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BetaBeacon

April 7, 2025

My seven most anticipated Meta Quest games from the 2025 Ruff Talk VR showcase

- Vestiges: Fallen Tribes is a new interactive board game set in a unique sci-fi universe blending tribal desert style with card-battling minifigure concepts. - The game is playable in VR and on desktop PC via Steam, allowing for a wide range of players and styles. - It features several units controlled at a time with powers given by cards, supports PvP and PvE modes, and offers a solo campaign with diverse objectives and playable tribes. - The game is set to launch on April 24 on the Meta Quest platform.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

Pentagon inspector general investigating Hegseth’s use of Signal messaging app

DoD's acting Inspector General, Steven Stebbins, is reviewing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal app for operational airstrike discussions in Yemen to evaluate compliance with policies on commercial messaging for official communications and classification mandates. Concurrently, House Oversight Committee Democrats are investigating the Department of Government Efficiency's data usage, while OPM is directing agencies to revise performance review processes to prioritize adherence to presidential policies. The Defense Department has mandated public reporting of canceled contracts linked to Trump's efficiency initiatives. The SSA is tightening identity-proofing requirements for benefit applications, discontinuing phone verification options. During a nomination hearing, Trump’s nominees for OPM and OMB faced questions regarding federal workforce reductions. The Army has abandoned plans for a billion-dollar software development contract after feedback on draft RFPs. Employees at the IMLS have been placed on administrative leave amid concerns over the agency's future and grant disbursement obligations following Trump's executive order aimed at eliminating smaller entities.

Winsage

April 6, 2025

Microsoft blocks Windows 11 24H2 update on some new PCs

Microsoft has informed Windows 10 users that their devices are not eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11 due to system requirements and recommends transitioning to a new PC with Windows 11. A new compatibility issue has arisen with the sprotect.sys driver, causing system freezes and errors on Windows 11 version 24H2, leading Microsoft to impose a compatibility hold on affected devices. This hold prevents these devices from being prompted to install Windows 11, version 24H2. Users with impacted devices will see a notification on the Windows Update page indicating no immediate action is required. IT administrators can monitor the issue using safeguard ID 56318982. Microsoft advises against forcing the update if the system is incompatible and is working with SenseShield Technology Co. to resolve the issue.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

ReactOS, an Open Source Take on Windows

ReactOS is an open-source operating system designed to be compatible with Windows, aiming to recreate the Windows experience while ensuring compatibility with existing software applications. The first stable release occurred in 2011, followed by a beta version in 2013 that improved support for 64-bit systems. By 2020, ReactOS reached a Technical Alpha milestone, indicating progress in stability and performance. The latest version resembles the outdated Windows XP interface, which may appeal to some users but lacks modern functionality. The ReactOS Application Manager allows users to install applications, but many popular software versions are outdated or incompatible. Users are advised to use the Application Manager for installations, as external downloads can lead to issues. ReactOS appeals to Windows users reluctant to switch to Linux or invest in new hardware, but it remains a work in progress with bugs and limited application support. The project invites contributions to enhance the user interface and application compatibility.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Password Deletion For Windows Users—What You Do Now

Microsoft is transitioning away from passwords to enhance security, encouraging users to adopt passkeys. Passkeys are securely stored secrets on a user's device, unlocked through biometrics, PINs, or patterns, making them resistant to phishing and eliminating the need for complex passwords. Users can set up passkeys by signing into their Microsoft account's Advanced Security Options or Security Info, selecting a sign-in method, and following on-screen instructions. Once established, signing in is straightforward, requiring only the chosen authentication method. Microsoft is prioritizing passkeys for new accounts and refining its sign-in logic to improve efficiency, with passkeys being three times faster than traditional passwords. Passkeys can be used across devices and applications that support them, with Windows Hello facilitating authentication.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

As Microsoft Turns 50, Bill Gates Gives A Rewind Of His Early Days

Bill Gates shared rare throwback photographs on Instagram to commemorate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, reflecting on his early days with the company. Gates humorously described the images as part of his "awkward photo shoots" era and expressed gratitude towards Microsoft. He co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen after dropping out of Harvard. Gates led the company through significant developments, including the creation of the MS-DOS operating system and Windows. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left Microsoft's board in 2020. Microsoft has become one of the leading tech giants, celebrating its history and future aspirations on its website.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

GTA 5 is coming to Xbox Game Pass on both PC and console

Xbox Game Pass will add Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) to its lineup on April 15, 2025. The game will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and for the first time on PC, featuring an Enhanced edition with graphical upgrades and faster loading times. Subscribers will have access to both the single-player campaign and GTA Online. This is the third time GTA 5 will be available on Game Pass, but the first for PC Game Pass subscribers, who can access the Enhanced edition at no extra cost. Existing owners of GTA 5 can upgrade for free. Additionally, new titles like South of Midnight, Borderlands 3, and Diablo 3 will also launch in April for subscribers.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Watch: As Microsoft Turns 50, Bill Gates, Satya Nadella And Steve Ballmer ‘Roasted’ By Copilot AI

Microsoft's 50th anniversary featured co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella, with an interview conducted by the AI assistant Copilot. The event included humorous exchanges where Copilot roasted the CEOs, prompting lighthearted responses from them. Microsoft also launched new website pages to document its history and vision for the future, reflecting on its growth and innovations since its founding in 1975.

BetaBeacon

April 4, 2025

Android Auto Beta Allows You to Play Games on Cars’ Infotainment Systems, But There’s a Catch

Android Auto's latest beta update allows users to play games on their infotainment systems. Users must have a compatible mobile device running on Android 15 or later, verify compatibility with their infotainment system, and be in park to access this feature.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

How to uninstall the Android 16 beta

Android 16 is currently in beta testing, with Beta 3 achieving platform stability but still containing imperfections. Users with Google Pixel 6 or newer can join the Android Beta Program. To uninstall the Android 16 beta, users should back up their device as the process typically erases data. Three methods to uninstall include opting out of the beta program for an OTA update that reverts to the latest stable version, waiting for the stable version of the update being tested, or installing a stable version using the Android Flash Tool or ADB, which erases all data. To opt out, users must log into the Android Beta Program website, select their device, and follow the prompts to leave the beta. After opting out, users can revert to a stable version of Android 15 by installing an OTA update, which may take up to 24 hours to appear and will delete data if not backed up. Reasons to uninstall the beta include the presence of bugs and instability compared to the public version of Android.