November Archives

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

Nothing Phone (4a) and (3a) Pro can now join Android 17 open beta

Nothing has released the Nothing OS 5.0 open beta for the Phone (4a), Phone (3a Pro), and Phone (3a) ahead of the official launch of Android 17 next month. The Android 17 package includes enhancements such as newly designed widgets, upgrades to the camera application, and a dedicated Glyph app for managing light controls. The rollout is on schedule, with the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus set to receive updates in October, and the official Android 17 build for the Phone (4a) and Phone (3a) series expected in early November, concluding by January 2027.

Winsage

September 22, 2026

Microsoft engineer explains what made Windows 7 take 30 seconds to show the desktop

Changing the desktop wallpaper to a solid color in Windows 7 caused a 30-second delay on the Welcome screen after entering a password. This issue arose because the system waited for a signal from the wallpaper component, which only sent its "I'm ready" signal when an image file was used. When a solid color was selected, this signal was not sent, leading to unnecessary waiting. The problem was acknowledged by Microsoft for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and it was resolved with a Hotfix update in November 2009. Users found workarounds, such as switching to an image or creating a small solid-color image, to eliminate the delay.

AppWizard

September 21, 2026

Ahead of GTA 6’s Release, Rockstar Updates Modding Guidelines Touching on Monetization, Multiplayer

Take-Two Interactive has not confirmed the release date for Grand Theft Auto 6 on PC, but the game is anticipated to launch in November. Rockstar Games has updated its modding guidelines for GTA 6, which include prohibitions on altering storylines, combining elements from different titles, and unauthorized monetization of mods. The guidelines emphasize respect for Rockstar's intellectual property and the creator community, and they state that monetization is only allowed through approved digital storefronts. The game is set to launch on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the PC version's release date still unannounced. Additionally, Rockstar will release "Grand Theft Auto 6: The Album," featuring 34 original tracks from contemporary artists.

BetaBeacon

September 20, 2026

“Hades meets Streets of Rage 4”: Hit Roguelite Absolum to be Released on Android and iOS

Absolum, a beat 'em up roguelite game with 92% positive reviews on Steam, is coming to Android and iOS on November 5, 2026. Pre-registration is open on Google Play and the App Store. The game offers unique gameplay mechanics, four distinct heroes, revamped interface for mobile, online co-op, controller support, and cloud saves.

AppWizard

September 17, 2026

World of Warcraft: Forever players are reliving 2004 with hour-long queue times to get into the highly-anticipated beta

Blizzard has launched the beta for WoW: Forever, a modernized version of WoW Classic. Initial queue times were around nine minutes, but many players experienced disconnections and longer waits. Blizzard acknowledged the issues on X, assuring players that they are working to resolve them. WoW: Forever features a new server structure where players choose a ruleset and join a unified server, which may be contributing to the queue challenges. Dataminers have discovered new class talent trees and armor sets in the game’s files. The beta will be available until October 21, ahead of the official launch on November 4.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Bill Gates’s ‘kind lesson’ that Windows developer, now a billionaire, took to Sea when he built his $500 million Yacht

Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, created a custom-built superyacht named Leviathan, delivered by Oceanco. The 364-foot yacht features a glass wall etched with the names of nearly 3,000 contributors, honoring the collaborative effort behind its creation. Leviathan includes luxurious amenities like a 10-meter swimming pool and operates as a sophisticated oceanic base, equipped with a dive and scientific workstation, a laboratory, and 3D printing capabilities. The yacht also has an entertainment lounge optimized for holographic displays and a soundproof suite for music and video editing.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in October

Devices operating on Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates starting October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive mainstream support until October 2027. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Systems running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro that are not managed by IT will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2. Users can check for eligibility for the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update. Windows Server 2022 will transition to extended support on October 13, 2026, lasting until October 14, 2031. Microsoft has extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for home users until October 2027 and will halt security updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro 23H2 in November 2025.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Windows Server 2022 reaches end of mainstream support next month

Microsoft has announced that mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end next month, transitioning to an extended support phase that lasts until October 2031. Windows Server 2022 was released in September 2021 and will receive its final mainstream support update on October 13, 2026. After this date, it will continue to receive essential security updates at no extra cost until October 14, 2031. Hotpatching for Windows Server 2022 will be available until October 2027 for Datacenter: Azure Edition. Microsoft encourages administrators to upgrade to Windows Server 2025, which began rolling out to Windows Insiders in January 2024 and is expected to be generally available by November 2024. Windows Server 2025 will have mainstream support until November 13, 2029, followed by five years of extended support until November 14, 2034. A 180-day trial of Windows Server 2025 is available through the Microsoft Evaluation Center.

AppWizard

September 15, 2026

Latest Pixel Feature Drop Expands Access to Scam-Text Detection

Google has released a feature update for Pixel phones that enhances existing functionalities and introduces new elements. The update expands scam-text detection capabilities to chat applications using Gboard, compatible with devices as old as the Pixel 6, and is available in multiple countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Japan, and Singapore. It also improves VIP notifications by allowing users to add home-screen widgets for designated contacts and includes a new navigation menu for easier contact switching, available for Pixel 6 and newer models. Additionally, a Harry Potter-themed pack with wallpapers, icons, and audio effects is offered, along with a two-month free subscription to Audible. For Pixel Watch users, the update introduces a one-handed pinch gesture for easier access to notifications and improved functionality for the raise-to-talk gesture on newer models.

AppWizard

September 15, 2026

BPMG Releases Steam PC Demo for Cooking Adventure

BPMG released a demo version of its cooking simulation game, Cooking Adventure, for Steam PC on the 15th. The game, known as My Little Chef in South Korea, allows players to act as chefs in various themed restaurants, with a mobile version that has 33 million downloads. The demo features two restaurants (Grill House and Sushi House) with 20 stages total. The full version, launching in November, will include 12 restaurants, 540 stages, cooking contests, and leaderboard competitions. BPMG aims to gather feedback from demo players and promote the game through videos and influencer collaborations.