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Samsung workers could be about to strike, potentially making GPUs, memory, and SSDs even more expensive
AppWizard
May 18, 2026

Samsung workers could be about to strike, potentially making GPUs, memory, and SSDs even more expensive

Samsung faces potential factory shutdowns due to a proposed strike involving over 43,000 workers in South Korea, which could lead to a 3-4% decline in global memory and NAND output. The Korean government has intervened, urging the union to reconsider the strike to maintain production capacity and quality. The workers' demands focus on compensation, specifically the removal of a cap on bonuses, as the company's profits reached 53.7 trillion won in the last quarter. A full-scale strike could cost Samsung up to 30 trillion won. The strikes are scheduled to begin on May 21 and last for 18 days, although ongoing negotiations may change this timeline.
NETMARBLE RELEASES GAME OF THRONES: KINGSROAD ON PC AHEAD OF GRAND LAUNCH
AppWizard
May 15, 2026

NETMARBLE RELEASES GAME OF THRONES: KINGSROAD ON PC AHEAD OF GRAND LAUNCH

Netmarble has released Game of Thrones: Kingsroad for PC, featuring an open-world rendition of Westeros and three classes: Knight, Sellsword, and Assassin. The game became available on May 14, 2026, through platforms like the Netmarble Launcher, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. To celebrate the launch, Netmarble is hosting four events with rewards including a Rare Wildling Outfit and a Legendary Artifact Box. A mobile version of the game is set to launch on May 21, 2026. The game is officially licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of HBO.
Facebook Messenger Statistics By Country And Demographics (2026)
AppWizard
May 14, 2026

Facebook Messenger Statistics By Country And Demographics (2026)

In the first quarter of 2026, Meta's Family of Apps, including Facebook Messenger, reported a revenue of USD 55.9 billion. Messenger's in-chat payment services facilitated nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions across 47 countries during the same quarter. The platform had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of Q1 2026, with the largest demographic segment being individuals aged 25-34. By October 2025, the Philippines and Vietnam achieved the highest global user reach for Messenger, at 83.3% and 78.1%, respectively. Southeast Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. Users typically spend nearly 13 minutes per session on the app, with 42.6% accessing it daily. Messenger messages have an 80% open rate within the first hour of delivery. Over 60 million businesses utilize Messenger for various purposes, and the platform supports more than 500,000 active chatbots, with 41% of these employing generative AI. Meta matched 100% of the electricity used across Facebook Messenger with clean, renewable energy in 2026. In Q1 2026, Meta’s Family of Apps generated USD 55.9 billion in revenue. Messenger's business messaging tools contributed USD 3.2 billion to non-advertising revenue in the first half of 2026. In-chat payment services processed nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions in 2026. Messenger had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users, equating to about 12% of the global population. As of October 2025, Messenger had nearly 942 million users globally. Users aged 25-34 comprised nearly 32% of Messenger's user base in 2026. By October 2025, 55.8% of Messenger users were men, while 43.5% were women. The highest user reach for Messenger was in the Philippines at 83.3% and in Vietnam at 78.1% as of October 2025. Southeast Asia had 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, making up 22.4% of the global total. Users spend about 198-201 minutes per month on the app and open it approximately 183.9 times each month. Each session lasts about 1 minute and 6 seconds. About 42.6% of users open the app daily. Messenger ads reached nearly 947 million users worldwide in 2026.
'Palworld Online' has been trademarked, but there's hints of potential AI use
AppWizard
May 12, 2026

‘Palworld Online’ has been trademarked, but there’s hints of potential AI use

Pocketpair submitted a trademark application for 'Palworld Online' on April 27, 2026, which is currently labeled as 'live' by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). A similar trademark was filed in South Korea on April 24, 2026. The trademark pertains to "recorded computer game programs and recorded game software," and includes "toy design," suggesting potential new merchandise linked to the Palworld Trading Card Game (TCG). It also references "Artificial intelligence as a service (AIAAS) services featuring software using artificial intelligence (AI) for developing computer games." The 1.0 release of Palworld is projected for sometime in 2026, with speculation about the possibility of an MMO format.
Pixel Weather lacks the one feature that could fix its poor forecasts
AppWizard
May 12, 2026

Pixel Weather lacks the one feature that could fix its poor forecasts

Many users rely on default Android weather apps like Pixel Weather, which may not provide accurate forecasts. The accuracy of weather forecasts is heavily influenced by the data source used. Different sources, such as global models (GFS, ECMWF) and regional services (like SAWS), vary in reliability. Popular apps like Samsung Weather and Pixel Weather have limitations, as they rely on specific data sources that may not adequately represent certain regions, leading to inaccuracies. Users dissatisfied with these apps can switch to alternatives like Meteogram Weather Widget, Breezy Weather, Weather Master, and Weawow, which allow for more flexibility in choosing data sources. When selecting a weather app, factors like update frequency and regional specificity are important for accuracy. Users are encouraged to experiment with multiple sources to find the best fit for their location.
A rigged game: ScarCruft compromises gaming platform in a supply-chain attack
BetaBeacon
May 6, 2026

A rigged game: ScarCruft compromises gaming platform in a supply-chain attack

- ScarCruft, also known as APT37 or Reaper, is a North Korean espionage group targeting government, military organizations, and companies in Asia. - BirdCall is a Windows backdoor attributed to ScarCruft, with spying capabilities such as taking screenshots and logging keystrokes. - The Android version of BirdCall collects contacts, SMS messages, call logs, and media files, and was actively developed over several months. - The BirdCall backdoor was discovered in a trojanized card game on a gaming platform tailored for ethnic Koreans living in Yanbian, China. - The attack was likely aimed at collecting information on individuals from the Yanbian region deemed of interest to the North Korean regime, such as refugees or defectors.
Pearl Abyss paid its employees a 5 million won bonus after Crimson Desert reached 5 million sales: 'Our journey does not end here'
AppWizard
April 28, 2026

Pearl Abyss paid its employees a 5 million won bonus after Crimson Desert reached 5 million sales: ‘Our journey does not end here’

Crimson Desert achieved five million sales as of April 15. The Prime Minister of South Korea celebrated the game's success, calling it a "new chapter in K-content." Pearl Abyss rewarded its employees with a bonus of 5 million won (approximately ,392 or £2,513). The total bonus payout could amount to around 6.6 million won (or .5 million/£3.3 million) based on a workforce of 1,323 employees. The latest game update includes quality-of-life improvements, addressing community concerns such as storage for looted items and fast travel mechanics.
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