capture

Tech Optimizer
September 1, 2026
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
Niagara Launcher is appreciated for its minimalist design but is not open source, prompting the exploration of alternatives like Escape Launcher, which is available on F-Droid. Escape Launcher features a text-only interface, presenting favorite apps in a list format and allowing users to swipe left for all installed applications. It emphasizes thoughtful font selection and spacing, creating a curated experience. Users can customize fonts, color themes, and basic clock styles, and hide unwanted apps. While it lacks some features of Niagara Launcher, it is favored for its minimalist approach and reduced distractions.
Tech Optimizer
August 30, 2026
A viewer received a popup warning claiming her device had 120 viruses, which is a scam designed to prompt her to download a free antivirus app called "Total Cleaner." This alert is misleading and cannot scan the phone for viruses. The app has fake reviews, hidden costs, and privacy concerns, as it collects personal data. Most modern smartphones do not need traditional antivirus programs, and such popups are advertisements from free apps, misleading websites, or ad networks. To protect yourself, close the tab immediately, keep your device updated, and only download apps from official app stores after thorough research.
Winsage
August 30, 2026
Yt-dlp is a free tool that allows users to download media from over 1700 websites, including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, without a graphical interface. Installation for Windows involves downloading the .exe package from GitHub and using the terminal to run commands. Yt-dlp offers features like specifying download locations, batch downloading from playlists, and adjusting file resolutions. Microsoft PowerToys is a suite of utilities from Microsoft that enhances the Windows experience by adding features such as window pinning, custom layouts with FancyZones, and automated theme changes. It includes PowerToys Run for quick searches, Power Rename for mass file renaming, and tools for quick file previews and text extraction from images and PDFs. KSnip is a screenshot tool available on Linux, Windows, and macOS that allows users to capture and edit screenshots efficiently. It features customizable hotkeys, robust editing tools, and options for automatic uploads to FTP servers or Imgur.
Winsage
August 30, 2026
Yt-dlp is a free tool that allows users to download content from over 1,700 websites, including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It is available for various platforms and can be installed on Windows by downloading the .exe package. Users can download videos by entering the command yt-dlp in the terminal, and they can specify download locations, formats, and resolutions. Microsoft PowerToys is a suite of utilities designed to enhance the Windows experience by adding features not included in the standard installation. It includes tools for pinning windows, creating custom layouts, automating theme changes, quick file access, bulk renaming, and extracting text from images and PDFs. KSnip is a screenshot tool available on Linux, Windows, and macOS, which allows users to capture screenshots quickly with customizable hotkeys. It includes built-in editing tools for annotations and can automatically upload screenshots to an FTP server or Imgur.
AppWizard
August 28, 2026
Image Toolbox is an Android app developed by Malik Mukhametzyanov, designed to assist content creators by consolidating essential functions such as resizing, format conversion, watermarking, and platform-specific exports into a single interface. It features batch processing capabilities, 61 built-in export presets for platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube, and background removal options using various AI models. The app is free, ad-free, and released under the Apache License 2.0. Users can customize the app's color scheme, and it includes a "Usage Statistics" page that tracks app usage while ensuring user privacy. Image Toolbox is available on F-Droid and the Play Store, with both versions being identical except for the inclusion of Google-related trackers in the Play Store version. There is no paid plan, and donations are welcomed. APK files can also be downloaded from the project's GitHub repository.
AppWizard
August 27, 2026
Game of Thrones: War for Westeros is an RTS game set to release in 2027, inspired by HBO's series. The game revisits the struggle for the Iron Throne, allowing players to command characters like Kit Harington's Jon Snow and listen to narration by Charles Dance. Gameplay involves constructing buildings, generating resources, training troops, and capturing territories, but it primarily features standard infantry units like spearmen and swordsmen. Only two factions, the Starks and Lannisters, are available in the preview, with the Starks able to deploy direwolves and the Lannisters focusing on economic strategies. The game lacks the excitement and complexity found in other RTS titles, feeling straightforward and uninspired, with gameplay that does not leverage the source material's strengths.
AppWizard
August 27, 2026
Gemini 3.5 Transcribe is a new speech-to-text model designed for intelligent voice interactions, overcoming challenges faced by traditional speech recognition systems, such as background noise and complex jargon. It transforms raw audio into accurate, formatted text and is available to users of the Gemini app and Android devices. Developers can access its capabilities through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. The model supports two APIs: real-time streaming for interactive applications with sub-second latency and pre-recorded audio processing that includes speaker attribution and word-level timestamps. It enhances transcription accuracy by managing self-corrections, eliminating filler words, and auto-formatting text. The model has a Word Error Rate of 4.0% for streaming and 2.6% for non-streaming scenarios, effectively capturing alphanumeric entities. It adapts to custom vocabulary, supports over 85 languages, and can identify multiple speakers in pre-recorded audio.
AppWizard
August 25, 2026
The latest trailer for Metro 2039 showcases a visually stunning world with radiation-sickened creatures and gameplay elements like gun customization, mask wiping, and stealth kills. 4A Games has significantly advanced photorealism in this installment. The game will be developed for consoles, including the Xbox Series S, and aims for stable performance on mid-range PCs. 4A Games uses a proprietary engine, which may provide smoother performance compared to other high-fidelity engines. A playable demo will be available at Gamescom this week in Germany. A release date has not yet been announced.
Search