revenue model Archives

Tech Optimizer

December 7, 2025

FTC sends $15.3 million in refunds to Avast antivirus customers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing million to 103,152 consumers affected by misleading marketing practices related to Avast's antivirus software. This distribution began on December 2, 2025, as part of a settlement finalized in June 2024, which addressed allegations that Avast collected, stored, and sold users' browsing information without proper notice or consent. Consumers can receive payments via checks, PayPal, or Zelle, with specific timeframes for cashing or redeeming funds. Rust Consulting, Inc. is the refund administrator, and individuals are advised not to pay any fees or provide account information to file claims. The settlement also imposes restrictions on Avast, including a permanent ban on selling web browsing data for advertising and a requirement to obtain clear consent from users for any future data sales.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 7 launches with apparent “AI slop,” days after Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggested Steam should bin AI disclosures

Fortnite Chapter 7 debuted with themes including references to The Simpsons, Quentin Tarantino, and Marty McFly. Concerns have arisen about the potential use of generative AI in the game's advertising content, although Epic Games has not confirmed this. CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that AI will play a significant role in future production, prompting debate in the gaming community. Players have noted peculiarities in the new chapter, such as an advertisement with an "AI smudge look" and inconsistencies in a creature's anatomy, which they believe indicate AI influence. A Marty McFly spray initially thought to be AI-generated was confirmed to be hand-drawn. The lack of clarity from Epic has led to backlash and discussions about supporting genuine artists. The conversation around generative AI in gaming has increased, with concerns that monetizing AI-generated content could lead to player dissatisfaction.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

Task Manager creator says Windows 11 has turned into a sales channel for all products

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft Windows engineer, shared a video discussing the dissatisfaction with Windows 11 among long-time users. He attributes this discontent to Microsoft's focus on integrating its own products into the user experience, which alienates loyal users. The shift began with Windows 10, which adopted a "Windows as a service" model and aimed to create a unified user base for monetization through cloud services. Windows 11 has further evolved into a platform that promotes Microsoft products over user experience, leading to intrusive advertising within the OS. Plummer suggests improvements, including a genuine "Pro Mode" for power users, a "privacy ledger" for telemetry transparency, and better options during setup. He emphasizes the need for Microsoft to refine the Windows experience to regain user trust.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

Epic Games launches webshop service on PC and mobile

Epic Games has launched the Epic Web Shops service for PC and mobile platforms, enabling developers to monetize in-game content through self-publishing tools. Developers retain 100% of their first million in net revenue per title, transitioning to an 88/12 revenue split thereafter. Players earn Epic Rewards on purchases, and Web Shops will be featured on product pages. The service will be integrated into the Epic Game Store mobile app later this year, and developers must have a registered Epic Games Developer account to create a Web Shop. The service supports consumable sales but excludes Web3 games. Codename Entertainment has launched a live Web Shop for its game, Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms.