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AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Google releases Android 17 update with foldable improvements, app bubbles, and more

Google has released the stable version of Android 17 for all supported Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. Key features include: - App Bubbles for multitasking, allowing users to launch apps in floating windows. - Enhanced Picture-in-Picture mode for full interactivity in desktop environments. - Encouragement for developers to optimize apps for various screen orientations and sizes. - Implementation of app memory limits to improve performance and battery life. - A 50:50 split-screen mode for gaming on foldable phones and native controller remapping. - The Continue On feature for seamless task transitions between devices. - Improved privacy features, including temporary access to location data and a Mark As Lost feature. - Support for Eclipsa Video HDR format and enhanced audio quality through the Extended HE-AAC encoder. - Introduction of the RAW14 image format for better camera capabilities. - Enhanced support for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, particularly for hearing aids.

AppWizard

June 16, 2026

Pixel phones are now better at multitasking, thanks to Android 17’s Bubbles

The June Pixel Drop has introduced the Bubbles feature, allowing users to open up to five apps in floating bubbles for easy access without switching away from the current app. Users can activate this by long-pressing any app icon, which opens it in a small floating window that minimizes into a bubble when tapped outside. This feature is particularly useful for messaging and media apps. On larger devices like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, app bubbles are organized in a dedicated bubble bar for easier multitasking. The Bubbles feature has officially rolled out to all Pixel devices running Android 17, following its availability in the Android 17 beta. User feedback has been mostly positive despite some minor issues. The June Pixel Drop also introduces other features such as Screen Reactions and new Gemini models.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

New Android Phone? Change These 4 Settings Right Away

In 2026, Android phones introduced a refined setup process that allows for extensive customization. Users can enhance performance by discovering hidden settings and decluttering home screens by removing pre-installed apps. Key adjustments include turning off adaptive brightness, increasing screen timeout, enabling screen pinning for security, and locking the SIM card for protection. Additional recommendations involve enabling the Find My Device service, customizing the quick settings tray, installing new apps like Gboard and Google Messages, using privacy-focused browsers, and disabling RAM Plus on devices with over 8GB of RAM for better performance.

Winsage

June 14, 2026

Windows 11 KB5094126 crashes some PCs (HP?) with BSODs, breaks OneDrive in File Explorer, enterprise apps

Windows 11 KB5094126, released on June 9, 2026, is a significant update that introduces new features, including the Low Latency Profile, and addresses up to 200 security vulnerabilities. However, it has caused boot failures for some HP devices, particularly the HP EliteBook 840 G10, leading to BSODs or BitLocker Recovery prompts. The update may conflict with specific BIOS configurations or EFI/System partition settings, especially on devices with older EFI partitions. Users experiencing boot failures may need to disable Secure Boot as a temporary workaround. Additionally, the update has disrupted OneDrive integration in File Explorer, preventing access from the left pane and tray icon, although users can still access cloud folders directly. Similar issues have been reported with Dropbox and iCloud Drive. The update has also affected Microsoft Word integration in various business applications, leading to failures in document handling. Furthermore, changes to desktop.ini files have impacted custom folder icons, requiring users to unblock these files to restore functionality.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Breaking: Sporadic Issues Reported with Facebook and Messenger

On June 12, 2026, users of Facebook and Messenger reported intermittent access issues, including difficulties logging in, loading feeds, and messaging. Outage monitoring platforms noted minor spikes in user reports, but Meta has not confirmed significant outages. The problems appear localized to various regions. Suggested solutions for users include refreshing or restarting the app or browser, switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, clearing the cache, and ensuring apps are updated. Users can check Downdetector for real-time updates.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Is Facebook Down? Users Report Issues with App

On Friday, Meta's Facebook and Instagram experienced a global outage, impacting millions of users who faced issues such as blank feeds, error messages, and repeated login failures across various regions, including the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The outage affected Facebook's desktop site, mobile app, Messenger, and components of Instagram's feed and login systems. Users reported being logged out unexpectedly, encountering incorrect password messages, and experiencing server errors. Meta acknowledged the situation and was working on a resolution. Specific failures included issues with login systems, blank news feeds, unexpected Messenger logouts, and difficulties accessing both desktop and mobile apps. Instagram users reported frozen feeds, inability to refresh content, failed logins, and delayed or disappearing direct messages. The outage typically resolves within one to three hours, and by approximately 10:30 a.m. ET, reports indicated a decline in issues affecting Meta's platforms.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Witchspire is a charming Palworld-esque survival crafting game that replaces the unpaid monster labour with magic and whimsy

Witchspire is a survival crafting game released into early access, where players take on the role of a witch in a whimsical world filled with magical tools and familiars. Players can track down fellow witches, build a base, and engage in tree chopping using wands and spells. Familiars can be captured and serve as combat companions or enhance productivity at the player's base. The game features a fluid combat system with a dodge mechanic and multiple double-jumps, as well as gridless building mechanics. Exploration rewards players with chests, mini-puzzles, and experience points for a skill tree. Some quality-of-life features are still in development, such as viewing crafting recipes and switching consumables during combat. The game is developed by Envar Games.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

After playing the new remake of Tomb Raider, I’m convinced you can’t actually remake Tomb Raider

The original Tomb Raider experience captivated players in the late 1990s with memorable moments such as discovering a trapezoid box, switching to high-resolution graphics, experiencing the eerie stillness of caves, diving into pools while counting seconds for air, learning the importance of quick saves, falling from a waterfall, exploring Croft Manor, encountering a T-Rex, and flipping through menus showcasing 3D models. The legacy of Tomb Raider continues with titles like Tomb Raider Anniversary and Tomb Raider Remastered, while the new game, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, invites contemplation about the essence of the original 1996 game. The gaming landscape in 2026 features near-photorealistic visuals, but the charm of the original lies in its unrefined elements, which large-scale game development struggles to replicate. There is potential for capturing the original magic if Amazon collaborates with indie developers, rather than merely following current trends.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Popular Windows 11 file manager Files gets improved tags, layouts, and new OneDrive icon

Files, a third-party file manager for Windows 11, has been updated to version 4.1.3, introducing several enhancements: - A "View size" button for each folder allows users to calculate folder sizes easily without changing settings. - File selection is retained when switching between different layouts. - Tag management has been streamlined, allowing users to remove tags via the context menu, toolbar, or Command Palette. - The OneDrive icon has been updated to reflect the current version from the OneDrive executable. - Bug fixes include resolving issues with tar archive extraction, crashes on the Signatures page, ensuring the Play action for single media files, correcting Smart Extract functions, addressing tag search issues, refreshing thumbnails, and displaying previously hidden BitLocker-locked drives. - A new Tree View sidebar feature is planned for future updates, enabling navigation of folders in an expandable hierarchy. Files can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store (paid version) or accessed through its official website (free version).

Tech Optimizer

June 11, 2026

Avast One: Security and privacy suite under the microscope

Avast One is the flagship consumer security suite from Avast (Gen Digital), combining antivirus, firewall, VPN, and privacy utilities into a single subscription for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It offers four primary areas: device security, online privacy, identity protection, and performance tools. Device security includes real-time antivirus, Web Shield, Mail Shield, and Ransomware Shield. The online privacy component features a full VPN service with bank-grade encryption and a no-logs policy. Identity protection includes data breach monitoring and, in some markets, credit monitoring. Performance tools assist with disk cleanup and system optimization. Avast One has three plan tiers: Avast One Essential (free), Avast One Individual (paid, supports multiple devices), and Avast One Family (paid, supports up to 30 devices). Pricing varies based on promotions, with Avast One Individual typically around per year and Avast One Family ranging from to 0 per year. The suite can be downloaded directly from Avast's website, with installers available for various platforms. Avast One includes automatic updates and is designed to operate lightly on modern hardware, with options to minimize system impact during scans. Customer support includes self-help documentation, community forums, and direct support for paying customers. Avast One aims to appeal to both non-technical users and power users, providing a user-friendly interface while allowing for advanced configurations. The product is positioned as a comprehensive solution for households looking to secure multiple devices with a single subscription.