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AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Google is fixing Meet’s messy invitations on Android (APK teardown)

Google is enhancing its Meet app for Android by simplifying the process of adding participants to calls. Users will soon be able to invite contacts by entering their email addresses or phone numbers, similar to the web version. The latest version of Google Meet includes an “Add others” button that opens a contacts page for inviting new participants. The ongoing call minimizes to a picture-in-picture view, and invited participants receive a standard incoming call notification. If they decline or do not answer, the label changes to “No answer,” and a button may allow existing participants to leave a video message together.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Two Dungeons & Dragons PC Titles Return This August

Hasbro and SNEG will release two Dungeons & Dragons titles, Dragonshard and Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, on PC via Steam in mid-August. Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard, originally launched in 2005, features improved resolution support, localization-friendly saves, and enhancements for modern PCs. It combines real-time strategy and RPG elements in the world of Eberron, allowing players to command troops and explore dungeons. The game includes a narrative by Keith Baker, a dual-layered gameplay experience, diverse unit control, unit progression through experience points, the "Nexus System" for strategic building placement, three distinct factions, and dynamic environments with real-time terrain deformation. Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, first released in 2004, will have smoother start-ups, widescreen scaling, and full controller support. Players will control a Fighter, Sorcerer, and Rogue in a quest to reclaim the Demon Stone. The game features accessible combat styles, a narrative by R.A. Salvatore, voice performances by Patrick Stewart and Michael Clarke Duncan, various environments, iconic Dungeons & Dragons creatures, and a range of combo moves and skill upgrades.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

‘I can’t believe I beat Minecraft in an Overwatch queue!’: Twitch streamer turns interminable queue times into her advantage, completing Minecraft over 9 total hours of waiting for matches to pop

Twitch streamer Aspen has been using long queue times in Overwatch to play Minecraft, during which she defeated the Ender Dragon after a wait of over two and a half hours. This experience has sparked the idea of a "queue%" speedrun category for games with lengthy wait times. In Overwatch's Stadium mode, players, especially in support roles, often face wait times exceeding 15 minutes, providing opportunities for similar gameplay experiences.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Microsoft Windows AI Upgrade—2 Reasons To Change Your Browser

Microsoft is encouraging Windows users to switch from Google Chrome to its Edge browser by promoting its integration with Windows and highlighting AI-powered tools, productivity enhancements, and security features. A key feature in this campaign is Recall, which captures screenshots and indexes content for easy retrieval. Recall has faced privacy concerns, leading to improvements in its relaunch, including better redaction of sensitive information. Brave has responded by disabling Recall by default for its users and implementing measures to ensure its tabs are treated as private, preventing Recall from capturing their content. Currently, Brave holds just under 2% of the desktop browser market, while Chrome has nearly 70%.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Google’s Phone app could make resuming on-hold calls easier (APK teardown)

Google is developing a new feature for its Phone app that includes an "Unhold" shortcut in call notifications. This button will replace the existing "Mute" option when a call is placed on hold, allowing users to resume calls directly from the notification shade without returning to the main call screen. The feature is part of a Material 3 Expressive redesign and is currently available in beta version v184.0, although it has not yet been released to the public.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

You can now lock your Windows machine via an Android phone app you may already have

Users can now lock their PCs remotely through the Link to Windows app on Android, enhancing security by allowing users to secure their device with a "Lock PC" button. This feature disables the Phone Link functionality while the computer is locked. To use this feature, users must have Link to Windows version 1.25071.165 or later installed.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Call of Duty is firmly in its slop era, and now it’s Battlefield 6’s game to lose

Many players have expressed discontent with the introduction of cartoonish skins in recent Call of Duty titles, marking a departure from the franchise's established identity. This has sparked discussions about the future of the series and a desire for a return to a more grounded military shooter experience, potentially benefiting Battlefield 6. Recent playtests for Battlefield 6 have shown promising results with gritty urban maps and enhanced destruction mechanics, while avoiding whimsical elements. EA aims for 100 million players with a full-priced game and a free battle royale mode, raising sustainability concerns. Additionally, the decision to allow all classes to access the same weapons in Battlefield 6 faced backlash, leading to an open beta announcement to address player feedback. The gaming community is watching to see if Battlefield can reclaim its status in the military shooter genre.

Tech Optimizer

July 23, 2025

Command Prompt, Inc. extends PostgreSQL with FedRAMP compliant support

Command Prompt, Inc. has been active in database management since 1997 and specializes in PostgreSQL support. Their PgLTS (PostgreSQL Long Term Support) service extends the standard five-year PostgreSQL community support by an additional three years, providing up to eight years of comprehensive support, including CVE back patching and compliance with long-term FedRAMP requirements. The company prioritizes security, stability, clear communication, and transparent ROI for clients.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

Introducing Surface Laptop 5G: Seamless connectivity, built for business

Microsoft has expanded its Surface Copilot+ PC portfolio with the introduction of the Surface Laptop 5G, a 13.8-inch device powered by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, set to ship on August 26. The new 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro are available for immediate purchase. The Surface Laptop 5G features a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of over 40 trillion operations per second, enhancing on-device intelligence and productivity. It includes an integrated 5G modem for continuous connectivity to Microsoft 365 Copilot and other cloud tools. The device has a dynamic antenna system with six antennas that adapt to surroundings, ensuring reliable connectivity and the ability to function as a mobile hotspot. It supports both NanoSIM and eSIM options and weighs under 3 pounds for portability. The device underwent rigorous real-world testing for performance and connectivity. IT departments can remotely manage the devices, and the Surface Management Portal offers centralized visibility into device health. The Surface Laptop 5G is part of a growing portfolio of Copilot+ PCs designed for modern business needs.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

Forrester study reveals Windows 365 Link enhances productivity and security, projects ROI up to 195%

Shared PCs have challenges in security, compliance, and IT support due to the lack of individual logins. Windows 365 Link, launched in April 2025, aims to address these issues by providing a secure, cloud-powered Windows experience for shared environments. A Forrester study commissioned by Microsoft indicates that implementing Windows 365 Link can yield a return on investment of up to 195% over six years for organizations with 2,000 employees and 500 contractors. The projected financial benefits include: - End-user productivity gains: 22%-30% of unproductive time saved, translating to .4 million – .3 million. - Strengthened security: Savings of .5 million – .7 million from devices without local data and passwordless authentication. - Reduced hardware costs: Savings of .8 million – .2 million over six years by transitioning from traditional desktops. - IT time savings: Up to 90% savings on provisioning and decommissioning tasks, amounting to .9 million – .5 million. - Accelerated onboarding: Savings of ,000 – ,000 from faster onboarding of new desk-based workers. Users reported significant improvements in productivity, security, and cost-effectiveness with Windows 365 Link, citing reduced setup times and enhanced operational efficiency. The device is managed via Microsoft Intune, enhancing security by eliminating local administrators. Windows 365 Link is expected to be more cost-effective than traditional laptops or desktops, with an extended lifecycle. Availability is expanding to new markets, including Denmark, France, India, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland later this year.