Steve Archives

Winsage

July 1, 2026

Steve Ballmer once trashed Linux as “a cancer” — now it’s saving Windows 10 holdouts

In 2001, Steve Ballmer, then CEO of Microsoft, referred to Linux as a "cancer" threatening Microsoft's intellectual property and likened its users to "communist thieves." By 2016, after Microsoft ported SQL Server to Linux, Ballmer expressed enthusiasm for the change and acknowledged that the conflict with open-source had benefited Microsoft's financial success. In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith admitted the company had been on the wrong side of history regarding open source and noted the need for change. Microsoft has since embraced open-source technologies, introducing products like Azure Linux 4.0, built on Fedora. As Windows 11's transition becomes difficult for users, advocacy groups have criticized Microsoft for ending support for Windows 10, which could lead to millions of discarded computers. Microsoft extended Windows 10's life through an Extended Security Updates program until October 14, 2026, with a recent announcement pushing it to 2027. Rising hardware costs and design flaws in Windows 11 have led some users to consider alternatives like Linux. A survey revealed that 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and a poll showed that 68% of respondents plan to stick with Windows 10 through 2027.

Winsage

June 30, 2026

Steve Ballmer once called Linux a “cancer” — it’s funny Windows 10 holdouts may now see it as the cure for Windows 11’s hardware rules and the RAM crisis

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer initially described Linux as a "cancer" in 2001 but changed his perspective by 2016, supporting Microsoft's decision to port SQL Server to Linux. Microsoft President Brad Smith acknowledged the company's past underestimation of the open-source movement in 2020. Microsoft has integrated open-source solutions into its products, including PowerShell and Visual Studio Code, and launched Azure Linux 4.0. As Microsoft phases out support for Windows 10, critics argue this leads to programmed obsolescence, affecting up to 400 million PCs. Microsoft extended support for Windows 10 through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 14, 2026, with an additional extension through 2027. Rising hardware costs and stringent requirements for Windows 11 hinder many users' transitions. Advocacy groups are encouraging users to consider Linux, highlighting its advantages. Recent surveys show that 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, and a poll indicated that 68% of participants plan to stay with Windows 10 through 2027. There is a growing awareness among consumers regarding the potential shift to open-source alternatives like Linux.

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

Invincible VS devs would like to have guest characters like Spider-Man and Sub Zero: ‘If we have that opportunity, we will definitely take it’

Invincible VS, a superhero tag battler based on Robert Kirkman's Image comic series, is exploring the possibility of character crossovers, with game director Dave Hall and lead combat designer Bau Bautista expressing enthusiasm for such ideas. They noted that Spider-Man has appeared in Invincible comics, making crossovers feel like a natural evolution. Hall and Bautista also expressed interest in including characters from the Mortal Kombat franchise, specifically Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Currently, the game focuses on characters from the Image comic universe, with Immortal and Universa set to join on June 30, coinciding with the launch of its first season.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

A Minecraft Movie director was ‘already talking’ about casting Kirsten Dunst before her comments

Director Jared Hess revealed that discussions about casting Kirsten Dunst for the sequel to the Minecraft movie began before she expressed interest. Dunst, known for her role in Spider-Man, officially joined the cast in March, celebrating on Instagram. She will portray the character Alex, who was hinted at in the first film's post-credits scene. The sequel is titled A Minecraft Movie Squared and will feature returning cast members including Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, and Jennifer Coolidge. Filming began in New Zealand in May, and the film is set to be released in July 2027.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Start Building With 30+ Prime Day Lego Deals on Star Wars, Minecraft and Botanical Sets

The Amazon Prime Day sale offers a variety of discounted Lego sets, catering to different interests, including the Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid, Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds, Lego Star Wars R2-D2, Lego Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fighting Ring, Lego Technic Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica, Lego Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook, Lego Fortnite Battle Bus, and Lego Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles’ Guardian Mech. Additional Lego deals include sets like Lego Botanicals Happy Plants, Lego Creator 3-in-1 Cute Animals, Lego Ninjago Cole’s Mission Mech and Dragon Zane, and many others. Amazon Prime Day 2026 is scheduled for June 23 to June 26, starting at 12:01 a.m. PT on June 23. Last year, over 100,000 deals were available, including significant discounts on various products. Early promotions are already being launched by many brands, allowing shoppers to take advantage of savings before Prime Day.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Epic Games Store Roadmap Promises 5x Faster Boot Times, User Reviews, and More

The Epic Games Store is undergoing a significant transformation, with a roadmap for new features and a redesign of its digital storefront. Upcoming updates include Fortnite chunked installation, third-party patch notes, pre-registration for free-to-play games, storefront rearchitecture, and library management improvements. Additional features like player profiles, user-written reviews, publisher-funded coupons, and enhanced search capabilities are planned for a later phase. The store, launched in 2018, has faced challenges in competing with platforms like Steam and has not yet achieved profitability. A "ground-up rebuild" of the launcher is expected to improve performance significantly.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

The new Epic Games Launcher might not suck so much thanks to ‘ground-up’ rebuild with 5–6.5x improved performance—still a long way to catch up with Steam

User sentiment towards the Epic Games Store is largely negative, with many gamers recognizing its shortcomings. A significant update is planned that includes a complete redesign of the launcher, promising a five times faster cold start time and a 6.5 times quicker restoration from the system tray. The update will also introduce new features such as personalized game recommendations, quick-access categories, tailored product detail pages, and patch notes on the storefront. Additional enhancements include community forums, player profiles, private messaging, voice chat, game-independent parties, cross-region game gifting, publisher-funded coupons, and a tool for assessing game compatibility.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Sim racing is flourishing, but what happened to the arcade racer?

The author began playing racing games at age five with Lego Racers on a Windows 95 PC, which sparked a passion for cars. They later played Gran Turismo 2 and invested in a Thrustmaster T150 RS racing rig during the pandemic, immersing themselves in Forza Horizon 4. The racing game landscape has shifted towards a dominance of sim racing, overshadowing traditional arcade racing games like Need for Speed and Burnout. Despite the rise of sim racing, it has alienated casual gamers, and even successful sim titles struggle to match the sales of older arcade franchises. Real-world motorsport has become more accessible, attracting new fans, and sim racing serves as an affordable entry point into motorsport. Representatives from the sim racing industry note that many newcomers may transition to real racing, exemplified by YouTubers who have moved from gaming to professional racing. The decline of traditional car games may reflect broader changes in car culture, with fewer young people obtaining driver's licenses, making sim racing a more viable option for motorsport engagement.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

‘Minecraft Dungeons II’ Pre-Order & Deluxe Edition Rewards Revealed

Minecraft Dungeons II is set to launch on September 29, 2026. Players who pre-order the game will receive two unique hero skins, a “Twisted” Cape, and a “Twisted Chicken” Pet. The Standard Edition costs .99 and the Deluxe Edition costs .99. The Deluxe Edition includes four hero skins, a “Ghost” Cape, a “Blub” Pet, and the first two downloadable content expansions upon their release. There is no deadline for acquiring Deluxe Edition rewards, but pre-ordering before the launch date ensures access to the pre-order rewards. The game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, and PC (via Steam).

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Minecraft 2 titled A Minecraft Movie Squared sets July 2027 release as debate rages

Mojang has announced that "Minecraft 2: A Minecraft Movie Squared" will be released in U.S. theaters on July 23, 2027, and in France on July 21, 2027. The film will be directed by Jared Hess, with returning cast members Jack Black as Steve, Jason Momoa as Garrett, and Danielle Brooks as Dawn, along with new additions Kirsten Dunst as Alex and Matt Berry in an undisclosed role. Fans can participate in a Minecraft Build Challenge to have their creations featured in the film. The sequel aims to align more closely with the game's themes of survival, crafting, and exploration.