pilot Archives

Winsage

February 24, 2026

How to migrate applications to Windows 11

Organizations are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 following the end-of-support date for Windows 10. Windows 11 is designed to support most applications that ran on Windows 10, but challenges may arise due to undocumented legacy applications and configurations. A thorough evaluation of devices, including installed applications and data locations, is essential to minimize disruptions during the upgrade. Migrations can be categorized as clean installations or in-place upgrades. A clean installation erases the previous OS and data, while an in-place upgrade retains existing settings and applications. In-place upgrades are not allowed for certain transitions, such as from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro without first upgrading to Windows 10 Pro. IT professionals often prefer clean installations to avoid carrying over issues from the previous OS. During an in-place upgrade, data in library folders is retained, but data in the Windows folder may be at risk. Compatibility issues may arise with poorly designed applications or drivers post-upgrade, particularly with legacy applications reliant on outdated frameworks. Preparation for migration includes creating an inventory of applications, identifying potential incompatibilities, and ensuring backups of data. IT must also confirm hardware meets Windows 11 requirements. If a clean installation is chosen, strategies for application installation must be developed, utilizing tools like System Center Configuration Manager or Microsoft Intune. Validation and testing of migration tools should occur in a lab environment, followed by a pilot deployment on a small percentage of machines. After successful pilot testing, the final deployment can proceed, followed by an audit to address any issues. Careful planning and testing are crucial for a smooth migration process.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

The PC VR Demos In Steam Next Fest February 2026

Steam has launched its triannual showcase, featuring upcoming PC VR games and demos. Notable titles include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City, Echoes of Mora, and Alliance Tales: Battle For The Frontier. Developers can modify their demo participation, and the showcase lineup includes various titles such as Birdseed VR, Wingsuit: Romsdalen, and Combat Pilot: Carrier Qualification. Steam Next Fest will run until 10 AM Pacific Standard Time on March 2nd.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game Star Wrath announced for PC

Gaijin Entertainment, in collaboration with Targem Games, is launching a free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game called Star Wrath on PC via Steam in 2026. A closed beta test is currently underway, with invitations being distributed. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic universe where players design ships, engage in battles, gather resources, and explore the solar system. Key features include custom ship building, advanced destruction mechanics, dynamic nebula warfare, unique pilot skills, and realistic spaceflight physics.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Google banned 80,000 developer accounts, blocked 27 million dangerous apps from outside Google Play and more: How Google kept Android users safe in 2025 – The Times of India

Google's annual review highlighted its security measures for Android and Google Play, reporting that in 2025, it prevented over 1.75 million policy-violating apps from being published and banned more than 80,000 developer accounts. Google Play conducted over 10,000 safety checks on every app, blocked 160 million spam ratings, and Google Play Protect scanned over 350 billion Android apps daily. New fraud protection features were introduced, blocking 266 million risky installations and protecting users from 872,000 high-risk applications. Developer tools were enhanced with Play Policy Insights and expanded pre-review checks, while the Play Integrity API conducted over 20 billion checks daily. Google plans to invest further in AI-driven defenses and implement developer verifications in 2026.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Keeping Google Play & Android app ecosystems safe in 2025

The Android ecosystem focuses on preventing real-world harm, including malware and privacy invasions, by enhancing investments in AI and real-time defenses. In 2025, over 1.75 million policy-violating apps were prevented from being published, and more than 80,000 malicious developer accounts were banned. Google Play conducts over 10,000 safety checks on each app, blocking over 255,000 apps from accessing sensitive user data and 160 million spam ratings and reviews. Google Play Protect scans over 350 billion apps daily, identifying over 27 million new malicious apps last year. Enhanced fraud protection was expanded to 185 markets, blocking 266 million risky installation attempts. Developer tools like Play Policy Insights and the Play Integrity API were introduced to streamline app development and enhance security. Developer verification is being extended to ensure accountability, and Android 16 includes features to protect sensitive information with minimal code.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

New space extraction game Star Wrath lets you build, fly, and then totally destroy a bunch of spaceships

Star Wrath is a multiplayer, extraction-action space game that allows players to craft their own spacecraft. The gameplay involves recruiting a pilot, constructing a ship, and engaging in dogfights. The game features a modular damage system and emphasizes gear management. A closed beta is available for players to experience ship-building and combat before the official launch.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game Space Wrath announced for PC

Gaijin Entertainment and Targem Games are developing a free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game titled Space Wrath, set to launch on PC via Steam in 2026. Currently, a closed beta test is ongoing, with invites being distributed in waves. The game is set in a universe where Earth has been destroyed, and players, known as Wanderers, navigate a lawless space environment. They can design their own spacecraft, engage in battles against other players, and collect resources through various encounters. Key features include customizable ship building, advanced destruction mechanics, dynamic nebula warfare, unique pilot skills, and realistic spaceflight physics.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

PlayStation’s underloved roguelite is cheaper than ever on PC, right before a sequel launches

Returnal is a game that combines elements from Binding of Isaac and Hades with the horror atmosphere of Alien, featuring narrative-driven third-person gameplay. It is available on PC with all post-launch updates, including an endless mode and cooperative play. The story follows Selene Vassos, a space pilot trapped on the alien planet Atropos, who experiences a time loop with each death. The game features a roguelite progression system, diverse biomes, and unique weapons that can be enhanced. It includes bullet hell mechanics that require players to stay agile. The Tower of Sisyphus mode offers continuous combat and reveals more of Selene's backstory, while cooperative mode allows players to team up as different iterations of Selene. Returnal is currently priced at .99 / £17.99 on Fanatical, reflecting a 64% discount.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Billionaire founder of Minecraft slams anyone advocating using AI to write code as ‘incompetent or evil’

Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft, has expressed concerns about the rapid integration of generative AI in programming, describing it as an initiative being "forced down our throats" by "evil" entities. He fears losing creative autonomy and control over coding, comparing AI writing code to AI drafting laws. Persson advises aspiring developers to "Learn. Your. Craft," emphasizing the importance of foundational skills in programming. His views align with some industry leaders who advocate for coding literacy as a fundamental skill, while others, like GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, stress the necessity of mastering AI to remain competitive in the job market.

Tech Optimizer

February 12, 2026

Why Snowflake stock slid 9%: AI disruption jitters swamp an OpenAI tie-up and a Postgres push

On February 3, 2026, Snowflake Inc. saw its stock price close at 3.24, down 9.1% from the previous day's close of 0.66, after fluctuating between 3.49 and 9.08. The decline reflects a broader trend of investors reassessing software and cloud stocks due to concerns about artificial intelligence's impact on pricing power and profit margins. Snowflake announced enhancements to its product offerings, including the integration of Snowflake Postgres within its AI Data Cloud and a significant partnership with OpenAI worth 0 million to embed AI models into its platform. This collaboration aims to develop AI agents that can perform multi-step tasks through natural language queries. Snowflake is set to release its fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter and full-year results on February 25, with a conference call scheduled for 3 p.m. Mountain Time. CEO Ramaswamy and CFO Robins will present at Morgan Stanley’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on March 3 at 4:05 p.m. Pacific time.