standards Archives

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

A smarter, more proactive Android with Gemini Intelligence

Gemini has been integrated with Autofill through Google to streamline mobile form completion, allowing users to opt-in and toggle the connection in settings. Gboard on Android has improved speech-to-text conversion but still struggles with natural speech nuances. Rambler, a new feature powered by Gemini Intelligence, transforms spoken language into polished text while capturing the essence of speech. Users are notified when Rambler is active, and audio is used only for real-time transcription without being stored. Rambler supports multilingual communication, switching between languages within a single message and refining them for clarity.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Directive 8020 review: One giant leap for sci-fi body horror

A new horror game developed and published by Supermassive Games is set to release on May 12, 2026, priced at in the U.S. and £40 in the U.K. It features a branching narrative where player decisions significantly impact the story and includes a multiplayer component. The game has been reviewed on a setup with an RTX 3070 graphics card, an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor, and 16GB of RAM. Compatibility with the Steam Deck is yet to be confirmed, and it is generating interest on platforms like Steam.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Shift Up says Stellar Blade 2 news is on the way this year, and it could be a day-one PC launch

Shift Up has announced plans for the sequel to Stellar Blade, with new information expected to be revealed within the year. The sequel is set to launch before 2027 and aims for a simultaneous release on PC and console platforms, as Shift Up is bringing publication in-house to avoid previous exclusivity issues with Sony. Development of Stellar Blade 2 is reportedly progressing smoothly, meeting targeted quality standards. Additionally, Shift Up is working on a new intellectual property called Project Spirits, which is also progressing well, with more details expected by the end of the year.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Lies of P dev is hiring an “AI creator” who can “combine the creativity of artists with the productivity of AI”

Round8, the studio known for the game Lies of P, is seeking an "AI Creator" to join its Game Art and Creative team. The role focuses on integrating generative AI technology to improve art production efficiency and enhance visual quality. Responsibilities include creating character and background concept drafts, using tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, integrating AI tools into existing workflows, AI-based texturing and upscaling, and staying updated on generative AI trends. The studio is considering the use of AI-generated artwork for upcoming projects.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Today only: Wildly low price hits Razer’s Minecraft bundle with keyboard, mouse, headset, and mousepad at $135 (62% off)

Woot is offering a special deal on Razer's Minecraft gaming bundle for .99 with Prime shipping, which can be reduced to .99 using the Woot app for an additional 10% discount. The bundle includes the BlackWidow V4 X mechanical keyboard, Gigantus V2 mousepad, Kraken V4 X headset, and Cobra wired gaming mouse, typically valued at around , representing a savings of or 62%. The keyboard retails for .99 on Amazon. The peripherals feature a Minecraft-themed design in green and maintain Razer's quality and performance standards. Woot is also running a Best of Tech sale with discounts up to 86% on various tech products and has an ongoing PC clearance sale.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Google is turning Android Studio into a policy watchdog

Google is enhancing the development experience for Android app creators by expanding Play Policy Insights within Android Studio, allowing developers to identify potential policy issues during coding. Developers will connect their Play developer accounts to access tailored insights. Google is also leveraging the SDK Index, a searchable database of Android SDKs, to provide crucial information on permissions and compliance with Play policies. To improve app security and user privacy, Google is upgrading the Play Integrity API for quicker detection of fraud and abuse, and introducing new privacy tools like a contact picker and location button. Support for post-quantum cryptography in Play App Signing will be added to protect apps from future threats. Developer verification will be implemented across Android to prevent the distribution of harmful apps. Google is revamping the Play Console to streamline the app publishing process, introducing expanded pre-review checks for common policy violations, a release status API for tracking approvals, and a feature to prevent new commits during reviews. Parallel publishing will be rolled out to avoid delays in updates. Additional enhancements include a Submission History log, secure account transfer tools, AI-powered policy recommendations, and expanded Play Academy training resources for new developers.

Winsage

May 7, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11 is still built on 90s-era Win32, and no one saw it coming

Users engage with the Win32 API when right-clicking files or launching desktop applications in Windows 11, a technology that has persisted since Windows 95. Microsoft’s Chief Technology Officer, Mark Russinovich, noted that the longevity of Win32 was unexpected, as it was not part of the company's original vision for the future. Despite attempts to replace Win32 over the past two decades, many users still have more Win32 applications than modern alternatives. Microsoft has introduced several frameworks to replace Win32, including MFC, WinForms, WPF, WinRT, and UWP, but none have fully succeeded. Developers have shown a preference for RAM-intensive web applications over native ones due to concerns about the stability of Microsoft's frameworks. Microsoft has introduced WebView2 to embed web technologies in desktop applications, leading to increased memory usage. In response to user needs, Microsoft is shifting back to native applications with WinUI 3, aiming to modernize Windows 11 while retaining access to Win32 infrastructure. The company is gradually replacing legacy Win32 UI elements with WinUI 3 components, improving performance and user experience.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

My most-anticipated but frequently delayed Zelda-like is finally releasing later this month after 6 years in development

Mina the Hollower is a top-down adventure game set to release on Steam on May 29, 2023. It draws inspiration from the classic Zelda series and features pixel art with an 8-bit aesthetic. The game is influenced by Bloodborne and leans towards the gothic charm of Castlevania. Development began in 2020, facing challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The studio aims to sell 500,000 copies for success, with 200,000 considered strong and below 100,000 raising concerns. The release timing is strategic, with limited competition in late May.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

Security updates Windows no longer require frequent reboots

Since early May 2026, a U.S. company has introduced Hotpatching technology for compatible devices, allowing security updates to be applied without a full system reboot. This technology replaces code fragments directly in the RAM of running processes, reducing the size of downloaded packages and enabling quicker implementation of critical patches. The update mechanism operates on a hybrid schedule with four base months requiring mandatory reboots for cumulative changes and eight hotpatching months focusing on in-memory security fixes. If extensive architectural changes are needed or if the software environment does not meet standards, the system defaults to a standard installation algorithm that requires a reboot. The technology is designed for corporate infrastructures with high operational demands and requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, specific editions, and enabled VBS virtualization protection.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

GTA 6 Boss Explains Why the Game Isn’t Releasing on PC Right Away

Grand Theft Auto 6 will not be available on PC at launch and will be exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, stated that Rockstar prioritizes console gamers as their core audience and believes it is essential to serve them first. While Zelnick did not confirm a future PC release, historical trends suggest that a PC version may come years after the console launch, as seen with previous titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The release date for GTA 6 is set for November 19th, and a marketing campaign will begin this summer.