reveals Archives

Winsage

May 11, 2025

Microsoft 365 might’ve just given you another excuse to stay on Windows 10 for three more years

Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, despite Windows 10 reaching its End of Life on October 14, 2025. This extension is intended to assist users during their transition to Windows 11. While Microsoft 365 apps will still function after Windows 10 support ends, users may experience performance and reliability issues on an unsupported operating system.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

These dangerous Android apps are installed 2.5 million times each month

Kaleidoscope is an ad-fraud attack targeting Android users by exploiting legitimate applications on the Google Play Store and offering malicious duplicates through third-party app stores. Approximately 2.5 million devices are affected monthly, with 20% of incidents occurring in India, and other impacted regions include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brazil. Users unknowingly download legitimate-looking apps while malicious versions circulate elsewhere, leading to intrusive advertisements that disrupt user experience and generate revenue for cybercriminals. Google has removed flagged titles from the Play Store and is enhancing protections, but ad resellers often fail to properly vet their inventory. The adware causes device overheating, rapid battery drain, and sluggish performance, highlighting the need for user vigilance.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Huawei unveils its own PC operating system

Huawei has introduced HarmonyOS PC, also known as Hongmeng Computer in China, at the HarmonyOS Computer Technology and Ecosystem Communication Event. The product is built on three pillars: HarmonyOS Base, which includes the HarmonyOS kernel, Ark Engine, and StarShield architecture; HarmonyOS Ecosystem, featuring over 150 exclusive applications and integration for more than 2,000 universal apps; and HarmonyOS Experience, supporting over 1,000 external devices and 800 standard peripherals. The PC incorporates deep AI integration and will officially launch on May 19.

Tech Optimizer

May 9, 2025

Does Antivirus Software Collect Your Data

Antivirus software collects various types of data to protect systems, including system details (operating system version, RAM, CPU type, computer name), network data (local and external IP addresses, DNS server, network name), user data (Windows username, time zone, language, general location), browsing history (if web protection features are enabled), and file-related information (file names, locations, hashes, and sometimes entire files). The AV-Comparatives report indicates that while some antivirus companies manage data responsibly (e.g., F-Secure, G Data, K7), others (e.g., Norton, Panda, McAfee) have been criticized for poor practices. Data sharing can enhance malware detection but poses privacy risks, as seen in AVG's past actions of selling user browsing history. Users can limit data collection by adjusting settings, reviewing installation agreements, avoiding free antivirus software, choosing privacy-conscious vendors (like F-Secure, ESET, G Data), and reading privacy policies. Despite concerns about data collection, antivirus software is essential for protection against cyber threats, and selecting a transparent provider can help safeguard privacy.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Don’t ruin your Galaxy phone with a half-baked beta update

Samsung is expected to begin public beta testing for Android 16 and One UI 8 as early as June, with the software already appearing on a secret test server. Users are advised to exercise caution when considering participation in the beta testing, as unfinished software may lead to bugs and glitches. One UI 8 is anticipated to introduce meaningful changes to enhance user experience, but it is recommended to wait for a fully polished version before adopting it. The initial beta versions are primarily intended for developers, and early adopters may encounter challenges. The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Ultra are highlighted as peak Android devices, featuring impressive RAM, performance, and the latest One UI with unique AI features.

Winsage

May 8, 2025

The 12 KB Windows just can’t quit

Raymond Chen discussed the moricons.dll file on his blog, highlighting its significance in the Windows operating system. The file, sized at 12,288 bytes, contains icons from the Windows 3.1 era, including those for Turbo Pascal, Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, Lotus 123, and cc:Mail. Originally, icons were stored in progman.exe, but as their collection grew, they were moved to moricons.dll for better organization. This library has persisted through various Windows upgrades, evolving from Program Manager icons to shortcut files in Windows 95. Despite the transition to 64-bit Windows, which no longer supports MS-DOS programs, moricons.dll has survived, suggesting that some users may still find value in these nostalgic icons.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Waltz used Signal-like app at White House day before ouster as national security advisor

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was seen using a modified version of the messaging app Signal during a Cabinet meeting, despite President Donald Trump's prior discouragement of its use after the "Signalgate" controversy. A photograph showed Waltz with the app active and conversations involving at least six officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicating ongoing discussions. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed that Signal is an approved application for government use, and the modified version appeared to be associated with TeleMessage, a company that provides archiving services for messaging applications. This adaptation raises concerns about the integrity of Signal's end-to-end encryption due to potential external storage of messages, which could compromise privacy. TeleMessage has ties to military intelligence and was recently acquired by Smarsh. The use of Signal by Trump administration officials has been controversial in the past, particularly regarding military discussions that inadvertently involved a journalist.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

One UI 8 Watch will get a Shortcuts app, and here’s what it does (APK teardown)

Samsung will release the One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch later this year, featuring a new application called Shortcuts. This app will allow users to place app shortcuts on the smartwatch's home screen in two tile sizes: 2×1 and 2×2. The setup process will include user-friendly prompts like "Select apps" and "Tap to add apps." This feature aims to streamline access to frequently used applications, reducing the time needed to launch them and enhancing the overall user experience.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft Reveals New Windows 11 Start Menu and Upcoming Copilot+ Features

Microsoft has announced upcoming features for Windows 11, including a redesigned Start Menu, enhancements to Click to Do, and improvements in Windows Search. Key features for Windows Insiders using Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs include an AI Agent in Settings, new Click to Do actions for scheduling and messaging, dynamic lighting controls in Photos, a Paint sticker generator, object selection in Paint, an improved Snipping tool, and rich image descriptions in Narrator. Additional features for all Windows Insiders include a new Start Menu with a phone companion sidebar, AI actions in File Explorer, updates to Notepad, Copilot improvements, and a Microsoft Store AI Hub. Notably, Copilot+ PC experiences will not be available in all markets until later, with some features expected to arrive in the European Economic Area in 2025.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Analyst claims Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is selling twice as fast as any other recent JRPG has on Steam—and it’s got me wondering what the secret sauce is

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, is a strong contender for Game of the Year in 2025, resonating with RPG fans and achieving significant sales success. It outsold major titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Persona at a 2:1 ratio, selling over 785,000 copies on Steam in its first week and reaching a peak concurrent player count of 145,063. The game has garnered attention for its engaging opening hours, innovative parry-based combat system, and relatable characters, appealing to PC gamers. It combines elements of JRPGs with Western aesthetics, distinguishing itself from other titles in the genre.