AI Archives

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

No tracker tag? Gemini can now store item locations right in Find Hub

Gemini can now remember the locations of important items without a tracker by allowing users to inform it where they placed an item or upload a photo, which it logs in Find Hub. Users can later ask Gemini for the item's location or view saved locations in Find Hub's new memory tab. This feature was introduced in Google's September Android Drop as part of a broader update.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Google Messages just became a lot more fun with new chat themes, but it could learn a thing or two from Apple Messages

Google's Messages app has introduced new chat themes that allow users to change conversation backgrounds by selecting from various photos or uploading their own images. This feature personalizes the chat experience and adjusts chat bubble colors to match the background. Currently, themes are only visible to the user who applies them, limiting shared experiences. Users have suggested improvements, such as on-device background generation and syncing themes across devices. Additionally, some users have reported a bug where the app may freeze when tapping on a theme without applying it, although this issue varies among users.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Next bus to Altrincham delayed by Windows Defender

The UK Departure Boards system displays bus services alongside rail departures, with digital signage common in cities like Manchester. A display featuring the Bee network logo showed estimated arrival times but also included a Windows Defender Firewall notification, likely due to a misconfiguration. This display is part of Vix Technology's initiative to enhance public transport, with plans to install nearly 300 units by 2026, which will provide information and audible updates for visually impaired users. The unit is speculated to be a Vix Technology ITD-2810S or similar, designed for low power consumption and capable of charging overnight.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Don’t miss Windows 11 Pro for one PC for only $7.97

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This limited-time promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. PT on September 1. The upgrade offers a modern interface, improved multitasking, and robust security features, including Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and Azure AD integration. It also includes Copilot, an AI-powered assistant for various tasks. The offer is available through StackSocial.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

How to make sure your Android phone is secure

Android devices have various features to enhance security and privacy. A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that nearly 75% of Americans have faced online scams, which have become more sophisticated, including vishing scams using AI-generated deepfakes. Android offers tools to mitigate these risks, such as AI-driven scam detection and theft protection. To safeguard devices, users should keep their software updated by checking Settings > About Phone for the current version and navigating to Settings > System > Software Updates for updates. App updates can be managed through the Google Play Store under Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps. Securing Google accounts with two-factor authentication is recommended, which can be set up via the Google Account management page. Automatic backups can be enabled in Settings > Google > Backup. The Find Hub app helps track lost devices and can be configured in Settings > Location and Settings > Security. Android includes scam detection tools that alert users to potential scams in calls and texts, which can be activated in the Phone app settings. Privacy settings can be managed by adjusting app permissions in Settings > Apps and using the Permission manager in Security & Privacy. Users can opt out of data sharing with advertisers by navigating to Settings > Google > Ads. Google Play Protect scans for harmful apps and should remain enabled for safety. Theft protection features, such as Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock, can be activated in Settings > Google > Personal & device safety.

Tech Optimizer

September 1, 2026

Connecting My LangGraph AI Agent to Postgres

A stateful LangGraph agent was developed to streamline a 15-minute booking process, featuring a user-friendly Streamlit UI and a backend powered by a Postgres database. The agent responds to customer queries, calculates service pricing, manages service acceptance, suggests time slots, and confirms appointment details. It operates in two modes: in-memory for rapid testing and Postgres for persistent storage. Testing can be done locally using Docker, which simulates a Postgres environment, or with a hosted Postgres instance. The project includes a docker-compose.yml file to initiate a PostgreSQL 16 container, allowing the application to connect to the database. Data persistence is ensured through Docker volumes, and the application can be run with specific commands after setting up the environment variables. The system has been tested successfully, demonstrating its ability to manage bookings and maintain data integrity across sessions. Future enhancements are planned to improve the booking workflow and integrate additional communication channels.

Tech Optimizer

September 1, 2026

Autoscaling Lakebase Postgres

Choosing a database instance size without prior knowledge of the workload can lead to inefficiencies and excessive compute usage. Lakebase Postgres addresses this with an autoscaling feature that eliminates manual sizing, utilizing in-place VM resizing and a monitoring algorithm for CPU, memory, and working set size. Lakebase Postgres separates compute and storage layers, allowing independent resizing of compute nodes without affecting the database. The autoscaling algorithm relies on three signals: CPU load (cpuGoalCU), memory use (memGoalCU), and compute-cache working set size (lfcGoalCU). The CPU load is monitored every five seconds, aiming to maintain it at or below 90% capacity. Memory usage is tracked at two frequencies: overall memory every five seconds and Postgres-specific memory every 100 milliseconds, with a goal to keep usage below 75% of allocated RAM. The compute cache evaluates active data access efficiency, adjusting size based on workload. The working set is estimated using a modified HyperLogLog algorithm that records timestamps for page accesses, allowing for distinct page estimates over various time frames. The algorithm projects future working-set growth to allocate sufficient cache while capping it at 75% of RAM. Resizing the compute involves four components: the autoscaler-agent, vm-monitor, Kubernetes scheduler, and NeonVM. Scaling up occurs when any of the three goals indicate a need for more resources, while scaling down includes verification to ensure sufficient memory remains for operations. Timely adjustments in both directions are prioritized to minimize costs.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

The AI memory crunch has reached the apps on your phone

Google will implement new memory usage regulations for Android applications starting in February 2027, due to a global RAM shortage. Apps exceeding the set memory limits may be throttled, terminated, or face reduced visibility on the Play Store. The memory thresholds vary based on device specifications, with specific limits for foreground, background, and bitmap memory usage. Non-compliance will result in penalties affecting app distribution and visibility. The memory crisis is attributed to increased demand from the AI data center industry, leading to rising RAM costs. The new limits will first apply to Pixel devices with Android 17, and other manufacturers are expected to follow. Additionally, by April 2027, all apps on the Play Store must support zero-tap credential restoration for users transitioning to new devices.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Improve your Android Auto experience by doing these simple things

Android Auto is used in over 250 million vehicles worldwide and offers extensive customization options to enhance usability, safety, and personalization. Key features include the ability to clean up the home screen by selecting relevant apps, accessing hidden developer settings for wireless connectivity and video resolution adjustments, manually setting a consistent theme, enabling automatic launch when entering the vehicle, controlling automatic media playback, and utilizing Google's Gemini AI assistant for personalized commands and shortcuts. These adjustments can improve the overall driving experience without requiring advanced technical skills.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Game review: Star Wars Zero Company (PC)

Star Wars Zero Company is a turn-based strategy game set during the waning days of the Clone Wars, where players lead a mercenary unit called Zero Company, led by former Republic officer Tesh Hawks. The game features tactical gameplay reminiscent of the X-COM series, with players managing a squad and engaging in combat missions while also exploring an upgradeable hub called The Den. Players can choose between Operations and Tactical Missions, with character customization options available for generic recruits. The game includes a variety of missions and enemies from the Star Wars universe, including a notable antagonist, The Coil. It features a permadeath system, strategic gameplay that emphasizes positioning and cover, and a soundtrack inspired by the franchise. The game is developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm, EA Games, and Bit Reactor.