notes Archives

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

PlayStation’s strategy of releasing its single-player games on PC is reportedly stopping

Sony is recalibrating its strategy regarding the release of single-player PlayStation 5 games on PC, with upcoming titles being exclusive to the PS5 platform. The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, titled Ghost of Yotei, will not have a PC port, and the PS5 exclusive Saros will also remain a console-exclusive title. Multiplayer games like Marathon and Marvel Tokon will retain their multi-platform status, while titles such as Death Stranding 2 and Kena: Scars of Kosmora will still see PC releases. Sony's shift away from PC ports for single-player games may be influenced by the capabilities of Microsoft's next Xbox console and reflects a strategic move to strengthen its console ecosystem.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Sony is Reportedly Backtracking on Porting Single Player PlayStation Games on PC

Sony is recalibrating its approach to PlayStation titles on PC, reportedly canceling the PC version of the PS5 exclusive, Ghost of Yotei. This indicates a potential shift in strategy where other first-party PlayStation games may remain exclusive to the PS5. In February 2024, Sony launched Helldivers 2 on both PS5 and PC, with an Xbox version to follow in August 2025. Bungie’s upcoming multiplayer shooter, Marathon, is also set for a simultaneous launch on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S on March 5. Reports suggest that recent PlayStation releases have underperformed on PC, leading to concerns within Sony about brand dilution and sales impact. The anticipated release of Microsoft's next-generation Xbox, which may support PC games, complicates Sony's decision-making. Console exclusivity has historically driven hardware sales, as seen with the Nintendo Switch surpassing 155 million units sold by December 31, 2025. Microsoft has adopted a strategy of launching first-party games on Xbox and PC simultaneously, with some titles also releasing on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms. This strategy may reduce the incentive for consumers to purchase an Xbox console.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

March builds on Google Home automations, expands Nest’s Yale Lock support

Google Home is implementing significant updates in March, including improvements to the Gemini voice assistant's interaction with smart home devices through room-level commands. Users can now issue commands like "turn off the kitchen," targeting specific devices. The update introduces new automation triggers, such as "Security system is armed" and "Device is plugged in." Google is also expanding its partnership with Yale Smart Lock, allowing users to view lock history and receive notifications through the Google Home app. The Gemini update enhances voice assistant capabilities, utilizing users' home addresses for contextually relevant responses, and improving accuracy for commands related to notes, reminders, calendars, and alarms. Additional features include enhanced responses for informational queries, fewer interruptions during speech, increased reliability for automations, improved accuracy in playing new songs, and a new “Live Search” feature for Google Home Premium subscribers. A software patch for Nest Wifi Pro is also set to enhance security and performance. Gemini for Home was first unveiled in late 2022, with early access starting in October, and users have reported positive experiences with features like "Ask Home."

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

With developer verification, Google’s Apple envy threatens to dismantle Android’s open legacy

The F-Droid team published an open letter to Google, supported by 35 organizations, expressing concerns about Google's changes to the Android ecosystem. Many Android users rely on Google for app installations, facing challenges when trying to use alternative app stores or open-source apps without verification. Some developers are shifting to progressive web apps instead of Android. Alternatives to Google's verification system include non-certified Android devices and privacy-focused ROMs like LineageOS or GrapheneOS, but these options come with security vulnerabilities and installation difficulties for most users. Telecom companies impose restrictions on devices to ensure they work on their networks, leading to a reliance on stock software and security updates from Google and manufacturers.

Winsage

March 3, 2026

This third‑party Windows 11 app fixes one of its most annoying UX problems

The Files app has been updated to version 4.0.28, featuring an improved right-click context menu, bug fixes, support for the Microsoft Store version of Dropbox, icon customization for URL and shortcut files, and an option to disable smooth scrolling. The update resolves several issues, including problems with the 'Open With' menu, tab switching, and tag searches. The development team is focused on performance improvements, particularly for thumbnail loading times. Microsoft has plans to enhance Windows 11 and address user pain points related to File Explorer.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Minecraft Bedrock 26.3 Released on March 2 Applies Update 1.043

Mojang released a new title update for Minecraft on March 2, known as Bedrock edition 26.3, available for download on consoles as Minecraft update 1.043 (complete version 1.043.000). The update addresses several important issues to enhance game performance, including: - Fixing the localization of certain items from the Mounts of Mayhem drop (MCPE-235956). - Resolving a crash that could occur when loading a world or Realm. - A previous patch corrected an issue with add-ons that could lead to crashes or missing textures (MCPE-235929). The update has not yet been released for last-generation consoles, specifically the PS4 and Xbox One, but this is expected to change soon.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

PCs under $500 to “disappear by 2028” predicts analyst. Apparently water’s wet, too.

Gartner predicts that the sub-0 entry-level PC segment will disappear by 2028 due to a 130% increase in memory and SSD costs, contributing to a 17% rise in PC prices by 2025. This situation is expected to result in a 10.4% decline in PC shipments this year, the first contraction in over a decade. Consumers are anticipated to keep their devices longer, with business users holding onto PCs for 15% longer and consumers for 20% longer by the end of 2026. The report indicates that elevated RAM and SSD prices will persist longer than expected, influenced by broader inflation trends. Additionally, the anticipated 50% market penetration of AI PCs is now expected to be delayed until 2028.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

5 of the best productivity apps on Android for getting organized and getting stuff done

Perplexity allows users to access multiple AI models with cited sources for verification. Google Docs enables collaborative document creation and editing with features like commenting, automatic cloud saving, and offline access. Notion serves as a hub for to-do lists, notes, documents, and project management, with AI capabilities for transcribing and summarizing notes. Microsoft To Do offers a user-friendly interface for creating to-do lists, setting reminders, and collaborating with others, while syncing across devices. Proton Drive provides end-to-end encryption for file security, automatic backups, and additional security features like PIN or biometric protection and secure file sharing options.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika’s original RPG: ‘Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth’

Cara Ellison is a narrative designer whose journey in gaming began with a BBC Micro and the 1987 game Acheton. She has worked as a games journalist for publications like PC Gamer and transitioned into game design, contributing narratives to titles such as Dishonored 2, Void Bastards, God of War: Ragnarok, and Ghost Town. Her latest project is Sleight of Hand, a deckbuilding stealth game inspired by Metal Gear Solid and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines. She has a fondness for the original Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, despite its technical challenges, and has logged 103 hours in Kentucky Route Zero. Ellison keeps Sunless Sea installed on both her work and personal computers, appreciating its narrative depth. For her writing, she uses Scrivener, which she utilized for Void Bastards. Her desktop is relatively tidy, featuring a mix of business and leisure icons, with a wallpaper from Vertigo.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

For Project Zomboid players, the year-long wait for a stable build is nearly over

Project Zomboid's build 42 was released in an 'unstable' form in December 2024 and has not yet transitioned to a 'stable' state, despite the addition of multiplayer support in late 2025. Concerns have arisen within the community regarding the team's communication during this prolonged development. Christian 'Serellan' Allen became the new design director in late 2025 and aims to address these issues. He acknowledges the complexity of the game and the need for dedicated design leadership. The team is currently focused on bug fixes, balancing, and polishing build 42, with no specific release date for the stable version. Enhancements made under Allen's direction include a revamped right-click menu and planned balance adjustments for game modes. He emphasizes the importance of community feedback and intends to improve communication about the game's direction.