directions Archives

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

A Silent Hill fan is making a PC port of Silent Hill: Downpour that restores a cut boss battle and plenty more

Silent Hill: Downpour is a semi-open world installment of the Silent Hill franchise, focusing on a prison escapee and featuring engaging side quests that explore the town's ghostly lore. One notable quest involves following color-coded ribbons to find a missing girl. The game has been compared to Silent Hill 2, though some consider it derivative. Anticipation is building for Silent Hill: Townfall, a new project from Screen Burn Interactive, which aims to bring a fresh Scottish perspective to the series, following mixed reactions to Silent Hill F's arena battles.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

I wish someone told me about these 5 Android Auto settings before I bought my new car

A 2003 PT Cruiser was replaced by a 2022 Hyundai Tucson after a transmission failure. The Hyundai Tucson features modern technology, including Android Auto. Key settings in Android Auto can enhance the user experience: 1. Taskbar Widgets: Enable taskbar widgets in the Android Auto settings to display miniature widgets for multitasking. 2. Launcher Customization: Rearrange the app drawer and hide infrequently used apps for a more organized interface. 3. Change Home Screen Layout: Adjust the layout to place the media app closer to the driver for easier access. 4. Play Media by Default: Disable the automatic playback of the last played media upon startup for more control over audio selection. 5. Gemini Actions: Create multi-step commands for tasks like navigation and media playback with a single command to streamline the driving routine.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

Hideki Kamiya thinks there should be a cozy Resident Evil game, where ‘retired Leon goes fishing in the countryside’

Hideki Kamiya, a key figure in the gaming industry, was involved in the Resident Evil franchise as a designer for the original game and director for Resident Evil 2. Despite his contributions to horror gaming, he does not consider himself a fan of the genre and has expressed a desire for a "non-scary mode" in Resident Evil games. Kamiya envisions a game featuring a retired Leon Kennedy living a peaceful life in the countryside, engaging in activities like fishing, baking, and helping neighbors. He has communicated with Capcom about the demand for a less frightening version of Resident Evil, indicating a genuine interest in innovation within the franchise. Currently, he is working on a sequel to Okami at his new studio, Clovers.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

From Idea to Launch: Essential Steps for Building a Successful Android App

Building a successful app requires transforming a strong idea into a useful, reliable, and discoverable product. Key steps include addressing a genuine problem, developing an effective initial version, conducting thorough testing, and launching with a strategic plan. Many apps fail by neglecting essential steps, leading to confusion or lack of real need. It is important to identify specific problems the app aims to solve rather than starting with an extensive feature list. Understanding the target audience and their pain points is crucial for making informed decisions. Validation can be achieved by examining reviews of competing apps and engaging with potential users to assess interest in the solution. The initial app version should be the smallest iteration that delivers tangible results, focusing on the primary user journey. Outlining the user flow is important for a smooth experience, ensuring that permission requests are logical and intuitive. Early-stage apps should exhibit stability, integrating analytics and crash reporting from the beginning to understand user behavior. A gradual launch is recommended, starting with internal tests and moving to closed tests with target audience members. This phased approach allows for learning and adaptation, ensuring that the initial version effectively addresses a real problem and engages users.

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Samsung Phone Could Do

Older Samsung phones are receiving the One UI 8.5 update, which includes several features: - Users can separate app audio streams between devices, allowing navigation instructions to play through one device while music plays through another. - The side button on newer Galaxy devices can be customized for various functions, including opening different apps or tools. - Samsung offers a Secure Folder feature for storing sensitive apps and data privately. - The Dual Messenger feature allows users to clone messaging apps for managing multiple accounts simultaneously. - With One UI 5.1 and later, users can extract subjects from photos to create cutouts or stickers for use in other applications.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Android 17 is off to a rough start with new Pixel touchscreen complaints

Android 17 has caused touchscreen issues for Pixel users, including unresponsive taps, dead zones, and reversed scrolling, affecting models such as the Pixel 10, 9, 8, and 7 series. Google is aware of the problem, but initial fixes have not worked for all users. Clearing the cache of the Pixel Launcher has shown inconsistent results. Users have reported erratic touchscreen behavior, with taps being ignored and swipes misinterpreted. The issue has been documented in Google's IssueTracker and affects the entire modern Pixel lineup, occurring across different applications. Google suggested clearing the Pixel Launcher cache as a troubleshooting step, but many users found it ineffective. Some users reported success by disabling the “Smooth Display” feature, while others found toggling it off and on resolved scrolling issues. Google has not provided a timeline for a permanent fix, and users are advised to hold off on upgrading to Android 17 until a bug-fix update is released.

Tech Optimizer

June 20, 2026

EDB Reports Growing Adoption of Postgres AI as Enterprises Build Sovereign AI Foundations

EnterpriseDB (EDB) reported increased global adoption of its EDB Postgres AI (EDB PG AI) platform for managing mission-critical workloads. Research by MIT Technology Review Insights found that organizations prioritizing AI and data sovereignty achieve five times the return on investment. The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) migrated 15 core systems to EDB PG AI, reducing licensing costs and enhancing operational flexibility. Shinhan EZ Insurance transitioned its core system to the public cloud using EDB PG AI, achieving 24/7 service and scalability for AI workloads. Other companies like MNTN, Euronext FX, and Kyobo Book Centre are also leveraging EDB PG AI for various applications. EDB has received industry recognition, including being named among the most innovative companies in data and awarded for its data management solutions. EDB PG AI integrates transactional, analytical, and AI workloads, providing a secure and scalable platform for enterprises.

Tech Optimizer

June 18, 2026

SQL Server may be too lucrative for Microsoft to ditch, but too legacy to love

Microsoft's Build event highlighted its new AI agent, Scout, while SQL Server received limited attention, raising concerns about its future following Rohan Kumar's departure. Arun Ulag now oversees SQL Server, but analysts note a shift in priorities with SQL Server seemingly less emphasized. The 2022 SQL Server release was viewed as more of a marketing effort than a response to customer needs. Despite the introduction of vector search in SQL Server 2025, competitors had already offered similar features. Microsoft is shifting towards open-source solutions and PostgreSQL, although it reassured users of its commitment to SQL Server. SQL Server, launched in 1989, remains popular, ranking behind Oracle and MySQL. The on-premises database market is lucrative, generating significant revenue, and SQL Server holds a substantial share. Microsoft is unlikely to abandon this profitable segment, aiming to transition users to Azure SQL and SQL database within Fabric. However, migration compatibility issues may arise. Microsoft is also investing in PostgreSQL offerings to compete in the cloud database market, which is evolving rapidly. AWS currently leads in cloud DBMS revenue, posing a challenge for Microsoft. Despite uncertainties, support for SQL Server 2025 is guaranteed until 2036.

Tech Optimizer

June 11, 2026

As the Agentic Era Reshapes the Data Layer, Enterprises Build Their Sovereign Foundation on EDB Postgres® AI

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has reported a significant increase in global adoption of its EDB Postgres® AI (EDB PG AI) platform, indicating a trend among enterprises to standardize operations on a robust platform for managing mission-critical workloads. Research by MIT Technology Review Insights, in collaboration with EDB, shows that AI and data sovereignty are critical predictors of success in AI initiatives, with organizations prioritizing control over their data achieving a fivefold return on investment. The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) transitioned 15 core systems to EDB PG AI for greater operational flexibility and cost efficiency, reducing licensing costs compared to Oracle. Shinhan EZ Insurance migrated its entire core system to the public cloud to ensure uninterrupted service. Other enterprises leveraging EDB PG AI include MNTN, Euronext FX, and Kyobo Book Centre, which have benefited from enhanced stability, reduced vendor risk, and improved compliance. EDB is recognized as a leader in the field and will host a global digital event titled "The Era of Agentic AI Data" on June 25. EDB Postgres® AI is positioned as an open, enterprise-grade sovereign data and AI platform, supporting secure, compliant, and scalable solutions across various environments.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2: Expanding Exploration and Co-op Action

Minecraft Dungeons 2 was showcased at a private Xbox event in Los Angeles. The game features an interconnected world for exploration, allowing players to pursue objectives in larger environments. It introduces verticality, enabling players to jump and execute jump attacks. The art style has been refined, with concept art used during loading screens. Multiplayer gameplay supports solo play or teaming up with up to three others, both online and locally. The combat system retains exhilarating action while introducing new items and effects, with no distinct character classes. Players can equip four armor slots and utilize new equipment types like artifacts and talismans. A mini-inventory system has been implemented for quick equipment management. The demo took place in the Deep Dark biome, featuring familiar and new mobs, and included a challenging boss fight that emphasized teamwork. Minecraft Dungeons 2 is set to launch on September 29 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.