barriers

Winsage
July 30, 2025
Opera has filed a complaint against Microsoft in Brazil, accusing the company of using "manipulative design tactics" to dominate the browser market and hinder competition. Opera's general counsel, Aaron McParlan, stated that Microsoft creates barriers for other browsers, such as excluding them from preinstallation opportunities and complicating the download process. The complaint highlights Microsoft's practices of overriding users' default browser preferences and using Windows features to promote Edge. Opera seeks remedies to allow PC manufacturers to preload alternative browsers and stop blocking downloads. Additionally, the complaint criticizes Microsoft's requirement for OEMs to deliver devices in S mode to receive rebates on Windows OS licenses. This action is part of Opera's broader strategy to challenge Microsoft's practices globally, including an appeal to EU courts regarding the classification of Edge under the Digital Markets Act. Opera has a history of raising concerns about Microsoft's browser practices, including a 2007 antitrust complaint that led to the creation of a browser ballot screen.
Tech Optimizer
July 28, 2025
The cybercriminal landscape is experiencing a transformation with the emergence of malware-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms targeting Android devices, allowing individuals with minimal technical skills to deploy advanced mobile threats through accessible subscription-based malware kits. Notable platforms include PhantomOS, priced at 9 monthly, offering features like remote application installation and two-factor authentication bypass, and Nebula, starting at 0 monthly, which provides automated data extraction of SMS, call logs, and GPS data. Both platforms utilize Telegram for command and control, enabling easy management of infected devices. These MaaS platforms employ advanced evasion techniques, utilizing fully undetectable malware that can bypass major security measures, ensuring persistence and compatibility with various Android versions, including the latest Android 15. This shift signifies a move toward industrialized cybercrime, where specialized providers handle technical complexities, allowing criminals to focus on targeting victims.
AppWizard
July 25, 2025
A coalition of five digital rights and privacy organizations has filed a complaint against Google under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), alleging that the company restricts user autonomy on Android devices by making it difficult to remove or disable pre-installed applications like Google Search, Chrome, and Maps. The complaint claims that Google, designated as a ‘gatekeeper’ under the DMA, fails to comply with legal obligations to allow users to uninstall default services easily. Users reportedly face hidden settings, complicated instructions, and misleading warnings when trying to disable Google apps, which the coalition argues are designed to keep users reliant on Google's services. The European Commission has received the complaint and will review it as part of its enforcement process for the DMA, which allows for fines up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue and mandates changes in business practices for compliance.
AppWizard
July 24, 2025
Players of Garry's Mod will no longer need to own or install Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source to enjoy community maps that use assets from these games. This update aims to reduce the occurrence of missing textures and models, which previously resulted in visual glitches like pink checkerboards and ERROR messages. However, it does not guarantee the complete elimination of all missing content issues, and players may still encounter some visual glitches. Additionally, the update does not include actual map files, voice-over files, or music from these games due to licensing constraints. The gaming community has responded positively to these changes.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have been officially released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, receiving a new 21+ age rating from the General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council. This approval allows local gamers to purchase and enjoy the game legally, marking a shift towards more progressive content regulation in the region. Previously, the game was inaccessible due to its portrayal of violence, sex, and drug use. Over 90% of PC and console players in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are over the age of 21, and the gaming market in these countries is projected to grow significantly by 2029. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive has established a partnership with the Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company for local distribution of its major franchises, including GTA V. The approval comes ahead of the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 9, 2026, which is expected to launch in the region without previous regulatory delays. As of May 2025, GTA V has sold over 215 million copies worldwide.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Between the late '80s and early '90s, DOS became the foundation of PC gaming, fostering innovation with advancements in 2.5D and 3D environments, first-person shooters, city-building simulations, and point-and-click adventures. DOS games are lightweight, allowing them to run on modern devices easily. Dangerous Dave (1988) is a nostalgic platformer that remains enjoyable today. Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) is considered one of the greatest DOS games, allowing players to build empires through various strategies. Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992) is credited with shaping the real-time strategy genre, introducing base-building and resource management. Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons (1990) set the standard for PC platformers with its vibrant gameplay. Carmageddon (1997) is an iconic car combat game known for its humor and chaos. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992) is a hallmark of the point-and-click genre with engaging puzzles. The Oregon Trail (1990) started as an educational tool and became a classic game blending survival strategy with humor. Command and Conquer (1995) revolutionized the RTS genre with engaging gameplay. X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) is known for its strategic gameplay where every decision matters. Wolfenstein 3D (1992) is a pioneer of the FPS genre, influencing many subsequent titles.
Tech Optimizer
July 17, 2025
TigerData has introduced Tiger Lake, an architectural layer that integrates the operational speed of Postgres with the analytical capabilities of lakehouses. This innovation allows for continuous, bidirectional data movement between operational databases and scalable cloud storage systems, eliminating the need for data duplication and complex pipelines. Tiger Lake enables real-time replication of Postgres tables into the lakehouse and synchronization of processed results back into Postgres. It is built into Tiger Postgres and enhanced by TimescaleDB, making it suitable for high-ingest, time-series data management. Tiger Lake is based on open standards, such as Apache Iceberg, allowing flexibility without vendor lock-in. It is currently in public beta, enabling users to stream data between Postgres and Iceberg-backed S3 storage, with future updates planned for enhanced querying and synchronization capabilities.
Tech Optimizer
July 17, 2025
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched pgactive, an open-source extension for PostgreSQL that enables active-active replication, allowing databases to stream data asynchronously between instances. Announced in June 2025, pgactive was previously proprietary within AWS's Relational Database Service (RDS) and first appeared in late 2023. The extension supports conflict resolution and bidirectional data syncing, enhancing resiliency for high-availability applications. It is available under the Apache 2.0 license, encouraging community contributions and customization. Pgactive's architecture includes logical replication slots and customizable conflict handlers, essential for fault-tolerant systems. The open-source model promotes transparency and peer review, with potential integrations discussed in developer communities. The initiative aims to transform enterprise database replication and empower developers to innovate without vendor lock-in.
AppWizard
July 17, 2025
Mojang has announced that players of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition can now earn achievements regardless of the number of add-ons installed. This update applies across all platforms and allows players to use add-ons without missing out on achievements. Some add-ons may even make it easier to complete achievements, although Mojang cautions against excessive stacking of modifications. Since their introduction in 2024, a variety of add-ons have been made available, enhancing player customization and experience in the game.
AppWizard
July 10, 2025
The Epic Games Store is offering two free PC games until July 17, which can be claimed and kept permanently without any subscription requirements. The first game, Figment 2: Creed Valley, is an action-adventure puzzle game released in 2023, with a Metacritic score of 76 and a 94% approval rating on Steam. The game is set in the human mind, where players navigate a world disrupted by nightmares, solving puzzles and engaging in musical boss battles. The second game, Sky Racket, is a 2019 release that combines shoot 'em up and block breaker genres, with a Metacritic score of 72 and a 92% approval rating on Steam. Players use a racket to return projectiles while navigating a vibrant world filled with enemies.
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