Engineers Archives

Tech Optimizer

January 28, 2026

EDB Demonstrates Strong Global Momentum and Cross-Industry Adoption of EDB Postgres® AI

MNTN, Waystar, and NTT East have adopted EDB Postgres AI (EDB PG AI) to modernize their data platforms, enabling agentic AI, real-time analytics, and mission-critical operations while maintaining control over data and infrastructure. EDB's Sovereignty Matters research indicates that enterprises focusing on scalable agentic AI prioritize sovereign control of data, hybrid deployment flexibility, and a unified platform for transactions, analytics, and AI workloads. MNTN modernized its data warehouse for high-volume advertising data, Waystar consolidated its data infrastructure for healthcare transaction processing, and NTT East enhanced AI-driven network operations while ensuring data locality control. The adoption of EDB PG AI reflects a growing market demand for open-source database foundations, with 35% of enterprises considering PostgreSQL for complex workloads. EDB PG AI provides an open-source foundation, accelerated AI development, hybrid deployment flexibility, and enterprise-grade reliability.

Tech Optimizer

January 26, 2026

OpenAI Scales ChatGPT to 1M Queries/Second with PostgreSQL on Azure

OpenAI has optimized its database infrastructure using PostgreSQL to support 800 million monthly active users and process over a million queries per second without complex sharding. The architecture consists of a single primary instance with nearly 50 read replicas, achieving low double-digit millisecond response times at the 99th percentile. OpenAI employs best practices like connection pooling, query optimization, and strategic indexing, utilizing tools such as PgBouncer for efficient connection management. The company has achieved five-nines availability through failover mechanisms and has adapted to a tenfold increase in query volume within a year by tuning PostgreSQL parameters rather than creating custom solutions. OpenAI incorporates community-driven optimizations, such as custom indexing strategies and materialized views, and uses extensions like pgvector for managing vector data and embeddings. The organization continuously monitors for strain during traffic surges and adjusts by adding replicas or optimizing configurations. Their approach emphasizes simplicity, avoiding sharding to minimize operational overhead, and they plan to explore newer PostgreSQL features and AI-native capabilities in the future.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

Firefox looking into Android bug sending users back a page

Many Firefox users on Android are experiencing a glitch where the browser unexpectedly navigates back to the previous page while reading, often returning them to Google search results. This issue occurs after a page has fully loaded, with users reporting it happens approximately 50% to 70% of the time. The bug can cause Firefox to jump back two or three pages, disrupting browsing history. Standard troubleshooting methods have not resolved the issue, which appears linked to clicking links from Google search results. Mozilla's mobile engineering team is aware of the problem and is tracking it through a bug report on Bugzilla. Initial tests by Mozilla's Quality Assurance team did not replicate the issue, but many affected users are on Samsung Galaxy phones with Android 16 and One UI 8.0. The problem coincides with recent updates to Firefox, and users have found a temporary workaround by opening links in new tabs. Mozilla is encouraging users to test Firefox Nightly and Beta versions and is collecting logs from affected devices to investigate further.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

What Kind of Minecraft Player Are You, Really?

Minecraft is a game that allows for diverse playstyles beyond simply defeating the Ender Dragon. Players engage in various activities such as building massive automated farms, creating intricate bases, exploring for rare structures, or focusing on survival challenges. Playstyle analysis tests have emerged to better understand player behavior, categorizing them into roles like Builders, Explorers, and Hardcore Survivors based on their in-game actions rather than achievements. Builders focus on long-term projects and aesthetics, Explorers prioritize adventure and discovery, while Hardcore players emphasize skill and survival strategies. Modern playstyle tests evaluate gameplay commitment, risk tolerance, and engagement with game mechanics, producing visually appealing result cards for sharing within the community. Recent updates to Minecraft have influenced player interactions, encouraging structured exploration and enhancing automation. There is a growing trend towards valuing long-term survival worlds, with players investing more time in their projects. Most players exhibit a blend of styles, contributing to the game's replayability and the relevance of nuanced playstyle analysis.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

APKPure Strengthens Multi-Layer Security Framework to Enhance Protection for Android App Downloads

APKPure has enhanced its multi-layer security framework to improve user protection against security threats. Each app submitted undergoes a thorough human review process, including developer identity verification and compliance checks. APKPure distributes only original APK files signed by verified developers, matching signatures to official releases. The platform conducts regular scans using VirusTotal and collaborates with developers to ensure authorized app distribution. APKPure regularly audits listed apps and responds quickly to security alerts or DMCA reports. It offers two platforms: APKPure Official for a comprehensive experience and APKPure Lite for optimized downloads. Both platforms share the same verified app library and security measures, supporting over 200 regions and 23 languages.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 2000 still earning its keep running a rail ticket machine in Portugal

A ticket machine in Portugal is still running on Windows 2000 Professional, an operating system retired by Microsoft in 2010. The kiosk shows signs of wear but continues to function, highlighting the operating system's durability and reliability. Windows 2000 was originally launched as a successor to Windows NT 4.0 and was praised for its performance on modest hardware. Despite the lack of mainstream support for over two decades, it remains operational in various devices worldwide. The presence of a keyboard in the kiosk evokes nostalgia for earlier technology, and the simplicity of navigating Windows 2000 is manageable for experienced users.

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

Google’s AI Android Updates Spark Phone App Glitches on Pixel Devices

The phone app within Google's ecosystem has faced significant user frustration due to recent updates that disrupt essential functions like dialing and contact management. Users report issues such as the app failing to register incoming calls and cumbersome navigation following software patches. AI features introduced to enhance user experience often misfire, raising privacy concerns. The Pixel series has experienced bugs, including one that automatically declined calls. Updates to Google's search algorithm have inadvertently affected app performance, leading to instabilities. Monthly system updates prioritize new features over rigorous testing, resulting in a bloated app with sporadic functionality. Policy changes regarding data handling complicate app interactions, making simple tasks more laborious. Google's rapid release cycle has led to volatility in app performance, with security patches sometimes introducing new bugs. The integration of third-party services has created inconsistencies, and the overall Android ecosystem suffers from misalignment between updates. Users express dissatisfaction with the prioritization of aesthetics over functionality in updates. Critics argue that Google's approach mirrors past missteps, and experts recommend proactive user measures and improved developer practices to enhance app reliability.

Tech Optimizer

December 31, 2025

Planting commits in Siberia: Postgres Pro opens in Akademgorodok

IT companies are increasingly focused on enhancing their public image through innovative contributions, particularly in coding. Postgres Professional emphasizes its commitment to open-source development, actively contributing to PostgreSQL with over 40 engineers involved in patches for version 18. The company has established a new office in Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, chosen for its vibrant scientific community and research environment, to invest in the next generation of systems programmers and engineers. Their initiatives include advancing PostgreSQL components, researching performance models, and providing educational programs such as the Postgres Pro Summer School and collaborative projects with local universities. The aim is to foster hands-on experience and mentorship in systems programming, ensuring the development of world-class technology rooted in open-source principles.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

xAI Hires Android Engineers to Build Mobile Apps for Grok AI Chatbot

Elon Musk's xAI is hiring Android engineers in London, New York, Palo Alto, and San Francisco to enhance mobile experiences for its Grok AI chatbot and the X platform. Candidates should have expertise in Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, and reactive programming. Applications can be submitted by messaging Attila on X or visiting xAI's jobs portal, with a focus on practical experience. The hiring process includes a 15-minute phone interview, two technical rounds involving live coding and hands-on exercises, and a final meeting with the xAI team. The positions offer competitive salaries, equity compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package. Musk aims for xAI to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) within two years, with Grok 5 expected in early 2026 having a 10 percent chance of reaching AGI. The roles aim to integrate AI capabilities into mobile devices for widespread use.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Microsoft Adds Sudo to Windows 11 24H2 for Seamless Elevated Commands

Microsoft has introduced the sudo command in Windows 11 version 24H2, allowing users to execute commands with elevated privileges directly from a standard command prompt or PowerShell window. Users can enable this feature via Settings under System > For Developers. Sudo can run commands in three modes: “in a new window,” “with input disabled,” and “inline.” The inline mode runs the elevated command in the same console session, preserving context and variables. Microsoft has open-sourced the project on GitHub, inviting community contributions. Sudo integrates with User Account Control (UAC) for security, ensuring every elevation request is vetted. It simplifies administrative tasks for software engineers and system administrators, particularly in corporate environments where full admin access is restricted. The feature works seamlessly in Windows Terminal and supports Azure integrations. While some users have reported compatibility issues, Microsoft emphasizes that sudo is a developer tool rather than a complete replacement for Linux's sudo. Future developments may include community-driven extensions and integration with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).