selling Archives

Tech Optimizer

August 31, 2026

Gen Digital stock holds steady as investors await next earnings update

Gen Digital Inc. (US3687361044) is a significant player in the consumer cybersecurity software market, with its stock trading steadily as of late August 2026. The company emerged from the merger of NortonLifeLock’s consumer security business and Avast, focusing on antivirus, identity protection, and privacy tools for individual and small-business users. It reported multi-billion-dollar revenue from consumer security subscriptions in its most recent fiscal year, demonstrating year-over-year revenue growth and solid profitability. The company’s management has provided guidance for stable to moderately rising revenue and strong operating margins for the current fiscal year. Analyst consensus indicates expectations of modest earnings per share growth. Gen Digital's strategy includes offering subscription bundles that integrate various security services, enhancing customer retention and average revenue per user. The company has a diversified global reach and reported substantial free cash flow, supporting debt servicing and product development investments. Its consumer security suite combines antivirus protection, VPN services, and identity monitoring into a single subscription offering. As of late August 2026, Gen Digital's stock trades on a major U.S. exchange, reflecting balanced expectations between earnings growth and competitive risks.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

New 95-Rated PC Game Beats Modern Warfare 4 and Mortal Shell II to #1 Best-Selling Steam Game

A new game titled How to Fish, priced at .99, has become the best-selling game on Steam for the week of August 18 to August 25, surpassing titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Mortal Shell II, and Star Wars: Zero Company. It has an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating with a 95% approval from over 12,200 reviews. Developed by Dazed Games, How to Fish achieved this ranking within eight days of its release. Following it in the rankings are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 at #2, Mortal Shell II at #3, Wardogs at #4, and Stalker 2 at #5. The previous week's best-selling game was Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, which has since dropped in sales. Several titles have fallen out of the top ten, including No Room in Hell 2 and Total War: Warhammer II. Star Wars: Zero Company is currently the #1 best-selling game, although its ranking may be affected by its shorter release window.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

Windows on Arm just hit 7,000 compatible apps. It’s still not enough

Windows on Arm offers energy-efficient performance with extended battery life, minimal heat generation, and quiet operation. However, compatibility issues arise as most applications are designed for x86/x64 systems, making it difficult for Arm-based systems to run them effectively. A significant resource, the "Works on Windows on Arm" website, lists over 7,000 apps and games that support Arm architecture, including popular applications like Adobe Photoshop and Firefox. Microsoft plans to launch Arm-based computers from major manufacturers, but the number of compatible apps is still a small fraction of those available for traditional Windows systems. For non-native Arm applications, Microsoft provides an emulation solution through Prism in Windows 11, though this does not perform as well as native support. Gamers face challenges with current Snapdragon laptops, which struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience, and the existing app offerings do not meet the gaming community's needs.

Tech Optimizer

August 27, 2026

Norton vs McAfee 2026: 8 Rounds, One Winner

Norton outperformed McAfee in several categories, including malware detection (99.8% vs. 99.71%), phishing blocking (95% vs. 94%), and speed of full scans (13:22 vs. 16:47). Norton also offers a cloud backup feature, while McAfee provides unlimited device coverage on two of its plans. In terms of support, McAfee has faster response times (40 seconds vs. 2 minutes). For households with more than three devices, McAfee's plans may be more economical, as Norton has a device limit of 10. Both brands significantly increase renewal prices, with Norton 360 Deluxe rising by 150% and McAfee's plans by 200%.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

AVG Antivirus Review 2026: Is the Free Version Enough?

AVG AntiVirus Free has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with specific scores of 4.7 for protection, 4.3 for performance and features, and 3.5 for customer support. The software is available for free or can be purchased starting at .88 for the first year, with pricing verified in August 2026. It achieved a 99.77% malware detection rate with only four false alarms and offers features such as real-time protection and Ransomware Protection. However, customer support is rated lower, and there are upselling prompts after scans. AVG is owned by Gen Digital and has been in operation for over 35 years, originally founded as Grisoft in the Czech Republic. The free version includes essential features like File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, Email Shield, and Ransomware Protection, while some features like Enhanced Firewall and Fake Website Shield are exclusive to paid versions. AVG's performance on Windows 11 has been validated by independent tests, scoring 6/6/6 in AV-TEST and achieving a 96.3% offline detection rate in AV-Comparatives. The software is available across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. AVG's customer support includes email and phone options, with a reasonable response time. The software is safe to install when downloaded from official sources, and it has been recognized for its effectiveness in malware detection.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Windows XP hit its “RTM” milestone 25 years ago, preparing for the launch of arguably the most iconic OS ever made

On August 24, 2001, Microsoft released Windows XP to manufacturing, with public availability starting in October 2001. Windows XP is the best-selling version of Microsoft's operating systems and has had a lasting cultural impact. The operating system introduced features like MSN Messenger, which became central to users' digital lives. Windows XP is remembered fondly by many for its role in transforming personal computing experiences.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Back to the Start: How Microsoft launched Windows 95 to the world

In 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, an operating system designed to transition users from 16-bit to 32-bit computing, with a marketing budget estimated between 0 million and 0 million. Windows 95 featured a 32-bit architecture capable of managing up to 4GB of memory, the Start button, taskbar, Microsoft Exchange, and Plug and Play technology. The global launch event occurred on August 24 at Microsoft's headquarters, featuring Bill Gates and a promotional campaign that included The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" and a videotape guide with Friends stars. In Malaysia, the official launch was on August 29, with some dealers organizing midnight sales, although turnout was disappointing. Microsoft hosted a Windows 95 Expo in Kuala Lumpur, leading to strong sales of additional products. By 1996, Microsoft announced the shipment of 40 million units of Windows 95 worldwide.

Winsage

August 23, 2026

Microsoft highlights useful Microsoft Account feature Windows 11 users could miss

Many readers and developers express dissatisfaction with the Microsoft Account requirement for Windows 11. Microsoft advises users to unlink or remove devices from their Microsoft Account, especially after upgrading or retiring old machines, as the Microsoft Store limits accounts to 10 devices. Users can manage their devices through the Microsoft Account online portal, and unlinking or removing a device frees up space for new ones. Unlinking does not delete the account, and removing a Windows user account from a PC only clears sign-in information from that device. Microsoft recommends backing up data and resetting a device before removal when selling or donating. Users should periodically review their linked devices and can designate trusted devices to streamline sign-ins, while also implementing additional security measures like two-step verification.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

Nintendo Switch eShop charts – August 22, 2026 – Tomodachi Life, Smash Bros., and Minecraft

The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of August 22, 2026, show the following top-selling games: 1. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream 2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 3. Minecraft The complete list of top-selling games includes: - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Super Mario Party Jamboree - Pokemon FireRed - Nintendo Switch Sports - Rhythm Heaven Groove - Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Persona 5 Royal - Pokemon Legends: Arceus - GTA: The Trilogy - Pokemon LeafGreen - Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Super Mario Odyssey - Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury - Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - Pokemon Violet - Stardew Valley - Splatoon 3 - Mario Party Superstars - Stray - Deltarune - Pokemon Scarlet - Pokemon Brilliant Diamond - Moonlight Peaks Download-only titles include: - Pokemon FireRed - Pokemon LeafGreen - Stardew Valley - Deltarune - Moonlight Peaks - Wobbly Life - The Lord of the Rings: War in the North – Legacy Edition - Disney Dreamlight Valley - Super Mario Galaxy 2 - The Oregon Trail - Super Mario Galaxy - Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game - Moss: The Forgotten Relic - Is This Seat Taken - Sonic Origins - Sally Face - The Jackbox Party Pack 3 - Date Everything - Grounded - Hollow Knight - Tiny Bookshop - Terraria - Hollow Knight: Silksong - Outer Wilds - Minecraft Dungeons - Kynseed - Hades - SpongeBob SquarePants: Krusty Cook-Off - Dispatch - Backyard Baseball Updates on the Nintendo eShop charts for both Switch 1 and Switch 2 are available.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

The 100 Best Strategy Games To Play In 2026

Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy game set during World War II, where players control a nation and navigate warfare, diplomacy, and military strategy. It offers extensive gameplay options, including resource management and political maneuvering, and is known for its replayability. Phoenix Point is a turn-based tactical strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic world, where players lead customizable squads against alien threats, emphasizing tactical decision-making. War on the Sea is a real-time tactical strategy game focused on naval battles in the Pacific Theater during World War II, featuring historically accurate ships and aircraft. Terra Invicta is a grand strategy game in Early Access, where players manage factions in a near-future scenario while preparing for potential interstellar conflict. Command & Conquer: Generals is a real-time strategy game featuring three factions: the United States, China, and the Global Liberation Army, known for its engaging gameplay. Cold Waters allows players to command a Cold War-era nuclear submarine, focusing on stealth tactics and realistic naval simulation. Gears Tactics is a turn-based game set in the Gears of War universe, where players lead a squad against the Locust Horde. Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector involves commanding Primaris Space Marines in tactical battles against Tyranids, with expansions enhancing gameplay. Company of Heroes 2 is a real-time strategy game set on the Eastern Front during World War II, featuring squad-based tactics and dynamic campaigns. Total War: Shogun 2 is set in feudal Japan, allowing players to command clans during the Sengoku Jidai period, combining tactical battles with strategic management.