initiative Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Get 17 PC Games For Just $12 In This Bundle Deal

Fanatical is hosting a sale featuring 17 games, all available as redeemable Steam keys, with proceeds benefiting Into Games, a non-profit supporting emerging developers in the UK. Many games are compatible with the Steam Deck. Notable titles include Worms Revolution, Call of the Wild: The Angler, Garfield Lasagna Party, and Overcooked. The featured games in the Into Games Bundle 2025 include: - Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhanced Edition (Steam Deck Playable) - Tormented Souls (Steam Deck verified) - Blood West (Steam Deck verified) - Content Warning (Steam Deck Playable) - Call of the Wild: The Angler (Steam Deck verified) - These Doomed Isles (Steam Deck verified) - Overcooked (Steam Deck verified) - Nippon Marathon (Steam Deck Playable) - Desta: The Memories Between (Steam Deck verified) - Picture Everything: Puzzle Cross Galaxy - Itty Bitty Toilet Kitty - I'll be Brave, Tomorrow - Train Valley 2 (Steam Deck Playable) - Worms Revolution (Steam Deck Playable) - Little Orpheus - Hyper Sentinel - Garfield Lasagna Party Fanatical is also offering other bundles, including the Build Your Own Supreme Collection, a Capcom bundle with classic titles, a Killer Bundle, and the Mystery Egg promotion.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows 11 is getting top-level protection against the next generation of quantum cyberattacks

Microsoft has announced new protective measures against potential quantum-powered cyber threats by rolling out post-quantum cryptography (PQC) capabilities for Windows Insiders using Canary Channel Build 27852 and higher, and for Linux users through SymCrypt-OpenSSL version 1.9.0. The newly introduced PQC algorithms, standardized by NIST, will evolve in response to emerging threats, emphasizing the need for "Crypto Agility." The updates enhance OpenSSL’s API surface for Linux developers, allowing experimentation with TLS hybrid key exchange. Experts warn that quantum computing could breach even the most robust encryption systems, highlighting the urgency for software companies to adapt their security measures.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

MLB licenses new downloadable items for use in Minecraft

Major League Baseball (MLB) has partnered with Microsoft to introduce over 40 officially licensed items for the video game Minecraft, targeting its audience of approximately 140 million monthly players. The new downloadable content includes customizable items featuring the logos of all 30 MLB clubs, such as team pennants, wearable jerseys, baseball mitt-shaped chairs, a baseball diamond rug, a functional popcorn machine, and an operable scoreboard. This initiative follows the MLB-backed Home Run Derby game, making baseball the first professional sports league to collaborate with Minecraft. An update for the game is expected this summer, coinciding with the All-Star Game festivities. MLB clubs have also engaged fans through promotional giveaways related to the recent release of “A Minecraft Movie.”

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Here’s what CarPlay users are missing – how media and streaming apps could run on Android Auto

Google is enhancing Android Auto by introducing new control options and features, including updates for Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. At the Google I/O 2025 event, Google announced plans to expand the app ecosystem, integrating video content and web browsing capabilities into Android Auto. A new feature, Spotify Jam, will allow collaborative listening sessions, and a video-to-audio feature will enable users to watch content while parked and switch to audio playback while driving. Google is also revisiting the button layout for media controls, which may lead to varying layouts across applications.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Microsoft Notepad gets an AI makeover

Microsoft is introducing an AI-powered feature called “Write” to Notepad as part of the Copilot Plus initiative, transforming it into a more interactive tool. The “Write” feature allows users to generate and refine text by right-clicking within a document to access a prompt box powered by Windows Copilot. Users can submit ideas, and the AI drafts text based on the input, offering options to accept, refine, or restart the writing process. Microsoft is also enhancing Paint with an AI sticker generator and an object selection tool, and the Snipping Tool will feature automatic cropping and resizing of screenshots. Users must sign in with a Microsoft account and use a Windows 11 system with a Copilot Plus PC to access these new features, and a credit system will meter the use of the AI tools.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows on Arm vs Intel: Which laptop platform is right for you?

The Windows laptop market has shifted towards devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, moving away from traditional Intel and AMD architectures. This initiative, known as Windows on Arm, has produced notable products like the Asus ZenBook A14 and Dell XPS 13, which are praised for their performance in AI applications and impressive battery life. These devices can run Intel-based applications through an emulation layer called Prism, which translates x86-64 code into ARM64 instructions, allowing compatibility with non-native software. While they perform well for office tasks and some creative applications, limitations exist in gaming and high-demand software due to the need for specific drivers and graphics performance. Currently, the market features three Windows on Arm processors: Snapdragon X Elite, X Plus, and X. Pricing for these laptops often exceeds ,000, making Intel and AMD options more appealing for budget-conscious consumers.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Is adding SteamOS enough to ‘fix’ the Legion Go S?

A leading tech company plans to expand its operations into emerging markets to enhance its global footprint and tap into a growing consumer base. Key factors driving this expansion include increased internet penetration and smartphone usage, a young tech-savvy population, and the competitive advantage of early market entry. The company will invest in local partnerships and talent development to tailor its offerings to each market. Industry analysts are optimistic about potential revenue and market share growth from this initiative.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Google’s most important new app may finally be getting tablet friendly (APK teardown)

Google is working on a redesigned user interface for its AI tool, Gemini, to better accommodate larger displays on tablets and foldable devices. An APK teardown suggests the new layout will include a collapsible side menu, accessible via a hamburger button, allowing users to navigate past queries without sacrificing screen space. This initiative aims to enhance user experience as foldable Android phones become more popular. The timeline for a public release of these enhancements is currently uncertain.

Winsage

May 26, 2025

Windows 11 gets quantum-hardened cryptography technology

Microsoft has integrated post-quantum cryptography (PQC) into Windows 11, starting with the Canary build 27852, to protect against quantum computer threats. The upgrade to SymCrypt, Microsoft's cryptographic library, now supports two PQC algorithms: ML-KEM and ML-DSA. This enhancement aims to improve security, performance, and compatibility across platforms. PQC is also being adopted in industry standards such as TLS, SSH, and IPSec. SymCrypt underpins various Microsoft services and operating systems, including Microsoft 365, Azure, and Windows 11. Microsoft is preparing its ecosystem for future quantum attacks, with PQC currently trialed in Windows 11 and expected to reach Linux soon. There are no specific timelines for updates to BitLocker. Recent research demonstrated a D-Wave quantum computer's ability to crack military-grade encryption, highlighting the increasing threat of quantum computing to classical cryptography.

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.