Parties Archives

Tech Optimizer

August 18, 2026

Avira Antivirus Review 2026: Plans, Test Results, and Alternatives

Avira has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with specific ratings as follows: Protection: 4.2/5, Performance: 3.9/5, Features: 4.6/5, Support: 4.0/5, and Value: 4.3/5. Pricing starts at .99 for the first year. Avira's detection rate is 99.96%, but it has a slower full scan time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds and flagged 12 false positives during testing. The software includes a free tier with a VPN, password manager, and software updater, while the paid version, Avira Prime, covers up to five devices for .99 in the first year. Avira Operations GmbH, based in Germany, was acquired by NortonLifeLock in 2021, forming Gen Digital. The software is considered safe and trustworthy, with a clean installation process and detailed privacy policy. Avira's free version offers real-time protection, web safety features, a firewall, and a limited VPN service, but lacks automatic patching and unlimited VPN data.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Google’s Rival App Store Installation Process Faces Court Order

Google has started allowing rival Android app stores to be distributed through its Play Store due to court-ordered compliance measures. Epic Games has criticized the complicated installation process for these competing marketplaces, which includes multiple steps and warnings that could deter users. Judge Donato identified these extra steps as unnecessary "anticompetitive friction" and ordered Google to simplify the installation process within a week. Additionally, Epic Games raised concerns about search results in Google Play, where searches for app stores predominantly show physical retail locations instead of third-party app stores. Judge Donato deemed this unacceptable and instructed Google to address the search result issues. Google is also preparing to launch a new sideloading process starting September 30, 2026, which will involve a mandatory 24-hour waiting period.

TrendTechie

August 13, 2026

Весь топ из Steam за 399 рублей: как я перестал пиратить и тратиться на игры

Purchasing major game releases on Steam typically costs between 3,000 to 6,000 rubles, leading some players to feel that the investment is impractical, especially if they only play a game once. This has resulted in increased piracy, which poses risks such as malware. SteamPass is a subscription service that offers access to over 2,200 games for 399 rubles per month, allowing users to explore various titles without the high costs of individual purchases. The service operates by providing separate accounts for each game, but it has limitations, including a limited number of accounts for popular games and the need to switch to offline mode to avoid being logged out. Progress and achievements are tied to the rented account, and account sharing is against Steam's terms of service. Despite these drawbacks, SteamPass is seen as a safer alternative to piracy and impulsive purchases.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

H2 Interactive launches IGS Classic Arcade Collection worldwide on PC via Steam

H2 Interactive launched the IGS Classic Arcade Collection for PC via Steam on August 13, 2026, featuring eight iconic arcade titles, including the Knights of Valour series, Demon Front, and Martial Masters. The collection is available at a 10% discount for the first two weeks and supports multiple languages: English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It includes online multiplayer support for up to four players, modern quality-of-life features like adjustable difficulty and customizable key mapping, and various display modes. The included titles are: - Knights of Valour: Super Heroes - Knights of Valour Plus - Knights of Valour 2 - Nine Dragons - Oriental Legend - Oriental Legend Spooky - Martial Masters - Demon Front - The Gladiator The collection was developed by International Games System Co., Ltd. (IGS) and published by H2 Interactive.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Saber CEO hides jab at Randy Pitchford in game trailer as payback for Pitchford dumping on Embracer: ‘Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living’

Saber Interactive's upcoming Rideshare "Stimulator" trailer features a narrator who makes a reference to "randy" passengers, which is a nod to Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. This reference stems from a humorous incident involving Pitchford and a drive left at Medieval Times, which was explored by his colleagues. The underlying motivation for the reference relates to tensions following Embracer Group's acquisition of Gearbox in 2021 for .3 billion and subsequent downsizing, leading to Gearbox's sale to Take-Two for 0 million. Pitchford later indicated that the narrative for Borderlands 4 was inspired by the sale of Gearbox, and the game includes critiques of Embracer Group, such as a location called Embracer's Bluff. Saber Interactive CEO Matt Kartch expressed disappointment over Pitchford's shift in loyalty, highlighting the rapid change in relationships following the sale.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Even the AI assistant inside Russia’s state-backed Max messenger tells users not to trust the app

Alisa, the AI assistant in the Max messenger, has recommended users consider alternative messaging platforms such as Telegram, Signal, or WhatsApp. She highlighted several security vulnerabilities in Max, including the absence of end-to-end encryption and the direction of user data to VK-owned servers. The data collected by Max includes IP addresses, activity timestamps, contact lists, device and browser types, internet service provider information, and various metadata. Alisa suggests that users keep Max on a separate device, referred to as a “maxphone,” to protect sensitive information. If used on personal devices, she recommends using the browser version and restricting the app's access to location services, contacts, microphone, and camera to enhance privacy and security.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

Microsoft Word 1.1a Runs Natively on Windows 11 on x64

A developer has adapted Microsoft Word 1.1a, originally for 16-bit x86 systems, to run natively on modern 64-bit Windows PCs through a project called “Opus.” This adaptation compiles the original source code into a genuine x64 application, avoiding the use of emulators or virtual machines. The developer translated incompatible segments of the original code, including 16-bit assembly language, into C or C++, while mapping Win16 functions to modern Win32 APIs. The project retains original resources and copyright notices, and is hosted on GitHub without a broad open-source license. Automated testing has been implemented to ensure functionality mirrors the original application. Microsoft has previously published similar historic projects, but this port is an independent effort, providing insights into early Windows software architecture.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Third-party app stores are rolling out in Google Play, but there’s only one right now

Google Play has introduced its first third-party app store, Aptoide, following a ruling from a long-standing antitrust lawsuit involving Epic Games. Users in the U.S. can now download Aptoide directly from the Google Play Store, which reflects the court's mandate after Epic's victory in 2023. The ruling included remedies such as reducing developer fees, allowing apps to be mirrored across different app stores, permitting alternative payment systems, and mandating the inclusion of third-party app stores in Google Play. Aptoide offers a user-friendly installation process without sideloading warnings and claims to have access to 1.9 million apps and 295,000 games. Developers can opt out of sharing their apps with Aptoide, but many may choose to use this additional distribution channel.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Couple’s dispute over playing Slay the Spire 2 in bed gets a ruling from comedian John Hodgman: ‘Pick an arbitrary battle and stick with it’

Judge John Hodgman ruled that it is acceptable to play the game Slay the Spire 2 in bed, as long as both partners communicate and respect each other's boundaries.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Developers: Beware of Ad Libraries that Betray Your Users’ Location

Advertising companies provide software development kits (SDKs) for mobile app monetization, which often automatically transmit users' location data to ad systems and location data brokers, raising privacy concerns. Many developers and users may be unaware of this data sharing. When developers allow SDKs to collect location data, it poses risks beyond targeted ads, including potential misuse by agencies like ICE and global surveillance. Location data brokers harvest precise movements of individuals, often without their consent, through mobile applications. Some apps directly collaborate with data brokers, while others leak data through advertising SDKs during real-time bidding (RTB) auctions. An incident in 2025 revealed that many apps unknowingly contributed to a location data broker's database. Developers must understand their SDKs' location-sharing practices to mitigate risks. Advertising SDKs can collect location data automatically once users grant permission, without specific permissions for the SDKs themselves. Precise location data can be collected when apps have location permissions, leading to potential privacy violations. Several SDKs have been identified as collecting location data by default, increasing the risk of unintentional data leaks. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) found that four advertising SDKs collect users' location data by default when location permissions are granted. InMobi encourages location sharing for higher revenue, while BidMachine updated its documentation after EFF's inquiry, confirming precise location data collection. Verve's SDK also collects location data by default but presents a cautious narrative in its Play Store guidance. Huawei's SDK recommends obtaining location permissions to enhance revenue, with default location sharing occurring if permissions are granted. Location data can be shared without users' knowledge or meaningful consent, complicating informed consent issues. The focus on four SDKs does not imply that others adequately protect location data, as many have faced criticism for similar practices. Studies indicate that SDKs often encourage increased data collection through design and documentation, leading to minimal control for developers over data transmission. The EFF's analysis highlights that advertising SDKs incentivize location data sharing through default settings and unclear documentation. Developers should assess third-party SDKs and disable unnecessary data collection. Regulators must hold developers accountable for unlawful data sharing, while legislators should enact laws to protect location privacy and address online behavioral advertising, which drives data tracking.