partnership Archives

Winsage

April 25, 2026

‘Out Of Stock’—Google Offers Free PC Upgrade For Windows Users

Google has announced ChromeOS Flex as a free upgrade for Windows users facing the phase-out of Windows 10. This initiative, in partnership with Back Market, aims to transform unsupported laptops into secure machines at no cost, targeting the approximately 500 million Windows 10 users unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. The upgrade is free, with a nominal fee for the USB hardware required for installation. However, the USB kits are currently out of stock, and users can sign up on Back Market's website for notifications. ChromeOS Flex offers robust protection against malware, allowing older hardware to remain secure.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

‘We don’t have to fire 1000 people to keep it working’: Facepunch Studios says paying s&box game developers is sustainable, with ‘$500,000 paid out to date’

Facepunch Studios will launch its game creation platform, s&box, on April 28, available on Steam. It is built on the Source Engine 2 and is considered a "spiritual successor to Garry's Mod." The platform features a unique monetization model allowing developers to receive payments directly for their creations without Facepunch taking a cut. Developers maintain complete ownership of their games and can export them as standalone titles on Steam. There are no royalties or hidden fees involved. Garry Newman, CEO of Facepunch Studios, emphasizes a community-centric approach, aiming to uplift the community through the platform.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

NBC SPORTS ANNOUNCES ITS COMPLETE 2026 WNBA REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE ACROSS NBC, PEACOCK, AND NBCSN

NBC Sports has announced its schedule for the 2026 WNBA regular season, marking the league's return to NBC after over 20 years. The season will debut on May 17, 2026, with a game featuring the Las Vegas Aces against the Atlanta Dream. A total of 22 regular-season games will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. The season will include all 15 teams, with the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Key matchups include the Dallas Wings hosting the New York Liberty on May 24 and a rematch between the Fever and Aces on July 12. NBC Sports will also cover the WNBA Playoffs, including the Semifinals and Finals. The production team includes notable figures like Sue Bird, Cheryl Miller, Maria Taylor, and LaChina Robinson, with the "Roundball Rock" theme incorporated into the coverage.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

Ookla’s Windows 11 Speedtest mockup looks suspiciously like macOS

Ookla and Microsoft announced a partnership to integrate Speedtest as the network performance testing platform across Bing and Windows, allowing Windows 11 users to check their internet speed from the taskbar. This feature was initially available to Windows Insiders in February 2023. A humorous remark by Rafael Rivera, a Windows Dev MVP, suggested that Ookla leaked a glimpse of the Windows vNext UI, which appeared to include elements from macOS. The incident has sparked discussions about design trends and user interfaces in the tech community.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Alan Wake heads to Phasmophobia next month in a new limited-time event, because we all know writers love a deadline

Phasmophobia is collaborating with Alan Wake 2 for a unique crossover event called "Phasmophobia by Alan Wake," starting on May 12 and running until June 2. Players can earn in-game rewards such as ID cards, character cosmetics, and possibly a trophy. Kinetic Games' art director, Corey Dixon, stated there are no current plans to rerun the event but is open to future collaborations if players enjoy it. Phasmophobia has sold over 28 million copies, with approximately 23 million on PC.

Tech Optimizer

April 16, 2026

Deploy Postgres and MySQL databases with PlanetScale + Workers

Cloudflare has deepened its partnership with PlanetScale to enhance the developer experience by providing Cloudflare Workers with access to Postgres and MySQL databases. Users will be able to create PlanetScale databases directly from the Cloudflare dashboard and API, with billing handled through their Cloudflare accounts. Cloudflare credits can be applied towards PlanetScale databases. The integration allows developers to link their PlanetScale accounts and create Postgres databases from the Cloudflare dashboard. Starting next month, new PlanetScale databases will be billed directly to Cloudflare accounts. The integration uses Hyperdrive for database connectivity, managing connection pools and query caching. PlanetScale offers performance and reliability, allowing developers to choose between Postgres and Vitess MySQL. Cloudflare users can deploy PlanetScale databases directly from Cloudflare, with features like query insights and usage breakdowns included. A single node on PlanetScale Postgres starts at a specified monthly rate. Developers can configure Workers to minimize latency by placing them near the primary database, with future plans to automate this process. Currently, billing for existing PlanetScale databases is processed through PlanetScale, but new databases will be billed through Cloudflare starting next month. Further enhancements and API integration are planned, with community feedback encouraged.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Where to Shop Minecraft x Hey Dude Shoe Collab: Best Minecraft Gifts

Hey Dude has launched a collaboration with Minecraft, introducing a collection of slip-on shoes called the Wally Funk Creeper and the Enderman Wally Camp Slip, priced at .99 for adults and .99 for kids. The shoes are made from lightweight materials, feature breathable designs, removable foam insoles, and flexible outsoles. The Wally Funk Creeper comes in a green-and-black color scheme, while the Enderman Wally Camp Slip is black-and-purple with shearling lining. This collaboration follows Hey Dude's history of partnerships and is expected to be popular among fans of the game.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Disney Removes A Bunch More Games From Steam With No Warning

Over a dozen Disney games have been removed from Steam, including two Star Wars titles, without prior notice. On April 14, 15 PC games were delisted, including "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End," "Star Wars: Rebellion," and "Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year Dance." This follows a previous removal of 14 games in January. Speculation suggests these actions may relate to Disney's investment in Epic Games, indicating a potential shift towards exclusivity on the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Dwarf Fortress is coming to Magic: The Gathering and I’m beginning to suspect Wizards of the Coast is targeting me, specifically

Wizards of the Coast announced a collaboration between Magic: The Gathering and Dwarf Fortress as part of the Secret Lair's Back to School superdrop. The Dwarf Fortress x Magic: The Gathering set features unique illustrations, including a trapped dwarf facing a vampiric Ñ and a capital D unleashing dragonfire. One illustration, titled Communal Brewing, depicts dwarves gathering in a dining hall. The card designs utilize ASCII art, reflecting the game's origins. The Secret Lair x Dwarf Fortress: Create New World set will be available for order starting April 27 on the Secret Lair website.

Winsage

April 14, 2026

Microsoft Is Already Pulling Back On Its Windows Copilot AI Push

Microsoft is focusing on artificial intelligence in Windows amid user complaints about Windows 11, including issues with File Explorer, performance, and visual glitches. This shift coincides with the launch of Apple's budget-friendly MacBook Neo, which poses a threat to Microsoft's market share in the affordable laptop segment. Apple has a strong supply chain that allows it to offer a premium experience at lower prices. While Apple is developing its Apple Intelligence suite with limited AI tools and has partnered with Google to enhance Siri, it lacks a proprietary AI foundation model. Microsoft needs to ensure that new Windows 11 laptop owners, particularly those with budget models, do not experience performance issues or intrusive advertisements. The company has previously addressed user dissatisfaction after Windows Vista and Windows 8, raising questions about its ability to restore confidence in Windows 11.