timeline Archives

Winsage

March 3, 2026

New Defender deployment tool streamlines Windows device onboarding with single executable

Microsoft has enhanced its Defender deployment tool for Windows to streamline the onboarding process for device security management. The tool now features improved progress visibility and additional administrative controls, consolidating onboarding files into a single downloadable .exe file for both modern and legacy systems. It supports silent and non-interactive options for large-scale deployments, integrates with Group Policy or Configuration Manager, and allows for custom package identifiers. Administrators can monitor deployment events through the device timeline and advanced hunting tabs for real-time insights. The updated tool is accessible via Settings > Endpoints > Onboarding > Windows and extends support to Linux. Comprehensive onboarding and offboarding guides are available on the Defender portal.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Blender iPad App Development Halted as Android Tablets Get Priority

Blender's initiative to develop a native iPad version of its 3D creation suite is currently on hold, as confirmed by the development team. The project, initially announced in July, aimed to create a multitouch interface for the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil support, but no release date was provided. A status update in January indicated that the iPad development is paused until further notice, with the team now focusing on Android tablets. Despite this, a live tech demonstration of the software running on an iPad was showcased at the SIGGRAPH conference, suggesting the project may not be entirely abandoned. The latest build optimized for Apple silicon Macs is available for free download on the Blender website.

Winsage

March 2, 2026

NTLM is going away: what Microsoft’s phaseout means for MSPs and IT teams

The migration from NTLM to Kerberos authentication is essential for improving security in Windows systems, but it faces challenges such as legacy systems and hardcoded authentication. Organizations must identify NTLM usage, conduct testing with NTLM disabled, and make necessary adjustments or upgrades to migrate successfully. Ongoing monitoring is crucial post-migration to prevent NTLM from re-entering the network. NTLM is associated with significant security vulnerabilities and has been exploited by various threat groups, making its elimination a priority for organizations despite potential hesitations to invest in the migration process. Transitioning to Kerberos is seen as a strategic security investment.

BetaBeacon

February 28, 2026

Don’t buy a new phone just for gaming, last-gen flagships still perform just as well

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra and its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor perform similarly to the last year's Xiaomi 15 Ultra and its Snapdragon 8 Elite in popular Android games and emulators. The newer processor offers slightly lower power consumption and potential future-proofing for upcoming games, but overall, there is not a significant performance difference between the two models.

Winsage

February 25, 2026

Microsoft gives Windows laggards the ‘gift of time’ wrapped in licensing fees

Microsoft is offering up to three years of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for older Windows installations, with the expectation of compensation. Most major versions of Windows 10 will reach end of support by 2025, while Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB and Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 will end support on October 13, 2026, and Windows Server 2016 will conclude support on January 12, 2027. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025 for Windows Server 2016 users. The pricing for ESU for Windows 10 2016 LTSB starts at a specified amount per device for the first year, with expected increases in subsequent years. Customers using Intune or Windows Autopatch may receive a reduced rate. There is no official pricing for Windows Server 2016 ESU, creating uncertainty for administrators. Historically, Microsoft has charged a premium for extended support, with previous ESU costs for Windows Server 2012 being 100 percent of the full license price for the first year. The final cost of ESU will depend on each organization’s licensing agreement.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its “lead platform”

Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, has announced that the PC is now considered the "lead platform" for the series' development. The team creates high-quality visual assets for PC first, then scales down for less powerful systems. This approach has already been evident in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Despite the gradual expansion of PC gaming in Japan, the international market for PC gamers is growing, influencing the development team's asset creation. The PC versions of previous titles, such as Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy XVI, and Final Fantasy XV, were released significantly later than their console counterparts, with notable delays of 19 months and over a year for various titles.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its “lead platform”

Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, announced that the PC will be the “lead platform” for future installments of the Final Fantasy series. The development team is now creating visual assets targeting high-end environments on PC first, then reducing them for less powerful platforms. This strategy aims to enhance graphics quality on PC, as seen in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The shift is influenced by the growing international PC gaming market, despite PC gaming in Japan expanding gradually. However, PC releases have historically lagged behind console launches, with significant delays noted for previous titles.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Meta Shuts Down Messenger Website in Platform Consolidation Push

Meta is discontinuing Messenger's standalone website as part of a strategy to integrate its messaging services with the Facebook platform. This follows the removal of dedicated desktop applications for Messenger on Windows and Mac. The closure of messenger.com indicates a shift toward consolidating user engagement within Facebook's ecosystem. Meta aims to redirect messaging users back to the core Facebook experience, reversing its earlier decision to separate Messenger into its own app in 2014. This consolidation is intended to reduce costs associated with maintaining separate infrastructures and enhance user interaction with Facebook, where advertising revenue is generated. While mobile users may transition seamlessly, desktop users will need to adapt to using Messenger through the main Facebook site, which includes navigating additional features like news feeds and notifications.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Google Photos on the web forgets how to sync with mobile app

Users of Google Photos are experiencing syncing issues where images uploaded via the Google Photos website are not syncing back to the mobile app. This problem began last Thursday, affecting some users while others report normal functionality. Google has not issued a formal statement but a product expert confirmed that the Photos team is aware of the issue and is working on a fix, although no timeline has been provided.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Steam Deck OLED stock hit by RAM and SSD shortages in worrying sign for Steam Machine release

The Steam Deck OLED is facing stock challenges due to rising RAM and SSD prices linked to increased demand from AI data centers. Valve has announced that the Steam Deck OLED may be intermittently out of stock in some regions due to memory and storage shortages. While the Steam Deck has previously experienced supply issues, availability had stabilized until now. In the U.S., all variants are sold out, while the UK has stock of all models and Germany has limited availability of the 1TB Steam Deck OLED. The 256GB Steam Deck LCD is no longer in production. Valve has not increased prices for existing Steam Deck models despite the stock issues.