restrictions Archives

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Minecraft Age Verification Goes Live in the UK; Locks Chat Access If Unverified

Starting in February, UK players of Minecraft will need to verify their age to access unrestricted chat, in compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act. Players with adult accounts must confirm they are at least 18 years old; those who do not will lose access to social features like chat until verification is completed. The verification process will be conducted by Yoti, and no personal data will be retained after verification. This requirement currently applies only to the UK but may expand to other regions in the future. Players will not lose any in-game purchases, worlds, or achievements if they choose not to verify their age.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Riot moves to stamp out League of Legends duo queue abuse as “a few bad actors ruin things for everyone”

Riot Games has introduced new duo queue restrictions in League of Legends, disallowing duo play up to Grandmaster rank, even for players with Grandmaster MMR. The company has increased the duo penalty to reflect the advantages of playing in pairs. The current season has seen an increase in exploitative behavior, prompting these changes. Riot plans to implement an indicator to show when a player's actual MMR exceeds their displayed rank. Additionally, there is a delay in improvements to the autofill matching system, which aims to reduce mismatched roles for players.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

How to set up Android Parental Controls on your kid’s phone

Google has enhanced parental control features for Android users through the Family Link app, which allows parents to manage their children's device usage. A significant update in December 2025 introduced a dedicated parental controls settings page within the Settings app for Google Pixel devices running Android 16 or newer. This update streamlines the process, allowing parents to implement controls easily without using a separate app. Parents can access both Family Link and device limits from one location, with options to password-protect settings. The setup process includes selecting a supervising Google account and reviewing various control options. The integration with the Family Link app remains, allowing further management from a parent's device. The Google Pixel 10 is highlighted as a device that supports these enhanced parental controls, featuring a triple-camera setup and a powerful Tensor G5 chip.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Tech Bloggers Switch to Linux Over Windows Privacy Woes in 2026

In early 2026, many prominent technology writers are transitioning from Windows and macOS to Linux-based systems, citing frustrations with Windows 11's mandatory updates, privacy concerns, and software bloat as key reasons for the shift. The appeal of Linux is bolstered by advancements in gaming compatibility, user-friendly distributions, and a growing open-source community. While some users face challenges such as a steep learning curve and software incompatibilities, the overall sentiment is positive, with predictions suggesting significant growth for Linux desktops in 2026. Economic factors, including the cost of proprietary software and hardware demands, are also driving users towards Linux, which remains free and efficient. Community support plays a crucial role in easing the transition, and there is optimism about Linux's potential to capture more market share in various fields, despite some realism regarding the need for proprietary software in certain workflows.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Microsoft releases 2026’s first Insider build of Windows 11

The latest Insider build of Windows 11, KB5072046, updates the operating system to build 26220.7535 and is available to Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels. A significant enhancement is the new Narrator feature powered by Copilot, which allows users to generate AI-driven descriptions for images. This feature is not available in the European Economic Area due to regulatory restrictions. Users can press Narrator key + Ctrl + D to describe a focused image or Narrator key + Ctrl + S for a full screen description. Microsoft has also introduced a policy for system administrators to uninstall the Microsoft Copilot App under specific conditions, applicable to Enterprise, Pro, and EDU SKUs. Various fixes have been implemented, including resolving issues with the Start menu, File Explorer, input using the Snipping Tool, print dialogs, and Windows Update settings.

BetaBeacon

January 8, 2026

Crypto Casino CoinPoker Revamps Real Money Poker App On iPhone And Android With Freeroll Giveaways

New players automatically receive a seat in the next Mobile Monthly Freeroll that takes place at the end of the month at 5pm UTC.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

Windows 11 Trails Older OS Versions in ThinkPad X220 Speed Tests

Windows 11 has been tested on a Lenovo ThinkPad X220, revealing it to perform poorly compared to its predecessors, particularly Windows 8.1, which excelled in benchmarks for boot times and application launches. The test involved various Windows versions (XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11) on the same aging hardware, highlighting that Windows 11 consistently finished last in most categories. The ThinkPad X220 does not meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements, lacking essential components like TPM 2.0 and a compatible processor, which may have skewed the results. Critics argue that using outdated hardware for testing is not representative, suggesting that a fair comparison would involve flagship devices from each generation. Windows 11's architecture is designed for modern multicore CPUs and SSDs, which may struggle on older hardware. Additionally, Windows 11 has heavier overheads due to advanced security features, which consume resources that older operating systems do not. User feedback indicates frustration with Windows 11's performance on legacy hardware compared to leaner alternatives like Linux. Despite Microsoft promoting optimizations in Windows 11, these did not manifest in the ThinkPad test, and the findings raise concerns for businesses considering upgrades as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date in 2025.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

Microsoft Ends Windows 11 SE Support in 2026 Amid Low Adoption

Microsoft will conclude support for Windows 11 SE in 2026, ceasing security updates and feature enhancements after October 2026. Launched in late 2021 for K-8 classrooms, Windows 11 SE struggled with adoption due to hardware limitations and competition from alternatives like Google’s Chrome OS. The final feature release for SE will be Windows 11 version 24H2. Schools will face challenges in transitioning to new systems, as devices running SE may become vulnerable to cyber threats without ongoing support. Microsoft is shifting its focus to integrating educational tools into its main operating system rather than maintaining a separate edition. The end of support for Windows 11 SE may accelerate hardware refresh cycles in schools, posing financial burdens on underfunded districts.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Four Google Play Store Features That Change How App Installs and Updates Work

The Google Play Store has introduced several enhancements to improve the app installation and update experience for users. Key features include: 1. Per-app auto-update control: Users can now enable or disable auto-updates for individual apps, allowing essential apps to remain on stable versions while less critical ones update automatically. 2. Built-in download manager shortcut: A new circular icon on the Apps and Games pages provides access to a list of recently installed or updated apps, showing timestamps and allowing users to launch apps directly from this list. 3. Auto-open when ready: A toggle that, when activated, launches an app automatically after installation, accompanied by a notification with a countdown timer for user intervention. 4. Viewing changelogs without opening app pages: Users can now view update changelogs directly from the app management screen without navigating to each app's store listing, enhancing efficiency in reviewing updates. These features collectively enhance user control and transparency in app management.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Code Vein 2 is largely more of the same despite its story reset, but I think I’m okay with that

Code Vein 2 has been announced and is set to launch on January 29, priced at .99 / £54.99. The game retains core mechanics from the original, including checkpoints called Mistles and a system for reclaiming lost currency called Haze. It features extensive character customization, with a detailed editor and various Blood Codes that influence play style. Combat dynamics include faster-paced encounters and new weapon types, such as twin blades and rune blades, with over 200 Formae to master. The narrative involves Blood-drinking Revenants and human hunters in an apocalyptic setting, with players awakening 100 years after a catastrophic event. Companions can assist in combat and revive players upon death, adding strategic depth. Exploration has improved, with more complex dungeon layouts and navigation aids.