regional restrictions Archives

TrendTechie

December 23, 2025

Торрент-платформы останутся популярными в 2025 году благодаря обширным коллекциям и активным сообществам.

In 2025, users are increasingly seeking reliable file-sharing methods via the BitTorrent protocol, with platforms like YTS, 1337x, and The Pirate Bay leading in global traffic. These sites offer millions of files, including movies, TV shows, and games, with dedicated users updating content daily. The BitTorrent protocol enables efficient transfers through active seeders, and many sites prioritize verified torrents to reduce the risk of corrupted files. Community feedback aids users in selecting quality downloads. YTS specializes in high-resolution films and compressed files, while 1337x provides an organized interface for various media. The Pirate Bay continues to operate despite legal challenges, offering a wide range of content. Other notable sites include TorrentGalaxy, Limetorrents, EZTV, NYAA, FitGirl Repacks, RuTracker, IPTorrents, and Torlock, each catering to specific content types or user needs. In Brazil, operators block popular domains due to copyright rulings, prompting users to use mirrors or DNS changes. VPNs are recommended for encrypting traffic during P2P transfers. Recommended clients include qBittorrent, Transmission, and Deluge. Users are advised to check seeders, review community comments, opt for magnet links, and prefer reputable uploaders. In 2025, platforms will cater to diverse needs, with EZTV updating television releases weekly and YTS and 1337x dominating high-resolution film searches. Compressed games and specialized sites like NYAA for anime are also highlighted. Meta-search engines like AIO Search and Torrentz2 help users find torrents across multiple platforms. The BitTorrent protocol is legitimate for distributing open-source files, but users must be responsible in their content selection. Brazilian law differentiates personal downloads from commercial distribution, and prolonged seeding of protected materials may violate rights. Users prioritize privacy and verification methods.

Tech Optimizer

December 7, 2025

9 Apps You Should Never Install On Windows 11

John McAfee's antivirus software struggles with poor performance and questionable business practices, relying on financial arrangements with manufacturers for its prevalence. Users often face persistent pop-ups for additional services, leading to high subscription costs without significant value. Norton, another antivirus solution, is criticized for slowing down system performance and not providing better protection than Windows Defender. ExpressVPN has shifted focus from privacy to marketing after its acquisition, raising concerns about user data security. Honey, a shopping extension, tracks personal data and may mislead users with affiliate links. CCleaner has become bloated since its acquisition by Avast and is no longer effective on Windows 11. WiFi speed booster software often fails to improve performance and may collect user data. Crypto mining software poses risks as many applications are malware. Razer Synapse often causes performance issues for gamers, while NVIDIA's application can negatively impact system performance and is not as beneficial as alternatives.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Opinion: No, The Novelty of PlayStation Games on PC Has Not Worn Off

Alinea Analytics analyzed the performance of PlayStation games on PC, suggesting that the novelty of these titles has faded and that all major franchises have already been released on the platform. However, several significant titles, including Gran Turismo 7, Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, The Last of Us Part II, and The Order: 1886, are still not available on PC. Many PC gamers also own PlayStation consoles and prefer to buy games for immediate access rather than waiting for PC ports. The quality of PC ports has been inconsistent, with some titles facing backlash due to technical issues, while others have been successful. The requirement for a PSN account to access certain games created barriers for players in regions without PSN, affecting sales. Long wait times for PC releases and the temptation of piracy also impact game performance on Steam. Despite misconceptions, single-player games can succeed on PC, as evidenced by titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Hades. The discussion around PlayStation games on PC is more about strategic release decisions and quality rather than a decline in novelty.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

Mozilla Firefox is giving some users a free VPN, and you might be one of them

Mozilla Firefox is introducing a limited VPN feature that is currently being rolled out selectively to a small number of users. This VPN hides the user's IP address but does not allow bypassing regional restrictions. It only encrypts data transmitted within the Firefox browser and does not protect other applications on the device. The feature is categorized as a beta and is not yet available to all users. For comprehensive VPN benefits, users are advised to consider traditional VPN services like NordVPN.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

VidMate HD: How to Download and Use the App on Android

Vidmate is an entertainment application that allows users to stream live TV, download music, and watch videos offline. It is free, lightweight, and compatible with older Android devices, offering features like custom playlists, buffer-free streaming, and downloads in various resolutions (144p to 4K). Vidmate is not available on the Google Play Store due to Google's restrictions on video downloaders, but it can be downloaded safely from reliable sources. Users need to enable unknown sources in their settings to install the APK. Vidmate supports over 1000 sites, provides accelerated download speeds, and offers an ad-free experience. While the app itself is legal, users must comply with copyright laws when downloading content. Vidmate is versatile, appealing to students, music enthusiasts, and businesses. It includes hidden features like automatic video downloads from URLs, dark mode, an in-app file manager, and background playback. For secure usage, users should download from trusted sources, consider using VPNs, avoid pirating content, and keep the app updated.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Sony Rolling Back Controversial First-Party Games Policy

Sony is reportedly lifting regional restrictions on its first-party PC games available on Steam, which previously required a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, limiting access for gamers in over 100 countries. Titles affected include God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2. The recent release of Days Gone Remastered, which did not impose regional restrictions, suggests a broader policy shift. The PSN requirement has faced backlash, notably during the launch of Helldivers 2, leading to controversy and the dismissal of the game’s community manager. Additionally, the title Stellar Blade was initially unavailable in 132 countries due to the PSN requirement, but this restriction was lifted after discussions with Sony. An official statement from Sony regarding the removal of the PSN requirement has yet to be issued.

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

Sony unlocks regional restrictions for some PC games in more than 100 countries

Sony has removed regional restrictions on several popular PC titles available on Steam, allowing players in 177 countries to access games like God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2. This change follows a backlash against a previous requirement for players to link their Steam accounts to the PlayStation Network (PSN), which barred access in regions without PSN. The PSN requirement has since been lifted for other titles, and the optional PSN login for Stellar Blade led to a successful launch with nearly 200,000 players in its first week. However, some titles, such as Ghost of Tsushima and Until Dawn, still have regional restrictions.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

Sony quietly removes PC sale restrictions in dozens of countries for four huge PlayStation games

Sony has eased regional restrictions on several popular PC games, including God of War Ragnarök, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2, as of June 13. The changes were noted on SteamDB, showing a reduction in the number of countries where these games are unavailable, with only the Russian Federation added to the list of restricted sales. This decision follows a backlash from a previous incident involving Helldivers 2, which was removed from sale in 177 countries due to a PSN requirement. Additionally, Sony's president, Hideaki Nishino, mentioned that the company is considering adjustments to the pricing of its PlayStation Plus service to maximize profitability through a dynamic pricing strategy.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

PlayStation Appears To Be Removing Region Restrictions For Its Games On PC

PlayStation is porting its first-party, console-exclusive games to PC, aiming to expand access to these titles. However, the strategy has faced challenges due to the requirement of linking Steam accounts with PlayStation Network accounts, which has restricted access to certain games in over 100 countries without PSN availability. The release of Helldivers 2 highlighted these accessibility issues, but recent reports indicate that PlayStation is lifting regional restrictions for several titles, including God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2. The launch of Days Gone Remastered without regional locks suggests a shift towards a more inclusive approach, potentially ending the era of regional limitations for PlayStation games on PC.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

I’m glad Sony PlayStation finally got rid of PC game region locks

Sony has begun to reverse its policy of region-locking PC games, allowing titles such as Helldivers 2, God of War Ragnarök, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 to be purchased in previously restricted regions. This change follows backlash against the region locks implemented over a year ago, which had led to negative reactions from players. While many restrictions have been lifted, seven countries—Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam—remain blacklisted.