filters Archives

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Google Photos may have a new trick to make your pictures look dramatically different

Google Photos is set to introduce a new feature called Moods in version 7.81 of the app, which utilizes artificial intelligence for photo editing. Moods offers eight distinct templates: Airy Minimalist, Crisp 35mm, 2000’s Cinema, Rich Textures, Pink Digicam, Retro Contrast, Night Lights, and 2000’s Night, each designed to evoke specific visual styles. The feature aims to provide a more personalized editing experience by analyzing images individually rather than applying uniform filters. Although Moods is not yet operational, it represents a shift towards a more AI-driven editing experience in Google Photos. An APK teardown indicates potential features, but there is no guarantee they will be publicly released.

Tech Optimizer

June 22, 2026

I Turned Off All Antivirus Protection for a Week. Here’s What I Learned

The author conducted an experiment by disabling both Bitdefender and Windows Security for a week to rely solely on personal cybersecurity instincts. They took precautions by using a secondary device and backing up important data. Throughout the week, the author experienced heightened awareness while navigating online tasks, encountered a phishing email, and adapted to a more deliberate browsing rhythm. Key takeaways included exercising caution, verifying sources, being aware of URLs, and keeping software updated. The experiment highlighted the importance of both good habits and antivirus software in maintaining cybersecurity. The author concluded that while personal vigilance is crucial, antivirus software is essential for those lacking strong instincts.

Tech Optimizer

June 20, 2026

PostgreSQL 18 on Amazon Aurora and Amazon RDS: Performance enhancements

PostgreSQL 18 addresses common performance challenges for users, including managing query performance across composite indexes, diagnosing memory spills in materialized Common Table Expressions (CTEs), and upgrading major versions without plan regressions. Key enhancements include skip scan optimization for multicolumn indexes, improved EXPLAIN functionality, and optimizer statistics that persist through major version upgrades. Skip scan optimization allows PostgreSQL to efficiently utilize multicolumn B-tree indexes even when leading columns are not specified in the WHERE clause, significantly improving query performance. The EXPLAIN command has been enhanced to include buffer statistics by default, providing deeper insights into query execution and resource usage. PostgreSQL 18 also introduces visibility into the storage of materialized nodes in query plans, indicating whether intermediate results were stored in memory or spilled to disk. A new metric, Index Searches, has been added to EXPLAIN ANALYZE output, indicating how many times the database traversed the index tree during query execution. Additionally, Self-Join Elimination (SJE) automatically detects and removes unnecessary inner joins of a table to itself, optimizing query performance. The autovacuum mechanism has been improved with the introduction of autovacuum_vacuum_max_threshold, which caps the number of dead tuples that can accumulate before autovacuum triggers a VACUUM, addressing issues with large tables. The vacuum_truncate parameter provides a server-wide control point to disable VACUUM’s file truncation behavior, reducing locking issues on busy systems. PostgreSQL 18 also separates the allocation of autovacuum worker slots from their usage, allowing for dynamic adjustments to autovacuum_max_workers without requiring a server restart. Finally, new columns in pg_stat_all_tables track cumulative time spent on maintenance operations, providing better insights into maintenance overhead for each table.

Tech Optimizer

June 20, 2026

How Five PostgreSQL Optimizations Sped Up Our Dashboard

The dashboard operates on a Django monolith with PostgreSQL and is transitioning to ClickHouse for denormalization. The initial p50 metric was 0.7 seconds, but the p95 was 8 seconds, which was reduced to 1 second. Observability tools were established to monitor performance, and slow HTTP requests were identified using OpenTelemetry traces. Optimization techniques included late joining, asynchronous counting, creating a PostgreSQL replica for read operations, and improving full-text search. Denormalization was explored to enhance filtering performance by creating composite indexes. The production stack was upgraded to PostgreSQL 18, which provided incremental performance improvements. The final p95 value achieved was 1 second, below the target of 3 seconds.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Android 17 brings enhanced parental controls with screen time and app management tools

Google has launched an enhancement to its Android Parental Controls with the introduction of Android 17, featuring tools for parents to manage children's screen time, app access, content restrictions, and digital wellbeing. Initially available on Pixel devices, it will roll out to all Android smartphones and tablets receiving the Android 17 update. Key features include the ability to set daily screen time limits, create downtime schedules, apply content filters, limit app usage, and block apps. The integration with Google Family Link allows for additional supervision tools such as School Time Mode, purchase approvals, location tracking, and device activity monitoring. Google has also increased its U.S. Digital Wellbeing Fund to support research and programs aimed at promoting healthy technology usage among children and teenagers. The new parental controls will be accessible through Android Settings on devices updated to Android 17.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Google officially launches Android 17

Google has rolled out Android 17 for Pixel phones, with plans for broader availability on other Android devices. Key features include Bubbles for multitasking, Screen Reactions for recording tutorials, and a Foldable Gaming Mode. Security enhancements include improved location-sharing, Live Threat Detection, and parental controls. The June Pixel Drop introduces AI-driven features like Gemini Omni for video editing and Lyria 3 for music generation. Minor upgrades include speech-to-voice translation and the "Take a Message" feature for voicemail transcriptions. Wear OS 7 enhances smartwatches with live updates, device control, and emergency sharing capabilities.

AppWizard

June 16, 2026

New expanded Android parental controls to support families around the world

Android is expanding its Parental Controls feature to all devices upgrading to Android 17, allowing parents to manage their children's screen time effectively. The controls include screen time management, downtime scheduling, app store filters, and app usage control, all accessible through Android Settings and secured by a PIN. The setup of Google Family Link is also facilitated through the Family Link app, which provides additional features like School Time and location alerts. Additionally, there is an increase in the U.S. digital wellbeing fund to over a million dollars to support initiatives promoting healthy technology interactions and resources to combat social isolation.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

Start

The Start interface in Windows 11 is a centered floating window that can be accessed by clicking the Start button or using keyboard shortcuts like WINKEY or Ctrl + Esc. Key features include a Search box for initiating searches, a customizable Pinned section for frequently used apps, a Recommended area for recently accessed items, and an All section displaying all installed apps. Users can manage their account through the Account manager, access power options for Lock, Sleep, Shutdown, and Restart, and connect mobile devices via the Phone Link app. Customization options for the Start interface include moving the Start and Taskbar icons to the left, configuring Windows Search settings, and customizing the Pinned and Recommended sections. Users can pin, unpin, and rearrange app shortcuts in the Pinned section, adjust what appears in the Recommended section, and choose between different layout views in the All section. The Account manager allows limited customization of notifications, and users can add folders and mobile device slices to Start. The Quick link menu provides access to legacy management interfaces and can be accessed by right-clicking the Start button or using WINKEY + X.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Unofficial PC Version for GoldenEye 007 Remaster Released

The PC version of the canceled remaster of GoldenEye 007 has been released, allowing players to experience the classic game on their PCs. The remaster was initially planned in 2008 but was canceled before launch. The new PC version features enhancements such as 60 FPS performance, online multiplayer capabilities, controller support, adjustable in-game settings, and visual post-FX filters. However, players need to obtain the X360 XBLA ROM file to access the game, as it does not include any in-game assets. Other unofficial PC ports of classic games are also available.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

1991 NES and PC Strategy Game is Coming to Modern Consoles

L’Empereur, a classic turn-based historical strategy game, has been re-released through the Console Archives project on the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. The game allows players to take on the role of Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars, focusing on conquering Europe while managing military and civil affairs. The Console Archives edition is priced at .99 and includes enhancements such as customizable button layouts, rapid-fire settings, multiple save points, and a rewind function. It also features screen layout adjustments and filters to replicate the look of CRT televisions.