resistance Archives

Winsage

April 5, 2025

I hope these 3 long-lost Microsoft Windows 8 features stay gone forever

Windows 8 introduced a new interface that replaced the traditional Start Menu with a full-screen tile layout, leading to negative user feedback due to its touchscreen optimization and disruption of productivity for desktop users. The tile interface featured constantly updating tiles that distracted users, while Metro apps had a restrictive design that complicated tasks like image editing. The Charms bar was criticized for unintentionally activating and interrupting workflows. Despite some improvements like Fast Startup, the overall reception was poor, prompting Microsoft to release Windows 8.1, which reintroduced the Start Button. The subsequent launch of Windows 10 received a much more favorable response, indicating a shift in Microsoft's strategy away from the controversial elements of Windows 8.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Password Deletion For Windows Users—What You Do Now

Microsoft is transitioning away from passwords to enhance security, encouraging users to adopt passkeys. Passkeys are securely stored secrets on a user's device, unlocked through biometrics, PINs, or patterns, making them resistant to phishing and eliminating the need for complex passwords. Users can set up passkeys by signing into their Microsoft account's Advanced Security Options or Security Info, selecting a sign-in method, and following on-screen instructions. Once established, signing in is straightforward, requiring only the chosen authentication method. Microsoft is prioritizing passkeys for new accounts and refining its sign-in logic to improve efficiency, with passkeys being three times faster than traditional passwords. Passkeys can be used across devices and applications that support them, with Windows Hello facilitating authentication.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

3 times Microsoft has tried (and failed) to reinvent PC gaming

Microsoft has faced criticism from the PC gaming community due to frequent Windows updates causing crashes and altering features. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP), introduced in the mid-2010s to unify operating systems, faced backlash from gamers for restricting access to game files and complicating third-party software use. Many developers bypassed UWP, leading Microsoft to reintroduce Win32 games by 2019. DirectX 10 was exclusive to Windows Vista, resulting in only 87 games being developed for it due to the unpopularity of Vista and lack of backward compatibility. Games for Windows Live (GFWL) aimed to bring Xbox Live to PC but became frustrating due to its closed ecosystem, leading to accessibility issues and unplayable titles after server shutdowns. Microsoft has since improved the gaming experience on Windows, focusing on user choice and compatibility, with features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage integrated into Windows 11.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

The best games to play in 2025, so far

In 2025, the gaming landscape features a mix of innovative titles and new iterations of beloved franchises. The standout games, each rated four stars or higher, include: - WWE 2K25: Offers an immersive wrestling experience with a talented roster and innovative modes, though it has monetization strategies that may frustrate fans. - Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: Revitalizes the Yakuza series with engaging mechanics and a captivating pirate adventure narrative. - Sniper Elite: Resistance: Set in World War II France, it enhances the sniping experience with multiplayer modes and a strategic narrative. - Dynasty Warriors Origins: Features epic battles and refined combat mechanics, creating a thrilling atmosphere. - Wanderstop: A simulation game about a former champion fighter running a tea shop, blending whimsical gameplay with a narrative about personal growth. - Civilization 7: Enhances the 4X formula with stunning visuals and new mechanics, making it accessible for newcomers and rewarding for veterans. - Avowed: Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, it emphasizes rich storytelling and exploration. - Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector: Enhances narrative depth and introduces new gameplay mechanics, creating a thrilling experience. - Assassin's Creed Shadows: Combines stealth and RPG elements in a beautifully crafted Sengoku-era Japan setting. - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Features a detailed open world and engaging quests, rewarding players for overcoming challenges. - Two Point Museum: A humorous simulation game where players build and manage a quirky museum, adding layers of strategy. - Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape One: Introduces a dual timeline for enriched storytelling and innovative mechanics. - Split Fiction: A cooperative game with a blend of genres and gameplay styles, promoting teamwork in a visually stunning world. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Refines the series' core loop with thrilling hunts and gear crafting, emphasizing dynamic combat and immersive environments.

BetaBeacon

March 22, 2025

Android Circuit: Galaxy S26 Ultra Leaks, Pixel 9 Pro On Sale, Epic’s Free Android Games

Google's Pixel 9a has the best battery life of any Pixel available today, with over 30 hours of battery life and over 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Huawei Pura X flip phone launched; sideways form factor, no Android apps

Huawei has launched the Huawei Pura X smartphone in China, which is the first Huawei device to operate without Android, using HarmonyOS Next instead. The Pura X does not support Android applications and does not offer a choice between Android and HarmonyOS. The phone features a 3.5-inch outer OLED screen, a 6.3-inch foldable OLED screen, and a triple rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor. It is powered by the Kirin 9020 chip, supports up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and has a 4720mAh battery with fast charging capabilities. The device is priced at CNY 7499 (approximately ₹89,000) and is unlikely to be available in India due to its lack of Android compatibility.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

The Digital Privacy Paradox: Encrypted Messaging App ‘Session’ Solves What Others Won’t

Instant messaging has become a crucial part of global communication, connecting billions of users while raising concerns about privacy and security. Many popular messaging apps, despite encryption, still expose users to privacy threats through metadata collection, which can reveal personal information. Session is a messaging platform that aims to address these issues by minimizing metadata usage and ensuring user anonymity through anonymous sign-ups, a decentralized infrastructure, and advanced encryption techniques. Session does not require personal details like phone numbers or emails for registration and operates on a network of over 2,200 nodes, making it difficult for any single entity to access or censor user data. The app is open-source, allowing for transparency and independent audits, and employs onion routing to enhance security. Session is particularly beneficial for journalists and activists who need secure communication in surveillance-prone environments. The platform is governed by the non-profit Session Technology Foundation, which prioritizes user privacy over profit. Session's upcoming token, $SESH, will incentivize individuals to operate nodes, contributing to the decentralized nature of the network and enhancing security through staking mechanisms. The transition from Oxen to Session Token on Arbitrum aims to improve efficiency and scalability while planning for a future where privacy-first messaging competes with mainstream platforms.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

George Orwell’s 1984 as a ‘90s PC game has to be seen to be believed

The 1998 video game project Big Brother, based on George Orwell's 1984, was announced at E3 1998 and aimed to extend the narrative of Orwell's universe. It featured a new protagonist, Eric Blair, who was on a quest to find his missing fiancée, Emma, and was involved in a resistance movement against the Thought Police. Despite initial excitement and a demo, the game never reached full release and fell into obscurity. Recently, a demo of Big Brother has been recovered and made available on the Internet Archive. The game's last preview appeared in the December 1998 issue of Next Generation magazine, and the demo's narrative shifted focus from the missing fiancée to Eric's role in creating a diversion against the Thought Police.