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Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test

Microsoft is expanding the testing of its redesigned taskbar for Windows 11 to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program with the release of Beta Build 26220.9022 on July 31, 2026. This update allows selected participants to reposition the taskbar along any edge of the screen—top, left, right, or bottom—and introduces a more compact variant that reduces icon size and overall height. Users can adjust their taskbar position through the Settings menu under Personalization, and Windows will adapt associated flyouts and animations accordingly. The implementation aims to restore flexibility lost when Windows 11 was launched, where the taskbar was fixed to the bottom of the screen. However, some features remain under development, and limitations exist for alternative positions, including incomplete touch gestures and a simplified search box. The compact taskbar feature currently only supports reduced height at the top or bottom positions. Microsoft is also exploring taskbar positioning across multiple monitors but has not guaranteed different positions for each screen. The recent updates include renewed certificates for the Windows Insider Program and additional builds, with the timeline for stable release of these taskbar adjustments still uncertain.
Question time: What makes a 'good' grind in an MMO?
AppWizard
August 2, 2026

Question time: What makes a ‘good’ grind in an MMO?

Grinding in MMOs refers to the repetitive activities necessary to achieve specific objectives within the game. It is often debated among players, with some expressing aversion to it, while others find it an inherent part of the genre focused on progression and long-term goals. An example provided is the quest for relic weapons in Final Fantasy 14, where gathering 600 units of crystal paste from dungeons involves grinding low-level dungeons. The author reflects on their enjoyment of this grinding experience, suggesting that it may offer a sense of tranquility and could be beneficial within MMOs. The text invites readers to share their opinions on grinding, whether they find it enjoyable or frustrating.
Late 90s Platformer Is Getting Remastered for Modern Consoles and PC
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

Late 90s Platformer Is Getting Remastered for Modern Consoles and PC

Argonaut Games has announced a remaster of Croc 2 Kingdom of the Gobbos, set to be released on modern consoles and PC. The remaster will feature classic platforming action with enhancements, including a triple jump mechanic and expanded gameplay options such as racing and flying. Players will explore four unique villages, rescue Gobbos, and encounter new Guardians. The remaster will also include the “Croc2pedia,” a digital museum with production materials and interviews about the game's development. It will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC via Steam and GOG.com.
ACRODRIFT: FPV Drone Simulator Arrives on PC on August 7
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

ACRODRIFT: FPV Drone Simulator Arrives on PC on August 7

ACRODRIFT: FPV Drone Simulator is set to launch on PC via Steam on August 7, 2026, with console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S expected in 2026 or 2027. Developed by Dueking Studio and published by Ultimate Games S.A., the simulator features realistic flight physics and offers three core gameplay modes: Free Flight, Race, and Collection. Players can engage with over 20 challenges and customize their drones in a workshop with options for pre-built models or scratch builds. The game includes six maps, 11 drone frames, and 13 types of motors. It supports both gamepads and professional drone controllers. The minimum system requirements for PC include Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X CPU, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT GPU.
Pirate-themed City Builder Corsair Cove is Out Now
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

Pirate-themed City Builder Corsair Cove is Out Now

Corsair Cove, a pirate city builder developed by Hooded Horse and Limbic Entertainment, is now available on PC through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store, as well as PC Game Pass. The game has over 500,000 wishlists prior to its release. Players can build their own island paradise and engage in narratives that involve confronting the Crown. It is localized in multiple languages, including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. The game is priced at .99 / £34.99 / €39.99 / ¥3,980, with a 25% launch discount available until August 13, 2026.
League of Legends Classic reminds us why we loved the old game and why we left it behind
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

League of Legends Classic reminds us why we loved the old game and why we left it behind

Cecilia, a writer with over a decade of experience in League of Legends, reflects on her journey through the game and the nostalgia sparked by the introduction of League Classic, which incorporates beloved elements from the past. League Classic offers a tribute to the early game experience, featuring iconic draft music, classic champion models, and the return of runes and masteries. Edgar "MeDroiD" Medina, Senior Manager for League Classic in EMEA, stated that Classic is designed "to endure and evolve." Cecilia encourages players to try League Classic for its nostalgic appeal, though she questions its long-term viability due to some limitations in gameplay and champion abilities. She envisions playing Classic with friends but acknowledges it may not become her primary game mode.
Here's the PlayStation 5 Emulator KyTyPS5 Running Some PS5 Games on PC
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

Here’s the PlayStation 5 Emulator KyTyPS5 Running Some PS5 Games on PC

SharpEmu is a new PlayStation 5 emulator for PC, while KyTyPS5 has been in development longer and can run select PS5 titles. A recent demonstration showed KyTyPS5 successfully emulating games like Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Terminator 2D: No Fate, and Marvel Cosmic Invasion, which were fully playable without significant visual glitches. However, more complex games like Gran Turismo or Demon’s Souls Remake are not yet supported. SharpEmu is believed to have the potential to run more demanding titles but currently faces crashes before gameplay can start. Both emulators are available for download.
Blizzard is keeping secrets about Diablo 4's next season until BlizzCon, but you can still try some of it out next week
AppWizard
July 31, 2026

Blizzard is keeping secrets about Diablo 4’s next season until BlizzCon, but you can still try some of it out next week

Blizzard will reveal detailed patch notes for Diablo 4's upcoming season 15 at BlizzCon in September, marking a departure from their usual practice of providing advance details. The season will introduce new seasonal items, returning favorites, and adjustments to the Mythic Unique item system. New features include "Challenge Dungeons," which are boss encounters with customizable difficulty in the open world, and "Overland Ambushes," where players must react quickly to being hunted by a demon. Players can expect new items called "Soul Splinters" that enhance jewelry with damage buffs, and revamped Unique items from previous games, such as Leoric's Crown. The season will also see the return of the "Rebirth" system from Diablo 3 and changes to the Mythic Uniques, including the introduction of weaker, Unique versions of Iconic Mythics. A public test realm (PTR) for these features will be available from August 4 to August 11.
Generating Referentially Consistent Synthetic Test Data for PostgreSQL in .NET Application Modernization
Tech Optimizer
July 30, 2026

Generating Referentially Consistent Synthetic Test Data for PostgreSQL in .NET Application Modernization

Satyajit Gokhale, Aiswaryaa Venugopalan, Ruchi Agarwal, Nits Jeganathan, Khurram Khawaja, Vijay Mandadi, and Luke Huan contributed to this article. AWS Transform offers a .NET application modernization service that allows enterprise customers to migrate from Microsoft SQL Server to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Compatible Edition. This migration reduces licensing costs and enhances scalability while utilizing an open-source ecosystem. Schema conversion tools can assist in translating DDL to PostgreSQL-compatible definitions, but correctness must be verified by teams to ensure performance under real-world workloads. Traditional testing methods, such as using production data or manual checks, are not scalable and raise privacy concerns. Therefore, there is a need for realistic synthetic data generated at scale that adheres to the migrated schema's constraints. AWS Transform for SQL Server modernization employs an AI agent to generate constraint-respecting synthetic data at scale during the migration workflow. This process involves loading the PostgreSQL schema into a live database, constructing a dependency graph for data generation, and distributing tasks across multiple sub-agents. The agent validates each generated INSERT against the live database, ensuring compliance with constraints and providing error diagnostics for any violations. The synthetic data generation workflow consists of four stages: schema analysis, establishing generation order, distributing tasks across sub-agents, and validation with error recovery. The agent extracts metadata from the PostgreSQL schema, determines a valid table generation sequence, parallelizes data generation while maintaining referential integrity, and generates and validates data row-by-row against the live database. Each successful insertion enriches the context for subsequent generations, while errors are handled through structured diagnostics and iterative regeneration. The process ensures referential integrity and preserves the generation state, allowing for recovery from interruptions without data loss.
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