analysts Archives

Winsage

June 7, 2025

If you’re sick of software subscriptions, check this out

A Microsoft Office Pro lifetime license is available for .97, significantly reduced from its usual price of 9.99. This license includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and the free version of Teams. It allows installation on a single Windows PC and is tied to the device rather than a Microsoft account. The software supports all languages, includes complimentary customer support, and provides updates at no extra cost.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Lilo & Stitch North America Box Office: Soon To Join A Minecraft Movie, Becoming 2nd Hollywood Film Of 2025 To Cross This Milestone!

Disney's live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch has earned 2.73 million at the North American box office within 12 days of release. On its twelfth day, the film grossed .5 million, a 60.37% increase from the previous day. It is close to crossing the 0 million threshold in the domestic market and has a total worldwide box office collection of 7.26 million, with 4.52 million from overseas markets.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Snowflake acquisition of Crunchy Data adds Postgres database

Snowflake has announced the acquisition of Crunchy Data, a company specializing in PostgreSQL database capabilities, valued at around [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: SAN FRANCISCO -- In a strategic move to enhance its offerings, Snowflake has announced the acquisition of Crunchy Data, a company specializing in PostgreSQL database capabilities. This acquisition, reportedly valued at around 0 million, is currently pending customary closing requirements. The timing of this purchase is notable, occurring shortly after Snowflake's competitor, Databricks, acquired Neon to bolster its own PostgreSQL capabilities. Crunchy Data, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, empowers organizations to leverage the open-source PostgreSQL format for secure and efficient data management, which is essential for analytics and AI applications. Sanjeev Mohan, founder and principal of the analyst firm SanjMo, highlighted that while Snowflake has a robust suite of data management and AI development tools, it previously lacked comprehensive operational and transactional database capabilities. This is a fantastic acquisition for Snowflake. [The acquisition] addresses the limitations in its prior attempts with Unistore and Hybrid Tables, enabling Snowflake to now offer a true online transaction processing solution within its platform based on open standards. Sanjeev Mohan, Founder and principal, SanjMo Currently, Snowflake allows users to manage operational and transactional workloads through its Unistore feature, which utilizes Hybrid Tables. However, these capabilities have been limited compared to those offered by PostgreSQL databases. Mohan emphasized the significance of the Crunchy Data acquisition, stating it allows Snowflake to provide a genuine online transaction processing solution. Additive capabilities As enterprises ramp up their investments in AI development, data management vendors like Snowflake and Databricks have been expanding their platforms to facilitate the development, deployment, and management of AI models. While Databricks has pursued aggressive acquisition strategies, Snowflake has primarily focused on enhancing its capabilities through internal product development. Earlier this year, Snowflake acquired Neeva to kickstart its AI expansion and onboard current CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy. With the Crunchy Data acquisition, Snowflake is poised to integrate PostgreSQL capabilities into its platform, a move that analysts like Stephen Catanzano from Enterprise Strategy Group view as significant. Catanzano remarked, "It's a smart and strategic move. By acquiring Crunchy Data, Snowflake strengthens its ability to support structured, transactional data workloads critical for powering AI agents and applications that rely on a mix of operational and analytical data." This integration will enable Snowflake to cater to enterprises that prioritize governance, security, and compliance in their AI solutions. PostgreSQL has emerged as the most popular database, surpassing MySQL and other competitors, thanks to its flexibility and the support of a vibrant community. Its capabilities extend beyond traditional relational database functions, encompassing geospatial, time series, JSON, and vector database workloads. Mohan noted that PostgreSQL's vector database capabilities are particularly valuable for AI development, allowing users to structure unstructured data for enhanced searchability and similarity searches. According to Mohan, the Crunchy Data acquisition will enable Snowflake to manage real-time transactional data that feeds AI applications, addressing a previous shortcoming. Catanzano added that PostgreSQL databases also assist users in maintaining compliance with industry standards and managing metadata effectively. Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of transactional data systems, stating that the acquisition will provide users with access to a transactional store directly within Snowflake. Additionally, Christian Kleinerman, Snowflake's executive vice president of product, highlighted the importance of offering customers choices without overwhelming them. While Crunchy Data's PostgreSQL engine will not directly integrate with Snowflake's existing SQL engine, its open-source nature allows for greater interoperability with various third-party applications. Despite both Snowflake and Databricks acquiring PostgreSQL vendors, Mohan pointed out that the capabilities offered by Neon and Crunchy Data differ significantly. Neon provides a cloud-native, serverless database optimized for testing and development, while Crunchy Data focuses on production-ready capabilities suitable for large-scale deployments in Kubernetes environments. Looking ahead The integration of PostgreSQL capabilities through the Crunchy Data acquisition is anticipated to serve as a foundational element for Snowflake's future. If successfully integrated, these capabilities could empower developers to build, train, and deploy AI models directly on transactional data within the Snowflake ecosystem, as well as facilitate hybrid queries that combine transactional and analytical data. Mohan suggested that Snowflake should leverage Crunchy Data's robust security features to enhance its governance initiatives. Catanzano echoed this sentiment, recommending that Snowflake prioritize the integration of PostgreSQL capabilities into its AI development ecosystem. He also advised pursuing additional partnerships and acquisitions to further enhance its capabilities in open-source AI, unstructured data management, and hybrid workloads. As Snowflake continues to evolve, the acquisition of Crunchy Data marks a significant step towards meeting the demands of modern enterprises seeking comprehensive AI and data-driven solutions. Eric Avidon is a senior news writer for Informa TechTarget and a journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He covers analytics and data management." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million, pending customary closing requirements. This acquisition follows Databricks' purchase of Neon to enhance its PostgreSQL capabilities. Crunchy Data, based in Charleston, South Carolina, enables organizations to use PostgreSQL for secure data management essential for analytics and AI applications. The acquisition addresses Snowflake's previous limitations in operational and transactional database capabilities, allowing it to offer a true online transaction processing solution. Snowflake currently manages operational workloads through its Unistore feature, which has been limited compared to PostgreSQL databases. The integration of PostgreSQL capabilities is expected to support structured, transactional data workloads critical for AI applications. PostgreSQL has become the most popular database due to its flexibility and community support, with capabilities extending beyond traditional functions. The acquisition will enable Snowflake to manage real-time transactional data for AI applications and enhance compliance and metadata management. Crunchy Data's PostgreSQL engine will not directly integrate with Snowflake's SQL engine but will allow for greater interoperability with third-party applications. The capabilities of Crunchy Data differ from those of Neon, which focuses on cloud-native, serverless databases. The integration of these capabilities is anticipated to empower developers to build and deploy AI models directly on transactional data within Snowflake.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Threepeats Atop Weekly Fandango at Home Chart Through June 1

The Minecraft Movie is being developed to adapt the popular block-building game into a cinematic experience, aiming to appeal to both gamers and newcomers. The film will explore the game's lore and creativity while introducing new characters and plotlines, and it is being produced in collaboration with Mojang Studios to maintain the game's core principles. It is expected to feature stunning visuals that reflect the game's blocky aesthetic and target a wider audience, including families. The success of the film could influence future adaptations of video games into movies.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

Snowflake Inc. (SNOW) Acquires Crunchy Data to Add Enterprise-Grade Postgres to Its AI Data Cloud

Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly increasing energy consumption, with data centers using electricity comparable to small cities. Industry leaders, including Sam Altman and Elon Musk, have raised concerns about the sustainability of this energy demand, warning of potential limitations in AI development due to energy shortages. A specific company is emerging as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning vital nuclear energy assets and having expertise in large-scale energy projects. This company is also involved in U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exportation and is strategically positioned to benefit from increased demand for energy resources. It is debt-free and has a cash reserve that constitutes nearly one-third of its market capitalization, along with investments in AI ventures. Recent assessments suggest that the company's stock is undervalued, trading at less than seven times earnings when excluding cash and investments. The company is generating real cash flows and possesses critical infrastructure that supports its growth in the evolving energy landscape.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

WhatsApp and iMessage competitor: Elon Musk announces new Vchat messenger

Elon Musk has introduced XChat, a secure messaging service aimed at transforming X (formerly Twitter) into a comprehensive communication platform. XChat focuses on privacy, file sharing, and cross-platform calling, competing with established messaging services like WhatsApp and Telegram. It is developed using Rust and features Bitcoin-style encryption and end-to-end encryption to ensure message confidentiality. Currently in beta testing, XChat will be rolled out to more users soon, although no official launch date has been set. This service is part of Musk's vision to create a "super app" that combines social networking, digital payments, media sharing, and private communication, similar to WeChat. Analysts believe XChat could significantly influence the development of Web3 applications and challenge traditional messaging platforms to innovate in security and functionality.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

New Malware Compromise Microsoft Windows Without PE Header

A new strain of malware has been operating undetected on Windows systems for several weeks, utilizing advanced evasion techniques that corrupt its Portable Executable (PE) headers to avoid detection. Security researchers discovered this malware embedded in the memory of a compromised system during an investigation, using a 33GB memory dump that revealed its presence in a dllhost.exe process with process ID 8200. The malware, classified as a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) by Fortinet, employs batch scripts and PowerShell commands for its attack and has capabilities for screenshot capture, remote server functionality, and system service manipulation. Its command and control infrastructure uses encrypted communications, complicating detection efforts. The malware's distinctive feature is the deliberate corruption of DOS and PE headers, which hinders reverse engineering and complicates the reconstruction of the executable from memory dumps. Researchers had to manually locate the malware’s entry point and resolve complex import tables for it to function in a controlled environment.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Is adding SteamOS enough to ‘fix’ the Legion Go S?

A leading tech company plans to expand its operations into emerging markets to enhance its global footprint and tap into a growing consumer base. Key factors driving this expansion include increased internet penetration and smartphone usage, a young tech-savvy population, and the competitive advantage of early market entry. The company will invest in local partnerships and talent development to tailor its offerings to each market. Industry analysts are optimistic about potential revenue and market share growth from this initiative.

Winsage

May 25, 2025

‘Microsoft is the AI ringleader’: tech rivals flock to software giant’s stage

Microsoft showcased a suite of innovative AI products and strategic partnerships at its annual Build conference in Seattle, collaborating with companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, and xAI. The company introduced a coding “agent” and a platform for businesses to manage digital assistants. Microsoft is building the largest AI supercomputer in the world with Nvidia's chips in its data centers. Analysts noted that Microsoft is well-positioned in the AI sector, with its stock increasing over 8% in 2025. The company has integrated AI models into its products following its early investment in OpenAI and announced a deal to offer Anthropic’s Claude Code through GitHub Copilot. Microsoft aims to generate at least billion in annual revenue from its AI products. Nadella emphasized the importance of AI-enabled applications over general artificial intelligence, and industry experts highlighted the significance of Microsoft's recent developments in shaping the future of technology.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

US and Europe crack down on hacking tool used by cybercriminals worldwide

US and European authorities have seized computer systems used by hackers to access a sophisticated hacking tool called Lumma, which has been involved in high-profile cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks and bank thefts. Microsoft took offline approximately 2,300 web domains linked to this activity. Around 394,000 computers worldwide running Windows software were found to be infected by Lumma, targeting various institutions, including airlines, universities, banks, and hospitals, resulting in credit card losses of .5 million in 2023. The primary developer of Lumma is based in Russia, where he markets the tool on platforms like Telegram, charging between [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: US and European authorities have taken significant steps to dismantle a sophisticated hacking tool that has been instrumental in a series of high-profile cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks and bank thefts. On Wednesday, the US Justice Department announced the seizure of the computer systems utilized by hackers to access the tool, known as Lumma. Concurrently, Microsoft executed a court order to take offline approximately 2,300 web domains associated with this cybercriminal activity. Impact on Cybercrime This coordinated effort represents a substantial setback for a global hacking enterprise that has proliferated over the past two months. Microsoft reported discovering around 394,000 computers worldwide running Windows software infected by Lumma. The tool has been leveraged to target a range of institutions, from airlines and universities to banks and hospitals, with several Fortune 500 companies also falling victim. Brett Leatherman, the FBI’s deputy assistant director for cyber operations, revealed that Lumma-related attacks resulted in credit card losses totaling .5 million in 2023 alone. However, the crackdown faces challenges, particularly due to the involvement of Russian sovereignty. Analysts from Microsoft have identified the primary developer of Lumma as being based in Russia, where he markets various access levels to the tool on platforms like Telegram and other Russian-language forums, charging between 0 and ,000. The US has previously charged numerous Russian hackers with serious cyber offenses against American entities, yet only a fraction of these individuals have been brought to trial in the US. Russian diplomats have consistently opposed the extradition of accused cybercriminals, complicating efforts to hold them accountable. When asked whether the FBI believes Lumma’s lead developer is currently in Russia, Leatherman refrained from providing specific details, stating, “Regardless of where these individuals sit, even if we can’t charge them with criminal conduct, our victim-centric approach is really focused on targeting that underlying ecosystem … because it brings relief to victims.” The law enforcement operation was a collaborative effort involving Europol, several American and European tech firms, and a Japanese organization. This strategy underscores a growing trend in combating cybercrime, leveraging the extensive reach of software companies within the global economy. Leatherman emphasized the broader implications of this investigation, stating, “This is part of a greater law enforcement investigation into the group [behind Lumma], and we hope that this will also fracture trust within the ecosystem itself.”" max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] and ,000. The law enforcement operation involved Europol and several tech firms and aims to disrupt the ecosystem supporting cybercrime.