noise Archives

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Monday’s Android game and app deals: Cubasis 3, Seoul Exorcist 1111, Halls of Torment, more

During the Amazon 2026 Labor Day sale, shoppers can find deals on the Nothing Ear (3a) noise-cancelling earbuds at a low price and the CMF Clip Pro at a competitive price. There is also a selection of discounted Android games and applications, including: - Cubasis 3 – DAW & Music Studio - Seoul Exorcist 1111 - Fairy Knights - Story based RPG - Fighting Fantasy Legends - Guardian War: Ultimate Edition - Black Border 2 - Police Department Tycoon Pro - Halls of Torment: Premium

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

This open-source Android launcher is my new Niagara Launcher replacement

Niagara Launcher is appreciated for its minimalist design but is not open source, prompting the exploration of alternatives like Escape Launcher, which is available on F-Droid. Escape Launcher features a text-only interface, presenting favorite apps in a list format and allowing users to swipe left for all installed applications. It emphasizes thoughtful font selection and spacing, creating a curated experience. Users can customize fonts, color themes, and basic clock styles, and hide unwanted apps. While it lacks some features of Niagara Launcher, it is favored for its minimalist approach and reduced distractions.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Intelligent transcription with Gemini 3.5 Transcribe

Gemini 3.5 Transcribe is a new speech-to-text model designed for intelligent voice interactions, overcoming challenges faced by traditional speech recognition systems, such as background noise and complex jargon. It transforms raw audio into accurate, formatted text and is available to users of the Gemini app and Android devices. Developers can access its capabilities through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. The model supports two APIs: real-time streaming for interactive applications with sub-second latency and pre-recorded audio processing that includes speaker attribution and word-level timestamps. It enhances transcription accuracy by managing self-corrections, eliminating filler words, and auto-formatting text. The model has a Word Error Rate of 4.0% for streaming and 2.6% for non-streaming scenarios, effectively capturing alphanumeric entities. It adapts to custom vocabulary, supports over 85 languages, and can identify multiple speakers in pre-recorded audio.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

Former Rockstar dev says the GTA 6 leaks are a ‘nothing burger’: ‘There won’t be much damage’

Rockstar is preparing for the gameplay reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, which will debut exclusively on Netflix, while addressing the leak of 11 gameplay footage pieces. The developer is pursuing the source of the leaks, which may have ongoing access to a playable version of the game. Former Rockstar developer Obbe Vermeij described the leaks as a "nothing burger," suggesting they will have minimal impact on the franchise's success. He noted that most potential players are not engaged with online discussions or leaks, and past incidents of brand damage did not significantly harm the company. Vermeij expressed confidence that the current leaks would not lead to substantial damage to the brand.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

This DIY Halo console runs games from physical cartridges

The creator has designed a new case that features a cartridge pocket with an eject button, allowing for easy cartridge release while maintaining compatibility with existing cartridges. The device operates with a chip at 45W TDP, has a well-engineered airflow system, and is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced PETG with decorative olive-green panels and orange buttons. The logos are laser-engraved with unique Easter eggs. The console uses distinct firmware on an ESP32 microcontroller to transmit cartridge IDs to a mini PC, launching games seamlessly. An external USB cable is required for the ESP32 connection to the mini PC, which will be addressed in a future version. The case files are available for free on Printables.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Here are the PC game settings you should always turn on, and the ones to switch off

PC gaming allows customization of graphics settings to improve performance and visual experience. Certain settings can degrade image quality, while others enhance immersion. Settings to disable include: - Motion blur: Can create a blurry visual experience, especially during fast movements. - VSync: Synchronizes frame rate with monitor refresh rate but can introduce latency; alternatives like Adaptive Sync are more effective. - Depth of field: Can obscure details and consume resources, particularly in clarity-focused scenarios. - Chromatic aberration, bloom, lens flare, and film grain: These post-processing effects can detract from clarity and hinder performance, especially in competitive play. Settings to enable or tweak include: - ML-based upscaling (DLSS, FSR 4, XeSS): Enhances visual stability and boosts performance without sacrificing image quality. - Textures: Higher quality textures improve realism and detail, especially with sufficient VRAM. - View distance: A higher setting enhances immersion by rendering distant objects, reducing distracting pop-ins. - Shadows: Higher quality shadows add depth and realism, enhancing the overall visual experience despite potential performance costs.

Tech Optimizer

August 14, 2026

Best Antivirus for Mac 2026: Real Test Results and Ranking

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the leading antivirus solution for Mac users in 2026, particularly effective on Apple Silicon and against live macOS threats. It achieved the highest malware detection rates, the fewest false alarms, and minimal impact on startup time. Other notable antivirus options include Norton 360 for Mac, Avast One for Mac, NordVPN Threat Protection Pro, McAfee Total Protection for Mac, and Malwarebytes for Mac. Each antivirus was tested on a MacBook Air against various malware, adware, and phishing threats, focusing on real-time protection, adware removal, and system performance impact. macOS includes built-in protections like XProtect, Gatekeeper, System Integrity Protection, app sandboxing, and Lockdown Mode, which provide a solid defense for users who only install software from the App Store. However, users who install software from outside the App Store, transfer files between Mac and Windows, store sensitive data, use second-hand Macs, or have previously encountered malware may need additional antivirus software. Common threats for Mac users include adware, infostealers, and malvertising. The rankings of antivirus solutions were based on AV-TEST results, malware tests, system impact, and unique features. Bitdefender received a perfect score at AV-TEST and demonstrated 99.9% malware detection with only one false alarm. Free antivirus options like Avast One for Mac and Malwarebytes Free are available, with Avast One providing genuine real-time protection at no cost.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Windows 11’s August update has arrived — here are 3 reasons to download it, including turbocharged app launching

Windows 11's August update introduces several enhancements, including the expansion of Launch Performance Optimization (LLP) to all applications, improving app launch speed by temporarily boosting processor performance. Voice Access now features Voice Isolation to filter out background noise, requiring a one-time setup for optimal performance. Precision touchpad users gain new gesture controls for zoom and scroll speed adjustments. The update reinstates the ability to manually set the threshold for the Energy Saver feature. Lock screen widgets now display only the weather by default, and notification badges in the taskbar have been visually updated to use the Windows accent color. Additional changes include support for peripheral fingerprint sensors in Windows Hello and a parental controls notice during setup.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Your Windows 11 PC is getting a dozen small upgrades this week

Recent updates to Windows 11 have introduced several enhancements, including: - File Explorer now displays file sizes in more intuitive units (MB or GB for larger files, KB for smaller files). - Users can open folders in new tabs using the middle mouse button from the address bar and Start page. - Voice control improvements filter out background noise for clearer command recognition. - Windows Search provides smarter results even with typographical errors. - Touchpad gesture settings have been updated to adjust scroll and zoom speeds and enable accelerated scrolling. - Windows Hello now supports external fingerprint readers. - An expansion of updated Secure Boot certificates has been announced for more PCs. - After the August Patch Tuesday update, Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 have build numbers 26200.9165 and 26100.9165, respectively, with features being rolled out gradually.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Wes Fenlon’s recommendations

The author reflects on their writing for PC Gamer, noting that their work includes interviews, editorials, explorations of PC gaming history, and news updates, rather than just personal recommendations. To combat the fleeting nature of online content, they plan to create a lasting repository of personal favorites, including games, movies, gadgets, recipes, and life tips. The author is Wes Fenlon, who humorously mentions using WASD incorrectly for his entire life.