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AppWizard

April 19, 2026

The sequel to flying city-builder Airborne Kingdom just hit 1.0 with a huge update and a 50% discount

Airborne Kingdom is a city builder game with an 80% rating, developed by The Wandering Band. Its sequel, Airborne Empire, has been released after four years of development and a year in Steam early access. The new game features an expanded world, light RPG elements, new buildings, upgrades, and a jet engine for speed and combat. To celebrate the launch, Airborne Empire is discounted by 50% to £12.50, and Airborne Kingdom is available at an 80% discount for £4, both offers expiring on May 1.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Mirror’s Edge review (2009)

Wes Fenlon reflects on the evolution of the Mirror's Edge franchise, noting that only six years separated the original game from its sequel, Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Despite Catalyst's mixed reception, Fenlon maintains nostalgia for the original, particularly its vibrant cityscape and the iconic cloth physics supported by Nvidia's PhysX. A review by Graham Smith highlights the early levels of Mirror's Edge for their embodiment of free-running, with a design that emphasizes evasion over traditional combat, which can lead to frustration. The game's physicality and attention to detail enhance immersion, while the sensation of speed adds excitement to gameplay. Players navigate through jumping puzzles and environments that blend challenge and satisfaction, although the story mode is brief, taking about six hours to complete. Additional modes like Speed Run and Time Trial offer further challenges focused on movement. Overall, Mirror's Edge is recognized as a bold experiment in merging first-person platforming with traditional gameplay elements.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Government has carried out no modelling on under-16 social media ban impacts

Campaigners are urging caution regarding a proposed ban on social media for individuals under 16, as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has not conducted any internal modeling or analysis to assess the potential impacts of such a ban. The DSIT acknowledged that "clear, agreed evidence does not currently exist" in response to a Freedom of Information request. In legislative discussions, MPs rejected immediate restrictions on social media for minors, while Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for action without guaranteeing prompt implementation. The government is piloting measures such as app bans, time restrictions, and overnight curfews with approximately 300 teenagers involved in a trial. Research led by Professor Amy Orben indicates gaps in understanding the relationship between children's mental health and digital technology use, highlighting the need for high-quality studies. The DSIT confirmed it has internal research on the subject but is withholding it to avoid misinterpretation. Burrows advocates for stronger regulation targeting online harm instead of outright bans, suggesting bans may not effectively address safety concerns. A DSIT spokesperson reiterated the commitment to building a strong evidence base and seeking public input before making decisions.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Samsung Messages is going away, so here are 5 the best messaging alternatives

Samsung will officially cease operations of its Samsung Messages app in July 2026 and has stopped pre-installing it on newer Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S26 series. Users can continue to send messages through the app until the shutdown, but emergency services and specific contacts will not be supported. Samsung is directing users to Google Messages as the official alternative, which supports Rich Communication Services (RCS) and is the default messaging app on most Android devices. Google Messages offers features such as reliable cross-texting with iPhone users, typing indicators, high-quality media sharing, message reactions, and built-in spam protection. Alternatives to RCS include WhatsApp, which offers voice and video calls, group chats, and message reactions, but has raised privacy concerns. Telegram allows large group chats, channels, and file sharing but lacks end-to-end encryption by default. Signal provides end-to-end encryption for all communications and collects minimal user data, making it the most secure option. Customizable SMS apps like Textra and QUIK SMS do not support RCS, making Google Messages the most viable option for RCS functionality.

BetaBeacon

April 19, 2026

Gala Games Releases Legends & Dragons on iOS and Android

Gala Games released Legends & Dragons, a popular match-3 RPG game, on iOS and Android on April 14. The game offers new features such as PvP battles and empire-building elements, aiming to enhance the overall gameplay. The game, previously known as Legends Reborn, has over 500,000 downloads on Google Play and has been rebranded to focus on delivering quality content and gameplay.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Portal 2: Community Edition promises to take the game’s modding potential to new heights, and it’s out in open beta now

Portal 2 has approximately one million user-generated levels available on its Steam Workshop. The recently released Portal 2: Community Edition is in open beta and is a community-maintained build that enhances the existing experience without overhauling the core gameplay. New features include new lighting technology, volumetric effects, support for more detailed textures, custom campaign support, expanded scripting capabilities, and an improved Hammer map editor. Community Edition is built on Strata Source, a fork of the CS:GO engine, and has already inspired innovative mods. The mod's workshop page includes Half-Life 2 maps, enhanced texture assets, and an original puzzle titled Lesbian Kissing. The team is also working on an original campaign for the mod.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

“A solid list from the community,” as Reddit users highlight 10 open‑source apps that run great on Windows 11 and deserve more attention

Open-source software is becoming increasingly popular among Windows 11 users for its control, privacy, and avoidance of subscription models. Key applications highlighted include: - Firefox: A recommended open-source browser known for its privacy, customization, and performance, with robust extension support and regular updates. - Bitwarden: An open-source password manager that offers encrypted vault syncing across devices, end-to-end encryption, and features like password generation and autofill. - OBS Studio: A standard tool for screen recording and live streaming, praised for its flexibility and hardware acceleration support on Windows 11. - LibreOffice: A comprehensive office suite that provides document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools without subscription fees, supporting common Microsoft Office file formats. - 7-Zip: A file compression utility recognized for its speed and efficiency, offering enhanced security features not present in Windows 11's built-in archive support. - LocalSend: A file transfer tool that allows secure transfers over a local network without needing accounts or cloud services. - GIMP: An open-source image editing tool regarded as an alternative to Photoshop, known for its flexibility and extensive customization options. - Blender: An advanced open-source application for 3D modeling, animation, and video editing, benefiting from strong GPU acceleration on Windows 11. - PowerToys: A suite of productivity utilities for Windows 11 that enhances core features with tools like FancyZones and PowerRename. These applications are favored for their ability to enhance the user experience while prioritizing control, transparency, and long-term usability.

Tech Optimizer

April 18, 2026

TotalAV Keeps Prices Low While Covering the Basics of Online Protection

TotalAV, founded in 2016, offers a competitive antivirus solution with an entry-level plan aimed at users seeking essential coverage at a reasonable price. Its features include real-time malware scanning, a browser extension called WebShield for blocking dangerous links, a system cleanup tool, and a basic password vault. The Android app is user-friendly, while the iOS version provides limited features due to Apple's restrictions. TotalAV includes a VPN with a daily data cap and effective phishing protection through its WebShield feature. Renewal costs can increase significantly after the first year, and independent lab testing of TotalAV is less frequent compared to competitors like Bitdefender and Kaspersky.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

After 23 years, CCP is about to do the unthinkable: add a non-PvP zone to EVE Online

EVE Online is introducing a new non-PvP zone called Exordium, aimed at providing a welcoming entry point for new players. This zone will allow rookies to begin their journey in a space designed specifically for them, with PvP against inexperienced players discouraged and rookie griefing prohibited. Exordium is set to open for exploration ahead of EVE Fanfest in May, with a full rollout expected during the summer.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

15 years on, Portal 2 Community Edition just breathed new life into Valve’s classic

Portal 2: Community Edition is a fan-driven initiative developed by a team of 29 developers to enhance the experience of creating and playing custom content within Portal 2. It introduces technical upgrades including physically based rendering, more detailed textures, improved lighting, clustered shading, dynamic shadows, specular highlights, and volumetric fog. The edition focuses on providing robust tools for custom content creation, currently offering single-player gameplay with plans for multiplayer support. It utilizes the Strata Source engine, a modified version of the CS:GO engine, which enhances performance and expands creative possibilities for modders. New modding tools include adhesive gel, a paint gun, Schrödinger cubes, and colored lasers, along with the 'AngelScript' scripting framework for unique game modes. Full Steam Workshop support is integrated, allowing players to share their creations. Portal 2: Community Edition is now available on Steam as a free download, requiring ownership of the original Portal 2.