individuals Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

D3 Publisher’s Next Otome PC Game Is Despera Drops

D3 Publisher has announced the release of the otome visual novel Despera Drops on Steam, scheduled for May 27, 2025. The game was originally launched in Japan in 2023 and later released globally on the Nintendo Switch, with Aksys Games handling the English version for the console. The PC version is developed by Wizardsoft Corporation, with Red Entertainment responsible for the console adaptation. The story follows Mika Amamine, a college student who can perceive thoughts through touch, as she navigates a conspiracy after touching a murder victim. The PC version will feature the main storyline, seven After Stories, compatibility with keyboard and mouse or controller, Steam Cloud save support, and achievements and trading cards.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

The Android Show I/O Edition: Everything that was announced from Android 16 to Android XR

Google is unveiling key features ahead of the Google I/O event, including Material 3 Expressive (M3), which focuses on enhancing user experience through color, shape, size, motion, and containment. M3 will introduce a vibrant UI for smartphones and wearables, featuring a new "tear away" notification system and playful animations. The Pixel Watch will have animations that follow the display's curvature, and Wear OS 6 will allow users to customize color schemes and watch faces. Google's Gemini AI will be integrated into more devices, replacing Google Assistant and enhancing interactions on Wear OS, Google TV, Android Auto, and Android XR. Gemini will provide hands-free assistance for Wear OS users and facilitate natural conversations in Android Auto. It will also improve content discovery on Google TV and offer real-time planning assistance in Extended Reality devices. To combat online scams, Google is introducing privacy tools with Android 16, including enhanced warning systems in caller and Google Messages apps, AI-driven detection of fraudulent messages, and a Key Verifier program for secure end-to-end encrypted communication. Google Play Protection will implement live threat detection for malicious app changes.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google talks smarter security against fraud and theft in The Android Show

Google has announced updates to enhance security and privacy for Android users, including: - Enhanced scam protection for calls and text messages. - Updated Factory Reset protections limiting phone functionality if reset without owner consent. - Upgraded Live Threat Detection in Google Play Services to identify malicious applications. - Introduction of the Key Verifier feature for verifying identities in conversations using public encryption keys, launching this summer for Android 10 and higher. - Expansion of the Identity Check feature to more devices with the upcoming Android 16 release. - Concealment of one-time passwords on the lock screen in Android 16. - Extension of the Advanced Protection program to a broader audience. - Rollout of live threat detection capabilities in Google Play Protect for Pixel 6 and newer devices and other smartphones. - Announcement of Google I/O 2025 scheduled for May 20 at 10 am PT (1 pm ET).

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google reveals vibrant Material 3 Expressive, coming soon to a Pixel near you

Google has unveiled its new Android design refresh, Material 3 Expressive, which will debut with the Android operating system and extend across the Google app ecosystem. This design builds on the previous Material You system and features "springy" animations, brighter colors, and innovative shapes. The development was informed by user research involving over 18,000 participants, indicating that users can locate important buttons up to four times faster than with older interfaces. Future Android iterations will emphasize playful animations, a bolder color scheme, improved typography for better contrast, a wider variety of button shapes, and more legible status bar icons.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Microsoft shows us discarded Windows 11 Start menu designs – and I’m so glad they were chucked in the bin in favor of the revamp we’re getting

Microsoft is redesigning the Start menu in Windows 11, moving from a two-panel layout to a single scrollable panel based on extensive user feedback. Over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts participated in studies, expressing a desire for quicker access to applications, customization options, and maintaining the essence of the Start menu. The new design includes tailored recommendations that adapt in real-time, with users having the option to hide them. Microsoft transparently shared discarded design concepts, including a tablet-centric layout, a Windows 10-inspired version, a chaotic interface, and a simplified approach. The final redesign emphasizes simplicity and functionality, consolidating features into one panel and allowing users to customize their experience.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

I wish Ubisoft had ever made the game it promised with Assassin’s Creed 1, but instead the series just spiralled into a weird identity crisis

Ubisoft aimed to create a historical assassination simulator that emphasized careful planning and execution, allowing players to embody a master assassin targeting high-ranking individuals. The original Assassin's Creed, while memorable, fell short of this vision, devolving into repetitive missions. As the series evolved, it strayed from its core elements, introducing new systems that overshadowed the original concept. The closest realization of the initial vision was in Assassin's Creed: Unity, which allowed for intricate schemes but suffered from technical issues at launch. Currently, it seems unlikely that Ubisoft will return to the original concept, though the idea of a cunning, strategy-focused assassin game remains appealing.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

‘End of 10’ offers hope and help to Windows 10 users who can’t upgrade

- Support for Windows 10 will cease on October 14, 2025. - Microsoft is encouraging users to purchase new computers. - Linux is presented as a faster, more secure alternative to Windows. - The End of 10 campaign provides resources and support for users transitioning to Linux. - The campaign includes links to PC shops and user groups worldwide. - It offers a guide for installing Linux and lists benefits such as lower costs, no ads or data tracking, environmental friendliness, community support, and enhanced user control. - The campaign organizes events for Linux installation assistance in various countries. - The initiative is a collaboration among several individuals from different organizations. - End of 10 maintains public channels on Matrix and a mailing list, and is present on the Fediverse for outreach.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

‘Too many games let their players succeed’ says developer of notoriously tough survival RPG Kenshi, and ‘that’s mind-numbingly boring to me’

Kenshi is an open world survival RPG known for its challenging gameplay, particularly in the early stages. Players navigate a brutal world as ordinary individuals rather than legendary heroes. The game's creator, Natalie Hunt, dislikes the "chosen one" archetype and prefers stories about regular people. Kenshi 2 will be set 1,000 years before the first game, feature a map 50% larger than the original's 870 square kilometers, and introduce many new factions unique to the Kenshi universe. There is no release date for the sequel, but the original game is currently available at a 70% discount on Steam.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Another Level Reached For A MINECRAFT MOVIE As The Film Passes The $900 Million Mark

Warner Bros. Discovery’s A Minecraft Movie has surpassed the 0 million mark at the global box office and remains in the Top 3 at theaters, earning .9 million domestically and 4 million globally as of Friday. It is expected to become the second-highest-grossing video game adaptation in history, behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The film features a cast including Jason Momoa and Jack Black, directed by Jared Hess, and follows four misfits who navigate a fantastical cubic realm to return home. The screenplay was written by a team including Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer, and the film is produced by several individuals including Roy Lee and Jason Momoa. Theaters are introducing "Block Party Edition" screenings to enhance audience engagement.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

End of 10 is a campaign to move people over to Linux with Windows 10 support ending

As Windows 10 approaches its end of life, users are considering alternatives like Linux due to stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11. The End of 10 campaign supports this transition by providing resources such as direct assistance, upcoming events for hands-on help, and step-by-step installation instructions for various Linux distributions. Advantages of switching to Linux include cost-effectiveness, an ad-free experience, and enhanced customization. The recent release of Fedora 42 with KDE Plasma as the flagship edition offers a familiar interface for users transitioning from Windows.