corporations Archives

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

La Quimera, the new shooter from former 4A Games Ukraine studio Reburn, will be out later this month

La Quimera, a sci-fi shooter from Reburn, will launch on April 25. A closed beta test will take place on April 12 from 7 am PT/10 am ET for 24 hours. The game is set in a fictional Latin American megalopolis called Nuevo Caracas, featuring a narrative about a private military company involved in conflicts with rival factions and corporations. Players can engage in solo or cooperative gameplay with up to three friends, using high-tech exosuits. A gameplay trailer has been released, highlighting immersive action and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the Crysis series. Interested players can visit the game's Steam page for beta participation.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft turns 50: Tracking Bill Gates’ journey – from a dorm room to tech powerhouse

In 2025, Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking the beginning of its journey in 1975 when Bill Gates and Paul Allen aimed to make personal computers accessible to everyone. They created user-friendly software, starting with MS-DOS, which laid the foundation for the Windows operating system. Microsoft has since transformed work, learning, and communication with tools like MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while also creating millions of jobs and driving innovation. The company is currently focusing on integrating artificial intelligence with cloud computing and will host a special event in Redmond, Washington, to introduce new Copilot features.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Signal event: Why US and European officials rely on the messaging app

A recent incident involved The Atlantic's editor-in-chief in a Signal chat among senior officials from the Trump administration discussing military actions in Yemen. Signal was chosen for its robust security features, including end-to-end encryption that prevents interception by intermediaries. Signal operates as an independent non-profit, unlike WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta. Its popularity is growing in political circles, with recommendations from both the European Commission and Parliament for secure communications. The guidelines noted an increase in threats to telecommunications infrastructure and recommended Signal when corporate tools are unavailable. A recent leak of U.S. national defense plans was due to human error, not Signal's encryption flaws.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Factbox-What to know about Signal messaging app used by Trump aides to share war plans

Top officials from the Trump administration included a journalist in a private chat on Signal while discussing sensitive military strategies, leading to calls from Democratic lawmakers for a congressional investigation into a potential security breach. Under U.S. law, mishandling classified information can result in criminal charges, although it is unclear if violations occurred in this case. Signal is a secure messaging app known for its end-to-end encryption and privacy features, not tracking or storing user data. Founded in 2012 by Moxie Marlinspike, Signal operates independently and is overseen by Meredith Whittaker. It has gained popularity among journalists, government agencies, and organizations, particularly after concerns over other messaging platforms' privacy policies. The app is recognized as a secure method for whistleblowers to communicate confidentially. Despite its security reputation, some analysts question its suitability for national security discussions.

Tech Optimizer

March 14, 2025

Best Antivirus for Mac for 2025

Bitdefender Ultimate Security for MacOS achieved a 100% detection rate for threats in AV-Test conducted in December 2024. It operates with minimal resource consumption, with slight slowdowns during software installations similar to other third-party antivirus tools. The software protects against malware, including ransomware and phishing attacks, and includes AI-powered anti-scam features. The Ultimate Security package offers tools beyond MacOS's built-in XProtect, including a VPN, adblocker with anti-tracking, and a password manager. It provides identity protection by monitoring data leaks and alerts users if their information appears on the Dark Web, covering up to five devices across MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. Higher-tier packages for US residents offer identity theft and financial fraud protection, with coverage up to million. The pricing starts at .99 for the first year, renewing at .99 annually, with mid-tier and highest-tier plans priced at .99 and .99 for the first year, respectively, offering additional identity theft coverage and credit monitoring services.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

The Digital Privacy Paradox: Encrypted Messaging App ‘Session’ Solves What Others Won’t

Instant messaging has become a crucial part of global communication, connecting billions of users while raising concerns about privacy and security. Many popular messaging apps, despite encryption, still expose users to privacy threats through metadata collection, which can reveal personal information. Session is a messaging platform that aims to address these issues by minimizing metadata usage and ensuring user anonymity through anonymous sign-ups, a decentralized infrastructure, and advanced encryption techniques. Session does not require personal details like phone numbers or emails for registration and operates on a network of over 2,200 nodes, making it difficult for any single entity to access or censor user data. The app is open-source, allowing for transparency and independent audits, and employs onion routing to enhance security. Session is particularly beneficial for journalists and activists who need secure communication in surveillance-prone environments. The platform is governed by the non-profit Session Technology Foundation, which prioritizes user privacy over profit. Session's upcoming token, $SESH, will incentivize individuals to operate nodes, contributing to the decentralized nature of the network and enhancing security through staking mechanisms. The transition from Oxen to Session Token on Arbitrum aims to improve efficiency and scalability while planning for a future where privacy-first messaging competes with mainstream platforms.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

Can alternative app stores break through?

Amazon will close its Android App Store on August 20th, preventing developers from submitting new applications. Epic Games reported an 18% year-over-year decline in player spending on PC, amounting to 5 million in 2024, despite increased user accounts. Alternative app stores face challenges in competing with established platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Companies like Huawei and Samsung have large user bases but struggle to generate significant revenue in Western markets. Alvaro Pinto, co-founder of Aptoide, notes that Amazon's closure occurs as the app distribution ecosystem is evolving, suggesting potential for new marketplaces despite existing hurdles. The upcoming Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco event on March 17th to 18th will discuss insights on alternative app stores and direct-to-consumer practices.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

The PlayStation Network outage proves PC gamers were right to resist its mandatory sign-in requirement

Review-bombing campaigns have arisen from cultural debates about trans characters, queer developers, and liberal writing consultants. A recent incident with Helldivers 2 has shown that these campaigns can also highlight legitimate consumer concerns, specifically regarding the PlayStation Network's (PSN) sign-in requirement. Sony and Arrowhead initially stated that a PSN sign-in would be implemented, which seemed minimal at first. However, players expressed frustration over the exclusion of gamers in regions with Steam access but not PSN. Sony has since abandoned its PSN ambitions on PC while continuing to exclude certain countries from Helldivers 2. The justification for "player protection" appeared disingenuous, as it seemed aimed at funneling users into the PSN ecosystem, which requires sharing personal information. Recently, the PSN experienced a 24-hour outage, raising concerns about the implications of a mandatory sign-in for games like Helldivers 2 and single-player titles. Sony seems to struggle with understanding the PC gaming audience, entering the PC market reluctantly due to its growth and console stagnation. The company must earn the loyalty of PC gamers, who may resist being tied to a service that charges for online access to games they already own. The PSN has a history of significant cybersecurity breaches, and the details surrounding the recent outage remain unclear, with Sony not providing clarity on any potential compromise. Mandatory sign-ins to services like PSN represent a significant imposition that consumers should avoid due to genuine risks.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Vanished for a year, early access dev returns to announce a crisis taught them ‘videogames ain’t it’ and end development on ‘singleplayer EVE’ they’ve been making since 2019

Astrox Imperium is an early access game on Steam, likened to a "singleplayer EVE Online," allowing players to explore a vast universe with a dynamic economy and extensive ship upgrades. The developer, Masula, announced a reevaluation of priorities due to personal circumstances, stating that video games are no longer a priority for them. Masula plans to transform the Campaign mode into a tutorial and release the game as a complete product, but indicated this would be their last project in game development. The community has had mixed reactions, with many expressing empathy and support for Masula, while also inquiring about the possibility of community involvement in the game's future development.

Tech Optimizer

February 4, 2025

Microsoft builds open source document database on PostgreSQL

Microsoft has launched a new document database platform based on a PostgreSQL backend, emphasizing its commitment to open-source technologies by encouraging the use of FerretDB. The platform aims to meet the community's NoSQL database needs and is supported by contributions from organizations like MIT and Apache. It features no commercial licensing fees or usage restrictions, allowing users to customize without obligation to share. Microsoft introduced two PostgreSQL extensions: pg_documentdb_core, optimized for BSON, and pg_documentdb_api, which supports data operations and query functionality. FerretDB, operating under an Apache license, offers a document database protocol and has reported performance improvements, with speeds up to 20 times faster for certain workloads. This collaboration may challenge established document database providers like MongoDB and Couchbase.