strong Archives

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

Sally Beaumont, voice actor in Old Skies and The Séance of Blake Manor, extols the virtues of narrative singleplayer games ‘You can have lots of them in your PC toolbelt’

Sally Beaumont began her gaming journey with Leisure Suit Larry and was inspired to pursue voice acting after playing The Curse of Monkey Island. Her portfolio includes titles like Harold Halibut, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader, and she is the lead voice in the upcoming Old Skies. Currently, she is playing The Séance of Blake Manor and enjoys revisiting Nelly Cootalot. Beaumont has spent the most hours on Old Skies, using it to ground herself in her role, while Two Point Hospital is her most-played game outside of her work. She does not have a game she would never uninstall, as she prefers narrative-driven games with endings. Her essential non-gaming software is GoldWave, an audio editing tool. Beaumont describes her desktop as chaotic, with some organization but overall disarray.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Microsoft is quietly reinstalling Copilot on Windows 11

Microsoft has resumed the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on eligible commercial Windows 11 devices that use Microsoft 365 desktop applications. The rollout began in mid-June 2026 and is expected to continue into early July. The app is delivered through the Office updater and is enabled by default, requiring organizations to opt out if they do not want it. This initiative excludes countries within the European Economic Area due to stricter regulations. The move aims to simplify access to AI tools but has faced criticism regarding user consent and control over software installations.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Microsoft Caught Between Windows 10 Stagnation and AI Infrastructure Splurge as Macro Data Looms

Microsoft shares rose 5.71% to close at €327.90 on Friday, recovering from a 52-week low of €307.10 earlier that day. The company reported revenue of €82.9 billion in its latest quarterly earnings, an 18% year-on-year increase, driven by cloud and AI services. On June 22, Chevron announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft for approximately 2.67 gigawatts of capacity for a data center, with the first power delivery expected in 2028. Microsoft extended its Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 home users by another year, pushing the final security patch deadline to October 2027. The stock's closing price is only 6.77% above its 52-week low, with a 50-day moving average at €352.96 and a 200-day average at €383.98. The relative strength index is at 43, indicating no strong momentum.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Riot teases League of Legends Classic, with a full reveal coming in two weeks

Riot Games has confirmed the existence of League of Legends Classic after low-poly character models were leaked from public test servers. The announcement was made by executive producer Paul "Pabro" Bellezza in a skit titled "200 Years of Experience." A full reveal of the Classic mode is scheduled for July 11 during the MSI Finals. The video description suggests that the Classic mode may evolve over time, raising questions about the use of original currencies, the potential return of the Twisted Treeline 3v3 map, and the fate of old rune pages and quintessences. The announcement taps into nostalgia for the game's earlier versions, which had different mechanics and visuals compared to the current game. A previous fan-made server called Chronoshift was shut down by Riot, who indicated that a retro version was forthcoming.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here’s what I’m doing instead

An old PC's motherboard has recently marked a decade of service, and while it performs well for web browsing and media streaming, the end of support for Windows 10 is approaching in October. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to a new Copilot+ PC. The user contemplates several options: continuing to use the PC after the end-of-life date, switching to a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) version of Windows, or attempting to install Windows 11. The user expresses dissatisfaction with Windows 11, feeling it lacks essential features and customization options. They also find staying with Windows 10 impractical due to the eventual phasing out of support. The user identifies Linux Mint as a compelling alternative, having found it compatible and customizable, and expresses hope that other Windows 10 users will consider transitioning to Linux Mint as well.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Looks like there’s no firm favourite for 2026’s GOTY just yet, though there are two standouts

As of mid-2026, standout games in the gaming industry include Mixtape, Lego Batman, and Crimson Desert. A recent poll indicated that Resident Evil Requiem is leading with 16% of votes, followed by Crimson Desert at 12%, and 007 First Light at 9%. Slay the Spire 2 and Forza Horizon 6 each received 8%, while Pragmata and Mewgenics garnered 7% and 5%, respectively. A tie occurred at the bottom of the poll between World of Warcraft: Midnight and Bungie's Marathon, each with 383 votes.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Microsoft extends extended updates for Windows 10 in the most muted way imaginable

Microsoft has extended its offer of extended security updates for consumer users of Windows 10 until October 12, 2027, following the official end of support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. Users can acquire an extra year of patches for a modest fee, while business users have the option for an additional three years of support until 2028. Approximately 30 percent of HP's customers and 26 percent of all Windows users are still operating on Windows 10, which translates to hundreds of millions of PCs globally. The minimum requirements for running Windows 11 include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

Tech Optimizer

June 26, 2026

Bitdefender vs Norton vs McAfee 2026: 2 Win Gold, 1 Bronze

In 2026, Bitdefender, Norton 360, and McAfee each achieved a perfect score of 18 out of 18 in AV-TEST’s April evaluation. Bitdefender excels in protection technology and has the lightest footprint among paid tiers. Norton 360 offers an unlimited VPN, substantial cloud backup, and LifeLock identity theft protection, achieving the best real-world protection score in 2025. McAfee is strong in identity protection and unlimited-device pricing but falls short in core malware engine performance. Bitdefender is noted for its advanced threat detection and has a low entry price of .99 for its Antivirus Plus. Norton 360 includes an unlimited VPN and up to 250 GB cloud backup, while McAfee+ Ultimate provides identity theft coverage and three-bureau credit monitoring. All three products received perfect scores in AV-TEST’s April evaluation, but independent lab results from AV-Comparatives showed Norton and Bitdefender as Top-Rated Products, while McAfee did not achieve this status. The specifications comparison reveals that Bitdefender supports up to 25 devices, Norton 360 offers unlimited devices, and McAfee also supports unlimited devices. Bitdefender employs Advanced Threat Defense, Norton uses SONAR and Intrusion Prevention, and McAfee utilizes Real Protect. Norton and McAfee received AV-Comparatives Performance awards in 2025 for their light system impact, while Bitdefender did not receive such recognition. Pricing strategies include significant renewal increases after steep first-year discounts. Customer support varies, with Norton and McAfee providing extensive 24/7 support, while Bitdefender offers limited phone support. The ownership structures differ, with Norton under Gen Digital, McAfee as a private entity, and Bitdefender remaining independent. Real-world scenarios suggest Bitdefender is best for single users, Norton 360 or McAfee+ for families, McAfee+ Ultimate or Norton for identity theft concerns, and Norton 360 for privacy-focused users.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Video Games Are Changing, And Meccha Chameleon’s Absurd Popularity Is Proof

Meccha Chameleon, a multiplayer hide-and-seek game launched on Steam, has sold seven million copies shortly after its release, achieving this milestone just two days after announcing five million sales. In comparison, Resident Evil Requiem took two months to reach the same figure. The game allows players to disguise themselves as objects in their environment, fostering quick thinking and creativity. It is priced at .99 and does not include microtransactions, offering a full experience reminiscent of earlier gaming eras. The success of Meccha Chameleon highlights a trend towards smaller, accessible games in a market increasingly dominated by larger titles.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

From Idea to Launch: Essential Steps for Building a Successful Android App

Building a successful app requires transforming a strong idea into a useful, reliable, and discoverable product. Key steps include addressing a genuine problem, developing an effective initial version, conducting thorough testing, and launching with a strategic plan. Many apps fail by neglecting essential steps, leading to confusion or lack of real need. It is important to identify specific problems the app aims to solve rather than starting with an extensive feature list. Understanding the target audience and their pain points is crucial for making informed decisions. Validation can be achieved by examining reviews of competing apps and engaging with potential users to assess interest in the solution. The initial app version should be the smallest iteration that delivers tangible results, focusing on the primary user journey. Outlining the user flow is important for a smooth experience, ensuring that permission requests are logical and intuitive. Early-stage apps should exhibit stability, integrating analytics and crash reporting from the beginning to understand user behavior. A gradual launch is recommended, starting with internal tests and moving to closed tests with target audience members. This phased approach allows for learning and adaptation, ensuring that the initial version effectively addresses a real problem and engages users.