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I tested Norton's Deepfake Protection — and it finally convinced me my next laptop needs an NPU
Tech Optimizer
June 18, 2026

I tested Norton’s Deepfake Protection — and it finally convinced me my next laptop needs an NPU

The landscape of online security has evolved significantly, with deepfake technology introducing new challenges. Users must be vigilant against both traditional malware and convincing fake images and videos. Antivirus software developers are enhancing their products by integrating cloud-based AI for better threat detection. For users with computers featuring neural processing units (NPUs), local solutions are available, such as Norton’s Deepfake Protection, which analyzes synthetic voices and images to flag potential threats. This feature operates in the background, providing peace of mind during online interactions. Norton 360 includes options for Deepfake Protection, Safe Web, and Safe SMS, but requires sufficient system resources to function effectively. Running this protection on older laptops may hinder performance, making NPUs a worthwhile investment for enhanced security against deepfakes and other online threats.
Announcing Lakebase Search: agent-native retrieval built into Lakebase Postgres
Tech Optimizer
June 18, 2026

Announcing Lakebase Search: agent-native retrieval built into Lakebase Postgres

Lakebase Search is a hybrid vector and full-text retrieval system integrated into Lakebase, now in beta on AWS and Azure. It utilizes two Postgres extensions: lakebase_vector and lakebase_text, allowing agents to operate on a single data backend. Agents manage four times more databases than human users and require real-time access to indexed data. The system features a tiered architecture that stores cold data in cost-effective object storage while keeping active data in local NVMe, significantly reducing costs. The lakebase_vector extension offers 32x compression for vectors, allowing a billion vectors to fit into under 10GB of RAM. The lakebase_text extension provides BM25 relevance ranking without high RAM usage. Benchmarking shows that Lakebase Search can efficiently handle large-scale workloads, achieving high recall and low latency with reduced resource requirements compared to traditional architectures. The system allows for continuous search experimentation and dedicated retrieval engines for each agent, enhancing operational efficiency and scalability.
silver Android smartphone
Tech Optimizer
June 18, 2026

Companies turn to EnterpriseDB for AI data control

Organizations are increasingly adopting EnterpriseDB's EDB Postgres AI platform due to a rising demand for enhanced control over data in AI systems, particularly in sectors like banking, insurance, retail, and trading. Research from MIT Technology Review Insights indicates that prioritizing AI and data sovereignty significantly predicts success in AI initiatives, with such organizations achieving five times the return on investment. In South Korea, the Industrial Bank of Korea migrated 15 core systems to EDB Postgres AI, citing significant reductions in licensing costs compared to Oracle and improved scalability for future AI services. Shinhan EZ Insurance transitioned its core system to the public cloud using EDB, overcoming challenges related to legacy database licensing and emphasizing the importance of operational stability. Beyond finance, companies like MNTN, Euronext FX, and Kyobo Book Centre have adopted the platform to reduce vendor reliance, manage data workloads, and enhance compliance control. MNTN uses EDB for large-scale analytical processing, Euronext FX has implemented it across four data centers, and Kyobo Book Centre migrated from a costly data warehouse to the EDB solution. A common trend among these deployments is the use of a single Postgres-based platform for transactional processing, analytics, and AI tasks, reflecting an industry initiative to simplify operations and reduce costs. Hensley noted the critical convergence of AI systems with operational data, as AI agents operate against live data in high-volume workflows, highlighting the drawbacks of using separate platforms for transactions and analytics. EnterpriseDB has also received industry accolades for its data management and contributions to the open-source community, reinforcing its market position.
Rockstar Will Offer Free GTA 5 Upgrades From Older Console And PC Versions
AppWizard
June 18, 2026

Rockstar Will Offer Free GTA 5 Upgrades From Older Console And PC Versions

Beginning June 18, players who own Grand Theft Auto V on PS4 or the digital edition for Xbox One can upgrade to the enhanced versions on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S for free. This upgrade includes significant visual enhancements and performance improvements, along with the ability to transfer save data and online progress. PC gamers can also upgrade to the Enhanced edition, which features exclusive enhancements like ray-traced ambient occlusion and global illumination. Rockstar previously discontinued GTA Online on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2021, leading to speculation about similar support for PS4 and Xbox One. Fans are also anticipating information about Grand Theft Auto VI, with a current release date of November 19 and increased marketing efforts expected this summer.
'It feels to many like a tidal wave is sweeping over the AAA game business,' says Epic CEO Tim Sweeney in his diagnosis of the industry's woes
AppWizard
June 18, 2026

‘It feels to many like a tidal wave is sweeping over the AAA game business,’ says Epic CEO Tim Sweeney in his diagnosis of the industry’s woes

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, highlighted the need for improved game development efficiency and connectivity during his remarks at Unreal Fest. He noted that many major game releases are failing to meet expectations despite increased engagement among younger audiences and Fortnite's resurgence. Epic is developing Unreal Engine 6 to enhance efficiency and interoperability, incorporating generative AI for game creation that can integrate with Fortnite and other Unreal products. The Unreal Engine is free for developers, with a 5% royalty after the first million in revenue, and the Epic Games Store waives fees for the first million earned, contrasting with higher fees on platforms like Steam. Epic and Disney released a Star Wars toolkit for Unreal Editor for Fortnite, and there are concerns about how traditional gaming experiences will adapt to a more interconnected ecosystem. Despite rising development costs, Epic is committed to supporting diverse projects while shifting towards a model emphasizing social connectivity and brand partnerships.
Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office: Yours for Life for $35
Winsage
June 17, 2026

Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office: Yours for Life for $35

The annual fee for Microsoft 365 starts at .99, and Windows 10 has not received security updates since 2025. A current offer allows the purchase of Windows 11 Pro and a lifetime license for Microsoft Office for .97, down from 8.99, but this offer expires on June 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Windows 11 Pro includes features like remote desktop access, BitLocker encryption, and an AI assistant called Copilot. The Microsoft Office Professional 2021 package includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.
Windows devs rerolled old code to save precious bytes
Winsage
June 17, 2026

Windows devs rerolled old code to save precious bytes

Veteran Microsoft engineer Raymond Chen shared a story about the development of an x86-32 emulator that utilized binary translation, significantly improving performance compared to traditional emulation methods. During the project, the team faced an issue where a function allocated 64 KB of memory but was optimized by a compiler into 65,536 instructions, leading to 256 kilobytes of code being used to initialize the data. In response to this inefficiency, the engineers modified the translator to replace the inefficient function with a more compact loop, highlighting their commitment to memory efficiency during a time when operating systems prioritized resource conservation.
Google's £3 upgrade for Windows is finally back in stock
Winsage
June 17, 2026

Google’s £3 upgrade for Windows is finally back in stock

Google, in collaboration with Back Market, is offering a USB memory stick that allows users to install the free ChromeOS Flex operating system on their existing PCs and Macs. This initiative aims to provide a cost-effective alternative for Windows 10 users, especially after Microsoft ceased support for the operating system in October 2022. The USB kits, designed for easy installation, have sold out quickly since their launch. ChromeOS Flex offers essential security updates and is designed to run on hardware originally intended for Windows and macOS, although it does not support Android apps or Windows virtual machines. The initiative also emphasizes environmental benefits by extending the life of existing devices and reducing e-waste.
silver Android smartphone
Tech Optimizer
June 17, 2026

Databricks Puts AI Search Inside Postgres

Databricks has introduced Lakebase Search, a feature that integrates advanced search capabilities into its Lakebase Postgres database, currently in beta on AWS and Azure. This feature aims to enhance AI agent development by embedding native retrieval functions within the data backend. It addresses the challenge of "Vector Bloat Cost" by utilizing tiered storage for optimized data access and retrieval efficiency. Lakebase Search includes two new Postgres extensions, lakebase_vector and lakebase_text, which enable hybrid search capabilities that combine vector and full-text search functionalities. This integration streamlines the AI agent loop, improving agent-first ergonomics and allowing developers to create more efficient AI systems.
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