weekend Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Gemini gets better memory: smart home update refines automations and more

Google is enhancing its smart home ecosystem with updates that include an expansion of Gemini's "conversational memory" to 15 minutes, the debut of Gemini Live on first-generation Home Mini and Nest Hub devices, improved automation guidance, and new smart lock alerts for removed users. Recent updates also introduce Pet Memory for personalized recognition of pets and Suggested Automations to streamline user commands. The early access version of Gemini for Home has received refinements, with Gemini Live being exclusive to Google Home Premium subscribers. The memory capabilities of Gemini now support a broader range of Walmart's Onn cameras, and bug fixes have been implemented for a smoother user experience. The Continued Conversations feature allows Gemini to remember ongoing interactions for a few extra seconds, enabling follow-up commands. Pet Memory allows users to personalize interactions with their pets by using their names.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Anno, Civilization, Monster Hunter, and more

Gamers can claim the narrative-driven card game Foretales for free on the Epic Games Store until July 30. The Humble Store has launched several bundles, including the Twin Sails Interactive collection, the Point Click Package bundle, and the Animal Style Bundle. Steam is featuring the Train Festival promotion with significant discounts. GOG is also hosting various sales this weekend. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is open to all this weekend for a free playtest

The open beta of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is available until Monday. This game, announced in 2025, is a modern sequel to the World War II military simulation, Hell Let Loose. It features 50v50 battles and introduces helicopters across six maps, emphasizing teamwork and strategic tactics. The game focuses on historical accuracy for an immersive experience. The first gameplay reveal trailer is available for viewing. Experience points or unlocks earned during the beta will not carry over to the full release, scheduled for August 13.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Riptide GP, Dawnmaker, Tempest Pirate RPG, more

Pre-order promotions for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 are available with discounts of up to 0. Customers can receive a complimentary set of Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, valued at 0, or the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, currently offered at 0 off. There are also several Android apps with price drops, including Montezuma 2: Premium, Yumsters! Premium, Riptide GP: Renegade, King of Dragon Pass: Text RPG, Dawnmaker, Dungeon Defense, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, and Tempest: Pirate RPG Premium. Additional Android app price reductions are ongoing.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Marathon’s experimental PvE mode is live, immediately tripling its daily player count

Bungie released Marathon's 1.1.5 update, introducing the Vault Breaker experimental PvE mode, allowing players to explore the Cryo Archive map for two weeks without competitive interference. Following this update, concurrent player counts on Steam exceeded 14,800, marking a threefold increase compared to the previous week and the highest activity since a decline after the June free weekend.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Microsoft fixes the Windows 11 bug slowing down some Dell PCs

Microsoft released an unscheduled update for Windows 11, designated as KB5121767, targeting users on versions 24H2 and 25H2 to address performance issues on certain Dell PCs and laptops with Intel Innovation Platform Framework drivers. The update aims to fix degraded battery life, increased power consumption, and unexpected system behavior caused by conflicts with these drivers. Affected devices primarily include newer Dell models such as the Precision, XPS, and Pro Max series. Users can obtain the update automatically if they have enabled the relevant option in Windows Update or manually through Settings or the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update modifies the Windows build number to 26200.8894 for 25H2 and 26100.8894 for 24H2 and includes previous security and quality enhancements. Microsoft recommends the update for users experiencing sluggish performance or erratic behavior after July updates, particularly those with recent Dell devices with Intel processors.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Modern Warfare 4 beta dates set for August, and this year Game Pass subscribers get no special treatment

Activision has announced the beta schedule for Modern Warfare 4, with two beta weekends planned. The first weekend, from August 21-25, is exclusive to pre-order customers on PC, PS5, and Xbox, while the second weekend, from August 28 to September 1, is an open public beta available on all platforms, including the Switch 2. Participants will have the opportunity to unlock 19 weapons and engage in various combat scenarios, including 3v3 skirmishes and larger battles with vehicles. Players can test new and returning game modes, such as Search & Destroy and Kill Block, as well as a Training Mobility Course. The full game is set to release in late October.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Satisfactory, Space Marine 2, Assassin’s Creed, and more

The Epic Games Store is offering two free PC games: Echo Generation and Luto, available until July 23, when Foretales will be the next free game. Humble has released three new game bundles: the Liminal Spaces bundle featuring titles related to the Backrooms genre, the Humble Handhelds Bundle including Children of Morta and Amid Evil, and the 2K Megahits Bundle with popular games like BioShock Infinite and Borderlands 3. The GOG store is also providing DRM-free discounts. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

Winsage

July 19, 2026

Microsoft confirms WSUS service degradation impacting all versions of Windows

A significant issue has emerged with the Windows Server Update Service (WSUS), affecting all versions of Windows client and server. Microsoft acknowledged the service degradation that began before July 14, coinciding with the latest Patch Tuesday. This degradation has caused prolonged synchronization times and occasional timeouts during sync operations on WSUS servers, attributed to a buildup of publishing metadata. Microsoft is working on a resolution to improve performance and restore synchronization times. The affected platforms include various versions of Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server from 2012 to 2025. An update is expected to be released shortly to address the issue.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

The Best Dodo Studios Add-Ons for Minecraft Bedrock on PS5 Worth Your…

The Dodo Studios Minecraft Bedrock marketplace offers over 400 add-ons, worlds, and skin packs for the Bedrock Edition, accessible through the official Minecraft Marketplace without third-party downloads. The content supports cross-platform play on mobile, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation, allowing diverse gaming experiences. Each product page includes a rating, features, and pricing typically under a few hundred Minecoins. Notable offerings include Bed Wars for competitive matches, One Block for a unique survival challenge, and Craftable Houses and Mansions for creative building. Secret Doors and the WEAPONS++ pack enhance gameplay with innovative features. The marketplace has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from nearly half a million reviews, with most items priced affordably, encouraging players to purchase multiple add-ons. Players can easily choose their first purchase based on their preferred gameplay style, and Dodo Studios regularly adds new content to the marketplace.