AOL Shutdown, AI Controversies, and PC Game Piracy – Late August | DogHouse 28
The tech world never slows down—and neither do the surprises. From bold hardware breakthroughs to unexpected corporate moves, from gaming controversies to clever experiments fighting deepfakes, this week’s stories push the boundaries of what’s possible (and what’s questionable). We’ve rounded up the headlines that matter most—some you’ll see coming, others you definitely won’t. Check it all out below on DogHouse28.
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Bark Bits Articles
Adapttec Announces New RAID Card
Adapttec has unveiled its newest flagship SmartRAID 4300 series RAID cards, an enterprise RAID card engineered for ultra-high performance and software-defined storage. The card is a single low-profile PCIe x16 MD2 form factor and supports up to 32 NVMe SSDs across both PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 standards and delivers blazing sequential read speeds up to 291 GB/s and write speeds reaching 155 GB/s in RAID 5 configurations under Linux.
The most interesting part is the software-defined storage (SDS) architecture in the card. So, instead of connecting to the SSDs, all traffic is routed through software, reducing the CPU load and giving flexibility to mix and match SSD brands and scale more efficiently than traditional RAID. Adaptec even claims up to 7× I/O performance improvement over its earlier models, with rebuild speeds peaking at 32 GB/s read and 22.6 GB/s write.
Reddit blocks Internet Archive to stop AI Scraping.
LINK: Reddit Is Blocking Internet Archive to Halt Free Scraping of User Data | PCMag
Reddit announced recently that they have found AI companies using the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to scrape user data. The public content policy Reddit has in place doesn’t stop companies with honest intentions. Still, they recently found out AI companies were violating policies and scraping data from the Wayback Machine.
While Reddit has not named the company, they are putting restrictions on its website to stop AI companies from using the Wayback Machine as a tool. This prevents the Internet Archive from accessing all website information, leaving only the popular posts from a specific day available, and prevents navigation around the website. Reddit has allowed AI companies in the past, as long as they pay, and will defend its website from companies that don’t comply with its policies.
Internet Archive is hopeful for a better solution and is hoping to continue its long-standing relationship.
Rival App for Tea Suffers Security Breach
LINK: TeaOnHer, a rival Tea app for men, is leaking users’ data and driver’s licenses | Tech Crunch
A rival app for the women’s safety dating app, called TeaOnHer, has suffered a security breach that exposes personal information like IDs and photos.
The app was released in early August, and now faces the same issues its rival app has had in previous months. Tech Crunch launched an investigation that led to several security flaws, including allowing anyone to access personal information like ID verification photos and selfies. The second issue revolves around access to the backdoor administrative panel.
AOL announces September Shutdown
LINK: AOL announces September shutdown for dial-up Internet access
AOL has announced it will discontinue its dial-up internet service on September 30, 2025, marking the end of a 34-year era that began in 1991. The company cited routine product evaluations for the decision, which also includes the termination of the AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, both designed for older systems and slower connections.
While dial-up internet has largely been replaced by faster broadband options, a small user base—particularly in rural areas—has continued to rely on it. A 2019 U.S. Census report estimated that approximately 265,000 Americans still used dial-up connections. For these users, dial-up served as a basic or backup connection where modern infrastructure was limited.
The discontinuation of AOL’s dial-up service signifies the end of an era for a technology that once played a pivotal role in bringing millions online.
WinRAR’s Major Security Flaw
LINK: Security flaw in WinRAR allows malware to install at Windows startup | Tech Spot
WinRAR, an archive manager that can back up data, reduce email attachment sizes, and perform other useful functions, has a serious security flaw within its Windows version. The issue, designated as CVE-2025-8088, will trick the software into placing files in high-sensitivity system locations for individual or all users of the machine.
The malware affects the Windows versions of WinRAR and all their related tools, such as Rar, UnRAR, the Portable UnRAR, and UnRAR.dll. In the attack, the user receives an email with the infected files. When opened with outdated versions, the infected files deploy the malware that can steal personal information, install additional malware, and maintain hidden access.
If you believe you have experienced this issue, don’t worry! WinRAR has released a new version at the end of July that will block files from putting content outside of user-specific locations and also fixes some minor bugs they have found.
A lawsuit filed in California against Microsoft’s deactivation of Windows 10
LINK: Microsoft Sued for Killing Windows 10, Lawsuit Says It’s Forcing AI Upgrades
With Microsoft’s announcement of the end of services for Windows 10 approaching in October, many Windows users are upset with the tech giant for their push for Windows 11.
In a lawsuit filed in California, Lawrence Klein, one of many Windows 10 users, claims that Microsoft is forcing its customers to purchase brand-new hardware to work with Windows 11 and that its AI advancements are driving this requirement. Statcounter reported in July “that 53.39% of worldwide desktop users are on Windows 11, but 43% still use Windows 10.” (Peckham, PC Mag)
With the end date approaching, Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates for Windows 10, which offer a year of security-only updates for $30. The lawsuit and Klein ask that Microsoft continue support for free until the OS becomes less popular among the masses, before Microsoft discontinues the OS in October.
GitHub to be folded into Microsoft’s CoreAI Organization
LINK: GitHub will be folded into Microsoft proper as CEO steps down | ARS Technica
Since 2018, Microsoft has owned GitHub and has let the developer platform operate with independence from the tech giant since the acquisition. But starting in 2026, GitHub will be folded into Microsoft as a part of the CoreAI organization, as it was announced by GitHub’s CEO Thomas Dohmke.
There isn’t much information out on what will happen once GitHub is completely folded within the CoreAI organization, but it will be interesting to see what happens.
Battlefield 6’s requirement for Secure Boot causes issues for some.
LINK: Enabling Secure Boot For Battlefield 6 Is Turning Into A Nightmare For Some | GameSpot
Battlefield 6 will now require Secure Boot: a UEFI security feature that helps prevent malware loading during system startup. While this is a safeguard for EA’s Javelin anti-cheat, the nightmare for some is far messier.
Players report they are having to dive deep into complex BIOS settings to start the game, and in some cases, the system becomes unbootable until the fixes are applied. For those with Linux and Steam Deck, who lack UEFI Secure Boot, lose access to Battlefield 6and even Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. EA says that the Secure Boot is a cheating-detering measure, but many have issues with the configuration burden on players.
Intel Layoffs Leave Key Linux Driver Projects Orphaned
Intel’s widespread, sweeping layoffs in 2025 have disrupted Linux driver development, leaving several critical components without dedicated engineers to maintain them as their dedicated engineers depart Intel. Together, these developments sharply diminish Intel’s presence in open-source Linux ecosystems and raise concerns about future hardware compatibility and system stability.
While the Linux community has a long-standing reputation for stepping in to maintain orphaned projects, the absence of Intel’s proprietary expertise may slow fixes and reduce efficiency. Systems—especially enterprise environments using specialized Intel hardware—could face performance degradation or unresolved bugs if replacements aren’t found soon.
SoftBank buys $2 billion stake in Intel
LINK: Intel will receive a $2 billion lifeline from SoftBank | The Verge
SoftBank has purchased $2 billion of Intel shares, making SoftBank one of the top 10 shareholders in Intel. This investment showcases SoftBank’s confidence in the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and AI infrastructure, dovetailing with its broader $100 billion U.S. infrastructure strategy.
At the same time, the U.S. government is exploring a 10% equity stake in Intel, possibly converting CHIPS Act funding into non-voting stock to bolster domestic chip production and ensure taxpayer return on investment.
Scientists develop light-based watermarks.
LINK: Scientists hid secret codes in light to combat video fakes | Ars Technica
Cornell University researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique to authenticate video footage by embedding hidden secret codes in lighting—a method they’ve dubbed noise-coded illumination.
Instead of watermarking video files or relying on specific cameras, this approach embeds nearly imperceptible light fluctuations into scenes via standard light sources—like computer screens, lamps, or screens—disguised as natural “noise” in the environment.
The system’s strength lies in information asymmetry: only those with the decoding key can interpret the hidden signals, making it significantly harder for deepfake creators to produce convincing forgeries. The team successfully tested the technology under challenging conditions—video compression, varied lighting, and both indoor/outdoor scenes—all while using up to three distinct codes per scene to raise the bar for would-be impostors exponentially.
Indie Studio chooses piracy over paying
LINK: Indie studio urges fans to pirate game rather than play Roblox imitation | TechSpot
Indie developer Aggro Crab, known for the hit co-op climbing game PEAK, stirred the gaming world with a bold declaration: they’d prefer players pirate their game than support a clone. The target of their ire is CLIFF, a Roblox game that mimics PEAK’s mechanics, visuals, and even in-game achievements—all under the free-to-play model that hides aggressive microtransactions behind optional items like virtual companions and tools.
While CLIFF pays homage by naming the original as inspiration, developers argue it crosses into plagiarism—diluting the creative vision and siphoning off player attention with monetization tactics that pressure users to pay more over time. In contrast, PEAK offers a one-time, no-paywall experience on Steam.
AI Deepfake Ads Spark Investigation for Nexon’s The First Descendant
LINK: Video game caught using AI-generated influencers in TikTok ads | Mashable
Nexon is currently investigating a troubling irregularity in its latest ad campaign for The First Descendant: several promotional TikTok videos—purportedly part of its “Creative Challenge”—feature AI-generated influencers that mimic real streamers, complete with eerily synthetic voices and lip-syncing glitches. In at least one case, the AI deepfake appears to use the likeness of a real streamer, who publicly denied involvement, raising serious concerns about consent and deceptive marketing tactics.
Nexon claims TikTok’s systems vetted the submissions and that it assumed all entries were authentic user-generated content. Now the company is working jointly with TikTok to understand what went wrong, while facing backlash from fans and creators who feel real influencers were sidelined in favor of gimmicky, inauthentic visuals.
Hank Green’s “Focus Friend” App Is Winning the App Store—By Being Too Cute to Ignore
Hank Green—TikToker, educator, sock entrepreneur, and all-around internet figure—co-created a delightful productivity tool called Focus Friend with developer Honey B Games. After a soft launch last month, the app has spiked in popularity, landing at No. 4 among all free apps and No. 2 in productivity on the App Store—thanks in part to Hank and his brother John’s social promotion.
Here’s how it works: you set a focus timer and your phone blocks distracting apps. Meanwhile, a little anthropomorphic bean named something adorable like Garbanzo or Susan Bean Anthony knits away, only staying productive if you do. Finish your focus session, and the bean rewards you with socks to decorate its cozy room—a charming twist that blends productivity and companionship.
Feedback has been glowing: users credit it with halving their screen time, easing doom-scrolling, and making focus feel not like a chore but a caring gesture—because you’re not letting your tiny friend down. It’s simple, effective, and perhaps the most adorable productivity push we didn’t know we needed.
Pressing Play on the Past: Computer Entertainer Now in the Public Domain
LINK: VGHF acquires early game magazine Computer Entertainer
The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has officially acquired both the rights and physical archives to Computer Entertainer, one of America’s earliest video game newsletters, published from 1982 to 1990.
Founded as The Video Game Update by sisters Celeste Dolan (editor) and Marylou Badeaux (publisher), this Los Angeles–based mail-order newsletter was one of the few console-focused publications to survive the 1983–84 video game crash. It provided rare contemporary reviews of classic titles—Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy—as well as accurate release dates and CES coverage, making it a vital resource for American gaming history.
VGHF not only digitized the complete run—using rescans from debound originals to ensure fidelity—but also released it under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Now, researchers, creators, and fans can read, share, and even repurpose the magazine freely in their work—just be sure to credit the Foundation Video Game History Foundation. The first full retrospective interview with co-editor Marylou Badeaux is also available via the VGHF’s podcast.
Peeling Back the Silicon Layers: The Intel 386 Revealed
Using a CT scanner, hardware researcher Ken Shirriff has digitally dismantled Intel’s legendary 386 processor—without ever touching a tool. This 1980s CPU may look simple on the outside—a gray ceramic chip with 132 gold pins—but inside, it’s a marvel of miniaturized engineering. The CT scans uncover ultra-fine 35 µm bond wires connecting the silicon die to package routing, a six-layer miniature circuit board structure with four dedicated power and ground planes, and hidden side wires used during manufacturing for gold electroplating.
The imagery reveals the chip’s clever packaging—featuring thermal silver-filled epoxy for heat dissipation and grounding, a smooth scale transition from microscopic circuitry to motherboard pins, and even “No Connect” pins, one secretly active, hinting at testing or expansion uses Intel planned. This work highlights how critical, yet often overlooked, packaging was in enabling the functionality and performance that helped pioneer modern computing.
Transparent Marvel: Natalie the Nerd’s Game Boy Color Reinvented with Clear PCB
In a feat of both technical ingenuity and aesthetic flair, Australian modder Natalie the Nerd has created a fully transparent Game Boy Color—complete with a circuit board made from clear acrylic. Every copper trace and microchip is visible in all its crystalline glory, offering a peek into the device’s inner workings like never before.
Natalie didn’t just transplant internals into a clear shell; she reverse-engineered the motherboard, designed her schematics, and had a third-party manufacturer produce the transparent printed circuit board (PCB). By removing the ground plane—non-essential for a simple device like the Game Boy Color—she achieved full transparency. Handling the delicate acrylic-like board, which has a low ~200 °C melting point, presented its challenges during soldering.
Described by The Verge as “museum-worthy” and hailed for blurring the line between functional gadget and art, this build isn’t built to withstand daily gameplay—Natalie herself admits it’s “just artwork” rather than practical hardware. Still, the visual impact is undeniable: it’s a stunning proof-of-concept that celebrates transparency—both literal and conceptual—in electronics design.
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025: What You Missed
LINK: Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025: All the announcements in one place | PC Gamer
This year’s Gamescom Opening Night Live, hosted by Geoff Keighley, dropped a lineup of jaw-dropping reveals for PC and console gamers. Top highlights include the fiery debut of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, featuring Milo Ventimiglia and Kiernan Shipka and launching this November—plus an in-depth look at Resident Evil Requiem that sent chills through the audience.
The show also revealed LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a fresh open-world adventure arriving in 2026, and brought elegant horror with new footage from Silent Hill f and Ghost of Yōtei. RPG lovers caught an epic sneak peek at Black Myth: Zhong Kui riding a massive tiger.
In short, this year’s ONL proved that Gamescom is fast becoming a launchpad for the biggest franchises, sinister surprises, and indie gems—kick-starting the gaming fall season with maximum impact.
Gaming Spotlight
- Öoo: A Bomb Caterpillar’s Big Adventure! A charming yet mysterious exploration puzzle platformer where you discover creative ways to use bombs!
- $7.00 on Steam
- Subnautica: Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines, and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more – all while trying to survive.
- Currently on sale 75% off (usually $29.99), now $7.49 as this recording!
- You can play on Windows, Mac, and it is VR-supported
EPIC GAMES OF THE WEEK!
- Hidden Folk: Search for hidden folks in hand-drawn, interactive, miniature landscapes. Unfurl tent flaps, cut through bushes, slam doors, and poke some crocodiles! – Available until 8/21 at 10 am
- Reliable Delivery Service Standard Edition: Delivery Attempted. Totally Reliable Delivery Service is a ragdoll physics simulation about terrible package delivery couriers. Work together using odd machinery, useful gadgets, and the wonders of physics to reliably deliver packages to their destination. – Available until 8/21 at 10 am
Tags: Gamescom 2025 announcements, Intel SoftBank $2B investment, Adaptec NVMe RAID card, Reddit blocks Internet Archive, Battlefield 6 Secure Boot issues, scientists light code anti deepfake, AI TikTok ads controversy, Hank Green Focus Friend app, Indie dev urges piracy over shady key resellers, Game History archives, Intel 386 CT scan hardware deep dive, transparent Game Boy PCB, Call of Duty security hack, DogHouse28
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