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Notchify brings macOS-style “Dynamic Island” flair to Windows 11 — and it’s surprisingly useful if you can get by the ick factor
Winsage
August 10, 2026

Notchify brings macOS-style “Dynamic Island” flair to Windows 11 — and it’s surprisingly useful if you can get by the ick factor

Notchify is an application that simulates a "fake" notch or "island" at the top of the screen on Windows PCs, displaying information such as notifications, media playback controls, weather updates, battery status, timers, and microphone indicators. It features a user-friendly interface with options to toggle between Island and Notch modes, select display monitors, and customize themes and effects. Users can combine small and large widgets for information display, and the notch remains "always on top," expanding to show details when hovered over. The app centralizes information, enhancing workflow, especially for users with large monitors. It is priced at .99 after a free trial and emphasizes updates based on user feedback. The developer engages with the community for performance improvements, reflecting the spirit of indie development.
Cancelled Quake 4 expansion gets surprise GitHub release after former XCOM 2 developer discovers it on an old hard drive: 'This essentially saved my life'
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Cancelled Quake 4 expansion gets surprise GitHub release after former XCOM 2 developer discovers it on an old hard drive: ‘This essentially saved my life’

The original Quake has unveiled an official new episode as part of its 30th anniversary at QuakeCon. Additionally, a build of the previously cancelled expansion Quake 4: Awakening has been discovered on GitHub. This expansion was under development by Ritual Entertainment but was halted by Activision due to poor sales of the base game. A veteran game developer named Marshall found the expansion on a second-hand PC and shared it on GitHub, expressing that it had a significant emotional impact on him. The build includes configuration files with names of former Ritual employees, suggesting its authenticity. Gameplay footage shows new weapons and missions, indicating that the expansion was nearly complete before its cancellation. Marshall aims to preserve the project and hopes the community can help refine and eventually release it.
One day Owlcat will make an RPG that's perfect out of the box, but 3 years after launch, it's time to get disgustingly into Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader
AppWizard
August 3, 2026

One day Owlcat will make an RPG that’s perfect out of the box, but 3 years after launch, it’s time to get disgustingly into Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader

Owlcat Games is known for ambitious role-playing games, but their latest title, Rogue Trader, received a lukewarm 59% rating from PCG upon its December 2023 launch. The game features deep character building, allowing players to explore various builds after significant gameplay investment. The author initially created a powerful character build called the "Death World Pyromancer Psyker Blade Dancer Executioner," but found it less exciting than controlling the companion Abellard, who has a build called the "Navy Officer Warrior Arch Militant." Rogue Trader includes elements such as companion interactions, romance, skill development, planetary management, and trading, with a focus on turn-based combat and build crafting. The success of Rogue Trader has led to anticipation for Owlcat's upcoming game, Dark Heresy.
Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test

Microsoft is expanding the testing of its redesigned taskbar for Windows 11 to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program with the release of Beta Build 26220.9022 on July 31, 2026. This update allows selected participants to reposition the taskbar along any edge of the screen—top, left, right, or bottom—and introduces a more compact variant that reduces icon size and overall height. Users can adjust their taskbar position through the Settings menu under Personalization, and Windows will adapt associated flyouts and animations accordingly. The implementation aims to restore flexibility lost when Windows 11 was launched, where the taskbar was fixed to the bottom of the screen. However, some features remain under development, and limitations exist for alternative positions, including incomplete touch gestures and a simplified search box. The compact taskbar feature currently only supports reduced height at the top or bottom positions. Microsoft is also exploring taskbar positioning across multiple monitors but has not guaranteed different positions for each screen. The recent updates include renewed certificates for the Windows Insider Program and additional builds, with the timeline for stable release of these taskbar adjustments still uncertain.
Cheap Android TV Boxes Pose as Phones and Turn Owners’ Broadband Into Proxies
AppWizard
July 31, 2026

Cheap Android TV Boxes Pose as Phones and Turn Owners’ Broadband Into Proxies

Bitsight's investigation revealed that inexpensive Android TV boxes are being shipped with applications that can change their hardware identity, allowing them to impersonate popular smartphone brands like Samsung and Huawei. This operation, named Fuyao, is linked to Zhejiang Fengwo IoT Technology Co., Ltd., a Chinese company established in 2019. The H96MAXV11 model was frequently reported among the affected devices. In one day, the operation received 65,957 reports from about 38,000 unique MAC addresses, with many devices misidentified as phones due to spoofed identifiers. Fengwo has also promoted over 120,000 "AI digital humans," though details on this marketing term are vague. The command-and-control server for Fuyao sends phone profiles to devices, masking their actual hardware specifications. The operation uses machine vision technology and a YOLOv8s object-detection model to identify advertisements. Bitsight documented 40 fraud tasks, 21 unique campaigns, and 166 modules across four devices. The operation's payout structure involves 144 operator-owned domains, with an estimated gross return of .25 per device daily, potentially leading to annual revenues in the millions. Attribution to Fengwo is supported by shared TLS certificate data and public patent records, although the patents do not directly address advertising. There is uncertainty about how the fraudulent apps were installed and at what point in the supply chain they were introduced. Device owners are advised to verify Play Protect certification and disconnect suspicious devices.
Miss Samsung Messages? This Third-Party App Recreates One UI Chat Experience
AppWizard
July 30, 2026

Miss Samsung Messages? This Third-Party App Recreates One UI Chat Experience

Samsung has phased out its Samsung Messages app in the U.S., leading users to switch to Google Messages. A new third-party app, Messages by OzarksMade, has been developed to replicate the look and feel of Samsung's original messaging tool. This app offers two modes: Standalone Mode for SMS and MMS messaging, and Companion Mode for Rich Communication Services (RCS) features, which relies on the pre-installed Google Messages app. Messages by OzarksMade is currently in open beta testing on Google Play and will be officially launched for a one-time purchase price of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Samsung has officially phased out its native Samsung Messages app in the United States, prompting long-time Galaxy users to transition to Google Messages as their default text messaging client. For those who find themselves nostalgic for the familiar interface and organization of Samsung’s original software, a new alternative has emerged to fill that void. Enter Messages by OzarksMade—a third-party application designed to replicate the look, feel, and navigation of Samsung’s retired messaging tool. How it works and the RCS catch Created by the U.S.-based developer OzarksMade, this app specifically caters to enthusiasts of One UI, incorporating classic design elements such as rounded cards, collapsible headers, conversation categories, chip filters, and a dedicated trash bin for recovering deleted texts, as reported by Android Authority. Messages by OzarksMade offers two distinct operational modes tailored to different texting needs: Standalone Mode: This basic setup allows users to send traditional SMS and MMS messages directly, without any additional software requirements. Companion Mode: For those seeking the full suite of Rich Communication Services (RCS) features—such as typing indicators, read receipts, blue bubbles, group chats, and high-resolution media sharing—the app seamlessly transitions into this mode. However, it’s important to note that Google restricts direct third-party access to its RCS backend. Consequently, Companion Mode operates by leveraging the pre-installed Google Messages app, which runs quietly in the background. The developer has indicated that this setup utilizes Google’s Jibe infrastructure, the same backend that powered Samsung Messages for seven years. As a result, users can enjoy the same reliable messaging experience while wrapped in the nostalgic One UI design. Availability, pricing, and potential hurdles Currently, Messages by OzarksMade is in an open beta testing phase available through Google Play. The developer plans to officially launch the app 14 days after its Google Group testing reaches a minimum of 12 members. Upon completion of the development phase, the app will be offered for a one-time purchase price of [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: Samsung officially retired its native Samsung Messages app in the U.S. Earlier this month, steering long-time Galaxy owners toward Google Messages as the default text client. However, for users who miss the familiar layout, colors, and organization of Samsung’s original software, a new third-party creation wants to bring that exact experience back. We’re talking about Messages by OzarksMade, an alternative, third-party app that recreates the look, feel, and navigation of Samsung‘s retired messaging tool. How it works and the RCS catch The tool was developed by U.S.-based creator OzarksMade. It explicitly targets One UI enthusiasts, copying classic layout touches like rounded cards, collapsible headers, conversation categories, chip filters, and a dedicated trash bin for recovered texts (via Android Authority). It offers two distinct operational setups depending on your texting needs. The basic Standalone Mode handles traditional SMS and MMS texting directly without extra software dependencies. Then, for full Rich Communication Services (RCS) chat features—including typing indicators, read receipts, blue bubbles, group chats, and high-resolution media sharing—the app switches to Companion Mode. Google restricts direct third-party access to its RCS backend. So, Companion Mode relies on the pre-installed Google Messages app running silently in the background. The developer notes this uses Google’s Jibe infrastructure—the same backend Samsung Messages used for seven years. This means your texts travel through identical networks while wrapped in the classic One UI design. Availability, pricing, and potential hurdles The app is currently running an open beta testing phase through Google Play. There are plans to officially launch 14 days after its Google Group testing threshold reaches 12 members. Once development finishes and the app leaves beta, OzarksMade plans to sell it for a one-time purchase price of $0.99. Scheduled updates already promise to add customizable chat themes, which are missing from the current beta build. That said, using an unofficial clone comes with obvious caveats. Handing text permissions to a new third-party developer requires caution, and copying Samsung’s interface, icon, and branding so closely could attract copyright scrutiny if Samsung decides the design steps on its intellectual property rights." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].99. Future updates are already on the horizon, promising to introduce customizable chat themes, which are not yet available in the current beta version. Nevertheless, potential users should exercise caution when considering this unofficial clone. Granting text permissions to a new third-party developer raises privacy concerns, and the close imitation of Samsung’s interface, icons, and branding could invite copyright scrutiny if Samsung perceives that the design infringes upon its intellectual property rights." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 after reaching a minimum of 12 testers. Future updates will include customizable chat themes. Users should be cautious about privacy and potential copyright issues due to the app's close imitation of Samsung's design.
The biggest flaw with the Galaxy Watch 9 has nothing to do with the watch itself
AppWizard
July 29, 2026

The biggest flaw with the Galaxy Watch 9 has nothing to do with the watch itself

Purchasing a Samsung Galaxy Watch does not grant access to all its features unless paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, despite owning a new Android device. The Samsung Health Monitor app, which includes critical health monitoring features like blood pressure, ECG, irregular heart rhythm, and sleep apnea monitoring, is only officially supported on Samsung smartphones. This app has been available since 2020 and is essential for detecting significant health indicators. Samsung's limitation on the app appears to be financially motivated, as it encourages users to buy Samsung smartphones. Other manufacturers do not impose similar restrictions, allowing their devices' full health features to work across different smartphone brands. Samsung could integrate Health Monitor features into the main Samsung Health app or make it available on the Play Store to increase accessibility, but it has not done so. Users of non-Samsung Android phones are unable to access these health features, which are critical for many individuals.
Missed Windows 11 Secure Boot? Don't panic, Microsoft is still pushing it in the coming months
Winsage
July 29, 2026

Missed Windows 11 Secure Boot? Don’t panic, Microsoft is still pushing it in the coming months

Microsoft reassured Windows 11 and Windows 10 users that their PCs will continue to boot normally and receive updates even if they have not yet received the new Secure Boot 2023 certificates. The rollout of these certificates is expected to continue over the upcoming months. The initial Secure Boot certificate expired on June 24, 2026, and Microsoft has been replacing older 2011 certificates since 2024. The latest update, KB5101650, transitioned Windows 11 to OS builds 26200.8875 and 26100.8875 for versions 25H2 and 24H2, respectively. The 2023 certificates replace older certificates with modern cryptographic standards, allowing Microsoft to deliver DBX revocation updates without interruption. Devices using the 2011 KEK can only receive DBX updates signed with that key, which is no longer valid after June 24. Microsoft has been rolling out the 2023 certificates for the past two years, and many devices remained in a yellow or red status by the June deadline. To check Secure Boot status, users can navigate to Windows Security > Device Security. A green checkmark indicates successful application of the certificates, while yellow and red alerts indicate compatibility issues or firmware incompatibility. PCs that are older or operating in Legacy BIOS mode will not receive the updates. Windows 10 also receives Secure Boot updates, but enrollment in Extended Security Updates (ESU) is required.
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