settlement Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Synergy’s full release has more challenges like tricky soil, illness, and death, which will all slowly tear down your paradise

Synergy has transformed for its official launch, introducing new features that enhance gameplay, including new plants, seasons, and storylines. The game has evolved from a city builder with limited resources and storyline to a more complex experience influenced by solarpunk themes, where players care for refugees and establish sustainable settlements. The full release includes a dynamic temperature system that introduces challenges such as severe dry spells and the need for new tools. Players must also manage emerging threats like contagious diseases, necessitating the establishment of hospitals and scientific districts. Improvements in building systems include a unified water supply that simplifies resource management and enhanced monitoring tools for better strategic decision-making.

Tech Optimizer

May 6, 2025

Money for Avast antivirus software users

If you purchased antivirus software from Avast between August 2014 and January 2020, you may be eligible for compensation from a settlement related to a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit. Eligible individuals will receive an email from “Avast Settlement” with instructions to submit a claim by June 5, 2025. Claims can be submitted through the FTC’s Avast Settlement page, and refunds are expected to be distributed in 2026. For assistance, contact the refund administrator at 1-866-290-0165 or info@AvastSettlement.com.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Filmmaker Jared Hess on leaning into his oddball humor for ‘A Minecraft Movie’; An alarming personnel shake up at ‘60 Minutes’

Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, has resigned amid pressure on Paramount Global to settle a billion-dollar lawsuit filed by Donald Trump. Filmmaker Jared Hess, known for movies like Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, is experiencing success with the Minecraft Movie, which is projected to earn a billion dollars at the box office. Hess credits producer Mary Parent for supporting his unique comedic style and emphasizes the significance of creative partnerships in filmmaking.

BetaBeacon

April 12, 2025

The Best Android Games of All Time: Top Mobile Games to Play

Some of the best Android games of all time include Genshin Impact, Among Us, Clash of Clans, Pokémon Go, and Monument Valley.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Encrypted messaging apps promise privacy. Government transparency is often the price

In the aftermath of a wildfire in Maui in 2023 that resulted in over 100 fatalities, text messages among emergency management personnel have come to light, indicating potential use of untraceable messaging services like Signal. The presence of government officials on encrypted platforms has raised concerns about transparency, as these apps often evade public records laws. An investigation revealed over 1,100 officials across the U.S. using such applications, which complicate public accountability. Instances of improper use of encrypted messaging have been documented, and while these apps enhance privacy, they also hinder transparency. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends their use for confidential communications, but these fall outside public record laws. New Mexico faced a court settlement for instructing employees to use Signal for internal communications without clear regulations. Michigan lawmakers have banned the use of such apps if they obstruct public records requests, but enforcement remains challenging. Experts call for stronger public record laws and independent enforcement to improve government transparency.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

Minecraft recreates NZ’s most popular tourism destinations

Gamers will be able to explore six iconic New Zealand locations, including Abel Tasman National Park and Lake Tekapo, in Minecraft, thanks to a collaboration with Tourism New Zealand. This initiative aims to introduce New Zealand and Te Ao Māori to millions of players worldwide and inspire them to visit in real life. The six locations—Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Kāpiti Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Lake Tekapo, and Doubtful Sound—were selected for their cultural significance and representation of New Zealand's landscapes. Minecraft, created by Mojang Studios and acquired by Microsoft, has sold over 300 million copies and has more than 100 million active users monthly. The collaboration includes input from local iwi to ensure respectful representation of Māori culture.

Tech Optimizer

March 10, 2025

Refunds Headed to Users Who Fell for Fake Antivirus, Computer Repair Scams

Restoro and Reimage will pay over million to settle allegations of misleading consumers into subscribing to their computer repair services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it will distribute 6,375 to over 700,000 affected consumers, particularly older adults, who were misled by deceptive pop-up ads claiming their computers had issues. The FTC's investigation revealed that these companies provided false antivirus alerts and recommended expensive repair plans. Payments to eligible consumers will be issued via PayPal on March 13 and 14, with recipients advised to redeem their payments within 30 days. Both companies are now prohibited from misrepresenting security or performance issues and engaging in deceptive telemarketing practices, and their websites have been taken offline.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

How to farm materials in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Material Retrieval mechanic in Monster Hunter Wilds becomes available after reaching High Rank and completing the main storyline. Players can unlock it by completing specific sidequests, with the first two being "Beware the Gypceros" and "Aida's Apprehensions." Villagers in the Forbidden Lands assist players by gathering essential items. Resting in a tent refreshes the items collected by villagers, and setting them to gather 'Any' provides a variety of items. The Gathering Boost mechanic is activated by helping a settlement in distress, allowing item gatherers to collect resources at an accelerated rate and enhancing item trading limits in the region.

Tech Optimizer

March 2, 2025

Your Privacy Sold? FTC Forces Avast to Pay $16.5M for Data Misuse—Find Out If You’re Eligible

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued claim forms to approximately 3.7 million consumers affected by misleading marketing tactics related to Avast antivirus software. The FTC's complaint, filed in February 2024, accused Avast of falsely assuring customers of privacy protection while collecting and selling identifiable browsing data to over 100 third parties through its subsidiary, Jumpshot. As part of a settlement, Avast is required to pay .5 million in compensation and is prohibited from misrepresenting its data usage policies or selling browsing data for advertising. The FTC will notify 3,690,813 customers who purchased Avast software between August 2014 and January 2020, with email notifications sent until March 7, 2025. Eligible consumers can submit claims at www.ftc.gov/Avast, with compensation amounts varying based on the number of claims filed.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

Epic will give Fortnite cheaters ‘a second chance’ with a new, more forgiving ban policy, as long as they didn’t do anything too awful or illegal

Epic Games is implementing a new matchmaking ban policy for Fortnite, effective April, where first-time cheaters will receive a one-year ban, while repeat offenders will face a lifetime ban. The company is also pursuing legal action against Isaac Strock for stealing and selling Fortnite accounts, alleging he accessed accounts through unauthorized means and attempted to deceive player support multiple times. Strock's website previously claimed to sell account information, including sensitive data. Additionally, Epic recently settled a lawsuit with a player who shared his account for a championship, requiring him to return unfairly won prize money and issue a public apology.