projects

Winsage
July 24, 2025
71% of IT decision-makers view the transition to Windows 11 as an opportunity to enhance PC infrastructure. 64% of UK decision-makers consider the ability to run AI applications as critical for their organizations. Currently, 20% of customers have not started transitioning from Windows 10, 25% have completed the migration, and 44% are working towards the October end-of-life support deadline. Small firms are particularly lagging in this transition. Analysts predict a global PC market growth of 5.8% in 2025, with total shipments expected to reach 272 million units, following a 9% growth in Q1 and a 7.4% year-on-year improvement in Q2.
Winsage
July 24, 2025
Microsoft is rolling out new features for Windows 11, with most users expected to access them by August. Users can enable "Get the latest updates as they become available" in Windows Update for early access. Key features include: - Copilot Vision: An AI assistant that can view the user's desktop in real-time, facilitating discussions about projects and modifying settings through natural language commands. - Relight in Photos: A feature that uses on-device AI to enhance images with virtual lighting sources, allowing manipulation of up to three light sources and offering built-in presets. Currently exclusive to Copilot+ devices powered by Snapdragon, with future support for Intel and AMD systems. - Object Select in Paint: An AI tool that identifies and isolates objects in images for easy cutting, along with a sticker generator for creating custom stickers. This feature is exclusive to Copilot+ but works across Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD platforms. - Perfect Screenshot in Snipping Tool: An AI feature that automatically crops screenshots to eliminate background elements, along with a color picker for identifying hex codes. - Quick Machine Recovery: A redesigned BSOD that appears for about two seconds, improving the recovery process, along with automatic detection and troubleshooting of boot issues to restore the operating system.
Winsage
July 24, 2025
Microsoft's Windows XP, launched in 2001, has a lifespan of over 17 years and has inspired a developer to create a web-based simulation called Win32.run. This project recreates a fictional instance of Windows XP using web technologies, allowing users to explore a simulated file system and interact with embedded programs. The developer originally created the simulation as a tribute to the operating system from his childhood, using the Svelte framework, SvelteKit, and Tailwind CSS. However, the project was halted due to significant breaking changes in SvelteKit that made the codebase difficult for other developers to understand. The simulation operates on a client-side architecture, enabling users to run it locally in their browsers. There are also ongoing efforts to transform various editions of Windows into web applications, with projects ranging from simple browser-based simulations to more complex emulation tools. For a more immersive experience, users can run legacy operating systems like Windows XP in dedicated virtual machines using modern desktop hypervisors such as VMware Workstation.
AppWizard
July 24, 2025
Cliff Bleszinski, a game designer known for his work at Epic Games and as the lead designer for the original Gears of War trilogy, founded Boss Key Productions, which launched the game LawBreakers in 2017. Despite innovative mechanics and unique characters, LawBreakers struggled in a competitive market dominated by games like Overwatch and PUBG, leading to its failure. Bleszinski reflected on the experience, expressing bitterness about the public's reaction to his studio's closure. He noted that shortly after LawBreakers' release, Epic Games introduced a new mode for Fortnite, further intensifying competition. Currently, Bleszinski prefers consulting over game development.
AppWizard
July 23, 2025
Dan Marshall began his game development journey at 24 while learning C++. Over two decades, he created three games that received over 80% review scores in PC Gamer, despite facing challenges such as a 26% rating for Behold the Kickmen. His company, Size Five Games, started as a hobby, and he developed games like Ben There, Dan That! and Time Gentlemen, Please! with minimal financial risk. One notable game, The Swindle, featured a unique design that limited players to 100 attempts, leading to mixed reactions but ultimately became Size Five's most financially successful title. Marshall has kept overhead costs low by hiring external talent for short projects and has navigated the industry's volatility without significant expenses. Despite critical acclaim for Lair of the Clockwork God, its sales did not match expectations, and he speculated that a change in protagonists might have affected its performance. Marshall expresses anxiety about the future of his projects and the possibility of needing a traditional job, yet he remains committed to game development regardless of financial circumstances.
TrendTechie
July 23, 2025
On August 8, 2025, Mafia: The Old Country, a prequel in the mafia franchise developed by Hangar 13, will be released. The game is set in early 20th-century Sicily and follows Enzo Favara, a young Sicilian orphan and miner. It features a linear narrative focusing on deep storytelling and atmospheric immersion, departing from the open-world format of previous titles. Mafia: The Old Country will not be officially available for sale in Russia due to publisher Take-Two's policies, but players can use workarounds to acquire it. The game will include Denuvo anti-piracy protection, and it is unlikely to appear on torrent sites before summer 2026. Previous Mafia games were quickly pirated, but current Denuvo protections present a greater challenge, with cracking timelines for Denuvo-protected games averaging between two months to two years.
Winsage
July 22, 2025
Nearly 60% of individuals have used generative AI for work-related tasks in the past year, and 64% have used it for personal activities. Windows is introducing a new agent in Settings for Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to make changes using natural language. This feature is rolling out for English-speaking users on Snapdragon-powered devices, with support for Intel and AMD devices to follow. The Click to Do feature streamlines workflows by offering contextual actions related to text and images. The Photos app now includes a Relight feature for professional lighting controls, while Paint has added a sticker generator and object select tool. The Snipping Tool has been enhanced with a perfect screenshot feature and a color picker. Copilot Vision allows users to share their screen with Copilot for real-time assistance. Windows 11 is introducing a recovery mechanism that reduces recovery time from 40 seconds to 2 seconds. These features will be gradually rolled out to consumers.
AppWizard
July 22, 2025
Newzoo's market analysis indicates a significant shift in the gaming landscape across the US, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France, with an increase in new titles in revenue rankings and monthly active users (MAU). In June, notable revenue rankings included: - Dune: Awakening at 5th place - Rematch at 9th - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at 15th - SCUM at 17th - Deltarune at 20th - Valorant climbed to 7th place due to its 5th anniversary. - A collaboration between Dead by Daylight and Five Nights at Freddy's achieved the highest monthly revenue growth since April 2020. - Rematch and SCUM are independent IPs, while others are based on established franchises. Platform-specific revenue rankings showed: - MindsEye entered PlayStation's top sales at 18th despite a 2.3 out of 5 rating. - Lies of P rose to 20th due to its prequel release. - On PC, newcomers included Dune: Awakening (#1), SCUM (#7), Rematch (#8), Deltarune (#13), PEAK (#10), Stellar Blade (#14), and Date Everything! (#17). - Nintendo platforms featured Mario Kart World at 2nd, Deltarune (9th), Cyberpunk 2077 (14th), and Date Everything! (15th). In MAU rankings: - Elden Ring Nightreign and Splitgate 2 were among late-May releases. - Rematch was included, likely counting its closed beta audience. - PEAK ranked 5th on PC, surpassing games like Marvel Rivals, Valorant, and Overwatch. - For Nintendo Switch 2, new titles included Mario Kart World (1st), Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (8th), and Deltarune (20th).
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