entertainment Archives

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

5 best racing games to play on PC (2025) | Esports News – The Times of India

Forza Horizon 5 features diverse gameplay modes, breathtaking visuals, and a vibrant Mexican backdrop, with an innovative EventLab for custom tracks. Dirt 5 offers a fun racing experience reminiscent of 90s games, focusing on high-speed escapism rather than realism. Need for Speed: Heat includes solid racing mechanics, police chases, and extensive car customization, featuring a unique day-and-night cycle in Palm City. Assetto Corsa EVO, launching on January 16th, 2025, provides photorealistic graphics, an expanded roster of tracks and cars, and the open-world Nürburgring region. Ridge Racer Unbounded introduces chaotic gameplay with vehicular and environmental destruction in the fictional Shatter Bay, focusing on accumulating collateral damage points for progression.

Tech Optimizer

February 22, 2025

How Mindbody improved query latency and optimized costs using Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Optimized Reads

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

Ex-Amazon Gaming Exec Explains Why No One Has Beaten Steam

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

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Lovecraft’s Untold Stories, 911 Operator, more

- Android app deals are available on Google Play as the work week ends. - SanDisk has launched a 2TB Creator Pro portable SSD with a speed of 2,000MB/s. - The GameSir X3 Pro mobile game controller is on sale, featuring a transparent design. - Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE has a price drop, and the Galaxy Watch 7 is also discounted with a complimentary band. - Free icon packs are available for users to personalize their devices. - Popular games on sale include Lovecraft’s Untold Stories, 911 Operator, BE-A Walker, and Breaking Gates.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

‘A massive, massive moment of wow.’ Microsoft CEO predicts AI-generated games are a ‘CGI moment’ for the industry

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the company's plans for artificial intelligence and quantum computing, particularly focusing on their AI-powered game generation platform, Muse. He compared Muse's potential impact on gaming to the influence of CGI in the film industry, despite its current limitations of generating games at a resolution of 300 by 180 pixels. Nadella envisions a future where users can request unique gaming experiences, indicating that the integration of AI into gaming is imminent. He also highlighted the broader implications of AI on economic growth, cautioning against the hype surrounding artificial general intelligence (AGI) and emphasizing the importance of AI's impact on GDP growth. Nadella believes in a collaborative future for AI development, suggesting that the market can support multiple successful players. The timeline for when gamers can fully engage with Muse remains uncertain, with some experts cautioning that its capabilities may be overstated.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Ex-President of SIE Pushed Sony To Port First-Party Games To PC

Sony is considering expanding its PlayStation-exclusive titles to the PC platform, influenced by Shuhei Yoshida, the former President of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Yoshida argues that releasing games on PC can maximize revenue by reaching new audiences, particularly in regions like China where console gaming is less popular. He highlights that porting games to PC is less expensive than developing new titles, providing a significant financial incentive. However, he acknowledges that PC versions typically release a few years after their console counterparts, which may concern existing PlayStation owners.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

RiverDogs release 2025 Promo Schedule, headlined by Drone Light Show, A Minecraft Movie Night

The RiverDogs will begin their 2025 season on April 4th with a 66-game home slate, featuring various promotional events. Highlights include: - Opening Weekend (April 4-6) with giveaways such as a magnet schedule, limited-edition replica jerseys, and a "comeback" yo-yo for children. - Fight Night (April 19) with a Pillow Fight Night and a live boxing match. - Golf Night (May 10) with golf-themed games and a giveaway. - Minecraft Movie Night (May 11) with themed activities for Mother's Day. - TP/Mischief Night (May 31) encouraging playful toilet papering. - Charlie’s Not-So-Spooky Halloween (June 1) for kids' trick-or-treating. - Dino Night (June 14) featuring life-sized dinosaurs. - Carolina Day (June 28) with a drone light show. - Star Wars Night (June 29) with themed activities. - Margaritaville Night (July 12) honoring Jimmy Buffett. - A Knight at The Joe (August 2) with medieval-themed activities. Weekly promotions include: - Dog Day Tuesday - Wild Card Wednesday - Thirsty Thursday - Boeing Red Shirt Friday with post-game fireworks - Saturday Show at The Joe - MUSC Health Family Sunday with family-friendly activities.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Rabbit AI’s new tool can control your Android phones, but I’m not sure how I feel about letting it control my smartphone

HP's acquisition of Humane AI has led to the upcoming launch of Rabbit's Android app, designed as a personal assistant that automates tasks and streamlines daily activities. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, Rabbit's agent can coordinate tasks across various applications, such as sending dinner party invitations via WhatsApp, selecting meals from recipe apps, compiling grocery lists, curating YouTube playlists, and creating revenue plans in Google Docs. The app is not yet widely available but will be downloadable from the Play Store, allowing users to prompt the AI to perform tasks in the background. Rabbit faces competition from other AI tools like OpenAI's Operator and Anthropic's Claude AI, but distinguishes itself by focusing on Android devices and everyday applications. This shift to a software-based model is seen as essential for Rabbit's independence, following the limited success of its standalone R1 device.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Buckle up: Android Automotive has 70 new apps to keep you entertained (in the parking lot)

Google will soon introduce nearly 70 new applications for Android Automotive, increasing the total number of available apps to nearly 300. The new apps include popular streaming and gaming titles like Farm Heroes Saga, Paramount Plus, Plex, F1 TV, Red Bull TV, and NBC News. These apps will only function when the vehicle is parked to ensure safety. Android Automotive is an embedded operating system in vehicles, distinct from Android Auto, which connects a phone to a vehicle. Currently, around 100 vehicle models feature Android Automotive, including the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, 2023 Honda Accord, 2025 Ford Explorer, and 2024 Nissan Rogue. The rollout of the new apps will initially target select Volvo and Polestar models, with broader availability expected soon. Google is working with various vehicle manufacturers to enhance the app ecosystem for automotive screens.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Human Fall Flat, SpongeBob Cosmic Shake, more

- Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor is available at a discount of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Latest Android Game and App Deals This Thursday afternoon brings an exciting array of Android game and app deals, ready to enhance your digital experience. Among the standout offers are significant discounts on various products, including Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor, which is now available at a remarkable 0 off. This deal presents an excellent opportunity for those looking to upgrade their workspace or entertainment setup. In addition to the monitor, shoppers can also find a new low price on Chipolo’s wallet card, designed for Google Find My Device tracking. This handy gadget ensures that your essentials are always within reach, making it a practical addition to your daily routine. For smartwatch enthusiasts, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has seen a notable price drop, now available for 0 off across all color and band options. This discount makes it an attractive choice for anyone in the market for a premium wearable device. On the app front, several titles are catching the eye of gamers and app users alike. Highlights include: SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake Human Fall Flat Bagatur Chess Engine Star Survivor These selections promise to deliver engaging experiences for users, whether they are seeking adventure, strategy, or simply a fun way to unwind. For those interested in exploring these deals further, a closer look awaits below." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"]. - Chipolo’s wallet card for Google Find My Device tracking is at a new low price. - Galaxy Watch Ultra has a price drop of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Latest Android Game and App Deals This Thursday afternoon brings an exciting array of Android game and app deals, ready to enhance your digital experience. Among the standout offers are significant discounts on various products, including Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor, which is now available at a remarkable 0 off. This deal presents an excellent opportunity for those looking to upgrade their workspace or entertainment setup. In addition to the monitor, shoppers can also find a new low price on Chipolo’s wallet card, designed for Google Find My Device tracking. This handy gadget ensures that your essentials are always within reach, making it a practical addition to your daily routine. For smartwatch enthusiasts, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has seen a notable price drop, now available for 0 off across all color and band options. This discount makes it an attractive choice for anyone in the market for a premium wearable device. On the app front, several titles are catching the eye of gamers and app users alike. Highlights include: SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake Human Fall Flat Bagatur Chess Engine Star Survivor These selections promise to deliver engaging experiences for users, whether they are seeking adventure, strategy, or simply a fun way to unwind. For those interested in exploring these deals further, a closer look awaits below." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] across all color and band options. - Featured app deals include: - SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake - Human Fall Flat - Bagatur Chess Engine - Star Survivor