Mac Archives

AppWizard

October 1, 2026

X’s Standalone Messaging App XChat Disappears From App Store

The XChat application, launched in April 2026, has been removed from the ‌App Store‌ by X, and users cannot locate the app through searches or access it via web links due to an "unavailable" error message. The reasons for its removal remain undisclosed.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

PS5 emulator successfully runs six titles at a playable 60 FPS — PS5 emulation continues to gather momentum as developers improve shader translation and Vulkan support

Developers of SharpEmu, an experimental open-source PS5 emulator, have achieved playable frame rates of 60 FPS for six out of 55 tested PS5 titles. The six titles that reached this milestone are Dreaming Sarah, Void Terrarium, New Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja, Tetris Forever, Hoa, and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered. This achievement coincides with the release of SharpEmu v0.0.4-release.2, which includes improvements such as enhanced SPIR-V shader translation and updated Vulkan API support. SharpEmu is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, and utilizes Vulkan and MoltenVK for graphics API calls. The emulator leverages the PlayStation 5's AMD Zen 2 x86-64 CPU to execute console CPU instructions natively on PCs. Currently, only 12 of the 55 tested titles are in a game-ready state, with six playable at 60 FPS. SharpEmu is intended for research and educational purposes and does not include copyrighted system firmware or game data. Additionally, another emulator, KytyPS5, has run the PS5 version of GTA V at approximately 40 to 60 FPS, though it experienced crashes after the opening mission.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

William Pugh, co-designer of The Stanley Parable, has over 1,600 hours in Dota 2: ‘It’s not a game made of love. It’s a game fuelled by hate and a desire to conquer’

William Pugh began his journey in PC gaming with shareware titles on Mac and has fond memories of playing Worms 4: Mayhem, which introduced him to online multiplayer. He later engaged with the Source engine mapping community through Team Fortress 2, where he collaborated with Davey Wreden to create The Stanley Parable. Currently, he is working on a project with Crows Crows Crows and producing the PS5 exclusive Hunter's Moon. Pugh is playing Deadlock, describing it as an improved version of Dota 2, which he has played for 1,603 hours but finds frustrating. He will never uninstall Team Fortress 2 and relies on Blender for non-gaming software, praising its open-source nature. His desktop is chaotic, reflecting his creative style, and he humorously keeps all his files since 2005 on physical hard drives.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

Five Ad Blocker Hacks Every Android User Should Know

Ads are prevalent on Android devices, leading users to choose between enduring them or paying for premium subscriptions. BlockAds is a free, open-source app that blocks ads on Android by creating a local VPN, filtering traffic without requiring device rooting. Users can also employ DNS filtering to block ads by changing their DNS server settings, with services like AdGuard and NextDNS available for this purpose. Firefox supports the uBlock Origin extension for ad-blocking on Android, while NewPipe allows users to watch YouTube videos ad-free and access premium features. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a built-in YouTube ad blocker, and the Brave browser automatically blocks ads and trackers without additional setup.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2026

Norton 360 for Gamers vs Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes [2026]

Norton, Bitdefender, and Malwarebytes have adjusted their antivirus products to mitigate the negative effects on gaming performance. In June 2026, Norton 360 and Bitdefender Total Security both received a perfect AV-TEST score of 18 out of 18, while Malwarebytes achieved a 100% real-world protection rate in AV-Comparatives testing, though it had more false positives. Bitdefender Total Security is recommended for gamers due to its low frame-rate impact of 0-2%, while Norton 360 offers features for streamers and competitive players, and Malwarebytes serves as a lightweight secondary scanner. The value of gaming accounts has increased, making them targets for cybercriminals, with malware campaigns like Vidar 2.0 accounting for 41% of gaming-related malware detections. New malware families such as Katz and Bee specifically target Discord and gaming platforms. In terms of performance, Norton showed a 2-3% FPS decrease in Cyberpunk 2077, while Bitdefender's impact was only 0-2%, and Malwarebytes had less than 1% impact. Norton and Bitdefender are tied in detection capabilities, both scoring 18/18 in AV-TEST, while Malwarebytes had a 92.4% offline detection rate and 98.3% online. Norton includes a no-log VPN and gamer-tag monitoring, while Bitdefender offers identity protection without specific gamer-tag monitoring. Malwarebytes lacks a VPN and password manager. Pricing varies, with Norton starting at .99 for three devices, Bitdefender at .99 for one device, and Malwarebytes at .99 for one device. To switch antivirus solutions, users should back up their license keys, use removal tools, and ensure game-aware modes are active. Each product has unique strengths: Norton excels in gamer-tag monitoring, Bitdefender minimizes CPU usage, and Malwarebytes is lightweight but lacks additional features.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2026

This Mac malware is somehow using iCloud calendar invites to try and steal your data

Cybercriminals have developed an infostealer called MacSync, targeting Mac devices by using iCloud calendar events and cloud storage. This malware disguises itself as fake cryptocurrency wallets and pirated software. It begins with a loader that retrieves instructions from calendar entries and deploys malware to exfiltrate sensitive information, including credentials and cryptocurrency wallets. Recent versions have introduced an Objective-C backdoor that mimics Finder. Victims are often tricked into downloading these malicious applications, and effective antivirus solutions can prevent damage. Cybercriminals use tactics like SEO poisoning and phishing to direct victims to fraudulent websites or social media promoting pirated software. In one case, the loader was marketed as a cryptocurrency wallet, and victims encountered a misleading ClickFix error message that prompted them to execute a command in the Terminal.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2026

We Tested 10 Best Antivirus Software for 2026

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, with Verizon’s 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report indicating that 48% of breaches involve ransomware and 31% arise from software vulnerabilities. A review of leading antivirus programs assessed their effectiveness against various threats. Top antivirus software includes: - Bitdefender: Best overall, effective against various threats, perfect score from AV-TEST. - Norton 360: Best all-in-one suite, includes VPN and parental controls, perfect score from AV-TEST. - McAfee+ Premium: Best for families, unlimited device coverage, full marks from AV-TEST. - Malwarebytes: Best for simple protection, user-friendly interface, rated 5.5/6 by AV-TEST. - ESET NOD32: Best for advanced users, lightweight and fast, includes Gamer Mode. - Avast: Best free option, offers various scanning options, straightforward upgrade path. - Microsoft Defender: Built-in for Windows, essential protection, perfect score from AV-TEST. - Intego ONE: Best for Mac users, includes firewall and VPN. - Surfshark Antivirus: Combines antivirus and VPN services, real-time protection. - TotalAV: Best for beginners, combines antivirus with web security tools. The evaluation process included lab data from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, hands-on experience, and criteria such as malware protection, false positives, system performance impact, phishing protection, ease of use, platform coverage, additional security features, and pricing. Key metrics from antivirus lab tests include protection scores, false positives, and performance impact. The choice between antivirus software and internet security suites depends on individual needs. Antivirus software remains necessary, especially for Windows PCs, to complement other security measures.

Winsage

September 24, 2026

86Box Setup Guide 2026: Emulate a Windows 98 PC in 13 Steps

86Box is an emulator that meticulously reconstructs vintage PCs, allowing users to boot operating systems like MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows XP. The latest version, 6.0, was released on May 31, 2026, featuring a native Windows ARM64 build and discontinuing support for macOS 10.13 High Sierra. It has approximately 2,400 monthly searches in the U.S., indicating a demand for setup guides among enthusiasts. Unlike DOSBox, which creates a generic DOS environment, 86Box emulates specific hardware components for authentic execution of various operating systems. Originally a fork of PCem, 86Box has expanded its supported motherboards and developed a community of contributors. Version 6.0 has established it as the preferred choice for retro-PC builders in 2026. Before installation, users need a minimum of a 64-bit Intel Core 2, AMD Athlon 64, or ARMv8 CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and a compatible host operating system. The installation process involves downloading the appropriate build, sourcing a legal ROM set, and configuring the virtual machine using the 86Box Manager. Users can select specific graphics cards and sound hardware to replicate the original systems accurately. The setup requires installation media for the guest operating system, which must be sourced legally. Common pitfalls during setup include ensuring the BIOS ROM is available, matching CPU speed to software era, and installing the correct drivers. A properly configured virtual machine should display a BIOS POST screen and boot the selected operating system. Troubleshooting common issues often involves checking for missing ROMs, uninstalled drivers, or performance settings. 86Box is open-source and legal to use, but users must ensure they have legitimate licenses for any software used within the emulator.

BetaBeacon

September 24, 2026

Move over, Claude and ChatGPT: This Android brand’s open-source AI model builds 3D games on demand

Xiaomi has open-sourced its omnimodal AI model, MiMo-V2.6 Pro, which can generate interactive 3D worlds from text or visual prompts. The model is claimed to be the most capable open-weight model on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index benchmark.

Tech Optimizer

September 24, 2026

The Best Small Business Cybersecurity Suites for 2026

A small business is typically defined as one where the owner can personally name all employees, usually comprising a workforce of a few dozen. Licensing options for IT protection for small businesses vary, with Malwarebytes and Norton covering up to 20 devices, ESET offering plans for five to 25 devices, and Bitdefender providing options for three, five, ten, or 25 users. Avast and AVG allow licenses for one to 999 devices. All security suites support Windows, and most, except AVG, also support Mac devices. Four suites offer protection for Android and iOS devices, while Avast and AVG do not support mobile devices. Bitdefender, ESET, and Norton provide dedicated server editions, while Avast and AVG allow individual policy definitions for servers. Remote installation features vary in reliability, but all suites enable administrators to manage installations and monitor device status. Norton offers backup solutions and 500GB of shared hosted storage, while firewall protection is standard except for Malwarebytes. Bitdefender and ESET provide anti-theft systems for lost devices, and both ESET and Avast have measures against unauthorized device access. Malwarebytes and Norton offer 24/7 priority support, and Norton provides dark web monitoring for sensitive information.