insights Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

‘People hate it. It’s very annoying. It’s like a boss in Dark Souls’: Quarantine Zone’s biggest source of negative feedback is that damn supply cart

The demo for the zombie apocalypse management simulation, Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, launched in May and received extensive player feedback through a survey. Devolver Digital will publish the game in November. A new demo will be released in October as part of the Steam Next Fest to further engage players and refine gameplay based on user insights.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Google is fixing Meet’s messy invitations on Android (APK teardown)

Google is enhancing its Meet app for Android by simplifying the process of adding participants to calls. Users will soon be able to invite contacts by entering their email addresses or phone numbers, similar to the web version. The latest version of Google Meet includes an “Add others” button that opens a contacts page for inviting new participants. The ongoing call minimizes to a picture-in-picture view, and invited participants receive a standard incoming call notification. If they decline or do not answer, the label changes to “No answer,” and a button may allow existing participants to leave a video message together.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Malicious Android Apps Mimic as Popular Indian Banking Apps Steal Login Credentials

Attackers are exploiting India's reliance on digital financial services by distributing counterfeit Android applications resembling those of public and private banks. This campaign, detected on April 3, 2025, employs methods like smishing texts, QR codes, and search-engine manipulation to trick users into sideloading malicious software. Within 48 hours of discovery, over 7,000 devices attempted to connect to a specific Firebase Cloud Messaging endpoint. The malware uses permissions to bypass security measures, capture one-time passwords, and gain insights into installed applications for overlay attacks. It collects sensitive information such as phone numbers and CVVs, which are uploaded to a private database. The malware also enables call forwarding to the attacker's number and maintains persistence through various tactics. The infection mechanism involves a dropper that installs a secondary APK silently, evading detection by not displaying a launcher icon. Security experts recommend enhanced phishing detection and real-time sandbox analysis to combat these threats.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

You DO see Win 11 as an AI PC opportunity, say Dell, Intel

Dell and Intel are promoting the upgrade of PC fleets from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as a strategic opportunity for businesses to prepare for artificial intelligence (AI). Their "Windows 11 & AI PC Readiness Report" suggests that this is an ideal time for organizations to improve productivity, collaboration, and security with AI-ready PCs. A survey indicated that 80 percent of UK businesses plan to transition to Windows 11 by October 14, when support for Windows 10 ends. However, there are concerns about software and hardware compatibility, as well as the high costs associated with AI PCs, which may deter buyers. The report shows that 62 percent of IT decision-makers prefer Copilot+ AI PCs, while 64 percent believe it is critical to acquire new PCs capable of running AI applications. Despite claims of enhanced productivity with AI PCs, a study found that employees using such systems were less productive than those with traditional hardware.

Tech Optimizer

July 25, 2025

Best antivirus software for Windows in 2025

Microsoft Defender is the most suitable free antivirus solution for most users, integrated into Windows 10 and 11 by default. It requires no additional effort from users, making it a convenient choice for everyday protection. For paid antivirus options, Bitdefender Total Security is priced from .99 or £49.99 annually for up to five devices, offering extensive features including malware detection, a VPN, and parental controls. Avast One starts at .88 or £32.49 per year for three devices and has a high malware detection rate, along with a built-in firewall and VPN functionality. F-Secure Total begins at .99 or £59.99 per year for one device, providing network protection at the router level and alerting users about compromised services.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ surprise PC performance problems call for emergency settings treatment

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has received 'Mostly Negative' reviews on Steam due to performance issues on PC, despite its modest system requirements. Players report stuttering and slow frame rates, particularly with DLSS 4 frame generation. Testing shows that a 6GB GTX 1060 averages 44fps at 1080p on Low settings, while Intel’s Arc A750 achieves 51fps on High. Performance improves significantly on lower presets, with the RTX 4060 averaging 64fps on High and 124fps on Low. Key demanding settings include Shadow quality, Vegetation quality, and Global Illumination, which can be adjusted for better performance. Switching from TSR to DLSS is recommended for compatible GPUs, improving visual quality despite a slight performance hit. Frame generation issues occur during ambient dialogue, causing frame rate drops. Players are advised to adjust settings thoughtfully to enhance their experience.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Creeper thumbsticks appear as part of a KontrolFreek and Minecraft collab

KontrolFreek announced a partnership with Minecraft on July 24, 2025, introducing the Minecraft Creeper Edition Performance Thumbsticks and No-Slip Thumb Grips for next-gen consoles, including the Nintendo Switch 2. The thumbsticks are designed for enhanced comfort, precision, and grip, featuring a mid-rise left stick and right stick for improved control and accuracy. The thumb grips are tailored for ergonomic performance and are compatible with various consoles, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The products are available for purchase at KontrolFreek.com and select retailers, with pricing set at .99 in the US for the thumbsticks and .99 for the thumb grips.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

OperaGX is a browser built for PC gamers, and these 5 features prove it

Opera GX is a web browser designed specifically for PC gamers, featuring several tools to enhance performance and user experience. 1. GX Control allows users to limit RAM and CPU usage to prevent system slowdowns during gaming. 2. GX Corner serves as a hub for gaming news, free games, and release dates, providing a curated list and calendar without advertisements. 3. Integration of services like Twitch and Discord into the sidebar enables seamless communication while gaming. 4. The Hot Tabs Killer feature identifies and allows users to close resource-heavy tabs to maintain performance. 5. Users can customize the browser with various themes, background music, sound effects, and wallpapers to create a personalized experience.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Someone rebuilt Windows XP in the browser for pure nostalgia

Microsoft's Windows XP, launched in 2001, has a lifespan of over 17 years and has inspired a developer to create a web-based simulation called Win32.run. This project recreates a fictional instance of Windows XP using web technologies, allowing users to explore a simulated file system and interact with embedded programs. The developer originally created the simulation as a tribute to the operating system from his childhood, using the Svelte framework, SvelteKit, and Tailwind CSS. However, the project was halted due to significant breaking changes in SvelteKit that made the codebase difficult for other developers to understand. The simulation operates on a client-side architecture, enabling users to run it locally in their browsers. There are also ongoing efforts to transform various editions of Windows into web applications, with projects ranging from simple browser-based simulations to more complex emulation tools. For a more immersive experience, users can run legacy operating systems like Windows XP in dedicated virtual machines using modern desktop hypervisors such as VMware Workstation.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Xbox Game Pass RPG Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Is Off To An Incredible Start On PC

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has launched on Xbox Game Pass and has seen over 120,000 concurrent players on Steam shortly after its release. The game has received over 7,000 reviews on Steam, resulting in a 'Mostly Negative' rating due to performance issues reported by players. There is optimism that the console version will perform better and that Xbox Game Pass will help expand the game's audience.