impact

Winsage
June 14, 2025
This week's episode of the Windows Central Podcast features hosts Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden discussing significant developments in Windows and Xbox, including the newly announced Xbox Ally, which will change gaming on handheld Windows devices. They also talk about Apple's WWDC announcements, particularly Liquid Glass, which they believe may not match the Aero Glass aesthetic from Windows Vista. Additionally, the podcast addresses updates to iPadOS and concerns about how these enhancements could impact the market for low- and mid-range Windows PCs.
AppWizard
June 14, 2025
Meta Platforms is rolling out direct messaging on its Threads app, starting in select markets like Hong Kong and Thailand, to boost user engagement. The feature will not be encrypted initially. Threads, launched in 2023, has over 350 million monthly active users but is not expected to significantly drive revenue growth by 2025. eMarketer projects a 17.5 percent increase in U.S. monthly active users for Threads, reaching 60.5 million, while X is expected to decline by 14.4 percent to about 50 million users.
AppWizard
June 13, 2025
Google has announced it will phase out Android Instant Apps by December 2025. Launched in 2017, Instant Apps allowed users to access parts of applications without full installation but struggled with developer adoption due to technical limitations and a maximum size constraint of 15MB. Participation was limited, with few developers like Vimeo and Wish adopting the feature. The shutdown was revealed in the latest Android Studio canary build, which indicated that all Google Play Instant APIs and publishing capabilities will be discontinued by the end of the year. There has been minimal investment in Instant Apps over recent years, leading to a decline in user interest and signaling the feature's end. Google is expected to focus on enhancing web-based app discovery and developing alternatives similar to Play Store App Clips.
Tech Optimizer
June 13, 2025
Microsoft attributed a recent global outage affecting various digital infrastructures to a "CrowdStrike update," which disrupted multiple applications including OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook, PowerBI, Microsoft Teams, and others. Users experienced issues such as synchronization failures and access difficulties. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in supply chains that organizations rely on for managing sensitive data, which can be targeted by cyber threats. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a feature within Microsoft Purview designed to protect sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure. DLP policies can monitor user activity and take protective actions like alerting users about inappropriate sharing, blocking sharing attempts, or relocating data to secure locations. DLP can be applied across various platforms, including Office 365 applications and Windows endpoints. The DLP lifecycle includes planning and deployment phases, where organizations assess data to be monitored and ensure policies do not disrupt workflows. Monitoring and reporting tools provide insights into policy matches and incidents, helping organizations refine their DLP efforts. However, DLP has limitations, including false positives, user resistance, and challenges in detecting data leakages through new communication channels.
Winsage
June 13, 2025
Apple announced a visual redesign called Liquid Glass, set to debut with macOS 26 Tahoe. This design features transparency effects in context and dropdown menus, system controls, and the Control Center, where elements exhibit a glass-like quality. The dock allows icons to have varying translucency, with options for classic, dark, clear, or tinted versions. However, some inconsistencies exist in the beta version, such as tinted icons lacking transparency. The glass effects are present in many of Apple's apps, with navigation panes on a glass-like surface and floating menu buttons that are translucent. In comparison, Windows Vista's Aero Glass was noted for its impactful use of transparency in title bars and window borders, creating a sense of depth and enhancing user experience. Although Apple's Liquid Glass is meticulously designed, it may come across as too subtle compared to the more pronounced Aero Glass effects. The impressions of macOS 26 Tahoe are based on the initial developer beta, and improvements are expected before its public release later this fall.
AppWizard
June 12, 2025
Google's Android Instant Apps feature will be discontinued by December 2025 due to limited adoption among developers. Launched in 2016, it allowed users to access parts of mobile applications without full installation. However, developers faced challenges in creating lightweight app versions, leading to its limited implementation. A notice in the latest canary build of Android Studio confirmed that support for Instant Apps will be removed, with all related Google Play Instant APIs ceasing to function. Further details are expected to be released soon. The impact on users is anticipated to be minimal.
AppWizard
June 12, 2025
Finnish live-streaming platform Noice is set to close, as announced by CEO Tuomas Rinta in a LinkedIn post. The decision follows difficulties in attracting additional investment despite a successful fundraising effort in 2023. Rinta noted that the team had been aware of the challenging fundraising environment and had hoped for a better outcome. He acknowledged the emotional impact of the closure on employees and expressed a desire for them to eventually take pride in their accomplishments.
Winsage
June 12, 2025
A critical security vulnerability, designated as CVE-2025-33067, has been identified in the Windows Task Scheduler, allowing attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access without prior administrative rights. This vulnerability is rated as "Important" with a CVSS score of 8.4 and is due to improper privilege management within the Windows Kernel’s task scheduling component. It affects multiple Windows versions, including Windows 10 (Versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2), Windows 11 (22H2, 23H2, 24H2), and Windows Server 2016-2025. Microsoft released security updates on June 10, 2025, to address this flaw across 27 different Windows configurations. The vulnerability requires local system access, no prior privileges, and no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous. Security researcher Alexander Pudwill discovered and disclosed the vulnerability.
AppWizard
June 12, 2025
MindsEye, created by a co-founder of the Grand Theft Auto series, has received mostly negative reviews on Steam, with criticisms highlighting a lack of charm. Build a Rocket Boy co-CEO Mark Gerhard suggested that the negative feedback may be due to a conspiracy involving paid bots, while Hakan Abrak, another key figure at the studio, dismissed these claims and emphasized that the game should speak for itself. The game's showcase at the Summer Games Fest failed to captivate audiences, evoking nostalgia for past titles rather than presenting innovation. The studio's other project, Everywhere, is seen as having potential, but the negative reception of MindsEye could impact future endeavors.
AppWizard
June 12, 2025
Fable was absent from the Summer Game Fest, leaving fans concerned about its progress. Everwild, announced in 2019, remains mysterious with rumors of a complete overhaul. Details about Blade are scarce, raising questions about its future. Kingdom Hearts 4 has been quiet since its announcement, with only scattered screenshots available. Marathon's absence from the showcase raises concerns about its development and market readiness. The Splinter Cell Remake has shifted focus to a TV adaptation, with development setbacks causing frustration among fans. Beyond Good & Evil 2 has the longest development time in gaming history, with ongoing uncertainty about its release. Hollow Knight: Silksong has experienced delays, with fans awaiting more substantial updates despite a brief gameplay glimpse.
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