skepticism Archives

Winsage

September 19, 2025

Microsoft insists Copilot+ PCs are ’empowering the future’

Microsoft is promoting its Copilot+ PCs as a transformative advancement in personal and enterprise computing, supported by the expanding Windows on Arm ecosystem. However, enterprise customers have expressed skepticism due to disappointing sales figures and a lack of compelling applications justifying the increased average purchase prices. By July, exclusive features like Recall did not attract business interest, leading Microsoft to continue advocating for its vision. User experiences with devices like the Surface Laptop 7 have been mixed, with issues such as cursor misplacement and performance lags overshadowing the claimed breakthroughs. HP reported that AI PCs make up a quarter of its sales, while Dell and Intel are promoting AI-ready technologies. Despite claims of enhanced productivity, many highlighted applications are merely adaptations of existing tools. Microsoft has advertised impressive battery life for its Arm-based devices, claiming up to 15 hours of web browsing, but actual performance during productivity tasks was around ten hours. The company asserts that the app gap for Windows on Arm is nearly resolved, with 90 percent of total user minutes spent on Arm-native applications. However, concerns remain about users potentially switching to Apple Macs as they move away from Windows 10 devices. While Copilot+ PCs can run familiar applications natively, these applications also work well on non-AI devices, raising questions about the necessity of on-device AI capabilities.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Minecraft Faces a Class-Action Storm: Small Creator vs. Mojang and Microsoft

Kian Brose, a developer and content creator, has launched a crowdfunding campaign raising 0,000 for a class-action lawsuit against Mojang and Microsoft, claiming violations of European consumer protection laws. He alleges that Mojang modified its End User License Agreement (EULA) 47 times without proper notification, enforced hidden internal rules, and coerced players into migrating accounts to Microsoft under the threat of losing access, which may violate EU consumer law and GDPR requirements for consent. The lawsuit is opt-in, allowing affected players to join and submit evidence. Community reactions are mixed, with some supporting the initiative and others expressing skepticism about its viability against a large corporation. The lawsuit is set against the backdrop of updated EU collective-redress directives and could lead to various outcomes, including policy changes, dismissal, regulatory scrutiny, or a symbolic victory for digital rights.

Winsage

September 18, 2025

Microsoft insists the new Outlook delivers a “native” experience — but I’m not convinced

Microsoft is encouraging users to adopt the new Outlook app, which has been the default email and calendar solution for Windows 11 since its launch. Users face challenges with the new Outlook, including advertisements unless they pay for a subscription and the absence of several features from the previous Mail & Calendar app. Many users still prefer the classic Mail & Calendar app and express a desire for its return. The new Outlook is categorized as a Progressive Web App (PWA), raising questions about its classification as a native application. Critics have pointed out issues with the app's performance, design, and feature set, with some stating it does not meet user expectations. Microsoft has disabled the Mail & Calendar app on Windows 10 to compel users to transition to the new Outlook.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Exhausted by Silksong? This breezier twin-stick spin on old school Metroid might just be the genre’s second best this year

A player completed Zexion in three hours, but the author found it took them nearly three hours to not finish the game. Data from HowLongToBeat suggests Zexion may surpass Super Metroid in length but is still more compact than Silksong or Hollow Knight. The game features generous checkpoints and quick boss fights, with a commentator describing it as "basically Metroid 1 if they locked tf in." Zexion includes old-school elements like significant damage from traps, but frequent save points and the ability to restart boss fights mitigate frustration. Players can discover hidden blocks for ammo and health items, and the game focuses on exploration without RPG mechanics. While not a substitute for Silksong, Zexion offers a brisk pace and simpler boss encounters.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Valve may be about to drop its Steam Frame VR headset during Meta Connect

Speculation is increasing about the potential unveiling of Valve's Steam Frame during the upcoming Meta Connect event, with several VR content creators traveling to Seattle and sharing teasers on social media. The latest Steam Hardware Survey indicates that a new Valve VR headset could be timely, as Meta currently holds over 63% of the VR market on Steam. The Valve Index has lost its competitive edge due to pricing and performance issues compared to devices like the Meta Quest 3. Prominent VR YouTuber Nathie has hinted at the Steam Frame reveal while in Seattle, although he is not attending Meta Connect. Other creators, such as Cas and Chary XR, have not received invitations to the event, raising questions about their involvement in the Steam Frame reveal. Valve has a history of making significant VR announcements that coincide with competitors' events, suggesting that unveiling the Steam Frame during Meta Connect would align with their strategy.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Paradox races to fix Crusader Kings 3’s 17%-rated Coronations DLC labeled “baked slop” by fans

Crusader Kings 3's Coronations DLC has received significant criticism, achieving only a 17% positive rating on Steam and an 'overwhelmingly negative' reception. Developer Paradox issued a patch to address issues, including 51 bug fixes and improvements to at least four oaths. The company publicly apologized for the lack of quality assurance testing, which was attributed to a focus on the upcoming All Under Heaven expansion. The next update, version 1.17.1, is scheduled for release on September 17.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

‘My Advice to Users Is to Accept Reality and Tune, or to Not Play’ — Randy Pitchford Is at the ‘Get a Refund From Steam’ Stage of the Borderlands 4 PC Performance Backlash

Randy Pitchford addressed concerns about the PC version of Borderlands 4 on social media, suggesting dissatisfied players seek refunds through Steam. The game has received mixed reviews, with many complaints about performance issues, including significant stuttering on PC. Digital Foundry advised against using the 'Badass' graphics setting. Pitchford encouraged players to utilize graphics technologies like DLSS for improved performance and suggested they wait for a price drop or upgrade their hardware if unhappy. He emphasized that while updates will be made, radical changes are unlikely, and he compared gaming hardware to vehicles to illustrate the importance of matching hardware capabilities with game performance. Gearbox is focused on improving Borderlands 4's performance on PC and has released an Nvidia Optimization guide on Steam, though users have reported mixed results. Players are also cautioned about shader recompilation when changing graphics settings.

Winsage

September 16, 2025

I’ve moved on from Microsoft’s Xbox controllers, but this new feature is something I’ve wanted for years on Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in the Xbox PC app that allows gamers to switch between application windows more easily through a revamped full-screen experience. This feature, which includes a long press on the Xbox home button to activate a new Task View, is currently available to users in Microsoft's Windows 11 Insider program. It will be a core component of the Xbox PC app's full-screen experience and is a timed exclusive for the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally device developed with Asus. The Xbox Game Bar has been noted for needing an overhaul due to past performance issues, and while there is skepticism about whether these enhancements will attract users from platforms like SteamOS, they are seen as promising for desktop gaming. The competition between Windows 11 and SteamOS regarding performance metrics raises questions about the impact of this new full-screen experience on gameplay.

Tech Optimizer

September 15, 2025

New Evite phishing scam uses emotional event invitations to target victims

A recent phishing scam involved an email titled "Special Celebration of Life," which appeared to be a legitimate Evite invitation. Clicking the "View Invitation" button triggered antivirus software that flagged the site as a phishing attempt. Scammers use emotionally charged subject lines and mimic Evite's branding to deceive recipients. Consequences of clicking on such links include stealing personal information, capturing login credentials, and installing malware. To protect against these scams, individuals should use strong antivirus software, check the sender's email address, hover over links before clicking, use personal data removal services, and verify with the sender directly.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

If you can’t get enough of precious Sherma in Silksong, a true Shermaniac uploaded a 10-hour cut of his sweet little song

Sherma is a character from Hollow Knight: Silksong known for his hope and melodic spirit, which has gained a significant fan following. A 10-hour video of Sherma singing has been uploaded on YouTube, reflecting the popularity of the character. The author expresses a strong affection for Sherma, particularly after a whimsical interaction in the game where he sings to unlock a gate. Sherma is portrayed as a symbol of innocence and resilience in a challenging game environment. The author appreciates Sherma's song but prefers Christopher Larkin’s soundtrack for background music while working. Additionally, a review by PCG contributor Tyler Colp is recommended for those interested in Hollow Knight: Silksong.