Unfortunately Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

What’s The Best Alternative To Shazam For Android Users?

Shazam was launched in the UK in 2002 as a service where users could call a number to identify songs for a fee. Acquired by Apple in 2018, it remains available for Android users and integrates with various music platforms while being free to use. Shazam struggles with identifying earworms. SoundHound, Shazam's main competitor, has around 100 million users and can identify songs quickly, providing detailed information and lyrics. It allows users to hum or sing songs for identification, though this feature is not always accurate. SoundHound's free version includes ads, while SoundHound Infinity offers an ad-free experience for .99. Musixmatch is another alternative that identifies songs and focuses on lyrics, allowing users to create "lyrics cards" and offering a translation feature. It requires the actual song for identification. The Google app also provides quick song identification, including for hummed or sung versions, but gives candid feedback on user performance.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Grand Theft Auto 6 gets a second trailer but there’s still no date for a PC version

Rockstar Games has released the second trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, featuring dual protagonists Jason and Lucia. The trailer highlights their relationship, showcasing action and humor, while some viewers have expressed mixed feelings about its presentation. Jason Duval is on a mission to rescue Lucia Caminos from incarceration, after which she displays her combat skills. The narrative involves them facing challenges in a criminal conspiracy in the state of Leonida. The game will introduce various characters, including Cal Hampton, Raul Bautista, Dre'Quan Priest, and Real Dimez. The release date for the game has been delayed to May 2026.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 now ‘broadly available’ – with a new problem

Microsoft has released Windows 11 24H2, but users are facing a known issue with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) applications, specifically related to the "App attach" feature. This feature allows applications to be dynamically attached to user sessions within AVD, operating within containers rather than being installed locally. Users may encounter an error message stating, "Element not found" when launching App attach applications. Microsoft recommends using VHDX images instead of CimFS images for packaging files, as the issue has not been reported in earlier versions of the operating system. A fix for the current version is expected by June 2025. The update for Windows 11 24H2 will be automatically received by devices running Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2, with users able to select the restart time or postpone the update.

Tech Optimizer

May 6, 2025

YouTubers battle to see who can download the most computer viruses in an hour and the results are insane

A group of YouTubers, led by Tranium, conducted an experiment to download as many computer viruses as possible within an hour to raise cybersecurity awareness. Tranium collected approximately 530 viruses, while Crypto NWO detected 732 across 199,508 files. The experiment highlighted the dangers of downloading free software and the risks associated with 'free' antivirus programs, illustrating the ongoing threats in the digital landscape.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

The Real Reason The Ender Dragon Wasn’t In The Minecraft Movie

"A Minecraft Movie" features piglins and a new character, Malgosha, as the primary antagonists instead of the expected Ender Dragon. Director Jared Hess expressed his preference for the piglins, citing their interesting traits and the appeal of their environment in the Nether. He also voices General Chungus, one of Malgosha's henchmen. The film includes a post-credits scene with Alex, a character from the Minecraft universe, suggesting potential for a sequel where the Ender Dragon may appear. The film has been successful at the box office.

Winsage

May 4, 2025

Do Not Open This PDF On A Microsoft Windows PC

Microsoft has warned about the increasing use of PDF attachments in cyberattacks, particularly during the U.S. tax season. Attackers have been using PDFs with embedded links that redirect users to counterfeit pages, such as a fake DocuSign site. TrustWave SpiderLabs has identified a new campaign involving a fake payment SWIFT copy that leads to a malicious PDF containing obfuscated JavaScript, which downloads a script that conceals the RemcosRAT payload using steganography. This technique involves hiding links within images, making them difficult to detect. The latest attacks begin with phishing emails containing malicious PDFs that direct victims to harmful webpages, facilitating the delivery of RemcosRAT, a trojan that allows remote control of compromised systems. Users are advised to be cautious of emails labeled “SWIFT Copy” and to delete suspicious emails immediately.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

A mysterious new Windows 11 folder appeared – and now there’s a new exploit

Windows 11 users encountered the "inetpub" folder after the April 2023 update (KB5055523), which is a crucial component for addressing the security vulnerability CVE-2025-21204. Microsoft stated that the folder should not be removed, as it helps manage Windows Update security vulnerabilities by preventing unauthorized control through symbolic links. However, cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont revealed that the same patch introduced a new vulnerability that could allow remote exploitation, prompting Microsoft to acknowledge this issue with a "Moderate" status and indicate that a fix is forthcoming. Users are advised to keep their systems updated and not delete the "inetpub" folder. If the folder is deleted, it can be restored by enabling Internet Information Services in the Control Panel.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Google’s Android Decision—Bad News For 50% Of All Users

Google will implement changes to app functionality on Android devices starting next month, affecting over half of all Android users. The changes are driven by the Play Integrity API, which aims to reduce fraud and data theft, resulting in an 80% reduction in unauthorized app usage. Devices running Android 13 and above will experience improved performance, while those on Android 12 or older may face slower performance. Google is also introducing enhanced security signals for developers to assess device trustworthiness. Over half of Android devices have not upgraded to Android 13 or later, and approximately 200 million users remain on Android 12, which no longer receives security patches. Users on Android 12 or 12L are advised to upgrade for better security and performance.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Oblivion Remastered got an update on PC Game Pass that broke upscaling just before the weekend

Players of Oblivion Remastered on the Microsoft Store, especially those with a PC Game Pass subscription, are facing issues due to a recent 2GB update aimed at fixing a cross-play problem. This update removed key upscaling options like DLSS and frame generation from the options menu for users who downloaded the game from the Windows/Xbox Store. Bethesda stated that the hotfix was meant for backend adjustments and not to affect gameplay, but players reported that DLSS and FSR options were disabled and that their graphical settings dropped from Ultra to High unexpectedly. Bethesda's community manager acknowledged the situation and mentioned that the team is investigating and plans to release a further hotfix soon.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

5 features I wish were enabled by default on Windows 11

Microsoft Windows 11 includes several features that are not enabled by default, which can hinder user experience: 1. System Restore: Allows users to create restore points for system recovery but is not enabled by default due to disk space concerns. 2. End Task Feature: Enables users to right-click on unresponsive apps in the taskbar to force quit them, but requires activation through Settings. 3. File Extension View in File Explorer: Users must manually enable the display of file extensions for better file management. 4. Hibernate Mode: A power-saving option that saves the system state to the hard drive, not readily accessible in power settings and requires enabling through Control Panel or command line. 5. Start Menu on the Left: The Start menu is centered by default, but users can adjust it to the left through Settings, which some long-time users prefer.