environments Archives

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Minecraft 25w08a snapshot patch notes: New spawn eggs, wolf sounds, and more – The Times of India

Mojang Studios has released the Minecraft 25w08a update snapshot, which includes retextured spawn eggs in creative mode, making them visually distinct and easier to identify. The update also introduces unique sounds for wolves, with each wolf having its own audio personality categorized into seven types. Additionally, a new plant block called leaf litter has been added for testing, featuring color variations based on biomes.

Tech Optimizer

February 20, 2025

Malwarebytes 5.2.7.167

Malwarebytes version 5.xx is a high-performance anti-malware application designed to eliminate sophisticated malware and spyware threats. It employs a combination of proactive and signature-less technologies for enhanced malware prevention, with over 50% of users choosing it as their sole security solution. Key features include a unified user experience across desktop and mobile, modern security and privacy integrations with antivirus and VPN, and the Trusted Advisor feature for real-time insights and protection scores. The latest release, version 5.2.7.167, includes a new component package, usability improvements in localization support, and fixes for various issues. The update is available for download at 408.0 MB, with both free and paid options.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Home: which version is right for you?

Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Home are two primary versions of Windows 11, each catering to different user needs. Windows 11 Pro allows for up to 2TB of RAM and 128 CPU cores, while Windows 11 Home is limited to 128GB of RAM and 64 CPU cores. Pro includes additional features for networking, security, and management, which may not significantly impact everyday performance for typical users but can enhance performance for those using virtual machines. Support for both versions is available through online resources, phone support, and in-app help, but Pro users may receive quicker responses and more specialized assistance due to dedicated support options. In terms of pricing, Windows 11 Home is more budget-friendly, while Windows 11 Pro is priced higher due to its advanced features aimed at professionals and businesses. Upgrading from Home to Pro is possible for a fee, and there are differences between OEM and retail versions. Windows 11 Home is suited for average users and families, while Windows 11 Pro is tailored for advanced users and professionals, offering enhanced security, device management, and connectivity features.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Xbox announces ‘a generative AI model for gameplay ideation’ called Muse, but don’t get too excited: Machines aren’t about to make games for you just yet

Microsoft announced its latest generative AI model, Muse, developed in collaboration with Microsoft Research and Ninja Theory. Muse is described as a "world and human action model (WHAM)" trained on Ninja Theory's Bleeding Edge. Microsoft aims to enhance the gaming experience by using AI to enrich player engagement and support game developers' creative processes. The company emphasizes that AI is intended to empower human creativity rather than replace it. A report in Nature provides insights into Muse's technical aspects, highlighting the importance of human agency in the creative process and identifying key capabilities for AI development. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella envisions AI's capabilities extending to interactive environments like video games. However, some experts, like Dr. Michael Cook, caution against overhyping Muse, noting that the research focuses more on human interaction with AI tools than on generating gameplay. Despite reservations, Cook acknowledges AI's potential as a design tool. Microsoft has promised further announcements on how AI will enhance experiences for game creators and players. Muse will debut in Copilot Labs, signaling new immersive AI gaming experiences.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Minecraft Snapshot 25W08A Brings New Wolf Sounds, Spawn Egg Changes, and More

Minecraft Snapshot 25W08A introduces several new features, including six sound variants for wolves that allow them to express different traits through barks, growls, pants, and whines. The original white wolf retains its classic sounds, while the new variants include big, cute, public, angry, grumpy, and sad. Spawn eggs have been visually updated with unique textures and size variations corresponding to the mobs they spawn. Sheep wool color rules have been refined: in cold biomes, black wool is most common, followed by gray, light gray, white, and brown; in warm biomes, brown wool is most common, followed by gray, light gray, white, and black. Pink wool is the rarest across all biomes. Leaf litter now features shades that correspond to their respective biomes, and sheep can have dyed undercoats and consume fern blocks, aligning their behavior more closely with the Bedrock edition.

Tech Optimizer

February 20, 2025

EDB Postgres® AI Significantly Outperforms Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, and MySQL in New Benchmark Study

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has released findings from a benchmark study by McKnight Consulting Group, showing that EDB Postgres AI outperforms Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, and MySQL in various workloads, including transactional, analytical, and AI tasks. Key performance metrics include being 150 times faster than MongoDB in processing JSON data, 4 times faster than MySQL in handling insert operations, and outperforming Oracle by 17% and SQL Server by 30% in processing New Orders Per Minute (NOPM). EDB Postgres AI also offers 7 times better price performance than Oracle and 6 times better than SQL Server. The study highlights the challenges enterprises face with legacy systems consuming 55% of IT budgets, which hampers modernization efforts. EDB Postgres AI aims to address these challenges by streamlining data infrastructure, reducing total cost of ownership, and facilitating AI capabilities in a secure environment.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Delta Force’s Black Hawk Down campaign is a bizarrely slow, serious complement to the popcorn multiplayer mode

Delta Force's new Black Hawk Down campaign is a remake that emphasizes the intensity of real combat, contrasting with cinematic portrayals. The gameplay features tightly scripted levels that reflect the events of the original film and real-life incidents, focusing on methodical tactics in confined environments rather than expansive freedom. Players engage in slow, deliberate actions, requiring careful communication and coordination with squadmates. Key gameplay elements include crucial ammo management, teamwork for injuries, and strategic positioning against enemies. The game presents a stark portrayal of warfare but has predictable enemy behavior and lacks sophisticated AI, which may detract from immersion. The campaign consists of seven missions, taking approximately 4-5 hours to complete, and offers a brief yet intense experience, with multiplayer potential if monetization challenges are addressed.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Valve’s monthly survey reveals that almost 45% of Steam users on PC are still using Windows 10 even with the sword of Damocles hanging over them

As of January 2025, 44.41% of PC users are still operating on Windows 10, which is set to lose support in October 2025. Windows 11, released in 2021, has demanding system requirements that deter users with older hardware from upgrading. Many Steam users on Windows 10 may include internet cafes, where maintaining hardware is challenging. The end of support for Windows 10 means users will no longer receive updates or security patches, increasing risks associated with continued use. Resources are available to assist users in transitioning from Windows 10.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Deprecation approaches for WSUS driver synchronization

Microsoft has announced the deprecation of driver synchronization through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), effective April 18, 2025. After this date, drivers will still be available through the Microsoft Update Catalog for on-premises environments, but importing them directly into WSUS will no longer be possible. A 2024 survey indicated that 34 percent of respondents were using WSUS for driver synchronization, with 8 percent expressing concerns about the deprecation. Alternatives to WSUS include Device Driver Packages, Microsoft Intune, and Windows Autopatch. WSUS has been included in the deprecation list since September 2024, and while it remains operational, Microsoft has stopped active development on it.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

OnePlus 13 is the latest Android phone with Instagram’s ‘Night Mode’ camera

OnePlus 13 users can now use Night Mode in Instagram, enhancing low-light photography and videography within the app. This feature, previously available only on select Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, utilizes Android’s Camera Extensions API. Night Mode activates automatically in low-light conditions, indicated by a moon icon. Users can capture images by launching the Instagram camera, waiting for Night Mode to engage, and holding the shutter button steady for a few seconds. This integration allows for a seamless experience without needing to switch between apps, building on OnePlus's existing Night Mode capabilities.