X Archives

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

PS5 emulator successfully runs six titles at a playable 60 FPS — PS5 emulation continues to gather momentum as developers improve shader translation and Vulkan support

Developers of SharpEmu, an experimental open-source PS5 emulator, have achieved playable frame rates of 60 FPS for six out of 55 tested PS5 titles. The six titles that reached this milestone are Dreaming Sarah, Void Terrarium, New Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja, Tetris Forever, Hoa, and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered. This achievement coincides with the release of SharpEmu v0.0.4-release.2, which includes improvements such as enhanced SPIR-V shader translation and updated Vulkan API support. SharpEmu is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, and utilizes Vulkan and MoltenVK for graphics API calls. The emulator leverages the PlayStation 5's AMD Zen 2 x86-64 CPU to execute console CPU instructions natively on PCs. Currently, only 12 of the 55 tested titles are in a game-ready state, with six playable at 60 FPS. SharpEmu is intended for research and educational purposes and does not include copyrighted system firmware or game data. Additionally, another emulator, KytyPS5, has run the PS5 version of GTA V at approximately 40 to 60 FPS, though it experienced crashes after the opening mission.

Winsage

September 28, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 releases any day now, and here’s who gets it and when

Windows 11 26H2 is expected to begin public rollout around the week of September 28 or early October. Microsoft has released evaluation ISOs for enterprise users to assess compatibility before broader deployment. The release of these ISOs indicates that the public rollout is imminent. Windows 11 26H2 is built on the same platform as versions 24H2 and 25H2, which allows for a smoother upgrade experience. Support for Windows 11 25H2 ends on October 12, 2027, and for 24H2 even sooner, prompting the introduction of 26H2 to provide users with a new support window. Windows 11 26H2 will be available as an optional feature update and will take about five minutes to install for users with up-to-date systems running 24H2 or 25H2. Eligibility for the update includes any PC currently running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2. The rollout is expected to occur on a Tuesday, with potential dates of September 29 or October 6. Not all eligible PCs will receive the update simultaneously, and users can manually check for updates or download ISOs as needed.

BetaBeacon

September 28, 2026

PKForge Is A New Android Pokémon Bank Built For Retro Handhelds & ROM Hacks

Main features of version 3.0 include managing Pokémon by editing various aspects, legalizing Pokémon offline, moving Pokémon between games, storing collections in a Bank, tracking the Pokédex, browsing and injecting events, editing the bag and trainer, using RNG tools, batch editing, breeding and hatching Pokémon, completing the Pokédex, playing with Pokémon in the Poképark, sharing teams, using game-specific editors, keeping saves safe, and supporting dual-screen devices. The software supports various generations of Pokémon games and emulators.

Winsage

September 28, 2026

Microsoft was better at software in the ’90s, and these still-useful Windows utilities prove it

Microsoft PowerToys originated during the development of Windows 95 as small programs created by engineers to test concepts and ease workloads. The first collection of PowerToys included tools like FindX, Send To X, and Tweak UI. System Configuration (MSConfig) helps isolate configuration and startup issues by allowing selective loading of services and startup components, remaining useful despite modern management shifting to Task Manager. Disk Cleanup was launched with Windows 98 to help users reclaim disk space, featuring commands that allow saving cleanup profiles, a functionality that persists in Windows 11. Task Scheduler, introduced in 1995 as System Agent in the Microsoft Plus! pack for Windows 95, automates tasks based on specific triggers. System File Checker (SFC), dating back to Windows 98, scans and repairs protected Windows resources, evolving from a graphical utility to a command-line tool. Device Manager provides an expandable tree of hardware components and reflects advancements in Microsoft's Plug and Play system from Windows 95, continuing to assist users in hardware inspection and troubleshooting. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag) was created for gamers in the late '90s to examine hardware and software configurations related to DirectX and remains available in Windows 11.

Winsage

September 27, 2026

Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame,” and imagines an alternate history where it won

Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.

Winsage

September 26, 2026

Windows Insiders Can Test Phone Companion Improvements and New Mouse Pointer Effects

Microsoft has released new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders in the Experimental and Beta Channels. The Experimental build 26340.9577 includes energy recommendations accessible from the system tray’s Quick Settings. The Beta build 26220.9568 allows users to preview recent message content in the Phone Companion by hovering the mouse cursor over it. New Pointer Indicator settings have been added under Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch, providing crosshair effects for easier cursor location for users with low vision, which can be toggled with Win + Ctrl + X. The Beta build also features a contrast theme toggle in the Magnifier tool that recolors the interface without altering the original hues of photos, videos, and charts. No new features were introduced in the new 26H1 preview builds for Insiders on both channels, and there was no new release from the Experimental segment.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2026

Norton 360 for Gamers vs Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes [2026]

Norton, Bitdefender, and Malwarebytes have adjusted their antivirus products to mitigate the negative effects on gaming performance. In June 2026, Norton 360 and Bitdefender Total Security both received a perfect AV-TEST score of 18 out of 18, while Malwarebytes achieved a 100% real-world protection rate in AV-Comparatives testing, though it had more false positives. Bitdefender Total Security is recommended for gamers due to its low frame-rate impact of 0-2%, while Norton 360 offers features for streamers and competitive players, and Malwarebytes serves as a lightweight secondary scanner. The value of gaming accounts has increased, making them targets for cybercriminals, with malware campaigns like Vidar 2.0 accounting for 41% of gaming-related malware detections. New malware families such as Katz and Bee specifically target Discord and gaming platforms. In terms of performance, Norton showed a 2-3% FPS decrease in Cyberpunk 2077, while Bitdefender's impact was only 0-2%, and Malwarebytes had less than 1% impact. Norton and Bitdefender are tied in detection capabilities, both scoring 18/18 in AV-TEST, while Malwarebytes had a 92.4% offline detection rate and 98.3% online. Norton includes a no-log VPN and gamer-tag monitoring, while Bitdefender offers identity protection without specific gamer-tag monitoring. Malwarebytes lacks a VPN and password manager. Pricing varies, with Norton starting at .99 for three devices, Bitdefender at .99 for one device, and Malwarebytes at .99 for one device. To switch antivirus solutions, users should back up their license keys, use removal tools, and ensure game-aware modes are active. Each product has unique strengths: Norton excels in gamer-tag monitoring, Bitdefender minimizes CPU usage, and Malwarebytes is lightweight but lacks additional features.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Call of Duty ‘cosmetic toggle’ will cleanse Warzone of its Party City aesthetic

Warzone has introduced a "cosmetic toggle" that allows players to disable legacy character skins at a client level, specifically for Warzone, while Modern Warfare 4 will not carry over any cosmetics from previous titles. This feature aims to address concerns about mismatched crossover skins and create a more cohesive gaming experience. The toggle is a response to previous commitments to avoid old skins, although collaborations have complicated this effort. Its effectiveness may diminish with the introduction of new characters in future seasons, and its future depends on Infinity Ward's commitment to aesthetic integrity and potential expansions of the toggle.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Motorola just gave privacy fans a big reason to consider the Signature 27

Motorola's Signature 27 will be one of the first phones powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset. GrapheneOS has confirmed initial support for the Signature 27, expanding beyond Google Pixel phones. GrapheneOS is based on AOSP and focuses on privacy, with optional Google Play services running sandboxed. The Signature 27 features a revamped camera layout and includes premium enhancements such as Audio by B&O. Motorola has not disclosed the release date or pricing for the Signature 27.

BetaBeacon

September 25, 2026

Pokémon-Like RPG ‘Aniimo’ Launches on iOS and Android After Huge PC and Console Debut

Aniimo, a new creature-catching game, has been released on iPhone by Pawprint Studio. The game allows players to capture over 200 creatures known as Aniimo and merge with them to utilize their abilities for combat, traversal, and puzzle-solving. Aniimo has gained popularity with over 100,000 concurrent Steam players and positive reviews for its art style and combat mechanics. The mobile release offers full cross-platform play and cross-progression with PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, as well as online co-op, PvP modes, and a Homeland system. The game is available for free on the App Store with in-app purchases and is accessible on Android, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.