US Archives

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Is Spotify down? Thousands of users report issues with app

As of 12:54 PM today, over 3,500 users have reported difficulties with Spotify, with 38% citing issues with the app and 30% with audio streaming. Problems have been noted since 7:48 AM EDT. Users have expressed frustration on social media, sharing experiences such as the app not loading or being unable to play music. Downdetector, which tracks service disruptions, has indicated a significant increase in reports regarding Spotify.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

The Last of Us and Valheim collide in surprise free PC game, days left to claim

KeepUp Survival is currently available for free on the Epic Games Store until 5 PM BST on July 19. The game, developed by Witte Studio, features a narrative that begins with a global pandemic and involves players as the sole survivor of a crash on a remote island. Players engage in resource gathering, crafting, and base building in an open-world environment with no strict objectives. The game includes voice recordings from a character named Jill, hinting at sinister occurrences related to a research facility. A free beta for a zombie expansion is available on Steam. KeepUp Survival is typically priced at .99 / £12.79. Players can tame dogs, manage hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, and explore using various vehicles, with a dynamic day and night cycle enhancing the experience.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Chrome may be the default browser on Android, but more people are trying this instead

Opera has experienced a 66% growth in monthly active users on Android in the UK and a 40% increase in the US year-over-year during the second quarter. This growth is attributed to features like a free unlimited VPN, an integrated ad blocker, and advanced AI tools, which are not provided by Google Chrome. Additionally, Opera's user base in Europe has also been rising, aided by the European Union's Digital Markets Act. Despite Chrome being the default browser on most Android devices, more users are exploring alternatives like Opera.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft’s powerful new Snapdragon X2 Surface PCs are here, and they’re more than a spec bump

The upgraded Surface Pro and Surface Laptop have been launched, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processors, which enhance performance and battery life. The Surface Pro shows a 53% increase in graphics performance, while the Surface Laptop has a 58% boost. Best Buy offers various configurations, including different colors and storage options. The Snapdragon X2 chips are efficient and competitive with Apple's M4 Pro and M3 Pro. The new Surface Pro offers OLED or LCD display options, and the 15-inch Surface Laptop has a screen with 262 PPI. Both devices incorporate haptic technology, with the Surface Laptop featuring a haptic trackpad and the Surface Pro supporting haptic feedback with the Surface Slim Pen.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

It’s Monday, and Steam is currently struggling just like the rest of us

On July 13 at 11:30 PT, Steam experienced intermittent downtime and various errors affecting the store, community hub, and game APIs. Users reported that the store and community pages had a "Very Slow" status, and Deadlock's multiplayer API showed an Internal Server Error. The Steam API displayed erratic behavior, with users encountering "Bad Gateway" errors. By the end of the day, all systems were reported to be functioning normally.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Improving Windows Search Box, with less clutter and more control

Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel are beginning to receive phased enhancements to the Windows Search Box. Key improvements include a streamlined home screen to reduce visual clutter, clearer context for search results indicating their source (app, setting, file, web result, or Store suggestion), and the removal of promotional content from web results. Users can control the display of web and Microsoft Store results through a new setting. Local results are prioritized when relevant, and the search function has improved its handling of typos and partial words. Ranking enhancements for settings results and better file search capabilities have been implemented, along with increased reliability and reduced crashes. Feedback is encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

The GoldenEye homage that left us ‘shaken and stirred’ in 2022 is finally launching in August

Agent 64: Spies Never Die is set to launch on August 11, as announced by developer Replicant D6. The game initially did not include multiplayer features, but plans for split-screen multiplayer have been revealed, along with online multiplayer expected in 2025. The focus of the game remains on single-player content. A demo featuring the first two missions is currently available on Steam.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Pixel phones are getting a handy upgrade for ringtone, alarm, and notification controls

Google is enhancing the user experience on Pixel phones by integrating volume sliders into the ringtone, alarm, and notification selection screens within the Sounds app. This feature allows users to adjust volume directly while selecting sounds. The functionality was discovered in an unreleased Pixel 11 firmware build. Additionally, there are indications of a potential new "Vibrations" tab that may include various vibration patterns, although it is currently non-functional. Previous discoveries suggested Google aims to let users customize sound and vibration patterns independently.

Winsage

July 13, 2026

Microsoft announces major Windows 11 search overhaul that prioritizes clearer, local results, and removes ads: Huge effort to fix search on Windows is finally happening

Microsoft has rolled out a significant update to the search functionality in Windows 11, focusing on delivering more precise results and reducing reliance on web-based content. Key enhancements include improved clarity in search results, prioritization of local results, better handling of typographical errors, and the removal of MSN and Bing content along with promotional ads. These updates aim to address user concerns and provide a more efficient search experience.

BetaBeacon

July 13, 2026

These new Game Boy-style Android handhelds just made us sit up and take notice

MANGMI has announced the upcoming release of the Air Y and Air Y Pro vertical handhelds, designed in a Game Boy-style format and running on the Android operating system. The devices feature a 4:3 screen, side buttons, a scroll wheel for volume control, and MANGMI branding. The Pro model boasts dual analog sticks and the handhelds will be powered by a Snapdragon or Dragonwing chipset.