Social Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Sitting finally comes to Minecraft as a feature, no more tricks or mods

Microsoft's Mojang team showcased new developments for Minecraft at TwitchCon, including the upcoming Chaos Cubed update and the introduction of The Dappled Forest biome. They have begun rolling out test builds for players to experience these features. A notable addition is the ability to sit, facilitated by a new item called The Cushion, crafted from three Wool Slabs and available in 16 colors. Additionally, Straw Beds will be introduced as a single-use sleeping option, crafted from three hay bales to create four beds, which do not alter the player's respawn point. Players can download the Minecraft Bedrock Edition Preview 26.40.30 and Java Edition 26.3 Snapshot 3 to test these features. Further enhancements are expected during the testing phase based on player feedback.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

We Are Social launches Minecraft experience with One Voice to raise awareness of animal testing

We Are Social in France has partnered with One Voice to create The Memorial, an immersive experience in Minecraft that raises awareness about the over two million animals used in laboratory testing annually in France. The initiative aims to educate players about the lives of these animals and existing alternatives to animal testing. The Memorial features a landscape with commemorative monuments, educational quests, and real-time tracking of laboratory animals. It highlights the stories of individual animals and introduces scientific alternatives to reduce animal testing. This launch coincides with the European Parliament's recent legislation to ban animal testing for detergents by July 2029 and plans to phase out other animal testing requirements. The Memorial is accessible at le-memorial-des-animaux-de-labo.fr.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

Avast Premium Security from Gen Digital – multi-device protection tuned for US households

Avast Premium Security is a multi-device security suite developed by Gen Digital, designed for U.S. households and small offices. It includes antivirus, ransomware protection, firewall, and web shield features. The product offers plans for one device, up to ten devices, or unlimited devices, with pricing around .99 per year for a single device and .99 for up to ten devices. It is compatible with Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets, and iOS devices. Key features include real-time malware scanning, advanced ransomware shields, phishing site detection, and a configurable firewall. The software operates quietly in the system tray and provides notifications when threats are detected. Avast Premium Security is positioned in a competitive market alongside brands like Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky, and is part of Gen Digital's strategy for recurring subscription revenue. The product is available for purchase online and targets U.S. households and small offices seeking comprehensive protection.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft Preview 26.40.30

Players can find abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes, which include a one-time use Straw Bed crafted from three hay bales. Cushions, available in 16 colors and crafted from three wool slabs, allow players to sit comfortably but are not currently spawning in abandoned camps. Various gameplay and graphical improvements have been made, including fixes for crafting recipes, ambient sounds, and rendering issues. Additionally, there are updates to the user interface, technical features, and stability enhancements, such as improved server self-repair capabilities and bug fixes related to commands and entity behavior.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Discord Banned 8,000 Users for Posting Chessboards and Minecraft Screenshots

In May 2026, Discord's content moderation system mistakenly banned over 8,200 users due to a hash-matching system that identified harmless grid patterns as harmful content. This incident was worsened by two bugs: one that bypassed the intended upload-pause for human review and another that prevented the lifting of bans even after staff cleared the accounts. The images that triggered these bans included chessboard screenshots, Minecraft inventory grids, game texture patterns, Google Drive and spreadsheet tables, and standard UI grid layouts. Following the incident, all affected accounts were reinstated, and the problematic hash was neutralized. The situation occurred alongside Discord's efforts for age verification, which faced scrutiny due to a breach exposing ID documents of approximately 70,000 users.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Microsoft Windows telemetry identified hacker despite VPN use

Microsoft's telemetry capabilities helped identify Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old suspected member of the Scattered Spider hacking group, despite his use of a VPN. The investigation revealed a significant cybersecurity breach in May 2025 at a luxury jewelry retailer, leading to the theft of approximately 77 GB of sensitive data and a ransom demand. Investigators linked Stokes to the breach through a Global Device Identifier (GDID) associated with a Windows device that created an ngrok account used in the attack. This device accessed various online platforms and shared IP addresses with Stokes' accounts on Apple, Snapchat, and Facebook, corroborated by travel records and social media posts. The evidence included server logs from Scattered Spider's infrastructure and records from ngrok and other providers.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

7 Habits That Are More Important Than Using Antivirus on Your Phone

Antivirus software was once standard on personal computers, but modern smartphones have evolved with enhanced security measures from Apple and Google, making them less vulnerable to traditional malware. Smartphones isolate applications, allowing them only to access user-permitted information, and if a malicious app infiltrates, it faces significant challenges due to built-in defenses. Apple requires thorough vetting of apps through the App Store, which enhances security but limits antivirus capabilities. Android allows sideloading apps from outside the Google Play Store, which introduces risks but also includes built-in security features like Google Play Protect and regular updates. Despite these advancements, smartphones can still be compromised, and cybercriminals increasingly target user accounts through phishing tactics rather than malware. Security experts recommend focusing on phishing awareness, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication. For enhanced security, users should keep devices updated, download apps from official sources, review app permissions, use strong passwords, utilize a password manager, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious with unexpected communications. While most users may not need antivirus apps, those who frequently sideload or download from unfamiliar sites may benefit from additional security tools.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Microsoft needs to “reset Xbox,” says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employees

Xbox plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,200 employees by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2027, with an initial layoff of around 1,600 positions. CEO Asha Sharma expressed concerns about the company's health and announced a transition of four studios to new management. Xbox is facing financial challenges, operating at margins significantly lower than comparable entities, and the expected growth of Game Pass has not occurred. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will return to independent status, retaining ownership of their intellectual properties. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will also join new ownership structures. Bethesda is refocusing on its major franchises, and there are no cancellations of first-party games due to these reductions. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions expressed gratitude for support during this transition.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Even Obsidian couldn’t escape the Xbox cuts, with losses ranging from a 21-year veteran artist to an engineer who’d only been there 2 months

On July 6, Kotaku reported that layoffs at Obsidian Entertainment affected between 60 to 70 employees, nearly a quarter of its workforce of 285. Current and former employees shared experiences on social media, indicating an indeterminate number of developers were let go, including long-time artist Daniel Alpert and recent hire Wenzheng Huang. Employee Kate Dollarhyde described the layoffs as significant, and while Obsidian is bound by the WARN Act to provide notice for layoffs exceeding 50 employees, the California WARN Act Tracker does not show that Obsidian reported these layoffs. Despite producing successful titles like Pentiment and The Outer Worlds 2, the studio's future is uncertain amid Xbox's anticipated layoffs and financial struggles.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

Why Anti Malware and Antivirus Solutions still matter despite Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect is a security feature integrated within the Google Play Store that scans installed applications for malicious behavior, verifies apps before download, and can disable or remove harmful software. Its primary limitation is its focus on apps from the Google Play Store, leaving users who install APK files from third-party sources at risk. Modern cyber threats include phishing links, counterfeit login pages, and social engineering techniques, which Google Play Protect does not fully address. Dedicated antivirus applications offer real-time threat detection, privacy protection, and additional features such as monitoring excessive app permissions and dark web credential leaks. For business users, mobile security platforms provide advanced capabilities like enforcing corporate policies and detecting zero-day threats. While Google Play Protect is sufficient for many users, those handling sensitive information or seeking enhanced protection should consider additional antivirus solutions. Best practices for cybersecurity include downloading apps from trusted sources, keeping software updated, and using strong passwords.