influence Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

What are the most secure messaging apps in 2025? Here’s how to keep your online communications safe

A leaked Signal group chat, referred to as Signalgate, has raised concerns about national security and the use of messaging applications for sensitive information exchange. The incident involved former U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of Atlantic, who was mistakenly added to the chat meant for national security leaders discussing military operations. This breach has prompted discussions about the security protocols of digital communication tools used by government officials.

Tech Optimizer

May 27, 2025

Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender: Compare Antivirus Software

eSecurity Planet maintains editorial independence in content and product recommendations, ensuring financial gain from partner links does not influence information integrity. Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender are prominent small business security providers. Microsoft Defender is ideal for larger SMBs, starting at .00 per user per month, while Bitdefender is suited for startups with over 10 employees, starting at .33 per user per month. Microsoft Defender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.7/5 - Pricing: 4.4/5 - Features: 3.4/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.8/5 - Customer Support: 3.7/5 - Features include next-gen antivirus, vulnerability management, and EDR. Bitdefender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.4/5 - Pricing: 3.8/5 - Features: 3/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.4/5 - Customer Support: 4/5 - Features include identity protection, a VPN, and a password manager. Pricing Comparison: - Microsoft Defender: Free Trial: 90 days; Least Expensive Plan: .00/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: .50/user/month; Most Expensive Plan: .00/user/month. - Bitdefender: 30-day money-back guarantee; Least Expensive Plan: .33/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: Not specified; Most Expensive Plan: Not specified. Feature Comparison: - Microsoft Defender offers robust endpoint protection but lacks clarity on web browsing protection and ad-blocking. - Bitdefender offers identity exposure protection, a VPN, and a password manager but also lacks web browsing and ad-blocking features. Ease of Use and Administration: - Microsoft Defender supports macOS, Windows, and Linux Server; Bitdefender supports macOS and Windows but lacks Linux support. Customer Support Comparison: - Microsoft provides phone and live chat support; Bitdefender offers email and chat support, with limited phone support for small business users. Alternative Solutions include Norton, McAfee, and Trend Micro, each offering different features and pricing structures. Evaluation Methodology focused on pricing, features, ease of use, and customer support, with Microsoft winning in pricing, features, and ease of use, while Bitdefender excelled in customer support.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

Google Home kicks off a Gemini-backed ‘Voice Assistant’ test for Android

Google Home's app on Android is rolling out a Public Preview test called "Voice Assistant," which allows users to control access to the experimental AI feature, Gemini, on their smart home devices. Gemini was first tested on Nest devices last December and is now being integrated into Google Home with improved AI-generated automations and new features. The "Voice Assistant" experiment enables users to manage how household members can access Assistant experiments, but requires "Voice Match" setup for access. Gemini enhances the Assistant's capabilities by providing more comprehensive answers and allowing follow-up questions. At the I/O 2025 event, Google announced additional features for Google Home, including a "Home Summary" widget for Pixel devices and improvements to the "help me create" feature for automation.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

SHADE Protocol Announced For PC Release In 2026

Little Legendary is developing a 2D cyber-fantasy Metroidvania game titled SHADE Protocol, set to launch on PC in 2026. Players will control Zura, a Replica with the ability to rewrite reality, in a world affected by Elythium, a sentient metal. The game features two modes, DAWN and SHADE, allowing for adaptable combat styles. Players will use musical weapons called Instruments, which have unique capabilities for combat and exploration. The UNISON System enables players to manipulate events and influence outcomes, while a dynamic combat system allows for precision melee combat and the restoration of Echo through parries and counters. The initial trailer highlights the game's artistic style and mechanics.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

‘They’re very determined, suddenly, to see your game fail’: Former Dragon Age writer calls out ‘anti-fans’ who bet on games failing before launch

Former BioWare writer David Gaider discussed the concept of "anti-fans," referring to players and content creators who focus on negative aspects of games, leading to campaigns of negativity before a game's release. This behavior is observed in a vocal minority that critiques upcoming titles, such as Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Assassin's Creed Shadows. The influence of these "anti-fans" extends beyond individual games, affecting the industry, as seen with the genre shift of Marathon and criticisms directed at Bungie. Gaider notes that this group seems to take pleasure in the potential financial failure of projects, which he describes as mean-spirited.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Minecraft Is Getting A D&D-Style Tabletop RPG – Preorder The Adventure Book

Minecraft is expanding into tabletop gaming with the release of "Minecraft: Roll for Adventure - The Temple of the Charged Creeper" on July 8. The gamebook, priced with a 20% preorder discount, features a 224-page adventure where players track down Illagers in the Overworld. It includes rules, a bestiary, a removable character sheet, and four dice. The author, Matt Forbeck, has experience with titles like Dungeons & Dragons and Halo. The game is recommended for ages 10 and up. Additionally, a Junior edition of "Minecraft: Builders and Biomes" will be released on August 1 for players aged 5 and up. Other Minecraft-themed games include "Portal Dash," the Mattel Minecraft Card Game, and the Minecraft Explorers card game. Various Minecraft book box sets, graphic novels, and novels are also available, including "The Island" by Max Brooks. Upcoming releases include "A Minecraft Movie: From Block to Big Screen" and the "Minecraft Official Blocks Guide," with the film adaptation set to release on June 24 in multiple formats.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Vietnam orders ban on popular messaging app Telegram

Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology has accused the messaging app Telegram of not cooperating in addressing criminal activities conducted by its users. The ministry has instructed internet service providers to restrict Telegram's operations in the country, citing that nearly 70 percent of the 9,600 channels on the app disseminate harmful information and engage in illegal activities such as selling user data and drug trafficking. A Telegram representative stated the company has been timely in addressing legal requests from Vietnam and is processing a recent request. Despite the government's actions, Telegram was still accessible in Vietnam as of Friday. In Vietnam, approximately 11.8 million users use Telegram, while the app has nearly one billion users globally.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

This ‘stealthvania’ is like if Prince of Persia never gave up on 2D and narrated your every move

The gaming landscape shows a lack of sequels for retro side scrollers and stealth games, with titles like Mark of the Ninja 2 and a reimagined Splinter Cell missing. The Assassin's Creed series, influenced by Prince of Persia, combines stealth and platforming. The recent release of The Siege and the Sandfox on Steam has received "Mostly Positive" reviews, blending stealth and platforming in intricately designed levels, appealing to both stealth and platforming fans.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Pixel Phones Get a Taste of Material 3 Expressive in Android 16 Beta

Google I/O 2025 has concluded, and the Android 16 QPR1 Beta has been launched, introducing the Material 3 Expressive design language. This update is the first Quarterly Platform Release following the stable Android 16 Beta program and is primarily aimed at developers and testers. It enhances user experience with a fresh visual design, which will also extend to Wear OS 6. Key features of the update include a redesigned user interface with increased space for widgets and apps, new system icons in the status bar, a colorful quick settings panel, expanded customization options, and enhanced controls for home and lock screens. The beta is available for various Pixel devices, including Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series, as well as Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

A delayed review, a controversial GOTY pick, and Big Geralt: PC Gamer’s strange 10-year relationship with The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, marking its evolution from a niche title to a significant influence in modern fantasy storytelling, partly due to the Netflix adaptation. Upon release, it received a score of 92% from PC Gamer and was recognized as a top title in 2016, despite not winning the Game of the Year award in 2015. The game faced distribution challenges, with console versions prioritized over PC, leading to delays in review copies. The community has embraced various memes, including the "tub scene" and "Big Geralt," contributing to the game's cultural impact. The ongoing conversation about its legacy and anticipation for a sequel keeps the franchise relevant.