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Retro enthusiast injects Snake game into vintage S3 graphics card VBIOS — enjoy some serpentum fun while your old PC boots
AppWizard
May 23, 2026

Retro enthusiast injects Snake game into vintage S3 graphics card VBIOS — enjoy some serpentum fun while your old PC boots

A retro PC enthusiast modified the VBIOS of an S3 ViRGE DX graphics card to include a version of the classic game Snake, allowing users to play it briefly during system boot. This project, by the YouTube channel Bits und Bolts, involved embedding Snake 512, a compact game written in x86 assembly language. The modification includes a dynamic text splash screen displaying the GPU's operating frequency and prompts users to play Snake or skip to the boot process. The implementation does not support USB keyboards and has no sound during gameplay. The enthusiast also customized the game's colors using hexadecimal values from the VGA color palette.
"Congrats to the owners of a brand new $6k paperweight": Valorant dev Riot makes players think Vanguard anti-cheat will brick their PCs, causing uproar — here's what's really happening
AppWizard
May 23, 2026

“Congrats to the owners of a brand new $6k paperweight”: Valorant dev Riot makes players think Vanguard anti-cheat will brick their PCs, causing uproar — here’s what’s really happening

Valorant's anti-cheat system, Vanguard, has been controversial due to its interference with DMA firmware devices, which are used to cheat in the game. Riot Games posted a message suggesting that Vanguard was making these devices unusable, leading to backlash from the gaming community. Riot clarified that Vanguard does not damage hardware or disable devices but prevents DMA cheat devices from functioning while IOMMU protections are enabled. Players not using DMA devices are not affected. The situation has sparked debate about the balance between anti-cheat measures and their impact on hardware.
Announcing new builds for 22 May 2026
Winsage
May 23, 2026

Announcing new builds for 22 May 2026

The Windows Insider Program is rolling out changes across various channels, with new builds of Windows 11 Insider Preview available. The transition for devices in the Canary 29500 Series Channel to the new experience has not yet begun. New features include: 1. Screen Tint: An accessibility feature that applies a color overlay to reduce screen intensity. 2. Narrator: Enhanced support for HID-compatible braille displays, allowing for plug-and-play functionality via USB or Bluetooth. 3. Voice Isolation in Voice Access: A feature that improves voice recognition by filtering out background noise, processing occurs privately on the device.
Microsoft says Windows 11's explorer.exe has been unstable across taskbar, sign-in, and Task View, rolls out fix
Winsage
May 22, 2026

Microsoft says Windows 11’s explorer.exe has been unstable across taskbar, sign-in, and Task View, rolls out fix

Many users have experienced taskbar freezes and blank desktops upon startup in Windows 11. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and released the Windows 11 KB5089549 (May 2026 Update) on May 12, which addresses these concerns. The update installs Build 26200.8457 and aims to enhance the reliability of explorer.exe, particularly during sign-in and interactions with taskbar menus and Task View. Users can now reposition the taskbar and adjust its size, with plans for a customizable Start menu. The update improves the performance of launching startup apps, aiming to prevent them from competing for system resources. Additionally, Microsoft is optimizing the system tray for quicker access and enhancing Windows Hello functionality.
Windows is entering its "Agentic Era"—and its AI architect is moving on
Winsage
May 22, 2026

Windows is entering its “Agentic Era”—and its AI architect is moving on

Yusuf Mehdi, head of product marketing for AI and Copilot at Microsoft, is transitioning to a new role focused on reimagining Windows before leaving the company after 35 years. He aims to enhance Microsoft 365 services and the vision of One Copilot in the upcoming fiscal year. In late 2022, Pavan Davuluri initiated a reorganization to develop an agentic operating system, consolidating engineering and features teams for better cohesion. Microsoft plans to introduce a new agentic workspace feature with AI agents in secure sessions, allowing users control over data sharing. The company has moderated its AI integration strategy in Windows 11 to improve user sentiment and is addressing pain points through the Windows K2 project, which will continue through 2026. Jacob Andreou has been appointed as the lead for consumer and commercial Copilot experiences, reporting to CEO Satya Nadella. Mehdi expressed gratitude for his time at Microsoft and reassured his team of a smooth transition.
Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi pledges to reimagine Windows 11 for the AI era in his final year before leaving
Winsage
May 22, 2026

Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi pledges to reimagine Windows 11 for the AI era in his final year before leaving

Yusuf Mehdi is leaving Microsoft after a 35-year tenure, during which he played a significant role in launching products like Windows 95, Internet Explorer, Bing, Xbox One, and the Surface Pro lineup. He was the Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, leading Microsoft's consumer strategy and its push into AI, particularly with the Copilot brand. Mehdi announced plans to continue working on Microsoft's AI strategy, focusing on making Windows 11 an "agentic OS," which allows AI agents to operate autonomously. Despite backlash from users regarding performance issues, Mehdi remains committed to this vision. Recently, Microsoft has shifted its focus to improving Windows 11's functionality, addressing criticism about its performance while continuing to explore AI integration.
Google Play Store wants you to think twice about canceling that app subscription
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

Google Play Store wants you to think twice about canceling that app subscription

The Google Play Store has introduced a feature that allows app developers to prompt users to consider downgrading their subscriptions during the cancellation process. When users attempt to cancel, they will see options to keep their subscription, cancel it, or switch to a more affordable plan. This update includes an in-app Subscription Management API that will enable users to change plans directly within apps. The cancellation process remains largely unchanged, although users may need to scroll further to complete it. Developers can also offer discounted subscriptions to encourage users to stay subscribed.
Android Auto 17.0 Is Rolling Out To Users – Here's How You Can Get It Early
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

Android Auto 17.0 Is Rolling Out To Users – Here’s How You Can Get It Early

Android 17, set to arrive in 2026, will allow users to manually download updates by visiting Android's Developer site for ADB tools and OTA images. Users can sideload the update by booting a Google Pixel device into Recovery Mode and connecting it to a computer. For a streamlined experience, users can opt in as testers for future releases through Google Play. The Android Auto 17.0 beta will not include support for video applications like YouTube or widget support, which is planned for future updates. The update focuses on behind-the-scenes enhancements, with significant changes expected later. Once widget functionality is activated, Android Auto may transition to a three-panel interface displaying multiple information cards, and Google plans to expand widget compatibility for smartphones in supported vehicles.
Flashback: The 2016 Chrome and Android‑apps story that predicted today’s Googlebooks moment
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

Flashback: The 2016 Chrome and Android‑apps story that predicted today’s Googlebooks moment

Google announced that later this year, users will be able to run full Android applications on their Chromebooks through the integration of the Google Play Store, providing access to over a million Android apps. This development marks a significant advantage for Chrome OS, which previously lacked native applications. Despite the advancements, Google faces challenges in changing consumer perceptions, as Chromebooks do not support essential software like Photoshop or full versions of Microsoft Office. The competition between Google and Microsoft intensifies, with Google gaining momentum amid declining Windows PC sales, particularly in the educational sector.
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