journal Archives

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

The coolest in-game art is in Arthur Morgan’s journal in Red Dead Redemption 2, and no you can’t convince me otherwise

Arthur Morgan's journal in Red Dead Redemption 2 enhances the narrative depth of the protagonist's journey and serves as a relatable artifact for players. Content creator KyleKringle created a YouTube series that meticulously recreates nearly every page of Arthur's journal by hand, featuring sketches of wildlife and portraits of characters. A Reddit user, u/sheilastmaria, shared a 460-page PDF of Arthur's journal, allowing fans to create their own physical versions. The journal continues to inspire players to express their creativity through sketching and bookbinding.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Windrose Fifteen Men on a Dead Man’s Chest quest guide

Players can find the Blurry Sketch of the Island curio at a shipwreck on the east coast of the island, which marks the treasure's location on their map. The treasure is buried in the center of a circle of skeletons, indicated by a star icon, and requires a shovel to dig it up. Upon opening the chest, players will encounter four drowned level 2 enemies that must be defeated to access the chest's contents, which include experience points, silver ingots, and guineas. After securing the treasure, players can acquire their first ship and utilize fast travel between islands as they collect more curios.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus Satellite Messenger Review (Tested)

In 2018, during a thru-hike of the Continental Divide, the accidental activation of the SOS feature on an outdated Delorme GPS led to an extensive search and rescue operation in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. This incident sparked an interest in satellite communication and GPS devices. The author has since tested and reviewed various devices, ranging from personal locator beacons to advanced handheld units like the Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus. Dean Krakel is a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist with over four decades of experience, known for his work in numerous prestigious publications. He has authored three books and transitioned from the Denver Post in 2015 to undertake a 500-mile journey along the Colorado Trail, inspiring the award-winning film The Long Haul. His fine art prints are collected and exhibited in galleries, with permanent displays in the Denver Justice Center. Dean currently resides in Crested Butte, Colorado.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Everyone should get into birdwatching, and as a birdwatching devotee, here are the 4 upcoming birding games on Steam I’m keeping tabs on

Birdwatching games are emerging to engage players in birding from home, combining entertainment and education. "Flock Around" is an idle game where players create a birdwatching environment, waiting for various species to visit and collecting treasures. "Look to the Birds" is a first-person photography simulator that allows players to explore diverse biomes, capture images of birds, and document their behaviors, unlocking new areas and encountering rare species. These games aim to provide a unique introduction to birdwatching.

Winsage

February 19, 2026

From Marquette to Microsoft: This alumnus leads global communications for over a billion Microsoft devices

A representative from Marquette University visited University of Detroit Jesuit High School during Chris Morrissey’s junior year, shortly after Marquette’s men’s basketball team won the national championship in 1977. Morrissey decided to attend Marquette, influenced by friends with siblings enrolled there. He has had a diverse career, moving from the automotive sector to chemicals, and is currently the senior director of communications for Windows and devices at Microsoft. Morrissey worked the midnight shift at the downtown Hilton during college, which allowed him to complete homework and read major newspapers. His interest in technology began at Chrysler, where he embraced new PCs while others were hesitant. At Microsoft, he manages a team that handles communications for Windows device updates and features, emphasizing the global impact of their work. Recently, his team addressed a crisis involving a cybersecurity issue affecting Windows devices, focusing on customer support. Morrissey credits his Marquette education with teaching him to prioritize others in crisis situations. He has also become involved in community service in Seattle, volunteering at food banks and serving on the board of North Helpline. As a father and grandfather, he values the growth mindset he sees in his children.

Winsage

February 16, 2026

De-Enshittify an Existing Install of Windows 11 ⭐

Win11Debloat is a tool designed to enhance the Windows 11 experience by allowing users to remove unwanted elements while keeping desired features. It operates via a PowerShell script and offers a user-friendly graphical interface. Users can uninstall applications, adjust Windows 11 features, and specify whether changes apply to the current user or all users. Key functionalities include: - Uninstalling applications like Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, and various bundled apps. - Adjusting privacy settings, including disabling telemetry and targeted advertisements. - Modifying Windows Update settings to prevent automatic restarts. - Disabling Bing web search in the Start menu. To use Win11Debloat, users must follow specific instructions on GitHub, execute a script, and navigate through three main screens to make selections. The tool allows for the creation of a system restore point and offers options to apply changes to all users or just the current user. Users are advised to update apps before using Win11Debloat to prevent the Microsoft Store from reinstalling removed applications. If some apps remain after using the tool, they can be uninstalled manually. The tool's changes are reversible, and most removed apps can be reinstalled, except for the Microsoft Store app. Users are encouraged to take their time with the options available and can reapply settings if future updates from Microsoft alter their configurations.

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

Poll Reveals 2025 Favorite Android Apps And Games

Androidify won the app vote with over 40% of responses, leaving other contenders far behind. The result shows that users value delight and personality in apps over utilitarian features. In gaming, Red Dead Redemption took the top spot with around 30% of the vote, indicating a growing appetite for high-quality premium games on mobile devices. The success of Androidify and Red Dead Redemption highlights the importance of blending functional utility with personality and delivering premium-grade gaming experiences on mobile platforms.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

You voted on the best Android apps and games of 2025, and it wasn’t even close

In 2025, the best Android app, according to a poll, was Androidify, which received 40% of the votes. Other contenders included Google Journal and Banana Browser, which did not reach double digits. The best mobile game was Red Dead Redemption, garnering just under 30% of the votes, followed by Subnautica with around 14% and Persona 5: The Phantom X with approximately 11%.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Is Minecraft colonial?

In a Minecraft world, approximately 50 villagers are confined in a basement, contrasting with the idyllic town above. Players manage villagers by using fishing rods to guide them into trading halls, where they can be traded with for resources. The game, launched in 2009 by Mojang Studios, allows players to explore and build in an open-world environment. The construction of villager trading halls reflects themes of exploitation, likened to chattel slavery, as players seek enchantments through trading. Critics note that the game's mechanics mirror colonial ideologies and contemporary global supply chains. Techniques like update suppression enhance farming efficiency, suggesting a deeper layer of exploitation in gameplay. The villager trading hall serves as a processing puzzle, emphasizing the functional role of villagers rather than their individuality. The game encourages innovation and manipulation of reality within its grid-based structure, reflecting broader societal trends in technology and information.

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

Google’s AI Android Updates Spark Phone App Glitches on Pixel Devices

The phone app within Google's ecosystem has faced significant user frustration due to recent updates that disrupt essential functions like dialing and contact management. Users report issues such as the app failing to register incoming calls and cumbersome navigation following software patches. AI features introduced to enhance user experience often misfire, raising privacy concerns. The Pixel series has experienced bugs, including one that automatically declined calls. Updates to Google's search algorithm have inadvertently affected app performance, leading to instabilities. Monthly system updates prioritize new features over rigorous testing, resulting in a bloated app with sporadic functionality. Policy changes regarding data handling complicate app interactions, making simple tasks more laborious. Google's rapid release cycle has led to volatility in app performance, with security patches sometimes introducing new bugs. The integration of third-party services has created inconsistencies, and the overall Android ecosystem suffers from misalignment between updates. Users express dissatisfaction with the prioritization of aesthetics over functionality in updates. Critics argue that Google's approach mirrors past missteps, and experts recommend proactive user measures and improved developer practices to enhance app reliability.