watches Archives

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The Elder Scrolls Online celebrates its 10th anniversary a year late by selling off 2,000 pieces of its servers

Nightdive Studios announced a remaster of System Shock 2 to celebrate its 25th anniversary, despite the game originally launching 26 years ago. Bethesda is selling fragments of The Elder Scrolls Online servers for its 10th anniversary celebration, which occurred a year after the actual anniversary in April of the previous year. Bethesda's keepsake is intended for players commemorating over a decade of the game, although it is technically one year late. Additionally, a new storyline titled Seasons of the Worm Cult is set to be released, described as a sequel to the base game storyline.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Gemini will come to Wear OS as an app update [APK Insight]

Google's Gemini platform will replace Assistant on Wear OS devices through an app update. This transition was hinted at in January, with the latest Assistant app version (1.18.x) revealing strings related to Gemini. Users can activate Gemini by holding the side button or using the "Hey Google" hotword. Gemini's capabilities will be similar to Google Assistant, allowing users to set alarms, timers, and message contacts, though it's unclear if it will integrate with Gmail or Google Maps. Location and Voice Match settings will remain unchanged, and the Wear OS Tile feature will still be available. The launch may coincide with a new flagship watch.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Gemini on Wear OS should stick to the Assistant status quo, mostly

Google is set to introduce Gemini support to Wear OS smartwatches, replacing the existing Google Assistant. This transition follows Google's plan to fully transition to Gemini, starting with Android phones and expanding to tablets, Android Auto, headphones, Nest speakers, Google TV, and smartwatches. Insights from 9to5Google suggest that Gemini may be a straightforward app enhancement rather than a radical overhaul. The Pixel 9a features a Tensor G4 chip but has limited AI capabilities due to its 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel Watch 3 has 2GB of RAM and older Arm Cortex cores, which may hinder Gemini's performance compared to Assistant. There is potential for improved interaction with applications through Gemini extensions, but true Gemini Live-style conversations on smartwatches may not be feasible without significant battery drain. Future iterations of the Pixel Watch may showcase enhanced Gemini capabilities, especially with a new Wear OS chip expected from Qualcomm, but Google's current focus is on ensuring Gemini operates effectively on existing Android watches.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out To Customers

Microsoft is rolling out its Windows Recall feature, which captures near-constant screenshots of user activity to allow natural language searches for content. Concerns have been raised by cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont, who warns that it could reverse cybersecurity progress by a decade. Users must opt-in and use Windows Hello for authentication to access their stored images, which can be paused at any time. Recall captures snapshots during various tasks and allows users to reopen applications or documents and perform actions directly from these snapshots. The rollout will occur gradually, and the tech community is monitoring its impact on cybersecurity.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Asus’ latest video teases a possible Xbox gaming handheld

Microsoft has not confirmed plans for an Xbox-branded handheld gaming device, but unverified leaks suggest an announcement could occur this year. Asus is positioning itself as a potential partner, having launched devices like the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X. A recent promotional video from Asus hints at a new handheld device that may incorporate Xbox elements, featuring a silhouette resembling an Xbox configuration. Speculation exists that this device could be a modified version of the ROG Ally X, potentially running Windows 11 and supporting Game Pass streaming. The promotional video included phrases suggesting hardware enhancements, but the reality of the project remains uncertain. There is skepticism about the feasibility of a dedicated handheld Xbox, given that many Xbox titles are already available on PC. The video was shared on March 31st, adding to the speculation surrounding its authenticity.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

37-year-old studio behind iconic PC game Myst and one of the longest-surviving indies in the world just laid off “roughly half the team”

Cyan Worlds announced a reduction in its workforce, laying off twelve team members, which is approximately half of its staff. This change will take effect at the end of March.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

Quiet Wear OS 5.1 QoL update brings app icons to Pixel Watch tiles

The Wear OS 5.1 update for Pixel Watch users enhances app visibility by adding a small circular app icon to the top of each tile. This update, part of the March feature drop and based on Android 15, was initially rolled out for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled Pixel Watches and later made available for LTE-capable devices, including Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3. It includes features like the FDA-approved Loss of Pulse safety function, menstrual cycle tracking, and improved step tracking. However, the update has caused issues such as delayed notifications and battery performance problems, prompting user frustrations and temporary solutions like restarting or factory resetting watches. Google has acknowledged these problems affecting a small subset of users.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Can A Minecraft Movie Be The Next Mario At The Box Office?

"A Minecraft Movie" is set to be released on April 4, 2025, and is projected to have a significant impact at the box office, potentially rivaling major hits like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which opened to million in 2023. "Captain America: Brave New World" currently holds the top spot with a debut of 0 million, but its global earnings have plateaued at just over 0 million. "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" is the highest-grossing video game adaptation, surpassing .3 billion globally. "Minecraft," the best-selling video game of all time, has a large and youthful fanbase. Directed by Jared Hess, the film follows four misfits transported to the Overworld and features Jack Black as Steve. The film has a reported budget of around million and will face minimal competition upon release.

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

Call of Duty vet Blundell helming new PlayStation studio Dark Outlaw Games

PlayStation has established a new development studio called Dark Outlaw, led by Jason Blundell, known for his work on the Call of Duty franchise. The studio is currently working on an unannounced project and is in the process of expanding its workforce. Blundell previously worked at Treyarch, where he developed the Zombies mode for Call of Duty, and he founded Deviation Games before leaving in 2022.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

End of Life: Gemini will completely replace Google Assistant later this year

Google is transitioning from Google Assistant to a new platform called Gemini, which will update many connected devices that currently use Assistant. Most devices are expected to connect seamlessly to Gemini, and updates will also target standalone products like smart TVs and speakers. A preview program for select Google Nest speakers has been initiated, but the extent of updates for all Assistant-enabled devices is still unclear. Early tests of Gemini have revealed inconsistencies in basic functionalities, raising concerns about user experience. Google is focused on refining Gemini to ensure a smooth transition for its ecosystem of products.