Google Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 22, 2026

The database that refused to die: How Postgres survived its own creators

Postgres, originally developed by Michael Stonebraker in the early 1980s, is an open-source database system that evolved from Ingres. It was designed to handle complex data types and introduced user-defined data types, operators, and functions, leading to the support for abstract data types (ADTs). The initial commercialization of Postgres occurred through a startup named Illustra, later acquired by Informix. In 1995, graduate students Andrew Yu and Jolly Chen revived Postgres, transitioning it from QUEL to SQL, resulting in Postgre95, which evolved into PostgreSQL. Today, Postgres is one of the most popular database systems globally, known for its extensibility and high code quality. However, it currently lacks features like file-level encryption (TDE), which are standard in commercial systems, relying instead on the operating system for encryption. Efforts to implement TDE have faced challenges due to the complexity of required code changes.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Pixel Audio Memory could upgrade song ID with new note-taking tool

Google is expanding its music recognition capabilities with a new feature called Audio Memory, which will enhance the existing Now Playing functionality. Audio Memory will automatically identify songs using a local database, and if a song isn't recognized, a digital fingerprint may be sent to Google for a secure cloud search. Background conversations and audio will remain private and not be transmitted to Google. Users will also have the option to manually identify songs via a cloud search. The onboarding text suggests that Audio Memory could track both music and important conversations, indicating its potential as an AI note-taker. Early interface glimpses show that users will be able to identify ambient music and songs from other applications, although details on conversation tracking are still unclear. The project is codenamed "blueflax," and while features are in development, not all may be included in the final release.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Gemini overlay gets expanded ‘plus’ menu to do more without opening app

Google has updated the Gemini overlay on Android, introducing an expanded plus menu that now includes Videos, Music, Canvas, and Guided Learning, in addition to the existing Images and Personal Intelligence tools. Deep Research remains exclusive to the full app due to its requirement for a larger prompt box. The top section of the interface, including Screen, Photos, Camera, Files, Drive, and Notebooks, remains unchanged, but the repositioning of the carousel may affect one-handed usability. These enhancements allow users to access most of the Gemini experience seamlessly across Android devices without launching the full application. The changes are being rolled out with stable version 17.32 of the Google app.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Google reveals new timeline for Android’s app sideloading changes

Google is rolling out a new system service for Android devices to enhance app sideloading safety, starting this month. In July, the Android Developer ID Status API and early access to the Android Developer Console API will be introduced globally, along with limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists. By August, these accounts and the new API will be fully launched. The developer verification protections will take effect by September 30 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, requiring app registration for participating app stores. Options for sideloading unregistered apps will still be available through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). By 2027, Google plans to expand the developer verification requirement globally. Developers in the initial countries must complete the verification process by September.

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.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Google Sets Sept. 30 Deadline for Android Developer Verification in Four Countries

Google will implement Android developer verification on September 30, 2026, in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Certified Android devices will block installations of apps from unverified developers, affecting both Google Play and major device-maker app stores. Starting June 2026, the Android Developer Verifier will ensure apps are associated with verified developers before installation. Unregistered apps will not install via standard methods post-September 30 but can be sideloaded through a complex process. Developer registration began in March, requiring legal identification and app ownership verification. Google aims to combat malware with this initiative, which has faced backlash from open-source advocates like F-Droid and the Keep Android Open campaign. The global rollout is set for 2027, with ongoing concerns about appeals processes and the impact on pseudonymous developers.

Tech Optimizer

June 22, 2026

pgAdmin 4 Released With Fixes for Seven Security Vulnerabilities and New Features

pgAdmin 4 version 9.16 has been released, featuring 64 bug fixes and addressing seven security vulnerabilities (CVE-2026-12044 to CVE-2026-12050). Key vulnerabilities include SQL injection flaws and cross-site scripting issues. CVE-2026-12044 involved SQL injection risks in dialog templates, while CVE-2026-12045 allowed attackers to bypass read-only transaction restrictions in the AI Assistant feature. Authentication issues were fixed in CVE-2026-12046, and client-side vulnerabilities were addressed in CVE-2026-12048 and CVE-2026-12047. Additional vulnerabilities included an open redirect in multi-factor authentication (CVE-2026-12049) and another SQL injection flaw in restore point functionality (CVE-2026-12050). Usability improvements include colorized panel headers, middle-click tab closing, and enhancements to OAuth2 login. The release supports new PostgreSQL storage parameters and includes dependency upgrades. Stricter access controls have been enforced, and pgAgent has been marked for removal. The update is available for download on multiple platforms.

BetaBeacon

June 22, 2026

You can grab some of the best Android games for literally pennies right now

Several top-tier Android games are currently on sale for just [openai_gpt model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" 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: Insane Discounts on Premium Android Games In this age of micro-transactions and ad-spam, premium ad-free mobile gaming often feels like a luxury. But ever so often, some insane deals on the Google Play Store make expanding your digital library an absolute no-brainer. Right now, a coordinated wave of steep discounts has slashed the prices of several top-tier Android games to just [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: TL;DR A seemingly coordinated wave of discounts has lowered several premium, top-tier Android games to just $0.10 each on the Google Play Store. The sale features acclaimed console and PC ports like SpongeBob SquarePants: BFBB (usually $9.99), Wreckfest, Titan Quest, Townsmen Premium, and Bridge Constructor Portal (from a different publisher). These games have high ratings, many, many thousands of downloads, and offer full experiences free of typical mobile ad spam and microtransactions. In this age of micro-transactions and ad-spam, premium ad-free mobile gaming often feels like a luxury. But ever so often, some insane deals on the Google Play Store make expanding your digital library an absolute no-brainer. Right now, a coordinated wave of steep discounts has slashed the prices of several top-tier Android games to just $0.10!The headliner of this unexpected fire sale for games is HandyGames’ highly acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the classic PlayStation 2-era 3D platformer ported to mobile. This game usually commands a hefty $9.99 premium price tag, but you can get it right now for just $0.10, which is practically peanuts for a game of this calibre!Joining the yellow sponge at the ten-cent mark are several other heavy-hitting titles from the same publisher. Wreckfest, for instance, is a demolition derby racing game ported from PC, and at $0.10, the (virtual) crunch of metal against metal is very satisfying.Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityTitan Quest is an expansive top-down action RPG that is also a PC port, and one that you can sink days into for that $0.10 price tag.Townsmen Premium is also down to $0.10. This is a medieval-themed city-building simulation game where you look after your citizens, manage production and supply chains, and protect and grow your kingdom.Bridge Constructor Portal is from a different developer. Still, it’s an amazing engineering puzzle game where you have to use portals, propulsion gels, and more to build bridges and guide trucks past turrets and acid pits. This game usually costs $1.99, and it’s now down to $0.10. All of these games have many thousands of downloads and high ratings. For just ten cents, these are great options to burn any spare change that you have lying around from Google Opinion Rewards. Try them out and let us know how you like them in the comments below! Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].10! The headliner of this unexpected fire sale for games is HandyGames’ highly acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the classic PlayStation 2-era 3D platformer ported to mobile. This game usually commands a hefty .99 premium price tag, but you can get it right now for just [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: TL;DR A seemingly coordinated wave of discounts has lowered several premium, top-tier Android games to just $0.10 each on the Google Play Store. The sale features acclaimed console and PC ports like SpongeBob SquarePants: BFBB (usually $9.99), Wreckfest, Titan Quest, Townsmen Premium, and Bridge Constructor Portal (from a different publisher). These games have high ratings, many, many thousands of downloads, and offer full experiences free of typical mobile ad spam and microtransactions. In this age of micro-transactions and ad-spam, premium ad-free mobile gaming often feels like a luxury. But ever so often, some insane deals on the Google Play Store make expanding your digital library an absolute no-brainer. Right now, a coordinated wave of steep discounts has slashed the prices of several top-tier Android games to just $0.10!The headliner of this unexpected fire sale for games is HandyGames’ highly acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the classic PlayStation 2-era 3D platformer ported to mobile. This game usually commands a hefty $9.99 premium price tag, but you can get it right now for just $0.10, which is practically peanuts for a game of this calibre!Joining the yellow sponge at the ten-cent mark are several other heavy-hitting titles from the same publisher. Wreckfest, for instance, is a demolition derby racing game ported from PC, and at $0.10, the (virtual) crunch of metal against metal is very satisfying.Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityTitan Quest is an expansive top-down action RPG that is also a PC port, and one that you can sink days into for that $0.10 price tag.Townsmen Premium is also down to $0.10. This is a medieval-themed city-building simulation game where you look after your citizens, manage production and supply chains, and protect and grow your kingdom.Bridge Constructor Portal is from a different developer. Still, it’s an amazing engineering puzzle game where you have to use portals, propulsion gels, and more to build bridges and guide trucks past turrets and acid pits. This game usually costs $1.99, and it’s now down to $0.10. All of these games have many thousands of downloads and high ratings. For just ten cents, these are great options to burn any spare change that you have lying around from Google Opinion Rewards. Try them out and let us know how you like them in the comments below! Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].10, which is practically peanuts for a game of this calibre! Joining the yellow sponge at the ten-cent mark are several other heavy-hitting titles from the same publisher. Wreckfest, for instance, is a demolition derby racing game ported from PC, and at [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: TL;DR A seemingly coordinated wave of discounts has lowered several premium, top-tier Android games to just $0.10 each on the Google Play Store. The sale features acclaimed console and PC ports like SpongeBob SquarePants: BFBB (usually $9.99), Wreckfest, Titan Quest, Townsmen Premium, and Bridge Constructor Portal (from a different publisher). These games have high ratings, many, many thousands of downloads, and offer full experiences free of typical mobile ad spam and microtransactions. In this age of micro-transactions and ad-spam, premium ad-free mobile gaming often feels like a luxury. But ever so often, some insane deals on the Google Play Store make expanding your digital library an absolute no-brainer. Right now, a coordinated wave of steep discounts has slashed the prices of several top-tier Android games to just $0.10!The headliner of this unexpected fire sale for games is HandyGames’ highly acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the classic PlayStation 2-era 3D platformer ported to mobile. This game usually commands a hefty $9.99 premium price tag, but you can get it right now for just $0.10, which is practically peanuts for a game of this calibre!Joining the yellow sponge at the ten-cent mark are several other heavy-hitting titles from the same publisher. Wreckfest, for instance, is a demolition derby racing game ported from PC, and at $0.10, the (virtual) crunch of metal against metal is very satisfying.Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityTitan Quest is an expansive top-down action RPG that is also a PC port, and one that you can sink days into for that $0.10 price tag.Townsmen Premium is also down to $0.10. This is a medieval-themed city-building simulation game where you look after your citizens, manage production and supply chains, and protect and grow your kingdom.Bridge Constructor Portal is from a different developer. Still, it’s an amazing engineering puzzle game where you have to use portals, propulsion gels, and more to build bridges and guide trucks past turrets and acid pits. This game usually costs $1.99, and it’s now down to $0.10. All of these games have many thousands of downloads and high ratings. For just ten cents, these are great options to burn any spare change that you have lying around from Google Opinion Rewards. Try them out and let us know how you like them in the comments below! Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].10, the (virtual) crunch of metal against metal is very satisfying. Titan Quest is an expansive top-down action RPG that is also a PC port, and one that you can sink days into for that [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: TL;DR A seemingly coordinated wave of discounts has lowered several premium, top-tier Android games to just $0.10 each on the Google Play Store. The sale features acclaimed console and PC ports like SpongeBob SquarePants: BFBB (usually $9.99), Wreckfest, Titan Quest, Townsmen Premium, and Bridge Constructor Portal (from a different publisher). These games have high ratings, many, many thousands of downloads, and offer full experiences free of typical mobile ad spam and microtransactions. In this age of micro-transactions and ad-spam, premium ad-free mobile gaming often feels like a luxury. But ever so often, some insane deals on the Google Play Store make expanding your digital library an absolute no-brainer. Right now, a coordinated wave of steep discounts has slashed the prices of several top-tier Android games to just $0.10!The headliner of this unexpected fire sale for games is HandyGames’ highly acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the classic PlayStation 2-era 3D platformer ported to mobile. This game usually commands a hefty $9.99 premium price tag, but you can get it right now for just $0.10, which is practically peanuts for a game of this calibre!Joining the yellow sponge at the ten-cent mark are several other heavy-hitting titles from the same publisher. Wreckfest, for instance, is a demolition derby racing game ported from PC, and at $0.10, the (virtual) crunch of metal against metal is very satisfying.Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityTitan Quest is an expansive top-down action RPG that is also a PC port, and one that you can sink days into for that $0.10 price tag.Townsmen Premium is also down to $0.10. This is a medieval-themed city-building simulation game where you look after your citizens, manage production and supply chains, and protect and grow your kingdom.Bridge Constructor Portal is from a different developer. Still, it’s an amazing engineering puzzle game where you have to use portals, propulsion gels, and more to build bridges and guide trucks past turrets and acid pits. This game usually costs $1.99, and it’s now down to $0.10. All of these games have many thousands of downloads and high ratings. For just ten cents, these are great options to burn any spare change that you have lying around from Google Opinion Rewards. Try them out and let us know how you like them in the comments below! Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].10 price tag. Townsmen Premium is also down to [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: TL;DR A seemingly coordinated wave of discounts has lowered several premium, top-tier Android games to just $0.10 each on the Google Play Store. The sale features acclaimed console and PC ports like SpongeBob SquarePants: BFBB (usually $9.99), Wreckfest, Titan Quest, Townsmen Premium, and Bridge Constructor Portal (from a different publisher). These games have high ratings, many, many thousands of downloads, and offer full experiences free of typical mobile ad spam and microtransactions. In this age of micro-transactions and ad-spam, premium ad-free mobile gaming often feels like a luxury. But ever so often, some insane deals on the Google Play Store make expanding your digital library an absolute no-brainer. Right now, a coordinated wave of steep discounts has slashed the prices of several top-tier Android games to just $0.10!The headliner of this unexpected fire sale for games is HandyGames’ highly acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the classic PlayStation 2-era 3D platformer ported to mobile. This game usually commands a hefty $9.99 premium price tag, but you can get it right now for just $0.10, which is practically peanuts for a game of this calibre!Joining the yellow sponge at the ten-cent mark are several other heavy-hitting titles from the same publisher. Wreckfest, for instance, is a demolition derby racing game ported from PC, and at $0.10, the (virtual) crunch of metal against metal is very satisfying.Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityTitan Quest is an expansive top-down action RPG that is also a PC port, and one that you can sink days into for that $0.10 price tag.Townsmen Premium is also down to $0.10. This is a medieval-themed city-building simulation game where you look after your citizens, manage production and supply chains, and protect and grow your kingdom.Bridge Constructor Portal is from a different developer. Still, it’s an amazing engineering puzzle game where you have to use portals, propulsion gels, and more to build bridges and guide trucks past turrets and acid pits. This game usually costs $1.99, and it’s now down to $0.10. All of these games have many thousands of downloads and high ratings. For just ten cents, these are great options to burn any spare change that you have lying around from Google Opinion Rewards. Try them out and let us know how you like them in the comments below! Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].10. This is a medieval-themed city-building simulation game where you look after your citizens, manage production and supply chains, and protect and grow your kingdom. Bridge Constructor Portal is from a different developer. Still, it’s an amazing engineering puzzle game where you have to use portals, propulsion gels, and more to build bridges and guide trucks past turrets and acid pits. This game usually costs .99, and it’s now down to [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0125" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: TL;DR A seemingly coordinated wave of discounts has lowered several premium, top-tier Android games to just $0.10 each on the Google Play Store. The sale features acclaimed console and PC ports like SpongeBob SquarePants: BFBB (usually $9.99), Wreckfest, Titan Quest, Townsmen Premium, and Bridge Constructor Portal (from a different publisher). These games have high ratings, many, many thousands of downloads, and offer full experiences free of typical mobile ad spam and microtransactions. In this age of micro-transactions and ad-spam, premium ad-free mobile gaming often feels like a luxury. But ever so often, some insane deals on the Google Play Store make expanding your digital library an absolute no-brainer. Right now, a coordinated wave of steep discounts has slashed the prices of several top-tier Android games to just $0.10!The headliner of this unexpected fire sale for games is HandyGames’ highly acclaimed SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the classic PlayStation 2-era 3D platformer ported to mobile. This game usually commands a hefty $9.99 premium price tag, but you can get it right now for just $0.10, which is practically peanuts for a game of this calibre!Joining the yellow sponge at the ten-cent mark are several other heavy-hitting titles from the same publisher. Wreckfest, for instance, is a demolition derby racing game ported from PC, and at $0.10, the (virtual) crunch of metal against metal is very satisfying.Aamir Siddiqui / Android AuthorityTitan Quest is an expansive top-down action RPG that is also a PC port, and one that you can sink days into for that $0.10 price tag.Townsmen Premium is also down to $0.10. This is a medieval-themed city-building simulation game where you look after your citizens, manage production and supply chains, and protect and grow your kingdom.Bridge Constructor Portal is from a different developer. Still, it’s an amazing engineering puzzle game where you have to use portals, propulsion gels, and more to build bridges and guide trucks past turrets and acid pits. This game usually costs $1.99, and it’s now down to $0.10. All of these games have many thousands of downloads and high ratings. For just ten cents, these are great options to burn any spare change that you have lying around from Google Opinion Rewards. Try them out and let us know how you like them in the comments below! Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].10. All of these games have many thousands of downloads and high ratings. For just ten cents, these are great options to burn any spare change that you have lying around from Google Opinion Rewards. Try them out and let us know how you like them in the comments below!" max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].10 each on the Google Play Store.

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.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Gemini’s new app design makes me worried for the future of Android UI

Google has rolled out the "Neural Expressive" design in its Gemini app, aiming to enhance interaction across mobile apps and browsers while integrating with Android's smart functionalities. Users have expressed concerns about usability, noting that the new thinner typography affects readability and that intuitive features have been altered, leading to confusion. The model selector has been moved to the top of the interface, and attachment options are now combined with creation tools, complicating navigation. The account switcher has been relocated from the top right corner to the bottom of a side panel, making account transitions more cumbersome. Despite these issues, users appreciate the fluid animations, vibrant color schemes, improved haptic feedback, and a more responsive microphone in the app. There is a call for Google to prioritize intuitive design and user-friendly navigation over aesthetic changes that disrupt established workflows.