platforms Archives

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Amazon Prime offers 9 free PC games to claim this month

Amazon Prime subscribers can claim a selection of free games this month, including the notable title Steelrising, an action-RPG set during a reimagined French Revolution. Players control Aegis, an automaton bodyguard, and engage in combat against mechanical forces. Other games available include Airship: Kingdoms Adrift, a tactical RPG, and various titles across platforms such as GOG, the Epic Games Store, and the Amazon Games App. The lineup includes: - Available now: - Right and Down (GOG) - Hiveswap Friendsim (GOG) - August 13: - Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Room (GOG) - Airship: Kingdoms Adrift (Epic Games Store) - Steelrising (Epic Games Store) - August 20: - Royal Romances: Forbidden Magic (3P) - Spray Paint Simulator (Amazon Games App) - August 27: - Havendock (Amazon Games App) - Clash: Artifacts of Chaos (Epic Games Store)

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

‘GTA 6’ Preorders Are Live, But PC Players May Have to Settle for This Imitator

Preorders for GTA 6 have begun, with a launch date set for November 19, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, leaving PC gamers without preorder options or a release date. The console preorder includes multiple editions, with the 0 version being the most popular. Rockstar has not announced a PC version yet. On the same day as GTA 6's console release, Brgames Interactive will launch Phantom Vice Auto in Steam Early Access, featuring three playable characters and an online mode for up to 32 players. The development of Phantom Vice Auto began in 2024 by a team of three. A former Rockstar producer explained that the company's preference for console releases is due to the simplicity of fixed hardware specifications compared to the complexity of PC gaming hardware.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Before Grand Theft Auto Online, GTA 4’s multiplayer added ‘glorious chaos’ to the open world sandbox

Anticipation for the release of GTA 6 is high, with questions about its online mode and PC availability. The console version will launch without an online component to protect the revenue from GTA Online. GTA 4's online mode, discontinued in 2020, remains accessible through platforms like GTA Connected. It transformed the game’s dynamic, offering chaotic multiplayer experiences that contrasted with the serious tone of single-player mode. Players engaged in customizable game modes, such as Turf War and Mafiya modes, and the race mode combined competition with chaos. The multiplayer experience was defined by the unpredictable nature of human players, enhancing the gameplay with absurdity and excitement.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

“Fluid Trouble and Cobble Gen Talk” Minecraft in VRchat. Doc Plays Stuff EP 2

Google has introduced a passive sign-in feature for YouTube to enhance user convenience by allowing seamless access to accounts. This feature aims to reduce barriers to engagement and provide a personalized viewing experience. Additionally, Google has implemented robust security protocols to protect user data, ensuring that ease of access does not compromise safety.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Minecraft Closed Beta for Switch 2 | Survival Gameplay Test Part 5

Google has introduced a new passive sign-in feature for YouTube that streamlines the sign-in process, allowing users to access content without interruptions. This feature activates automatically, enabling a seamless viewing experience across multiple devices. It aims to enhance user satisfaction, increase engagement, and reduce barriers to signing in.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Minecraft Bedrock 36.41/42/43 Applied via Update 1.056

Mojang released hotfixes for Minecraft Bedrock versions 26.41, 26.42, and 26.43 on August 14, appearing as Minecraft update 1.056. The update includes fixes for several crashes that could disrupt gameplay and resolves issues related to missing assets during world loading, especially with fluctuating network connections. Cloud world storage has been temporarily disabled on Windows platforms to address identified issues.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

The Epic Games Launcher will be available on Linux ‘soon’ says dev, after it’s had a bit of work

Linux gaming is gaining momentum, with 2026 expected to be a pivotal year for broader audience engagement. The Epic Games Store is considering Linux support, as indicated by a developer's emoji tease, which has generated excitement among gamers. Discontent with Windows 11 is driving gamers to explore Linux alternatives. Valve is enhancing handheld support for its Linux-based SteamOS, particularly with the popular Steam Deck. GOG Galaxy is set to launch a Linux version, and the Heroic Games Launcher currently provides access to the Epic Games Store and GOG on Linux. Anticipated advancements from both GOG and Epic promise a wider array of choices for Linux gamers.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

You don’t need a TV app to stream 10,000 free movies on Google’s Freeplay right now

Google TV Freeplay has launched a catalog of over 10,000 on-demand movies and TV shows at no subscription cost, expanding its live channel lineup to over 300 channels. The library includes titles from studios like A24 and Lionsgate, featuring films such as Lady Bird and Seventeen Again, and is regularly updated. The service is integrated into supported Google TV devices, accessible without additional app installations, but is ad-supported. Currently, it is available only in the U.S. and requires a Google account and high-speed internet. This shift positions Freeplay as a competitor to subscription services like Netflix and free streaming platforms like Tubi and Pluto TV.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

Samsung phones could finally get proper app lock with One UI 9.5

Samsung's One UI 9.5 will introduce an app lock feature that enhances user privacy by allowing applications to be secured with a PIN or biometric authentication. Users can activate the app lock by pressing and holding an app icon in the app drawer, where a padlock icon will appear. Accessing locked apps will require biometric verification or the device's screen lock, and once locked, the app's widgets and shortcuts will be removed from the home screen, with notifications concealed. However, content from locked apps will still be accessible to other applications with prior permissions. Currently, Samsung devices offer the Secure Folder feature, which has limitations, as it creates a cloned version of the app while leaving the original accessible. The new app lock feature is similar to the one introduced in Android Canary 2608, indicating a possible influence on Samsung's development.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Windows 11 Expands Low Latency Profile CPU Boost to All Apps in August Patch Tuesday Update

Microsoft has expanded its Low Latency Profile (LLP) feature to all Windows 11 applications through the KB5121003 update, which is part of this month's Patch Tuesday. This update temporarily boosts CPU frequency to speed up app launches and is now available for most applications and Win32 programs. Following the installation of the update, standard applications like Notepad, Calculator, and web browsers such as Chrome showed faster opening times. The LLP feature is being rolled out gradually via Microsoft's Controlled Feature Rollout system, and users can enable it early using the ViveTool program if it does not appear immediately. Critics have described LLP as a superficial enhancement, while Microsoft has defended it by comparing it to similar strategies used by Apple in macOS.