landscape Archives

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Monday’s Android app deals and freebies: Slime, CHUCHEL, Toziuha Night, House of Da Vinci, more

Google Play is offering a variety of mobile app deals, including standout titles such as Friend of a Slime: Survivors, CHUCHEL, Toziuha Night: OotA, The House of Da Vinci 2, Death Road to Canada, Mutropolis, Lumino City, LUNA The Shadow Dust, and The Longing. Additionally, consumers can receive a FREE [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile applications, today's offerings from Google Play present an enticing array of deals that cater to a variety of interests. Among the standout titles are Friend of a Slime: Survivors, CHUCHEL, Toziuha Night: OotA, The House of Da Vinci 2, Death Road to Canada, Mutropolis, Lumino City, LUNA The Shadow Dust, and The Longing. Each of these games promises to deliver unique experiences, inviting users to explore new worlds and challenges. In addition to these app deals, consumers have the opportunity to snag a FREE 0 Amazon gift card with the purchase of a Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+. This promotion coincides with the ongoing LG Deal Days sale, which boasts discounts of up to ,200 on the latest mini LED and OLED TVs. Furthermore, a selection of enticing deals from the recent Nothing Prime Day event remains available, with prices starting as low as . Today’s highlight Google Play deals: Friend of a Slime: Survivors - A whimsical adventure awaits. CHUCHEL - A quirky puzzle game filled with humor. Toziuha Night: OotA - Immerse yourself in a captivating narrative. The House of Da Vinci 2 - A mind-bending escape room experience. Death Road to Canada - Navigate through a zombie apocalypse. Mutropolis - An intriguing blend of exploration and puzzles. Lumino City - A visually stunning adventure. LUNA The Shadow Dust - A beautifully crafted story-driven game. The Longing - A unique take on time and exploration. As the digital marketplace continues to thrive, these offerings not only enhance the user experience but also reflect the dynamic nature of app development and consumer engagement. With such a diverse selection of games and enticing promotions, today’s deals are poised to capture the attention of both casual gamers and tech enthusiasts alike." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] Amazon gift card with the purchase of a Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+. There is also an ongoing LG Deal Days sale with discounts of up to 0 on mini LED and OLED TVs, and deals from the recent Nothing Prime Day event are still available.

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Samsung phones finally support Googlebook cross-device features

Google is enhancing Googlebook for Samsung Galaxy users by introducing Better Together support for devices running One UI 9.0 based on Android 17. This update enables features such as Continue On, Cast My Apps, Quick Access, and Notification Sync. A recent update to Google Play services addresses a pairing bug that left the QR code visible after a successful connection. Galaxy owners must have the appropriate software versions, with Google Play services updated to version 26.37 or newer and Cross-device services at version 1.0.1346 or newer. Both devices need to be linked to the same Google account, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. Google recommends using a private home network for optimal pairing performance. Initial user feedback indicates positive results, with some Galaxy S26 Ultra owners successfully casting apps.

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Seamless Landing mod looks set to bring Starfield another step closer to No Man’s Sky

Starfield has introduced various mods to enhance gameplay, including Seamless Grav Jumps and Seamless Planet Takeoffs. A limitation of the game is the requirement to select a landing spot, which is followed by a loading screen and an animation, leading to the perception of spaceships as teleportation devices. Alanah Pearce noted that planets can feel superficial, appearing as mere textures. A new mod by Frederik Wessberg aims to eliminate loading screens during landings, potentially improving the immersive experience and player connection to spacecraft and environments. The modding community continues to play a significant role in evolving gaming experiences.

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Steam Week in Review: The curious case of Wonder Boy in Monster Land’s dubious PC debut

Wonder Boy in Monster Land, originally released in Japanese arcades in 1987 and later on the Sega Master System, has been listed on Steam by Retro Maniac, a developer with a limited portfolio. The title is misspelled as "Wonderboy," raising concerns about the legitimacy of the release. The ownership of the Wonder Boy franchise is split between LAT Corp, which holds the intellectual property rights, and Sega, which retains the trademark. This dual ownership complicates any re-release under the Wonder Boy name, as seen with previous titles that successfully navigated licensing agreements. The original arcade version was released as Adventure Island in the U.S., leading to confusion about the game's lineage. Concerns about the Retro Maniac port were raised by the Wonder Boy Universe fan account and composer Shinichi Sakamoto, who noted it is not available in Japan and may be unauthorized. The port appears to be a ROM running within the MAME arcade emulator. The listing is reportedly facing a DMCA takedown process initiated by Sega or LAT Corp.

Winsage

October 12, 2026

$199 worth of Windows 11 Pro is yours for $14.99, forever

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .99, down from its MSRP of 9. This lifetime license includes advanced features not found in Windows 11 Home, such as BitLocker for drive encryption, Hyper-V for virtualization, and Windows Sandbox for running isolated applications. Additional features include Snap layouts for multitasking, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, and biometric login supported by TPM 2.0. The purchase covers a single PC for life with no ongoing subscription fees.

Winsage

October 11, 2026

Windows 11 hides a Windows 7 folder that beats the Settings app, and I use it every day

The "God Mode" folder in Windows is a hidden feature that provides a streamlined solution to navigating settings by offering an organized index within a single folder. Users can create this folder by right-clicking on the desktop, creating a new folder, and renaming it to "GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}". This transforms the folder icon to resemble the Control Panel, allowing quick access to various settings. The folder can be pinned to the Start menu or Quick Access for easier accessibility. It serves as a useful tool for users who frequently adjust settings, making tasks like managing USB settings or adjusting processor state limits more efficient.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

What’s the difference between Android Automotive and Google Built-In?

Car manufacturers are moving away from phone mirroring applications like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to adopt native infotainment systems, supported by Google's Android Automotive and Google Built-in software. General Motors (GM) has chosen Google Built-in since 2023, abandoning Android Auto. Google Built-in allows access to applications like Google Maps and the Google Play Store, and is used by sixteen automotive brands including Honda, Volvo, Chevy, Nissan, Ford, BYD, and Renault. Android Automotive is a customizable software solution for managing vehicle functions, while Google Built-in consists of licensed applications. Google is integrating advanced AI features, such as the Gemini chatbot, into its infotainment systems, enhancing capabilities like real-time traffic updates and voice-activated assistance. GM is also developing a proprietary AI assistant alongside integrating Gemini.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Two Steam games generated $560,000 across 135,000 sales in five years, but the co-creator only took home $15,000 annually, leaving him driving a 2012 Mazda — high Chinese refund rates, Steam’s 30% fee, and publisher cuts eat most of the profit

Omer Develioğlu, co-founder of Northend Games, reported that his indie titles, Northend Tower Defense and Deepstone Rift (Early Access), generated a gross income of 0,000 from approximately 135,000 units sold on Steam over five years. After expenses and revenue sharing, he and his co-founder received only ,000 to split, resulting in an annual income of about ,000 each. A significant portion of their sales, around 53.3%, came from China. Steam charges a standard fee of 30% on sales, which deducted ,000 from their earnings. Additionally, U.S. withholding taxes reduced their total earnings further, leaving them with ,300.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

The developer of an AI-powered driving instruction simulator is spending $1,000 per month just to keep its demo running

Artificial intelligence, particularly through large language models (LLMs), is expected to significantly impact the gaming industry by enhancing non-player characters (NPCs). However, practical implementation has been limited, with few titles like Where Winds Meet exploring this technology. A case study from the developers of Teach My Little Sister How To Drive highlights the financial challenges of integrating LLMs, as daily operational costs have exceeded ,000 due to high player interactions. The developers, Easy Fox, have taken out a bank loan to sustain the demo but are uncertain about its long-term viability. They are considering alternatives like local AI models for players with powerful GPUs, though this would limit accessibility. The game’s reliance on a premium LLM raises questions about its necessity, especially given existing design challenges such as artificial dialogue and misinterpreted commands. The full release of the game is scheduled for January next year.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Squadron 42 has a Steam page

Game director Chris Roberts announced that Squadron 42, the single-player component of Star Citizen, will be released in Q2 2027 to avoid clashing with Grand Theft Auto 6. A dedicated Steam page for Squadron 42 has been created, listing the game’s system requirements and indicating an install size of 150GB. The game does not reference modern features like ray tracing or DirectX 12. High-profile actors Gillian Anderson and Henry Cavill will appear in cutscenes.