key features Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Minecraft’s next big update is titled Chase the Skies

Minecraft's latest update, Chase the Skies, introduces several new features: - Players can fly on Ghast mounts. - A Player Locator Bar helps find fellow players. - Players can use leashes to take pets along. - Craftable saddles can be made using three leather and one iron ingot to ride Ghast mounts. - A new music disc is included. - Players can encounter challenges in the Nether, including skeletons, Endermen, and lava lakes. - A new block, dried ghast, can be found near fossil structures or obtained by bartering with piglins. - Dried ghasts can be crafted using ghast tears and a soul sand block. - Dried ghasts can be revived into ghastlings by placing them in water. - A crouch feature allows for stealth gameplay.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft imposes new rules on Windows 11 laptop makers to ensure they don’t cut corners with key features of USB-C ports

Microsoft has introduced new regulations to standardize USB-C ports on Windows 11 laptops, ensuring that all ports provide essential functionalities: display support, PC charging support, and data transfer. The updated Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) mandates that every USB-C port must adhere to a minimum standard of functionality, allowing users to connect external monitors, charge devices, and transfer data efficiently. Ports supporting USB 40Gbps will also be compatible with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals. These requirements are effective with the release of Windows 11 24H2. While the regulations establish a baseline, variations in specifications such as supported displays, power delivery capacity, and data transfer speeds may still exist and should be detailed in laptop specifications.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

8 Free Open Source Android Apps: Hidden Gems for a Better Phone

Enoch Boateng highlights eight standout open source Android apps that prioritize privacy, transparency, and functionality: 1. Mindful: A journaling app for mental well-being that supports text, voice, or photo entries, includes gratitude journaling, guided meditations, mood tracking, and security features like pin locks. 2. YTDL: A media downloader for videos and audio from over 1,000 websites, featuring batch downloads, metadata embedding, and privacy options like incognito mode. 3. ML Manager: An APK management app that allows extraction, backup, and sharing of apps, with batch extraction and integration with APK Mirror. 4. Loop Habit Tracker: A habit-building app with a forgiving scoring system, progress graphs, offline functionality, and an ad-free experience. 5. Shop Sync: A task management app for shopping lists with cloud syncing, offline access, and CSV export capabilities. 6. Snapsafe: A privacy-focused camera app that removes metadata, blurs faces, and offers customizable location tagging. 7. Booming Music: An offline music player with gapless playback, lyrics syncing, equalizer presets, and Android Auto compatibility. 8. Image Craft: An image editing toolkit that compresses, resizes, and converts images, offers batch operations, and creates password-protected archives.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

ZeniMax Workers United and Microsoft sign tentative labour agreement

ZeniMax Workers United has negotiated a tentative labor agreement with Microsoft that includes a 13.5 percent wage increase effective July 1st, job security protections against arbitrary termination, limitations on AI usage in the workplace, guarantees for quality assurance workers to receive credit for their contributions, and new minimum salary standards as outlined by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This agreement follows over two years of challenges and negotiations since the union's formation and comes after a vote to strike due to frustrations over contract delays.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

Bring your PWA closer to users with App Actions on Windows

App Actions on Windows have expanded to include Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) starting from Edge version 137. Developers can now publish their PWAs to the Microsoft Store, allowing for enhanced user interactions. App Actions enable users to access key features of an app directly from their current context, reducing distractions from switching between applications. For example, the note-taking app Goodnotes allows users to send text directly to the app without toggling windows. Developers can integrate App Actions into their Microsoft Store PWAs by defining an Action manifest, setting up a custom protocol handler, configuring the app as a share target, and packaging the app for the Microsoft Store using PWABuilder. Optionally, developers can define a PWA launch handler and test actions using the App Actions Testing Playground.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Stellar Blade demo for PC now available

Sony Interactive Entertainment, in collaboration with SHIFT UP, has released a demo for the PC version of Stellar Blade on Steam. Players control EVE, a warrior from the 7th Airborne Squad, on a mission to reclaim Earth from the Naytiba. The demo features fast-paced combat, allowing players to perform attack combos and carry over save data to the full game. EVE faces powerful creatures in a post-apocalyptic world filled with mysteries. Key features include ultrawide monitor support, enhanced graphics, unlocked framerates, 4K texture pack support, and compatibility with both controller and keyboard. Stellar Blade is available on PlayStation 5 and will launch on PC on June 11.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

Microsoft introduces new Windows backup tool for businesses

Microsoft has launched Windows Backup for Organizations, a backup solution for enterprises currently in limited public preview. It allows organizations to back up and restore user Windows settings after device resets or reimaging, aiming to reduce migration overhead, minimize user disruption, and strengthen device resilience. The tool supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems joined to Microsoft Entra. Companies must register and have an active Microsoft Intune test tenant with administrator permissions to participate in the preview. Microsoft advises organizations to enroll Windows 10 endpoints in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program if they cannot transition to Windows 11 by October 14, 2025, and has announced that home users can also opt for an additional year of security updates through the ESU program for a fee. Additionally, Microsoft introduced a new update orchestration platform to unify the updating system across Windows environments.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Samsung is rolling out its first One UI 8 beta for the Galaxy S25 series

The One UI 8 beta is now available for Galaxy S25 models in select regions, featuring enhanced AI capabilities, a tailored user experience for different device types, and proactive suggestions. It introduces improvements to the Reminder app, Quick Share, multitasking, Samsung Internet, and accessibility features. The rollout is limited to regions including Germany, Korea, the U.K., and the U.S., excluding the Galaxy S25 Edge. A stable version is expected to launch with new foldable devices this summer. Key features include multimodal capabilities, enhanced Now Bar and Now Brief features, local data processing options, and improvements to the Auracast feature. The Reminder app will consolidate tasks into a single interface, and Quick Share will receive enhancements. Additional features include improved file search, a redesign of Samsung Internet, multitasking enhancements, new Calendar features, and social health management options through Samsung Health. More features may be revealed as the beta progresses.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

The best password managers for Android of 2025: Expert tested

Safeguarding personal information like login credentials and credit card details is crucial for Android users, and a password manager is essential for generating and securely storing strong, unique passwords. Bitwarden is highlighted as the best free password manager due to its open-source nature and robust encryption, allowing unlimited credential syncing across devices. It features autofill, secure note storage, a password generator, encrypted sharing, biometric unlock, and passkey support. 1Password is recommended for its user-friendly interface and security features, offering a library of over 20 credential types, autofill capabilities, and a feature called Watchtower for security alerts. It requires a subscription after a 14-day trial. Keeper is noted for its user-friendly onboarding process and enterprise-level security, accommodating various record types and offering features like account recovery and offline access, but it may be less appealing for budget-conscious users. Proton Pass, an open-source option from the creators of Proton VPN and Proton Mail, emphasizes privacy and offers features like password health alerts and hide-my-email aliases, although it currently lacks some functionalities of more established managers. Overall, Bitwarden is the top choice for cost-effective password management, while 1Password is recognized for its user experience.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Fantasy co-op roguelite action game LORT announced for PC

Big Distraction, a new studio formed by veterans of the AAA gaming industry, has announced its first project, LORT, a cooperative roguelite action game for up to eight players set in a cursed fantasy realm. The game is scheduled for release on PC via Steam in the fourth quarter of 2025. LORT allows players to engage in battles, loot treasures, and accumulate power-ups while working together or playing solo. Key features include customizable weapons, over 100 unique power-ups, challenging bosses, and the ability to shape gameplay experiences through selected ingredients and quests. An announcement trailer and screenshots are available for viewing.