international Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

GitHub ordered to remove decentralized messaging app Bitchat in India

India's Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered GitHub to remove repositories related to Jack Dorsey's Bitchat application, citing concerns that the platform could allow users to bypass internet shutdowns and evade surveillance. The directive targets the software itself rather than specific unlawful content, referencing Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and requires compliance within three hours to avoid legal repercussions for GitHub. The repositories in question are: - github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat - github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat-android - github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat-android/releases Bitchat is a decentralized messaging app that operates over Bluetooth mesh networks, which does not require internet access and facilitates anonymous communication. The app's design includes features like end-to-end encryption and no mandatory user registration. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) claims the app could be misused for illegal activities and cites local laws as justification for the takedown. The order comes amid ongoing protests in New Delhi, where internet access has been suspended. The Internet Freedom Foundation has criticized the order as unconstitutional and has called for its retraction. It is currently unclear if GitHub will comply with the takedown request.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Master the elements in Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, out now on PC, PS5, and Switch (with surprise delay for Xbox)

Gameplay Group International, Paramount Games Studio, and Avatar Studios have released Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch for .99. The Xbox version has been postponed until September 3. The game is a 2D, 1v1 fighting game set in the Avatar universe, featuring 12 playable characters, including Aang, Sokka, Katara, Korra, and Zuko, with hand-drawn animations. It includes a single-player Story Mode, Training Mode, Lessons, Trials, Online Ranked and Casual lobbies, and local multiplayer options. The game is available in Standard and Deluxe Editions, priced at .99, with the Deluxe Edition offering additional content. A physical edition and a version for the Switch 2 are planned for later this year. The game has an E10+ rating for Fantasy Violence.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Steam Adds Handy Gifting And Wishlist Updates

Valve has updated Steam's gifting and wishlist functionalities. Users can now gift games via email without requiring the recipient to have a Steam account, provided both are in the same country, and gifts not accepted within 30 days will be refunded. For international gifting, users must be friends on Steam, and the game price will be automatically adjusted for the recipient's region. The wishlist feature has been enhanced to allow users to categorize saved games with custom names, filter by categories, and manage notifications for sales on individual categories. Additional features include generating shareable links to categories, checking for available demos, and previewing trailers by hovering over wishlist titles.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Santander customers told to check banking app as service axed

Santander will discontinue its annual paper statement detailing banking fees starting in August, requiring customers to access this information through online or mobile banking platforms. The digital-only approach replaces the physical statement that included a summary of charges such as overdraft interest and international debit card fees. Customers can still access fee information digitally, and 9.2 million customers have opted for paper-free banking. Email notifications will inform customers when new statements or documents are available, and documents can be accessed online for up to seven years.

TrendTechie

July 18, 2026

Скачать нейросеть как торрент. В США готовятся к вторжению бесплатных китайских ИИ класса Mythos

The United States is preparing for the availability of advanced Chinese neural networks for free download, which may lead to a reevaluation of U.S. regulations on open-source models. The Trump administration is discussing unified requirements for these systems with industry representatives, using advanced Chinese models as a benchmark. Chinese models, particularly those known as Mythos, are expected to be accessible within 6 to 12 months, allowing users to run, modify, and integrate them without oversight. This situation poses challenges for U.S. companies, as strict regulations could impede local innovation while failing to curb foreign technology proliferation. Additionally, technology companies are working to reduce electricity consumption in data centers, which currently account for about 1.5% of global electricity usage, with the International Energy Agency predicting a rapid increase in demand. Companies are experimenting with superconducting cables and optical connections to decrease energy consumption during data transmission, although these solutions have not yet been widely implemented.

TrendTechie

July 18, 2026

Что такое троттлинг и как понять, что провайдер намеренно замедляет ваш трафик

Throttling is the intentional limitation of speed for specific types of traffic, services, protocols, devices, or users. It can occur due to various reasons, such as exceeding data caps, prioritization of certain services, load management during peak hours, or technical policies in networks. Users may experience speed drops that are selective to specific traffic types, indicating potential throttling, while universal slowdowns suggest network overload or outages. Speed tests measure connectivity to specific servers and may not reflect actual download speeds across different paths. Signs of potential throttling include isolated speed drops, consistent slowdowns at specific times, and discrepancies between speed tests and real-world performance. Initial checks should rule out home network issues, and practical diagnostics can help identify throttling by comparing speeds across different servers, types of downloads, and times of day. If throttling is confirmed and support does not resolve the issue, exploring alternative ISPs may be necessary.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

2 months after releasing Zero Parades, Studio ZA/UM is laying off employees: ‘Its commercial performance has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size’

Studio ZA/UM announced layoffs two months after the launch of their game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, due to sales not meeting expectations. The studio issued redundancy notices affecting up to 32 employees, despite the game receiving critical acclaim. The game did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, Disco Elysium, with mixed reviews highlighting its shortcomings. Key figures from Disco Elysium had left the studio prior to the game's release, contributing to a challenging environment. Critics noted that the cultural context surrounding the game has impacted its reception, turning it into a symbol of industry practices rather than a standalone experience.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

VK and Max messenger removed from Google Play store

VK's core applications, including the VK social network and Max messenger, have been removed from the Google Play store and previously from the Apple App Store. Users searching for these apps will find them absent, and this may be linked to recent international sanctions. VK's press service stated that users who have the apps installed will not experience disruptions, and all features and security systems will remain stable. Users are encouraged to download the apps from alternative platforms, such as RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Xiaomi GetApps. Additionally, the Odnoklassniki social network application has also disappeared from the Google Play store. The European Union has imposed sanctions against VK and its subsidiary, "Kommunikatsionnaya platforma," which is linked to the removal of these applications from major tech platforms.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Hasselblad’s signature photo editing app, Phocus Mobile finally comes to Android

The Hasselblad Phocus Mobile app has been released for Android users after being exclusive to iPhones and iPads. The app integrates with Hasselblad's medium format cameras, including the X2D II 100C and X2D 100C, and offers a suite of editing tools. It supports Hasselblad's Natural Colour Solution for accurate color representation and allows image exports in various formats. The editing toolkit includes features like exposure adjustment, curves, white balance, and noise reduction. Users can connect via Wi-Fi or USB-C, and the app is available for download on the Google Play Store and Hasselblad's website.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Android will get third-party app stores, but Canadians have to wait

Google has launched the Play Catalogue Access Program, allowing third-party Android app stores to access the Play Store's app catalogue starting July 22. Apps submitted to Google will be available on these external stores, expanding developers' reach. Downloads from third-party stores will still go through Google Play, maintaining existing service fees. Third-party stores must pay an initial service fee of ,000 for a security review and an annual fee of ,000 for ongoing access. Google has also reduced its commission from 30% to 10% following a settlement with Epic Games, allowing developers to offer alternative payment options. These changes are currently limited to the U.S. market, with a global rollout expected by September 2027.