internet connection Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Ubisoft investigating data privacy complaint

Ubisoft is investigating claims from the data privacy group NOYB regarding its handling of user data, particularly in relation to the 2016 game Far Cry Primal, which allegedly transmitted significant amounts of player data to external servers, potentially violating GDPR legislation. A spokesperson stated that an internet connection is required for single-player titles to verify game legitimacy and that for offline modes, it is only needed during the initial launch to link the game to the player's account. Ubisoft emphasizes its commitment to protecting player data and providing transparency through its Privacy Center.

BetaBeacon

April 27, 2025

What is Steam: The popular gaming platform explained

Steam is a platform and app for distributing video games online that also has social media features and community message boards.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

EA’s Skate reboot is always online, and you know what that means

EA's skateboarding simulation, Skate, is set for an early access release in 2025 and will require a constant internet connection, with no option for offline play. The game is designed as a massively multiplayer online experience that evolves over time with dynamic changes and live events. Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of this always-online model, especially if EA were to discontinue server support, potentially rendering the game unplayable.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Data privacy firm files complaint against Ubisoft

The European Center for Digital Rights (NOYB) has accused Ubisoft of excessive data collection practices related to the game Far Cry Primal, which may violate GDPR regulations. Players reportedly connected to external servers 150 times within ten minutes of launching the game, including connections to Google, Amazon, and Datadog. Despite being a single-player game, it requires an internet connection for ownership verification. NOYB has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding data transmission to external servers.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Ubisoft is keeping its promise to add an offline mode to The Crew 2, and testing begins next week

Ubisoft has decided to discontinue The Crew, leading to significant backlash against always-online gaming, resulting in a class action lawsuit, new legislation in California, and a disclaimer on Steam. In response, Ubisoft pledged to avoid similar actions for The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest. Seven months later, the company announced development of an offline mode is underway, with a playtest starting on April 30. Positive feedback has been received for the offline initiative, and players are now requesting similar functionality for other titles. Ubisoft plans to roll out the offline mode for The Crew 2 by the end of 2025, with The Crew Motorfest to follow later.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

Download WampServer (free) for Windows

WampServer is a web development environment designed for Windows users, integrating MySQL, Apache, and PHP into a single package for local web application development. It simplifies the setup process, allowing novice developers to create functional development servers without affecting live websites. WampServer operates independently of an internet connection and provides a user-friendly control panel for managing server components. It supports both free-form PHP coding and content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. WampServer is free to use and compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, but not with macOS or Linux. Alternatives to WampServer include MAMP, XAMPP, and Apache HTTP Server, each offering different features and compatibility.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

5 reasons I use Windows 11 Backup over Macrium Reflect

Backups are crucial for data preservation, especially when primary machines face issues. Windows 11 provides various backup tools, including the Windows Backup app, which allows users to safeguard files, applications, and system preferences. This app can restore backups during Windows reinstallation and remembers wireless network credentials, simplifying the restoration process. It enables users to restore Microsoft Store apps with a single click and features a user-friendly interface that makes navigation easy. Windows Backup also offers data protection against ransomware through OneDrive storage. However, it cannot restore third-party apps and has limited cloud storage of 5GB on OneDrive, necessitating careful management of saved files.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Your Windows 10 PC isn’t dead yet – this OS from Google can revive it

On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach its end of life, affecting users with older PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11. ChromeOS Flex is a free operating system by Google designed to modernize older Windows PCs and Macs, offering a fast and secure alternative built on Chromium OS. It does not support standalone Windows applications but allows access to Microsoft 365 and other SaaS applications via web portals. ChromeOS Flex focuses on security with features like automatic updates and data encryption, and it has never experienced a reported ransomware attack. The minimum system requirements include an Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device, 4 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and the ability to boot from a USB drive. To install ChromeOS Flex, users must back up their files, create a USB installation drive using the Chromebook Recovery Utility, and boot from the USB drive to test compatibility before proceeding with a full installation.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Microsoft makes a major announcement that will affect more than 500 million Windows users

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, affecting nearly 750 million users. The company emphasizes the need to upgrade to Windows 11 for security and ongoing support, as no software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes will be provided for Windows 10 after this date. Users can upgrade to Windows 11 for free if they have a legitimate copy of Windows 10. The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 include a 1 GHz or faster processor with 2 or more cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM version 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, a high-definition display, and internet connectivity with a Microsoft account.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5551 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5551 (KB5055617) has been released to the Dev Channel. The Dev Channel has advanced to the 26200 series builds, and the option to switch to the Beta Channel is no longer available. This build is based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and shares features with the 26120 series in the Beta Channel. New features include enhanced Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to search for settings using phrases. Narrator now provides detailed image descriptions powered by AI for improved accessibility on Copilot+ PCs. Improvements are being rolled out for widgets, including the ability to read content directly from the MSN feed. Fixes include resolving crashes in Settings, File Explorer, and issues with app icons in the taskbar. Known issues include problems with Windows Recovery Environment and certain apps failing to launch post-update. The Dev Channel updates are based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback. Users can enable a toggle to receive updates more quickly.