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Tech Optimizer
February 22, 2025
Mindbody utilizes a cloud-based platform for the fitness and wellness industry, offering services such as client booking, scheduling, payments, marketing, and analytics. Their email marketing platform is built on an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster, currently at version 13.8, with a size of approximately 17 TB and a workload distribution of 80% reads and 20% writes. Mindbody faced scaling and performance challenges due to architectural limitations and increasing data demands, leading to all workloads being directed to the writer node. The average BufferCacheHitRatio was below 80%, indicating frequent disk access rather than cache hits, contributing to higher query latencies and I/O costs. To address these issues, Mindbody adopted Aurora Optimized Reads, which enhances caching capacity and improves latency and throughput for I/O-intensive workloads. Transitioning required upgrading the database cluster to version 14.9 or higher, and extensive testing was conducted in a proof-of-concept environment. The upgrade process involved a blue/green deployment strategy to minimize production disruption. After implementing Aurora Optimized Reads, Mindbody experienced significant performance improvements, including a 50% reduction in average daily CPU utilization and a 90% reduction in ReadIOPS. The AuroraOptimizedReadsCacheHitRatio indicated that 85% of read requests were served from the optimized cache. Cost analysis revealed a 23% reduction in monthly Aurora costs post-transition, with potential for further savings by downsizing instances.
AppWizard
February 22, 2025
Valve's Steam has dominated the PC gaming market for nearly two decades, despite various attempts by companies like Amazon to challenge its supremacy. Ethan Evans, former VP of Prime Gaming at Amazon, shared insights on their unsuccessful efforts to disrupt Steam, which included acquiring Reflexive Entertainment, developing a PC game store leveraging Twitch, and launching the Luna game streaming service. Other major publishers such as EA, Ubisoft, and Bethesda also failed to establish competitive storefronts. The Epic Games Store, launched in 2017, has not positioned itself as a true rival to Steam. Evans noted that Amazon underestimated the reasons consumers use Steam, which combines a store, social network, library, and trophy case. Despite criticisms of Steam, its ecosystem and features have reinforced its dominance, while alternatives have struggled to gain traction.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Amazon will close its Android Appstore on August 20, 2025, ending access for users on Android devices and discontinuing the Amazon Coins program. The Appstore, launched in 2011, struggled to gain a substantial user base despite various innovations. Users will be warned that apps downloaded from the Appstore may stop functioning after the closure, but they can migrate purchased apps to Amazon devices like the Kindle. Amazon has already stopped selling Amazon Coins as of February 20, 2025, and unused balances will be refunded after the closure. Users are advised to disable auto-renewals for subscriptions. The closure reflects the Appstore's failure to resonate with users and diminishing relevance in the market.
Winsage
February 21, 2025
Microsoft's Surface app has transformed into a marketplace filled with advertisements, overshadowing its original purpose of device management. Users encounter promotional offers, including a 30% discount on an Xbox controller, prominently displayed at the bottom of the interface. Ads are integrated into the app, raising concerns about user consent, and persist even with ad blockers in Microsoft Edge. The app now resembles a shopping platform, which may dishearten users who expected a streamlined experience. This shift reflects a broader trend in Microsoft's ecosystem of frequent marketing pushes across platforms, potentially affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Amazon will close its App Store for Android devices on August 20, 2025, due to low user engagement compared to the Google Play Store. Developers have been notified to stop submissions to the App Store. Additionally, Amazon is discontinuing its Amazon Coins program and will process refunds for any unused coins. The company is shifting its focus to enhancing app experiences on its own devices, such as Fire TV and Fire HD tablets.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Amazon will close its Appstore for Android devices on August 20 of this year, and developers will no longer be able to submit new applications. The decision is part of a strategic shift to enhance user experience on Amazon's own devices. The Appstore will still be available on Amazon's Fire TV, Fire Tablet, and other built-in products. Developers can submit updates for existing applications until the service ends. Additionally, Amazon will discontinue its Amazon Coins program on the same date and will refund any remaining coins in user accounts.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Amazon will close its Android app store on August 20, 2025, and developers will no longer be able to submit new applications as that date approaches. The Amazon Coins program will also be discontinued on the same date, with no new purchases available after February 20, 2025. Customers with remaining Amazon Coins will be refunded after the shutdown. The app store will remain operational on Amazon devices like Fire TV and Fire Tablets. The decision to close the Android app store is due to limited use on non-Amazon devices, as the company aims to focus on its own devices where most customers engage with the app store.
AppWizard
February 21, 2025
Amazon will close its Android app store on August 20, 2025. Developers can submit updates for existing apps until the closure but cannot introduce new applications. The app store will remain functional on Amazon's Fire tablets and Fire TV. In Japan, in-app purchases will be discontinued, and users are advised to seek alternative marketplaces. Amazon will also end its Amazon Coins program, refunding any unused Coins by the closure date, with the last purchase opportunity on February 20, 2025. Additionally, Amazon's app store support for Windows devices will cease on March 5, 2025.
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