website Archives

BetaBeacon

June 4, 2025

Dolphin emulator hits a milestone as the full Wii catalog is now playable

Dolphin emulator release 2506 includes improvements to address audio stuttering on lower-end machines, fixes for frame pacing issues, new anisotropic filtering options for graphics, ability to emulate games beyond 60fps, full compatibility with GameCube and Wii catalogs, and new features for Android users.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Watch: Fetal development model created in Minecraft

Sara Leonard's video, "The Cubed Sphere," which models fetal development using Minecraft, won the top honor in the 3D visual art category of the 2024 "Create | Encounter" contest hosted by Rehumanize International. Rehumanize International is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting peace and human dignity. The "Create | Encounter" contest invites artists to engage with issues surrounding human dignity and encourages dialogue through creative works.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

Microsoft accused of ‘tech extortion’ over Windows 10 support ending in campaign to get people to upgrade to Linux

KDE has launched a campaign called ‘KDE for Windows 10 Exiles’ to encourage Windows 10 users to switch to Linux as support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14. The campaign warns that without updates, users will face increased security risks and be pressured to buy new hardware for Windows 11, which has stringent requirements that may render older PCs incompatible. The initiative also highlights environmental concerns related to electronic waste from discarded functioning machines. While Linux can extend the life of older hardware, transitioning to it may be challenging for less tech-savvy users. Some KDE contributors are involved in the existing ‘End of 10’ initiative, indicating a shared goal to attract users dissatisfied with Microsoft’s practices.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

I put McAfee and Norton head-to-head in an antivirus showdown, and the results were quite surprising

McAfee and Norton are two leading antivirus providers known for their robust online safety solutions. Both offer essential security features such as real-time threat detection, firewall protection, identity theft protection, VPN services, password management, and parental controls, but they differ in implementation. McAfee uses advanced machine learning for real-time threat detection but has a higher rate of false positives and shows room for improvement against ransomware and phishing. Norton excels in malware detection and has a strong performance against ransomware, blocking 95% of phishing links in tests. McAfee's firewall monitors incoming threats and protects connected devices, while Norton’s firewall prevents untrusted applications from accessing the internet with extensive configuration options. In identity theft protection, McAfee offers comprehensive features with live agent support, whereas Norton partners with LifeLock for enhanced services, including credit monitoring and up to one million dollars in compensation for identity theft losses. McAfee provides unlimited VPN access with basic functionality, while Norton’s VPN includes advanced features like split tunneling and a kill switch. Both include password managers, but McAfee's lacks some functionalities, whereas Norton’s is user-friendly and supports data import from other managers. For parental controls, McAfee allows website blocking and app restrictions, while Norton offers detailed content filtering and monitoring of online activities. In system performance, both have received high marks, with McAfee showing a superior impact score in tests. User experience varies, with McAfee being more accessible for non-technical users and Norton catering to more experienced individuals. Recent testing indicates both effectively blocked nearly all threats, but McAfee had more false positives. Both brands received high ratings from SE Labs for protection and accuracy. The choice between them depends on individual needs, with McAfee being user-friendly and Norton offering advanced features and enhanced identity protection.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Meta Pixel halts Android localhost tracking after disclosure

Security researchers have found that Meta and Yandex used native Android applications to access localhost ports, allowing them to link web browsing data with user identities and bypass privacy protections. Following these findings, Meta stopped its data transmission to localhost and removed much of the tracking code to comply with Google Play policies. A report from researchers at IMDEA Networks, Radboud University, and KU Leuven detailed how apps like Facebook and Instagram collected web cookie data via the loopback interface. This method allowed the companies to associate browsing sessions with user identities, undermining privacy measures. Meta's tracking process involved the Meta Pixel script, which transmitted cookies to native apps through various protocols. Meta began using this technique in September 2024 but ceased these practices by June 3rd, 2025. Yandex's localhost tracking dates back to 2017, and while they did not respond to inquiries, browser vendors have implemented mitigations against these practices. Proposed solutions include a new permission for local network access to prevent such tracking in the future.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Facebook, Yandex Apps Secretly Track Users Via Hidden Ports, Research Claims

Recent findings from IMDEA Networks Institute indicate that Facebook and Instagram apps have been tracking Android users' web browsing activities without consent, bypassing privacy controls and functioning even in incognito mode. This tracking affects millions of websites using Meta's tracking code. Yandex has employed similar tracking techniques since 2017, creating a cross-platform surveillance network. The tracking exploits Android’s permission system by establishing background services that listen on network ports, allowing the apps to capture browsing data and associate it with users' accounts. Meta's pixel is present on about 5.8 million websites, while Yandex Metrica is on around 3 million sites, potentially impacting billions of users. Approximately 78% of sites with Meta’s pixel and 84% of Yandex's sites attempted localhost communications without user consent. This tracking method operates at the operating system level, unaffected by cookie clearing, incognito modes, or privacy settings. Researchers have demonstrated that malicious apps could exploit this technique to gather users' browsing histories. Many website operators were unaware of these localhost communications, leading to confusion and complaints. In response, major browser vendors are implementing measures to block these tracking methods. Meta ceased this tracking on June 3rd, coinciding with the research's public release. The research highlights a significant security gap in mobile platforms regarding localhost communications, emphasizing the need for stricter policies and vetting processes.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Jajaja! Microsoft finally gives up pestering EU users about goddamn Edge

Microsoft has been designated as a "gatekeeper" by the European Commission under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective September 2023. This designation requires Microsoft to comply with specific measures, including publishing annual reports on its DMA obligations. As part of its compliance, Microsoft has allowed Windows users in the European Economic Area to uninstall the Microsoft Store while keeping previously installed applications functional and updated. Microsoft has also removed persistent prompts to set Microsoft Edge as the default browser, allowing users more autonomy in their choices. When Edge is uninstalled, other Microsoft applications will not prompt users to reinstall it, except for Progressive Web Apps that use Edge technology from the Microsoft Store.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

This Android loophole could have let your apps spy on your web browsing

Meta and Yandex have exploited a loophole in the Android operating system, allowing them to link web browsing data with app identities, bypassing privacy measures like incognito mode. This was revealed by researchers from the Local Mess project, who found that tracking scripts (Meta Pixel and Yandex Metrica) embedded in millions of websites transmit data from web browsers to apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Yandex Maps through local network connections. Meta began using this technique in late 2024, while Yandex has been doing so since 2017. The loophole allows browser data to be sent to localhost, enabling apps to access it without user notification. In response, Meta has paused the feature and is working with Google to address the issue, which Google acknowledges violates Play Store policies. Some browsers are blocking this tracking, but researchers warn that solutions may be temporary without stricter restrictions on app access to local ports. The study indicates that most sites using these trackers start data collection immediately upon visiting, often before consent is requested. To prevent this tracking, users are advised to uninstall the affected applications.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Makes More DMA-Based Changes to Windows 10/11 in the EU

Microsoft is aligning its Windows 10 and 11 operating systems with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for users in the European Union. In March 2024, Microsoft launched a Digital Markets Act Compliance website detailing plans to adapt Windows and LinkedIn. Recent updates include: - Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) can associate a wider range of file and link types with their default web browser, including ftp, http, https, .htm, .html, and .xml. New options for “Pin to Taskbar” and “Pin to Start” will also be available. - The Windows Search feature will allow applications to provide web search results directly within the interface, enabling users to filter and reorder results. - EEA users will have the option to uninstall the Microsoft Store app, while apps downloaded from the Store will continue to receive updates. Users can reinstall the Store app later. - The Bing and Start Experiences apps will direct web content to the user's default browser instead of Microsoft Edge, which will no longer prompt users to set it as the default unless opened directly. If Edge is uninstalled, other Microsoft applications will not suggest its reinstallation, except for Progressive Web Apps installed via Edge.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Samsung Wallet gets Tap to Transfer in the U.S.

Samsung has launched the "Tap to Transfer" feature in Samsung Wallet, enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) payments directly from debit cards to recipients' bank accounts. This feature uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and is compatible with Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet, and Apple Wallet. The rollout is currently taking place in the U.S., and while transactions are initially fee-free, a 1.75% transaction fee (with a minimum charge of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: What you need to know Samsung is enhancing the experience for Galaxy phone users with its newly launched "Tap to Transfer" feature, designed to streamline peer-to-peer (P2P) payments. This innovative addition to Samsung Wallet allows users to send money directly from their debit cards to the bank accounts of friends and family, making transactions both swift and convenient. Utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the Tap to Transfer feature seamlessly connects to recipients' debit cards, regardless of whether they are stored in Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet, or Apple Wallet. This compatibility ensures that users can engage in transactions without the need for cumbersome third-party applications. The feature is currently being rolled out across the U.S., following its announcement earlier this month. Initially, users can enjoy fee-free transactions; however, a transaction fee of 1.75% (with a minimum charge of [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: What you need to knowSamsung's new "Tap to Transfer" feature facilitates direct P2P payments from Samsung Wallet debit cards to recipients' bank accounts.It uses NFC, and the feature is compatible with multiple digital wallets (Samsung, Google, Apple) next to physical tap-to-pay debit cards.While initially fee-free, a 1.75% transaction fee (minimum $0.25) is expected to apply to the sender in the future.Having Samsung Wallet is one of the best perks of owning a Galaxy phone. And in the U.S., it's getting even better as the company is finally rolling out the new Tap to Transfer feature.The new feature's aim is to make peer-to-peer (P2P) payments “quick and convenient” in the U.S. While the company announced the feature early this month, the feature is now broadly rolling out this week.Samsung Wallet to send money to friends and family — straight into their bank accounts. It works by the NFC tech utilized by Samsung Wallet that swiftly connects to the recipient’s debit card stored in their respective digital wallets — be it Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet, and even Apple Wallet for that matter.FAQ page on the website, however, mentions that “a 1.75% fee (minimum of $0.25) is applied to each transaction. The fee only applies to the sender.”Other than the new Tap to Transfer, Samsung Wallet is the go-to application for Galaxy phone users as they can store essential things like driver’s license, credit cards, passes, gym membership cards, loyalty and boarding passes, and gift cards, and more. Some college students can even store their student ID cards as well.It is encouraging to see Samsung bringing interesting features to its Wallet app as users won’t have to rely on third-party apps for money transfer at least in the U.S. for now, and we hope the feature expands to even more countries soon.Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].25) is anticipated to be implemented for senders in the future. Beyond the Tap to Transfer capability, Samsung Wallet serves as a comprehensive digital repository for Galaxy phone users. It allows individuals to store a variety of essential items, including driver’s licenses, credit cards, gym memberships, loyalty cards, boarding passes, and even student ID cards for some college students. This development marks a significant step for Samsung, as it empowers users to conduct money transfers directly within their ecosystem, reducing reliance on external applications. As the feature gains traction in the U.S., there is hope that it will soon expand to additional markets, further enhancing the utility of Samsung Wallet for users worldwide." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].25) will apply to senders in the future. Samsung Wallet also allows users to store various essential items, such as driver’s licenses, credit cards, and loyalty cards.