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Google brings back Android Dev Summit with Android 18 ‘powerful new graphics features’ tease
AppWizard
September 25, 2026

Google brings back Android Dev Summit with Android 18 ‘powerful new graphics features’ tease

The Android Dev Summit will take place in 2026 at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, with a satellite event in London. It will feature a keynote address from Android leadership and will be organized into four tracks: AI Experiences, Android XR, Apps Foundation, and Tools and Performance. Notable sessions include one on enhancing apps with graphics features in Jetpack Compose and Android 18. The conference will also cover themes such as app integration with advanced technologies like Gemini and the Android intelligence system. The event is scheduled for October 28-29, 2026.
Bill Gates’s 'kind lesson' that Windows developer, now a billionaire, took to Sea when he built his $500 million Yacht
Winsage
September 17, 2026

Bill Gates’s ‘kind lesson’ that Windows developer, now a billionaire, took to Sea when he built his $500 million Yacht

Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, created a custom-built superyacht named Leviathan, delivered by Oceanco. The 364-foot yacht features a glass wall etched with the names of nearly 3,000 contributors, honoring the collaborative effort behind its creation. Leviathan includes luxurious amenities like a 10-meter swimming pool and operates as a sophisticated oceanic base, equipped with a dive and scientific workstation, a laboratory, and 3D printing capabilities. The yacht also has an entertainment lounge optimized for holographic displays and a soundproof suite for music and video editing.
Why is Blizzard still announcing games years ahead of release? 'We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward'
AppWizard
September 13, 2026

Why is Blizzard still announcing games years ahead of release? ‘We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward’

Reactions to the StarCraft trailer at BlizzCon were mixed, with excitement turning to disappointment upon seeing the release date of 2030. The game will be an "open world shooter," diverging from the franchise's traditional format. Diablo 5 is announced for a 2029 release, just six years after Diablo 4. Many gamers are skeptical of long advance announcements due to frequent delays. Blizzard's leadership aims to instill confidence in their projects, emphasizing a commitment to timely releases. Despite potential layoffs at Microsoft, Blizzard has avoided significant fallout and is focused on showcasing its projects and maintaining a positive atmosphere at BlizzCon.
Excel keeps people on Windows, and a Linux distro creator wants Microsoft to end that
Winsage
September 7, 2026

Excel keeps people on Windows, and a Linux distro creator wants Microsoft to end that

Omarchy is a Linux distribution created by David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), designed for developers and creators, based on Arch Linux. DHH has challenged Microsoft to develop native Office applications for Linux, highlighting that while Microsoft 365's web version is available, Linux users only access about 90% of the functionality compared to Windows users. Microsoft’s revenue from Windows has decreased by 7% year-over-year, while Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenue has grown by 14%, and Azure by 43%. Windows now accounts for only 5% of Microsoft's total revenue, indicating a shift towards cloud services. Microsoft has launched Edge for Linux and supports tools like VS Code and PowerShell on the platform. The web version of Office lacks features found in the desktop version, affecting usability for professionals. Despite Linux's growing interest, particularly through the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), it may not be enough to prompt Microsoft to prioritize a native Office port. DHH's Omarchy aims to create a user-friendly Linux experience rather than convert Windows users.
LINE Games Opens Playtest Pre-Registration for Amazing Slot Survivor
AppWizard
September 4, 2026

LINE Games Opens Playtest Pre-Registration for Amazing Slot Survivor

Pre-registrations for the Steam playtest of Amazing Slot Survivor (A.S.S.) are open from September 9 to September 30. The game is developed by TWOMENGAMES, co-led by Hwang Gyu-min and Lee Keon-soo, and is a roguelike survival adventure with B-movie style graphics. Players will face waves of monsters and can upgrade weapons for combat. The initial demo was showcased at the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026. The full version will be released on major PC platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store, and STOVE.
Good reviews are a 'great relief,' says Blood of Dawnwalker director, as former CD Projekt coworkers line up to offer congratulations
AppWizard
September 2, 2026

Good reviews are a ‘great relief,’ says Blood of Dawnwalker director, as former CD Projekt coworkers line up to offer congratulations

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on September 2, with early reviews being largely favorable, including an 83% rating from our publication and an aggregate score of 83/100 on Metacritic. Creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz expressed relief about the reviews on social media, highlighting the emotional toll of waiting for them. He has a significant background at CD Projekt, having worked on The Witcher 2, The Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk 2077. His announcement received congratulations from industry peers, fostering a sense of camaraderie among developers. The game will be available on platforms like Steam and GOG at 6 PM ET on September 2.
Dear Microsoft, where is the Surface to showcase all these improvements to Windows 11?
Winsage
August 30, 2026

Dear Microsoft, where is the Surface to showcase all these improvements to Windows 11?

Microsoft has introduced Windows 11 version 26H2 to the Release Preview Channel, signaling a broader rollout in the coming weeks. This update includes user interface enhancements such as the ability to reposition the Taskbar, resize the Start menu, and disable web and Store suggestions. Over 7,000 applications are now optimized for Arm architecture, indicating growing support for Windows on Arm. PowerToys has also updated with a feature called Window Hopper for easier window management. Despite challenges in communication and design consistency across its products, Microsoft is focusing on the advancements in Windows 11, particularly in relation to Snapdragon technology, which has encouraged the production of Snapdragon-powered laptops. There is currently no unified marketing strategy or event planned to showcase the upcoming changes in Windows 11.
Paradox's next grand strategy game is taking cues from Fallout and Mad Max
AppWizard
August 25, 2026

Paradox’s next grand strategy game is taking cues from Fallout and Mad Max

Paradox Development Studio is developing a new game titled Afterworld, set in a post-apocalyptic North America. Players will lead a tribe of survivors, choosing their tribe's origins and focusing on survival by gathering resources. The game allows players to rebuild civilization or create new societal structures, including religions and laws, while utilizing pre-collapse technology. A unique tech tree evolves through exploration, with procedural generation ensuring varied experiences in each playthrough. Dan Lind, the game director, emphasizes that Afterworld is Paradox's first non-historical setting in a decade, offering a fresh perspective for a grand strategy game. A preview of the game mechanics will be released in the coming weeks.
Microsoft's leaked new OS is one you'll hope stays buried, and it's not Windows
Winsage
August 25, 2026

Microsoft’s leaked new OS is one you’ll hope stays buried, and it’s not Windows

Leaked documents reveal that Microsoft developed Project Aion, a Copilot-centric operating system distinct from Windows 11, which was never released. Aion was designed without a Start menu, desktop icons, or a traditional taskbar, placing Copilot at the center of user interaction. The project was conceived as early as 2024 and aimed to redefine user engagement with technology, focusing on education, entertainment, and task completion. It utilized a streamlined Windows codebase called Win3, which was lighter than Windows 11 but lacked support for legacy Win32 apps. Aion featured a personalized dashboard with task cards and app icons for both Microsoft and third-party applications. It was intended to run on various AI-focused devices and aimed to create a versatile operating system adaptable to different hardware configurations. Key features included a conversational user experience, an "Ask me anything" box for queries, and "Spaces" for project organization. Despite its innovative design, Aion was primarily aimed at enterprise use and faced limitations due to the absence of traditional desktop applications. The likelihood of Aion's release is slim as Microsoft has shifted its focus to refining Windows 11 and has begun retracting ambitious AI integrations, prioritizing stability and performance enhancements over new operating systems.
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