women Archives

BetaBeacon

June 19, 2026

Pragmata had a team of “Diana Police” overseeing Capcom’s development of the now-iconic android girl to ensure she wasn’t “too cute,” and I don’t think they succeeded

Diana, the android girl from Pragmata, was brought to life by a special team at Capcom, comprised entirely of women who have a unique ability to detect a certain kind of "cunning" cuteness in female characters. Despite challenges, Capcom succeeded in making Diana relatable and lovable, leading to an outpouring of memes and discussions online.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

How a ‘Minecraft’ song helped an Akron student find confidence

Jerimiah Worley, a fourth-grader at Bridges Learning Center, performed "Subwoofer Lullaby" at the school's third annual talent show, Bridges Got Talent, accompanied by music therapist Edie Steiner. Bridges Learning Center serves approximately 120 students with emotional or behavioral needs and provides tailored social-emotional and mental health support. Established in 2006, it has expanded to include a program for students up to 21 years old with significant cognitive disabilities. Principal Michele Angelo noted that some students spend their entire K-12 journey at Bridges, while others transition back to home schools after mentorship from the nearly 70-person staff. Last year, about 10 percent of students graduated, gaining skills from music and art therapy. Steiner, the district's sole music therapist, teaches students to explore lyrics and melodies that resonate with their experiences. The talent show allowed students to choose their audience, with guest judges providing encouragement. Jerimiah's aunt, Stasha Heller, expressed pride in his musical journey. Student artwork displayed in the cafeteria reflected emotional landscapes nurtured through art therapy sessions. Art therapist Shenan May provides students with tools for social-emotional wellbeing, including sensory items. Principal Angelo highlighted the significant progress made by students and staff, describing their improvements as life-changing. Steiner hopes the music created will foster meaningful conversations and be shared across generations.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Deus Ex, Marathon actor Elias Toufexis doesn’t get why people root for games to fail: ‘Life is so short, man’

Elias Toufexis, known for his role as Adam Jensen, discussed his experiences with social media during a conversation with PC Gamer's Ted Litchfield at GDC. He expressed fatigue with the negativity on platforms like X and admitted to struggling with engaging in controversial discussions. Toufexis highlighted a specific instance of outrage directed at Bungie, noting a comment wishing for the studio's failure due to perceived political ideologies. He welcomed constructive criticism but criticized the excessive negativity and outrage culture online. Toufexis reflected on the scrutiny faced by projects like Starfield and Star Trek: Discovery regarding diversity initiatives, finding some criticisms to be unproductive. Despite these challenges, he observed a shift towards more positive comments in online reviews and expressed hope for a more constructive online discourse in the future.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Nationwide banking app update ahead of Fairer Share £100 decision

Beginning Thursday, Nationwide customers can conceal payment references on incoming bank transfers within the app. This feature aims to help prevent abusers from using banking systems to maintain unwanted contact and control over survivors. Domestic abuse charities have raised concerns about payment references being used for harassment, with some abusers sending messages or threats through these references. Nationwide's initiative empowers customers to control what is visible in their accounts. Approximately 4.2 million women in the UK have experienced economic abuse, which can include controlling bank accounts and monitoring financial activity. Nationwide's vulnerability support team assisted 312 customers facing abuse in 2025, an increase from 213 the previous year. The organization has also established “safe spaces” in hundreds of branches for domestic abuse support. Campaigners urge other banks to assess how banking features might be exploited by abusers, and Nationwide is considering extending similar functionalities to Virgin Money customers in the future.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule and all the other summer showcases full of gaming announcements you won’t want to miss

As summer approaches, numerous video game showcases are scheduled, including the return of the PC Gaming Show. A comprehensive schedule of events includes: - Six One Indie Showcase: May 21, YouTube - Access-Ability Showcase: June 5, 8 am Pacific / 4 pm BST, YouTube - Summer Game Fest: June 5, 2 pm Pacific / 10 pm BST, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok - Day of the Devs: June 5, following SGF, YouTube - Wholesome Direct: June 6, 9 am Pacific / 5 pm BST, YouTube - Future Games Show: June 6, 12 pm Pacific / 8 pm BST, YouTube, Twitch - Xbox Games Showcase: June 7, 10 am Pacific / 6 pm BST, YouTube, Twitch - PC Gaming Show: June 7, 12 pm Pacific / 8 pm BST, YouTube, Twitch - Black Voices in Gaming: Day/time TBA, YouTube, Twitch - Women-Led Games: Day/time TBA, YouTube, Twitch Unconfirmed showcases include Sony's State of Play, typically held in late May or early June, and Nintendo Direct, which may not participate this year. There is speculation about a gameplay reveal for GTA 6 during the summer showcases, but Rockstar Games may choose to announce it discreetly after the major events.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Facebook Messenger Statistics By Country And Demographics (2026)

In the first quarter of 2026, Meta's Family of Apps, including Facebook Messenger, reported a revenue of USD 55.9 billion. Messenger's in-chat payment services facilitated nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions across 47 countries during the same quarter. The platform had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of Q1 2026, with the largest demographic segment being individuals aged 25-34. By October 2025, the Philippines and Vietnam achieved the highest global user reach for Messenger, at 83.3% and 78.1%, respectively. Southeast Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. Users typically spend nearly 13 minutes per session on the app, with 42.6% accessing it daily. Messenger messages have an 80% open rate within the first hour of delivery. Over 60 million businesses utilize Messenger for various purposes, and the platform supports more than 500,000 active chatbots, with 41% of these employing generative AI. Meta matched 100% of the electricity used across Facebook Messenger with clean, renewable energy in 2026. In Q1 2026, Meta’s Family of Apps generated USD 55.9 billion in revenue. Messenger's business messaging tools contributed USD 3.2 billion to non-advertising revenue in the first half of 2026. In-chat payment services processed nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions in 2026. Messenger had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users, equating to about 12% of the global population. As of October 2025, Messenger had nearly 942 million users globally. Users aged 25-34 comprised nearly 32% of Messenger's user base in 2026. By October 2025, 55.8% of Messenger users were men, while 43.5% were women. The highest user reach for Messenger was in the Philippines at 83.3% and in Vietnam at 78.1% as of October 2025. Southeast Asia had 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, making up 22.4% of the global total. Users spend about 198-201 minutes per month on the app and open it approximately 183.9 times each month. Each session lasts about 1 minute and 6 seconds. About 42.6% of users open the app daily. Messenger ads reached nearly 947 million users worldwide in 2026.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

007 First Light perfectly balances cinematic Bond action with Hitman’s signature sandbox freedom

The game "007 First Light" features a balance between open-world exploration and linear action, successfully merging Bond-style storytelling with gameplay mechanics. Players experience three distinct levels, including a narrative introduction, an MI6 training arena, and a museum setting that encourages strategic gameplay. The museum level allows for various approaches to objectives, such as stealth and impersonation. Combat mechanics differ from the Hitman series, with Bond engaging in stylish confrontations rather than relying solely on stealth. Players can utilize gadgets, including a laser watch, which require resource management. The game boasts impressive visuals and character portrayal, with a focus on realism and immersion. The developers aim to appeal to a broad audience of Bond fans, ensuring an engaging experience.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Google’s new developer rules are pushing a top privacy period tracker off certified Android devices

The privacy-centric period tracking app, Periodical, will not comply with Google's new developer verification policy requiring app developers to submit government-issued identification. As a result, the developers have decided to withdraw from the official Android ecosystem, raising concerns about user privacy and access to reproductive health tools. Periodical is praised for storing data locally without third-party trackers, which is crucial given the risk of law enforcement accessing digital health data. Users are uncertain about the app's future and are being directed to its GitHub repository for updates, as the new policy will complicate the installation of unverified apps. Users will need to enable Developer Options and navigate complex settings to sideload the app, which may deter many from tracking their menstrual cycles.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

NBC SPORTS ANNOUNCES ITS COMPLETE 2026 WNBA REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE ACROSS NBC, PEACOCK, AND NBCSN

NBC Sports has announced its schedule for the 2026 WNBA regular season, marking the league's return to NBC after over 20 years. The season will debut on May 17, 2026, with a game featuring the Las Vegas Aces against the Atlanta Dream. A total of 22 regular-season games will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. The season will include all 15 teams, with the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Key matchups include the Dallas Wings hosting the New York Liberty on May 24 and a rematch between the Fever and Aces on July 12. NBC Sports will also cover the WNBA Playoffs, including the Semifinals and Finals. The production team includes notable figures like Sue Bird, Cheryl Miller, Maria Taylor, and LaChina Robinson, with the "Roundball Rock" theme incorporated into the coverage.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Silent Hill f’s director believes ‘I am not qualified to tell you how women should feel’ and instead relied on female devs for insights to Hinako’s fears

Silent Hill f features Shimizu Hinako, a young woman in 1960s Japan, who faces societal expectations and the evolving roles of women. The game emphasizes the complexity of choices and the fears associated with them, particularly regarding marriage and stagnation. The development team, led by director Al Yang, incorporated insights from female team members to authentically portray Hinako's struggles and fears. Monsters in the game symbolize her anxieties, including a representation of her fear of pregnancy, designed with input from female artists. The narrative reflects the importance of communication and diverse perspectives in storytelling.