reports Archives

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Tim Cain: ‘Among other things that Steve Jackson Games didn’t like about Fallout was Vault Boy’

The Fallout video game was initially developed with the intention of using the GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Play System) license from Steve Jackson Games. However, misunderstandings led to the dissolution of the licensing agreement, which Steve Jackson learned about from a press member rather than Interplay directly. Jackson's objections were primarily due to creative differences, particularly regarding the violent opening cutscene, character design, and the whimsical style of the mascot, Vault Boy. After extensive discussions, Jackson threatened legal action if Interplay continued with Fallout in its current form, prompting Interplay to abandon the GURPS license. This decision significantly impacted the future direction of the Fallout franchise.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Authors Silent Hill: Townfall We’re working on fixing FPS drops on PC.

Official representatives of the Silent Hill series have acknowledged technical challenges with the PC versions of Silent Hill: Townfall and are working on a patch to address performance issues reported by early users. This update will target the game versions on Steam and the Epic Games Store, with a release date to be announced once finalized. Players have reported significant frame rate drops, frequent stutters, and unstable optimization, with some experiencing processor temperatures reaching 90°C and spiking at 100°C. There are concerns about refund requests and negative impacts on user ratings due to the lack of fixes since the launch of version 1.0. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the game's atmosphere and gameplay. The development team is prioritizing the resolution of these performance problems, with updates to be provided on the studio's official website and social media.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Sorry Microsoft. Windows 10 is more stable than Windows 11, and your recent updates have made it obvious

Windows 11's September update, released on the 8th, has caused various issues, including problems with Remote Desktop, USB audio, and Linux/WSL applications. Failures in File History, crashes of Explorer.exe, and instability with AMD GPUs were also reported. An emergency update was issued on September 14 but did not resolve all issues. Over nine months, Windows 11 updates have resulted in numerous bugs, while Windows 10 has experienced significantly fewer issues. Specific problems with Windows 11 included black screens and authentication issues in January, Microsoft account sign-in issues in March, BitLocker recovery problems in April and May, boot failures in June, and compatibility problems in July. August saw game crashes linked to third-party drivers, and September was marked by extensive issues requiring an emergency update. Windows 10 continues to receive updates and has a commitment to Extended Security Updates until October 12, 2027. The stability of Windows 10 is attributed to fewer significant changes compared to the ongoing enhancements in Windows 11.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2026

We Tested 10 Best Antivirus Software for 2026

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, with Verizon’s 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report indicating that 48% of breaches involve ransomware and 31% arise from software vulnerabilities. A review of leading antivirus programs assessed their effectiveness against various threats. Top antivirus software includes: - Bitdefender: Best overall, effective against various threats, perfect score from AV-TEST. - Norton 360: Best all-in-one suite, includes VPN and parental controls, perfect score from AV-TEST. - McAfee+ Premium: Best for families, unlimited device coverage, full marks from AV-TEST. - Malwarebytes: Best for simple protection, user-friendly interface, rated 5.5/6 by AV-TEST. - ESET NOD32: Best for advanced users, lightweight and fast, includes Gamer Mode. - Avast: Best free option, offers various scanning options, straightforward upgrade path. - Microsoft Defender: Built-in for Windows, essential protection, perfect score from AV-TEST. - Intego ONE: Best for Mac users, includes firewall and VPN. - Surfshark Antivirus: Combines antivirus and VPN services, real-time protection. - TotalAV: Best for beginners, combines antivirus with web security tools. The evaluation process included lab data from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, hands-on experience, and criteria such as malware protection, false positives, system performance impact, phishing protection, ease of use, platform coverage, additional security features, and pricing. Key metrics from antivirus lab tests include protection scores, false positives, and performance impact. The choice between antivirus software and internet security suites depends on individual needs. Antivirus software remains necessary, especially for Windows PCs, to complement other security measures.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions reach end of updates on October 13, 2026 — here’s what you must do

Microsoft announced that the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 version 24H2 will stop receiving updates after October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to be supported until October 12, 2027. Windows 11 SE will also reach its end of support in October 2026, with no feature updates after 24H2. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 version 25H2 to extend their support window until October 2027. The upgrade requires Windows 11 version 24H2 and a specific cumulative update. If users do not upgrade, Microsoft will automatically push the 25H2 update to unmanaged Home and Pro devices.

Tech Optimizer

September 24, 2026

Norton antivirus software maker in talks to acquire GoDaddy – Domain Name Wire

Gen Digital, the parent company of Norton 360, is in preliminary discussions to acquire GoDaddy. Gen Digital was formed in 2022 from the merger of NortonLifeLock and Avast and had a market capitalization of .7 billion before the acquisition news. GoDaddy had a market cap of .2 billion. Following the announcement, Gen Digital's stock fell by 7%, reducing its market cap to .6 billion, while GoDaddy's stock rose by over 13%, increasing its market cap to .6 billion. Concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on GoDaddy's business model have affected its stock performance, leading to speculation that other companies may consider acquiring GoDaddy, potentially resulting in the company transitioning to private ownership.

Tech Optimizer

September 24, 2026

GoDaddy jumps on report of takeover offer from Gen Digital

Shares of GoDaddy (GDDY) increased by 14% following reports of a potential takeover bid from Gen Digital (GEN), which saw a decline of 7.6% in its stock. Discussions about the acquisition are in early stages, with no certainty of a deal, and specific terms remain undisclosed. GoDaddy has a market capitalization of .2 billion, while Gen Digital is valued at .7 billion. Shares of GoDaddy's competitor, Wix (WIX), rose by 6.5% in response to the news. Both companies have not commented on the situation.

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max can secretly change how it surveils individual users, researchers at InterSecLab find

The Max messenger, developed by VK, has significant user tracking capabilities. A report from InterSecLab revealed that: - Max's features can vary for individual users without app updates. - It lacks end-to-end encryption, allowing VK access to messages, even in "secret chats." - Each account can be configured to perform specific actions, such as decrypting messages on VK's servers and blocking messages if a VPN is detected. - Upon launching, Max reports the user’s network environment to VK, including their public IP address and mobile carrier. - The app uploads users’ entire address books unencrypted to VK's servers, accessing contacts of non-registered individuals. - A phone number query can reveal extensive user information without notification. - Max stops functioning if it detects a VPN, requiring users to disable it to send messages, although workarounds exist. - New users receive a curated list of recommended channels, primarily featuring state media and pro-government figures.

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Google Messages has a camera flash problem, and nobody knows why

Multiple users of Google Messages are experiencing issues with the LED flash timing when capturing photos, with some reports indicating the flash fails to activate or activates prematurely, resulting in poorly lit images. This problem has been noted across various smartphone models and app versions, including the latest beta version of Google Messages. Users have confirmed that the flash works correctly in other camera applications, highlighting a specific glitch within Google Messages. The issue has persisted for over a month, and efforts to contact Google for a resolution are ongoing.

BetaBeacon

September 24, 2026

Android Auto games are no longer in beta as Google opens publishing

Android Auto games are now generally available for parked use, allowing developers to publish games through Google Play without limited approval processes. These games are specifically designed for stationary moments in the vehicle and are not playable while driving. Developers must declare game category and car support in the app manifest, and support for one platform does not automatically mean support for the other.