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What Is Serverless PostgreSQL?
Tech Optimizer
July 12, 2026

What Is Serverless PostgreSQL?

Serverless PostgreSQL is a fully managed cloud database model that separates compute and storage, allowing them to scale independently and automatically based on demand. It eliminates the need for manual infrastructure provisioning and capacity planning, charging only for active usage. Unlike traditional PostgreSQL setups, which require continuous resource allocation and manual scaling, serverless PostgreSQL provisions resources on demand and can scale down to zero during idle periods. Serverless PostgreSQL integrates with serverless compute platforms, enabling analytical queries to access the same data within a unified architecture. Key differences between traditional and serverless PostgreSQL include manual versus automatic provisioning and scaling, fixed versus usage-based billing, and high versus reduced operational overhead. Lakebase architecture is an emerging model that combines transactional databases with lakehouse foundations, allowing operational and analytical workloads to coexist on a single platform. This architecture minimizes data duplication and simplifies access, enhancing data management and analysis. Serverless PostgreSQL operates on a cloud-native architecture that enhances efficiency by allowing compute and storage to scale autonomously. It features scale-to-zero behavior, where compute resources are suspended when inactive and reactivated upon new queries. Major providers include Databricks Lakebase, Amazon Aurora Serverless v2, and Neon, each offering varying capabilities and integrations. Pricing for serverless PostgreSQL typically includes charges for compute resources, storage, and data transfer, with costs fluctuating based on workload activity. Cold start latency is a performance consideration, as reactivating compute resources can introduce delays. Strategies to mitigate this include keeping resources partially active or selecting providers with minimal cold start impacts. Serverless PostgreSQL is well-suited for OLTP workloads, while lakebase architecture is better for AI development, variable workloads, and environments requiring rapid iteration. Setting up serverless PostgreSQL involves choosing a provider, creating a database instance, and configuring access settings. It can also be used alongside serverless compute platforms for analytics, further extending its capabilities.
Weekend PC Game Deals: GTA, Borderlands, Kingdom Come, Stray and more
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: GTA, Borderlands, Kingdom Come, Stray and more

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles this week: Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon, available until July 16, when Echo Generation and Luto will replace them. The July Humble Choice lineup includes eight games: Sea of Stars: Sunset Edition, TUNIC, Neon White, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers, Drop Duchy - Complete Edition, Sledders, Dicefolk, and Our Adventurer Guild, available for purchase until August 4. Additionally, Humble has released two game bundles: the Narrative Bundle, featuring 12 games, and the Squad Goals bundle, which includes cooperative titles. The GOG store has ended its DRM-free summer sale but continues with standard promotions. Availability and pricing may vary by region.
Obsidian game director is sick of hearing bad takes about the state of the studio: 'The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear'
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

Obsidian game director is sick of hearing bad takes about the state of the studio: ‘The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear’

Microsoft has restructured Xbox, resulting in significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and the disbanding of four game studios, including Double Fine and Compulsion Games returning to indie status, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs were sold. Obsidian Entertainment, initially thought to be unaffected, also faced layoffs but is reportedly developing a new Fallout game with Josh Sawyer as director. A member of Obsidian's leadership, Adler, expressed frustration over misconceptions about the studio's evolution, emphasizing that key figures from its past successes remain. He reassured fans that the core essence of Obsidian is unchanged, despite recent challenges. Adler acknowledged the emotional toll of the layoffs and expressed support for departing employees. Anticipation for Obsidian's new Fallout title is growing.
Microsoft is now using AI to fix Windows bugs before hackers exploit them
Winsage
July 12, 2026

Microsoft is now using AI to fix Windows bugs before hackers exploit them

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence into its vulnerability detection processes for the Windows operating system to enhance security. This will lead to more frequent security updates during monthly Patch Tuesday releases. The company aims to address the rise in AI-driven exploits and is refining its secure software development model to combat evolving tactics used in AI-driven attacks. While AI will assist in identifying vulnerabilities, human oversight will remain essential, with developers reviewing code and validating AI-generated findings before deploying updates.
I wish someone told me about these 5 Android Auto settings before I bought my new car
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

I wish someone told me about these 5 Android Auto settings before I bought my new car

A 2003 PT Cruiser was replaced by a 2022 Hyundai Tucson after a transmission failure. The Hyundai Tucson features modern technology, including Android Auto. Key settings in Android Auto can enhance the user experience: 1. Taskbar Widgets: Enable taskbar widgets in the Android Auto settings to display miniature widgets for multitasking. 2. Launcher Customization: Rearrange the app drawer and hide infrequently used apps for a more organized interface. 3. Change Home Screen Layout: Adjust the layout to place the media app closer to the driver for easier access. 4. Play Media by Default: Disable the automatic playback of the last played media upon startup for more control over audio selection. 5. Gemini Actions: Create multi-step commands for tasks like navigation and media playback with a single command to streamline the driving routine.
Running pgvector in production on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL
Tech Optimizer
July 12, 2026

Running pgvector in production on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

Running pgvector on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition offers a vector store with operational capabilities, high availability, and scalability. It is favored for Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) workloads transitioning to production, but increased traffic introduces challenges like query latency and memory management. Key operational practices for pgvector workloads include selecting the appropriate index type (HNSW or IVFFlat), establishing a baseline schema, choosing a suitable distance operator, scaling the index through quantization and partitioning, and preparing for churn and observability. The prerequisites for using pgvector include an Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible cluster with specific PostgreSQL versions and the vector extension enabled. The embedding model used in examples is Amazon Titan Text Embeddings V2, which produces 1024-dimensional embeddings. pgvector supports two Approximate Nearest Neighbor (ANN) index types: HNSW, which is efficient for querying and allows for incremental insertions, and IVFFlat, which is less resource-intensive but requires rebuilding if data changes. There are scenarios where forgoing an index is beneficial, such as small datasets or partitioned datasets requiring 100% recall. A baseline schema for a multi-tenant document store includes creating a table for documents with an embedding vector and establishing indexes for tenant IDs and embeddings using HNSW. The recommended parameters for HNSW include m = 16 and ef_construction = 128. Scaling to millions of vectors involves quantization, tuning HNSW parameters, and partitioning. Aurora Optimized Reads can extend effective cache capacity, and managing index churn is crucial for maintaining performance. Observability metrics include query-level statistics, instance-level metrics, and custom application-defined metrics. To clean up after testing, it is advisable to drop the created indexes and tables, and delete the Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible cluster and any manual snapshots taken during testing.
Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that's lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that’s lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year

ZeniMax Online Studios and ZeniMax Media have undergone significant restructuring, resulting in the layoff of 379 employees—213 from ZeniMax Online and 166 from ZeniMax Media. There is no separate notice for Bethesda Game Studios, suggesting that some layoffs may include Bethesda personnel. The ZeniMax Online Union's membership has declined from 461 to approximately 186 employees, indicating a reduction of about 40% in workforce over a year and a half. Despite The Elder Scrolls Online generating substantial monthly revenue for over a decade, the decision to reduce the workforce raises questions about the strategic direction of ZeniMax Online.
Roughly 192 Subnautica 2 players have drowned every minute since launch
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

Roughly 192 Subnautica 2 players have drowned every minute since launch

Players of Subnautica 2 have collectively logged over 58 million hours of gameplay in under two months since its early access launch. During this time, players have recorded a staggering number of drownings, exceeding the average annual unintentional drowning deaths in the United States (4,083) by a factor of 3,829. Many players are equipped with oxygen tanks and exploring areas with breathable oxygen bubbles.
This Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Mod Removes the Yellow Color Filter for More Natural Graphics
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

This Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Mod Removes the Yellow Color Filter for More Natural Graphics

Modder ‘Blu’ has created a Reshade Mod for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced that removes the yellow color filter, allowing for a more authentic color palette. This mod is available for download and requires the latest version of Reshade with Prod80’s shaders for optimal performance. Comparison screenshots show the differences between the modded and vanilla versions. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced performs better than its predecessor but has a bug that can lock the framerate during cutscenes, which Ubisoft is addressing in an upcoming update. Players can adjust settings like Ray Tracing, BVH, and Terrain Quality to mitigate performance issues.
You Can Use A GameCube Controller On Your PC - Here's How
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

You Can Use A GameCube Controller On Your PC – Here’s How

Many leading gaming brands are now offering USB-cable versions of controllers for better compatibility. Nintendo's Switch 2 features a controller that connects to Windows systems via cable or Bluetooth with a dedicated PC application. The original GameCube controller requires an external adapter for PC use, as it lacks a USB connection. To use a GameCube controller on a PC, an adapter is necessary, with popular options including the official Wii U adapter and various Mayflash models. The adapter must be set to the correct mode for the games being played, particularly for emulated GameCube titles. As of late 2025, Steam supports GameCube controllers natively, including rumble support, and recognizes both original controllers with adapters and third-party alternatives. The GameCube controller designed for the Switch 2 is also compatible with Steam. Users should ensure their Steam client is updated and can customize controls using Steam Input. While the GameCube controller is effective for games designed for it, it may not perform optimally for modern games.
AI Threat Forces Microsoft To Update Windows Patch Guidance
Winsage
July 11, 2026

AI Threat Forces Microsoft To Update Windows Patch Guidance

Microsoft is advocating for a reevaluation of Windows patch management practices due to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) impacting cybersecurity. The company emphasizes that traditional timelines for patch deployment, typically spanning several weeks after the monthly Patch Tuesday, are inadequate against modern cyber threats. Microsoft recommends organizations shorten deployment windows to under three days for quality updates, with immediate installation deadlines and minimal user grace periods. To support these changes, Microsoft is enhancing Windows Autopatch with a new reporting dashboard for patch compliance and security insights. The company is promoting cloud-managed deployment through Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch while continuing to support legacy tools. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing Windows Hotpatch technology, allowing security updates to be installed without immediate reboots, and advocating for the use of identity-based access controls to isolate unpatched devices. The guidance reflects a shift from scheduled patching to continuous risk management, encouraging organizations to prioritize high-risk assets and automate update deployments. Microsoft is also investing in AI-assisted vulnerability discovery and automated code analysis to improve defensive capabilities. The overarching message is that enterprises must adapt their update strategies to address the accelerated pace of AI-driven exploitation.
Minecraft: The Official Crochet Book Has Been Announced
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

Minecraft: The Official Crochet Book Has Been Announced

Minecraft: The Official Crochet Book will be released on July 14, 2026. It features 20 crochet projects inspired by Minecraft characters and elements, designed by Lee Sartori and Nadia Oxford. The book includes step-by-step instructions, detailed charts, and yarn suggestions, making it suitable for all skill levels. Projects range from amigurumi figures to wearable art, including hats, scarves, blankets, and decor. The book also contains full-color photography.
The Minecraft Movie votes are in and, despite controversy, everyone's a winner
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

The Minecraft Movie votes are in and, despite controversy, everyone’s a winner

Jack Black and Jason Momoa will reprise their roles as Steve and Garrett in the upcoming sequel, A Minecraft Movie Squared, alongside Kirsten Dunst as Alex. Mojang announced a competition for fans to submit designs for the film, selecting three finalists: 'Lightning Rod Lighthouse' by Francisco C.M., 'Copper Badlands Castle' by Rosanna C., and 'Tranquil Taiga Tower' by Iola Y. The 'Tree Village' by Ben V. was disqualified for not adhering to submission guidelines but will be recognized as an honorable mention. All builds will be included in the movie or its end credits. A Minecraft Movie Squared is scheduled for release on July 23, 2027.
Minecraft Update 3.42 Applies Bedrock 26.33 on July 11
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

Minecraft Update 3.42 Applies Bedrock 26.33 on July 11

The Bedrock Edition 26.33 has been released as update 3.42 for Minecraft on PS4, addressing a bug related to texture bleeding on custom blocks. The update has a modest download size and is considered a minor hotfix. Mojang is also aware of various other bugs reported by players, including unusual grass behavior, issues with skin display, and significant lag in multiplayer environments, among others.
Palworld studio says delete your old mods before the 1.0 release: 'Disabling them is not enough'
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

Palworld studio says delete your old mods before the 1.0 release: ‘Disabling them is not enough’

Palworld is officially launching on July 10 after two and a half years in early access. The game's price will remain unchanged, but players are warned about potential issues with outdated mods. Pocketpair encourages players to back up their save data, delete specific old files, verify game files via Steam, and check that the game launches properly before the update. Players should unsubscribe from and delete any mods and wait for developers to confirm compatibility with the 1.0 version before reinstalling. Issues arising from using mods are not covered by support.
The most deranged videogame challenge run I've seen: A no-hit playthrough of the 'Unfair' difficulty in a 100-hour RPG
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

The most deranged videogame challenge run I’ve seen: A no-hit playthrough of the ‘Unfair’ difficulty in a 100-hour RPG

Davey Gunface, a YouTuber, achieved a no-hit playthrough on the Unfair difficulty setting of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. This game is known for its challenging nature, requiring skill and an understanding of build optimization. Gunface used a specific character build: Human Witch of the Veil 10 / Loremaster 9 / Rowdy Rogue 1, and employed strategies like sacrificing starter companions' builds to survive early levels. His journey includes notable characters like the Rowdy Rogue and Sabertooth Tiger pets. Gunface's full video documenting this achievement is three hours long and available on YouTube.
"Compliance-in-advance is never enough to appease a zealous censor": Robert Yang on the current challenge of bringing experimental gay games to Steam
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

“Compliance-in-advance is never enough to appease a zealous censor”: Robert Yang on the current challenge of bringing experimental gay games to Steam

Radiator Forever, a collection of short and experimental gay games by developer Robert Yang, has launched on Steam alongside its presence on Itch.io. Yang discussed the challenges faced by adult game creators, particularly due to payment processor issues and online regulations in the UK, which affect the viability of such games on major platforms. Users must log in to view the collection on Steam, and UK users need a valid credit card for age verification. The Steam listing is difficult to find without a direct link and is subject to geoblocking in certain regions. Yang explained that the anti-sexuality censorship campaign led by Collective Shout and payment processors prompted Itch to obscure many NSFW games. He noted that Valve has classified Radiator Forever as containing "frequent nudity and sexual content," which limits its visibility on Steam. Despite efforts to comply with content guidelines, Yang faced challenges due to perceived biases against indie developers compared to major publishers. The re-remastered collection includes enhancements like a completion percentage tracker and a tagging system for new content.
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