connection Archives

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Cozy conversational campfire game Fireside Feelings for PC now available

Fireside Feelings, a cozy conversational campfire game developed by Team Empreintes and published by The CoLab, is now available for PC on Steam. The game aims to provide a serene escape from modern life's complexities, encouraging heartfelt conversations among players. Players can customize avatars from six animal options and engage in discussions guided by a sentient campfire named Spark, who poses thought-provoking questions. The game prioritizes player safety by anonymizing responses and using a moderated database for conversations. Players can also avoid sensitive topics by customizing discussion parameters. Additionally, the developers have partnered with Safe In Our World to support mental health awareness, providing resources within the game.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

ISKP Magazine Questions Encryption Claims Of Messaging App, Cautions

The latest edition of "Voice of Khurasan" critiques Gem Space, a new social media platform attracting Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) members, highlighting security vulnerabilities. The article warns against migrating from Telegram to Gem Space due to concerns over the platform's closed-source nature, unspecified encryption protocols, lack of end-to-end encryption confirmation, unclear ownership, and absence of transparency reports. It suggests that claims of 40+ million downloads may be exaggerated, pointing to a lack of independent validation of the platform's security. The article emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making regarding digital security.

BetaBeacon

June 6, 2025

‘FIFA Rivals’ Game Launching Next Week on iOS, Android

FIFA Rivals, a mobile soccer game, is set to launch on iOS and Android on June 12. Adidas will be featured in the game with branded kits, jerseys, shoes, and a training facility.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Psychological adventure game On Donuts and Holes announced for PC

Publisher room6, in collaboration with developers Atsuki Miyamura and Kako no Nikomi, has announced the psychological adventure game On Donuts and Holes, set to launch on PC via Steam in 2026. The game explores existential questions about identity and personal choices in a dreamlike realm. Players engage with two characters, You and I, where I poses thought-provoking questions and You represents the player's choices. Key features include over a hundred new questions, an expanded narrative, complex interactions, enhanced graphics, and support for multiple languages. An announcement trailer is available to showcase the game's artistic vision and themes.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Stray Children, the oddball RPG from the devs behind cult classic Moon, is coming to PC in English later this year

Nintendo's 2023 Direct presentation featured the game Stray Children, directed by Yoshiro Kimura. The game has a unique pixel art style and will make its English debut later this year on PC. Players control a young, dog-like boy transported to a fantastical realm inhabited by children, avoiding "The Olders," monstrous adults. The gameplay involves combat in compact arenas with bullet-hell style attacks. Stray Children was released in Japan last year for the Nintendo Switch, and while an English localization is promised, the exact release date is unconfirmed but anticipated for 2025.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Xbox Seems To Have Officially Renamed Its Platform For PC Games

Xbox is intensifying its commitment to the PC gaming sector, with the term "Xbox PC" being highlighted in recent trailers, including for Gears of War: Reloaded and MIO: Memories in Orbit. The branding shift aligns with their strategy to integrate PC gaming into their ecosystem, supported by initiatives like PC Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere. This change coincides with rumors of an ASUS Xbox handheld device, indicating a focus on harmonizing handheld and PC gaming. The use of "Xbox PC" may become a staple in their marketing, aiming to unify efforts to support PC gaming.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Migrate Google Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL to Amazon RDS and Amazon Aurora using pglogical

PostgreSQL is a popular open-source relational database used by enterprise developers and startups, enabling rapid prototyping and supporting mission-critical applications. Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition facilitate easy setup, operation, and scaling of PostgreSQL deployments in the AWS Cloud, automating administrative tasks like software installation, storage management, and backups. The pglogical extension, compatible with PostgreSQL versions 9.4 and higher, allows for asynchronous replication and is supported on RDS for PostgreSQL and Aurora PostgreSQL from version 12. It uses a publisher/subscriber model for logical streaming replication. To migrate a PostgreSQL database from Google Cloud SQL to RDS for PostgreSQL or Aurora PostgreSQL, users must configure the primary database in Cloud SQL, create a PostgreSQL user with replication privileges, enable logical replication parameters, and create the pglogical extension. The RDS instance also requires a special user for replication, enabling logical replication parameters and creating the pglogical extension. Known limitations of pglogical include the inability to replicate primary key changes directly, the need to manually transfer extensions, and the lack of support for materialized views and large objects. Workarounds involve using surrogate keys for primary keys, manually creating extensions, and converting large objects to bytea columns or storing them in Amazon S3. DDL statements are not automatically replicated, but can be queued using the pglogical.replicate_ddl_command function.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Death Stranding 2: All the key details on the next game from Hideo Kojima

Norman Reedus first engaged in the surreal world of Death Stranding almost six years ago, and Hideo Kojima is set to unveil the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. Kojima Productions is also developing a horror game titled OD and a project reminiscent of Metal Gear called Physint. The original Death Stranding garnered a dedicated fanbase, and the sequel promises to elevate the experience with new elements, including colossal ships, guitar-playing cyborgs, and a ventriloquist dummy resembling Turkish director Fatih Akin. The sequel appears to shift towards a more action-oriented gameplay style. Kojima Productions now owns the intellectual property for Death Stranding 2, which may lead to a shorter release timeline, though it may depend on the publishing agreement with Sony. Sony titles typically see a price reduction upon their eventual release on PC. The latest trailer for Death Stranding 2 debuted at SXSW and features disjointed dialogues and stunning gameplay sequences, highlighting Sam's journey and combat. The trailer emphasizes Neil, a character reminiscent of Solid Snake, and includes notable figures like the President, portrayed by Alastair Duncan. Death Stranding 2 invites players to traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape, delivering packages while encountering adversaries. Sam Porter Bridges will explore new territories, including the Australian outback and Mexico, with dynamic weather events enhancing gameplay. Combat is now a focal point, aiming to balance action and strategy. The story is set 11 months after the original game, with Sam enjoying a quieter existence until the return of Fragile prompts him to connect Mexico to the Chiral Network. New characters include Tomorrow, who can manipulate the game's unique goo, Tarman, inspired by George Miller, and Dollman, a sentient ventriloquist dummy. Neil, portrayed by Luca Marinelli, resembles Solid Snake. Kojima Productions is offering a digital deluxe edition for Death Stranding 2, which includes exclusive cosmetics and early access to certain items. The future of DLC for Death Stranding 2 is uncertain, with no immediate plans for a PS6 release. It seems likely that the sequel will include more unconventional elements similar to the first game. Die-Hardman’s real name is humorously noted as John McClane, reflecting the quirky creativity of the Death Stranding universe.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

More than a decade later, WhatsApp finally brings out an iPad app

WhatsApp has launched its app for iPads, now available on the App Store, allowing users to access its full functionality on a larger screen for the first time in over a decade. The iPad app includes features like chat synchronization across devices, compatibility with Apple's Magic Keyboard, and navigation using the Apple Pencil. Previously, iPad users could only use WhatsApp through a web version that required a constant connection to a mobile phone. The new app enables better multitasking by allowing users to run WhatsApp alongside other applications.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Do I need an antivirus and a VPN?

Reliance on antivirus software for device protection is common, but certain threats, especially ransomware, can bypass even the best solutions. Cybercriminals have shifted tactics from encrypting data for ransom to exfiltrating sensitive information and threatening to leak it. The availability of ransomware kits and the use of AI by attackers have made cybercrime more accessible and targeted. Remote work environments increase vulnerabilities, as hackers exploit unsecured networks and personal devices. Antivirus software can help protect against malware and viruses, but built-in solutions often lack comprehensive security. A high-quality antivirus program can enhance protection through advanced features and AI. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts data and secures internet traffic, making it a valuable tool for cybersecurity. Implementing a VPN is cost-effective compared to potential data breach costs. Using both a VPN and antivirus software is essential for comprehensive coverage, as they address different security aspects. Businesses may need advanced endpoint protection solutions for heightened security, which continuously scans for suspicious behavior and integrates multiple security features. Despite these tools, proper personal practices and cybersecurity awareness are crucial to minimize vulnerabilities and human error, which is a leading cause of cyberattacks.