history Archives

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

No exclusive games for Steam Machine: “How is this even a question?”

Valve is set to unveil a new feature aimed at enhancing user engagement and interaction across its platforms. Key aspects of this feature include enhanced user interaction for players, innovative gameplay mechanics that may challenge traditional norms, and cross-platform compatibility to allow seamless engagement across different devices.

BetaBeacon

July 21, 2026

DCKO Mobile Fighting Game Announced for iOS and Android

Drop Fake has revealed DCKO, a new mobile fighting game featuring characters from the DC Universe. Scheduled for release in 2027 on iOS and Android, the game will include 2-on-2 tag team battles, story-driven PvE content, and live real-time PvP matches.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

X rebuilds Android app, claims it’s faster and more reliable

X has launched a completely reimagined Android application, described by Nikita Bier as one of the most significant engineering endeavors in the company's history. The new app features enhancements in speed, smoothness, and reliability, aimed at improving user experience. It is designed to operate faster, with a refined interface for fluid interaction and a focus on stability to reduce disruptions. The revamped app will also serve as a foundation for future innovations, allowing for more efficient rollout of new features and enhancements.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Windows 11 will let you search for your files in plain language

Microsoft is testing a new semantic search feature for Windows 11's File Explorer, which aims to improve file search by understanding user intent rather than relying on exact word matches. This feature allows users to search in natural language, such as "photos from last summer" or "Europe trip budget," and can identify files based on context, even if specific names are not mentioned. The functionality is powered by an AI model that operates locally on users' machines to maintain privacy and does not require an internet connection. However, it is only available on Copilot+ PCs, which have specialized AI chips capable of executing at least 40 trillion operations per second, limiting access for users with older machines. Currently, the feature is available only to Windows Insiders as Microsoft rolls it out in test builds.

Tech Optimizer

July 20, 2026

LG monitors are silently installing adware on your Windows PC

LG has faced criticism for the automatic installation of an application that delivers pop-up advertisements for McAfee antivirus subscriptions when certain LG monitor models are connected to a Windows PC. This issue was highlighted by Gamers Nexus, which reported that the LG Monitor App Installer activates upon connecting models like the LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B and the LG UltraFine 32UN880-B. In a test of 32 system boots, McAfee was promoted in 31 instances. The app can utilize extensive system resources and access internet connections, and LG's privacy policy indicates that user data such as names, phone numbers, birth dates, and online activity may be collected. Complaints about this practice have increased recently, suggesting a broader rollout or more frequent pop-ups. Other manufacturers, including Dell, have faced similar backlash for their software installation methods. Users hope Microsoft will require brands to seek explicit permission before installing utilities, although Microsoft's own history with unsolicited software raises uncertainty about this possibility.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

NetEase to Launch New Title ‘Conqueror’s Blade: Three Kingdoms’ on July 24

Booming Tech, in collaboration with NetEase Games, will launch the action-strategy multiplayer PC game 'Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms' globally on July 24. This game is a reinterpretation of the original Conqueror's Blade from 2019, featuring a free-to-play model with Korean localization. It enhances gameplay with real-time tactical commands and environmental strategies, moving away from repetitive combat. The game includes large-scale multiplayer battles across nearly 60 unique cities and various battlefields, allowing players to engage in combat, trade, craft weapons, or interact with historical figures. Players can also develop their characters by mastering skills and collecting weapons.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

July 2026 Patch Tuesday: KB5101650 Windows 11 Update

On July 14, 2026, Microsoft released cumulative update KB5101650 for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, addressing OS Builds 26200.8875 and 26100.8875. This update includes essential security fixes, updates to Secure Boot certificates, and enhanced Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) defenses against phishing attacks. It consolidates July 2026's security content, addressing known vulnerabilities and introducing functional improvements. The update is critical for minimizing exposure to identified threats and is prioritized for systems managing remote access or nearing certificate expiration. The update enhances Remote Desktop security by supporting SHA-2 certificate thumbprints while retaining SHA-1 for legacy compatibility. It includes new Group Policy options to mitigate phishing risks associated with malicious .rdp files. The curl upgrade to version 8.21.0 incorporates security patches for command-line tools in Windows environments. Secure Boot certificates are automatically updated through Windows updates, ensuring boot security across various hardware. KB5101650 installs primarily through the Windows Update interface, requiring a restart to activate changes. Enterprise environments can use the Microsoft Update Catalog for manual distribution. A temporary restriction affects certain Dell devices with Intel Innovation Platform Framework drivers, which Microsoft plans to address in a future update. The cumulative update resolves a total of 622 Microsoft CVEs, including 416 affecting Windows components. Users are advised to verify and install the update promptly to secure the full suite of improvements.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

‘The mid-2000s was the golden era of first-person shooters’: David Syzmankski, creator of Dusk and Iron Lung, discusses the games on his PC

David Szymanski is the creator of the game Dusk, which was released in 2018 and is inspired by classic first-person shooters like Doom and Quake. He initially developed short horror games before achieving success with Dusk. Szymanski has also created a submarine horror game called Iron Lung, which gained recognition after being adapted into a film by YouTuber Markiplier. He categorizes the history of first-person shooters into distinct eras, labeling the '90s as the silver age and the late '90s to mid-2000s as the golden age. He enjoys survival crafting games like The Forest and Subnautica but has not finished them. The oldest game installed on his PC is Doom, which he considers nearly the best FPS ever made. His most-played game on Steam is Counter-Strike 2, with 324 hours, and he has spent 186 hours on Elden Ring. Szymanski would never uninstall Infra, which he describes as his comfort game. He uses GIMP as an essential non-gaming software tool and has a relatively tidy desktop with nine icons.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

SNEG Announces Six Classics Coming to PC!

SNEG has announced the revival of six classic PC titles, which will be available on Steam and GOG. The titles are: - Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor - Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria - Soldiers at War - Dark Earth - Ecstatica 1 & 2 Players can wishlist these games to support their revival.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

RTS IS BACK! The Best Upcoming Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games of 2026-2027

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre, which thrived in the late 90s and early 2000s, experienced a decline from the late 2000s until around 2015 but is expected to make a comeback in 2026 and 2027. Anticipated titles include Stronghold 4, ZeroSpace, D.O.R.F., Dawn of War IV, and Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Bergfried, developed by Quid Pro Games, is a medieval strategy game that combines castle-building mechanics, town management, and real-time combat, with a unique grid reflecting European castle shapes. Panzer Strike, by ISAK Team, aims to recapture the essence of late 90s RTS games and is set for release in Q3 2026. Falling Frontier, a procedurally generated space RTS, is highly wishlisted on Steam and promises detailed ship combat. Chronicles: Medieval, releasing in 2026, offers a sandbox strategy experience during the Hundred Years’ War, blending free-roaming gameplay with large-scale battles. Dinolords, developed by Northplay, features a medieval world with armored dinosaurs and allows players to control dinosaur-riding Lords, presenting a unique twist on traditional RTS gameplay.