shopping Archives

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows Wrap: Windows 11’s new Start menu is a masterclass in frustration — I just scored you an exclusive deal to save 25% on Start11 to fix it

Microsoft's recent updates to the Start menu in Windows 11 have led to user disappointment, with popular applications being placed in an "Other" folder and illogical groupings of apps. A poll by Windows Central indicated that 43% of respondents find the new Start menu more cluttered than the previous version, while 25% miss the control they had over its layout. Users desire greater customization options, including the elimination of advertisements, the ability to reposition the taskbar, customizable categories for app organization, resizing the Start menu, and collapsing sections within the menu. Microsoft has committed to allowing users to move the taskbar, aligning Windows 11 more closely with Windows 10 functionality. An exclusive 25% discount on Start11 from Stardock is available for 14 days from publication.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

How Your Android Apps Keep Talking — Even When You’re Not Using Them

When connecting to public Wi-Fi, using a VPN is essential as it encrypts traffic and creates a secure tunnel between the device and a remote server, keeping activities concealed from the local network. Android devices continuously communicate in the background, performing tasks such as updating emails and syncing notes, which increases data visibility on public networks. Public Wi-Fi has become common due to remote work and shared spaces, leading to increased privacy risks as smartphones now store sensitive information like banking apps and personal photos. Users are encouraged to adopt simple security habits, including using a VPN when connecting to public networks. Android devices are always connected, making network-level protection important to safeguard background communications.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Google details MCP-like ‘AppFunctions’ that let Gemini use Android apps

Google has introduced early-stage developer capabilities for Android aimed at connecting applications with intelligent agents and personalized assistants, specifically Google Gemini, while prioritizing privacy and security. A key feature of this initiative is AppFunctions, introduced with Android 16, which allows applications to expose specific capabilities for access by agent apps, enabling seamless task execution on devices. Developers can define app functionalities for AI assistants, facilitating various use cases such as task management, media creation, cross-app workflows, and calendar scheduling. A practical example includes the Samsung Gallery app, where users can request specific photos through Gemini, which triggers the appropriate function to retrieve them. Additionally, Google is advancing a UI automation framework for AI agents, allowing for the execution of generic tasks across applications with minimal coding. Future expansions of these capabilities are planned for Android 17, with ongoing collaboration with select app developers to enhance user experiences.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

“It needs to cooperate fairly, and it’s clearly not.” Why Valve is facing a £656m day in the UK courts

Tim Sweeney of Epic Games has criticized revenue sharing on digital storefronts, leading to the creation of the Epic Game Store, which charges a 12% fee to developers. Legal actions against Apple and Google resulted in them allowing alternative storefronts for games. Valve maintains a 30% commission on Steam, prompting antitrust lawsuits from developers in the U.S. in 2021, which were consolidated into a class action approved in November 2024. In the UK, Vicki Shotbolt is leading a legal case against Valve, alleging violations of competition laws, with a court ruling allowing the case to proceed to trial. Shotbolt argues that Valve's 30% revenue share inflates prices for consumers and that its price parity requirement restricts developers from offering lower prices on other platforms. She emphasizes the need for fair cooperation in the gaming ecosystem and highlights Valve's market dominance, which pressures developers to use Steam. If successful, the class action could seek up to £656 million in damages for UK consumers and aims for a more equitable profit-sharing model between Valve and developers.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

Avast Antivirus in 2026: Still Worth Paying For on Windows and Mac?

Ransomware is evolving, and many users in the United States continue to invest in Avast Antivirus as of 2026. Avast, now part of Gen Digital, has shifted from a traditional free antivirus to a comprehensive consumer security suite, which includes three tiers: Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, and Avast One. The product lineup features a core antivirus engine, ransomware and phishing protection, a firewall, Wi-Fi inspector, built-in VPN, and performance cleanup tools. Avast's core antivirus engine provides real-time file scanning and web/email shields, consistently ranking high in independent lab tests for malware protection. The ransomware shield protects sensitive folders from unauthorized encryption, while the firewall and Wi-Fi inspector are available in paid tiers. The built-in VPN is designed for safer public Wi-Fi use, and performance tools aim to optimize system efficiency. Pricing for Avast products in the US varies, with a free tier supported by upsell prompts for premium features, Premium Security typically offered as an annual subscription, and Avast One marketed as a higher-value bundle. Renewal pricing often increases significantly after the first year, leading to user complaints. Microsoft Defender is now effective enough that many experts believe average users may not need third-party antivirus software, but Avast justifies its subscription by offering stronger web protection, more control over app permissions, and additional non-security features. User feedback highlights strong protection but frequent upsell prompts, performance issues on low-end machines, and concerns over past data collection practices. Avast is seen as valuable for households with mixed tech literacy, remote workers, students on older hardware, and users seeking basic privacy protections.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

New backdoor found in Android tablets targeting users in Russia, Germany and Japan

Researchers from Kaspersky have discovered an Android backdoor named Keenadu, embedded in the firmware of devices, allowing it to infect tablets before they reach consumers. This malware, affecting over 13,700 users globally, primarily targets advertising fraud by hijacking browser search engines, monitoring app installations, and generating fraudulent revenue. Tablets from various manufacturers, including Alldocube, have been found compromised, with the malware likely inserted during the firmware build stage through a compromised supply chain. Keenadu has multiple variants, some hidden in applications, and employs evasion tactics based on device language settings and time zones. It cannot be removed using standard Android security tools, and users are advised to install clean firmware or replace their devices entirely.

Tech Optimizer

February 17, 2026

Stay safe online with Bitdefender antivirus

Bitdefender is a cybersecurity company founded in 2001, known for its advanced, AI-powered threat prevention and user-friendly interface. It offers real-time protection, scheduled background scanning, and a straightforward installation process. Bitdefender does not disrupt app or device performance and currently provides a 50% discount on its security software compatible with Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. The software includes antivirus, malware protection, data breach detection, identity protection, and a VPN with 200MB of traffic per day per device. A single account can secure up to three devices. Bitdefender Total Security protects against various online threats and includes a password manager and firewall, while Bitdefender Premium offers unlimited VPN access and the Scam Copilot AI assistant for enhanced security against scams. Users also have access to resources like user guides, video tutorials, and direct support through the Bitdefender Central mobile app.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

Capcom Town Store, Capcom’s official PC game store, is now open! Coupons, sales, and discounts for bulk purchases!

Capcom launched the Capcom Town Store on February 16, 2026, offering a selection of PC games and allowing purchases of Steam keys and GOG codes. To celebrate, a Collective Purchase Discount of up to 15% is available for bulk purchases, along with a 10% discount coupon. A campaign is running from February 16 to February 27, 2026, where participants can win a GeForce RTX 5070 Founders Edition graphics card by following and reposting on social media. Additionally, the CAPCOM PUBLISHER SALE is offering discounts of up to 87% on select titles until February 26, 2026.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Tredixo Officially Launches Its Android App on the Google Play Store

Tredixo has launched an Android app aimed at providing simplified and structured trading education. The app is designed to address common challenges faced by learners, such as overwhelming information and lack of beginner-friendly guidance. It features beginner-friendly content covering stock market basics, technical analysis, trading psychology, and risk management. The app also offers market updates, trading tools, and a user-friendly interface for easy navigation. It is tailored for beginners, students, new traders, and working professionals seeking to learn about trading at their convenience. Tredixo emphasizes a learning-first approach to trading, promoting knowledge, discipline, and practical application. Future plans include additional learning modules and improved features. The app is available for download on the Google Play Store.

Tech Optimizer

January 30, 2026

NordVPN blocks 92% malicious sites in independent phishing test

NordVPN successfully blocked 92% of phishing websites in an evaluation by AV-Comparatives, highlighting the effectiveness of its anti-malware tool, Threat Protection Pro. The assessment, conducted from January 7 to January 19, 2026, analyzed 250 phishing URLs, with NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro ranking fourth among tested products. The tool is designed to protect users from various online threats and operates at the network level, scanning traffic directly on the user's device. Threat Protection Pro is available to higher-tier subscribers on the Plus, Complete, and Ultra plans, and is compatible with Windows and macOS. Despite slipping from previous podium finishes, Threat Protection Pro has consistently ranked high in evaluations and was the first VPN service to receive AV-Comparatives' approval for anti-phishing protection in 2024. It also received accolades from AV-TEST and West Coast Labs for its phishing detection capabilities.