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AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Google Fined $1 Billion by EU Over Search, Android Practices

European Union regulators fined Google €890 million for unlawfully leveraging its dominance in search and Android to promote its own services. The European Commission found that Google violated the Digital Markets Act by prioritizing its offerings in search results and restricting Android app developers from directing users to alternative payment methods. Google has 60 days to comply with the ruling or face additional penalties of up to 5% of its global annual revenue. Since 2017, Google has faced fines exceeding €10 billion from EU regulators. The ruling reflects the EU's ongoing efforts to regulate Big Tech and ensure fair competition in digital markets.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

EU hits Google with $1 billion fine over its Play app store and search

The European Union imposed a fine of 890 million euros on Google for violations of digital antitrust regulations, alleging that Google manipulated its Play platform and search engine to favor its own services over competitors. This action is part of the EU's broader efforts to regulate major technology firms and protect consumer interests. Google has faced previous legal challenges, including an unsuccessful appeal of a 4.3 billion euro antitrust fine related to its Android operating system. The EU has identified major tech companies as "gatekeepers" that must ensure fair competition. Google's President of Global Affairs criticized the fine, claiming it would harm European businesses and consumers.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Steam wishlists and gifting games just got a whole lot more useful

Valve has introduced enhancements to the Steam wishlist and gifting features. Users can now create customizable wishlist categories with personalized tags, improving organization and management of game preferences. The search functionality has been upgraded with autocomplete features, and titles with demos are clearly marked. Users can generate custom URLs to share specific wishlist categories, and a guest checkout feature allows gifting without a Steam account. Email gifting options enable users to send gifts directly to an email address, with limitations on acceptance and scheduling. Cross-region gifting has been introduced, allowing users to send gifts to friends in different locations, with costs adjusted based on the recipient's region.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

14 Easy Fixes to Make Windows 11 Feel Faster

Many Windows 11 PCs experience performance decline over time due to background processes and unnecessary files. To enhance performance without reinstalling Windows, consider the following strategies: 1. Uninstall unnecessary software (bloatware) via the Start menu or Installed Apps section. 2. Limit startup processes using Task Manager to disable rarely used applications. 3. Clean up disk space by enabling Windows' Storage Sense for automatic cleanup. 4. Check for viruses and spyware using Microsoft Defender or dedicated malware removal software. 5. Change power settings to Best Performance in Settings > System > Power & Battery. 6. Identify and fix resource-hogging processes using Task Manager. 7. Keep Windows updated by checking Settings > Windows Update. 8. Run troubleshooting utilities by searching for "troubleshoot" in the Start menu. 9. Use Microsoft PC Manager for a one-click performance optimization. 10. Consider adding more RAM if your device allows it. 11. Install an SSD for faster application launches and improved startup times. 12. Adjust system appearance settings for Best Performance. 13. Ensure adequate cooling to prevent overheating. 14. Turn off search indexing to free up system resources. 15. Disable Windows' Tips and manage notifications to reduce processing demands. 16. Enable Game Mode in Settings > Gaming for optimized gaming performance.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

Windows 11 July preview update brings a batch of new features and fixes

Microsoft has released preview updates for Windows 11, specifically for the 24H2 and 25H2 builds, identified as 26100.8942 and 26200.8942. Key features include a redesigned File Explorer with automatic file size conversion, the ability to open folders in new tabs, and improved file previews. Voice Access now includes Voice Isolation to filter background noise. Windows Search can now handle two-letter file names and identify misspelled applications. New customizable settings for precision touchpads are introduced, and the Start menu will show subscription statuses for Microsoft services. Users can set a custom battery level for power-saving mode, and widget usage on the lock screen is simplified. The update is currently available to Windows Insiders and will be rolled out to all users later.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Feel less bad about firing AI agents, Minecraft creator says vibe coding will replace human developers

Markus ‘Notch’ Persson has announced a shift to "vibe coding," which involves using artificial intelligence tools for code generation. This decision is influenced by difficulties in hiring skilled programmers and a growing comfort with AI solutions. Notch expressed frustration with the job market, stating he has trouble hiring talented programmers and would feel less bad about firing a chatbot. He sold Mojang and Minecraft to Microsoft for .5 billion in 2014 and is now working on a new project, Levers and Chests, at Bitshift Entertainment, which will likely rely on AI tools. This shift occurs amid significant layoffs in the tech industry, including at major companies like Amazon, Oracle, and Microsoft. Notch's previous stance of rejecting AI contrasts with his current acceptance of its inevitability, reflecting a broader industry trend where leaders like Linus Torvalds and Ryan Dahl also acknowledge the transition towards AI-driven development.

Winsage

July 22, 2026

This $10 Windows upgrade could save you from buying a new laptop

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9, valid until July 26. It is designed to enhance older PCs with features like a user-friendly interface, advanced search capabilities, innovative snap layouts for multitasking, and integration of Microsoft's AI-powered assistant, Copilot. The operating system also provides seamless access to Microsoft Teams and enhanced security measures, including biometric logins and encrypted authentication.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Google is this close to bringing third-party app stores to the Play Store

Google is testing new features in the Play Store, including Play Labs, which allows users to experiment with new functionalities. The company is also exploring the integration of third-party app stores, allowing users to install alternative app stores directly from the Play Store, although this feature is not yet available to the general public. Users have reported limited access to these experimental features through adjustments in the latest Play Store version. Additionally, Google has confirmed the rollout of a revamped search experience, featuring a new two-row search bar for longer queries and a prompt labeled “Ask Store” to enhance search capabilities. These updates aim to improve user experience and accessibility in the Play Store.

Tech Optimizer

July 22, 2026

Google boosts AlloyDB vector search with HNSW preview

Google has introduced a preview of its columnar engine-accelerated HNSW feature for AlloyDB, enhancing vector search throughput by up to four times for users of the pgvector extension in PostgreSQL. This improvement is aimed at approximate nearest neighbor searches using HNSW across large datasets. AlloyDB utilizes a columnar engine that allows HNSW indexes to reside in memory, improving throughput and recall metrics. In benchmark tests on the GloVe 100 Angular dataset, queries per second increased by approximately 4.2x to 4.9x, with recall improving from about 0.78 to over 0.94 at a throughput of around 350 queries per second. The columnar engine's design bypasses traditional PostgreSQL buffer management bottlenecks, enhancing efficiency during graph traversal. The memory architecture is distinct from basic caching techniques, and the feature requires no changes to application code. Users must enable the columnar engine and index caching flags to utilize this feature. Benchmarks were conducted on an AlloyDB C4A machine with 16 virtual CPUs.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Microsoft fixes the Windows 11 bug slowing down some Dell PCs

Microsoft released an unscheduled update for Windows 11, designated as KB5121767, targeting users on versions 24H2 and 25H2 to address performance issues on certain Dell PCs and laptops with Intel Innovation Platform Framework drivers. The update aims to fix degraded battery life, increased power consumption, and unexpected system behavior caused by conflicts with these drivers. Affected devices primarily include newer Dell models such as the Precision, XPS, and Pro Max series. Users can obtain the update automatically if they have enabled the relevant option in Windows Update or manually through Settings or the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update modifies the Windows build number to 26200.8894 for 25H2 and 26100.8894 for 24H2 and includes previous security and quality enhancements. Microsoft recommends the update for users experiencing sluggish performance or erratic behavior after July updates, particularly those with recent Dell devices with Intel processors.