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AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Aussie developer Monomyth Games announces Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure for PC

Monomyth Games has announced its new title, Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure, marking its first game since 2018's Need to Know. Players will take on the role of Peppino the Roboto, who operates a time-warp photography business on an Italian island. Key features include the Timewarp Camera for capturing images from different time periods, running a photography business, exploring the island of Pallacanezza, helping locals, experiencing a handcrafted narrative, trying new camera modes, and personalizing the shop and character. The game is set for release on PC via Steam in 2027.

Tech Optimizer

August 19, 2026

Postgres pioneer credits Oracle with helping his database take over the world

Michael Stonebraker, the creator of PostgreSQL, noted that Oracle's acquisition of MySQL inadvertently boosted PostgreSQL's prominence among major tech companies like Microsoft, AWS, and Google. PostgreSQL, which originated from Stonebraker's earlier Postgres system proposed in 1986, celebrated its 30th anniversary this summer. Its popularity surged over the past five years, becoming the preferred database among developers in 2023, as per a Stack Overflow survey. Microsoft has launched a distributed PostgreSQL database service to compete with other offerings. Stonebraker highlighted the extensive adoption of PostgreSQL's wire format by major companies, contrasting it with MySQL's declining competitiveness since Oracle's acquisition in 2010. He expressed gratitude towards Oracle for prompting users to consider PostgreSQL as an alternative, emphasizing its open-source nature and community-driven control. Stonebraker has founded several database companies and co-founded DBOS three years ago, which has pivoted towards AI agents and partnerships with Databricks and CockroachDB.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Mid-week Android app deals and freebies: Last Day, Siralim, Ninja Hero Cats, Lovecraft’s Untold Stories, more

Best Buy is celebrating its 60th Anniversary with various offers, particularly for Android users. Notable game and app deals include titles like Last Day Survivors Zombie TDS, Isurvivor Premium, Siralim Ultimate, Rotaeno, Ninja Hero Cats Premium, Wreckfest – Demolition Racing, and Lovecraft’s Untold Stories. Today is the last chance for pre-order deals on the Pixel 11 series, with deliveries starting tomorrow. Amazon has reduced the price of the Olive Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Best Buy is offering discounts on laptops, including up to 0 off the 2026 Copilot+ PC and gaming models, as well as a 0 reduction on LG's latest OLED TV. Chromebook deals start at 9.

TrendTechie

August 19, 2026

Осторожно троян: пиратские онлайн-версии «Одиссеи» могут скрывать вирусы

Pirated digital copies of the film "Odyssey" are being used to spread the Lumma Stealer malware, which compromises viewers' computers. Bitdefender's internal data shows that users have attempted to download malicious executable files disguised as the film, which has not yet been released on online platforms. These counterfeit copies are circulating on illegal sites, and the Lumma Stealer malware can steal sensitive information from infected devices. Bitdefender identified several bait file names that are actually executable files designed to infect computers rather than play the film. This tactic follows a trend of using popular films to disseminate malware, with similar campaigns documented in the past. Cybercriminals exploit the gap between a film's theatrical release and its availability on legal streaming platforms. Users are advised to watch films only through verified services and to keep their cybersecurity software updated.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

11 Of The Best Retro Emulators For PC Gamers

Emulators are applications that allow older gaming console games to run on modern PCs, making retro gaming accessible despite the scarcity of original consoles and unavailability of many classic games on modern platforms. Emulators like RetroArch provide a unified interface for various retro consoles, while Dolphin emulates GameCube and Wii games, MelonDS is known for Nintendo DS titles, mGBA is the leading Game Boy Advance emulator, Super ZSNES enhances SNES gaming, Rosalie's Mupen GUI is designed for Nintendo 64, Flycast is the top Sega Dreamcast emulator, PCSX2 is the best for PlayStation 2 games, PPSSPP is the go-to for PSP, MAME emulates arcade games, and DOSBOX Pure Unleashed is for MS-DOS games. Each emulator offers unique features and improvements over original hardware, enhancing the gaming experience.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Easy Delivery, Kingdom Rush Vengeance, Front Armies, more

The latest Android game and app deals include titles such as Easy Delivery Co., Front Armies [RTS], Wall Of Insanity 2, 9th Dawn Remake RPG, and Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD Game. Best Buy is celebrating its 60th Anniversary with a sale and pre-order options for the Pixel 11 series, featuring discounts on select models at Amazon. The Olive Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are on sale, and there is a 0 price drop on Samsung’s 16-inch Snapdragon X Elite touchscreen Galaxy Book. There is a current wave of price reductions on Android applications, with many options available for users. Additionally, a variety of other Android app price drops remain active, reflecting a competitive market.

Tech Optimizer

August 18, 2026

Migrate Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL across major versions with active Debezium CDC connectors using native logical replication

Organizations using Debezium Change Data Capture (CDC) connectors on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition face challenges during major database version upgrades. In-place upgrades require downtime, while blue/green deployments disrupt CDC event pipelines. A method using PostgreSQL's native logical replication allows migration between a source cluster (current version) and a target cluster (new major version) without a full connector re-snapshot. This approach minimizes risks of data loss and allows existing Debezium connectors to operate on the source during synchronization. The cutover process involves disabling the replication subscription, synchronizing sequences, creating a new Debezium replication slot on the target, and redirecting the connector, resulting in a brief pause for Kafka consumers. Prerequisites for this method include enabling logical replication on the source cluster, ensuring the target cluster is provisioned in the same VPC, and confirming that tables participating in CDC have primary keys. The process involves configuring parameter groups, creating publications, and establishing subscriptions for logical replication. During cutover, application writes are halted, and replication lag must be monitored to ensure it reaches zero before proceeding. After the cutover, ongoing monitoring of replication health and Kafka consumer offsets is necessary. Common failure scenarios include Aurora writer failover, Debezium connector stalls, large messages exceeding Kafka limits, DDL changes during synchronization, and long-running transactions blocking lag drain. Each scenario has specific symptoms, detection methods, and resolutions. Post-migration, organizations should establish monitoring for replication lag growth and Kafka consumer offset divergence. Automation can streamline the migration process for organizations managing multiple clusters, utilizing AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) constructs for cluster provisioning, schema replication, and cutover orchestration. After verifying stable operation on the target cluster, the old Debezium connector and source cluster can be decommissioned. Limitations include the absence of failover slots on Aurora PostgreSQL 17 and the need to handle TOAST columns appropriately.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

Toymaker Mattel launches a new game studio with a focus on Roblox and Fortnite that could signal a growing shift in where studios spend money

Mattel has established Mattel Game Studios, a new division focused on creating original interactive experiences based on its brands, moving away from traditional gaming methods. This initiative follows the company's acquisition of Mattel163, which was previously a joint venture with NetEase that published mobile digital card games. While continuing to develop mobile games, Mattel is also exploring platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, reflecting the changing gaming landscape where Roblox players logged over 10 billion hours monthly in 2025. Mattel's strategy is more focused and less reliant on traditional gaming investments, aiming to engage younger audiences. The success of this approach could encourage other companies to explore non-traditional gaming platforms.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Amazon Prime gets another batch of ‘free’ PC games this August

Amazon Prime subscribers can access a monthly selection of PC games, which they can claim and keep indefinitely, even after their subscription ends. The August lineup includes notable titles such as SteelRising and several others, with four games still available for claim. An Amazon Prime subscription costs R60 per month, and users must create accounts with Good Old Games (GOG), the Epic Games Store, and Legacy Games to claim certain titles. Current available games include Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Room, Airship: Kingdoms Adrift, and SteelRising, among others. Upcoming titles include Royal Romances: Forbidden Magic and Havendock.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

You Can Use Your Old Android Phone As A Universal Remote – Here’s How

Repurposing an old Android phone can enhance home entertainment by connecting it to a smart TV through various methods. Both devices should be on the same Wi-Fi network to use mobile apps like Roku or Amazon's Fire TV remote app. If no official app is available, generic options like Universal TV Remote can be found on Google Play, although they may include ads. Bluetooth connectivity is also an option, exemplified by the Bluetooth Remote app. If Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is not feasible, an infrared (IR) blaster can be purchased to turn the smartphone into a universal remote without needing an internet connection. IR blasters connect via the USB-C port and communicate with the TV's built-in components. Various IR blasters are available, including standard models and more advanced versions that support voice commands. Most Wi-Fi and Bluetooth apps are free, while IR blasters are affordable and widely available.