director Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

Experts urge caution over social media apps in connection to arrest of SC Rep. RJ May

Lexington County State House Representative RJ May has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to child sex abuse material. He faces nearly a dozen charges, and federal prosecutors are seeking his detention before trial. May allegedly used four applications—Kik, Telegram, Mega, and Loki Messenger—to distribute child sexual assault material (CSAM). Investigators noted that all four apps were deleted shortly before a search warrant was executed at his home. Kik allows communication without a registered phone number, while Telegram and Mega are favored for their encryption and foreign ownership. Loki Messenger also offers end-to-end encryption. Rebecca Lorik, executive director of Pathways to Healing, highlighted the dangers of social media platforms and urged parents to engage with their children's online activities, educate themselves about potential risks, and consult experts for guidance.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

A Minecraft Movie Sets HBO Max Release Date (And It’s Soon)

The Minecraft Movie has achieved significant success for Warner Bros. Discovery and Legendary, nearing a billion dollars at the box office and becoming the second-highest-grossing video game adaptation in history, behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The film will begin streaming on Max on June 20th and on HBO on June 21st. There are hints of a sequel in development, with director Jared Hess expressing enthusiasm for returning to the Minecraft world. The Blu-ray edition includes features such as a Dolby Atmos audio track and several behind-the-scenes featurettes. The exclusive Collector’s Crafting Table Edition is available at Walmart.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

A Minecraft Movie to premiere on THIS streaming giant

A Minecraft Movie will be available for streaming on Max starting Friday, June 20, and will air on HBO on Saturday, June 21, at 8:00 PM EST. The film has grossed over 1 million globally, making it the second-highest-grossing video game film in history. Warner Bros. Discovery and Legendary are planning a sequel, with discussions described as progressing rapidly. Director Jared Hess is enthusiastic about revisiting the Minecraft universe and has expressed interest in a sequel. The film includes a post-credits scene that teases a new character for a potential sequel. A Collector’s Crafting Table Edition of the movie will be released on Blu-ray, available only at Walmart.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 director offers the most sympathetic answer I’ve yet heard for the $80 game question: ‘We don’t set the prices for our games,’ and ‘You’d have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks’

Brandon Adler, the director of The Outer Worlds 2, stated that game developers do not set the prices for their games, emphasizing that pricing decisions are made by corporate executives. He expressed a desire for broader accessibility to games but indicated that pricing inquiries should be directed to Xbox executives. The economic landscape has shifted, making home ownership difficult while consumer electronics have become more affordable. Gamers now have various options, including subscription services and budget-friendly hardware. The perceived normal price for games has shifted to the range of to , with being a stretch, particularly for highly anticipated titles. Pricing challenges reflect deeper issues in the gaming industry, including recent layoffs and rising development costs. Obsidian Entertainment has adopted a strategy of working on multiple smaller projects, resulting in more affordable pricing for some titles, while the upcoming Avowed is set at a full retail price. Concerns exist that The Outer Worlds 2’s price might hinder its success, especially given the unclear metrics Microsoft uses to evaluate sales performance.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

Will People Care About the ‘Minecraft’ Chicken Jockey From the Comfort of Their Homes?

A film adaptation of Minecraft has been released, featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. The movie has become an interactive experience in theaters, with audiences participating in activities reminiscent of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Director Jared Hess noted the popularity of the "chicken jockey" craze among viewers. The film will be available for streaming on Max starting June 20, followed by its premiere on HBO linear the next day, including a version with American Sign Language. The plot follows four characters who are transported to the Overworld and must use their creativity to navigate challenges and return home. Discussions about a potential sequel are ongoing, reflecting the film's success.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

First look at JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in ‘American Love Story,’ ‘A Minecraft Movie’ sets streaming premiere date, and more of today’s top stories

Ryan Murphy Productions has released initial camera test photos for the limited series American Love Story, featuring actors Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The animated film A Minecraft Movie will premiere on Warner Bros.' streaming service, Max, on June 20, with Jack Black voicing a character. The Palm Springs ShortFest will take place from June 24 to 30, featuring juries including Gold Derby's editor-in-chief, Debra Birnbaum, and offering five Oscar-qualifying awards. King Charles III has knighted Gary Oldman and awarded David Beckham honors, while Samantha Morton received a CBE. Ryan Reynolds is collaborating with Paramount Animation and director Josh Cooley for an adaptation of the children's book I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story by Mark Pett. Matthew McConaughey is set to star in a new film adaptation of the private detective character Mike Hammer, created by Mickey Spillane. Juliana Canfield will star in the thriller F.A.S.T., alongside Brandon Sklenar, in a story about a former special forces commando confronting CIA-protected drug dealers.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Lucid Adds Android Auto to Air Sedan in Long-Delayed Software Update

Lucid Motors has integrated Android Auto into its Lucid Air electric sedan as part of the 2.7.0 over-the-air software update. The rollout was initially expected in Fall 2024 but was delayed to June 2025. The integration allows for both wireless and USB connectivity, with specific Android version requirements. Users can activate Android Auto through the vehicle's settings. The upcoming Gravity SUV is also expected to feature Android Auto support, with a launch planned for September 2025. Lucid reported selling 28 vehicles in Europe, an increase from 21 the previous year, and plans to expand into the UK, France, Italy, and Spain within the next 18 months, targeting Belgium and Denmark for future growth.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

SAG-AFTRA calls off video games strike

The SAG-AFTRA performers union has announced the end of its strike involving video game actors, effective noon Pacific Time on June 11, 2025. This decision follows a tentative agreement with major video game companies, including Activision, EA, and Epic Games. All SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to return to work on productions under the IMA. The SAG-AFTRA National Board will meet on June 12, 2025, to discuss the tentative agreement, which will be presented for ratification by the union’s membership if approved. Details of the agreement will be disclosed at that time.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Queens high school students take top prize in NYC Minecraft Battle of the Boroughs

A team of students from World Journalism Preparatory in Queens, named ‘Diamond Sword Bustamoney,’ won the inaugural NYC Video Games Festival in the high school division of the Minecraft Education “Battle of the Boroughs” competition. Their victory followed a three-stage tournament that included preliminary digital submissions, borough-level championships, and a final showdown on May 31. This is the first time a Queens school has won the title since the competition began in 2021. The event was organized by the New York City Department of Education in collaboration with Microsoft and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, originally conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team defeated the defending champions from Staten Island’s Tottenville High School. The winning team consists of five 11th-grade students.

Tech Optimizer

June 12, 2025

Databricks launches Lakebase Postgres database for AI era

Databricks has launched Lakebase, a fully managed Postgres database designed for AI applications, currently in Public Preview. It integrates an operational database layer into Databricks' Data Intelligence Platform, facilitating the development of data applications and AI agents in a multi-cloud environment. Lakebase uses Neon technology within a lakehouse architecture, allowing for efficient real-time data processing and scalable operations. Key features include independent scaling of compute and storage, low latency under 10 milliseconds, high concurrency over 10,000 queries per second, rapid launch times under a second, and a consumption-based payment model. It also offers data synchronization with lakehouse tables, an online feature store for machine learning, and is managed entirely by Databricks with built-in security features. During its Private Preview, Lakebase attracted participation from hundreds of enterprises across various sectors. It is supported by a partner network including Accenture, Deloitte, and others, and will receive further enhancements in the coming months.