NewApp Digest
search bot

Hardware

Windows Weekly 998: Laptop Fort
Winsage
August 27, 2026

Windows Weekly 998: Laptop Fort

Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed various updates from Microsoft and the tech world, including new Insider builds, OneDrive for Mac enhancements, advancements in AI, and Xbox gaming news. A significant upcoming update for Windows 11, referred to as version 26H2, is anticipated. OneDrive for Mac will receive a native sync engine, and Proton Mail will introduce automatic category filtering. Bill Gates warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence, while Adobe Firefly launched new capabilities for music and sound generation. The .NET Conf 2026 is scheduled for November, with .NET 11 expected to release. In gaming, Xbox is testing disc-to-digital entitlements, and the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X20 is available for 9. A limited edition Xbox Series X25 console is rumored for November, and the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection is confirmed for November 13. IKEA has launched Xbox-inspired furniture, and Rockstar Games is preparing to reveal GTA VI. Nvidia has expanded GeForce Now to Firefox. Google will allow users to filter news in the Discover feed, but the advice is to seek diverse viewpoints. PowerToys 0.101 has been released, and Parallels Desktop 27 for Mac is now available. This week's RunAs Radio episode features a discussion on PowerShell 7's security features. SpiceBox Spiced Whisky is recommended as a seasonal drink.
Google tells Android app developers to cool it on memory use, or else
AppWizard
August 27, 2026

Google tells Android app developers to cool it on memory use, or else

Google has announced new memory-usage restrictions for Android applications to address the ongoing RAM crisis. These restrictions require developers to comply with new memory constraints to ensure smoother operation across devices. The initiative coincides with the rollout of Android 17, which is being introduced on devices like the Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL, both of which have less RAM than previous models. Developers must consider varying RAM configurations, ranging from 4GB to over 16GB. Applications that exceed the memory limits may experience reduced performance, slowdowns, or termination, and may face diminished visibility on the Google Play Store. These memory limits will take effect in February 2027, providing developers time to adjust their applications.
Google to tighten oversight of Android apps’ memory use
AppWizard
August 27, 2026

Google to tighten oversight of Android apps’ memory use

Google is implementing stricter oversight on RAM usage by applications and games to enhance the performance of Android devices. New memory usage restrictions will be introduced on Google Play, requiring apps to adhere to specified memory thresholds, with potential consequences for non-compliance, including slowdowns, termination by the system, reduced visibility in the Google Play store, and publishing restrictions. Monitoring of compliance will begin in February 2027, following the introduction of memory limits with Android 17 on Pixel smartphones. This initiative is linked to a RAM shortage affecting the device market, with reports indicating that the base versions of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL have less RAM than their predecessors.
AI's memory crunch is coming for Android apps
AppWizard
August 27, 2026

AI’s memory crunch is coming for Android apps

Google has updated its requirements for Android applications in response to memory chip shortages affecting the tech industry. The mobile sector is facing significant hardware supply constraints that impact device memory availability. To address these challenges, Google is implementing new performance benchmarks focusing on dynamic memory usage and bitmap usage, along with code optimization requirements to prevent app slowdowns and crashes. Google will provide tools to notify developers when their applications exceed the new thresholds and will introduce additional diagnostic tools, including a Memory Limiter feature. Developers have until February 2027 to comply with these new performance standards. Additionally, all apps on the Play Store must meet the Zero Tap Sign-In requirement by April 2027, allowing automatic restoration of user sign-in states during device migrations.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
August 27, 2026

The Windows 10 deadline most ISVs haven’t planned for yet

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB will reach their end of support on October 13, 2026, after which they will no longer receive security updates. These operating systems are designed for fixed-function devices like kiosks and point-of-sale terminals, which are often not actively managed, posing risks if the end-of-support date is overlooked. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as a temporary solution, with escalating costs over three years, but it is not intended as a long-term fix. Customers must decide whether to continue paying for ESU, upgrade to newer hardware, or transition away from Windows.
God help us, they overclocked Mega Man
AppWizard
August 26, 2026

God help us, they overclocked Mega Man

Capcom unveiled the first gameplay trailer for Mega Man: Dual Override at Gamescom Opening Night Live, marking the franchise's return since 2018. The game features significant upgrades, including the ability for Mega Man to unleash multiple projectiles, hover, and dash strategically. A notable feature is the "Destroy Mode," allowing Mega Man to execute a powerful overcharged shot to defeat bosses, though it leaves him damaged. The game is expected to launch in 2027, and fans can add it to their Steam wishlists.
Windows XP's most famous pirated key wasn't a hack, and a Microsoft engineer explains why
Winsage
August 26, 2026

Windows XP’s most famous pirated key wasn’t a hack, and a Microsoft engineer explains why

The FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8 key is a notorious Windows XP product key that became widely associated with the operating system, which was released on October 25, 2001. Unlike modern free upgrades, Windows XP required users to purchase a physical copy, making the product key essential for installation. The FCKGW key was a legitimate Volume License Key that was misappropriated and allowed users to bypass Microsoft's Windows Product Activation (WPA) system, which linked product keys to specific hardware to combat piracy. This key was whitelisted in the activation logic, enabling installations without activation prompts. Although it is still technically usable on older discs, Microsoft's servers no longer validate it, and the key has been blacklisted. Microsoft recently released a new version of the Windows Bliss wallpaper to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Windows XP.
Windows XP's most famous pirated key wasn't a hack. It was a leak
Winsage
August 26, 2026

Windows XP’s most famous pirated key wasn’t a hack. It was a leak

The product key FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8 was originally intended as a valid Volume Licensing Key (VLK) for corporate use and was never meant for casual home users. It was created to facilitate developers' work by allowing them to bypass certain restrictions during testing. The key was later bundled with special volume media and disseminated online, leading to widespread misuse. Windows Product Activation (WPA) generated a unique hardware ID based on the user's CPU, RAM, and other components for validation. The FCKGW key was whitelisted in Windows XP's activation logic, allowing installations to bypass the activation prompt entirely. This oversight enabled Windows XP to function fully without the constraints of a 30-day timer or watermark and bypassed initial validation checks for updates.
Windows 11 Will Now Let Android Smartphone Users Shutdown Or Restart Their Systems Remotely Using The Native Phone Link App
AppWizard
August 26, 2026

Windows 11 Will Now Let Android Smartphone Users Shutdown Or Restart Their Systems Remotely Using The Native Phone Link App

Microsoft's Phone Link app for Windows 11 is set to introduce a feature allowing Android users to remotely shut down or restart their Windows 11 machines. Code findings indicate the presence of a "RemoteControlManager" component, along with labels confirming functionalities for initiating a "Restart" or "Shut down" from smartphones. Additional features may include the ability to perform updates remotely. A sleep feature is also in development, but it will prevent users from restarting or shutting down their devices until they unlock their computers. There is currently no official timeline for the rollout of these updates.
Search