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AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Steam Summer Sale may be over, but this Fanatical bundle has 15 Steam Deck games worth $206 for $22

The Steam Summer Sale ends on July 9, and Fanatical has launched the Onyx Bundle, allowing gamers to customize their selection of titles. The pricing for the bundle is as follows: three to four games cost .65 each, five to six games cost .60 each, seven or more games cost [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: As the Steam Summer Sale draws to a close, with its final curtain falling on July 9, gamers are left to reflect on the discounts that have now reverted to their original prices. However, for those who may have missed the excitement, Fanatical has introduced a new opportunity that is sure to pique interest among Steam Deck owners and PC gamers alike. What does the bundle offer? How much does it cost? Enter the Onyx Bundle, a customizable offering that allows gamers to select their desired titles rather than purchasing a pre-defined package. This build-your-own theme empowers players to curate their gaming experience, enabling them to exclude any games they may have already played or simply aren’t interested in. The flexibility of this bundle means you can also share any extra codes with friends. The pricing structure of the Onyx Bundle is designed to reward bulk selections. For instance, choosing three to four games will set you back .65 each, while selecting five to six games lowers the price to .60 per title. The savings continue to grow, with seven or more games bringing the cost down to an impressive .45 each. Opting for the full 15 Steam Deck-compatible games will cost only .75, a staggering 89% discount from the original total of 5.84. Here’s a detailed look at the Steam Deck-friendly games included in Fanatical’s Onyx Bundle. Keep in mind that this offer is available for just six more days, so act quickly to take advantage of these savings: Game Steam Deck compatibility Original price Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Verified .99 Last Time I Saw You Verified .99 Heroes Of Loot: Gauntlet Of Power Verified .99 Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure Verified .99 Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open Playable .99 Hamster on Rails Playable .99 SHEEPO Verified .99 Escape From Lavender Island Playable .99 Garden Simulator Verified .99 Fight of Animals Unknown, but reportedly runs fine .99 Russian Subway Dogs Unknown, but reportedly runs fine after some tweaks .99 Omno Playable .99 Nasty Zombies Playable .99 Diorama Builder + Medieval Castle DLC Playable .98 VOSPETKA Simulator Playable .99 For newcomers to the Steam Deck ecosystem, games marked as Verified are guaranteed to perform seamlessly on the device, while those labeled as Playable may require minor adjustments for optimal play. Additionally, for those looking to expand their library further, Fanatical's Indiependence Day bundle features 15 Steam Deck-friendly games valued at 8, available for just .49." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].45 each, and the full 15 games cost [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: As the Steam Summer Sale draws to a close, with its final curtain falling on July 9, gamers are left to reflect on the discounts that have now reverted to their original prices. However, for those who may have missed the excitement, Fanatical has introduced a new opportunity that is sure to pique interest among Steam Deck owners and PC gamers alike. What does the bundle offer? How much does it cost? Enter the Onyx Bundle, a customizable offering that allows gamers to select their desired titles rather than purchasing a pre-defined package. This build-your-own theme empowers players to curate their gaming experience, enabling them to exclude any games they may have already played or simply aren’t interested in. The flexibility of this bundle means you can also share any extra codes with friends. The pricing structure of the Onyx Bundle is designed to reward bulk selections. For instance, choosing three to four games will set you back .65 each, while selecting five to six games lowers the price to .60 per title. The savings continue to grow, with seven or more games bringing the cost down to an impressive .45 each. Opting for the full 15 Steam Deck-compatible games will cost only .75, a staggering 89% discount from the original total of 5.84. Here’s a detailed look at the Steam Deck-friendly games included in Fanatical’s Onyx Bundle. Keep in mind that this offer is available for just six more days, so act quickly to take advantage of these savings: Game Steam Deck compatibility Original price Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Verified .99 Last Time I Saw You Verified .99 Heroes Of Loot: Gauntlet Of Power Verified .99 Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure Verified .99 Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open Playable .99 Hamster on Rails Playable .99 SHEEPO Verified .99 Escape From Lavender Island Playable .99 Garden Simulator Verified .99 Fight of Animals Unknown, but reportedly runs fine .99 Russian Subway Dogs Unknown, but reportedly runs fine after some tweaks .99 Omno Playable .99 Nasty Zombies Playable .99 Diorama Builder + Medieval Castle DLC Playable .98 VOSPETKA Simulator Playable .99 For newcomers to the Steam Deck ecosystem, games marked as Verified are guaranteed to perform seamlessly on the device, while those labeled as Playable may require minor adjustments for optimal play. Additionally, for those looking to expand their library further, Fanatical's Indiependence Day bundle features 15 Steam Deck-friendly games valued at 8, available for just .49." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].75 each, representing an 89% discount from the original total of 5.84. The bundle includes various Steam Deck-compatible games, with some marked as Verified and others as Playable. Additionally, Fanatical offers an Indiependence Day bundle featuring 15 Steam Deck-friendly games valued at , available for .49.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Windows 10 is still getting Windows 11 features, but it’s only for developers

Microsoft has confirmed that WSL Containers, which allows users to create and manage Linux containers directly from Windows, is now available on Windows 10. Users must have Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later to utilize WSL Containers. The installation process involves checking the Windows build, installing WSL, updating to the container build, confirming the version, and running a test command. WSL Containers support GPU passthrough, enabling CUDA capabilities directly from Windows 10. A text-based UI dashboard for managing WSL Containers, named lazywslc, has also been introduced.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

This open-source app fixed my notification chaos when Android couldn’t

Megan Ellis shared her experience using the app DoNotNotify, which helped her manage and reduce the number of notifications on her smartphone. She found that many apps, including Pokémon Go and Temu, sent numerous vague notifications that were difficult to filter effectively. Despite Android's notification channels, she often had to disable notifications entirely for certain apps. DoNotNotify allowed her to customize her notification preferences without requiring personal data or account creation. The app features tabs for History, Rules, and Blocked notifications, enabling users to track and manage alerts. Ellis successfully used DoNotNotify to block unwanted notifications, particularly from games and shopping apps, and appreciated its privacy-focused design and adaptability to changes in notification content. She recommends the app for users overwhelmed by notifications.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Former Destiny 2 and Marathon director settles $200 million lawsuit against Sony and Bungie: ‘The outcome is one I am very satisfied with’

Christopher Barrett, former director at Bungie, has settled his lawsuit against Sony and Bungie after alleging a "premeditated scheme" to terminate his employment. He sought [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Former director Christopher Barrett, known for his pivotal roles in the development of Destiny 2 and Marathon, has reached a settlement in his lawsuit against Sony and Bungie. While the specific terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, Barrett expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, suggesting a resolution that aligns with his interests. Background of the Lawsuit Barrett's tenure at Bungie spanned nearly 25 years, during which he played a crucial role in shaping the Halo and Destiny franchises. His unexpected departure in 2024 was followed by allegations of inappropriate behavior, leading him to file a lawsuit seeking 0 million. In his claims, Barrett accused Sony and Bungie of orchestrating a "premeditated scheme" to terminate his employment, thereby evading the substantial financial obligations owed to him and positioning him as a scapegoat for the companies' broader challenges. Initially, Sony appeared poised to contest the lawsuit vigorously. The company's response included various communications between Barrett and female colleagues, which they argued illustrated a troubling pattern of misconduct. These communications allegedly featured inappropriate comments and requests, including drunken calls and sexually charged games. However, Barrett's legal team countered that Sony had misrepresented these interactions by selectively presenting text messages and conversations. Financial Implications In its defense, Sony provided a detailed account of Barrett's earnings following its acquisition of Bungie in January 2022. He received over million in 2022 and approximately .9 million in 2023, with an additional million slated for the years 2024 to 2026. This amount included payments for unvested restricted stock units and re-vested shares, underscoring the financial stakes involved in his termination. The acquisition itself was marked by a significant investment in talent retention, with Sony allocating .2 billion to ensure key personnel, including Barrett, remained with Bungie. However, as layoffs swept through the studio in subsequent years, the wisdom of these retention strategies came into question. The financial incentives designed to keep top talent on board began to seem less prudent amid the backdrop of workforce reductions. A Positive Resolution Despite the tumultuous circumstances surrounding his departure and the lawsuit, Barrett's settlement appears to have yielded a favorable outcome for him. While the exact figures remain undisclosed, it is reasonable to surmise that he may have secured a significant portion of the compensation he sought. This development comes shortly after Bungie announced layoffs affecting many members of the Destiny development team, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the studio. In a collaborative statement shared by Barrett on LinkedIn, both Sony and Bungie acknowledged his contributions to the success of their games, affirming that his name will be included in the credits for Marathon as the original game director. This recognition serves as a testament to Barrett's lasting impact on the gaming landscape, even amidst the complexities of his recent experiences." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million in damages following accusations of inappropriate behavior that led to his departure in 2024. Barrett received over million in 2022 and approximately .9 million in 2023, with an additional million expected from 2024 to 2026. Despite Sony's initial defense, which included claims of misconduct based on communications with female colleagues, Barrett's legal team argued that these were misrepresented. The settlement terms are undisclosed, but Barrett expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Both companies acknowledged his contributions and confirmed he will be credited as the original game director for Marathon.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

GDID Windows – Cut the tracker that follows you even through a VPN

In April 2026, the FBI apprehended an individual associated with the Scattered Spider group, who had concealed his online activities using a VPN. His efforts were thwarted by the GDID, a 64-bit Persistent Unique Identifier assigned by Microsoft upon logging into Windows. The GDID is stored in plain text in the registry and is linked to Microsoft’s servers, remaining unaffected by changes to IP addresses or attempts to delete it. Disabling Windows telemetry does not prevent the GDID from being accessed, as it operates through other services. To mitigate its transmission, users can disable certain services and modify the hosts file, although the GDID itself remains stored on Microsoft’s servers. Scripts are available on GitHub to audit and implement changes regarding the GDID. Transitioning to a local account does not guarantee anonymity, and for sensitive activities, using a live Linux system is recommended for better data control.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3 patch notes: Straw Bed, Cushion, and more revealed

Mojang has released Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3, introducing new features focused on player comfort, including the Cushion and the Straw Bed. The Cushion is a placeable item available in 16 colors, crafted from three wool slabs of the same hue. It can be placed on any flat surface, allowing players to sit down, and aligns with the grid while overlapping with most objects. Cushions will break if their supporting block is removed. The Straw Bed allows players to sleep through the night without setting a spawn point and is single-use, being destroyed after use. It cannot be used in the Nether or The End and is crafted from three hay bales, yielding four beds. A new statistic tracks the number of times players have slept in a Straw Bed. Additional features include Gothic language support, a new command (/posteffect) for adding or removing post-processing shader effects, data-driven custom brewing recipes, and a new minecraft:number_provider registry for flexible data-driven systems. Bug fixes in this snapshot address various gameplay issues, including problems with Drowned entities, rendering issues on macOS, and inconsistencies in GUI elements.

Tech Optimizer

July 8, 2026

PostgreSQL Extensions Are an Architecture Decision, Not an Afterthought

A common issue in database migrations is the unplanned accumulation of extensions in PostgreSQL, leading to extension sprawl. Teams often install extensions without documenting the rationale, resulting in a complex web of dependencies that complicates future upgrades and removals. The installation process involves PostgreSQL accessing a control file that details the extension's version and dependencies, which can lead to multiple extensions being installed unintentionally. Upgrading and removing extensions are often neglected, causing risks such as the loss of dependent objects. Extensions typically default to the public schema, which can become cluttered; relocating them to dedicated schemas can improve organization. Trusted Language Extensions (TLE) allow non-privileged users to utilize procedural languages in managed databases without needing superuser access. Key extensions recommended for use include pg_stat_statements, pg_trgm, hstore, citext, and PostGIS, each serving specific use cases. Proper governance is essential for managing extensions, including documenting their purpose, ownership, and dependencies, to prevent operational surprises.

Tech Optimizer

July 8, 2026

Logical replication improvements in Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL 18

PostgreSQL logical replication has operational challenges, such as the absence of generated columns in the replication stream, replication conflicts causing apply worker halts, and lingering replication slots consuming write-ahead log (WAL) files. PostgreSQL 18 introduces enhancements to address these issues, including the ability to include STORED generated columns in the replication stream with a new publication parameter, detailed conflict counters in pg_stat_subscription_stats, automatic invalidation of idle replication slots, and the ability to toggle two-phase commit settings on live subscriptions. To set up a test environment, two PostgreSQL 18 instances (one publisher and one subscriber) are required, along with an EC2 instance for executing commands. The publisher and subscriber must have specific configurations for logical replication, including enabling logical replication and setting appropriate parameters. PostgreSQL 18 allows the replication of STORED generated columns by using the publish_generated_columns parameter. The subscriber must define these columns as regular columns. The new version also enhances conflict monitoring by providing detailed counters for different types of replication conflicts. Parallel streaming is now the default behavior for subscriptions, improving efficiency. The two-phase commit feature can now be modified on existing subscriptions without needing to recreate them. PostgreSQL 18 also introduces automatic cleanup of idle replication slots, which can be configured to invalidate unused slots after a specified duration. Considerations for implementation include ensuring that the subscriber's column types match those of the publisher for generated columns, the requirement for track_commit_timestamp for certain conflict counters, and the fact that sequences are not replicated. Cleanup of replication resources is recommended after testing to prevent unnecessary costs and WAL accumulation.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

This 3KB notepad app shows exactly why modern Windows is so bloated

Dave Plummer, known for creating the Windows Task Manager, discusses software bloat in a recent video, highlighting his compact notepad application, Tiny Retro Pad, which is only 2,686 bytes. He notes that while modern applications require higher specifications due to increased complexity, the lack of optimization in code has led to performance degradation. For example, Windows 10 required 1GB of RAM for its 32-bit version, while Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4GB. Plummer emphasizes the importance of efficient coding practices and critiques the tendency of modern software to include unnecessary components, suggesting that prioritizing efficiency could improve user experience on platforms like Windows 11.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft Preview 26.40.30

Players can find abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes, which include a one-time use Straw Bed crafted from three hay bales. Cushions, available in 16 colors and crafted from three wool slabs, allow players to sit comfortably but are not currently spawning in abandoned camps. Various gameplay and graphical improvements have been made, including fixes for crafting recipes, ambient sounds, and rendering issues. Additionally, there are updates to the user interface, technical features, and stability enhancements, such as improved server self-repair capabilities and bug fixes related to commands and entity behavior.