March 2025 Archives

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Security researchers find 213 vulnerabilities in Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max

Security researchers discovered 213 vulnerabilities in Max, Russia's state-backed messaging app, during a bug bounty initiative. This information was shared by Alexei Batyuk, CTO of Positive Technologies, at the Svyaz-2026 exhibition. The bug bounty program has been active since July 1, 2025, resulting in 288 accepted vulnerability reports and total payouts of nearly 22 million rubles. Common vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized access to user data through the manipulation of object identifiers. Max's press service claimed that user data is "reliably protected" and emphasized the importance of independent white-hat hackers in identifying vulnerabilities. Max was launched by VK in March 2025 and is being promoted by Russian authorities amid efforts to block other messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. The app has faced criticisms regarding user surveillance and security vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Google Vids is ushered into a new era of AI creation and editing with Lyria 3, Veo 3.1

Google Vids has integrated two new AI models, Veo 3.1 and Lyria 3, enhancing the platform for all users, including AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Veo 3.1 improves video quality and allows customization with AI avatars, while Lyria 3 enables users to generate songs based on prompts. All users can now generate video clips for free, and a new Screen Recorder extension for Chrome has been introduced. The update also includes YouTube support for uploading AI-generated content, which defaults to "Private." This follows previous enhancements like AI voiceovers and image-to-video capabilities.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Call of Duty veteran’s new studio, which was just announced in 2025, is reportedly being closed by Sony

Sony has decided to close Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, just over a month after announcing the closure of Bluepoint Games. Dark Outlaw was still in the early stages of development on an unannounced project. Reports indicate that Sony laid off an undisclosed number of employees, with estimates suggesting around 50 individuals were affected. Blundell had previously expressed enthusiasm for the studio's partnership with Sony, highlighting the privilege of being a new first-party studio. Before Dark Outlaw, Blundell was involved with Deviation Games, which closed in 2024 without releasing a game. The gaming industry has faced significant layoffs and studio closures in 2023, with Epic Games announcing layoffs of over 1,000 employees due to insufficient revenue.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Russia pushes unencrypted Max messenger as WhatsApp, Telegram face restrictions

The Max messenger app, launched by VK in March 2025, has gained popularity in Russia, particularly as the government restricts messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. The app combines messaging, social media, government services, digital identification, and banking. President Vladimir Putin supports it as a means to achieve "technological sovereignty," and a law designates Max as a "national multifunctional messenger." Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev has promoted Max, which is also featured prominently on state television. Although not mandatory, there is significant pressure on citizens to use it, with schools and corporations transitioning communications to Max. As of March, the app surpassed 100 million users and is on Russia's "white list" of digital services that remain operational during internet blackouts. Since September, it has been pre-installed on all phones and tablets sold in Russia, with the RuStore app store being mandatory for Apple devices. Max does not offer end-to-end encryption, and user data is stored on Russian servers, with policies allowing data sharing with authorities. Critics, including the Budushcheye political movement, express concerns about surveillance and the app's functionality as a "digital trap." Despite government assurances, disruptions on Telegram and WhatsApp have been reported, with limitations on calls initiated by the government citing non-cooperation from these foreign-owned services.

Winsage

March 18, 2026

Microsoft appears to be dumping native Copilot for Windows 11 in favour of web wrapper yet again

The latest update for Copilot has transformed it into a WebView-based application, marking it as a hybrid app rather than fully native. The new Copilot (version 146.0.3856.63) operates as a web application, evidenced by multiple sub-processes in the Task Manager that are characteristic of Microsoft Edge. The version number of Copilot aligns closely with that of Microsoft Edge. The revamped Copilot functions as a web app within a desktop shell but loads content from copilot.microsoft.com. Despite its web-based nature, it performs comparably to its native predecessor and launches more quickly. Microsoft had previously announced a "native" version of Copilot, which was misleading as it still relied on web components. In 2025, Microsoft began distributing a truly native Copilot app, free of web components, which started in March 2025. However, the Copilot has now reverted to a web-based format for users in the Windows Insider Program, with plans to extend this change to non-Insiders soon.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google Revamps Android App Store Rules, Cuts Fees Amid Global Antitrust Pressure

Alphabet's Google has announced a transformation in app distribution on Android devices, allowing external companies to register and launch their own app stores by paying a one-time fee. This change aims to enhance accessibility for competitors and lower costs for developers. Google will reduce its standard commission for developers from 30% to as low as 15% or 10% in some cases, with implementation expected by June in the US, UK, and EU, and similar changes in Australia, South Korea, and Japan by the end of 2026. Developers using Google’s billing services will incur a flat fee of 5%, while they can also opt for third-party payment processors. Epic Games has expressed approval of these changes, which they believe will help resolve ongoing litigation. Google generated approximately .66 billion in sales from its app marketplace in 2020, and regulatory changes could reduce its gross profit by around billion. The European Commission has accused Google of violating the Digital Markets Act, which could lead to fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue. Google has previously faced €9.5 billion in fines for competition law violations. A US jury ruled in 2023 that certain Android policies violated antitrust law, leading to an injunction requiring Google to allow competing app stores access to its app catalog. Despite regulatory pressures, Google stated that the changes to the developer fee structure were voluntary and not mandated by legal rulings.

Winsage

February 13, 2026

Microsoft: New Windows LNK spoofing issues aren’t vulnerabilities

Security researcher Wietze Beukema revealed vulnerabilities in Windows LK shortcut files at the Wild West Hackin' Fest, which could allow attackers to deploy harmful payloads. He identified four undocumented techniques that manipulate these shortcut files, obscuring malicious targets from users. The vulnerabilities exploit inconsistencies in how Windows Explorer handles conflicting target paths, allowing for deceptive file properties. One technique involves using forbidden Windows path characters to create misleading paths, while another manipulates LinkTargetIDList values. The most sophisticated method alters the EnvironmentVariableDataBlock structure to present a false target in the properties window while executing malicious commands in the background. Microsoft declined to classify the EnvironmentVariableDataBlock issue as a security vulnerability, stating that exploitation requires user interaction and does not breach security boundaries. They emphasized that Windows recognizes shortcut files as potentially dangerous and provides warnings when opening them. However, Beukema noted that users often ignore these warnings. The vulnerabilities share similarities with CVE-2025-9491, which has been exploited by various state-sponsored and cybercrime groups. Microsoft initially did not address CVE-2025-9491 but later modified LNK files to mitigate the vulnerability after it was widely exploited.

Winsage

January 21, 2026

This midrange Android phone also runs Windows and Linux

Nex Computer has introduced the NexPhone, a midrange smartphone that can transform into a fully functional computer when connected to a monitor. It features dual-boot capabilities into Windows 11 and offers both Android and Linux operating systems. The device has a mobile interface similar to Windows Phone when unplugged. It is powered by a Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset, meets MIL-STD-810H standards, and is rated IP68 and IP69 for dust and water resistance. The NexPhone includes a 5,000mAh battery, a 64-megapixel rear camera, and supports wireless charging. It is expected to ship in the third quarter of 2026, with a price of 9, and customers can reserve it with a refundable deposit of .

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

GoLocalProv | Sports | Growing Questions About PC Coach English’s Ability to Close Out Games

The Providence College men’s basketball team has a disappointing 2-6 record in the Big East this season, despite high expectations and significant investments in talent and NIL funding. The team, which includes ten newcomers and five returning players, was anticipated to contend for the Big East title after a previous season that ended with a 12-20 overall record. Athletic Director Steven R. Napolillo expressed a commitment to improving the program. The Friars have experienced several close losses, including defeats to Virginia Tech, Butler, Seton Hall, UConn, and Marquette, while securing wins against Penn State and St. John’s. Their overall record currently stands at 9-10.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

This massively multiplayer roguelike with Hades combat won my heart, and it’s fixing my biggest worry by coming to Steam

33 Immortals will be released on Steam this summer after a year of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store and Xbox/PC Game Pass. Developed by Thunder Lotus Games, it launched in March 2025 and received positive reviews. The game features a shared hub world where players can join lobbies of up to 33. Experienced players can unintentionally make encounters easier for newcomers, leading to balance issues. A roadmap for 2026 includes new content, such as the Gluttony weapon and a third map, Paradiso. The game is priced at .99 / £15.99 on the Epic Games Store and supports crossplay with Steam users.