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Zenless Zone Zero coming to Steam later this year
AppWizard
April 26, 2026

Zenless Zone Zero coming to Steam later this year

Zenless Zone Zero is set to be released on PC in the second quarter of 2026, with a Steam page now available for pre-release tests and a goal of reaching 300,000 wishlists for a milestone event. The game received a mixed review score of 55% from Kerry Brunskill, who described it as a "shallow, polished front for a relentless online store." Developer MiHoYo, known for successful titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, previously achieved 50 million downloads of Zenless Zone Zero within a week of its initial launch. There were speculations about a 40% chance of HoYoverse games coming to Steam due to concerns over revenue cuts, but the games have a strong following that may allow them to succeed without Steam. The Epic Games Store has faced criticism, and the release of Zenless Zone Zero may test its appeal compared to other storefronts.
NoVoice malware hit 2.3 million Android devices through apps Google never should have approved
AppWizard
April 25, 2026

NoVoice malware hit 2.3 million Android devices through apps Google never should have approved

McAfee researchers discovered a complex Android rootkit campaign, dubbed Operation NoVoice, that infiltrated 50 applications on Google Play, exploiting vulnerabilities in the kernel that had been patched but not uninstalled. The malware was resilient enough to survive factory resets and was concealed within seemingly benign apps, which collectively garnered 2.3 million downloads. The malicious payload was hidden in the com.facebook.utils package and used steganography to embed an encrypted payload within a PNG image. The malware conducted multiple checks to avoid detection and established contact with a command-and-control server, polling for exploit packages every 60 seconds. It utilized 22 distinct exploits, including vulnerabilities that had received patches between 2016 and 2021. The malware disabled SELinux enforcement and installed a persistent rootkit that could survive factory resets. Google confirmed the removal of the infected apps but noted that users who had already downloaded them remained at risk, especially if their devices were running unpatched Android versions. McAfee advised affected users to treat their devices as compromised and consider professional inspection or hardware-level storage wiping for remediation.
Tired Of Google Messages? These 4 Texting Apps Might Be Better For You
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

Tired Of Google Messages? These 4 Texting Apps Might Be Better For You

Samsung plans to retire its proprietary messaging app by July 2026, leading many Android users to rely on Google Messages. Major carriers like AT&T have stopped supporting their own messaging apps, potentially creating a monopoly. Alternative SMS-enabled apps include: - Pulse SMS: Syncs across devices, offers password-protected cloud backups, and has end-to-end encryption for stored conversations. It has a 3.6-star rating on Google Play. - Chomp SMS: Highly customizable with features like scheduled messages and block lists. It remains free with ads, but some users find the customization options complex. - Handcent Next SMS: Incorporates AI for features like text extraction and grammar checks. It has over one million downloads and a 4.4-star rating, but requests a high number of permissions. - Textra SMS: Offers faster performance and extensive customization, aiming to replace default messaging apps. It follows a "free forever" model but lacks cross-device functionality and encryption. The selection of these alternatives was based on Google Play ratings above 3.5 stars, a minimum of 50,000 user reviews, and recent updates.
I just heard about this free Windows 11 customization app despite it having 42 million downloads
Winsage
April 20, 2026

I just heard about this free Windows 11 customization app despite it having 42 million downloads

ExplorerPatcher is a free and open-source application that has over 42 million downloads and 32,200 stars on GitHub. It aims to restore legacy Windows shell components in Windows 11, allowing users to manage settings more comfortably. The app is compatible with both x86-64 Windows and Windows on ARM. Users can revert the Windows 11 taskbar to its Windows 10 design, disable the Windows 11 context menu, and restore the control ribbon in File Explorer. ExplorerPatcher offers additional features such as improved multi-display taskbar support and customizable settings. It includes preset configurations like the "Classic Windows 10" option and allows for custom configurations to be saved and shared. Despite its popularity, ExplorerPatcher is not widely recognized due to security warnings from Windows, which flag it as a potential threat, and potential disruptions following major Windows updates.
I tested this Windows 11 customization app with 42 million downloads — why aren't more people discussing it?
Winsage
April 20, 2026

I tested this Windows 11 customization app with 42 million downloads — why aren’t more people discussing it?

ExplorerPatcher is a free, open-source application that has surpassed 42 million total downloads and received 32,200 stars on GitHub. It allows users to customize their Windows 11 experience by restoring features from older Windows versions, such as reverting the taskbar to its Windows 10 counterpart. The app is compatible with both x86-64 Windows and Windows on ARM. It offers a simple settings menu for adjusting the Taskbar, File Explorer, Start menu, and System Tray, as well as advanced features like improved multi-display taskbar support and a customizable Win+X menu. Users can save and share custom configurations, and there are preset options like the "Classic Windows 10" preset. Despite its popularity, ExplorerPatcher faces challenges such as being flagged by Windows' security systems and potential disruptions after major Windows updates.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
April 19, 2026

Zorin OS 18.1 adds guided migrations, stronger app compatibility and wider hardware support, making switching from Windows far more practical for millions [clone]

Zorin OS has released version 18.1, enhancing hardware compatibility and introducing fingerprint reader support for older devices. The update recommends native Linux alternatives when detecting Windows applications, making it easier for users transitioning from Windows. Since the end of support for Windows 10, Zorin OS has gained popularity, reaching 3.3 million downloads. The update supports over 240 Windows applications, suggesting compatible Linux versions, and includes improvements to desktop features and pre-installed applications. Zorin Lite has also been updated to version 17.3 with fingerprint reader support and a redesigned File Manager. Meanwhile, Windows 11 is facing challenges in adoption due to hardware requirements and design issues, prompting discussions about the potential need for Windows 12. Alternative operating systems like Zorin OS are becoming more appealing to users dissatisfied with Windows.
"Over 3.3 million downloads": This Linux alternative to Windows 11 is winning over Microsoft's customers with a huge update
Winsage
April 17, 2026

“Over 3.3 million downloads”: This Linux alternative to Windows 11 is winning over Microsoft’s customers with a huge update

Zorin OS, a Linux-based operating system, launched late last year alongside Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, leading to approximately 780,000 users migrating to Linux and a surge in Zorin OS downloads to 1 million. Three months later, Zorin OS 18 was released, increasing downloads to 2 million, and six months post-launch, total downloads reached 3.3 million. The latest version, Zorin OS 18.1, includes new features and improved hardware support, expanding its database to support over 240 Windows applications. Zorin Lite has also been updated to version 17.3, designed for older computers, featuring support for fingerprint readers and a redesigned File Manager. Meanwhile, Windows 11 has struggled with adoption due to strict hardware requirements but is gaining traction after the end-of-life status of Windows 10. Microsoft is working to improve user sentiment around Windows 11 by allowing users to bypass updates during setup and reintroducing features like a movable Taskbar. Some experts suggest that Microsoft should focus on developing Windows 12 instead of enhancing Windows 11, as significant improvements may require more drastic changes. Alternative operating systems like Zorin OS are becoming increasingly appealing to users dissatisfied with Windows.
Microsoft to shut down Outlook app on Android devices in May - switch or be 'cut off'
AppWizard
April 14, 2026

Microsoft to shut down Outlook app on Android devices in May – switch or be ‘cut off’

Microsoft is retiring the Outlook Lite app, which has over 10 million downloads since its 2022 launch. The app will be fully retired on May 25, 2026, after being removed from the Google Play Store on October 6, 2025. Users will still be able to open the app, but mailbox access and in-app navigation will be disabled. Microsoft encourages users to switch to Outlook Mobile before the cutoff date to maintain access to their email services. Additionally, Microsoft retired Skype in May 2025 after 22 years, with users retaining access to messages until January 2026, when all data was permanently deleted.
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