media Archives

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Google reveals first look at the future of sideloading on Android

Reddit is a community-driven social media platform with diverse forums called subreddits, allowing discussions on various topics. Users, known as Redditors, contribute content that reflects their interests. The platform emphasizes engagement and community building, with each subreddit fostering a sense of belonging. Reddit employs an upvote and downvote system for content curation. To sustain operations, it has introduced monetization strategies such as Reddit Premium for an ad-free experience and targeted advertising options for businesses. Challenges include moderation issues and balancing free speech with community guidelines, but these also present growth opportunities. Reddit is positioned for future innovation, adapting to new technologies and user behaviors.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Monzo users reporting issues with the online banking app

Reports of difficulties with the Monzo app began around 11 a.m., escalating to over 3,000 users reporting issues by 1 p.m. and more than 1,000 continuing to report problems by 4 p.m. Users in major cities, including Liverpool, Leeds, London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, experienced disruptions. A survey revealed that 76% of users faced issues, with 11% struggling with funds transfers and 9% with mobile banking. Monzo acknowledged the difficulties, stating that the app was "experiencing issues" and full functionality was temporarily unavailable, but essential services like card payments and cash withdrawals remained operational. Monzo's spokesperson indicated they were addressing a technical issue and had switched to their backup system, Monzo Stand-in, allowing most features to continue. Downdetector is a platform for users to report issues with various services, tracking problems by comparing user reports to typical levels for that time.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

“Bombora” is working on a book about Minecraft: the cubic world that conquered the planet

The "Bombora" publishing house is set to release a book by Artem Frolov that explores the phenomenon of Minecraft, tracing its origins to Markus Persson's Infiniminer clone. The book will examine Minecraft's cultural impact and key themes such as its procedurally generated world, building mechanics, survival mode, extensive modding toolkit, and C418's ambient soundtrack. No release date or pricing details for pre-orders have been announced.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

PixelReel Minecraft mod exposes Plex server API keys

A security vulnerability has been identified in the PixelReel mod for Minecraft, specifically in version pixelreel-1.0.0.jar and the 26.3 snapshots on CurseForge. This flaw exposes media server URLs and API keys to other players on the same multiplayer server. The mod requires users to process streams through VLC, which leads to the extraction and transmission of sensitive authentication details to Minecraft. The developer has admitted that the mod was created without a thorough security review. Users are advised to create a read-only account for use with PixelReel and to remove the mod from multiplayer environments. It is recommended that all exposed API keys be rotated, as no patch has been released to fix the vulnerability.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Windows 11 is breaking Legacy Media Player features to push you to a modern app that uses 3x more RAM

Microsoft is reducing the functionality of Windows Media Player Legacy in the latest update, Windows 11 Experimental Build 29648.1000, by restricting caption controls. Users can no longer enable captions in the legacy player and are prompted to switch to the modern Media Player instead. This change was first noted by Windows enthusiast Xeno Panther and indicates a deliberate move by Microsoft to encourage users to adopt the newer application. In the previous Experimental Build 26340.9212, captions were still operational, but the latest build has removed options for Off and Defaults, leaving only "On if available." When attempting to activate captions, users receive a message stating that captions cannot be enabled in Windows Media Player Legacy. The modern Media Player does offer enhanced caption customization features, such as font size and color adjustments, but it has been criticized for its performance issues. The modern app takes longer to open videos and consumes significantly more RAM while idle compared to the legacy version. Additionally, the modern Media Player requires users to purchase HEVC Video Extensions to play HEVC files, which the legacy player supports without additional costs. Despite these changes, the Legacy Media Player still retains features like library view and CD burning, and it remains an optional feature in Windows 11. Microsoft has previously removed other functionalities from the legacy player, such as the Sync tab in 2023. As users look for alternatives, third-party open-source media players like VLC and mpv are becoming more popular, with mpv recommended for its performance and minimal interface.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Thousands affected as Monzo app hit by ‘technical issues’

Monzo is experiencing technical issues affecting certain functionalities of its app, leading to the implementation of a temporary backup service called Monzo Stand-in. Users reported difficulties with the app, with over 3,000 outages noted on DownDetector. Despite the issues, customers can still check balances, make card payments, withdraw cash, freeze cards, and send or receive bank transfers. Monzo is actively investigating the problem and working on a fix to restore full service.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Nvidia GeForce Now finally comes to Firefox, “months in the making” with support for “over 2,000 games”

Nvidia GeForce Now has launched on Firefox for Windows, allowing users to stream over 2,000 PC games directly from the browser without needing to download a standalone application. The service offers enhanced performance for Ultimate subscribers, reaching RTX 5080-level graphics. Users can multitask with other applications and link their libraries from major PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store. To access the service, users must update to the latest version of Firefox and log in at play.geforcenow.com. Nvidia will share more details about this partnership during Gamescom on August 25.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Google Photos could soon let you keep your phone awake all night for a good reason

Google Photos will introduce an "Overnight backup" feature to improve media backup on Android devices, addressing issues caused by background restrictions like Doze mode. Users must keep the app open, connect their device to a charger, and keep the phone unlocked while the screen dims to black during uploads. The feature aims to provide a reliable backup solution for large volumes of media. Users will receive guidance through the process, including reminders to stay on the app and keep the device charged. They can choose to use Wi-Fi or mobile data for backups, with Wi-Fi as the default. The app will alert users if their device overheats during the process and will notify free-tier users nearing storage limits. The feature is not yet available but reflects Google’s commitment to enhancing user experience.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Launches March 2027 for Console and PC

PikPok has announced that Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days will transition from Early Access to its full 1.0 release in March 2027. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and GeForce NOW. A new gameplay trailer has been released, showcasing expanded gameplay systems and moral dilemmas. The game has evolved significantly since its Early Access debut, incorporating player feedback and updates to enhance survival mechanics and gameplay. Players will scavenge for resources, manage shelters, and face moral choices in a desolate 1980s Texas. Mario Wynands, CEO of PikPok, expressed excitement for the launch and acknowledged the community's role in shaping the game. Additional information is available on the official website and social media platforms.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Is VLC taking an agonizingly long time to start up on Windows 11? Microsoft Defender is to blame

Users of VLC on Windows 11 have experienced delays of up to 33 seconds for MP3 playback due to a bug in Microsoft Defender that interferes with VLC's plugin cache. VideoLAN has clarified that this issue is not a reflection of VLC's reliability. Affected users can resolve the problem by adding the VLC folder as an exception in Windows Defender or by regenerating the plugin cache. Jonathan Blow, a game developer, highlighted the issue in a tweet, prompting discussions about the state of open-source software. Other users have reported similar delays, even on Windows 10. VideoLAN emphasized that the problem lies with Microsoft Defender, not with VLC itself.