market share Archives

Winsage

February 22, 2025

Microsoft’s new Edge Add-ons site might keep you away from the Chrome Web Store

Microsoft has enhanced the user experience of its Edge browser by integrating Chrome extensions and promoting its redesigned Edge Add-ons website, which improves navigation and usability. The updated site features enhanced autosuggestions for finding and installing extensions, including a "Get" button for direct installation. While Edge can run Google Chrome extensions, some users prefer the Edge Add-ons store for a Microsoft-centric experience. Certain extensions remain exclusive to the Chrome Web Store, as developers often prioritize Chrome due to its larger market share. Users can access these extensions through the Chrome Web Store on various Chromium-based browsers, including Edge. Currently, extensions like uBlock Origin work on Edge, but their future compatibility is uncertain.

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

Ex-Amazon Gaming Exec Explains Why No One Has Beaten Steam

Valve's Steam has dominated the PC gaming market for nearly two decades, despite various attempts by companies like Amazon to challenge its supremacy. Ethan Evans, former VP of Prime Gaming at Amazon, shared insights on their unsuccessful efforts to disrupt Steam, which included acquiring Reflexive Entertainment, developing a PC game store leveraging Twitch, and launching the Luna game streaming service. Other major publishers such as EA, Ubisoft, and Bethesda also failed to establish competitive storefronts. The Epic Games Store, launched in 2017, has not positioned itself as a true rival to Steam. Evans noted that Amazon underestimated the reasons consumers use Steam, which combines a store, social network, library, and trophy case. Despite criticisms of Steam, its ecosystem and features have reinforced its dominance, while alternatives have struggled to gain traction.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Amazon Appstore on Android to be discontinued this summer

Amazon will close its Android Appstore on August 20, 2025, ending access for users on Android devices and discontinuing the Amazon Coins program. The Appstore, launched in 2011, struggled to gain a substantial user base despite various innovations. Users will be warned that apps downloaded from the Appstore may stop functioning after the closure, but they can migrate purchased apps to Amazon devices like the Kindle. Amazon has already stopped selling Amazon Coins as of February 20, 2025, and unused balances will be refunded after the closure. Users are advised to disable auto-renewals for subscriptions. The closure reflects the Appstore's failure to resonate with users and diminishing relevance in the market.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

It’s possible to run Windows XP on an Apple TV — and it works like a dream!

Windows XP holds a 0.27 percent share of the Windows market, surpassing Windows 8 and 8.1. A Linux variant of Windows XP is available for those seeking a nostalgic experience. Windows XP has been successfully run on Apple's Vision Pro and ported to the original Apple TV. Only the original Apple TV, which has an Intel Pentium M processor and 256 MB of RAM, can support Windows XP. This porting was documented by Nobel Tech, showcasing DistroHopper39B's efforts using ReactOS. The original Apple TV used in the experiment was provided by the Australian Computer Museum Society (ACMS). Windows XP operates on the Apple TV, but graphics acceleration is unsupported.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Amazon to shut down its Android app store on August 20

Amazon will phase out its Android app store, with the final operation day on August 20, 2025. Developers can no longer submit new applications for Android devices, but updates for existing apps will be accepted until the shutdown. Users can access previously downloaded apps, but functionality is not guaranteed post-shutdown. The app store will remain operational on Amazon's Fire OS devices. Amazon ceased operations of the Appstore on Windows 11 devices in March 2024. The Amazon Coins program has been discontinued, with no new purchases available and remaining balances refunded after August 20. Starting February 20, 2025, customers in the JP marketplace will be unable to make in-app purchases or earn and redeem Amazon Points on the Android app store, though they can still do so on Fire Tablets or at Amazon.co.jp.

Tech Optimizer

February 18, 2025

Microsoft Defender vs. McAfee: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

eSecurity Planet maintains editorial independence and may earn revenue from partner links. Microsoft Defender, a free built-in antivirus for Windows, offers minimal configuration and supports Windows 10 and 11, while McAfee, which holds a 12.47% share of the global antivirus market, provides extensive privacy monitoring and data protection across multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS) with various pricing plans ranging from .99 to 9.99. Microsoft Defender supports a single device and includes features like real-time threat protection, parental controls, and a firewall, but lacks advanced features like VPN and identity theft monitoring. McAfee offers a wider range of features, including a VPN, identity theft monitoring, and data cleanup, making it a more comprehensive solution despite its higher cost. Microsoft Defender has an overall rating of 3.8/5, while McAfee rates 4.4/5, excelling in customer support with multiple channels, including live chat and phone support. Microsoft Defender is suitable for users on a budget, while McAfee is better for those needing robust privacy and identity protection. Alternatives to consider include Norton, Bitdefender, and Malwarebytes.

Winsage

February 17, 2025

Bill Gates talks about trading for Windows 10 as Avowed wows reviewers and Microsoft kills HoloLens and lies about uninstalling Edge

Bill Gates humorously compared the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 to a significant NBA trade, noting that Windows 10 holds a 60.33% market share. He also predicted that artificial intelligence could replace humans in various tasks but suggested that audiences might not enjoy watching computers play baseball. Nintendo is preparing for a potential legal battle with Pocketpair, the creators of Palworld, despite the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejecting 22 out of 23 of Nintendo's patent claims. Nintendo has secured a patent related to creature capturing mechanics and is pursuing additional patents. Avowed, an upcoming title from Xbox Game Studios and Obsidian Entertainment, is set to launch on February 18 and currently holds a score of around 80 on Metacritic, with early reviews praising its RPG elements. Microsoft faced criticism over a misleading webpage about uninstalling its Edge browser, which was quickly removed. Although uninstalling Edge is possible, many users may prefer to keep it installed. Microsoft has shifted the development of the IVAS militarized augmented reality headset to Anduril Industries, marking a significant move away from its HoloLens initiative, which includes the cancellation of HoloLens 3. The ASUS Zenbook Duo and Turtle Beach VelocityOne Multi-Shift received commendable scores of 4.5 out of 5 stars in reviews, with the Zenbook Duo praised for its performance and battery life, and the VelocityOne Multi-Shift recognized for its versatility for gamers.

Winsage

February 17, 2025

Nearly 50% of Steam users are still on Windows 10 despite its death date approaching

Windows 10 will no longer receive support after October 14, 2025. Currently, 42.87% of users surveyed by Valve's Steam Hardware Survey are still using Windows 10, while Windows 11 has a market share of approximately 36.6%. Windows 10 commands 60.33% of the global market share. Among Steam users, 96.55% operate on a Windows platform, with 53.46% using Windows 11. The reluctance to adopt Windows 11 is due to stringent hardware requirements and a perceived lack of compelling features.

Tech Optimizer

February 13, 2025

Gen Digital Planning to Sell $1.1 Billion of Senior Notes Due 2033

Gen Digital Inc. specializes in developing and marketing a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity software solutions, categorized into two primary families: Consumer Security and Antivirus Protection Solutions (64.5% of net sales) and Identity and Information Protection Solutions (35.5% of net sales). The company's net sales distribution is as follows: Americas (65.4%), Europe/Middle East/Africa (24.1%), and Asia/Pacific (10.5%).

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

A Dedicated Apple TV+ App Could Arrive For Google’s Android Platform In A Bid To Increase Subscriber Count And Compete With Other Rivals

Apple TV+ is launching a dedicated app for Android users, marking a significant expansion beyond its primary focus on Apple device owners. The app is expected to be available soon, potentially increasing Apple's subscriber base by providing access to exclusive content for millions of Android users. This move comes as Apple invests heavily in original content, with production costs exceeding billion and some shows costing around million per episode. The standard pricing for Apple TV+ is .99 per month, and there is speculation about a potential free trial. In Q1 2025, Apple reported total revenue of .3 billion, with the Services sector contributing .34 billion, indicating growth from the previous year.