leaks Archives

Winsage

July 11, 2026

The Windows Central Podcast breaks down the Copilot OS leaks, the latest Microsoft layoffs, and what all of this means for the future of Windows and the company’s AI strategy

Microsoft has laid off 4,800 employees, particularly in the Xbox division, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its management structure, which includes 14 layers of middle management. A leaked internal project, "Project Aion," proposes a web-native operating system integrated within Microsoft Edge, replacing the traditional Start menu with Copilot. The podcast discusses consumer skepticism regarding AI adoption and the high costs of cloud-based large language models. Upcoming products include the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12, which will feature a new 24 GB RAM configuration and more affordable 8 GB options. Additionally, Microsoft has confirmed the discontinuation of the 10-inch Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go lines.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

Windows Central Podcast: Copilot OS leaks and Microsoft Layoffs

Microsoft is undergoing significant changes, including layoffs of 4,800 positions primarily in the Xbox division. An internal memo by Asha Sharma revealed 14 layers of middle management within Xbox, raising concerns about leadership effectiveness. The podcast discussed the reasons for the layoffs and management's failure to leverage franchises like Fallout and Minecraft. Additionally, a leak regarding "Project Aion," an experimental web-native operating system for 2024, was mentioned. The hosts also addressed consumer pushback against AI technologies and the associated costs. The anticipated launch of the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 will feature a 24 GB RAM option, while Microsoft has canceled the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go lines.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2026

Google is working on a new ‘memories games’ feature for Google Photos

Google Photos is working on a new feature called "Memories Games" that will create games based on the people, places, and things in your photos and memories.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Study of 281 Free Android VPN Apps Finds Traffic Leaks, Unencrypted Data, and Tracking

Researchers analyzed 281 popular free VPN applications on the Google Play Store and found significant privacy and security shortcomings. The study, conducted by teams from the University of Michigan, the University of New Mexico, and IIT Delhi using a framework called MVPNalyzer, revealed that flagged apps had over 2.4 billion downloads. Key findings included: - Five apps transmitted configuration files unencrypted, allowing attackers to intercept and modify them. - 29 apps allowed user traffic to leak outside the encrypted tunnel, with 24 leaking DNS traffic and six leaking full browsing traffic. - 169 apps made no effort to disguise their traffic, making it identifiable to network operators or government censors. - 76 apps transmitted the device's Advertising ID to advertisers, and over 80% contacted known advertising and tracking servers. - Only one of 108 OpenVPN configurations adhered to recommended security practices; 89% used a single authentication method, and nearly 20% employed outdated encryption techniques. - Many apps passed through Play Store checks without adequate scrutiny, with safety labels often serving as marketing tools rather than security indicators. These findings align with previous research highlighting similar issues in popular Android VPN apps. Users are advised to be cautious when selecting VPNs, prioritizing those with recent independent security audits.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Cracked version of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced leaked days prior to official release despite Denuvo DRM protection — Denuvo unable to stop crackers, with some finding ways to completely remove it from other titles

The Denuvo anti-tamper technology has been bypassed in pre-release versions of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, allowing unauthorized copies to circulate since June 7, 2026, ahead of its official launch on July 9, 2026. This incident follows similar leaks of major titles earlier in the year, including Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and Subnautica 2. Critics argue that Denuvo causes performance issues and intrusive online checks, raising doubts about its effectiveness and necessity in protecting single-player titles.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

Why Anti Malware and Antivirus Solutions still matter despite Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect is a security feature integrated within the Google Play Store that scans installed applications for malicious behavior, verifies apps before download, and can disable or remove harmful software. Its primary limitation is its focus on apps from the Google Play Store, leaving users who install APK files from third-party sources at risk. Modern cyber threats include phishing links, counterfeit login pages, and social engineering techniques, which Google Play Protect does not fully address. Dedicated antivirus applications offer real-time threat detection, privacy protection, and additional features such as monitoring excessive app permissions and dark web credential leaks. For business users, mobile security platforms provide advanced capabilities like enforcing corporate policies and detecting zero-day threats. While Google Play Protect is sufficient for many users, those handling sensitive information or seeking enhanced protection should consider additional antivirus solutions. Best practices for cybersecurity include downloading apps from trusted sources, keeping software updated, and using strong passwords.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

The TechBeat: How Small Postgres Metadata Tables Quietly Throttle Your Largest Queries (7/6/2026)

- Websites detect VPN usage through factors like IP reputation, DNS leaks, WebRTC, and browser fingerprints, with strategies to mitigate tracking. - Slow Postgres dashboards may be caused by stale metadata statistics rather than the fact table, with solutions provided to rectify these issues. - Spec-driven development enhances the reliability of AI coding agents through structured specifications, workflows, reusable skills, and proof. - A comparison of usage-based billing platforms for 2026 includes Credyt, Metronome, Orb, Lago, Stripe Billing, and Chargebee. - Loop Engineering is a rising trend in AI workflows expected to dominate in 2026, though challenges may accompany it. - ONLYOFFICE released version 3.7 of DocSpace Developer, introducing AI file generation, new webhook events, expanded plugin tools, and enhanced form workflows. - ANY.RUN's data inspection tool offers SOC teams comprehensive browser visibility for quicker phishing investigations. - AI systems are reducing obvious hallucinations, but deeper structural failures remain a risk for professionals. - A vendor audit revealed supply chain vulnerabilities in AI, including unpinned models and the use of trust_remote_code=True. - Developers using OpenAI Codex should avoid overloading a single conversation with tasks to maintain performance, recommending the use of subagents. - Barriers to AI adoption are not purely technological, as shared by insights from discussions with 500 individuals. - Guidance on creating production AI agent loops emphasizes state management, tool governance, evidence verification, and domain-specific controls. - Dawnguard launched a security architecture automation platform with million in pre-seed funding to address AI code vulnerabilities. - The AI boom is driven by complex memory architecture rather than GPUs, influencing consumer electronics pricing strategies. - The origins of functional programming trace back to John McCarthy's practical needs for differentiating expressions. - A guide for AI startup founders addresses common pitfalls in understanding AI agents and the autonomy trap for developing reliable systems.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

CD Projekt Red thanks 6000 Edgerunners 2 advance viewers for not spoiling the show in stunning display of opsec: ‘Thank you so much for keeping your promise properly’

CD Projekt Red expressed gratitude to fans for their discretion regarding the premiere of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, following an advance screening attended by 6,000 fans at LA's Crypto.com Arena during Anime Expo 2026. Despite the excitement, no recorded footage of the episode has surfaced, demonstrating the audience's commitment to keeping the experience spoiler-free. Radek Grabowski, the global PR director for CD Projekt Red, commended fans on Twitter for their understanding and restraint. The second season is set to launch this fall.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Samsung’s Wearables app leaks with an all-new look to get ready for new watches

Samsung is redesigning its Wearables app to align with the One UI aesthetic, featuring a home screen that prominently displays the user's connected Galaxy Watch and simplifies tab options. The update is expected to introduce new Health features, including the Vitals feature that consolidates heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen levels. These enhancements are anticipated to roll out to Galaxy devices in June. Additionally, the app may include personalized "custom tiles" generated by Galaxy AI and real-time elevation tracking for outdoor activities.