tech Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Xbox backwards compatibility now available on PC, starting with four original Xbox games

Microsoft has launched a pilot program allowing select original Xbox titles to be played on Windows 11, with four classic games now available: BliNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fusion Frenzy. Players can access these games via a Game Pass Essential subscription or purchase them individually, and those with previous digital copies on Xbox consoles can download them at no extra cost. The games can be played at resolutions up to 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, maintaining their original aspect ratios and framerates, with options for enhanced graphics settings. The system requirements include at least an Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550, with recommended specifications for optimal performance. There are uncertainties regarding the expansion of the game library due to recent organizational changes within Microsoft, including layoffs in the backward compatibility program.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Fitbit Air’s newest update brings nothing new except invisible bug fixes

Google has begun rolling out firmware version 253.2 for the Fitbit Air, focusing on reliability and minor bug fixes without introducing new features. This is the second firmware release for the device, following an update last month. The update will be gradually available over the next few days. Users must ensure their Fitbit Air is charged or connected to its charger with at least 50% battery life and maintain a Bluetooth connection with a phone or tablet that has the latest version of the Google Health app for installation. Google recommends updating during the day or evening to avoid inaccuracies in daily step counts. The installation process takes about 10 minutes and involves using the Google Health app to initiate the update.

Winsage

July 24, 2026

“We’ve got a few more surprises coming” Microsoft talks what’s next for Surface and the people’s desire for a Surface Studio monitor in new video

Microsoft executives Pavan Davuluri and Brett Ostrum discussed the future of the Surface lineup, highlighting the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8, which feature advanced Intel and Snapdragon SoCs. They mentioned the recent unveilings of the Surface Laptop Ultra and RTX Spark, and hinted at upcoming surprises, including a potential Surface Studio monitor and Surface Mini, indicating responsiveness to consumer interest.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

EU hits Google with another $1B fine as Search and Play Store face fresh antitrust crackdown

The European Commission has fined Google €890 million under the Digital Markets Act, with €460 million for allegedly favoring its own services in search results and €430 million for restricting developers in the Google Play ecosystem. Google must revise its Search ranking algorithms and Play Store policies within 60 days to avoid further fines based on global revenue. The company is expected to appeal the decision and discuss compliance strategies with regulators.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Riptide GP, Dawnmaker, Tempest Pirate RPG, more

Pre-order promotions for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 are available with discounts of up to 0. Customers can receive a complimentary set of Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, valued at 0, or the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, currently offered at 0 off. There are also several Android apps with price drops, including Montezuma 2: Premium, Yumsters! Premium, Riptide GP: Renegade, King of Dragon Pass: Text RPG, Dawnmaker, Dungeon Defense, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, and Tempest: Pirate RPG Premium. Additional Android app price reductions are ongoing.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Cockroaches using apps that send messages without internet? Here is tech behind it

Delhi police are investigating the methods used by protesters in Central Delhi, particularly those associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who are using specialized offline messaging applications to communicate despite internet restrictions and mobile network shutdowns. These apps utilize Bluetooth technology to create local networks, allowing communication without 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi. One example is Bitchat, an app that enables message exchange via Bluetooth without the need for accounts or central servers. The messages are relayed between devices to form a mesh network, which is effective during internet shutdowns. The police are reaching out to app service providers for user information and are employing various investigative methods, including analyzing internet protocol device records and using facial recognition technology. This use of offline messaging apps has been observed in protests globally and during natural disasters.

BetaBeacon

July 24, 2026

Red Magic Astra 2 Android Tablet Runs Cyberpunk 2077 Without Cloud Streaming

The Red Magic Astra 2 tablet is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage. It features a 9-inch 2.4K OLED display with a 185 Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits of peak brightness. The tablet includes a liquid cooling system to manage heat buildup during intensive use. It can emulate PC games locally, supports external peripherals, and offers customization options for a complete gaming experience. The tablet excels in delivering high-performance gaming but may experience thermal throttling during extended sessions.

Winsage

July 24, 2026

Microsoft shares some details on Azure outage that blocked Windows 11 update downloads

This week, Meta experienced a global outage affecting Facebook users, followed by Microsoft facing performance issues with its M365 services, including Teams and SharePoint. Microsoft also reported difficulties with Azure, impacting Windows 11 updates and the Microsoft Store. The issues began around 11:15 AM PST on July 23, 2026, with a notification to users about the Azure outage affecting Windows Update and related services. Microsoft initiated recovery efforts and by 1:45 PM PST, announced that the issues were resolved and services were restored. Currently, there are no ongoing issues reported on the Microsoft Service Health Status page, but the incident is documented on the Windows Release Health page.

Winsage

July 24, 2026

Microsoft is cracking down on Windows 11 bloatware ads, forces LG to pull McAfee popup

LG will disable the McAfee ad pop-up in its Monitor App Installer following consumer dissatisfaction and Microsoft's intervention. Users reported that the app was silently installed via Windows Update, leading to unsolicited McAfee trial ads. LG stated that McAfee is not installed without user consent and blamed Microsoft's distribution process, but many users experienced the pop-up without prior consent. Microsoft confirmed LG's agreement to disable the pop-up within three days, emphasizing a commitment to improving user experience. The incident highlights concerns over silent installations and the necessity of third-party antivirus software for Windows 11 users.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

US Court Rules That Meta May Have Concealed Messenger Encryption Risks for Children

The Eighth Circuit Court of the United States ruled against Meta, finding the company likely violated Nevada’s Unfair Trade Practices Act by misleading users about the security of its end-to-end encryption on Messenger. The court noted that Meta did not disclose knowledge of serious child safety issues related to the encryption technology. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford criticized Meta for concealing information that could help parents protect their children online. Following the ruling, the court has restricted Meta from making false statements or withholding safety information regarding Messenger for users under 18 in Nevada.