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Winsage
December 28, 2024
The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.
Winsage
December 28, 2024
In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.
Winsage
December 27, 2024
Sophos has reported a 51% increase in the exploitation of "living off the land" binaries (LOLBins) since 2021, with an 83% rise over the past three years. In an analysis of nearly 200 incident response cases in the first half of 2024, 187 distinct Microsoft LOLBins were identified, with remote desktop protocol (RDP) being the most targeted, appearing in 89% of incidents. Compromised credentials are the leading cause of cyberattacks, responsible for 39% of incidents, despite a decrease from 56% in 2023. The LockBit ransomware group remains the most prevalent threat, accounting for 21% of infections. Additionally, 21% of compromised Active Directory servers were found to be operating beyond Microsoft’s mainstream support, making them more vulnerable. Sophos emphasizes the importance of proactive monitoring and regular system updates to mitigate these risks.
AppWizard
December 26, 2024
Gemini is an AI-powered chatbot from Google that can summarize texts, generate images, and learn from user interactions. It retains both textual and spoken data by default, raising privacy concerns. Users can manage their activity by navigating to Gemini's web app, where they can delete activity based on various time frames or remove individual activities. Users can also turn off activity saving and adjust auto-deletion settings for data older than 3, 18, or 36 months. To delete a chat in Google Messages, users can tap the three-dot icon and confirm deletion. Gemini is the default virtual assistant for the Google Pixel 9 series and is expected to be pre-installed on many top Android devices.
Winsage
December 26, 2024
Microsoft has introduced an AI feature called Recall for Windows PCs, enabling users to retrieve actions or searches by capturing and storing screenshots in an encrypted format. Users can search for specific content using keywords, but Recall will only be available to select Windows 11 PCs. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon X SoCs, Recall now supports newer Intel and AMD CPUs with a 40 teraflops Neural Processing Unit (NPU). To use Recall, the system requirements include: - Windows 11 PC enrolled in the Insider Program (Canary or Dev channel) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - CPU with 8 logical processors - NPU with 40 teraflops - Windows Hello for sign-in security and device encryption activated. Compatible devices include: - Acer Swift 14 AI - ASUS Vivobook S 15 and ProArt PZ13 - Dell Latitude 7455, XPS 13, and Inspiron 14 - HP OmniBook X 14 - Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s - Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC - Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Supported CPUs are: - AMD Ryzen AI 300 series - Intel Core Ultra 200V series - Snapdragon X Elite - Snapdragon X Plus More compatible systems and CPUs are expected by 2025.
AppWizard
December 26, 2024
In 2013, Stuart Duncan, known as AutismFather, created Autcraft, a dedicated Minecraft server for children with autism and their families, to provide a safe and inclusive online environment. This initiative was inspired by his son's love for Minecraft and the bullying faced by many children on the autism spectrum in traditional gaming spaces. Duncan left his job as a web developer to focus on Autcraft full-time, which now serves over 17,000 players. The server includes supportive features like the "Bully Board" for sharing experiences of bullying and emphasizes community connection and mutual support.
AppWizard
December 24, 2024
A new PC port of Star Fox 64, called Starship, has been developed by a team known for their PC ports of Nintendo titles. This project does not include copyrighted assets, requiring users to provide their own data files from a legitimate copy of the game. The current build is for Windows users, with Linux and Mac versions in progress. The developers are seeking contributions from Linux and MacOS developers and have made the source code available on GitHub. Takaya Imamura, the designer of Star Fox, expressed mixed feelings about the project on social media, acknowledging potential issues with Nintendo while also expressing happiness about the initiative. Further details can be found on the project's GitHub page.
Winsage
December 24, 2024
This year has seen significant advancements in consumer technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, highlighted by Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative in collaboration with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor, introducing fanless, battery-efficient laptops to the Windows ecosystem. AI companies like OpenAI have expanded their offerings, prompting competitors such as Google, xAI, and Facebook to enhance their products. New brands like XREAL have emerged, while established companies like ASUS have innovated with dual-screen laptops. Accessory manufacturers have also improved their products. The Windows Central Tech Awards for 2024 recognize standout devices and features across various categories, including Tech Innovator of the Year, Best Processor, Best Overall Laptop, Best Keyboard, Best Pre-Built Gaming PC, Best Mini PC, Best Gaming Laptop, Best Gaming Headset, Best Tech Accessory, Best Monitor, Best Gaming Input, Best Gaming Hardware, Best Desktop All-in-One, Best Budget Laptop, Best Business Laptop, Best Mobile App for Windows Users, Best Windows Feature, Best Mouse, and Best Windows PC App. Looking ahead to 2025, advancements in AI, robotics, cloud computing, and potential breakthroughs in 6G and quantum computing are anticipated, with Microsoft focusing on AI server technology acquisitions and developments in PC gaming handhelds and new Xbox hardware.
AppWizard
December 23, 2024
The winter sales are offering significant discounts on video games, with a curated selection of titles priced at [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: The winter sales have arrived, ushering in a season of significant discounts that beckon gamers to indulge in their passion without breaking the bank. For those who thrive on the thrill of finding exceptional games at minimal prices, a curated selection of titles priced at [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: The winter sales are upon us once more: that yearly festival wherein we all unite in the warmth and splendor of substantial discounts. As always, we've put together our roundup of the best Steam Winter Sale deals, but I'm here to provide for a different sort of salesgoer—the kind of dealseeker who wants the absolute most game for the absolute minimum cost. Like, say, a dollar or less.For those of you seeking to stuff your game library's stockings while spending as little as possible, I've assembled a list of excellent games currently on sale for up to—but no more than—$0.99 USD.Super Hexagon — Developer Terry Cavanagh—who also created VVVVVV and the excellent Dicey Dungeons—calls Super Hexagon "a minimal action game." That's not inaccurate, but I might be more inclined to call it "a prolonged, rhythm-based panic attack." But like, in a good way.Shapez — All the optimizational thrills of a factory automation game without any superfluous luxuries like "sprites" or "3D models." Just you, your assembly lines, and an infinitely-expanding map to work with.Downwell — You are falling down a procedurally-generated well in search of treasure, and your boots are guns.Super Bit Blaster XL — If Asteroids had a few more decades in the oven. A bucket of upgrades and unlockables dumped over a classic arcade space shooter.Hylics — Psychedelic turn-based RPG with digitized claymation graphics. Upsetting. Inscrutable. Pretty neat.Superflight — You can fly through procedural mountainscapes in a wingsuit for less than sixty cents. That should say enough.Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition — It's unclear whether we'll ever get a new Deus Ex, so why not go in the other direction? To quote a Steam reviewer: "Incredible how well this game has held up over time. It's not a game, it's a prophecy."Thief Gold — While we're talking classic immersive sims, we can't forget our old friend Garrett. Thief's unscripted stealth gameplay felt like a revelation in 1998, and it still hasn't quite been equalled more than 25 years later.Bridge Constructor Portal — Physics-based bridge assembly meets pseudophysics portal puzzles. An unexpected pairing back in 2017, but one that's proven so perfect that it should've been obvious.Men of War: Assault Squad — Take my advice. Convince a friend to drop a dollar on this, and spend a few hours playing some of the best coop RTS skirmishes the two of you could share.Divine Divinity — Before Baldur's Gate 3, there was Divinity: Original Sin. Before Divinity: Original Sin, there was Divine Divinity. Trace Swen Vincke's endless journey to recapture his love of Ultima 7 with Larian's inaugural hack-and-slash RPG.Mainframe Defenders — A turn-based, loot-heavy mech tactics roguelike with a huge variety of viable builds and strategies. The lovely terminal-inspired interface is just a bonus.Everspace — Arcadey space shooter with a roguelike spin. An affordable place to act out your TIE pilot and X-Wing fighter fantasies in procedurally-generated levels.Itch.ioWindowkill — An experimental twin-stick shooter taking place in multiple windows on your screen. Shoot the edges of your own shrinking window to resize it while enemies attack from windows of their own.Long Live the Axe — A 2D brawler/platformer encouraging you to rip the legbones from skeletons as improvised weaponry.This Is Not Your House — A monochrome choose-your-own psychological horror adventure. Listed features include "crush someone's skull, suffer from hypothermia, transcend your mortal frame."10S — Imagine tennis. Now imagine that tennis was a bullet hell action game.Zones — A surreal walking sim in two acts, in which you'll roam procedural dreamscapes: through purple glades, beneath unfathomable spires of industry, and across a gentle hillside.GOGFEAR Platinum — The 2005 shooter that was brave enough to ask, "What if a spec ops shooter was kinda spooky?" Includes both expansion packs.Worms United — Compilation of the original Worms and its Reinforcements expansion. Delicately aim your arsenal of weapons, only to accidentally obliterate yourself and a sizable chunk of the map.Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior — Even if you've played plenty of 40K, you might've missed the 2003 FPS putting you into the digitigrade hooves of Tau fire warrior Shas'la Kais. Not exactly a classic, but maybe worth playing if only for the novelty of being on the receiving end of bolter fire for once.Her Story — Sam Barlow's police footage FMV murder mystery.Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].99 or less has been assembled, perfect for enhancing your gaming library this holiday season. Steam Highlights Super Hexagon — Created by the talented Terry Cavanagh, known for VVVVVV and Dicey Dungeons, this game offers a minimalistic yet exhilarating experience. It’s best described as a rhythm-based adventure that keeps players on the edge of their seats. Shapez — Dive into the world of factory automation without the distractions of elaborate graphics. Here, you’ll focus solely on optimizing your assembly lines across an ever-expanding map. Downwell — Experience the thrill of descending a procedurally-generated well in search of treasure, armed with gun boots that add a unique twist to the gameplay. Super Bit Blaster XL — A modern take on the classic Asteroids, this game offers a plethora of upgrades and unlockables, revitalizing the arcade space shooter genre. Hylics — This psychedelic RPG features digitized claymation graphics, creating an experience that is both perplexing and captivating. Superflight — Glide through stunning procedural mountainscapes in a wingsuit for less than sixty cents, a deal that speaks for itself. Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition — A timeless classic that continues to resonate with players, often described as a prophetic experience rather than just a game. Thief Gold — Revisit the groundbreaking stealth gameplay of Thief, which remains unmatched even after 25 years, showcasing the evolution of immersive sims. Bridge Constructor Portal — A delightful fusion of physics-based bridge building and portal puzzles, this game has proven to be a perfect match since its debut in 2017. Men of War: Assault Squad — Team up with a friend for an engaging cooperative RTS experience that promises hours of strategic fun. Divine Divinity — Before the acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin, there was this classic RPG, a homage to the beloved Ultima 7. Mainframe Defenders — Engage in turn-based tactics with a loot-heavy approach, featuring a charming terminal-inspired interface. Everspace — An arcade-style space shooter with roguelike elements, offering a budget-friendly avenue to explore your space combat fantasies. Itch.io Gems Windowkill — An innovative twin-stick shooter that unfolds across multiple windows, challenging players to resize their view while fending off enemies. Long Live the Axe — A brawler/platformer that encourages creative combat, allowing players to use skeletons' leg bones as weapons. This Is Not Your House — A monochrome psychological horror adventure that invites players to make chilling choices in a haunting narrative. 10S — A unique twist on tennis, reimagined as a bullet hell action game that promises fast-paced excitement. Zones — A surreal walking simulator that guides players through dreamlike landscapes filled with intrigue and wonder. GOG Treasures FEAR Platinum — This 2005 shooter combines tactical gameplay with a touch of horror, complete with expansion packs for an enhanced experience. Worms United — A compilation of the original Worms and its expansion, where players can unleash their arsenal while navigating the chaos of self-destruction. Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior — Step into the shoes of a Tau fire warrior in this 2003 FPS, offering a fresh perspective on the Warhammer universe. Her Story — A captivating FMV murder mystery that challenges players to piece together a narrative through police footage." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 or less. Notable games include: - Super Hexagon: A minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, described as a rhythm-based experience. - Shapez: A factory automation game focused on optimizing assembly lines without elaborate graphics. - Downwell: Players descend a procedurally-generated well in search of treasure using gun boots. - Super Bit Blaster XL: A modern arcade space shooter inspired by Asteroids, featuring numerous upgrades. - Hylics: A psychedelic RPG with digitized claymation graphics. - Superflight: A wingsuit game allowing players to glide through procedural mountainscapes for under sixty cents. - Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition: A classic game praised for its enduring quality. - Thief Gold: A stealth game that revolutionized immersive sims, remaining influential after 25 years. - Bridge Constructor Portal: Combines physics-based bridge building with portal puzzles. - Men of War: Assault Squad: A cooperative RTS game ideal for strategic gameplay with friends. - Divine Divinity: An early RPG that pays homage to Ultima 7. - Mainframe Defenders: A turn-based mech tactics roguelike with a variety of strategies. - Everspace: An arcade-style space shooter with roguelike elements. Additional titles include: - Windowkill: A twin-stick shooter across multiple windows. - Long Live the Axe: A brawler/platformer using skeletons as weapons. - This Is Not Your House: A psychological horror adventure with player choices. - 10S: A bullet hell action game reimagining tennis. - Zones: A walking simulator through dreamlike landscapes. From GOG: - FEAR Platinum: A tactical horror shooter with expansion packs. - Worms United: A compilation of the original Worms and its expansion. - Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior: A 2003 FPS set in the Warhammer universe. - Her Story: An FMV murder mystery game.
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