business Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2025

Best Antivirus Software (2025): ESET Recognized as Top Cybersecurity Solution by Software Experts

ESET is recognized as a leading antivirus provider in 2025, known for its robust security solutions that effectively combat rising cyber threats such as phishing, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. The company's offerings include heuristic and behavioral detection, ransomware and phishing protection, exploit blocker technology, and low resource usage, ensuring minimal impact on system performance. ESET provides various products for home users, including ESET HOME Security Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, as well as a Small Business Security package for up to 25 devices and scalable solutions for larger organizations. Pricing for home products starts at .99/year, with multi-device and multi-year discounts available. ESET operates in over 200 countries, utilizing a global network for real-time threat intelligence and maintaining a commitment to effective digital security since its establishment in 1992.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Nextcloud cries foul over Google Play Store app rejection

Nextcloud, a European software vendor, has raised concerns about Google's treatment of its Android Files application, which has over 800,000 users. The issue centers on the "All files access" permission, which was revoked by the Play Store in 2024, impairing the app's functionality. Nextcloud argues that alternatives like the Storage Access Framework (SAF) and MediaStore API are inadequate for their needs. The app has been able to read and write all file types since its launch in 2016 without security concerns from Google until the recent revocation. Nextcloud claims that Google's policies are stifling competition and that they have faced bureaucratic inefficiencies in addressing their complaints. Despite having a fully functional version on F-Droid, the Google Play version is restricted. Nextcloud has previously lodged a complaint with the EU regarding Microsoft's anti-competitive behavior, and they express frustration over the lack of action taken. They believe larger tech companies are trying to suppress smaller competitors.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Sega’s games sales up 9.6% despite Football Manager 25 cancellation

Sega reported a revenue of ¥244 billion (.6 billion) for its games division for the fiscal year ending March 2025, marking a year-on-year growth of 9.6 percent. The games division generated an operating income of ¥21.9 billion (7 million) despite the cancellation of Football Manager 2025. New titles sold 9.2 million units, contributing ¥55 billion (.4 million) to revenue, while repeat sales generated an additional ¥33 billion (0 million) from 18.7 million copies sold. Key titles such as Sonic X Shadow Generations, Metaphor ReFantazio, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii maintained steady sales. Overall, Sega's net sales declined by 8.5 percent to ¥428.9 billion (.89 billion), and operating income decreased by 16.8 percent to ¥48.1 billion (3 million).

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Sega’s games sales up 54% despite Football Manager 25 cancellation

Sega reported a revenue of Y244 billion (approximately .6 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 2025, a 9.6 percent increase from the previous year. The games division generated an operating income of Y21.9 billion (around million). Sega sold 9.2 million units of new titles, contributing Y55 billion (roughly .4 million) to its revenue, while repeat sales accounted for Y33 billion (about million) from 18.7 million copies sold. Key titles included Sonic X Shadow Generations, Metaphor ReFantazio, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Overall net sales declined by 8.5 percent to ¥428.9 billion (approximately .89 billion), and operating income decreased by 16.8 percent to ¥48.1 billion (around million).

Tech Optimizer

May 12, 2025

MySQL at 30: Still important but no longer king

MySQL was created by Swedish developer Michael “Monty” Widenius in 1995 and became fully open-sourced under the GPL license by 2000. It emerged as a key component of the LAMP stack, offering a free and easily installable database solution that appealed to web developers, particularly during the 2000s when many startups adopted it. Major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Flickr utilized MySQL for managing user data and content. Initially, MySQL had limitations, such as lacking full SQL compliance and robust transaction support, but its speed and simplicity made it accessible for developers. By the mid-2000s, MySQL introduced the InnoDB storage engine, enhancing its capabilities and solidifying its popularity. Projections for 2025 indicate that MySQL will remain the most widely deployed database globally, with numerous applications still using it today.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Warner Bros reports 48% dip in games revenue for Q1

Warner Bros reported a 48% decline in revenue in its games division for the quarter ending March 31st, attributed to the underperformance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the lack of new titles in the first quarter of 2025. Existing titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1 provided some revenue support. The company achieved a 66% reduction in overhead costs year-on-year but still faced a 53% drop in revenue for 2024. Warner Bros has closed three studios, including Monolith, and the head of interactive entertainment, David Haddad, departed in early 2025.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Microsoft loosens the noose on Windows 10 users with new end-of-support timeline

The official end of Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, after which users will no longer receive technical support, new features, or security patches. Windows 10's global desktop market share has decreased from nearly 70% to approximately 53% over the past year, indicating a shift towards Windows 11. Microsoft 365 apps, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and OneDrive, will continue to receive security updates on Windows 10 until October 2028. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offers optional, paid security patches for Windows 10 after its end of support. Users may face significant hardware costs when upgrading to Windows 11, and alternatives like macOS or Linux are also options to consider.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Moon Studios founder says dev might go bust due to review bombing

Moon Studios, co-founded by Thomas Mahler, is facing financial difficulties due to negative reviews of their game No Rest for the Wicked, which have adversely affected sales. Mahler expressed concern on Discord about the studio's viability, emphasizing that independent studios do not have backing from large publishers. He urged fans to leave positive reviews to help improve the game's reception and ensure the studio's survival. This situation follows Moon Studios' recent declaration of independence, after previously achieving success with the Ori series, which sold over 15 million units.

Winsage

May 11, 2025

10 Windows services I safely disable, and you can too

Windows 11 includes various background services that can be disabled to enhance performance or privacy. Users can access the Services window by searching for "Services" in the search bar. Key services that may be unnecessary for many users include: - Windows Mobile Hotspot Service: Often unnecessary as most laptops lack a mobile data connection. - Fax: Rarely needed for personal computers. - Downloaded Maps Manager: Manages downloaded maps, likely to become less relevant with the deprecation of Windows Maps. - Certificate Propagation: Essential for smart card functionality; can be disabled if not using smart cards. - Windows Insider Service: Manages enrollment in the Windows Insider program; advisable to disable if not participating. - Parental Controls: Useful for families; can be disabled if the device is for personal use. - Windows Image Acquisition: Facilitates image acquisition from scanners and cameras; can be disabled if no scanner is used. - TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: Aids communication with local network devices; can be disabled for most home users. - Xbox Live Game Save: Syncs save data with Xbox Live; unnecessary for users who primarily use other gaming platforms. - Connected User Experiences and Telemetry: Collects diagnostic data; disabling it can enhance privacy. Disabling these services may not lead to significant performance improvements but can create a more personalized computing experience. Users can re-enable any service if needed later.

Winsage

May 10, 2025

Windows 10 End of Support: Should Developers Be Concerned?

Developers using older machines may struggle as Windows 10 approaches its end of support, with many unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. Microsoft encourages upgrades but acknowledges the challenges posed by older systems. While some users can still perform daily tasks on Windows 10, workarounds exist for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. The conversation around transitioning to Linux has gained traction, with user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint offering alternatives that can run alongside Windows. Users can explore various platforms, as many services now operate seamlessly across different systems. For those sticking with Windows 10, Extended Security Updates are available but come with risks of security vulnerabilities. Users with older machines face several choices: hack the system, invest in new hardware, explore Linux, pay for updates, or ignore the warnings.