cloud-based Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Snowflake to Acquire Crunchy Data for AI-Ready Postgres

Snowflake intends to acquire Crunchy Data, a provider of open-source PostgreSQL technology, to enhance its AI Data Cloud by integrating Crunchy Data's enterprise-grade Postgres offerings. The new product, "Snowflake Postgres," will be a developer-friendly, AI-ready database for mission-critical applications. Snowflake plans to invest approximately 0 million in this acquisition, which aims to support complex AI applications at scale and bring a team experienced in Postgres. This move comes amid a competitive cloud data market, with Snowflake's stock trading near its 52-week high. The acquisition is expected to influence how enterprises approach AI and data integration, potentially setting a new benchmark for cloud platforms.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

Snowflake to buy Crunchy Data to enhance its AI Data Cloud

Snowflake intends to acquire Crunchy Data, a developer of cloud-based database software, with the deal potentially 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: AI Data Cloud company Snowflake has announced its intention to acquire Crunchy Data, a notable developer of cloud-based database software. While specific financial details remain undisclosed, sources cited by CNBC suggest that the deal could be valued at around 0 million. Enhancing AI Capabilities with Snowflake Postgres The acquisition is set to bring Snowflake Postgres into the fold, an AI-ready, enterprise-grade PostgreSQL database designed with developers in mind. This new offering aims to ensure full compatibility with Postgres while adhering to the governance, security, and operational standards essential for mission-critical AI applications. By integrating Crunchy Data’s technology, which is recognized for its enterprise readiness in FedRAMP-compliant environments, Snowflake Postgres will simplify the processes of developing, deploying, and scaling production-ready AI agents and applications. This enhancement is expected to significantly benefit customers and partners, including Blue Yonder and LandingAI, who rely on PostgreSQL for their operational data needs. Paul Laurence, co-founder of Crunchy Data, emphasized the company's commitment to stringent security and comprehensive compliance, stating, “Our deep-rooted commitment to stringent security and comprehensive compliance has made us the trusted Postgres partner for organisations across regulated industries, including federal agencies, Fortune 500 financial institutions, and high-scale SaaS companies.” Upon the acquisition's completion, Snowflake plans to continue supporting the Postgres community and existing Crunchy Data customers, while seamlessly integrating the latter’s capabilities into Snowflake Postgres. Vivek Raghunathan, senior vice president of Snowflake Engineering, articulated the company’s vision: “Our vision is to deliver the world’s most trusted and comprehensive data and AI platform to our customers. Today’s announcement of our proposed acquisition of Crunchy Data represents another reason why Snowflake is the ultimate destination for all enterprise data and AI needs.” The completion of this acquisition is contingent upon regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Earlier this year, in February 2025, Snowflake unveiled the Silicon Valley AI Hub at its Menlo Park campus, which boasts nearly 30,000 square feet dedicated to fostering the AI community." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million. The acquisition will integrate Crunchy Data’s technology into Snowflake Postgres, an AI-ready PostgreSQL database, enhancing its compatibility and compliance for mission-critical AI applications. Snowflake aims to support the Postgres community and existing Crunchy Data customers post-acquisition. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Securing Windows Endpoints in 2025 Enterprise Environments

In 2025, 61% of organizations worldwide have adopted Zero Trust initiatives, up from 24% in 2021. Microsoft's Zero Trust framework centralizes security policy enforcement through the cloud, with integrated solutions like Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. AI is now a critical component of endpoint security, enabling systems to detect irregularities and autonomously isolate compromised devices. Microsoft introduced Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) to allow IT administrators to fix unbootable PCs remotely. Windows Server 2025 features enhanced security measures, including advanced algorithms and a customized security baseline with over 350 preconfigured settings. Additionally, 75% of organizations are consolidating security vendors, favoring comprehensive platforms like SentinelOne Singularity and Microsoft Defender XDR. Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) has been enhanced to better regulate application usage, with Microsoft promoting its adoption over AppLocker.

Tech Optimizer

May 29, 2025

Sophos warns MSPs over DragonForce threat

Sophos has warned managed service providers (MSPs) about their vulnerability to ransomware attacks targeting remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools. They reported a ransomware incident involving DragonForce, where attackers accessed the SimpleHelp RMM to deploy ransomware across multiple endpoints and exfiltrate sensitive data using a double extortion strategy. An alert was triggered by a suspicious SimpleHelp installer file pushed through the MSP's legitimate RMM instance. MSPs utilizing Sophos's managed detection and response (MDR) services successfully prevented hacker access, while those without security investments were impacted by the ransomware and data exfiltration. Following the incident, the affected MSP sought help from Sophos Rapid Response for digital forensics. Mark Appleton from Also Cloud UK stressed the importance of MSPs investing in advanced exposure management tools to mitigate cyber threats, noting that endpoints are primary targets for breaches. He highlighted the significance of continuous threat exposure management as essential for MSPs to protect themselves and their clients from attacks.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Samsung is rolling out its first One UI 8 beta for the Galaxy S25 series

The One UI 8 beta is now available for Galaxy S25 models in select regions, featuring enhanced AI capabilities, a tailored user experience for different device types, and proactive suggestions. It introduces improvements to the Reminder app, Quick Share, multitasking, Samsung Internet, and accessibility features. The rollout is limited to regions including Germany, Korea, the U.K., and the U.S., excluding the Galaxy S25 Edge. A stable version is expected to launch with new foldable devices this summer. Key features include multimodal capabilities, enhanced Now Bar and Now Brief features, local data processing options, and improvements to the Auracast feature. The Reminder app will consolidate tasks into a single interface, and Quick Share will receive enhancements. Additional features include improved file search, a redesign of Samsung Internet, multitasking enhancements, new Calendar features, and social health management options through Samsung Health. More features may be revealed as the beta progresses.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows 11’s sneaky new AI tool is a game-changer

Microsoft introduced Foundry AI Local, a command-line tool for running large language models (LLMs) on users' machines, aimed initially at developers but accessible to a broader audience. The installation process utilizes the "winget" tool, allowing users to install it by opening a command line and entering the command: winget install Microsoft.FoundryLocal. Users can run the Phi-3.5-mini model with the command: foundry model run phi-3.5-mini and explore other models with: foundry model list. Foundry AI Local automatically selects the best model for the user's hardware, enhancing performance. While currently functioning as a local chatbot, it has potential applications beyond text generation, including text extraction tools and integration into Windows applications. Future enhancements may include art generation and custom model training.

Tech Optimizer

May 25, 2025

Microsoft’s Smart App Control blocks malware and has ‘lighter impact on your PC’s performance’

Microsoft has introduced Smart App Control (SAC) with the rollout of Windows 11 22H2, enhancing its security framework by proactively blocking untrusted or unknown applications. Users must perform a fresh installation of Windows to utilize this feature. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that operate on a reactive basis, SAC employs a "Guilty until proven innocent" approach, assessing applications against Microsoft's Intelligence Security Graph and verifying digital signatures to determine legitimacy. If an application is deemed potentially harmful or unsigned, it is blocked by Windows Security.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

ROIBest Launches Breakthrough Android PWA Solution to Accelerate Global App Growth and Maximize ROI

ROIBest has launched an Android Progressive Web App (PWA) solution designed to help businesses expand globally while reducing risks and enhancing ROI. This solution allows companies to bypass traditional app store limitations and advertising constraints, addressing challenges such as app store dependency and ad account bans. The PWA supports third-party payments without needing app store approval and can be installed directly from a browser link. ROIBest's platform includes features like browser fingerprinting for user journey monitoring, code obfuscation to reduce ad account suspensions, and integration with demand-side platforms and SMS marketing providers. ROIBest's applications are present on one in eight Android devices globally, making them compatible with new devices and browsers. The PWA solution is particularly beneficial for industries like gaming, e-commerce, social media, and AI tools, which face rapid user acquisition needs and compliance challenges.

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2025

Achieve up to 1.7 times higher write throughput and 1.38 times better price performance with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL on AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances

Upgrading to Graviton4-based R8g instances with Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible 17.4 in an Aurora I/O-Optimized cluster configuration results in significant performance improvements. The new instances provide up to 1.7 times higher write throughput, 1.38 times better price-performance, and reduce commit latency by up to 46% on r8g.16xlarge instances and 38% on r8g.2xlarge instances compared to Graviton2-based R6g instances. The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition now supports AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances and PostgreSQL 17.4, which introduces performance enhancements for I/O-Optimized configurations, optimizing write operations and batch processing. R8g instances offer up to 192 vCPUs and 1.5 TB of memory, supporting larger configurations and providing up to 50 Gbps of network bandwidth. PostgreSQL 17 includes vacuum improvements, eliminates the need to drop logical replication slots during upgrades, and expands SQL/JSON standards. Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible separates compute from storage, enabling independent scaling and maintaining six-way replication for durability, while processing changes as log records to reduce I/O operations. Performance benchmarks using HammerDB show improvements in throughput and commit latency across various workloads. For small workloads on 2xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 50.25% and commit latency improved by 33.87%. For medium workloads on 16xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 30% and commit latency improved by 17.44%. The most significant performance benefits arise from combining hardware upgrades from Graviton2 to Graviton4 with database engine upgrades from PostgreSQL 15.10 to 17.4. For small workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 38.71%. For medium workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 46.67%. Cost efficiency is also enhanced, with a 38% improvement in price performance and a 61.26% improvement in price-performance ratio when comparing Graviton2 and Graviton4 instances. Reserved Instances for Graviton4-based R8g instances offer additional cost-optimization opportunities.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Google’s ML Kit GenAI APIs with Gemini Nano: On-Device AI for Privacy-Preserving Android Apps

Google announced on May 14, 2025, the expansion of its ML Kit offerings with new GenAI APIs powered by the Gemini Nano model, aimed at providing Android developers with access to advanced AI features while ensuring user privacy through on-device processing. The ML Kit GenAI APIs include four key capabilities: summarization, proofreading, rewriting, and image description. These APIs process data locally, keeping user data on the device, ensuring consistent functionality without internet connectivity, and avoiding recurring server costs. This development enhances the accessibility of sophisticated AI capabilities for Android developers and aligns with consumer privacy concerns. The architecture allows for future expansion of capabilities as Gemini models evolve.