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The rumours were true: Kingdom Come 2 studio is working on an RPG set in Tolkien's Middle-earth
AppWizard
May 21, 2026

The rumours were true: Kingdom Come 2 studio is working on an RPG set in Tolkien’s Middle-earth

Warhorse Studios is developing another installment in the Kingdom Come series and an open-world RPG set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The studio's recent success with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which won PC Gamer's 2025 Game of the Year, has generated excitement. Speculative ideas for the Middle-earth game include settings in Beleriand during the First Age or a Fourth Age adventure. Concerns have arisen regarding the replacement of a translator with AI, raising questions about the quality of future English-language games. Warhorse plans to share more information in the future.
Meta faces court over Android tracking claims
AppWizard
May 14, 2026

Meta faces court over Android tracking claims

Meta is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly exploiting vulnerabilities in Android smartphones to track users' private information, linking browsing activity to Instagram and Facebook accounts. The lawsuit claims Meta unlawfully accessed and de-anonymized personal data of millions of Android users to enhance advertising profiling. A US District Court Judge ruled that most privacy-related claims in the lawsuit must proceed, stating that plaintiffs have plausibly alleged a significant intrusion upon their privacy. Meta is accused of exploiting an Android vulnerability to bypass security measures that isolate apps, allowing it to link browsing information to users' accounts. Although Meta has reportedly stopped using this tracking method, it successfully dismissed two claims related to unjust enrichment and the use of modified pixel code. Additionally, the lawsuit includes claims against Google for negligence, with one claim dismissed but another allowed to proceed. In response to regulatory pressures, Meta is introducing new features for parental supervision of teens on its platforms and plans to use AI to detect underage accounts.
'People use smartphones more but invest less in their security': New report claims McAfee and Norton remain the most loved antivirus brands as users ditch lesser-known security products for free tools like Microsoft Defender or Apple Xprotect
Tech Optimizer
May 10, 2026

‘People use smartphones more but invest less in their security’: New report claims McAfee and Norton remain the most loved antivirus brands as users ditch lesser-known security products for free tools like Microsoft Defender or Apple Xprotect

Recent findings indicate that only 18% of American smartphone users invest in third-party antivirus software, despite the increasing reliance on mobile devices. A survey of over 1,000 adults revealed a significant gap in mobile security awareness. The adoption of paid antivirus solutions on computers has increased by 2% to 41%, while the use of third-party antivirus on mobile devices has decreased by approximately 10%, from 28% to 18%. Although ransomware attacks on smartphones are less common, many users may underestimate modern cyber threats. A considerable number of mobile users remain unprotected or unsure about their device security measures.
My new favorite AI-powered app switches between 70+ AI chatbots with a tap
AppWizard
May 10, 2026

My new favorite AI-powered app switches between 70+ AI chatbots with a tap

Generative AI is increasingly prevalent in digital applications and services. A bi-weekly series will highlight innovative AI applications. AI Hub is an open-source platform that consolidates 78 AI services and chatbots into a single interface, allowing users to filter and run multiple bots simultaneously while focusing on privacy by blocking trackers and ads. Other notable AI applications include Off Grid, which allows local data processing and offline functionality; Yaps, an Android keyboard app that enhances dictation accuracy; and DealHunt, which provides insights on tech deals and pricing history.
PC Builder Proves You Can Game Without Touching the Usual Trio of Intel, NVIDIA and AMD
AppWizard
May 1, 2026

PC Builder Proves You Can Game Without Touching the Usual Trio of Intel, NVIDIA and AMD

A gaming PC was built using components from lesser-known manufacturers instead of the typical Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD. The key components include a KaiXian KX-7000 processor from Zhaoxin with 8 cores, 8 threads, and a maximum clock speed of 3.6 GHz, paired with a Moore Threads MTT S80 graphics card featuring 16GB of GDDR6 memory and a clock speed of 1.8 GHz. The system booted into Windows 11 after resolving initial memory issues, utilizing a single 16GB Samsung workstation stick. The total investment in the CPU and motherboard was around 0. Performance benchmarks included a Geekbench single-core score of 789 and a multi-core score of 3,344, a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 570 and a multi-core score of 4,432, and 3DMark scores of 3,682 for graphics and 3,625 for the CPU.
I played the Lord of the Rings RPG where Frodo can straight-up die and the game just keeps on going
AppWizard
April 25, 2026

I played the Lord of the Rings RPG where Frodo can straight-up die and the game just keeps on going

Sam Gamgee's true name in Westron is Banazîr Galpsi. Sauron once served as a lieutenant to Melkor, also known as Morgoth. Frodo never reached Mordor; he died at the hands of three identical men in a mill at the edge of the Shire. These plot twists are from the 1990 CRPG, The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I, developed by Interplay. The game presents a version of Frodo as a middle-aged hobbit, contrasting with the youthful portrayal in the films. The visual interpretations of Gandalf and Aragorn in the game depict them in a more rugged and relatable manner compared to their cinematic versions. The Internet Archive provides access to this gaming experience.
PC Limited-Time Free Game Is A Resident Evil and Silent Hill Hybrid
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

PC Limited-Time Free Game Is A Resident Evil and Silent Hill Hybrid

PC gamers can download the horror game The Whispering Valley for free on the GOG platform, thanks to a tip from Twitter user Wario64. The game is a folk horror point & click adventure that involves exploring a remote village and solving complex puzzles related to guilt and depression. It has a rating of 3.9 out of 5 on GOG based on eight user reviews and is rated "Very Positive" on Steam from a total of 157 reviews. Players can claim the game for free until April 28, 2026, after which it will cost £9.99. Games on GOG are DRM-free, allowing players to own the installation file and play across multiple devices without restrictions.
The classic Xenosaga series is finally making its PC debut, but don't get too excited because it's a 2004 mobile game port
AppWizard
April 17, 2026

The classic Xenosaga series is finally making its PC debut, but don’t get too excited because it’s a 2004 mobile game port

Xenosaga: Pied Piper, originally launched in 2004 for Vodafone mobile phones, will debut on PC via Steam. This title has never been released outside of Japan and was designed for flip phones. The publisher responsible for this release has a history of reviving classic titles. The exact release date is not specified, and the port will not include modern quality-of-life enhancements or an English translation. Despite its mobile origins, the game's art style is noted for its effective scaling. Nintendo currently holds the rights to the Xeno series, making it unlikely for other Xenosaga titles to be released on PC soon.
Veteran indie developer scared to reveal new game in case it gets "slurped up by AI"
AppWizard
April 6, 2026

Veteran indie developer scared to reveal new game in case it gets “slurped up by AI”

Lucas Pope is a notable game developer known for creating "Papers, Please" and "The Return of the Obra Dinn." He has since worked on smaller projects, including Mars After Midnight, but has not released anything on Steam recently. During a podcast, Pope expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on game development, particularly regarding idea theft and the potential for his work to be copied or imitated. He feels uneasy discussing ongoing projects due to these risks and reflects on the pressure of following up his previous successes. Despite these worries, Pope's reputation allows him to avoid some challenges faced by less-known developers, and his next project is expected to generate significant interest.
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