Social Media Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

Kremlin may ban popular messaging app to tighten control over internet resources

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted an increase in the Kremlin's censorship efforts to control the digital landscape in Russia. On July 18, Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Committee on Information Policy, warned that WhatsApp may face restrictions in the Russian market and indicated that the Kremlin-backed messaging app, MAX, is intended to replace it. Committee member Anton Nemkin labeled WhatsApp a national security threat, suggesting Telegram as an alternative, but acknowledged MAX as the preferred option. WhatsApp is currently the most popular messaging app in Russia, with about 84 million daily users, but a ban on it is seen as likely. Insiders believe Telegram will remain operational due to its support of Kremlin-affiliated channels. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, has been classified as an extremist organization by the Russian government. ISW has previously reported on the Kremlin's plans for MAX as a national messenger, and if successful, Telegram and other Western social media platforms may also face bans. The Kremlin's strategy aims to isolate and censor Russian citizens while promoting its narratives.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake will launch ‘very soon,’ Ubisoft exec says, but he also namedropped Splinter Cell for no apparent reason so maybe he’s still just messing with us

Five years have passed since the initial leak of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. Ubisoft has not provided concrete updates on the remake or Splinter Cell during its recent Annual General Meeting. Chief Financial Officer Frederick Duguet indicated that the Sands of Time Remake is slated for release in Ubisoft's 2026 fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2026, with speculation suggesting a potential holiday 2025 release.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Russia Moves to Ban WhatsApp and Launch State Messenger.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is widely used in Russia, but the government has raised concerns about its compliance with local data localization laws due to its servers being outside the country. As a result, state-owned employees are prohibited from using WhatsApp for official communications starting in 2025, and a complete ban could be imposed if Meta does not comply with regulations. The Russian government is developing a domestic messaging service, informally called “Vlad’s App,” expected to launch by the end of 2025, to enhance control over information and ensure compliance with local laws. While the current ban affects only government and state employees, broader restrictions on WhatsApp may occur, potentially impacting private users. The government's push for digital sovereignty aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology and promote domestic alternatives, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the isolation of Russia's internet from the global community.

Tech Optimizer

July 18, 2025

ESET vs Avast: Which antivirus is better in 2025?

ESET and Avast are leading antivirus software providers, each offering solutions for individual and business users. ESET features real-time threat detection with a multi-layered engine that includes advanced heuristics and machine learning, achieving high marks in independent tests for catching new threats. Its firewall allows granular control over network traffic and includes a Learning Mode for initial configuration. Identity theft protection is available only in its Ultimate tier, focusing on proactive monitoring. ESET includes a VPN in its highest-tier solution and provides a password manager compatible with multiple platforms. Parental controls include content filtering and activity logging. ESET is recognized for minimal impact on system performance, scoring 5.5 out of 6 in performance tests. Avast offers strong malware detection with a vast threat intelligence network, achieving near-perfect detection rates. Its firewall protects against network attacks and is integrated into the Avast One suite. Identity theft protection is included across all plans, with advanced features in higher tiers. Avast bundles its VPN across all offerings and does not provide a traditional password manager but alerts users about compromised credentials. It lacks built-in parental controls but offers supplementary features. Avast scored a perfect 6 in performance tests. Both ESET and Avast scored highly in protection and usability during AV-Test trials, with Avast achieving a 97.7% offline and 99.3% online detection rate, while ESET recorded 96.5% offline and 97.2% online detection rates. ESET's pricing is customizable, starting at .99 for a single device, while Avast offers a free Basic tier and starts its premium plans at .88 for three devices.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Crypto Messaging App Ephemera Bags $20M Series B at $300M Valuation

Ephemera, a blockchain-based messaging platform, secured million in a Series B funding round, co-led by Union Square Ventures, A16z Crypto, and Lightspeed Faction, achieving a valuation of 0 million. The round included participation from Coinbase, Sound Ventures, and actor Ashton Kutcher. The funding was structured as equity with token warrants, and Fred Wilson from Union Square Ventures joined Ephemera’s board. The platform is developed by the creators of XMTP, a decentralized messaging network utilizing IETF-standard Messaging Layer Security, which is trusted by companies like Mozilla, Google, Wire, and Cisco. XMTP aims to allow users to transfer conversations between different messaging apps, addressing concerns about centralization and user ownership of messages.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers PC Specs Revealed Ahead of Launch

The minimum and recommended specifications for WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers are as follows: Minimum Requirements: - 64-bit processor and operating system - OS: Windows 10 64bit - Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 - Memory: 16GB RAM (dual channel recommended) - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB - DirectX: Version 12 - Storage: 60 GB available space - Additional Notes: HDD Supported, SSD Recommended Recommended Requirements: - 64-bit processor and operating system - OS: Windows 10/11 64bit - Processor: Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - Memory: 16GB RAM (dual channel recommended) - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, or Intel Arc A750 - DirectX: Version 12 - Storage: 60 GB available space - Additional Notes: SSD Required The game is set to launch on July 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

All signal, no substance VK’s Max app aims to replace WhatsApp, but the Russian celebrities paid to promote it have found just one selling point: it works

VK is promoting its new messaging app, Max, by enlisting internet personalities and celebrities to enhance its visibility. The app is currently in beta testing and is positioned as a potential alternative to WhatsApp, especially if Russian authorities restrict access to foreign messaging platforms. Notable figures like Daria Zoteeva and Valentina Karnaukhova have praised Max for its voice call quality, sharing positive personal experiences. As of June 30, VK reported one million registered users within three months, and by early July, user numbers reportedly exceeded two million following the introduction of group video calls.

Winsage

July 13, 2025

Windows 10 KB5062554 update breaks emoji panel search feature

The KB5062554 cumulative update for Windows 10, released in July 2025, has rendered the emoji panel's search feature inoperative, causing frustration among users. Reports indicate that the search function worked correctly before the update, but now users encounter an error message stating, "We couldn't find this one" when attempting to use the search bar. Microsoft is being contacted for clarification on a potential fix for this issue.

Winsage

July 13, 2025

Windows Vista startup sound is back in Windows 11 once again

Microsoft has released Windows 11 build 27898, which includes features such as smaller taskbar buttons and Quick Machine Recovery, along with various improvements. The build has also unintentionally revived the startup sound from Windows Vista, causing nostalgia among users. This sound reappeared due to a bug, which Microsoft clarified was not an intentional homage. Despite attempts to fix it, the Vista sound returned in the latest build, while a future update is expected to restore the modern startup sound from 2021. Brandon LeBlanc from the Windows community confirmed that the fix is forthcoming.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

I’ve swapped modern live service games for a browser game that’s been running since 2009

During a shroom-hopping race, the starter's pistol misfires, injuring an official and causing chaos among the racers. The narrator reflects on the incident, emphasizing that the official accepted the risks. The narrator competes in the race, navigating oversized fungi and securing a podium position despite complaints from other racers. After the race, the narrator returns to London with various winnings and recounts a day filled with adventures, including rescuing urchins from gangsters and tracking a dirigible. The narrator expresses excitement for upcoming titles and notes the unique charm of Fallen London, which lacks traditional graphics and sound but offers an engaging escape.