image Archives

BetaBeacon

September 17, 2026

Hit Roguelike Dome Keeper is Being Ported to iOS and Android – Pre-registration is Open

- Mobile version of Dome Keeper, a popular mining survival game, is in the works - Pre-registration is open on Google Play and pre-orders are available on the App Store for 899 rubles - Dome Keeper involves balancing resource extraction and defense against alien attacks - Players can enhance the dome, upgrade mining equipment, and increase movement speed with materials found - Procedurally generated maps offer a unique experience with each new run - Dome Keeper was originally released on Steam in 2022 and has sold over a million copies by October 2024

BetaBeacon

September 17, 2026

Medieval “Tetris” Drop Duchy is being ported to Android and iOS – pre-registration is open

Drop Duchy is a mobile game that combines mechanics of "Tetris", city-building simulator, and card roguelike. The player transforms falling "Tetris" pieces into plots of a medieval duchy, places buildings and assembles an army. The game will be distributed under a "try before you buy" model, with the full version costing 475 rubles.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

I ran a single command and found more garbage on my Windows 11 drive than Storage Sense cleaned all month

On Windows 11, the Storage Sense feature can reclaim space by cleaning user-level files, such as temporary data, items in the Recycle Bin, files in the Downloads folder, and cached OneDrive copies. It recently reclaimed approximately 1.67GB of space in one morning and a total of 10.2GB over the past month with default settings. Storage Sense only activates when the storage drive is nearing capacity unless the user adjusts the schedule. It can be configured to run daily, weekly, or monthly, and users can set parameters for emptying the Recycle Bin and deleting files in the Downloads folder. However, Storage Sense does not clean the entire drive or access the Windows component store, which holds outdated system files. The component store was found to contain approximately 11.84GB of data that Storage Sense cannot clean up. The total size of the component store is 20.14GB, with a significant portion comprising backups and disabled features. Users may need additional cleaning tools to manage the data that Storage Sense cannot address.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Ex-MS engineer reveals the story behind the infamous ‘FCKGW’ Windows XP key: ‘Pirates started baking the key into images or just writing it on the CD with a Sharpie’

David Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, was the primary author of Windows XP's Product Activation system, which included the infamous product key FCKGW. This key became widely used on pirated copies of the operating system. Plummer created the activation system by compressing and encrypting disc data, ensuring its security. The FCKGW key was specifically tied to certain data configurations, making it ineffective on standard XP CDs. A piracy group, Devils0wn, leaked a complete Windows XP Pro Corporate ISO and the valid FCKGW key just five weeks before the official launch, allowing unauthorized installations. Microsoft responded by blacklisting product IDs associated with the compromised keys in Service Pack 1 and blocking updates for installations using the FCKGW key in Service Pack 2. Valid, un-leaked Volume License Keys (VLKs) remained functional for years after the incident. Plummer noted that the media and the key were leaked before the product reached stores, preventing the intended hardware-binding from functioning.

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft tried to kill Paint in Windows for a successor nobody wanted, then killed the successor

Microsoft's Paint has been a popular tool since its launch in Windows 1.0 in 1985, with over 100 million monthly users reported in 2017. Paint 3D was introduced as part of Microsoft's vision for "3D for everyone," featuring tools like 3D Doodle, Brushes for 3D surfaces, Magic Select, and Mixed Reality Viewer. However, it struggled to resonate with users due to a cumbersome interface and a lack of necessity for 3D capabilities, leading to its deprecation in 2024. By 2021, Paint 3D was no longer preinstalled on new Windows 10 devices, and Microsoft shifted focus back to the original Paint, enhancing it with features like background removal and AI-driven tools. Despite its potential, Paint 3D failed to bridge the gap between casual users and professional 3D software, and an open-source approach could be a way to revitalize it.

AppWizard

September 14, 2026

Googlebook pre-orders finally have a date: Here’s when you can buy one

Pre-orders for Googlebooks will begin on September 21 at 9 a.m. ET. The initial lineup will include devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, featuring advanced capabilities centered around Gemini, such as Magic Pointer and AI-generated custom widgets. Googlebooks will be based on a new Android-based technology stack, moving away from ChromeOS. The integration with Android phones will allow users to launch apps and access files directly from their devices on the Googlebook.

AppWizard

September 14, 2026

Valve has ported Half-Life: Alyx to ARM, and it’s free with Steam Frame

Valve has released the Steam Frame, its first VR headset since 2019, priced at ,059, bundled with Half-Life: Alyx. The game has been ported to run natively on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3 chip, allowing it to operate without a traditional desktop PC. The Steam Frame features eye-tracking technology and foveated rendering, enhancing performance by focusing on areas where the user is looking. Valve invested a year in software development for the headset, benefiting not only Half-Life: Alyx but also other games on the platform. The Steam Frame supports various games without extensive porting and can run Windows games through translation and emulation layers. Valve has not been developing new VR content since 2025, though speculation about Half-Life 3 persists.

Tech Optimizer

September 14, 2026

Top 10 Best Endpoint Encryption Software in 2026

The encryption landscape has shifted significantly, with Microsoft’s BitLocker and Apple’s FileVault becoming the primary free and integrated solutions for disk encryption. Organizations are encouraged to focus on comprehensive management capabilities rather than just acquiring encryption technology. Key management, compliance proof for auditors, and consistent policy enforcement across devices are critical. Native encryption solutions do not provide fleet-wide compliance, centralized key escrow, or advanced pre-boot authentication options. Various management models exist for different organizational needs, including options from Microsoft, Sophos, ESET, Trend Micro, Check Point, Trellix, WinMagic, Broadcom (Symantec), Dell, and Kaspersky. It is essential to ensure proper key management and recovery procedures before enforcing encryption to avoid data loss. Organizations should verify claims of compatibility and effectiveness of encryption solutions, especially regarding pre-boot authentication and cryptographic standards. Native encryption solutions are free, but management layers typically incur costs. Open-source solutions like VeraCrypt lack necessary management features, making them impractical for businesses.

AppWizard

September 14, 2026

Google opens Android beta testing for Google Drive

Google has launched a public beta program for its Google Drive app on Android, allowing users to explore pre-release versions of the application through the Google Play Store. This is the first time Google has offered beta testing for the Google Drive app on Android, enabling users to access early features and provide feedback to influence the final product.

AppWizard

September 14, 2026

Minecraft received an add-on with Transformers characters

Syclone Studios has released a new add-on for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition that integrates Transformers characters, allowing players to play as Autobots or Decepticons. The add-on features characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and Starscream, and includes multiplayer functionality for cooperative play in a "Transformers" tropical adventure map. Players can engage in battles using various blasters and explore detailed environments. Syclone Studios is also developing another add-on that will offer a multiplayer simulation experience without requiring an internet connection.