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One of my favorite Next Fest demos turned out to be this speedrunner's delight modeled after 3D Sonic games, which just added ranked multiplayer races
AppWizard
March 1, 2026

One of my favorite Next Fest demos turned out to be this speedrunner’s delight modeled after 3D Sonic games, which just added ranked multiplayer races

The Rollin' Rascal demo was recently updated during the Steam Next Fest, appealing to fans of Sonic the Hedgehog's early 3D adventures. It features a vibrant world with expansive levels, momentum-based physics, and online modes, including ranked multiplayer competitions. The races include item boxes similar to those in Mario Kart, but the online community is currently sparse. The demo has some imperfections, such as camera glitches and a lack of enemy variety, but shows promise for future development.
Windows 11’s February Insider update adds new features — but which ones actually matter? Here are the 11 biggest.
Winsage
March 1, 2026

Windows 11’s February Insider update adds new features — but which ones actually matter? Here are the 11 biggest.

Microsoft has released enhancements to Windows 11 in build 26300.7877, including: - Modern content menu improvements, showing application icons for specific file types when right-clicked. - Updates to File Explorer with dark mode improvements for the Folder Options dialog. - Changes to the Settings app for better clarity and usability. - A redesigned "About" settings page focusing on key hardware specifications. - Introduction of the Cross-Device Resume feature, allowing users to resume applications from Android devices on Windows 11. - New customization options for the Narrator tool, enabling users to select which properties are read aloud. - Windows Hello now supports external biometric fingerprint readers for enhanced security. - Voice Typing updates allowing users to set a wait time before executing voice commands. - Redesigned SCOOBE page for a streamlined setup process. - Expansion of the AI agent in the Settings app to support additional languages. - Quick Machine Recovery feature enabled by default on Windows 11 Pro editions. - Camera support for pan and tilt settings accessible from device properties. - A new network speed test feature available from the Taskbar. - Improvements to the Widgets dashboard with a new settings page. Additionally, changes from build 28020.1619 are related to version 26H1, designed for new ARM64 hardware expected in 2026, and the Canary Channel has been divided into two paths for different versions.
Don't buy a new phone just for gaming, last-gen flagships still perform just as well
BetaBeacon
February 28, 2026

Don’t buy a new phone just for gaming, last-gen flagships still perform just as well

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra and its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor perform similarly to the last year's Xiaomi 15 Ultra and its Snapdragon 8 Elite in popular Android games and emulators. The newer processor offers slightly lower power consumption and potential future-proofing for upcoming games, but overall, there is not a significant performance difference between the two models.
Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?
Winsage
February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.
Six Google Apps Emerge As Irreplaceable On Android
AppWizard
February 28, 2026

Six Google Apps Emerge As Irreplaceable On Android

Many Android users seek alternatives to default applications, but six Google apps are deemed indispensable due to their speed, reliability, and integration. Google Keep allows for quick note-taking with features like labels, checklists, and real-time syncing across devices, boasting over 1 billion installs. The Google app serves as a central hub for various functions, providing seamless integration that enhances the Android experience. Google Maps excels as a navigation and discovery tool, with over 10 billion installs and features like offline maps and user-generated content. Android Auto offers a user-friendly interface for driving, becoming a standard feature in new vehicles. Google Photos backs up images effortlessly, with over 5 billion installs, and provides powerful search capabilities. NotebookLM allows users to input documents and web clippings for research, functioning as a research assistant. These six apps stand out for their unique combination of speed, scale, and integration, making them essential for Android users.
Windows Server finally gets ReFS boot support
Winsage
February 27, 2026

Windows Server finally gets ReFS boot support

Microsoft has introduced boot support for the Resilient File System (ReFS) in Windows Server, allowing insiders to boot the server operating system directly from a ReFS volume. This feature has been made available in the latest Windows Server Insider Preview build after a fourteen-year wait since ReFS was launched in 2012. ReFS can detect corruption early and address issues online, eliminating the need for chkdsk, and supports volumes up to 35 petabytes. It also includes block cloning and sparse provisioning technologies for efficient file management. To use ReFS boot, organizations must install the latest Windows Server vNext Insider Preview with a minimum build number of 29531.1000.260206-1841, format the system partition as ReFS, and ensure UEFI firmware is used.
Best Casino App for Android: Who Tops Our Top-5 List for 2026
AppWizard
February 27, 2026

Best Casino App for Android: Who Tops Our Top-5 List for 2026

For 2026, the top five legal Android casino apps evaluated in regulated U.S. states are: 1. FanDuel Casino App - Rating: 4.6/5 - Available in: MI, NJ, PA, WV - Bonus: Deposit to get 500 bonus spins and a casino bonus. 2. BetMGM Casino App - Rating: 4.5/5 - Available in: MI, NJ, PA, WV - Bonus: 100% deposit match up to ,000 with code TODAY1000. 3. bet365 Casino App - Rating: 4.6/5 - Available in: NJ, PA - Bonus: 100% match up to ,000 and up to 1,000 spins. 4. Caesars Casino App - Rating: 3.9/5 - Available in: MI, NJ, PA, WV - Bonus: 100% deposit match up to ,000 for registration with code USAPLAYLAUNCH. 5. Fanatics Casino App - Rating: 4.7/5 - Available in: MI, NJ, PA, WV - Bonus: 1,000 bonus spins on Triple Cash Eruption. Players can download multiple apps to explore various welcome offers and should ensure they are in a regulated state for real-money play, currently available in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Issues Nvidia GPU Bugs Task Manager Errors and ViVeTool Guide
Winsage
February 26, 2026

Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Issues Nvidia GPU Bugs Task Manager Errors and ViVeTool Guide

Windows Update KB5077241, released in February 2026, is a 4.5GB feature update for the 24H2 and 25H2 versions. It poses significant performance risks for older hardware, particularly laptops and desktops without a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Users with outdated Nvidia graphics cards, specifically the 900 Series (Maxwell) and 1000 Series (Pascal), report issues such as game stuttering, screen flickering, and system boot failures. The update also contains a flaw that inaccurately displays CPU usage in Task Manager, showing 0% utilization even under load. Many users face installation issues, encountering Error 0x800F0983, requiring them to delete update cache files and run repair tools. The update introduces features like a Taskbar Speed Test, Sysmon Security, improved Sleep/Wake functionality, and WebP wallpaper support, but many remain locked. Users can enable these features using ViVeTool with specific commands. Overall, the update is advised against for those with older Nvidia GPUs due to potential conflicts and performance issues.
Windows 11 February 2026 Update Is Now Available With 3 New Features
Winsage
February 26, 2026

Windows 11 February 2026 Update Is Now Available With 3 New Features

Microsoft has released a non-security feature preview update for Windows 11, designated as version KB5077241, which introduces performance and visual enhancements. This optional update is available for all Windows 11 users and is not yet part of the stable channel, with a full release expected on March 10. Key features of the update include: 1. A built-in network speed test accessible via the taskbar, allowing users to evaluate their network connection's performance. 2. Improvements to the taskbar search function, enabling result previews without opening additional windows. 3. Minor system upgrades, including backup and restore options for select Windows Professional devices, new emojis, an updated accounts menu, a built-in system monitor, and a revamped widgets settings menu. 4. Enhancements to printing services, nearby sharing features, and Windows Update, along with new camera settings for supported devices. 5. Performance improvements in File Explorer, including more reliable window opening using shortcuts and the introduction of an "Extract All" option for non-ZIP archived folders. 6. Optimizations in the Network page of File Explorer for better device display and improvements in display responsiveness after sleep.
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