achievement Archives

Tech Optimizer

August 12, 2025

How Wiz achieved near-zero downtime for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL major version upgrades at scale using Aurora Blue/Green Deployments

Wiz upgraded its Aurora PostgreSQL database from version 14 to 16, achieving a significant reduction in downtime from approximately one hour to just 30 seconds. The upgrade was facilitated by an automated process called DB Upgrade Pilot, which utilized Amazon Aurora's Blue/Green Deployments. This process involved several steps: taking a cluster snapshot, provisioning a synchronized replica of the production database, executing a VACUUM ANALYZE for performance optimization, monitoring replication lag, and performing a switchover to the new environment. The upgrade included performance enhancements such as improved parallel query execution and faster aggregations, along with enhanced security features. The solution also incorporated safety measures like automatic rollback capability and robust validation steps to ensure a stable upgrade process.

AppWizard

August 10, 2025

Google can make AI good if it puts its mind to it. The Storybook Gem is proof

Skepticism towards artificial intelligence exists, with some viewing the surge in AI development as profit-driven, particularly by companies like Google. Google has introduced Gemini, which features Storybook, allowing users to create a 10-page children's book by specifying a theme and illustrations. This tool enhances user experience and fosters creativity, especially for storytelling between grandparents and grandchildren. However, there are concerns about the misuse of AI technology. The text reflects on Google's past initiatives aimed at positive societal impact, contrasting them with a current focus on consumer products. There is a desire for more user-friendly applications that benefit society, such as tools for children to learn coding or assist seniors. The integration of Gemini AI into devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro demonstrates how technology can enhance creativity and everyday experiences.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

‘Wednesday’ bestie Emma Myers talks wolfing out, ‘Minecraft’ memes

Emma Myers began her acting career in 2010 on "The Glades," where she played the daughter of a NASA mission specialist by simply smiling for the camera in family photos. She gained prominence as Enid in Netflix's "Wednesday," which debuted three years ago, and has since taken on various roles, including the lead in "A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder" and as Natalie in "A Minecraft Movie." Myers has a role in the upcoming animated feature "Angry Birds 3," set for release in 2027. In the second season of "Wednesday," Enid is involved in a love triangle and faces a new rival, Agnes. Myers has experienced personal growth and gained confidence over the past three years. She has input in Enid's wardrobe and character design, including a new haircut for Season 2. Myers finds the balance of Enid's werewolf transformations important and has received praise for her British accent in "A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder." She recently won a Kids' Choice Award for her performance in "A Minecraft Movie."

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Raven union secures Microsoft contract

Unionised employees at Raven Software have secured their first contract with Microsoft after nearly three years of negotiations involving 19 quality assurance staff members. The contract includes a ten percent compensation increase over the next two years, allows for permanent work-from-home arrangements, and reduces mandatory overtime while requiring a minimum of seven days' notice for any required overtime work. The unionisation process began in 2022, with Activision Blizzard recognizing the bargaining unit shortly after. However, in August 2024, the union accused Microsoft and Activision Blizzard of negotiating in "bad faith."

Winsage

August 4, 2025

AMD Stock Gains on Steam Hardware Survey Milestone

AMD's stock rose by 2.57% on Monday, contributing to a year-to-date gain of 46.2% and a 27.35% increase over the past year. The company's share of processors used by gamers on the Steam platform increased to 41.26% in July from 39.65% in June and 23.73% in 2020. Intel holds 58.74% of the market. The consensus rating for AMD is a Moderate Buy, with 24 Buy ratings, 10 Hold ratings, and 1 Sell rating. The average price target for AMD stock is set at 6.47, indicating a potential downside of 11.17% from current levels. Trading volume reached approximately 17.89 million shares, below the three-month daily average of about 54.7 million units.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Google releases Gemini 2.5 Deep Think for AI Ultra subscribers

Google is rolling out its latest AI model, Gemini 2.5 Deep Think, which is available exclusively through the Gemini app and requires a subscription to Google's premium AI Ultra plan. Deep Think enhances the capabilities of Gemini 2.5 Pro by increasing "thinking time" through greater parallel analysis, allowing it to explore various problem-solving methods. It requires several minutes to formulate a response, contributing to its proficiency in design aesthetics, scientific reasoning, and coding. Deep Think has been benchmarked against other models, showing superiority over Gemini 2.5 Pro and competing models like OpenAI's o3 and Grok 4. It scored 34.8 percent on Humanity's Last Exam, outperforming other models that typically score between 20 to 25 percent.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

First-party and Game Pass push Xbox revenue up 10%

Microsoft's Xbox division achieved a ten percent increase in revenue, with a 13 percent surge in content and services revenue for the financial year 2024/25. Xbox Game Pass generated nearly billion in annual revenue for the first time. The latest Call of Duty installment, Black Ops 6, attracted over 50 million players, totaling two billion hours of gameplay. Microsoft launched Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation and Oblivion Remastered across all platforms. The company is developing around 40 games currently.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth Messaging App Bitchat Hits App Store Top 200

Jack Dorsey announced that his decentralized messaging app, Bitchat, has reached position 186 in the Business category of Apple’s App Store. Bitchat operates over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, allowing communication without central servers, user accounts, or phone numbers. The app focuses on ephemeral messaging and stores data only in device memory. Block Inc. is included in the S&P 500 and holds 8,584 Bitcoin valued at over a billion dollars.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Tourism New Zealand Leverages GuideGeek Travel AI Technology to Drive Engagement in Fully Playable Minecraft Destination

Visitors to New Zealand can now use an AI trip planner from Matador Network's GuideGeek platform, available at newzealand.com. This tool answers common travel questions and provides personalized responses based on data from Tourism New Zealand and local businesses. Additionally, New Zealand has become the first fully playable destination in Minecraft, allowing users to explore virtual representations of iconic locations. Since its launch in late 2024, the AI has had around 200,000 unique users, with a 600% increase in interactions for those engaging with it. The initiative is part of a collaboration with 11 mana whenua groups, the tourism sector, Warner Bros., and Mojang Studios.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Windows 10’s secret ingredient was that we believed in it

Windows 10 was launched a decade ago and is remembered fondly for its blend of innovation and familiarity. It introduced features like Windows Hello for biometric identification, a vibrant Start menu, and the virtual assistant Cortana to enhance user experience. The Windows Insider program fostered community collaboration, allowing user feedback to shape the product. Despite its flaws, such as unsuccessful mixed-reality initiatives, Windows 10 represented a time of optimism in technology. As Windows 11 emerges, it appears to focus more on AI-driven features, raising questions about the future of operating systems. Windows 10 provided a sense of community and collaboration that many users now miss.