future Archives

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Hasbro cancelled a D&D game from the Jedi: Fallen Order director

Hasbro has decided to discontinue a Dungeons & Dragons video game in early development at Giant Skull, a studio led by Stig Asmussen. The collaboration between Wizards of the Coast and Giant Skull was announced last summer but has now been halted. Despite this cancellation, another Dungeons & Dragons title, Warlock, is still in development by Invoke Studios and is set for release in 2027. Additionally, Wizards of the Coast may be planning a new D&D CRPG and is exploring other projects, including an HBO series and a prequel novel based on the character Astarion.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Google’s new Gemini features will take all the annoying busywork off your plate

Google has introduced enhancements to its Gemini platform, including the Daily Brief feature that curates personalized morning digests using Gmail and Calendar data. The Gemini app for macOS will receive upgrades with Gemini Spark, which automates workflows involving local files and desktop tasks. Additionally, Android Halo will display live AI agent activity on phones, allowing users to monitor tasks without interrupting their workflow. Android Halo will be compatible with Gemini Spark and other AI agents later this year, with advanced capabilities expected for devices powered by Gemini Intelligence.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Open Source Stays Open: Percona Sponsors pgBackRest to Keep PostgreSQL Backups Running

Percona has become a sponsor of pgBackRest following the departure of its primary maintainer due to funding challenges. This sponsorship aims to revitalize pgBackRest, a critical backup and recovery tool for PostgreSQL, ensuring its continued development and support. Percona's CEO, Peter Farkas, highlighted the importance of pgBackRest and the decision to coordinate with other companies to maintain its health. The plan for pgBackRest's future includes dedicated time from David Steele for bug fixes and feature enhancements, assistance from Percona's engineering team in onboarding a new maintainer, and efforts to attract additional sponsorship to diversify support. Percona's investment aims to prevent future uncertainties associated with reliance on a single maintainer.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Microsoft aims to bring the Windows driver ecosystem back into step

Microsoft has launched its Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2026, aimed at improving the quality, reliability, and security of drivers in the Windows ecosystem. The DQI is built on four pillars: expanding quality measures for driver development, improving driver lifecycle management, enhancing Windows driver architecture, and fostering ecosystem collaboration among partners. The initiative includes a focus on strengthening kernel mode drivers for better security and reliability. Pavan Davuluri, President of Windows and Devices, has highlighted a commitment to addressing customer pain points and improving system performance and user experience. The DQI is part of a long-term strategy to enhance the Windows experience.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Windows 11 Insiders Can Now Move the Taskbar to Any Screen Edge

Microsoft is updating Windows 11 to allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen and resize it. This feature is currently available to Windows Insider program members. The taskbar's icons, text, menus, and other elements will automatically adjust when moved. The resizing option benefits users with widescreen monitors. The movable taskbar feature, first introduced in Windows 95, was absent at Windows 11's launch in October 2021, leading to user backlash. Microsoft has been reinstating features missing from Windows 11, including drag-and-drop functionality in 2022 and improvements to the Start menu in 2023 and 2024. The rollout of the movable taskbar is ongoing for Windows Insider Dev and Beta channels, with no timeline for general availability announced.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Google expands AI-powered app discovery and Android development tools at I/O

Google LLC's Android team announced a new initiative to improve the connection between mobile developers and users by integrating generative and agentic AI during the Google I/O 2026 conference. The key feature, Ask Play, powered by Gemini, allows users to search for apps through a conversational interface, providing summaries of search results. Additionally, significant updates to the Engage SDK will enable seamless content transitions across devices, such as suggesting shows on different platforms. Google introduced an enhanced command line interface (CLI) for developers, facilitating easier project initiation and integration with AI coding tools. The Google AI Studio can now generate native Android apps quickly, allowing developers to publish directly from the platform. Projects can also be exported in ZIP format or to GitHub for further development.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Google is plugging the Play Store into Gemini for smarter app recommendations

Google's Play Store will integrate Gemini's AI capabilities to enhance app discovery by providing personalized app recommendations based on user queries. Users will receive tailored suggestions and can install apps directly from Gemini. The integration will ensure recommendations align with user intent and remind users of existing apps that may meet their needs. This feature will be available on the web and through Gemini on Android in the coming weeks. Additionally, later this year, Gemini's recommendations will expand to include media content like TV shows and movies, improving user experience without adding burdens on developers.

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.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

I’m not sure who the PUBG x Payday collab is for, or why it exists

Developers of PUBG are introducing a map selection feature despite concerns that it could lead to longer wait times and more bot players. They believe this will enhance the game experience. PUBG has also collaborated with the game Payday, introducing a new game mode with monetary incentives for players. The gameplay in this mode has been described as unremarkable and feels more like a marketing strategy than a genuine enhancement. The developers expressed concerns about dividing the matchmaking pool and affecting overall quality in a letter regarding the new feature. The Payday heist mode incentivizes participation through in-game rewards but lacks the tension that has contributed to PUBG's longevity. Additionally, a 0,000 prize pool for streamers based on viewer numbers aims to draw attention to the new mode but feels inorganic. There seems to be a conflict within the development team between preserving player experience and diversifying the game, which could risk alienating the player base.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Warren Spector’s Thick As Thieves encapsulates the joys of the heist, but I’m not convinced it’ll steal my attention long-term

In Elway Manor, a master thief uses the Vistara Diamond to detect guards and navigates security measures while executing a heist. The game, Thick As Thieves, is set in an alternate early 1900s Scottish city, Kilcairn, where players aim to join the Thieves' Guild. It features two launch maps with dynamic security layouts and three difficulty levels. Stealth mechanics are crucial, with players utilizing various gadgets from the Black Market. The game has shifted to a cooperative format, allowing players to team up. After about ten hours of gameplay, some repetition may occur, but the experience remains polished with quick load times and smooth performance. The game is priced modestly, promising future content from OtherSide Entertainment.