insights Archives

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

In this week's roundup of applications for Windows 10 and 11, it is noted that consumer support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, but users can purchase a year of extended support and receive three years of security updates for Microsoft 365 apps. New applications highlighted include: - DiskCopy: Free disk and partition cloning software for backing up partitions or entire disks, facilitating data migration. - IrfanView: An image viewer that now includes batch file multithreading and new hotkeys in its latest version. - Registry Finder: A freeware tool for managing the Windows Registry, with improved search capabilities and usability.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Best VPN for Android 2025: NordVPN Voted Best of VPNs for Android

NordVPN has been recognized as the Best VPN for Android in 2025, continuing its commitment to trusted VPN services since launching its Android app in 2016. The user interface has been redesigned for a streamlined experience, featuring a clean, map-based home screen and easy server access. It has received praise for exceptional speed on Android devices, attributed to its NordLynx protocol, and boasts over 7,000 servers in more than 100 countries for reliable internet access. NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy to protect user privacy and includes advanced security features like Threat Protection Lite. The app is optimized for battery efficiency and offers robust customer support, including 24/7 live chat. NordVPN's competitive pricing plans and various payment methods enhance its accessibility.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Crapfixer 1.0 is here to fix Windows 11 and turn it into the operating system you deserve — download it now!

Crapfixer is a utility for Windows 11 that has been completely overhauled and reached version 1.0 two weeks ago. It helps users streamline their operating system by analyzing and providing recommendations for fixes. Users can launch the application, click Analyze, and receive a list of recommendations to implement with a click on Run CFixer. It also offers a manual exploration option with features like hiding Copilot, disabling telemetry, and removing ads. The new version includes the ability to analyze logs online and an AI feature to remove "Ask Copilot" from the context menu. Crapfixer 1.0 is available for download on GitHub.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Two Warhammer 40,000 games will be delisted from Steam on Monday, and one of them is currently on a 90% discount

UK-based publisher Slitherine Software announced that Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon and Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach will be delisted from Steam on May 19. The games and their downloadable content will no longer be available for purchase on these platforms, but players who already own them can still download and play. Armageddon features 2D, top-down gameplay, while Sanctus Reach offers 3D, grid-based battlefields. Both titles have a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, with Armageddon having nearly 900 reviews and Sanctus Reach over 1,100. In a PC Gamer ranking, Sanctus Reach was placed 36 out of 51, while Armageddon ranked 17. Currently, Armageddon and its DLCs are available at a 90% discount on Steam, with the base game priced at £3.35 and the total including all DLCs at £8.43.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Google backs down after locking out Nextcloud Files app

Google has reinstated the permissions previously revoked from Nextcloud's Files app for Android, allowing the app to restore its full file syncing capabilities. Andy Schertzinger, Director of Engineering at Nextcloud, confirmed this decision, which follows a period of challenges after Google revoked the app's "All files access" permission in late 2024. This permission is crucial for file synchronization applications. Nextcloud had faced difficulties in the Play Store due to this revocation, and despite attempts to communicate with Google, there was no response until the recent restoration of permissions.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

News Weekly: Android Show’s I/O edition, Google teases smart glasses, Nothing Phone 3 is on the way, and more

Google I/O is set to begin on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, with live updates from Android Central. Google has revealed advancements including Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and enhanced safety tools. Gemini will integrate across the Android ecosystem for a hands-free AI experience. Material 3 Expressive will enhance the user interface in Android 16, focusing on five design components. Wear OS 6 will receive a visual refresh. New warning systems in Android's caller and Google Messages will combat fraud, while the Find My Device feature will evolve into Find Hub with improved tracking capabilities. Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand Max back to HBO Max this summer, marking the second rebranding in three years. Nothing's Phone 3 is set to launch this summer, priced around £800. Samsung introduced a limited-edition Galaxy Ring in South Korea, featuring a new colorway.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for May 16: Epic Games Store MEGA Sale

The Epic Games Store is offering a free copy of Dead Island 2 and discounts on titles like Alan Wake 2's Deluxe Edition, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chonobyl, and Until Dawn. The Humble Store has a Spring Sale with markdowns on games such as Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, and WWE 2K25. Steam is hosting the Creature Collector Fest featuring games like Palworld, Bugsnax, and Tinykin, along with discounted early access titles like Windblown, Enshrouded, and Timberborn. Fanatical allows gamers to build their own Bethesda Bundle with options for acquiring 2, 3, or 5 titles at varying prices. Green Man Gaming offers a 15% discount on any PC game with the coupon code MAY15. Humble Bundle invites subscriptions to Humble Choice for .99 per month, with May offerings including The Thaumaturge: Deluxe Edition and Amnesia: The Bunker. Ubisoft is providing discounts with the coupon code LEGEND, though restrictions may apply.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

Best antivirus software for Windows 2025, tried and tested

Antivirus software has been a common tool for PC users over the past two decades, with many opting for third-party solutions for enhanced protection despite Windows 11's built-in features. User behavior significantly impacts computer security, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unknown links and not reusing passwords. Antivirus packages are designed to combat threats like ransomware, spyware, and viruses. The evaluation process for antivirus applications involved testing on a Windows 11 PC with simulated virus attacks and scanning the SSD for performance metrics. The top antivirus apps for 2025 include BitDefender Total Security (£49.99), Avira Free (free), Malwarebytes Plus (£49.99), and Sophos Home Premium (£37.46).

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

The $1 Billion database bet: What Databricks’ Neon acquisition means for your AI strategy

Databricks acquired the privately held serverless PostgreSQL startup Neon for approximately billion. Neon, founded in 2022, had previously raised million in a Series B funding round. Over 80% of the databases generated on Neon's platform were initiated by AI agents. PostgreSQL, an established relational database platform, is ranked as the fourth most popular database as of 2025. Serverless PostgreSQL offers operational simplicity, allowing on-demand resource allocation, which is particularly beneficial for AI-centric projects. Major cloud providers, including Google, Microsoft, and AWS, offer serverless PostgreSQL services. Databricks aims to build a developer and AI-agent-friendly database platform with this acquisition. Serverless architectures excel in handling short bursts and smaller workloads, providing rapid scalability, but may present challenges in data management. Neon’s model enhances appeal for developers by distinguishing between storage and compute, facilitating automated scaling. The acquisition indicates a shift in infrastructure requirements for successful AI implementation, highlighting the need for flexible, instantly scalable serverless solutions.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft Surface PCs with Arm-based AMD chip could arrive in 2026

Microsoft is set to introduce a new line of Surface PCs in 2026 featuring AMD's Arm-based chip, codenamed Sound Wave. The Sound Wave chip is expected to be an APU with six CPU cores (two for performance and four for efficiency) and an integrated GPU with four compute units based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, designed for a thermal envelope of 5-10W. This suggests a strategy for low-powered Surface PCs, potentially refreshing the Surface Go or Surface Hub models. This will be the first time since the Surface Laptop 4 that Microsoft incorporates an AMD processor into its Surface lineup. Recently, Microsoft launched new models, including a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop, powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, which may outperform the upcoming AMD Sound Wave chip.