Software Archives

BetaBeacon

August 10, 2026

One year of updates couldn’t save the Pixel 10’s GPU — and now the Pixel 11 is at risk

The Pixel 10 series had a troubled start with issues such as antialiasing glitches and performance drops in emulators. Google issued updates to improve performance and fix bugs. Despite improvements, the Pixel 10 Pro XL still struggles with gaming performance compared to its predecessor. The upcoming Pixel 11 series is expected to have a new GPU architecture, raising concerns about performance and driver issues.

BetaBeacon

August 10, 2026

Google is finally letting a rival app store onto the Play Store

Aptoide is expanding beyond Android and returning to the Play Store after being removed due to Google's policies. Aptoide also operates an alternative iOS marketplace in the EU and is involved in similar programs in other countries. The presence of competing app stores within Google Play allows for easier access to alternative marketplaces, making them a more realistic option for everyday Android users.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Microsoft, Red Hat, and DH2i to Present, “Simplify Hybrid SQL Server: Windows & Red Hat OpenShift Side By Side”

DH2i will host a live webinar titled "Simplify Hybrid SQL Server: Windows & Red Hat OpenShift Side By Side" on August 20 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Pacific Time) in collaboration with Microsoft and Red Hat. The webinar aims to help organizations extend their SQL Server OLTP environments to Red Hat OpenShift, focusing on deploying a secure, cross-platform Availability Group (AG) linking Windows Server VMs with Red Hat OpenShift. Key topics include automating Kubernetes AG cluster deployment, establishing secure connections using Zero Trust Networking (ZTNA), and implementing HA automation for hybrid SQL Server environments. Featured speakers include OJ Ngo from DH2i, Amit Khandelwal from Microsoft, and Vivien Wang from Red Hat. Registration is available for those interested in attending or accessing the recording later.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Microsoft reportedly pours fuel on PC pricing flames as it implements a ‘significant increase’ for Windows 11 licenses

Microsoft has increased the price of Windows 11 licenses for PC manufacturers by approximately 7% to 10% as of last month, affecting companies like Acer and Asus. This price hike occurs amidst rising costs in the PC market, particularly for RAM and other components, but has not elicited significant reactions from consumers or businesses.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Notchify brings macOS-style “Dynamic Island” flair to Windows 11 — and it’s surprisingly useful if you can get by the ick factor

Notchify is an application that simulates a "fake" notch or "island" at the top of the screen on Windows PCs, displaying information such as notifications, media playback controls, weather updates, battery status, timers, and microphone indicators. It features a user-friendly interface with options to toggle between Island and Notch modes, select display monitors, and customize themes and effects. Users can combine small and large widgets for information display, and the notch remains "always on top," expanding to show details when hovered over. The app centralizes information, enhancing workflow, especially for users with large monitors. It is priced at .99 after a free trial and emphasizes updates based on user feedback. The developer engages with the community for performance improvements, reflecting the spirit of indie development.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

6 hidden Google apps you aren’t using, but should be

YouTube Create is a free mobile video editor that offers features for creating videos for platforms like Instagram Reels, including filters, effects, and AI capabilities for editing. Snapseed is a free photo editing app with professional-grade features and a user-friendly interface, recently updated to include a camera mode. Google Opinion Rewards allows users to earn Play Store credit by completing short surveys. Action Blocks enables users to create customizable buttons for specific smartphone actions, aiding those who struggle with traditional navigation. Gallery is a minimalist photo management app that focuses on viewing images and videos without distractions. Google Lens is a versatile tool that identifies objects, extracts text, translates in real-time, and engages users in conversations about their surroundings.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Which Windows 11 Update Is Causing Problems in 2026? – TheZeroNet

KB5094126, released in June 2026, is causing significant issues for Windows 11 users, including BSODs, boot failures, BitLocker lockouts, and problems launching Office applications. This update has particularly affected HP enterprise hardware, leading to BitLocker recovery loops and black screens. The issues stem from disk space limitations related to Secure Boot certificate handling and restricted EFI partition space. Affected users are advised to locate their BitLocker recovery keys and consider workarounds, such as launching Office applications directly. Windows 10 users are also experiencing similar problems due to the related update KB5094127. Microsoft is expected to release fixes in subsequent updates, including KB5101650 in July 2026.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

‘I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance’: Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library

Sam Barlow is the director of Half Mermaid and a notable figure in interactive fiction, known for his work on games like Arrival, Ghost Rider, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. He has a fondness for the game D: The Game, appreciating its cinematography and atmosphere despite its design flaws. Barlow has dedicated over 500 hours to Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which he considers one of the greatest roguelikes. He also treasures Riven, keeping it installed at all times for its artistic value. On the non-gaming side, he relies on Fade In, a screenwriting software that he finds essential for his work. Barlow's desktop is chaotic, as he saves everything there, leading to a cluttered environment.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

x64 port of Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a arrives — you can now run this seminal 1990 word processor natively in Windows 11

A developer named JMarshall23 has ported Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a to x64 architecture, allowing it to run natively on Windows 11. This port uses the original source code and resources, with modern adaptations to address the limitations of the 16-bit assembly and segmented-memory architecture. Microsoft Word for Windows 1.1a was originally launched over 25 years ago and introduced features like WYSIWYG editing, graphics incorporation, and table insertion. Microsoft has made the source code publicly available through the Computer History Museum, which includes a 7MB bundle with C source files, x86 assembly, build tools, and documentation. Users need the Windows 11 SDK, CMake 3.25 or newer, and PowerShell to build and run this version. The code release is governed by a license that permits only non-commercial use, restricting software redistribution.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

This VPN firm has created a way to stop Microsoft’s hidden tracking tool on Windows — although it will break some key cloud services

Windscribe has developed an open-source script called deGDID to remove Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) from Windows systems. The script functions as a firewall against the DeviceAdd endpoint, preventing Microsoft identity services from recognizing the machine as registered. It includes a flag, -Unprotect, to restore default settings if needed. Testing on a Windows 11 machine confirmed its effectiveness, with the -Status flag showing cached identifiers before removal. The tool is compatible with antivirus and endpoint protection but has limitations: it cannot delete keys stored on Microsoft's servers, cannot run on managed systems or domain-joined accounts, and Windows does not provide a built-in method to disable GDID. The identifier persists across IP addresses, regardless of VPN use. Windscribe notes that the script may disrupt certain Microsoft account functionalities, making it a partial solution rather than a comprehensive fix.