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BetaBeacon

October 5, 2026

ARC X1 Android Handheld: $308, OwlOS Fuses 3 Modes [2026]

The ARC X1 is a handheld gaming device priced at approximately , significantly lower than other PC-gaming handhelds. It features a 7-inch, 120Hz display, dedicated gaming controls, active cooling, and a 9,300mAh replaceable battery. The device runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 Gaming Platform and operates on OwlOS, a custom operating system built on the Android Open Source Project. The ARC X1 aims to provide a unified gaming experience by combining native Android games, cloud gaming services, and emulation in one launcher. The device's pricing strategy challenges the market created by Valve's Steam Deck, offering a cheaper alternative for budget-conscious buyers.

Winsage

October 5, 2026

Windows 7’s Aero Shake never disappeared from Windows 11, how to enable it right now

Windows 11 includes the Aero Shake feature, also known as "Title bar window shake," which allows users to minimize all other open windows by shaking the title bar of the active window. This feature is disabled by default and can be activated by navigating to Settings > System > Multitasking. To use Aero Shake, users click and hold the title bar of the desired window and shake it left and right to minimize other windows, with the option to shake again to restore them. Aero Shake was originally introduced in Windows 7 and is designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to focus on their active window without distractions.

BetaBeacon

September 29, 2026

This might be the most affordable Game Boy-style handheld running Android

AYANEO has launched the KONKR Pocket BLOCK handheld, featuring a Game Boy-style design and modest specifications. The device is priced at for the 2GB/32GB model and 9 for the 3GB/64GB variant, with promotional prices of and 9, respectively. The handheld is designed for emulation of retro games and includes a 3.33-inch 4:3 LCD screen, MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, 3,500mAh battery, Android 12, Bluetooth 5, microSD card slot, and Wi-Fi 5. It will start shipping at the end of October in Atoms White, Cube Purple, and Original Grey color options.

BetaBeacon

September 29, 2026

Ayaneo Opens Orders for Konkr Pocket Block, a Sub-$100 Game Boy-Style Android Handheld

Ayaneo has launched orders for the Konkr Pocket Block, which comes in two variants - 2 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, and 3 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. There is an early bird pricing promotion available for a limited time. Shipping is set to begin at the end of October. The handheld features a 3.33-inch 4:3 LCD display with a resolution of 960 x 720, powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 chip. The Konkr Pocket Block is designed without a fan and runs on Android 12. It is best suited for emulating older gaming systems up to the PS1 and PSP era. The company has also introduced the Game Boy Advance-inspired Konkr Pocket Advance.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

19 years later, the shooter The Darkness has been ported to PC

The Darkness has been officially released on PC, marking its first availability on this platform since its original launch in 2007 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The port was developed by portingpete, who adapted the Xbox 360 version for the Windows 64-bit operating system without using emulation. The game features original gameplay mechanics, support for gamepad and mouse controls, comprehensive video settings, and fully functional sound and save systems. Portingpete has also made the source code of the project available on GitHub, but players must provide their own Xbox 360 game files to play.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

How to open the auxiliary lines in Part 6 of Silent Hill: Townfall

Players must acquire the key in the command center, using access code 0825, to enter the auxiliary room. Inside, they need to retrieve a floppy disk from a locker and input it into a terminal to reveal clues for operating levers. The levers must be positioned according to specific patterns for three auxiliary lines: - Auxiliary Line 1: - Pattern: vertical, horizontal, vertical, vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal, vertical, vertical. - Auxiliary Line 2: - Pattern: vertical, horizontal, horizontal, horizontal, vertical, horizontal, horizontal, vertical, vertical. - Auxiliary Line 3: - Pattern: horizontal, vertical, vertical, vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal, vertical. Correctly executing these patterns will illuminate the corresponding lights green, allowing players to progress. After completing the tasks, players should exit the auxiliary room and return to the elevator.

Winsage

September 2, 2026

Windows 95’s Start menu was invented by a chimpanzee-lab psychologist: ‘Even a rocket scientist couldn’t figure out Windows’

A user on X highlighted their new 5K Dell UltraSharp monitor, leading to a discussion about the Windows 11 taskbar's alignment. Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, expressed his preference for a left-aligned taskbar, which he viewed as a stand against center alignment. The Start button's creation is attributed to Danny Oran, a behavioral psychologist who joined Microsoft in 1992. Oran's background included teaching chimpanzees to communicate, which informed his approach to user interface design. He observed users struggling with Windows 3.1 and proposed a single button for access to all features, initially called "System" but later renamed "Start." The placement of the Start button in the bottom-left corner was influenced by Fitts's law, which suggests users can quickly click targets in screen corners. Joe Belfiore confirmed this placement aligned with reading habits. The initial implementation of the Start button in Windows 95 had an issue with padding that was corrected in Windows 98. Oran also designed the taskbar, which was ultimately placed at the bottom of the screen to differentiate it from Apple's macOS. Oran holds the original patent for both the Start menu and the taskbar introduced in Windows 95.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Google Messages Finally Lets You Customize Chats With Others – Here’s How To Do It

Google has updated its Google Messages platform to enhance user customization options, allowing users to personalize their chat experience by changing the background and color of messaging bubbles for individual RCS chats as of late August. These new chat theme options are only visible to the user who sets them and require RCS messaging to be enabled. Users can customize their chats by accessing the "Chat theme" option in the app, which offers various color choices and background categories such as Animals, Architecture, Landscapes, Sunsets, and Space, as well as the option to select a personal photo.

Winsage

August 23, 2026

I think Microsoft is finally fixing the customization problems that held Windows 11 back

Windows 11 is evolving into a more user-centric operating system, with recent updates enhancing customization options like moving and resizing the Taskbar and improving Start menu control. This change is part of Microsoft's Windows K2 initiative, which aims to boost performance and user experience. Initially, Windows 11's design aimed for simplicity but reduced user choices, leading to frustration. The context menu was simplified but became cluttered again, prompting updates that allow users to customize its organization. Microsoft recognizes that users have varied preferences for interacting with the OS, and the flexibility in Taskbar positioning enhances satisfaction. While the updates are positive, there is criticism that Microsoft should not be overly praised for restoring previously removed features. The goal is to maintain a modern interface while enhancing user experience without sacrificing functionality. Recent changes reflect an understanding that the issues with Windows 11 arose from removing options rather than having too many choices, guiding future updates to balance user-friendliness with customization.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

I’m a decade-plus FromSoftware sicko, and these are my 5 takeaways from the first Duskbloods gameplay

Veteran Soulsborne YouTubers VaatiVidya and Oroboro have shared gameplay videos for The Duskbloods, an exclusive PvPvE title for the Switch 2. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the project lead, has discussed the game with IGN and Automaton. The design of Duskbloods resembles the level layouts of Nightreign, emphasizing verticality and exploration, contrasting with Elden Ring's landscapes. Visuals in Duskbloods evoke Bloodborne, featuring hooded ogres similar to Church Giants, a map reminiscent of Yharnam, a boss encounter in a cathedral, weapons akin to those in Elden Ring and Bloodborne, and thematic elements like a battle in a field of white flowers. The map's vertical density is compared to Shadow of the Erdtree and Nightreign. Concerns exist regarding FromSoftware's ability to maintain multiplayer balance and support, as well as the game's single-player content and potential PC release. The gaming community is eager for updates leading up to the network test.