industry standard

TrendTechie
March 14, 2026
MTS, a major mobile operator in Russia, has reclassified virtual private networks (VPNs) as equivalent to torrent services, imposing a daily fee of up to 87 rubles for users who wish to engage in private browsing. Traffic routed through VPNs will no longer be included in standard service packages, leading to additional charges for accessing blocked resources or securing connections. The new tariff structure charges users based on their region and plan, with fees ranging from 80 to 87 rubles per day for a quota of five gigabytes of specialized traffic. Users can block this service to avoid charges, resulting in the complete unavailability of VPN connections. This policy is seen as a response to pressures for new monetization strategies and aligns with government efforts to limit internet circumvention. The potential for other major telecom operators to adopt similar practices could impact net neutrality in Russia.
Winsage
March 6, 2026
Microsoft is transitioning to a universal printer driver system to address issues related to legacy printer drivers in Windows. Starting with Windows 10 version 21H2, a universal printer driver compatible with Mopria standards has been integrated and is being enhanced through updates. A phased approach to legacy printer drivers will begin in January 2026, when Windows Update will stop allowing new legacy drivers for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2005. Existing drivers for older printers will continue to function. In July 2026, Windows 11 will prioritize the universal driver over legacy drivers, and by July 2027, updates for legacy drivers will be limited to security fixes. There is no set timeline for the complete discontinuation of old printers and their drivers.
Winsage
December 24, 2025
Windows 11 is set to introduce native video wallpaper support in late 2025, currently available in testing builds for Windows Insiders, supporting formats like MP4, MKV, and WebM. Users can access animated wallpapers through third-party applications, with Lively Wallpaper being a recommended free option that supports various formats and features. Wallpaper Engine is a paid alternative known for its extensive library and interactive wallpapers. VLC Media Player can also set videos as wallpapers, but it has limitations such as requiring constant operation and higher resource usage. Animated wallpapers generally consume more battery and system resources, but modern applications include features to mitigate these impacts. Users are advised to download wallpapers from trusted sources to ensure safety.
AppWizard
December 4, 2025
Helldivers 2 was initially reported to require 154GB of storage, aimed at accommodating older mechanical hard drives in PCs. However, analytics revealed that only 11% of players used HDDs, and the main cause of slowdowns was level generation rather than asset loading. In response, Arrowhead is testing a "slim" version of the game in public beta, which is 23GB, significantly reducing the storage requirement while maintaining gameplay integrity. This change allows players to install additional games, potentially fitting at least 13 indie city-builders in the space previously occupied by the original version.
AppWizard
November 21, 2025
The Epic Games Store offers exclusive titles and frequent promotions, including free games and discounts, to attract and retain users. It provides developers with an 88% revenue share, which is higher than the industry standard, and actively supports indie developers by promoting their titles. The store engages with the gaming community through forums and social media to gather feedback and improve the platform. Epic Games Store aims for future growth by investing in technology and user experience.
AppWizard
October 23, 2025
Microsoft has set a profit margin target of 30 percent for its Xbox division, which is higher than the industry standard of 17 to 22 percent. This directive has led to layoffs, project cancellations, and studio closures as the company shifts its focus to align resources with its strategic vision. An Xbox representative emphasized the need to balance creativity, innovation, and sustainability in their offerings.
AppWizard
September 25, 2025
Approximately three-quarters of U.S. adults have streamed newly released films at least once over the past year, with around 30% doing so at least once a month. About two-thirds of Americans visited a theater to watch a recently released film in the same timeframe, but only 16% attended a theater at least once a month. The average movie ticket price in the U.S. is now .17, up from .76 in 2022. Nearly half of adults under 30 reported watching a newly released film on streaming platforms at least once a month, compared to 20% who visited theaters with the same frequency. The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,182 adults from August 21-25, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
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