price hike Archives

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Microsoft cut the price of Game Pass. Now it should reinvent the Xbox

Microsoft has reduced the price of its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to .99 per month, following a significant price increase of 50% in October 2025. The PC-only plan is now priced at .99, while a more basic version is available for .99. This price adjustment reflects an effort to make gaming more accessible amid economic pressures on gamers. The service, launched in 2017 and fully rolled out in 2019, has seen increased costs due to acquisitions and content delivery. The recent changes come as Phil Spencer stepped down and Asha Sharma took over, aiming to restore confidence in the brand. However, the removal of new releases from franchises like Call of Duty raises concerns about subscriber retention.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Even Netflix is getting in on vertical videos, mobile app redesign gets discussed

In its Q1 2026 report, Netflix announced plans to revamp its mobile app by integrating vertical videos into a new "discovery feed" to help users find fresh content. This move aligns with Disney Plus's recent launch of "Verts," aimed at enhancing viewer engagement. Netflix reported a 16% year-over-year revenue growth during the same update and plans to roll out the redesigned app by the end of the month. The company is also facing scrutiny over its pricing strategy, with the Standard plan increasing to .49 and the Premium plan to .99, following a price hike just 14 months prior.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

YouTube Premium just got a price hike, and it’s not a small one

YouTube Premium prices in the US are increasing next month for individual, family, and student plans. The individual plan will rise to .99/month, and the family plan will increase to .99/month. This follows a previous price adjustment in July 2023 when the individual plan rose from .99 to .99 per month. Users have started receiving official emails about the changes, which highlight benefits like ad-free viewing and offline downloads. The increase comes as YouTube has increased ads for free users and is cracking down on ad blockers. Some users have expressed frustration over the rising costs without perceived improvements in value.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Netflix ordered to pay back millions of subscribers in landmark ruling

A court in Rome ruled that Netflix's price hikes from 2017 to 2024 were illegal due to a lack of justified reasons. Long-term subscribers in Italy could receive refunds of up to €500 for Premium plan users and €250 for Standard plan users. Netflix has 90 days to inform affected customers, or it may face daily fines of €700. The ruling stems from a lawsuit by consumer advocacy group Movimento Consumatori, which challenged the price increases. Current prices must revert to previous levels, and Netflix plans to appeal the decision while updating its contract terms for future price increases. The ruling currently applies only in Italy.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Google AI Pro just got a massive storage upgrade for free

Google has increased AI Pro storage from 2TB to 5TB at the same monthly rate, exclusively for AI Pro subscribers. This upgrade is being rolled out globally, although there may be a slight delay in users seeing the new limits. The additional storage can be used across various Google services, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos backups. Standard Google One plan users will not receive this increase and will remain at their existing limits. The storage increase represents a 150% boost for the same price.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Evernote is getting even more expensive, so I’m ditching it and moving to this note-taking app

The author experienced frustration with Evernote due to unnecessary AI features, stability issues, and unreliable syncing after over a decade of use. A price hike in 2026 prompted a search for alternatives. The author found Notesnook to be a suitable replacement after resolving a previous issue with its search function, allowing for seamless data transfer from Evernote. Notesnook offers automatic syncing across devices, a user-friendly interface, robust security, and an open-source foundation. It has a free tier with limitations, an Essential tier at .99 monthly or .99 annually, and a Pro tier at .99 monthly or .99 annually, all featuring end-to-end encryption. Notesnook's pricing is considered reasonable compared to Evernote's higher fees.

Winsage

December 31, 2025

Microsoft in 2025: year in review

In 2025, Microsoft faced challenges including a slow migration to Windows 11 after the end of Windows 10, with many users opting to stay on the older system due to free Extended Security Updates. The anticipated rush to Windows 11 did not occur, partly because many older PCs did not meet the new system requirements. Microsoft increased its focus on AI integration in Windows 11, but this initiative faced backlash from users concerned about unnecessary features and existing bugs. The annual upgrade brought only minor improvements, and persistent bugs continued to affect user experience, particularly for gamers, who faced disruptions amid rising competition from platforms like SteamOS. Additionally, a significant price increase for Xbox Game Pass led to subscriber cancellations, although revenue remained high. Xbox console sales dropped by 70% year-on-year, while the Surface hardware division did not achieve the same success as the previous year, with new devices failing to generate excitement.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Half Life 3 Steam Machine rumors just won’t go away, with high RAM prices now somehow connected

Valve initially intended to unveil Half-Life 3 alongside the Steam Machine, but rising RAM prices led to a change in plans. The Steam Machine, powered by SteamOS, has generated hype, but lacks a confirmed release date or pricing. Insider sources suggest that Half-Life 3 could still be a launch title for the Steam Machine, though delays are attributed to increased PC RAM prices due to AI data centers consuming supply. This price surge has affected the tech industry, leading to speculation about potential delays or price increases for gaming products. Experts suggest Valve may separate the launches of the Steam Machine and Half-Life 3, as the success of the game appears independent of the hardware's debut. There are currently no definitive hints or leaks confirming the development of Half-Life 3.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

AMD Radeon graphics card prices could soon skyrocket following a similar CPU scare

AMD graphics card prices are expected to rise due to increasing RAM costs. Reports indicate that AMD has communicated a price increase for graphics cards with 8GB and 16GB VRAM configurations. The suggested price increase is approximately 10% for both types. AMD's business model involves selling GPUs and VRAM together, meaning any cost increases are passed on to consumers. Additionally, AMD has informed partners of a second price increase across its entire product line, though the timing is unclear. No new AMD products are expected to launch until 2027, suggesting a prolonged absence from the market.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

AMD graphics card prices rumored to rise, so get this Radeon RX 9070 XT at $599 while you can

Consumers may soon face higher prices for AMD graphics cards due to a surge in DRAM prices affecting the tech industry. AMD GPUs, particularly the RX 9070 XT, have often sold for more than their MSRP, with the ASRock Challenger Radeon RX 9070 XT being one of the few options available at its MSRP of 9. Reports indicate that AMD is expected to implement another price increase, impacting the next shipment of GPUs and VRAM supplied to board partners. The burden of the price hike is likely to fall on gamers.