watches Archives

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

Sony quietly removes PC sale restrictions in dozens of countries for four huge PlayStation games

Sony has eased regional restrictions on several popular PC games, including God of War Ragnarök, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2, as of June 13. The changes were noted on SteamDB, showing a reduction in the number of countries where these games are unavailable, with only the Russian Federation added to the list of restricted sales. This decision follows a backlash from a previous incident involving Helldivers 2, which was removed from sale in 177 countries due to a PSN requirement. Additionally, Sony's president, Hideaki Nishino, mentioned that the company is considering adjustments to the pricing of its PlayStation Plus service to maximize profitability through a dynamic pricing strategy.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

MindsEye maker BARB “heartbroken” by game’s messy launch

Build a Rocket Boy, the developer of MindsEye, has acknowledged a memory leak issue affecting about 10 percent of players, which has led to game instability. The studio is actively working to resolve these technical challenges and has dedicated resources to optimize performance. Sony Interactive Entertainment is issuing refunds to players who purchased MindsEye on PlayStation 5, a rare action in the gaming industry. The studio expressed regret that not all players could experience the game as intended and is focused on delivering a high-quality experience for all users.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

‘Classic Apple’: Why Apple is taking the slow road with AI

Apple held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in Cupertino, California, where it announced updates to its software ecosystem but did not introduce major AI announcements. The company plans to open its AI software to third-party developers, allowing access to on-device language models, which could lead to innovative software solutions and enhance user privacy. New features include live real-time translation in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages, improvements to the Visual Intelligence app, AI capabilities in the Reminders app, and a generative AI-powered fitness coach in the Apple Watch's Workout app. These updates aim to integrate AI into Apple's operating systems, positioning the company competitively in the AI landscape.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

The absence of Marvel’s Blade during the Xbox Games Showcase has left me worried about Arkane—after a rough couple of years it needs a win

Last night’s Xbox Games Showcase did not provide any updates on the Blade game, disappointing fans who were eager for news. A cinematic teaser was revealed at The Game Awards in 2023, showcasing a Parisian setting designed for vampire slaying, with aesthetic elements reminiscent of 19th-century European architecture and industrial technology. It has been a year and a half since the initial announcement, and details about the game’s mechanics, narrative, and perspective remain unclear. Arkane has faced challenges under Microsoft's ownership, particularly after the poor performance of Redfall, leading to concerns about the studio's future. The lack of communication regarding Blade raises questions about potential development hurdles and the level of support from Microsoft. The decision to align Arkane with a Marvel property like Blade is seen as a calculated risk to generate revenue.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

Cool Pixel Watch features keep trickling in from the Wear OS 6 dev code

Recent insights from the Wear OS 6 developer preview and an APK teardown have revealed new features for the upcoming Pixel Watch 4, including an Adaptive Charging tool that stops charging at a predetermined percentage (likely around 80%) and a rebranded Water Lock mode. The Pixel Watch 4 may also automatically lock your phone if it is left behind. The official rollout of Wear OS 6 is expected to begin in late summer. Additionally, the update will introduce a new Material 3 Expressive UI, dynamic color theming, and a third-party watch face storefront. The Pixel Watch 4 may be thicker than its predecessor to accommodate a larger battery, enhancing the battery life with the new adaptive charging feature.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Google should learn from this rumored Apple Watch app upgrade

Apple is preparing to introduce watchOS 26, which may allow third-party widgets to be integrated into the Control Center of Apple Watches, enhancing user experience by providing access to actions or data from various applications. Currently, the Control Center only includes first-party functionalities. Meanwhile, Google is also updating Wear OS, which may not include this feature in version 6 but will offer enhancements such as a refreshed visual style, improved battery life of up to 10%, and a better always-on display.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Warner’s ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Remains Top-Selling Weekly U.K. Home Entertainment Release Through June 4

The Minecraft Movie is in production, aiming to bring the block-building game to the big screen. The creative team consists of industry veterans focused on capturing the game's essence through storytelling that appeals to both longtime players and newcomers. There is potential for a star-studded cast, though specific actors have not been confirmed. The film is expected to explore themes of friendship, adventure, and creativity, featuring characters embarking on quests through diverse biomes, emphasizing teamwork and the importance of building and shaping environments. The announcement has generated significant excitement among fans, with the potential for the film to influence future video game adaptations in cinema.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Build a Rocket Boy loses two c-suite execs ahead of MindsEye launch

Two senior executives at Build a Rocket Boy, Riley Graebner (chief legal officer) and Paul Bland (chief financial officer), have announced their departures ahead of the launch of the game MindsEye. Graebner, who served for three and a half years, noted the company's growth to over 450 employees and the successful launch of multiple products. Bland left after a two-year tenure. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard suggested that negative sentiment towards MindsEye may be influenced by external forces, although he did not provide evidence for this claim.

Winsage

June 2, 2025

Microsoft promises to sort out USB shambles

Microsoft is updating its Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) for Windows 11 to standardize USB-C port functionality across devices. The new guidelines will ensure that all USB-C ports on certified Windows 11 devices support data transfer, charging, and display output. This initiative aims to eliminate confusion for users regarding port capabilities. Additionally, USB 40Gbps ports will be compatible with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals, while USB 3.X ports may not match the performance of USB4. Microsoft will also require USB-IF certified silicon in PCs and will validate USB controllers with its own drivers to ensure seamless updates through Windows Update.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

This gravity-defying dungeon crawler is basically Legend of Grimrock meets Portal, and while the trailer had me dizzy, the demo made me feel like a genius

This week's Thinky Direct showcased a variety of new puzzle games, including a mystery game by a creator of Case of the Golden Idol and a time-loop adventure called "Metroidbrainia." The highlight was "He Who Watches," a dungeon puzzler that combines elements of Legend of Grimrock and Portal. Players navigate an underground labyrinth using a bow and arrow to interact with the environment instead of engaging in combat. The game features mechanics such as sticky boots for object manipulation and offers a demo version to reduce motion sickness. A trailer suggests a potential release in the autumn, although a specific date is not yet announced.