global Archives

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Google executive responsible for AI has a solution for the game industry’s problems, and you’re not going to believe this but it’s AI

Jack Buser, the global director for games at Google Cloud, is focusing on using AI and cloud solutions to tackle challenges in the gaming industry. He noted a rebound in revenue growth but highlighted issues such as declining profits, project cancellations, and layoffs, with only Roblox and the Chinese market thriving. Buser advocates for AI as a potential solution, despite concerns about "rightsizing" strategies that may prioritize profits over employee welfare. His previous role at Stadia ended with mixed results, raising doubts about the feasibility of AI-driven game development. The industry is still awaiting a groundbreaking AI-generated game. Buser emphasizes the need for clearer discussions about AI and suggests that embracing it could lead to easier revenue generation, similar to trends in reality television.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

Windows 365 Link: One year of the simple, secure, purpose-built Cloud PC device

Windows 365 Link, a service launched a year ago, enhances the Windows 365 experience by providing a cloud-based Windows environment that is easy to manage, secure, and cost-effective. It allows organizations to scale Cloud PCs without local data or applications. Over the past year, it has expanded into new regions and industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and professional services. Organizations using Windows 365 Link have reported benefits like reduced management burdens and seamless access for workers. The partner network has grown to over 200 resellers in 20 countries, facilitating quick deployment. Upcoming updates include support for Bluetooth device pairing, tenant branding, USB redirection, and visibility into pending updates on sign-in screens.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

“For years, Microsoft’s practices have had real financial impact on both public and private organizations” – Microsoft faces new legal challenge over licensing practices

Microsoft is facing a £2 billion lawsuit in the UK, led by competition lawyer Maria Luisa Stasi, representing nearly 60,000 businesses that claim the company imposes excessive charges for using Windows Server on competing cloud platforms. The allegations focus on higher licensing fees for organizations using services like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Alibaba Cloud compared to those using Microsoft’s Azure. The lawsuit has been allowed to proceed on an opt-out basis by the Tribunal. Microsoft plans to appeal the decision and asserts that its business model promotes competition. The case is part of broader scrutiny of Microsoft's licensing practices, with investigations also initiated by the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission, as well as inquiries in Brazil, Switzerland, the United States, and Japan.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Steam, Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite risk “becoming onramps to abuse, extremist violence, radicalisation or lifelong harm”, claim Australian government

The Australian government's eSafety commissioner has issued transparency notices to major gaming platforms, including Valve, Epic Games, Microsoft, and the Roblox Corporation, to understand their measures for safeguarding children online. Concerns have been raised about predatory adults targeting children through grooming and extremist narratives in games. Specific instances include Islamic State-inspired games on Roblox, far-right groups using Minecraft for fascist imagery, Fortnite gamifying tragic historical events, and Steam serving as a hub for extreme-right communities. The government is urging these companies to take meaningful steps to prevent abuse and radicalization. Some measures have already been implemented, such as Roblox restricting access to social hangouts and unrated games for users under 13 and introducing selfie-based facial age estimation technology. The companies are expected to provide detailed accounts of their existing and planned measures to combat grooming and extremism.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Australia’s online watchdog targets Roblox and Minecraft over extreme content

Australia's eSafety Commission has raised concerns about the exploitation of online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft by predatory adults, prompting legal notices to gaming companies to clarify their strategies for combating harmful content. The commission emphasizes that many Australian children engage with these platforms, where predatory adults may use grooming tactics or embed violent narratives. Major gaming platforms are required to demonstrate their methods for identifying and eradicating online threats. Despite laws prohibiting teenagers under 16 from accessing social media, many Australian children still navigate these banned platforms. The commission highlights the urgency of addressing online safety challenges for children.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Microsoft lowers Game Pass prices, drops Call of Duty from day-one offerings

Microsoft's subscription gaming service is reducing the price of Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 per month and the PC Game Pass subscription from .49 to .99 per month. These changes are part of a global pricing strategy and will be reflected in the next billing cycle for current subscribers. New Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch but will be added during the subsequent holiday season. The price adjustment reduces the annual cost of Game Pass Ultimate from 4 to 0, saving subscribers . The total number of subscribers reached 34 million in early 2024.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

12 years after the original and with its themes more relevant than ever, anti-war game This War of Mine is getting a full remake

11 Bit Studios is developing two new games: a new installment in the Frostpunk series and a reimagining of This War of Mine. The Alters has sold 545,000 copies, and Frostpunk 2 has sold nearly 880,000 copies. CEO Przemysław Marszał stated that the upcoming titles will not be remasters but will offer modern takes on the narratives. Creative director Michał Drozdowski emphasized the studio's commitment to unique artistic vision in its games. The reimagining of This War of Mine is particularly significant given its themes in the current global climate. 11 Bit Studios plans to launch Moonlighter 2 in 2026, with new downloadable content for Frostpunk and The Alters, while Frostpunk 1886 is expected to release around 2027 or 2028.

Tech Optimizer

April 21, 2026

Gen Digital Inc stock (US36870C1018): Is its cybersecurity moat strong enough for steady investor re

Gen Digital Inc operates a consumer-focused cybersecurity model centered on subscription-based protection services, including antivirus, VPNs, and identity theft protection. The company generates predictable revenue through auto-renewals, with over 90% of customers renewing annually. Its business model scales with internet penetration and focuses on individual users rather than enterprise contracts. Gen Digital emphasizes organic growth through product innovation and geographic expansion, with key growth drivers including the increase of connected devices and cloud-based delivery. The product portfolio features tiered subscription plans, catering to diverse consumer needs, and the company maintains a competitive position through superior detection rates and customer support. Gen Digital's primary markets are North America and Europe, with emerging opportunities in Latin America and Asia. Analysts view the subscription model favorably for its resilience and cash flow generation, while risks include competition from free tools and regulatory changes. Upcoming earnings will provide insights into subscriber trends and pricing power.

TrendTechie

April 21, 2026

Самому старому BitTorrent-трекеру The Pirate Bay исполнилось 22 года

The Pirate Bay celebrates its 22nd anniversary and continues to serve millions of users despite access-blocking attempts. When it launched, only about 10% of the global population had internet access, and content consumption was mainly offline. The oldest active torrent on The Pirate Bay is an episode of "High Chaparral" featuring Uri Geller, uploaded on March 25, 2004. The oldest active music torrent is a compilation titled Instant Hits by Gyllene Tider, and the oldest active gaming torrent is The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth. Additionally, the documentary Revolution OS, uploaded on March 31, 2004, remains available, despite the director's dissatisfaction with piracy. The oldest active torrent on the internet is a short amateur parody film, The Fanimatrix, created in September 2003.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

NGate NFC malware targets Android users through trojanized payment app

NFC-based payment fraud targeting Android users in Brazil has been linked to a campaign using a trojanized version of the HandyPay app, part of the NGate malware family, since November 2025. The malware is distributed through a counterfeit website mimicking a lottery and a fraudulent Google Play page. The operators chose HandyPay for its low cost and minimal permissions required. The malware requests users to set it as the default NFC payment app, allowing it to capture payment card PINs and relay NFC card data to attackers. ESET Research identified this campaign and discovered logs from compromised devices containing sensitive information. The trojanized app has never been on the official Google Play store, and ESET has notified Google and the HandyPay developer about the issue.