consultancy Archives

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2026

4 Free Antivirus Programs Consumer Reports Rates Better Than Windows Defender

The global cybersecurity market is projected to grow from nearly billion in 2025 to over billion by 2033, according to Grand View Research. Consumer Reports has ranked various antivirus products to assist consumers in selecting the right solutions. In the Free Anti-Malware Programs category, AVG Antivirus FREE ranked fourth, offering superior overall protection compared to Microsoft Defender, which placed sixth. AVG's free version is ad-supported and noted for its comprehensive protection against threats, including adware. Avast Free Antivirus and AVG scored similarly, but both feature intrusive advertisements. Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows ranked second, providing a more intuitive user experience with basic ransomware protection. Avira Free Security Suite topped the rankings, offering a full suite of security features and options for additional subscription models.

Tech Optimizer

November 11, 2025

Percona announces Percona Distribution for PostgreSQL to support open source databases

Percona has launched the Percona Distribution for PostgreSQL, based on version 11.5, aimed at enhancing support for open-source databases. This distribution supports both cloud and on-premises deployments and will be officially launched at Percona Live Europe from September 30 to October 2. Key features include: - pg_repack: Allows rebuilding of database objects without table locks. - pgaudit: Provides session and object audit logging for compliance. - pgBackRest: A backup tool that scales for large workloads and uses streaming compression. - Patroni: A high availability solution for production deployments. The distribution includes various extensions supported by the PostgreSQL Global Development Group and signifies a commitment to enterprise-level support for open-source database instances. Percona Monitoring and Management will now also support PostgreSQL.

AppWizard

September 28, 2025

Kakao hit with backlash over ‘unwanted’ messenger update

Kakao has recently overhauled its messaging app, KakaoTalk, for the first time in 15 years, aiming to improve user experience. However, the update has faced significant backlash, with around 42 percent of users expressing dissatisfaction. Critics have raised concerns about the app's new design, which resembles Instagram, and features like the automatic display of friends' photos have sparked privacy worries. Kakao's leadership, including CEO Chung Shin-a and chief product officer Hong Min-taek, maintain that the changes will ultimately benefit users, despite facing opposition from engineers and developers. Following the update, Kakao's shares fell by 6.17 percent, resulting in a loss of approximately 3.4 trillion won in market capitalization.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Windows 10 will soon slam shut for millions of ageing PCs

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, creating operational and financial challenges for users in the Middle East, particularly businesses. Windows 10 is widely used in the region, with Saudi Arabia at 53%, Oman at 57%, Egypt at 66%, and the UAE at 43%. Organizations that have invested in Windows 10 may face compliance and security risks due to the lack of critical updates post-deadline. Transitioning to Windows 11 can be a lengthy process for companies, requiring updates or replacements for millions of devices. Microsoft offers an extended security updates (ESU) service for a fee, which provides limited updates for up to three years but does not cover all vulnerabilities. The ESU program is intended to encourage organizations to adopt Windows 11, but rising costs may make it an unviable long-term solution for some. Businesses must carefully consider the costs of upgrading versus the risks of remaining on an unsupported operating system.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Google Play, Android fuel Rs 4 lakh crore app revenue, economy boost in India during 2024: Report

A report by Public First estimates that Google Play and Android generated Rs 4 lakh crore in revenue for app publishers and the Indian economy in 2024. The digital economy in India is one of the largest and fastest-growing globally, driven by smartphone adoption, affordable data, and a vibrant developer ecosystem. The combined ecosystem of Google Play and Android contributed to the creation of over 35 lakh jobs in 2024. India has over 10 lakh developer jobs, with nearly 79% of Indian app developers serving overseas users. Indian developers achieved a total of 720 crore app downloads from the Play Store, including 600 crore from domestic users and 120 crore from international users.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Firms on Windows 10 will get more time before support runs out

The end of support for Windows 10, originally set for October 14, 2025, has been postponed for certain users, particularly accounting firms, allowing them more time to upgrade. Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates program for select Windows 10 users, which requires a fee per device for continued security updates, but does not include new features or general tech support. A December 2023 report indicates that 47% of accountants still rely on Windows 10, with approximately 25% of Windows 10 PCs actively used in accounting firms. Over half of all devices have migrated to Windows 11, which holds about 52% of the market. Experts recommend delaying upgrades to Windows 11 in favor of Windows 12, expected to be more optimized for AI, with potential hardware investments needed for the transition.

Winsage

June 23, 2025

This Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Is a No-Brainer at $15

Business leaders can secure a lifetime license for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for .97, reduced from 9, until July 20. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, Azure AD support, and Windows Sandbox. It offers a modernized interface, snap layouts, and Windows Copilot for enhanced productivity. Key management features include Group Policy support and remote desktop functionality, making it suitable for businesses with hybrid teams or sensitive data. The license requires a one-time payment, eliminating renewal or subscription fees.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Media consultancy Infinitize launches Vendetta to support indies

Digital media agency Infinitize has launched an initiative called Vendetta, described as "publishing-as-a-service," to support independent developers by providing marketing expertise. Infinitize has partnered with The Lippin Group to enhance its outreach strategies. CEO Jenny Zha emphasized that Vendetta aims to empower innovative indie developers rather than focusing solely on large studios. Specific indie studios benefiting from this initiative have not yet been disclosed.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Rokky interview: tapping global PC markets

PC game publishers are seeking innovative revenue enhancement methods and new audience engagement. Rokky, founded in 2009, has grown from five to around 60 employees and offers a distribution platform that connects game publishers with various digital storefronts, focusing on markets outside Europe. The company collaborates with publishers for content and engages stores for sales, easing the burden on publishers managing multiple relationships. Rokky highlights the potential of untapped markets in China and Asia, where traditional advertising is restricted. They have established connections with local marketing agencies and influencers to navigate these challenges. Andreev advises leveraging influencer partnerships for marketing in China, emphasizing the importance of social media. The grey market poses challenges for publishers, where game keys are resold at inflated prices across regions. Rokky suggests region-locking keys and adjusting pricing strategies based on local economic conditions to mitigate revenue loss from cross-border sales. Andreev envisions a future shift towards seamless activation processes, moving away from traditional key-selling methods to instant activation upon purchase, enhancing the user experience.

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

PC gamers spend 92% of their time on older games, oh and there are apparently 908 million of us now

Ben Porter, director at NewZoo, will present insights from the company's annual gaming industry analysis at the Game Developers Conference (GDC). NewZoo's survey indicates that the PC gaming market is growing, with an estimated 873.5 million PC gamers in 2023, projected to rise to 907.5 million by 2024, surpassing the console gaming audience of approximately 653.1 million. A significant portion of PC players, 67%, will spend their gaming hours on titles that are six years or older, while 25% will play games aged two to five years, leaving only 8% for newer releases. The most played games include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive/Counter-Strike 2 (7.1%), League of Legends (6.4%), Roblox (6.2%), Dota 2 (5.8%), and Fortnite (5.4%). Overall, 92% of player time is devoted to games more than two years old, highlighting a preference for established titles over new releases.