filters Archives

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Pixel’s Now Playing feature has officially rolled out as an app

Google has released its standalone Now Playing app, previously a feature for Pixel phone users, now available on the Google Play Store. The app identifies music playing nearby and displays the information on the lock screen, featuring a user-friendly interface. It includes a Now Playing history section for managing previously identified songs and integrates with various music services. Some users experienced a prompt for an automatic update before accessing the app, while others successfully accessed the settings page. The app also offers Day and Time filters for history searches.

Tech Optimizer

March 2, 2026

Is Bitdefender Antivirus Better Than McAfee? What Consumer Reports Data Says

Consumer Reports evaluates antivirus software, assigning ratings out of five across factors such as protection, ease of use, and data privacy, culminating in a score out of 100. Top contenders include Bitdefender, McAfee, Norton, Avira, and Avast. Bitdefender specializes in anti-malware protection and offers a free version, while McAfee is a full security suite with a subscription model. Bitdefender slightly outperforms McAfee in overall ratings, though both scored equally in six categories during lab tests. McAfee includes features like a firewall and password manager, which Bitdefender lacks. Consumer Reports also assessed Bitdefender's paid security suites, which include more features than the free antivirus version and outperform McAfee Total Protection in functionality. Bitdefender's suites include features like spam filters, parental controls, and banking protection, while Consumer Reports rates Bitdefender higher overall.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Newzoo: Top Games of 2025 on PC & Console

PC and Nintendo Switch are more welcoming to new intellectual properties (IPs) compared to PlayStation and Xbox. The top-selling PC game of 2025 is Battlefield 6, followed by ARC Raiders and Schedule I. New IPs like R.E.P.O. and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are also performing well on PC. In the console market, sports games dominate revenue rankings for PlayStation and Xbox, while first-party titles excel on Nintendo Switch. Indie and AA games such as Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades II, Fantasy Life i, and Tiny Bookshop are achieving impressive sales on the Switch. The top games by Monthly Active Users (MAU) include Counter-Strike 2, Roblox, and Fortnite.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Gemini’s music generator is here, and I think this is where everyday AI gets interesting

Gemini now generates 30-second songs with lyrics based on text prompts or photos, powered by Google's Lyria 3 model. Users can type a prompt or upload an image/video to create a share-ready song with custom cover art. The feature includes automatic lyric generation, style control, and produces more realistic audio. It will debut on YouTube Shorts in the U.S. and expand globally, allowing for customizable backing tracks and lyrics for short videos. Each track includes SynthID, an invisible watermark for identifying AI-generated content. Lyria 3 is available in the Gemini app for users aged 18 and older, supporting multiple languages. The launch will start on desktop, with mobile access planned, and higher usage limits for subscribers to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra.

Tech Optimizer

February 13, 2026

MyDoom virus: What it is and why it mattered

In January 2004, the MyDoom computer worm quickly spread to email inboxes in 168 countries, becoming one of the fastest-spreading pieces of malware in internet history. It exploited human behavior by enticing users to open email attachments that appeared to be delivery errors or system notifications. MyDoom replicated itself through email without corrupting files or destroying data, harvesting email addresses from infected computers to send copies to new victims. The two main variants, MyDoom.A and MyDoom.B, targeted the SCO Group and Microsoft, respectively, and demonstrated the potential for email worms to be weaponized for coordinated attacks. MyDoom primarily targeted Windows-based operating systems and used deceptive emails to propagate. Once infected, it installed a backdoor for unauthorized remote access, forming a botnet for further attacks. MyDoom's effectiveness was due to its alignment with user behavior and the limited security measures of the time, leading to significant disruptions in email communication and an estimated economic impact of approximately billion. Although no longer a current threat, MyDoom's legacy influenced modern email security protocols, leading to improved filtering, behavior-based detection, and multi-layered defense strategies.

Winsage

February 13, 2026

Microsoft Store updated with a new CLI, analytics, and Web Installer improvements

Microsoft has introduced a suite of new developer tools and enhancements for app development on its platform, including: - A command-line interface (CLI) for the Microsoft Store, allowing developers to discover, install, and update applications directly from the terminal. - Enhanced developer analytics tools, including an upgraded Health Report with multiple filters and Anomaly Alerts for unusual crash or hang patterns. - A new Summary Dashboard that highlights key performance indicators and a redesigned Usage Dashboard with richer engagement signals. - Improvements to the Web Installer for Win32 applications, enabling auto-open capability post-installation and expanded support for enterprise devices to streamline installations.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Diablo 2 is coming back with its first expansion in 25 years, featuring a new class, and finally, decent inventory management

Blizzard Entertainment announced a second expansion for Diablo 2, titled Reign of the Warlock, during the Diablo 30th anniversary Spotlight video. The last expansion, Lord of Destruction, was released 25 years ago. The new expansion introduces a warlock class that allows players to summon three different demons and bind one enemy demon for powerful buffs. Quality-of-life improvements include stash tabs that allow item stacking, unique tabs for specific categories, loot filters for item visibility, and a comprehensive item collection list. Diablo 2: Reign of the Warlock is now available on Battle.net.

Tech Optimizer

February 12, 2026

Build a custom solution to migrate SQL Server HierarchyID to PostgreSQL LTREE with AWS DMS

Data migration from SQL Server to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL or Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition often requires adjustments to the database schema or SQL commands. AWS provides DMS Schema Conversion to aid in converting existing database schemas and AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) to assist in data migration, featuring enhanced security and minimized downtime. SQL Server uses the HierarchyID data type for managing hierarchical data, while PostgreSQL employs the LTREE extension for similar purposes. The migration process involves preparing both the source SQL Server and target PostgreSQL environments, creating tables, installing the LTREE extension, and converting schemas using AWS DMS Schema Conversion. The migration steps include creating sample tables in SQL Server with HierarchyID columns, enabling change data capture (CDC), creating the LTREE extension in PostgreSQL, and preparing the target table structure. AWS DMS endpoints are created for both source and target databases, followed by the creation and execution of an AWS DMS migration task. Post-migration, the original HierarchyID column is replaced with the LTREE column, and the IDENTITY column behavior is reverted to its original state. The migration process is verified by inserting rows in PostgreSQL and ensuring they are in the correct LTREE format. Common functions from SQL Server's HierarchyID are mapped to their PostgreSQL LTREE equivalents, facilitating the transition between the two systems.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Enhanced developer tools on the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store on Windows is implementing updates based on developer feedback to improve onboarding, publishing, distribution, and analytics. Recent changes include a streamlined onboarding process that reduces the time to create a new developer account by half. Enhancements in developer analytics include upgraded Health Reports with multi-filter support, Anomaly Alerts for unusual app health data, a consolidated Summary Dashboard, and a revamped Usage Dashboard that provides insights on active devices and engagement metrics. Improvements to the Microsoft Store Web Installer include an auto-open feature for Win32 apps and expanded support for enterprise-managed devices. Developers can generate updated badge code for their websites to enhance user trust and installation rates. A new command-line interface allows for app discovery, installation, and updates directly from the terminal, enabling efficient app management. Developer feedback mechanisms have been simplified within Partner Center to encourage ongoing input.

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2026

NordVPN Stopped Most Phishing Emails in Third-Party Testing, Study Says

NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro blocked 92% of phishing websites in an independent lab test conducted by AV-Comparatives, which evaluated 15 products against 250 verified phishing URLs. The test took place between January 7 and January 19, using Google Chrome for assessments. NordVPN's product ranked fourth, while the top three performers were Avast Free Antivirus and Norton Antivirus Plus (both at 95%) and Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus (93%). The software provides protection against phishing attempts and malware infections, even when not connected to a VPN. Phishing attacks have surged by 4,151% since the introduction of ChatGPT in 2022, with companies facing significant financial losses per breach. AI is being used to enhance phishing tactics, including deepfake videos and voice impersonations. Despite its effectiveness, NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro cannot remove existing malware on devices.