news Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

Free PC Game Available on Steam for 48 Hours Only (And It’s Steam Deck Verified)

Steam users can download the game "Paradox Soul" for free for 48 hours until June 17. It is a Metroidvania pixel action-shooter hybrid developed by Ritual Games and is Steam Deck Verified. The game currently has a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with 43 percent of user reviews being positive. It is typically priced at .99. The game features a protagonist named Dr. Alli Rose, who explores a test facility to confront evil. Many user reviews come from accounts with minimal playtime.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

Windows 11 Insiders surprised by return of Vista startup sound — it’s a bug not a feature, says MS exec

In the latest Insider Build of Windows 11 (version 26200.5651 from the Dev Channel), users experienced the Windows Vista startup melody upon booting to the desktop, which was identified as a bug by Microsoft Senior Program Manager Brandon LeBlanc. This build introduced new features such as enhanced Copilot+ PC experiences and a new Recall export function. The audio glitch has been classified as a 'known issue.'

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

Steam quietly makes 2018 game free to keep for 1 week

Currently, the indie game Paradox Soul, developed by Ritual Games and released in 2018, is available for free on Steam until June 17, 2025. The game is a single-player ‘metroidvania’ action platformer that typically costs £4.29. It now includes Steam Trading Cards and invites players to explore its mysteries. User reviews on Steam are mixed, with some players sharing humorous feedback. If players do not enjoy the game, they can remove it from their library without any cost.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

First look at JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in ‘American Love Story,’ ‘A Minecraft Movie’ sets streaming premiere date, and more of today’s top stories

Ryan Murphy Productions has released initial camera test photos for the limited series American Love Story, featuring actors Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The animated film A Minecraft Movie will premiere on Warner Bros.' streaming service, Max, on June 20, with Jack Black voicing a character. The Palm Springs ShortFest will take place from June 24 to 30, featuring juries including Gold Derby's editor-in-chief, Debra Birnbaum, and offering five Oscar-qualifying awards. King Charles III has knighted Gary Oldman and awarded David Beckham honors, while Samantha Morton received a CBE. Ryan Reynolds is collaborating with Paramount Animation and director Josh Cooley for an adaptation of the children's book I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story by Mark Pett. Matthew McConaughey is set to star in a new film adaptation of the private detective character Mike Hammer, created by Mickey Spillane. Juliana Canfield will star in the thriller F.A.S.T., alongside Brandon Sklenar, in a story about a former special forces commando confronting CIA-protected drug dealers.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

Windows Central Podcast: Xbox Ally is official, and Aero Glass is back?

This week's episode of the Windows Central Podcast features hosts Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden discussing significant developments in Windows and Xbox, including the newly announced Xbox Ally, which will change gaming on handheld Windows devices. They also talk about Apple's WWDC announcements, particularly Liquid Glass, which they believe may not match the Aero Glass aesthetic from Windows Vista. Additionally, the podcast addresses updates to iPadOS and concerns about how these enhancements could impact the market for low- and mid-range Windows PCs.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Steam beta gets native Apple Silicon support — the only public Arm version of Steam

Valve has released an update to its Steam Client Beta, optimized for Apple Silicon, eliminating the need for Rosetta 2. This update enhances performance for both the Steam Client and Steam Helper on Apple computers. The transition to a native version is timely as Apple is ending support for Rosetta 2 with the upcoming macOS 27. Valve confirmed that macOS Tahoe will be the last update for Intel Macs. Users can upgrade to the new Steam version (1749753892 or higher) by navigating to Steam > Preferences and selecting the Steam Beta Update option. The update can be verified in the Activity Monitor, where it should indicate Apple in the Kind column.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Sony removes regional restrictions on four of its biggest games on Steam

Sony has lifted regional restrictions on four major games on Steam, allowing players in various countries to access them freely. The games affected are God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2. Initially, Helldivers 2 required a PlayStation Network (PSN) sign-in, leading to its removal from sale in 177 countries without PSN access. In contrast, the upcoming Spider-Man 2 and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, along with God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, will not require a PSN account, although regional restrictions still apply in countries without PSN services. PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst emphasized the importance of a careful approach to releasing PlayStation games on other platforms and the significance of single-player titles for showcasing console performance.

BetaBeacon

June 13, 2025

The Best Mobile Gaming Controllers for iPhone and Android

There are two main types of mobile gaming controllers: grip and standard. Grip controllers are designed to be more portable while providing a familiar gaming experience with physical buttons, joysticks, and triggers. Standard gaming controllers, like those used with Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo consoles, can also be used with mobile devices.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Data Doctors: How to work safely in a Windows 10 environment when security updates stop

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, ceasing all security updates, bug fixes, and technical support. Users have several options for transitioning to Windows 11: 1. Upgrade to Windows 11 if the PC meets compatibility criteria (TPM 2.0 chip and newer processor). 2. Replace the computer with a new one that comes pre-installed with Windows 11. 3. Use an unofficial workaround to install Windows 11 on noncompliant systems, which carries risks such as lack of future updates and system instability. 4. Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) after the deadline, primarily for business customers but potentially available for individuals. Running an unsupported operating system after 2025 is not advisable.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Another Day, Another Google Feature Bites the Dust

Google will discontinue Instant Apps in December 2025. Instant Apps, introduced in 2017, allowed users to access parts of an app without full installation but struggled to gain popularity due to limitations on developers, such as a 15 MB size cap for streamlined versions. The announcement of the discontinuation was made indirectly through a notice in Android Studio, rather than a formal blog post.