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AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Who Needs a Steam Machine? I Converted My PC for Free and It Was Simple

The Steam Machine offers PC gamers a console-like experience with access to the Steam library and various PC games. The starting price is ,049 due to RAMageddon, prompting some users to consider building their own Steam Machine. Valve provides a guide for installing SteamOS, which requires compatible hardware, including a 12th-gen Intel Core processor and an NVMe solid-state drive. An 8GB or larger USB drive is needed to create installation media. Users should disconnect other drives to avoid data loss during installation. The installation process involves selecting "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS," which erases the system. After installation, users must configure settings like language, time zone, and audio output. SteamOS operates in a Big Picture Mode, allowing easy navigation with a controller. Benefits of SteamOS include avoiding Windows-related frustrations and potential performance improvements in some games, although results may vary.

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

You can now play Half-Life 2 right inside your browser at over 100 FPS with save states & console support — Ingenious port recreates the entire game campaign using WebGL 2

A fully playable browser version of Half-Life 2 has been released, created by developers Slqnt and 98006 in three months. This version includes the entire main campaign and two episodic DLCs, operating natively on devices without cloud streaming. It utilizes WebGL 2 and WebAssembly to run graphics-intensive tasks and translate C++ code into JavaScript. The port features a Source console for accessing developer commands, though it does not support Steam achievements. Testing on various devices showed the best performance on a Windows PC, achieving over 100 FPS. The future of the port depends on Valve's response, and while copyright issues pose challenges, many classic games are available for free online.

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

I switched to an open-source notes app for 2 weeks, and I wish I had done it sooner

The author initially used Simplenote and Obsidian for note-taking but sought a replacement for Simplenote due to its restrictive simplicity. They discovered Notesnook, which became their preferred app due to its end-to-end encryption, generous free plan, and offline functionality. Notesnook supports rich-media attachments, offers organizational features like notebooks and sub-notebooks, and provides superior text formatting options compared to Simplenote. However, the author noted some drawbacks, including slower speed, lack of full Markdown support without a paid plan, local revision history that doesn't sync across devices, and missing collaboration features. Despite these drawbacks, the author appreciates Notesnook's versatility but continues to use Obsidian for its strengths in managing databases and knowledge bases.

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

Party action game Hatsune Miku Starry Party announced for Switch 2, PC

Good Smile Company announced the party action game Hatsune Miku Starry Party, set to release on the Switch 2 and PC via Steam in 2027. The game will support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.

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.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Google Wallet on Android phones now shows Wear OS payment history

Users can now access their payment history from Wear OS watches within the Google Wallet app. The update allows users to view NFC payments made via Wear OS devices, with a note indicating "Purchase made on watch" on the transaction details page. The app still only displays the last ten transactions for each payment method. This update also retroactively shows past transactions made with watches.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Android Halo puts AI agents in your status bar

Google has introduced Android Halo, an interface layer for Android 17 that keeps an AI agent visible in the status bar while it operates in the background. This feature was first mentioned at Google I/O in May 2026 and detailed by Android president Sameer Samat in a July YouTube video. Android Halo allows users to monitor the AI agent's task progress, receive clarifying questions, and view results without switching applications. The agent operates in a secure, containerized environment, limiting its access to user-provided information only. Android Halo is designed to work with Google's Gemini and can also integrate third-party agents that meet specific requirements, in compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act. Android 17 is expected to launch in August 2026 alongside the Pixel 11, which will be the first device to feature Halo. The availability of Halo on other devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S25+, is uncertain, and no pre-order windows for hardware with Halo have been announced in the US and UK.

BetaBeacon

July 3, 2026

Bookstore Simulator with 95% Positive Reviews, Tiny Bookshop, Coming to iOS and Android on July 9

Neoludic studio is launching Tiny Bookshop on iOS and Android on July 9, offering a "try before you buy" model. The game is set in the fictional town of Bookstonbury-on-Sea, where players run a second-hand bookstore in an old trailer.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Samsung Messages shuts down in favor of Google Messages on July 6 [U]

Samsung has confirmed the closure of its Messages app, which will officially cease operations on July 6. This decision follows the transition to Google Messages as the default texting app on Galaxy devices, starting in 2022. Samsung stopped pre-installing its messaging app on Galaxy phones sold in the U.S. by 2024 and briefly revived it in 2025 before deciding to discontinue it. The closure will primarily affect Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer, while older models will still have access to Samsung Messages. Users with Galaxy devices on Android 14 or later will be redirected to Google Messages automatically. A poll indicated that many users are hesitant to switch to Google Messages due to their preference for Samsung's app layout and customization options.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Turn Your Android Smartphone Into A GameCube With This App

MrRubrik has developed a GameCube Launcher app for Android devices that allows users to transform their phone's interface to resemble the GameCube console. The app features a GameCube-inspired user interface, instant game launching via the Dolphin emulator, automatic detection of game covers, local game library management, and retro sound effects. It is designed to provide a nostalgic experience while incorporating modern functionality and is available for free on MrRubrik's website and the Google Play Store.