challenges Archives

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

I tested Android 17 on my Pixel 9 Pro – its app bubbles are a multitasker’s dream

Android 17 has been released for Pixel devices, introducing several new features: 1. Desktop Mode allows users to connect their phones to an external monitor for a desktop-like experience with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. 2. App Bubbles enable seamless multitasking by allowing users to bubble apps for quick access from the home screen. 3. The selfie camera can be enabled during screen recordings, allowing users to narrate actions while appearing on screen. 4. The recent apps page now displays full app names and includes a drop-down menu for options like pinning, splitting the screen, taking screenshots, or clearing recent apps. 5. Early support for running GUI Linux applications is introduced, paving the way for future advancements in Linux environments on devices. 6. Enhanced HDR brightness allows users to customize the display of HDR content for a more dynamic viewing experience. The update process for Pixel 9 Pro took approximately 30 minutes, and the rollout for other Pixel devices is expected soon. Other Android users will need to wait for their respective device updates.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

The Steam Machine is the most ambitious game console I’ve ever played

The Steam Machine retails starting at ,049 without a gamepad and ,128 bundled with one. Its performance does not significantly exceed that of the 5.5-year-old PS5, which offers sharper visuals in certain games. The Steam Machine operates more like a console than previous iterations, featuring a compact design and compatibility with modern gamepads. Valve claims to sell its components at cost, having negotiated with suppliers during a memory supply crisis. Users have reported technical issues, such as problems with the Steam Controller, sound output, and game downloads. The device requires manual adjustments for settings, lacks user-friendly configurations, and has questionable reliability with its sleep function. Valve plans to support AMD’s FSR 4 upscaling and is working on graphics driver updates. The Steam Machine is positioned as a versatile gaming and computing solution, but its limitations highlight the need for further refinement.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

After a delay in 2025 and two delays this year (plus two more short delays this morning) mech fortress-builder Sand has finally launched

Sand: Raiders of Sophie is a PvPvE extraction shooter set in an alien desert where players build and pilot mechanical bases while battling rivals and their own creations. The game's early access launch was initially scheduled for April 2025 but was postponed to March 2026, then to June 10, and finally delayed to June 22, reverting to an early access model. On the launch day, technical issues caused a delay of "an hour or two" before the game was released on Steam after a countdown. The game is currently available at a 21% discount for two weeks.

Tech Optimizer

June 22, 2026

The database that refused to die: How Postgres survived its own creators

Postgres, originally developed by Michael Stonebraker in the early 1980s, is an open-source database system that evolved from Ingres. It was designed to handle complex data types and introduced user-defined data types, operators, and functions, leading to the support for abstract data types (ADTs). The initial commercialization of Postgres occurred through a startup named Illustra, later acquired by Informix. In 1995, graduate students Andrew Yu and Jolly Chen revived Postgres, transitioning it from QUEL to SQL, resulting in Postgre95, which evolved into PostgreSQL. Today, Postgres is one of the most popular database systems globally, known for its extensibility and high code quality. However, it currently lacks features like file-level encryption (TDE), which are standard in commercial systems, relying instead on the operating system for encryption. Efforts to implement TDE have faced challenges due to the complexity of required code changes.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Gemini overlay gets expanded ‘plus’ menu to do more without opening app

Google has updated the Gemini overlay on Android, introducing an expanded plus menu that now includes Videos, Music, Canvas, and Guided Learning, in addition to the existing Images and Personal Intelligence tools. Deep Research remains exclusive to the full app due to its requirement for a larger prompt box. The top section of the interface, including Screen, Photos, Camera, Files, Drive, and Notebooks, remains unchanged, but the repositioning of the carousel may affect one-handed usability. These enhancements allow users to access most of the Gemini experience seamlessly across Android devices without launching the full application. The changes are being rolled out with stable version 17.32 of the Google app.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Eidos Montreal founder says modern execs are driven more by spreadsheets than passion for games

Stephane D'Astous, founder of Eidos Montreal, discussed the significant changes in the gaming industry over the past 15 years, noting that the major players have shifted, with Tencent becoming a dominant force. He highlighted the unexpected challenges faced by Electronic Arts, which he suggested was once at risk of being acquired. D'Astous expressed concern about the industry's current state, attributing some challenges to the financial influx during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to questionable project funding. He emphasized the unrealistic expectations placed on executives, citing his own experience of being asked to create a high-quality game within limited resources and time. The current industry atmosphere is characterized by a focus on revenue generation, which he believes hinders risk-taking and passion-driven development.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

The Steam Machine is the start of an even more expensive future for game consoles

Valve's Steam Machine is priced at ,049 for the 512GB model and ,128 with a Steam Controller. The 2TB version costs ,349 or ,428 with the controller. In comparison, the 2TB Xbox Series X retails for 9.99, the PS5 Pro for 9.99, and the upcoming Switch 2 is expected to launch at 9.99. The Steam Machine offers access to Steam's extensive library of games and is positioned as a premium option in a market with rising hardware prices. Recent data shows a 46% decline in PS5 sales year-over-year, coinciding with a price increase to 9.99. Xbox is developing "Project Helix," a device between a console and a PC, but pricing concerns have led to a reevaluation of its vision.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

MSYS2 And The No-Fuss Way To Get More GNU Into Your Windows

The Windows desktop experience has a streamlined interface, but its command line interface (CLI) offerings, particularly the cmd.exe shell, have been criticized for lacking the features found in UNIX/BSD/Linux environments. Microsoft’s transition to PowerShell has disappointed users who prefer a more traditional CLI experience. Despite Windows NT operating systems being POSIX compliant, they have historically lacked a suitable shell. MSYS2 provides a solution by offering a Linux-like experience with a Bash shell and the pacman package manager, allowing users to run shell scripts and access various tools. However, binaries compiled in MSYS2 may depend on shared libraries not included in the Windows system path. Upon installation, users can choose from different terminal options, with the UCRT terminal recommended for its usability. MSYS2 facilitates a streamlined development workflow, enabling the use of familiar tools across multiple platforms, but it does not achieve perfect integration within Windows and has some limitations, such as issues with stdout output in Bash.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

Microsoft Urges IT Admins to Prepare for Windows 11 Version 26H2 Rollout

Microsoft is preparing for the release of Windows 11 version 26H2, which aims to streamline the upgrade process for organizations. This version will be available for testing through the Windows Insider Program and utilizes a compact enablement package for a quicker transition from supported versions like 24H2 and 25H2. Devices on Windows 11 version 26H1 will not be able to upgrade to 26H2, as it is based on a different core. Upgrading to version 26H2 resets the support lifecycle, providing 24 months of support for consumer and standard business editions and 36 months for enterprise and education editions. Organizations are encouraged to test the update for compatibility and use deployment tools for a phased rollout.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

“Nintendo will not be challenged at all” — Surging prices have damaged the PC gaming handheld market, and our readers did not hold back

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is priced at ,799, reflecting increased component costs due to the AI boom and its premium build quality. In comparison, the Steam Deck started at 9, allowing consumers to buy multiple gaming consoles. Nintendo has shipped nearly 156 million Switch units and 19.86 million Switch 2 units, while the Steam Deck has sold an estimated 4 million units. The Nintendo Switch's sales surged after a price hike in Japan but later declined, with a similar price adjustment expected in the US, Canada, and Europe. Users distinguish the Steam Deck as an "enthusiast device" for PC gamers, while the Switch is the exclusive platform for Nintendo titles. The PC gaming handheld market is viewed as hibernating rather than over, with optimism for future developments despite current challenges. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ features Intel's Arc G3 chips, which have generated excitement about its performance. There is a significant audience interested in the right combination of price and specifications for handheld PC gaming.