Gaming Updates : iOS 26: Here's What You Can Do With Apple's New Games Ap

Source : 

https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-26-games-app/

ChatGPT : 

Apple’s new Games app in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe expands the gaming experience by turning the Games tab in the App Store into a full-featured app. Key features include:

- Home Tab: Personalized game suggestions, “Continue Playing,” friend activities, and curated lists like top played games and new releases.

- Events: Showcases limited-time gameplay events and updates.

- Apple Arcade Tab: Dedicated section promoting the $6.99/month Apple Arcade subscription with recommendations.

- Library Tab: Unified library of all games played across devices, showing achievements and quick access to content.

- Play Together Tab: Social hub for multiplayer games, friend lists, and a new Challenges feature for asynchronous competitive gameplay.

- Game Center Integration: More visible with achievements, friend invites, and real-time leaderboards.

- Game Mode: Overlay in Control Center offering quick access to leaderboards, invites, and game settings without leaving the game.

- Multiplayer: Easy invites with Party Codes and links, requiring all players to be on iOS 26+.

- Search & Profile: Improved game discovery and social interaction tools.

The app enhances social gaming on Apple devices but does not support cross-platform play with Android or other systems.

Opinion : 

I think it's a good time for a refreshed gaming app.

Missed the Game Center app days.

Technology Updates : Apple Maps Debuts First Southeast Asia Detailed City Experience In Singapore

Source : 

https://geekculture.co/apple-maps-debuts-first-southeast-asia-detailed-city-experience-in-singapore/

ChatGPT : 

Apple Maps has launched its Detailed City Experience in Singapore, the first country in Southeast Asia to receive the update. The new features include custom 3D landmarks like Gardens by the Bay and Lau Pa Sat, enhanced road markings, clearer navigation aids for drivers and public transport users, and windshield views for complex interchanges. The update also introduces night mode with dynamic lighting. These improvements aim to enhance navigation, safety, and visual clarity for locals and tourists alike.

Opinion : 

It looks nice.

If it could bring colours that match the household blocks, this would guide people to find their destinations.

Wonder if AI could do the colour mapping 🤔

Rewards Updates : Exclusive Sonic-themed Merchandise up for grabs for ShopperLink Members!

Source : 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DShJpWsxh/

Information : 

🎁 Exclusive Sonic-themed Merchandise up for grabs for ShopperLink Members! 🌀✨

Celebrate SG60 with Sonic the Hedgehog and get your hands on limited-edition merchandise! 🛍️💙

Simply download the ShopperLink app, create an account and earn ShopperLink Points when you shop at participating shops to redeem! 

Here’s what you can redeem: 

🎮 Exclusive Sonic-themed Stainless Steel Mug with Lid - perfect for your daily dash of Sonic speed!

🎮 Exclusive Sonic-themed Umbrella - stay dry and stylish in the rain with Sonic and Friends! 

Redemption Period is from 19 July to 23 August! 

📢 Keep an eye out for more details and get ready to score some awesome Sonic-themed prizes! 🎁🏆 

While stocks last, terms & conditions apply.

Opinion : 

Good time to claim the rewards again. Products look ok.

App redemption is down right now 😅, even affecting the basic scan receipts functionality 😔

LifeStyle Updates : What a New Plants Vs Zombies Game Needs to Learn From PvZ 3

Source : 

https://gamerant.com/plants-vs-zombies-new-game-lessons-pvz-3-improve-how-simple/

Apple Intelligence :

• Franchise Status: Plants vs. Zombies, once a popular casual game, has lost momentum and could benefit from learning from its last installment.

• Game Developer: PopCap, known for arcade games like Peggle and Bejeweled, created Plants vs. Zombies and was later acquired by EA.

• Game Success: Plants vs. Zombies achieved massive popularity due to its charming art style, humor, and strategic gameplay.

• Series Decline: The Plants vs. Zombies series has been declining since 2019, with PvZ: Battle for Neighborville failing to resonate with fans and subsequent games suffering from lack of support and power creep.

• PvZ 3 Failure: The release of Plants vs. Zombies 3, intended to revive the series, has been unsuccessful, with the game being unlisted after soft launches and failing to attract players.

• Back to Basics: The next Plants vs. Zombies game should return to the classic formula of PvZ and PvZ 2, focusing on strategic plant selection and gameplay mechanics that made the series popular, while avoiding excessive monetization and power creep.

• Storytelling Approach: Return to the simplicity of PvZ’s story, relying on level design and minimal dialogue.

• Character and World Building: Avoid complex lore, a vast universe of characters, and world-threatening stakes.

• Gameplay Focus: Prioritize challenging gameplay with evolving zombie attacks and strategic level design.

Technology Updates : Windows 11 pirates have a new and unlikely ally — Microsoft Copilot

Source:

https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/windows-11-pirates-have-a-new-and-unlikely-ally-microsoft-copilot

Apple Intelligence:

• Copilot’s Role: Microsoft Copilot can provide a script to activate Windows 11 without a license.

• Activation Method: Copilot offers a how-to guide with a script to activate the operating system.

• Ethical Concerns: This feature raises security and ethical concerns related to piracy.

• Windows Activation Method: Microsoft Copilot shared a method to activate Windows 11 without a license, which is not new but unusual to be shared by Microsoft’s own tool.

• Method Warning: Copilot provided a warning about the potential risks of using unauthorized activation methods, including violating Microsoft’s terms of service and potential legal consequences.

• Security Risks: Copilot highlighted the security risks associated with using activation scripts, such as the potential for malware or other malicious software.

• Software Activation Risks: Unauthorized activations can lead to system instability, lack of support, and security vulnerabilities.

• Ethical Concerns: Using activation scripts is considered software piracy and unethical.

• Security Risks of Running Unknown Code: Executing code from unknown sources, like GitHub, can lead to malware infections.

Technology Updates : SetApp, is it worth paying for Netflix-style apps?

URL: https://medium.com/@winsonfong1982/setapp-is-it-worth-paying-for-netflix-style-apps-1bab3a892f5c