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The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State Assembly vote
AppWizard
May 31, 2026

The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State Assembly vote

The California State Assembly passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921) with a vote of 43 to 16. This bill aims to address game preservation issues, particularly following Ubisoft's decision to de-list its online racing game, The Crew, which affected many players. Stop Killing Games, an organization advocating for game preservation, has established NGOs in the EU and the US to counter lobbying efforts related to game shutdowns. The bill will now proceed to the California State Senate for further support but faces opposition from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which argues it could misallocate developers' resources.
Thick as Thieves is making changes, but not the one I think matters most
AppWizard
May 31, 2026

Thick as Thieves is making changes, but not the one I think matters most

OtherSide Entertainment, the developers of Thick as Thieves, expressed satisfaction with player engagement but acknowledged room for improvement. A second update is scheduled for release mid-next week, which will include features like key rebinding. However, the option to adjust or remove mission timers is still absent, causing concern among players. The game features solo or cooperative missions with time constraints of 30 to 45 minutes, and an eight-minute countdown begins after completing any objective. Failing to reach the exit before time runs out results in mission failure. The developers have made the mission timer visible to enhance transparency, but concerns remain about the rigidity of the game's design regarding the timer and item retrieval.
Кальяри, Формула-1H2O устроила шоу на трассе Су-Сикку: Торренте и Уайатт выиграли спринтерские гонки.
TrendTechie
May 30, 2026

Кальяри, Формула-1H2O устроила шоу на трассе Су-Сикку: Торренте и Уайатт выиграли спринтерские гонки.

The 2026 Formula 1 H2O season opened in Cagliari at Lake Su-Siccu, marking the event's return to Sardinia after a hiatus since 2004. Reigning champion Sean Torrente secured pole position in the qualifying session, followed by Rusty Wyatt and Stefan Arand. In the first sprint race, Torrente won, with Peter Morin and Bartek Marszalek finishing second and third, respectively. Comparato retired due to mechanical failure. In the second sprint race, Wyatt claimed victory, with Arand finishing third after a post-race penalty affected Trask. The next day's schedule includes a warm-up session, a demonstration of two-seater boats, a parade lap, and the Grand Prix of the Sardinia region.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
May 30, 2026

Minecraft 26.2 Pre-Release 2

Pre-Release 2 has been released, featuring an updated Data Pack version of 107.0. Bug fixes include resolving issues with tripwires triggering twice, graphics backend support for new line characters, desynchronization with sulfur cubes, adjustments to shield blocking animation speed, correct loading of large core shader files with Vulkan, enabling players to swap sulfur cubes while igniting TNT, fixing an OpenGL MultiDraw crash, addressing igloo generation freezing servers, correcting bed model display issues with the "Programmer Art" resource pack, preventing player kicks when switching beacon effects, resolving startup crashes for Mac users and systems lacking Vulkan support, and preventing crashes when creating new worlds if the saves folder is absent. Pre-Releases are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and players are advised to back up their data when testing.
007: Nightfire review (2003)
AppWizard
May 30, 2026

007: Nightfire review (2003)

007: Nightfire, reviewed in PC Gamer issue #107 (February 2003), struggles to capture the essence of the Bond franchise, with notable flaws in artificial intelligence and combat mechanics. Guards lack awareness but can detect Bond easily, leading to frustrating stealth gameplay. The damage model is inconsistent, with some weapons causing one-shot kills while others are ineffective. Boss battles lack creativity. However, the game features well-designed environments and some inventive sequences. The multiplayer component includes standard modes with recognizable Bond characters, though their execution varies. Overall, Nightfire is seen as lackluster compared to other spy games like No One Lives Forever 2, and Bond's portrayal is criticized for lacking charisma and depth.
"Stay on target": Helldivers 2 gets a big performance patch with upscaler support, but it isn't working brilliantly for everybody
AppWizard
May 30, 2026

“Stay on target”: Helldivers 2 gets a big performance patch with upscaler support, but it isn’t working brilliantly for everybody

Helldivers 2 has released a significant update that enhances performance by introducing support for advanced upscaling technologies, including FSR 3.1.5, FSR 4.0.3 for select GPUs, DLSS 4.5, and XeSS 3.0. The update also includes variable rate shading, dynamic resolution scaling, and fine-tuned performance settings for high reflection scenarios. New resolution options for advanced monitors and improved VRAM management are part of the patch. Developers at Arrowhead collaborated with Nixxes Software for these enhancements. Community reactions have been mixed, with some players expressing frustration over certain features, particularly regarding DLSS implementation and lower frame rates. However, players appreciated a fix for a glitch that prevented manual climbing of small obstacles. Arrowhead plans to introduce extended Galactic War campaigns with branching outcomes this summer.
NotebookLM is quickly becoming the podcast app I didn’t know I needed
AppWizard
May 30, 2026

NotebookLM is quickly becoming the podcast app I didn’t know I needed

Many individuals are experiencing AI fatigue, with concerns about uninspired content, job displacement, and environmental issues related to data centers. The term ‘AI slop’ reflects growing skepticism towards AI-generated media. However, the author had a positive experience with AI-generated podcasts using NotebookLM, particularly during a visit to South Korea. The podcast 'Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time' by Jiwon Yoon featured AI-generated voices, which initially caused conflict for the author but ultimately impressed them due to the accuracy derived from Jiwon’s expert notes. While the author prefers human hosts, they acknowledge that NotebookLM can outperform subpar traditional podcasts and help academics share their insights in accessible formats. NotebookLM allows for quick conversion of academic essays into podcasts, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge that might otherwise remain obscure.
Best Free Antivirus Apps That Actually Protect Your PC From Viruses and Threats
Tech Optimizer
May 30, 2026

Best Free Antivirus Apps That Actually Protect Your PC From Viruses and Threats

Antivirus applications are essential for protecting Windows systems from online threats like viruses, malware, and phishing attempts. Many users prefer dedicated antivirus software despite improvements in built-in security features. Free antivirus software offers crucial protection without a paid subscription, balancing security, performance, and user-friendliness. Key free antivirus options include: - Microsoft Defender Antivirus: Built-in, real-time scanning, and regular updates. - Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows: Strong malware detection with minimal system impact. - AVG AntiVirus Free: Provides real-time protection and phishing defense. - Avast One Basic: Combines antivirus with additional security tools. - Avira Free Security: Lightweight with antivirus and privacy tools. - Panda Antivirus: User-friendly with essential protection and malware cleanup tools. Effective antivirus solutions should offer real-time protection, automatic updates, and seamless operation without hindering system performance. Trust and usability are also important factors in choosing antivirus software. The best antivirus for a user depends on their daily activities, with basic apps suitable for light users and more advanced options for those who frequently download files. Free antivirus applications can provide adequate protection for most users, but they may lack advanced features found in paid versions. Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender are noted for their low system impact. Running multiple antivirus programs simultaneously is not recommended due to potential conflicts.
Tested: Windows 11's new Start menu lets you fully customize it, and it works surprisingly well
Winsage
May 30, 2026

Tested: Windows 11’s new Start menu lets you fully customize it, and it works surprisingly well

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8553, featuring a redesigned Start menu that addresses user complaints about customization and performance. The update introduces section-level toggles for managing the visibility of Pinned, Recent, and All sections. The Recommended section has been rebranded as Recent, allowing users to display recently accessed files and customize its visibility. Users can also disable Pinned apps and All apps, leading to a minimalist Start menu. Three size options for the Start menu are available: Automatic, Small, and Medium. The All apps section can be viewed in Grid or List format. Users can hide their name and profile picture from the Start menu. A native Start menu is in development, with plans to use native WinUI 3 frameworks for improved performance. Additionally, a new Low Latency Profile CPU boost is being rolled out to enhance responsiveness.
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