headlines Archives

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down a couple of apps; vows to return new and improved

Samsung is phasing out its Quick Measure and AR Doodle applications, with a shutdown date set for December 31, 2026. After this date, Quick Measure will not be available for new downloads or updates, although existing users can still use it, albeit with potential feature limitations. The AR Doodle app will also cease operations on the same date. Samsung previously discontinued its Messages app in July, replacing it with Google Messages. Notifications about the app closures were highlighted by social media user Tarun Vats. Samsung has indicated a commitment to enhancing user experience and may reintroduce these applications with improved services in the future. Quick Measure was designed to monitor heart rates without navigating the full Samsung Health app and was first introduced in 2021. The future of these applications remains uncertain, with potential for reinvention or integration into existing platforms.

Winsage

September 7, 2026

Excel keeps people on Windows, and a Linux distro creator wants Microsoft to end that

Omarchy is a Linux distribution created by David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), designed for developers and creators, based on Arch Linux. DHH has challenged Microsoft to develop native Office applications for Linux, highlighting that while Microsoft 365's web version is available, Linux users only access about 90% of the functionality compared to Windows users. Microsoft’s revenue from Windows has decreased by 7% year-over-year, while Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenue has grown by 14%, and Azure by 43%. Windows now accounts for only 5% of Microsoft's total revenue, indicating a shift towards cloud services. Microsoft has launched Edge for Linux and supports tools like VS Code and PowerShell on the platform. The web version of Office lacks features found in the desktop version, affecting usability for professionals. Despite Linux's growing interest, particularly through the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), it may not be enough to prompt Microsoft to prioritize a native Office port. DHH's Omarchy aims to create a user-friendly Linux experience rather than convert Windows users.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

Mortal Kombat 1’s Denuvo Has Been Cracked

Mortal Kombat 1 was cracked by voices38, bypassing its Denuvo anti-tamper protection, nearly three years after its release for PC in September 2023. The previous Denuvo-protected title to be cracked was Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced. Warner Bros has previously removed Denuvo from Mortal Kombat 11 and other titles, raising questions about similar actions for Mortal Kombat 1. Other publishers, including Square Enix and Capcom, have also removed Denuvo from various titles. KRAFTON, NEOWIZ, Gearbox, IO Interactive, Bethesda, and Bandai Namco have also eliminated Denuvo from their games.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

A popular streamer turned down a 6-figure deal to play Arc Raiders because ‘the game frustrated me so much’

TimTheTatman declined a six-figure deal for a collaboration between Arc Raiders and Subway during a stream, stating, "I just can't do it, I'm sorry." His decision received mixed reactions from his audience, with some expressing disbelief at his choice. The developers of Arc Raiders are preparing for a major update titled Frozen Trails to reignite player interest in the game.

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Fully Playable Scream Game Found in Steam Leak [2026]

A horror game based on the Scream film franchise was discovered in the Steam data leak that occurred from August 29 to 31, 2026. The game, an unfinished multiplayer prototype created by Fatshark, was found by a Twitter user named Roly Poly Reaper, who managed to run it on their computer and enable online multiplayer. The prototype included several unfinished builds, with one featuring operational networking code that allowed players to take on the roles of survivors evading a player-controlled Ghostface. The project appears to have been a pitch build, never fully greenlit for production, and was stored in Valve’s old Steam2 backend for approximately 15 years before the leak. Roly Poly Reaper used the Goldberg Steam emulator and Radmin VPN to run the game, circumventing the need for a live connection to Valve’s servers. Fatshark, known for cooperative shooters, had reportedly built the Scream prototype around 2011, coinciding with the release of Scream 4. The prototype's existence predates the popularization of the asymmetric horror genre by several years. The Steam2 leak itself involved approximately 12 to 13 terabytes of data, including various internal builds and beta versions from Valve and third-party developers. Valve has not publicly commented on the leak.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

How to Protect Against Ransomware: 13 Steps [2026]

Global ransomware attacks increased by 0.8% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2026. The group Qilin has 279 confirmed victims, maintaining its position as the leading threat actor for four consecutive quarters. The rival group The Gentlemen saw a 62% increase in victims, reaching 269. Checkpoint Research's report indicates a shift in the ransomware landscape, challenging the narrative of declining attacks. IBM's analysis shows breaches within supply chains and third-party vendors have quadrupled over the past five years. Effective ransomware protection requires administrative access to endpoints, firewalls, and backup systems, along with specific software versions and tools. The 3-2-1-1-0 backup strategy is recommended, emphasizing offline, immutable backups. Organizations should implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all access points and actively patch known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation is crucial to limit ransomware spread, and canary files can provide early warnings of attacks. Regular phishing simulations and a well-documented incident response plan are essential for preparedness.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

This week in PC games: Gamescom and GTA 6 fight for our attention, but don’t forget Folk Emerging, MGS4 and the horror game about balancing a cake

This week marks the arrival of Gamescom, featuring a highly anticipated documentary on GTA 6 set to stream on August 27th via Rockstar and Netflix. Notable new PC releases include: - Burned Horizons (early access): A military simulation game set in a fictional 2002 war in Europe. - Money for Girls: Amortized: A horror detective visual novel by Porpentine. - 1666: Amsterdam (early access): A time-bending witch game from Patrice Désilets. - Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2: A cooperative game for 1-4 players. - Astral Court DX: A bullet hell game with 189 levels. - Blood Dungeon: A frantic platformer by the creators of Nidhogg. - Sokogram: A hybrid puzzler with sokoban mechanics. - Western Rye (early access): A survival game combining cowboy simulation and zombie encounters. - the cabin game (early access): A multiplayer experience in a haunted cabin. - Lou's Lagoon: An adventurous platformer on an archipelago. - Star Wars: Zero Company: A squad tactics game set in the Ahsoka era. - Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2: A remastered package featuring MGS4 and Peace Walker. - Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy: An installment set on an island with light-based puzzles. - Captain Tsubasa: A return to the football franchise. - Don't Drop The Cake: A game where players balance a tray in a chaotic environment. - Alice's Gaze: A blend of autobattling and spooky mansion exploration. - A Little Age: A laid-back city-building game. The coverage approach for Gamescom this year will focus on in-depth stories rather than liveblogging, with a team on-site in Cologne and others covering news from home.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Weekly Recap: Microsoft (MSFT) cloud growth and China Windows 10 phase-out

ICE Data Services is expanding its market data offerings to enhance accessibility and quality for investors and analysts. FactSet is providing enhanced reference data services to improve decision-making for clients. Both companies are leveraging advanced technology to streamline data delivery. The American Bankers Association is partnering with FactSet to provide the CUSIP Database for tracking and trading securities. Quartr supplies SEC filings and essential documents to support transparency and compliance in financial markets.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

You, too, can play Minecraft on the SNES with this surprisingly playable version of the hit game

Minecraft has been successfully ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) using a custom cartridge by YouTuber Game of Tobi. This adaptation allows for a smoother gaming experience compared to previous ports, such as the one for the Game Boy, despite the limitations of retro hardware. The Minecraft ROM for SNES is available for free download on Game of Tobi's Patreon page without any patron requirement.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

Google’s Android Pulse App Appears on Play Store: What is it?

Google has introduced the Android Pulse app, which serves as a service tool for the "System Diagnostic tool" designed for Android devices. The app has surpassed 10 million downloads and is pre-installed on Google’s Pixel devices. It functions to define anomalies within the system and aids in distributing rules for anomaly detection, helping to identify unusual activity and diagnose bugs within the Android operating system.