rise Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

TIDAL Raises Prices Again: What It Means for Music Streamers

TIDAL will implement a price increase for its U.S. subscribers starting August 3, 2026. The new pricing structure will be as follows: Individual plan at .99/month, Family plan at .99/month, and Student plan at .99/month. Existing subscribers will maintain their current rates until their first billing date after the price change. TIDAL's Individual plan remains competitive compared to Spotify Premium and Qobuz Studio, but is higher than Apple Music's .99/month for Individual and .99/month for Family plans. TIDAL cites the need to support artists and invest in new features as reasons for the price increase. The impact on Individual subscribers is expected to be minimal, while Family and Student subscribers may reconsider their options due to the higher costs.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

PC gamers remain skeptical of Steam’s AI disclaimers, poll shows many believe game devs are hiding it

A poll by GameDiscoverCo involving nearly 3,800 Steam users from June 25 to July 2, 2026, found that 43% of respondents are comfortable purchasing games with AI disclosures, while 31% view such disclosures negatively, and 8% refuse to buy games featuring them. Approximately 44% of participants read AI disclosures in detail, and 45% at least glance at them, indicating that 89% consider this information in their purchasing decisions. Trust in the accuracy of these disclosures is low, with only 17% believing developers fully disclose AI use, while 25% think many are transparent, and 35% feel only some provide accurate information. Additionally, 56% of respondents believe AI-assisted development tools should be disclosed, with only 8% disagreeing. Nearly 20% of games in Steam’s recent Next Fest event included a generative AI warning, a figure expected to rise as the industry evolves.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Fanatical’s Field of Glory Bundle nets you 10 games and DLC for less than $30

Fanatical has launched a Bundle for the Field of Glory series, allowing players to choose from titles such as Kingdoms, Empires, and Field of Glory II, along with various DLCs. Discounts increase with the number of selections: three games or DLCs cost .33 each, ten or more drop to .75 each, and the full bundle of 18 items totals .49, down from a retail price of 7.13. The bundle includes various products from the Field of Glory series. The promotion runs until August 9, 2026, and spending over .00 in a single transaction grants a random game for free.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

I found Windows laptops with 16GB of RAM on sale for under $1,000 — the memory crisis doesn’t have to slow you down

The current memory crisis has led to increased PC prices in the technology sector. Despite this, shoppers can find deals on Windows laptops, such as the Dell 14 priced at 9.99 (43% off its original price of ,229.99) and the ASUS Vivobook 14 available for 9.99 (down from 9.99). Many of these laptops allow for upgrades in storage and RAM.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

This 3KB notepad app shows exactly why modern Windows is so bloated

Dave Plummer, known for creating the Windows Task Manager, discusses software bloat in a recent video, highlighting his compact notepad application, Tiny Retro Pad, which is only 2,686 bytes. He notes that while modern applications require higher specifications due to increased complexity, the lack of optimization in code has led to performance degradation. For example, Windows 10 required 1GB of RAM for its 32-bit version, while Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4GB. Plummer emphasizes the importance of efficient coding practices and critiques the tendency of modern software to include unnecessary components, suggesting that prioritizing efficiency could improve user experience on platforms like Windows 11.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Take your business to the next level: Enhance productivity, performance and security with Windows 11 on new Dell AI PCs

Organizations must choose appropriate IT partners and computing solutions to remain competitive in a complex technological landscape. Dell Technologies recommends Windows 11 Pro for business, which offers enhanced security features and productivity tools. Key factors to consider include technological innovation, cybersecurity, and workforce satisfaction, as these can drive efficiency, protect sensitive data, and improve employee experience.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Heaps of gamepads are discounted as part of Amazon Prime Day 2026, but there’s only one I’d unreservedly recommend

Amazon is becoming a competitive destination for affordable PC-compatible gamepads, influenced by reputable brands like Razer, 8BitDo, Turtle Beach, and GameSir. Today's third-party gamepads often outperform first-party console controllers, featuring advancements such as drift-free Hall effect analog sticks, rear paddle buttons, and customizable options. The GameSir G7 Pro, available for AU7 during Amazon's Prime Day, includes features like two rear paddle buttons, trigger stops, gyro support, and a 1000Hz polling rate. The TMR technology in the G7 Pro enhances precision and reduces power consumption. The GameSir Nova Lite Wireless controller is also available at a reduced price for budget-conscious gamers.

Tech Optimizer

July 6, 2026

MacPaw Moonlock antivirus review

MacPaw launched Moonlock as a standalone antivirus application in October 2025, building on its existing malware removal module from CleanMyMac. Moonlock focuses on educating users about malware rather than overwhelming them with technical details, following a 'care, not scare' philosophy. Research indicated that 66% of Mac users faced cyber threats last year, with a 67% increase in macOS backdoor variants in 2025. Moonlock Lab has identified new malware variants and maintains a strict zero-logs policy for its VPN. The application requires macOS 13 or later and 515MB of disk space, operates efficiently without significant performance impact, and necessitates a MacPaw account for installation. Support includes a knowledge base and email inquiries, but lacks live chat or phone options. Moonlock competes with ClamXAV, which is cheaper but lacks some features, and Intego Mac Internet Security X9, which offers a network monitor. Moonlock is priced at .95 per year for a single device, nearly double ClamXAV’s price for three devices, but includes additional features like a VPN and network inspection. It also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

The best PC games of 2026 (that don’t need a graphics card)

Mina the Hollower is an indie game from the studio behind Shovel Knight, inspired by classic top-down Zelda adventures, featuring a mouse hero and RPG-like customization. Mewgenics, developed by Edmund McMillen, involves breeding cats and genetic manipulation in a tactical turn-based format. Typing Break combines typing skills with gameplay reminiscent of Space Invaders and Breakout. Dosa Divas features two sisters using a mech food truck to combat the fast-food industry, blending RPG mechanics with culinary creativity. Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator offers a satirical take on trading mechanics from the perspective of an alien day trader. Cardburners is a fast-paced card game with multiple modes for solo or online multiplayer. Cassette Boy features puzzle mechanics with an environment that players can rotate. Beatdown City Survivors combines bullet heaven elements with direct combat mechanics. Forbidden Solitaire adds horror elements to the classic card game format with roguelike mechanics. Replaced features a noir-inspired cyberpunk narrative with 3D environments and pixel art. You Have Billions Invested in Generative AI is a free-to-play indie game that satirizes technology investment.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Windows 11 has exceeded 70 per cent of Steam users for the first time

Windows 11 has surpassed 70% among Steam users, now at 70.44%. Windows 10 has declined to 23.56%, while Windows 7 is used by 0.07%. Overall, Windows holds a 94.10% share on Steam, with Linux at 3.69% and macOS at 2.21%. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is now the most common graphics card at 4.02%, overtaking the RTX 3060 at 3.88%. Intel leads the processor market with 55.08%, and AMD has 44.92%. The preferred RAM configuration is 16 GB at 41.57%, and 1920×1080 resolution is the most popular display choice, with a rise in 2560×1440 monitors.