watch Archives

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Windows 11’s last Secure Boot deadline is weeks away, here’s what you must do

Microsoft is continuing the rollout of Secure Boot certificate updates, with the next significant deadline on October 19, 2026, when the Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 certificate expires. The September 2026 Patch Tuesday update has expanded eligibility for Secure Boot certificates to more PCs classified as “high confidence.” Users may need to reboot their PCs to install these updates, and some may require firmware updates beforehand. Microsoft has confirmed that the update process will persist beyond established deadlines, and older certificates are expiring in stages, with the first two deadlines having already passed. Users should ensure they have the latest updates installed and check their Secure Boot status in Windows Security. Microsoft has assured that PCs without the newer certificates will continue to boot normally and receive standard updates while the rollout continues.

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection 2 announced for PS5, Switch, and PC

SUNSOFT will release "SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection 2" on December 17 for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC (Steam). Physical editions will be available in Japan for PlayStation 5 and Switch, including a special Collector’s Box. The collection features newly integrated save and rewind features and a Gallery Mode showcasing rare materials from the original games. Included titles are: - Super Arabian: An action-adventure game from 1985 where players rescue a kidnapped princess. - Ikki: A quirky action game where players collect gold coins and rice balls while rebelling against taxes. - The Mystery of Atlantis: A high-difficulty action game with 100 stages set on the island of Atlantis. - Maharaja: An adventure RPG from 1989 involving a mysterious wooden box in India.

Tech Optimizer

September 10, 2026

The 12 Best Antivirus Software for Mac, Compared and Priced

Bitdefender is recognized for its strong detection capabilities, mid-range pricing, and minimal system impact. Malwarebytes offers a free scanner for cleaning infected Macs, while Intego specializes in macOS with features tailored for Apple users. Norton provides a comprehensive security package with VPN, backup, and identity monitoring features. Gen Digital owns Norton, Avast, AVG, and Avira, indicating that these brands share threat intelligence and engineering resources. The 2026 Mac Antivirus Scorecard ranks Bitdefender highest with a score of 8.8, followed by Intego (8.2), Malwarebytes (8.3), ESET (8.3), and Norton (7.4). Pricing structures often include discounted first-year rates that can double upon renewal. Free options include Avast and Avira with real-time protection, while Malwarebytes offers a free on-demand scanner. Multi-device licensing can provide better value, and business Macs should use business licenses for essential features. macOS has built-in protections like XProtect and Gatekeeper, but third-party antivirus solutions can enhance security against newer threats.

AppWizard

September 9, 2026

Android Google Play Store v53.0 Update Released (September 8, 2026)

On September 8, 2026, the Google Play Store will release update version v53.0 (version: 53.0.27-34 [0] [PR] 973951861). The update includes four new features: 1. Users can check subscriptions and monetization options in the "Where to Watch" section. 2. Search results for books and comics have been refined. 3. The app will suggest apps and games related to users' photos. 4. A new "Creator Edit" cluster will help users discover trusted creators and receive better content recommendations. Users can verify their current version by going to Settings → Overview → Play Store version.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Steam Week in Review: 54 idle games released on Steam last week, and many look eerily similar

In 2013, Cookie Clicker and Candy Box emerged as popular games, with Cookie Clicker gaining significant attention and leading to widespread addiction among players on social media. Cookie Clicker, inspired by Cow Clicker, features simple gameplay where players click to generate cookies and enhance production. New games like Next Reign: Kingdom and We Need More Humans! have been released, competing with established titles such as Bongo Cat and Task Bar Hero. The number of games tagged as idlers has increased from 100 in 2020 to 1,811 in 2024, with 1,119 more in development. The Blood of Dawnwalker sold a million units in three days, while the Elden Ring Tarnished Pack received mixed reviews.

BetaBeacon

September 6, 2026

Motorola is back in the Wear OS game with the Moto Watch Ultra

Motorola has launched the Moto Watch Ultra at IFA 2026, featuring a Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 SoC, a 1.5-inch pOLED display with 2,700 nits peak brightness, up to two days of battery life, Wear OS 6, and LTE eSIM support.

BetaBeacon

September 5, 2026

Motorola is back in the Wear OS game with the Moto Watch Ultra

Motorola has launched the Moto Watch Ultra, a smartwatch with flagship-tier health tracking, Wear OS, LTE eSIM support, and 5ATM underwater protection. It is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 platform, has a 1.5-inch pOLED display, and features Google Play apps, Google Wallet payments, and Google Gemini. The watch also includes Polar's health-tracking algorithms, a 550mAh battery, and will be available for 9.99 starting on September 10.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

New Hidden Android Auto Changes Discovered As Big Update Is Coming

Google is releasing a significant update to Android Auto, version 17.6, which includes a new green icon with rounded corners. The update is being rolled out gradually, but users can manually download it from the Google Play Store. New features include quick toggles for settings, with a Do Not Disturb (DND) toggle currently being tested. Additional enhancements will include widget support, allowing apps to display widgets on Android Auto, and support for video applications like YouTube, which will enable users to watch videos while stationary and use an audio-only mode while driving. A Premium subscription will be required for background audio playback on YouTube. The rollout of these features is expected later this year.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

The weather app on your Pixel Watch is adding new watch face modules

Google has updated the Pixel Weather app for Wear OS to version 1.0.0.94, adding three new complications: Air Quality Index, Pollen levels, and Precipitation information. This update allows users to display these complications on their watch faces, enhancing the app's functionality beyond the initial offerings of sunrise and sunset times, UV Index, and general weather conditions. Complications function like widgets, providing real-time information. Users can customize their watch faces by long-pressing the display. Some users have questioned why these features were not included at the app's initial launch, while others note the existence of third-party weather apps with similar functionalities.