Surface Archives

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

Peripheral maker Corsair says Grand Theft Auto 6 is coming to PC in ‘early 2026,’ then immediately yoinks it back

Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to debut on consoles in fall 2025, with a potential PC release in early 2026. Ronald van Ween from Corsair Gaming suggested this timeline during a financial call but later clarified that he was speculating and no official PC release date had been confirmed by Take-Two or Rockstar. Historically, the gap between console and PC releases for the series has been around seven months.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Unblockable ads now litter Microsoft’s Windows Surface app

Microsoft's Surface app has transformed into a marketplace filled with advertisements, overshadowing its original purpose of device management. Users encounter promotional offers, including a 30% discount on an Xbox controller, prominently displayed at the bottom of the interface. Ads are integrated into the app, raising concerns about user consent, and persist even with ad blockers in Microsoft Edge. The app now resembles a shopping platform, which may dishearten users who expected a streamlined experience. This shift reflects a broader trend in Microsoft's ecosystem of frequent marketing pushes across platforms, potentially affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

The Surface you know and love (or hate) is dead — Microsoft’s Windows hardware enters a new era

The Surface division at Microsoft has experienced significant internal changes over the past 18 months, including the departure of Panos Panay and new leadership. This has led to a strategic refocusing of the Surface portfolio, moving away from experimental hardware designs to more conventional offerings aimed at a broader audience. The company has discontinued extravagant devices like the Surface Studio and Surface Duo, favoring products that resonate with business customers and general consumers. Last year, Microsoft introduced AI-powered Windows computers known as Copilot+ PCs, which emphasize continuity and refinement of established designs rather than radical innovations. The Copilot+ PC initiative has allowed Windows on Arm to demonstrate its viability, with Snapdragon chips competing effectively in the Windows ecosystem. Surface continues to play a crucial role in shaping the Windows ecosystem, but with a more cautious approach that prioritizes ecosystem health over creating new markets. Future form factor experimentation will likely be delegated to OEM partners, while Microsoft focuses on transitioning users to Windows 11 and promoting Copilot+ PCs. Stakeholders can expect a steady stream of sensible Surface devices and incremental updates in the near future.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

The latest Windows 11 update did not end support for older Intel chips. Here’s the source of the confusion.

Windows 11 has stringent minimum requirements, leaving many PCs unable to upgrade. A Microsoft support document caused confusion by excluding several Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen processors, leading to speculation about their support status. However, there are no new devices being produced with processors older than Intel's 11th Generation, so the changes are unlikely to affect many users. Even if a PC has an unsupported processor, it may still upgrade to Windows 11 if it meets other minimum requirements. The document is intended for OEMs to determine which processors can be used in new devices and does not impact existing Windows support for consumers. The list of Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen chips eligible for upgrading remains unchanged, and devices must comply with all minimum requirements, including TPM 2.0. Recent updates were misreported, primarily affecting OEMs without requiring significant changes to their strategies.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Sun Origin Apocalypse, Front Armies, Halls of Torment, more

The Google Play Store is offering discounts on Android games and applications. Samsung devices are also discounted, with the Galaxy Watch 7 seeing a price drop, and the Galaxy Tab S10+ and Ultra models available at significant markdowns. Notable audio accessories include Nothing’s transparent ANC wireless earbuds and Sharge’s 30W Pouch Mini 10,000mAh power bank. ASUS has a discount on an alternative to the Surface Pro 11. Some discounted app titles include "The Sun Origin Post Apocalypse," "Front Armies," and "Halls of Torment."

BetaBeacon

February 18, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Dead Cells, Lovecraft’s Untold Stories, ELOH, more

- Today's roundup includes Android game and app deals, as well as launch day deals for the new Wear OS 5 OnePlus Watch 3. - There is a discount on the Galaxy S10+ and deals on Lenovo's Snapdragon X Plus IdeaPad 5x Copilot+ PC and the Surface Pro 11 Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PC. - Popular app deals include Dead Cells, Lovecraft's Untold Stories, ELOH, Sentinels of the Multiverse, and more.

AppWizard

February 16, 2025

Best Minecraft Biomes to Build the Castle of Your Dreams | Esports News – The Times of India

Minecraft features various biomes suitable for castle construction, each with distinct terrain, resources, and challenges: 1. Plains Biome: Flat terrain simplifies building; rich in food resources but may be exposed to mob attacks. 2. Mountain Biome: Offers natural defense and panoramic views; stone is accessible, but uneven surfaces can complicate construction. 3. Forest Biome: Provides concealment and abundant wood; dense foliage can hinder space clearing for construction. 4. Taiga Biome: Features towering spruce trees for a medieval atmosphere; wolves provide security, but snowy terrain can impede movement. 5. Savanna Biome: Flat land with gentle hills aids construction; unique orange acacia wood enhances decor, and villages offer trading opportunities. 6. Desert Biome: Ideal for Egyptian or Arabian-style castles; limited trees reduce hiding spots for mobs but require longer resource collection journeys. 7. Snowy Biome: Creates a winter landscape with polar bears; challenges include freezing water and slow movement through snow. Choosing the best biome depends on personal style and survival needs, as each offers unique aesthetics and challenges.

Winsage

February 14, 2025

This Surface Laptop 7 with Snapdragon is “basically perfect,” and it’s almost half the price of the Surface Laptop 7 with Intel

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7 is currently priced at 9.99, reflecting a 0 reduction from its standard retail price due to President's Day sales. It features a Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The laptop has received a perfect score in reviews for its design, keyboard, display, and performance. It has undergone a design refresh that allows for easier repairs, with replaceable components available for purchase from Microsoft. The Snapdragon processors provide exceptional battery life and performance, making the Surface Laptop 7 a cost-effective choice compared to the entry-level Intel variant, which retails at ,499.99.

Winsage

February 13, 2025

Russian Hackers Leverages Weaponized Microsoft KMS to Hack Windows Systems

The Russian state-sponsored hacking group Sandworm, affiliated with the GRU, has been using pirated Microsoft Key Management Service (KMS) activation tools to infiltrate Ukrainian Windows systems since late 2023. They distribute a harmful ZIP file named “KMSAuto++x64_v1.8.4.zip” on torrent platforms, which, when executed, deploys the BACKORDER loader and disables Windows Defender. The BACKORDER loader then downloads the Dark Crystal Remote Access Trojan (DcRAT) from attacker-controlled domains, allowing data theft, including keystrokes and browser credentials. The campaign exploits Ukraine's high prevalence of unlicensed software, estimated at 70% in the public sector, increasing vulnerability to cyberattacks. Researchers have linked this activity to Sandworm through shared infrastructure and tactics, highlighting its role in Russia's hybrid warfare strategy against Ukraine. Cybersecurity experts recommend avoiding pirated software and implementing robust security measures to mitigate these threats.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

You Should Install This Windows Security Patch Right Away

Microsoft's February 2025 Patch Tuesday security update addresses 55 security vulnerabilities across the Windows platform, including: - 22 remote code execution vulnerabilities - 19 elevation of privilege vulnerabilities - 9 denial of service vulnerabilities - 3 spoofing vulnerabilities - 2 security feature bypass vulnerabilities - 1 information disclosure vulnerability Among these, four vulnerabilities are classified as critical zero-day vulnerabilities, with two requiring immediate attention. 1. CVE-2025-21194: A security feature bypass vulnerability related to Microsoft Surface devices, potentially allowing unauthorized access to Windows virtual machines. 2. CVE-2025-21377: An NTLM hash disclosure spoofing vulnerability that could allow attackers to retrieve plain-text passwords by interacting with a malicious file. The other two zero-day vulnerabilities confirmed to be actively exploited are: 1. CVE-2025-21391: A Windows storage elevation of privilege vulnerability that enables deletion of targeted files on a user's computer. 2. CVE-2025-21418: A vulnerability that allows attackers to gain elevated system privileges within Windows. Users are advised to install the patch promptly to protect their systems.