reviews Archives

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

GOG Makes PC Game Free for Everyone

GOG is offering the 2018 sci-fi adventure game State of Mind for free until September 9 at 8:30 ET, allowing users to permanently add it to their library. This is the first time the game has been available for free on GOG, and it does not support the Steam Deck. Developed by Daedalic Entertainment, State of Mind is set in a dystopian Berlin in 2048 and follows journalist Richard Nolan as he investigates the disappearance of his wife and son amidst societal collapse. The game has a 4/5 rating from reviewers, a Metacritic score of 69, and a 78% approval rating from over 1,500 Steam user reviews, while GOG users rated it 3.8 out of 5 based on 66 reviews. GOG has also introduced another free game from 2008 for players who may not be interested in State of Mind.

Winsage

September 7, 2026

Want your PC to be a bit more like a Mac? The ‘Dynamic Island for Windows’ just got a big update.

Notchify, a Windows application emulating macOS's Dynamic Island feature, has received a significant update that improves performance and adds new functionalities. Key enhancements include optional GPU rendering for smoother animations, reduced CPU and memory usage, resolution of keyboard lag, improved fullscreen detection, and selectable frame rates. The app now features an integrated Clipboard history, drag-and-drop file tray functionality, an in-app notifications panel, to-do and notes sections with a calendar date picker, quick system actions, app shortcuts, and a connected device card for BLE devices. Additionally, a media player with various options has been included, along with quality of life enhancements like a hover-to-reveal feature, a redesigned settings interface, support for 10 languages, and improvements for multi-monitor setups. Notchify is priced at .99, with a free trial available.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

First look: The Play Store could give paid games the overhauled UI they deserve

Google is enhancing the user experience on its Play Store by developing a new user interface (UI) for paid games, differentiating them from free games. The updated UI in version 53.0 includes a prominent banner image for each paid game, along with essential details like reviews, ratings, age ratings, and device compatibility. A new feature called "Ask Play" has been introduced, providing a scrollable strip of contextual question chips for user interaction. The new design has been successfully tested but lacks some information, such as download size and count. The timeline for the public rollout is uncertain, and while the changes are not drastic, they aim to make paid games more appealing. An APK teardown indicates potential future features, but there is no guarantee they will be included in the final release.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Steam Week in Review: 54 idle games released on Steam last week, and many look eerily similar

In 2013, Cookie Clicker and Candy Box emerged as popular games, with Cookie Clicker gaining significant attention and leading to widespread addiction among players on social media. Cookie Clicker, inspired by Cow Clicker, features simple gameplay where players click to generate cookies and enhance production. New games like Next Reign: Kingdom and We Need More Humans! have been released, competing with established titles such as Bongo Cat and Task Bar Hero. The number of games tagged as idlers has increased from 100 in 2020 to 1,811 in 2024, with 1,119 more in development. The Blood of Dawnwalker sold a million units in three days, while the Elden Ring Tarnished Pack received mixed reviews.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

The Blood of Dawnwalker sold 1 million copies in just 3 days

On September 5, Rebel Wolves announced on Twitter that their RPG, Blood of Dawnwalker, sold over one million copies within three days of its launch on September 2. The game received positive feedback, with Australian editor Shaun Prescott rating it 83% and praising its storytelling and combat mechanics. Blood of Dawnwalker has 8,296 reviews on Steam, while Zero Company has 15,562 reviews and a "Very Positive" rating. Despite the success of Blood of Dawnwalker, 80% of Bit Reactor's staff is reportedly on furlough, highlighting challenges in the gaming industry.

BetaBeacon

September 6, 2026

Saints Row: The Third Remastered brings GTA-style action to iOS, Android on Oct. 29

Saints Row: The Third Remastered is coming to mobile devices on October 29, with all DLC included and redesigned touchscreen controls.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

Google’s Scam Detection Doesn’t Support Your Android Phone? Try These 5 Apps

Google has introduced AI-powered scam call detection for Pixel phone users, analyzing incoming calls to alert users of potential scams. Not all Android devices support this feature. Various spam call prevention tools are available for Android users, including: - Truecaller: A leading app with a user-generated database for identifying spam calls, offering Caller ID in its free version. It may produce false positives. - Malwarebytes Scam Guard: Analyzes content like messages and links for scams, requiring manual submission for analysis and part of a premium package. - YouMail: Blocks known scam numbers for free, includes Caller ID, and uses AI for text message fraud detection. Some features require a paid plan. - Hiya Spam Blocker: Identifies suspicious calls with Caller ID and allows users to report dubious numbers. Paid plans offer automatic blocking and Call Screener features. - Should I Answer?: A free app that checks unknown numbers against a community-maintained database, providing reputation assessments based on user reviews. The methodology for compiling these apps focused on compatibility with various Android devices and essential features like Caller ID and automatic blocking, while also considering additional functionalities and accessibility.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

4 Android Auto Apps Every EV Owner Needs To Install

Android Auto provides a range of applications designed to enhance the driving experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners. Key apps include: - A Better Routeplanner (ABRP): A navigation app specifically for EV owners that helps plan road trips by generating trip plans with charging stops, estimated charging times, and projected battery levels. It supports over 1,000 EV models and offers a free version with basic features and a premium version with additional functionalities. - Waze: A versatile navigation app that offers real-time traffic updates, estimated arrival times, and turn-by-turn directions. It can display charging stations along routes and is useful for both long and short trips. - PlugShare: An app that provides a detailed overview of charging stations, allowing users to search for locations compatible with their specific EV. It includes community-driven features for reviews and connections among EV owners. - Electrify America: An app for users of the Electrify America charging network that integrates with Android Auto, enabling drivers to find charging stations and access details directly from their vehicle's display. These apps address common challenges faced by EV owners, such as locating charging stations and planning routes effectively.

BetaBeacon

September 6, 2026

Redfinger vs BlueStacks X vs now.gg: Cloud Emulator 2026

Cloud Android emulators move the workload off the device entirely, running the Android instance on a remote server while the PC displays the video stream and sends back taps, clicks, and keystrokes.

BetaBeacon

September 5, 2026

The Wrapp – 8-bit dungeon crawling, blue-eyed dragons, and rusty survival games

- Armoured Mewtwo will be appearing in Pokémon Go raids over the weekend, drawing a crowd of players. - Xbox may be pushing to be the temporary physical media saviour, causing PlayStation to rethink their strategy. - Catherine Dellosa is prepping early access games for a work trip and will be playing Backpack Stars, a backpack management game. - Shaun Walton will be playing Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links with his Blue-Eyes deck. - Iwan Morris will be recovering from Gamescom and playing No More Room in Hell 2 and looking for a good zombie game. - Stephen Gregson-Wood is enjoying playing Rust Mobile's second closed beta.