Mouse Archives

BetaBeacon

October 8, 2026

Prime Day Android app deals and freebies: Ash of Gods, Foretales, Dungreed, ScourgeBringer, more

Google Play is offering deals on various apps and games, including Ash of Gods: Redemption, Backflip Madness, Backflip Madness 2, Dungreed, Foretales, Mini Restaurant Premium, Merge City Premium, Merge Cafe Premium, Neo Monsters, ScourgeBringer, Stickman Master Premium, Vera Outline White Icon Pack, Camo Dark Icon Pack, [Premium] Alvastia Chronicles, [Premium] Knights of Grayfang, [Premium] RPG Alphadia III, [Premium] RPG Ghost Sync, [Premium] RPG Infinite Links, The Macabre Journey: Dark 3D, 112 Operator, and Minabo: A walk through life.

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

Googlebooks have a Linux app problem that even budget Chromebooks solved years ago

Googlebooks have limitations in supporting Linux applications compared to Chromebooks. Users must use Android's Terminal app to install Linux apps, lacking a graphical user interface, which complicates the process. Google has stated that GUI Linux applications are not a priority for the initial release. Early users have reported performance issues with Linux applications, such as GIMP losing mouse input, likely due to compatibility issues with the Intel x86-64 CPU architecture. Additionally, some Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are not fully supported on Googlebook OS, possibly due to conflicts with Android applications.

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

Googlebook apps come with five different Play Store labels

Google Play has introduced a new labeling system for Android apps on Googlebooks, featuring five distinct labels to indicate app suitability for desktop use: 1. Made for desktop: Apps designed specifically for desktop environments with optimized controls and layouts. 2. Optimized for desktop: Apps adapted for a better experience on laptops, though not originally built as desktop software. 3. Compatible with desktop: Apps that can function with standard mouse and keyboard controls but are not fully redesigned for desktop use. 4. Better on the website: Apps that provide a superior experience through a web browser rather than the app. 5. Built for mobile: Apps primarily designed for mobile devices, which may not offer an optimized experience on desktop. These labels aim to help users make informed choices about app installations based on their compatibility with larger screens.

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

Gears of War 3 can now be fully completed on PC

The unofficial PC adaptation of Gears of War 3 has received a significant update that resolves critical issues, allowing players to complete the story campaign without interruptions. Initially launched in July 2026, the port faced challenges that made it nearly unplayable due to software bugs and softlocks. The Gears 3 Multipatch Tool, created by modder DryreL, has addressed these problems, providing reliable save functionality and reducing the risk of save file corruption. Key improvements include an expanded resource pool size from 145 MB to 8 GB, enhanced transitions between object detail levels, and forced 16x anisotropic filtering for better visuals. The tool also allows customization of mouse settings, removes the frame rate limit, enabling up to 300 FPS, and is compatible with the HD Texture Pack. Players must first acquire Gears of War 3 Jacinto V1.1.1 and then install the Multipatch Tool to access these enhancements.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Steam sale deep cut alert: this ARPG originally developed for Nokia N-Gage is brilliant on Deck

Xanadu Next, developed by Nihon Falcom for the Nokia N-Gage, is a spin-off of the 1985 game Xanadu: Dragon Slayer 2. It has recently been re-released on Steam during the Autumn sale. The game features an isometric view and a metroidvania structure, with gameplay involving exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Players can upgrade and trade in a central village, while the world outside offers interconnected areas reminiscent of Dark Souls. The game is available at a 70% discount but lacks comprehensive controller support, requiring some tasks to be done with a mouse. Players have reported success running it on the Steam Deck despite it being marked as unsupported.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

Googlebooks are here, but Google says some laptops might struggle with app support

Googlebooks powered by Intel processors from Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo may have difficulties running certain apps from the Play Store, while devices with Qualcomm processors from HP and Dell are expected to perform without limitations. Pre-orders for the Googlebook started on September 21, with the official launch on October 4 in the U.S. and October 5 in the U.K. and other regions. Most Android applications are optimized for ARM architecture, which may limit app access for users with Intel-powered Googlebooks. The initial offerings include laptops starting at 9, featuring touchscreens, haptic glass trackpads, backlit keyboards, and integration with Android smartphones. The Magic Pointer feature, which integrates AI assistance into the mouse pointer, is also being rolled out in Chrome for Windows and Mac. Googlebooks are available for purchase through the Google Store, Best Buy, and other retailers, with various offers available.

Winsage

October 5, 2026

Windows 7’s Aero Shake never disappeared from Windows 11, how to enable it right now

Windows 11 includes the Aero Shake feature, also known as "Title bar window shake," which allows users to minimize all other open windows by shaking the title bar of the active window. This feature is disabled by default and can be activated by navigating to Settings > System > Multitasking. To use Aero Shake, users click and hold the title bar of the desired window and shake it left and right to minimize other windows, with the option to shake again to restore them. Aero Shake was originally introduced in Windows 7 and is designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to focus on their active window without distractions.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

Nineteen Years Later, The Simpsons Game Finally Runs Natively on PC

A solo developer named YesterMester has revived The Simpsons Game, originally released by Electronic Arts in 2007, by recompiling the Xbox 360 version to run on Windows, Linux, and Steam Deck. The latest version, 0.0.6.2, was released on GitHub in early October 2026 and features capabilities such as booting up, playing videos, saving progress, loading levels, and engaging gameplay. The game utilizes static recompilation to convert approximately 82,000 game functions into a standard x86-64 application, allowing for smooth gameplay at 60 frames per second. Players can enhance visuals with features like supersampling and anisotropic filtering, and the game now supports keyboard and mouse controls with customizable settings. Installation requires downloading a launcher, and a NoAVX2 package is available for older processors.

AppWizard

October 4, 2026

The Simpsons Game Unofficial PC Port Released

The unofficial PC version of The Simpsons Game has been released nearly two decades after its original console launch in 2007. It is based on the Xbox 360 version and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Steam Deck. The game has been rebuilt for x86-64 architecture, allowing it to run without CPU emulation, and supports Direct3D 12 and Vulkan. Players can experience fluid gameplay at 60 FPS, with menus and loading screens capped at 30 FPS. The port includes adjustable render scales for improved graphics and supports both controllers and customizable keyboard and mouse controls. The launcher features a new theme, automatic settings saving, and improved user interface. Performance enhancements include a refined timer setting for audio issues, increased frame rates on the Steam Deck, and reduced video memory usage. The game is available for download, but players must provide their own Xbox 360 ISO. Additionally, there is a growing library of unofficial PC ports of console-exclusive games, including titles like Super Mario 64 and Crash Team Racing.

AppWizard

October 4, 2026

Time Crisis Arcade-Perfect PC Port Is Now Available for Download

An unofficial PC version of the arcade classic Time Crisis has been released as part of the “Namco System 22 games for PC” initiative, which aims to bring several arcade games to the PC platform. The namco22-decompile project currently supports five titles: Time Crisis, Rave Racer, Dirt Dash, Tokyo Wars, and Prop Cycle. These games run more efficiently than traditional emulators and support widescreen formats and resolutions up to 4K. The Time Crisis port features mouse control support and compatibility with light guns. Players need to supply their own ROM files to enjoy the games, as the project does not include in-game assets. Other unofficial PC ports include titles such as Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Donkey Kong Country games. September 2026 has seen various unofficial PC ports, including Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link, GTA: Liberty City Stories, and Super Mario Strikers.