offering Archives

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Steam Machine pricing starts at $1,049 for 512GB model

Valve's Steam Machine is now available for pre-order, with two versions priced at ,049 for the 512GB model and ,349 for the 2TB model, which includes a Steam Controller. The device runs on SteamOS and can play PC games, functioning as both a console and a desktop computer. Its compact design allows for easy integration into home environments. The pricing has been influenced by component shortages due to demand from AI sectors. Valve has stated that it does not follow the traditional console model of selling hardware at a loss, aiming instead for an open ecosystem. Insights suggest that the target price for the Steam Machine may have shifted significantly due to rising costs.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Valve Wants You To Know The Steam Machine Isn’t A Video Game Console: ‘We Think Of It As An Extension Of PC Gaming’

Valve's Steam Machine is positioned as an extension of the PC gaming experience rather than a traditional video game console. The device starts at ,050 for the 512GB model, contrasting with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which retail for around 0, and the PS5 Pro at 0 for a 2TB SSD. The maximum storage option for the Steam Machine is 1TB, priced at ,350. Valve emphasizes a more open gaming ecosystem, differing from the conventional model of selling hardware at a loss. The company collects a 30 percent platform fee on games sold through Steam but aims to remain outside the traditional hardware competition.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

The Steam Machine is the start of an even more expensive future for game consoles

Valve's Steam Machine is priced at ,049 for the 512GB model and ,128 with a Steam Controller. The 2TB version costs ,349 or ,428 with the controller. In comparison, the 2TB Xbox Series X retails for 9.99, the PS5 Pro for 9.99, and the upcoming Switch 2 is expected to launch at 9.99. The Steam Machine offers access to Steam's extensive library of games and is positioned as a premium option in a market with rising hardware prices. Recent data shows a 46% decline in PS5 sales year-over-year, coinciding with a price increase to 9.99. Xbox is developing "Project Helix," a device between a console and a PC, but pricing concerns have led to a reevaluation of its vision.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Monday’s best Android app deals and freebies: Rare 30% price drop on Blasphemous, Hitman Sniper, more

Consumers can find discounts on various Android apps during the early Prime Day festivities, including notable titles such as Blasphemous, Dungeon Clawler, Hitman Sniper, Bridge Constructor Portal, Mythic Trials 2, Lara Croft GO, Dungeon Village, and Earn to Die. Best Buy is offering savings of up to 0 on the latest 2026 Copilot+ PCs, while Walmart has significant discounts on the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite and Galaxy Tab A11+, with prices starting at .

Winsage

June 22, 2026

MSYS2 And The No-Fuss Way To Get More GNU Into Your Windows

The Windows desktop experience has a streamlined interface, but its command line interface (CLI) offerings, particularly the cmd.exe shell, have been criticized for lacking the features found in UNIX/BSD/Linux environments. Microsoft’s transition to PowerShell has disappointed users who prefer a more traditional CLI experience. Despite Windows NT operating systems being POSIX compliant, they have historically lacked a suitable shell. MSYS2 provides a solution by offering a Linux-like experience with a Bash shell and the pacman package manager, allowing users to run shell scripts and access various tools. However, binaries compiled in MSYS2 may depend on shared libraries not included in the Windows system path. Upon installation, users can choose from different terminal options, with the UCRT terminal recommended for its usability. MSYS2 facilitates a streamlined development workflow, enabling the use of familiar tools across multiple platforms, but it does not achieve perfect integration within Windows and has some limitations, such as issues with stdout output in Bash.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

“Nintendo will not be challenged at all” — Surging prices have damaged the PC gaming handheld market, and our readers did not hold back

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is priced at ,799, reflecting increased component costs due to the AI boom and its premium build quality. In comparison, the Steam Deck started at 9, allowing consumers to buy multiple gaming consoles. Nintendo has shipped nearly 156 million Switch units and 19.86 million Switch 2 units, while the Steam Deck has sold an estimated 4 million units. The Nintendo Switch's sales surged after a price hike in Japan but later declined, with a similar price adjustment expected in the US, Canada, and Europe. Users distinguish the Steam Deck as an "enthusiast device" for PC gamers, while the Switch is the exclusive platform for Nintendo titles. The PC gaming handheld market is viewed as hibernating rather than over, with optimism for future developments despite current challenges. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ features Intel's Arc G3 chips, which have generated excitement about its performance. There is a significant audience interested in the right combination of price and specifications for handheld PC gaming.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

This week in PC games: synthpunk platforming, haunted house hoovering, and a game about growing a black hole

Temperatures in southern Britain are predicted to reach 38 degrees Celsius. The British population is generally unaccustomed to such extreme heat. The author, a games journalist, is focused on curating a list of new PC games instead of dealing with the heat. Notable game releases include: - Desolation Seed (early access): An immersive open-air combat prison experience. - Dark Scrolls: A roguelite platformer with whimsical characters. - Idle Chapel: An idle game involving converting cultists. - Relief: A game combining Chinese mythology with anime aesthetics. - Dimhaven: A photography puzzler set in a misty resort. - Deer & Boy: An emotive platforming experience in a frozen landscape. - Heavydelic (early access): A visually striking Slavic Synthpunk game. - Rift Wizard 3 (early access): A sandbox game focused on spell-crafting. - Empulse: A 6v6 shooter reminiscent of Titanfall 3. - S.A.N.D.Y. - Beach Cleaner: A post-apocalyptic beach game. - 7 Nights with Vroombi: A robot vacuum cleaning a haunted house. - nophenia: An exploration game featuring a wolfgirl. - Omen Exitio: Hunger: A Lovecraftian mystery set in 1927 New York. - Eyes of the ElderWood (early access): A horror and folklore adventure game. The editorial team is focused on finding ways to stay cool during the heatwave while remaining committed to uncovering new PC gaming titles.

Winsage

June 21, 2026

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H2 for fall 2026 release, reveals supported PCs and other details

Microsoft has confirmed the upcoming Windows 11 26H2 feature update, set to roll out in fall 2026, likely in October. This update will not be a major overhaul and will utilize an enablement package (eKB) for installation, similar to the previous Windows 11 25H2 version. The last major update was the 24H2 version, released on October 1, 2024, while 25H2 launched in 2025 and reset the OS life cycle, extending support by an additional year. Support for Windows 11 24H2 ends on October 13, 2026, and for 25H2 until October 12, 2027. Windows 11 26H2 will be supported until October 2028 for Home, Pro, Pro EDU, and Pro for Workstations editions, and until October 2029 for Enterprise, Education, or IoT Enterprise editions. Devices running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 will transition to 26H2 without new hardware requirements, maintaining specifications of 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a 1GHz or faster 64-bit dual-core processor. Windows 11 26H1, another update, requires new silicon but does not introduce exclusive features. Major changes will be delivered through monthly cumulative updates rather than annual feature updates.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

This 4.9-Star LEGO Minecraft Creeper Hides a Secret Inside, Amazon Goes Nearly Zero Margin

The LEGO Minecraft Creeper set has sold 6,000 units in one month on Amazon and has a 4.9-star rating from nearly 1,800 reviews. It consists of 665 pieces, features a large, poseable figure over 8 inches tall, and includes articulated legs and a detachable head with a hidden compartment containing a first-version Creeper minifigure and a TNT element. Targeted at ages 10 and up, it offers a mid-range building experience without lengthy assembly times. The set serves as room decor and is part of the LEGO Minecraft collection. It is currently priced at a significant discount, marking its lowest price on Amazon, with the platform absorbing most of the margin.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Mojang says that Minecraft Dungeons 2 has more overt “callbacks to vanilla Minecraft” than the last ARPG it released

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an upcoming action role-playing game (ARPG) that emphasizes swordplay and cooperative adventures in various locales. It aims to be an accessible dungeon crawler, appealing to fans of the Diablo series while providing a simpler alternative to games like Path of Exile 2. The sequel seeks to strengthen connections to the original Minecraft experience by incorporating more "callbacks" and introducing an interconnected world that encourages exploration. Additionally, it features a refined item rarity system with four tiers: Common, Rare, Special, and Unique, enhancing gameplay and engagement.