Security both received a perfect AV-TEST score of 18 out of 18, while Malwarebytes achieved a 100% real-world protection rate in AV-Comparatives testing, though it had more false positives. Bitdefender Total Security is recommended for gamers due to its low frame-rate impact of 0-2%, while Norton 360 offers features for streamers and competitive players, and Malwarebytes serves as a lightweight secondary scanner. The value of gaming accounts has increased, making them targets for cybercriminals, with malware campaigns like Vidar 2.0 accounting for 41% of gaming-related malware detections. New malware families such as Katz and Bee specifically target Discord and gaming platforms. In terms of performance, Norton showed a 2-3% FPS decrease in Cyberpunk 2077, while Bitdefender's impact was only 0-2%, and Malwarebytes had less than 1% impact. Norton and Bitdefender are tied in detection capabilities, both scoring 18/18 in AV-TEST, while Malwarebytes had a 92.4% offline detection rate and 98.3% online. Norton includes a no-log VPN and gamer-tag monitoring, while Bitdefender offers identity protection without specific gamer-tag monitoring. Malwarebytes lacks a VPN and password manager. Pricing varies, with Norton starting at .99 for three devices, Bitdefender at .99 for one device, and Malwarebytes at .99 for one device. To switch antivirus solutions, users should back up their license keys, use removal tools, and ensure game-aware modes are active. Each product has unique strengths: Norton excels in gamer-tag monitoring, Bitdefender minimizes CPU usage, and Malwarebytes is lightweight but lacks additional features.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Microsoft plans to deprecate Windows Deployment Services

Microsoft has announced that Windows Deployment Services (WDS) will be deprecated in the upcoming Windows Server release, marking a significant change for IT administrators who have used WDS for remote Windows installations. Active development of WDS will cease after the next Windows Server version, and the service will eventually be retired. This follows previous deprecations, including the removal of boot.wim support in 2021 and the disabling of hands-free deployment in January 2026 for certain updates. WDS will continue to operate on currently supported Windows Server versions, but standard desktop operating systems are no longer supported through its native setup engine since Windows 11. The deprecation includes the entire WDS ecosystem, but Microsoft Configuration Manager's deployment capabilities will remain unaffected. Users are encouraged to plan their migration away from WDS dependencies.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Windows 10 is more stable than Windows 11 in 2026, data shows

The September update for Windows 11 caused significant disruptions, including failures in USB audio functionality and the File History feature. This follows a trend of issues over the past months, with August experiencing printer and PDF problems, July affecting certain Dell PCs, and June reporting startup issues and BitLocker recovery failures. In total, eight out of nine months this year have had at least one major issue. A recurring BitLocker user lockout problem has also been noted. Despite these issues, Windows 11 has improved in overall stability, with fewer system crashes. Windows 10 has maintained stability by focusing solely on security updates since support ended in October 2025, avoiding new feature rollouts. Users satisfied with Windows 10's features may prefer to stay with it for stability. Windows 11 users facing instability can roll back updates or use the Known Issue Rollback feature to revert problematic non-security features.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Ocean Browser , Secure Browser for Android

Ocean Browser is an Android application that provides a secure and private browsing experience by integrating advanced proxy technology, eliminating the need for separate VPN applications. It reroutes browsing traffic through its secure infrastructure, hiding users' actual IP addresses from websites. Ocean Browser offers features such as encrypted proxy connections, the ability to select proxy locations, and seamless management of proxy connections without complex settings. It is designed for everyday use, particularly on public Wi-Fi networks, and is available for free on Google Play.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Android Nintendo DS Launcher NitroDeck Is Getting An Update For Dual-Screen Handhelds

Mr. Rubik is known for creating innovative Android launchers that evoke nostalgia, including interfaces reminiscent of vintage gaming consoles. His latest project is an update to NitroDeck, an Android launcher that transforms a smartphone's interface into that of a Nintendo DS, specifically designed for dual-screen devices like the ANBERNIC RG DS. The update, expected within the next week or two, will enhance the user experience by incorporating features such as a DS-style launcher interface, a catalog of installed Android apps, local game library tools, customizable app icons, and controller-friendly navigation. NitroDeck is currently available for free on the Google Play Store, but the upcoming enhancements will require users to wait. This is Mr. Rubik's first launcher specifically tailored for dual screens, and it aims to closely replicate the Nintendo DS user interface.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Your Googlebook has a hidden app that turns its Glowbar into a disco

Google has introduced a hidden feature called the Glowbar Disco app in its new line of Googlebook laptops. This app transforms the laptop's lid light strip into a music-synced light show. The Glowbar is a design element across various manufacturers, indicating battery status and Gemini activity. Alexander Kuscher, Google’s Senior Director of Product for Laptops and Tablets, mentioned this feature during an interview, inviting users to explore it. Users had previously experienced the disco mode during demonstrations, but the method to access it was not disclosed until Kuscher's comments. The Glowbar is also functional, displaying essential information and responding to device activity, with plans for developers to create applications utilizing its capabilities.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

If you can’t tell what’s real or AI-generated anymore, this Android app is here to help

Generative AI is becoming a crucial part of various services and applications, leading to a series that will highlight notable AI innovations. A challenge for users is distinguishing between authentic and AI-generated content, which has become increasingly difficult. The C2PA Verify app helps users identify image origins by reading C2PA credentials, although these credentials can be erased, limiting the app's effectiveness. C2PA Verify is open-source, free, and developed by Dark Rock Studios. Other noteworthy AI applications include: - Retirement Planner: A web app powered by Claude Opus 4.5 that assists users in financial planning for retirement by calculating future portfolio value, drawdown rates, and tax implications, tailored for US and Canadian citizens. - Memoria: An Android gallery app that uses offline AI for natural language search, ensuring user privacy by keeping data on the device. It utilizes Apple’s MobileCLIP-S0 model for processing queries and is open-source and free to use.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

ATV Launcher’s latest update brings big home screen upgrades for your Android TV

ATV Launcher has released version 0.1.41 for Android TV, introducing significant updates that enhance aesthetics and functionality. Key features include ten fixed row layouts (Spotlight, Bookends, Centre Stage, Marquee, Hero Trio), the ability to place widgets within app rows (Weather, Digital Clock, System Info, Favorite App, Watch Next, Recommended, and standard Android widgets), and the launch of the "ATV Launcher Digital Clock Widgets" companion app with 15 clock styles. Visual enhancements allow folders to display contents in various preview styles, and the Configure Tile dialog now includes a live preview interface. The Watch Next and Recommended cards feature edge-to-edge artwork and progress bars. A modular status bar lets users toggle and reorder icons, select placements, and switch TV inputs. The update is available on the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

F-Droid’s biggest update in a decade is coming despite Google’s sideloading crackdown

F-Droid is releasing version 2.0, which features a complete rewrite of the app in Kotlin for better support and updates. The new interface follows Google’s Material Design, simplifying navigation into three sections: Discover, Search, and My Apps. The Discover tab has been redesigned for a more intuitive experience, with apps organized into sub-groups and the Categories tab removed. Enhanced search functionality includes privacy-focused exploration and filters for specific criteria. A new installation flow with a pre-approval API aims to streamline app acquisition. F-Droid is aware of upcoming Google developer verification measures, now set for 2027, requiring developers to create accounts and verify identities. Version 2.0 is still in development, with an alpha build available on APK Mirror but lacking all features. No specific release date has been announced.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Google could undo one of the most annoying recent changes to the Phone app

Google is revisiting user interface changes to its Phone app based on user feedback, particularly regarding the placement of the Contacts tab. In the latest beta version (v240.0.986973448), the Contacts tab is being reintegrated into the navigation bar between the Home and Keypad tabs, replacing its previous position in a sidebar. This change aims to provide quicker access to saved contacts. The new interface has been activated on test devices, but the timeline for public rollout is uncertain. An APK teardown can provide insights into potential future features, though not all predicted features may reach the final public version.