subscription services Archives

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

PC Gamers Can Claim 9 Free Games This Month, Including 2025 Award Winner Dispatch

PC gamers can claim the free game Dispatch, which won the Steam Awards 2025 Game of the Year. Amazon Luna, a gaming service that allows streaming on various devices, is offering Dispatch along with other titles for July 2026. The game is developed by AdHoc Studio, whose team includes former members of Telltale Games. Dispatch features engaging storytelling, humor, and animation, and is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2. Other games available on Amazon Luna this month include Sonic Mania Plus, Courtroom Chaos: Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Centipede Swarm, LEGO: Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, YouTuber’s Life, Arcade Paradise, Jackbox Party Pack 8, and Angry Birds Mystery Island.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft engineer, has developed TinyRetroPad, a Notepad-like application that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. TinyRetroPad includes features such as Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and an unsaved changes prompt. It is built on existing Windows components, allowing it to function efficiently without extensive resources. TinyRetroPad is based on Dave’s Tiny Editor and utilizes RICHEDIT50W for text handling. The application's file size increased incrementally with each feature added, with the final size being 2,476 bytes. Crinkler, a compression linker, was used to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad is still in development, facing issues like high memory consumption and compatibility problems. In contrast, Windows 11's Notepad has become larger and more complex, weighing approximately 352KB and incorporating features that some users find unnecessary. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad without modern features, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential for simplicity in application design.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

ESA Claims Private Minecraft Servers Are ‘Illegal’ and ‘Piracy’ in Stop Killing Games Hearing

The California State Senate hearing on the Protect Our Games Act raised questions about the legality of private Minecraft servers. Assemblyman Chris Ward noted that games like Minecraft and Call of Duty have successfully used community servers, while Jennifer Gibbons from the ESA argued that these servers are illegal and unapproved by Microsoft, labeling them as piracy. Gibbons stated that the ESA has two lawsuits against private servers for infringing on intellectual property rights. In contrast, Minecraft's official stance encourages the creation of third-party servers, which are vetted for compliance with community standards. The ESA maintains that private servers infringe on publishers' rights. The USTR's Notorious Market Report referenced by Gibbons does not specifically target community servers for connecting friends but focuses on those bypassing subscription services. The Protect Our Games Act did not advance but will be reconsidered. An ESA representative later clarified that private servers hosting copyrighted content without authorization infringe on publishers' rights and highlighted concerns about safety standards on these platforms.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Steam Machine pricing starts at $1,049 for 512GB model

Valve's Steam Machine is now available for pre-order, with two versions priced at ,049 for the 512GB model and ,349 for the 2TB model, which includes a Steam Controller. The device runs on SteamOS and can play PC games, functioning as both a console and a desktop computer. Its compact design allows for easy integration into home environments. The pricing has been influenced by component shortages due to demand from AI sectors. Valve has stated that it does not follow the traditional console model of selling hardware at a loss, aiming instead for an open ecosystem. Insights suggest that the target price for the Steam Machine may have shifted significantly due to rising costs.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Valve Wants You To Know The Steam Machine Isn’t A Video Game Console: ‘We Think Of It As An Extension Of PC Gaming’

Valve's Steam Machine is positioned as an extension of the PC gaming experience rather than a traditional video game console. The device starts at ,050 for the 512GB model, contrasting with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which retail for around 0, and the PS5 Pro at 0 for a 2TB SSD. The maximum storage option for the Steam Machine is 1TB, priced at ,350. Valve emphasizes a more open gaming ecosystem, differing from the conventional model of selling hardware at a loss. The company collects a 30 percent platform fee on games sold through Steam but aims to remain outside the traditional hardware competition.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Cyberpunk 2077, Split Fiction, Sonic Racing, and more

The Epic Games Store is offering Robobeat and Citizen Sleeper for free until June 25. Humble has introduced two bundles: the June 2unes bundle for rhythm game enthusiasts, starting at a low price, and a VR bundle featuring Among Us 3D: VR and Zero Caliber VR. Valve's Next Fest is showcasing gameplay snippets from upcoming indie titles until June 22, along with free events for Stellaris, Two Point Museum, Dead by Daylight, and MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries. The Steam Summer Sale is approaching, prompting publishers to offer discounts. GOG has launched its own summer sale with various highlights.

Winsage

June 20, 2026

Grab no-subscription Microsoft Office apps for only $30, discounted for a limited time

Microsoft is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows at a price of .97, an 86% discount from the regular price of 9.99, as part of their Deal Days event running until June 28. This one-time purchase provides permanent access to essential Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, without recurring fees. The software is tied to a single Windows PC and includes instant license delivery and complimentary customer support.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Simplify your routine with the new Google Home Speaker

The Google Home Speaker features a sustainable design with a custom 3D-knit textile and is available in Hazel and Porcelain colors. It includes a light ring underglow to indicate its status and a microphone mute toggle for privacy. The device assists with planning trips, providing kitchen help, and recommending entertainment. It is available for pre-order in Australia and New Zealand through various retailers. A purchase includes a 6-month trial of the Google Home Premium subscription, which is required for certain features. The device requires a Google Home app, Wi-Fi, and an internet connection.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

This hidden Gmail trick gives you virtually unlimited email IDs

In the digital age, users often consider creating new Gmail accounts to take advantage of subscription services and promotional offers. However, a simpler solution is to use Gmail aliases by adding a dot or a + sign to their existing email address. For example, variations like this.is.my.email@gmail.com or thisismyemail+ikea@gmail.com are recognized as the same address by Gmail. This method allows users to subscribe to services without creating new accounts and helps monitor the sharing of personal information. No special settings are required; users just need to modify their email before the @ symbol.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Guild Wars 3 won’t have a ‘battle pass fee buried in it’, says studio head: ‘We’re not gonna hold their time hostage’

Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) have integrated live service features like seasonal content and battle passes, with varying outcomes. World of Warcraft has successfully implemented a free battle pass-like system through its Trading Post, enhancing player engagement. In contrast, Guild Wars 2's studio head Colin Johanson has stated that Guild Wars 3 will avoid a battle pass model, aiming for a more balanced player engagement. He noted that contemporary battle passes resemble subscription services and expressed concerns about overwhelming players, while also recognizing the issues with minimal rewards in games. The contrasting approaches of these titles illustrate the challenge developers face in balancing monetization and player satisfaction.