reactions Archives

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Steam games no longer purchasable with PayPal in most countries — Valve offers no timeline for a potential fix

Steam's payment system has faced a significant disruption, affecting millions of players globally. The PayPal payment option is unavailable for users in many regions, except for transactions in Euros, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, or U.S. Dollars. This issue began in early July 2025 and was confirmed by Valve to be due to a decision by one of PayPal's acquiring banks to stop processing Steam transactions for certain currencies. Users are now advised to use alternative payment methods or Steam Wallet codes. Valve has stated that the problem is related to currency issues and not tied to recent controversies regarding adult content. The timeline for restoring PayPal support remains uncertain.

Winsage

August 13, 2025

Microsoft Stock Gains as Edge Promotes Over Chrome Browser Use

Microsoft's stock price has risen on the Nasdaq exchange as the company encourages users to switch from Google's Chrome browser to its Edge browser. On Tuesday, shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) saw a modest increase as the company reiterated its recommendation for Windows users to abandon Chrome, promoting Edge as a more secure alternative. Users attempting to close Chrome receive a notification encouraging them to switch to Edge. Chrome users outnumber Edge users by a ratio of approximately six to one. In the latest pre-release version of Edge, new flags prompt users to pin Edge to their taskbar and make it their default browser if Chrome usage exceeds 90%. Microsoft is also transitioning users from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and is facing criticism and a class action lawsuit regarding the discontinuation of security support for Windows 10. Despite these challenges, Microsoft continues to support popular gaming titles and maintains a "Strong Buy" consensus rating from analysts, with a 26.03% increase in share price over the past year and an average price target indicating an 18% upside potential.

BetaBeacon

August 12, 2025

Forget Reddit, Google wants gamers to use the Play Store as a forum (APK teardown)

Google is working on a gaming-related community forum within the Google Play Store where users can share gaming tips, ask questions, and start discussions. The feature will allow users to create and delete posts, add comments and reactions within a community present within the Google Play Store. The feature is still a work in progress and has not been officially announced by Google.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

Microsoft hopes to knock socks off with Windows XP Crocs

Microsoft is preparing to launch limited edition XP-themed Crocs, featuring a design inspired by the Windows XP Bliss desktop background and adorned with decorative charms like Clippy and the Internet Explorer logo. These Crocs are currently available for purchase by Microsoft employees before a wider release. Each pair comes with a drawstring bag, and the price point is unspecified. The collaboration has generated discussion among Microsoft employees on LinkedIn, although the company has not officially confirmed the release. Crocs, founded in 2002, have seen fluctuating popularity and are known for their practicality, while Windows XP has gained retro appeal despite criticism over newer versions.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Instagram and Facebook Messenger down as hundreds of users suffer Meta outage

Users of Instagram and Facebook Messenger reported significant outages, with Downdetector logging over 200 complaints for Instagram and at least 50 for Facebook Messenger. The issues affected multiple regions, with around 500 reports from the UK and over 1,500 from India. Approximately 70% of the problems involved users unable to log into Instagram. By 7:43 AM, complaints about Instagram outages had decreased to 44, indicating an improvement in the situation.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

5 productivity apps I swear by, and one of them unlocks the rest

Productivity apps elicit varied reactions, with users often finding a balance between detailed organization and simplicity. Enpass is a password manager that securely stores passwords and documents, while Ente Auth manages two-factor authentication codes for streamlined security. TickTick is a task management app with features like reminders and habit tracking, allowing for customization. Notion serves as a versatile workspace for organizing reading lists and writing projects, promoting creativity with minimalist formatting. Google Keep functions as a digital notepad for quick notes and lists, despite some cross-platform limitations. ChatGPT aids in research and idea generation by synthesizing information and facilitating brainstorming. Each app contributes uniquely to enhancing productivity and maintaining focus in daily tasks.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft to Open-Source WinUI Components for Windows 11

Microsoft Corp. plans to open-source key components of the Windows 11 user interface framework, WinUI, over the next six months. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and collaboration, driven by demands from developers and the tech community. The process involves carefully disentangling publishable code from sensitive areas to ensure system security and protect intellectual property. Industry observers believe this could empower developers to customize Windows interfaces, potentially accelerating innovation in app design. Microsoft is adopting a phased approach, starting with isolating components and establishing new governance models for contributions. Developer feedback indicates cautious optimism, with hopes for quicker bug fixes and feature additions, though concerns about the scope of the initiative persist. Microsoft intends to share more details and potentially previews of open-sourced repositories on GitHub. Balancing openness with user data security and system integrity remains a critical challenge for the company.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

‘Chat do I go to the office on Saturday to fix this:’ The clock is ticking on Peak accidentally hitting players with a map that’s impossible to beat

Aggro Crab, the developers of the game Peak, shared a screenshot of a glitch where a campfire has spawned on an unclimbable tree, making it unreachable for players. They acknowledged the issue humorously on X, mentioning that a modder alerted them to the glitch and asked if they should go to the office to fix it. Additionally, an upcoming patch will introduce a controversial feature allowing players to consume fellow scouts in dire situations, which could provide a means of survival if players get trapped by the glitch.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

Does MrBeast use AI ‘face-swapping’ technology? YouTuber’s Minecraft video sparks debate

MrBeast is facing accusations of using artificial intelligence in his gaming videos, specifically regarding a clip from his Minecraft gameplay that sparked debate about potential "AI face-swapping technology." The clip garnered 1.6 million views and elicited mixed reactions from the online community, with some users expressing skepticism and others defending him. This is not the first time MrBeast has encountered controversy related to AI; he previously promoted an AI-powered thumbnail generator for his YouTube videos but retracted it after backlash from fellow creators and artists.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Google ordered to open Android app store after losing Epic Games appeal

Google has faced a setback in its legal battle with Epic Games as the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a ruling requiring Google to revise its app store policies. This decision mandates the removal of restrictions that prevent developers from creating competing marketplaces and billing systems on Android. Judge Margaret McKeown noted that antitrust remedies may require limitations on lawful business practices to address anticompetitive behavior. Google expressed concerns about the ruling's implications for user safety and innovation, emphasizing its commitment to protecting users and developers. Following the ruling, Alphabet's shares fell over 2% due to investor concerns about its business model.