information Archives

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

iRacing and INDYCAR Announce Name, Logo and Launch Plan for Highly Anticipated Standalone INDYCAR Game

iRacing and INDYCAR are set to launch INDYCAR Racing The Game, a standalone video game for PlayStation 5, Xbox consoles, and PC via Steam, in early 2027. This game marks a return to INDYCAR gaming after over two decades and aims to provide an authentic open-wheel racing experience, featuring iconic tracks like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The game is developed by iRacing Studios, known for their expertise in motorsport simulation, and is designed to capture the excitement and realism of INDYCAR racing. Further details about features and pre-order information will be released in the coming months.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

WhatsApp Username Issue: Meta’s messenger submits reply to govt; centre weighs risks of digital fraud

Meta-owned WhatsApp has responded to the Indian government's notice concerning its proposed "username" feature, which aims to allow users to communicate without sharing phone numbers. The Indian government expressed concerns about potential risks such as online fraud and impersonation. WhatsApp requested more time to address these issues and confirmed that the feature will not launch in India until discussions are complete. The Ministry of Information Technology is currently reviewing WhatsApp's submission. Other messaging platforms, including Telegram and Signal, have also received similar notices. WhatsApp plans to implement measures to mitigate impersonation risks, such as allowing only legitimate owners to claim high-profile names and requiring users to know exact usernames to initiate contact. The platform will limit the number of new contacts an account can reach and provide information about the sender's account status when a user receives a message via a username.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

The next big addition to T-Life app sounds an awful lot like targeted advertising

T-Mobile has made the T-Life app central to its retail operations, requiring all transactions in physical stores to be conducted through it. The company plans to enhance the app with richer account profiles and interest-based preferences for personalized user experiences, including recognizing customer birthdays. There are concerns about data privacy and the potential use of enhanced data collection for marketing, especially given T-Mobile's history of data breaches. The company has been asked about data sharing and security measures. New features for T-Mobile Tuesday have been introduced, including weekly participation streaks and support for Spanish-language users. A major app update earlier this year improved loading times by 30% and allowed users to change phone numbers. T-Mobile reported record engagement with the app, with increased daily, weekly, and monthly active users.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Google is working on a new ‘memories games’ feature for Google Photos

Google Photos is working on a new feature called "Memories Games" that will create games based on the people, places, and things in your photos and memories.

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2026

Gen Digital stock holds steady as cybersecurity demand supports long term growth

Gen Digital is a publicly traded company focused on cybersecurity and digital privacy solutions, primarily targeting consumers and small businesses. The company generates revenue through recurring subscriptions for its security and identity protection services, which include antivirus software, VPN services, and identity monitoring. Gen Digital's business model relies on bundling multiple security features into comprehensive offerings, providing predictable revenue and stability in cash flows. The company emphasizes continuous updates to its services to protect against evolving cybersecurity threats. Its growth prospects are linked to trends in cybersecurity spending and the increasing adoption of subscription-based solutions. Gen Digital differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on individual devices and home networks rather than large enterprises. The company also benefits from distribution partnerships that help expand its customer base. Long-term demand for its products is driven by digitalization, cyber risks, and growing consumer awareness of privacy issues. Gen Digital's stock performance is influenced by both company-specific factors and broader market trends in technology and cybersecurity.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Study of 281 Free Android VPN Apps Finds Traffic Leaks, Unencrypted Data, and Tracking

Researchers analyzed 281 popular free VPN applications on the Google Play Store and found significant privacy and security shortcomings. The study, conducted by teams from the University of Michigan, the University of New Mexico, and IIT Delhi using a framework called MVPNalyzer, revealed that flagged apps had over 2.4 billion downloads. Key findings included: - Five apps transmitted configuration files unencrypted, allowing attackers to intercept and modify them. - 29 apps allowed user traffic to leak outside the encrypted tunnel, with 24 leaking DNS traffic and six leaking full browsing traffic. - 169 apps made no effort to disguise their traffic, making it identifiable to network operators or government censors. - 76 apps transmitted the device's Advertising ID to advertisers, and over 80% contacted known advertising and tracking servers. - Only one of 108 OpenVPN configurations adhered to recommended security practices; 89% used a single authentication method, and nearly 20% employed outdated encryption techniques. - Many apps passed through Play Store checks without adequate scrutiny, with safety labels often serving as marketing tools rather than security indicators. These findings align with previous research highlighting similar issues in popular Android VPN apps. Users are advised to be cautious when selecting VPNs, prioritizing those with recent independent security audits.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

You can’t fully disable Microsoft’s GDID Windows 11 tracker, but these settings limit what it captures

A 19-year-old named Peter Stokes was detained at Helsinki airport in April 2026 while traveling to Japan, carrying two 2TB hard drives. He was subject to an Interpol Red Notice and faced a federal complaint from U.S. prosecutors by July for his alleged involvement in the Scattered Spider hacking group, which breached a U.S. luxury jewelry retailer in May 2025, leading to a ransom demand. The Global Device Identifier (GDID), developed by Microsoft, is a persistent identifier that uniquely identifies a Windows installation on a device. It links online activities back to a single identity, which law enforcement can use to trace a device's owner. The GDID is generated when a user signs into Windows with a Microsoft Account and remains through updates but does not survive a clean reinstall. Stokes' use of the same Windows device allowed investigators to trace his activities through the GDID, which linked him to the hacking incident. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the lack of consent for GDID assignment and the potential for surveillance.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Epic Games giveaway will see you save $50 on two free games

Epic Games is offering two complimentary titles for PC users: Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon, available until July 16 at 4 PM BST. Nova Lands is a 2D open-world game focused on factory building and exploration, currently rated 89% on Steam, with an average playtime of 19 hours. Tattoo Tycoon is a simulation game where players manage a tattoo parlor, priced at .99 and holding a mixed rating of 61% on Steam. Both games can be claimed at no cost and are yours to keep indefinitely.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Windows 10 is still getting Windows 11 features, but it’s only for developers

Microsoft has confirmed that WSL Containers, which allows users to create and manage Linux containers directly from Windows, is now available on Windows 10. Users must have Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later to utilize WSL Containers. The installation process involves checking the Windows build, installing WSL, updating to the container build, confirming the version, and running a test command. WSL Containers support GPU passthrough, enabling CUDA capabilities directly from Windows 10. A text-based UI dashboard for managing WSL Containers, named lazywslc, has also been introduced.

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2026

Layered Security Essentials: Protect Your Devices from Threats

Safeguarding modern devices requires a multifaceted security strategy that includes antivirus software, VPNs, strong authentication methods, and regular system updates. Layered security combines multiple protective measures such as encryption, malware detection, and authentication controls to address diverse threats. Key elements of solid cyber hygiene include strong passwords, timely software updates, phishing awareness, and multi-factor authentication. Network protection is crucial, especially when using public Wi-Fi; users should verify the presence of encryption indicators like "HTTPS" before sharing personal information. Employing WPA3 encryption on home routers and changing default admin credentials are essential safeguards. Regular updates to operating systems and applications help close known vulnerabilities, while safe browsing habits are necessary to avoid potential threats. Antivirus software and anti-phishing tools offer real-time monitoring, and device encryption protects data in case of loss or theft. Regular backups are vital to prevent data loss from ransomware attacks or hardware failures. Phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication and passkeys provide strong defenses against credential-based attacks.