growth Archives

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

All colors of wood in Minecraft

Mojang has introduced various wood types in Minecraft, each with distinct colors and characteristics: 1. Oak - Light brown; found in plains and flower forests. 2. Spruce - Brown; thrives in snowy taigas and old-growth taigas. 3. Birch - Cream; commonly found in birch forests and meadows. 4. Jungle - Orangish brown; primarily found in jungle biomes. 5. Acacia - Orange; grows in savannah biomes. 6. Dark Oak - Dark brown; found exclusively in the Dark Forest biome. 7. Mangrove - Red; introduced in the 1.19 Wild Update, native to the Mangrove Swamp biome. 8. Cherry Blossom - Light pink; added in the 1.20 Trails and Tales update, exclusive to the Cherry Grove biome. 9. Crimson Fungus - Raspberry; found in the Crimson Forest biome in the Nether. 10. Warped Fungus - Cyan; thrives in the Warped Forest biome in the Nether. 11. Pale Oak - White; introduced in the 1.21.4 The Garden Awakens Drop, found in the new Pale Garden biome.

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

Telegram global MAU 2024

Telegram was launched in March 2014 and has consistently increased its monthly active users since then. By July 2024, the number of active users is projected to reach impressive heights. The platform experienced steady growth from 2015 to 2019 as users sought alternatives to mainstream messaging services. In 2020, it saw a surge in popularity due to increased demand for secure communication. From 2021 to 2024, Telegram continued to expand by introducing innovative features and maintaining a commitment to user privacy.

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

Best City Builder 2024: Manor Lords

Manor Lords is a city-building game that combines strategy with medieval life simulation, emphasizing thoughtful decision-making over quick reflexes. Players must make strategic choices, such as farm placement and market manipulation. The game features impressive graphics and a user-friendly interface, providing a relaxing gameplay experience. It creates a tranquil atmosphere with sounds of villagers and soothing music, offering a comforting escape from modern life. The game's design focuses on seasonal survival and community management, allowing players to engage in rural activities without overwhelming objectives.

Winsage

December 24, 2024

Windows Central Tech Awards 2024 — Ranking the top PCs, tools, accessories, and software innovations of the year

This year has seen significant advancements in consumer technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, highlighted by Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative in collaboration with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor, introducing fanless, battery-efficient laptops to the Windows ecosystem. AI companies like OpenAI have expanded their offerings, prompting competitors such as Google, xAI, and Facebook to enhance their products. New brands like XREAL have emerged, while established companies like ASUS have innovated with dual-screen laptops. Accessory manufacturers have also improved their products. The Windows Central Tech Awards for 2024 recognize standout devices and features across various categories, including Tech Innovator of the Year, Best Processor, Best Overall Laptop, Best Keyboard, Best Pre-Built Gaming PC, Best Mini PC, Best Gaming Laptop, Best Gaming Headset, Best Tech Accessory, Best Monitor, Best Gaming Input, Best Gaming Hardware, Best Desktop All-in-One, Best Budget Laptop, Best Business Laptop, Best Mobile App for Windows Users, Best Windows Feature, Best Mouse, and Best Windows PC App. Looking ahead to 2025, advancements in AI, robotics, cloud computing, and potential breakthroughs in 6G and quantum computing are anticipated, with Microsoft focusing on AI server technology acquisitions and developments in PC gaming handhelds and new Xbox hardware.

Tech Optimizer

December 24, 2024

PostgreSQL vs. the Cloud for GenAI? 4 Things To Consider

Generative AI (GenAI) is expected to transform industries by improving productivity and revenue. A Deloitte report states that 80% of enterprises with advanced AI capabilities plan to increase AI investments. Companies must modernize legacy systems and tackle data challenges to implement GenAI, but many still use outdated technology, leading to costly transitions and downtime. Nearly half of US generative AI decision-makers expect returns on their investments within three years, which may underestimate the complexities of AI implementation. While cloud computing offers scalability, managing costs can be difficult, prompting many enterprises to adopt financial operations frameworks (FinOps). Concerns about third-party cloud services are leading businesses to consider on-premises and hybrid solutions, with predictions that by 2025, half of enterprises will use on-premises models for AI development. Choosing the right database is crucial for GenAI development, with PostgreSQL being a strong option due to its extensibility, seamless integration, open-source benefits, and deployment flexibility. Successful GenAI strategies focus on rapid development, cost-effective failures, and effective scaling, with Percona offering support to help organizations achieve these goals.

BetaBeacon

December 24, 2024

Worldshards, the sandbox MMORPG, launches in-game economy with pre-launch airdrops for active players

Proxy Tokens will be the primary currency for NFT crafting and upgrades in the game, obtainable through gameplay and fully convertible to game tokens at a 1:1 ratio during the TGE in early 2025.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

Telegram founder says messaging app profitable for first time

Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, announced that the platform achieved a net profit for the first time in 2024, with annual revenues exceeding one billion dollars. Telegram has over 950 million users and has shifted to a monetization model that includes paid subscriptions and advertisements since 2021, resulting in a tripling of premium service subscribers to 12 million. The company has cash reserves exceeding 0 million, excluding cryptocurrency assets. Durov faced legal issues in France related to content management but criticized the authorities' approach. Telegram is using artificial intelligence for content moderation to address misuse, while asserting that 99.999 percent of its users do not engage in criminal activities.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

Abiotic Factor restored my faith in survival games

Abiotic Factor is a survival game set in a world affected by a disaster at the Gate Cascade Research Facility. It features unique gameplay mechanics that reward players for self-care routines, such as sleeping and staying hydrated, and introduces a "Copacetic" buff that enhances stamina and healing. The crafting system allows players to create makeshift weapons and tools from everyday items while requiring them to hunt for specific core items. Character development is significant, with players evolving from lab assistants to resourceful survivors with distinct roles. The narrative unfolds over approximately 85 in-game days, revealing new challenges and opportunities. The game has seen rapid updates since its early access launch, with developers responding to player feedback and promising new content in future updates. Abiotic Factor has maintained a steady flow of content and has garnered a dedicated following, positioning it as a noteworthy title in the cooperative survival genre.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

Predicting the (actually very exciting) future of Xbox hardware

A game analyst predicts that the high-end console market may not support both PlayStation and Xbox, suggesting a possible exit for Xbox. However, the relevance of console exclusives is diminishing as PlayStation expands to platforms like Steam, and Valve allows manufacturers to create consoles based on its operating system. Xbox is likely to increase its device variety, with Microsoft appointing Roanne Sones to lead its hardware ecosystem. Under her leadership, Xbox is expanding beyond traditional consoles, showcasing devices like the ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC and mobile controllers. The upcoming CES 2025 will feature discussions on enhancing Windows for gaming handhelds. Both Xbox and PlayStation rely on x86 AMD architecture, and the industry is exploring monetization strategies amid rising costs and stagnant user growth. Microsoft aims to align Xbox more closely with Windows for easier game deployment and potential integration of third-party stores. There is speculation about eliminating the paywall for premium multiplayer gaming in the next generation. Successful execution of this vision is uncertain, as Microsoft must navigate regional marketing and distribution complexities while ensuring a smooth gaming experience and backward compatibility.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

Microsoft Edge won’t stop nagging users to set itself as default on Windows 11

Microsoft is implementing new pop-ups in Edge to encourage users to set it as their default browser on Windows 11, following regulatory changes in the EU that allow users to choose their default browser easily. Recent references in Edge Canary indicate features under development, such as a button labeled “msNurturingDefaultBrowserBannerUX2OneBtn” that promotes Edge. Users may encounter prompts urging them to use Microsoft Edge for enhanced security against phishing and malware, with options to confirm or postpone their decision. The design of these pop-ups is being tested, and users cannot opt out of receiving them. Similar promotional tactics are used by competitors like Google to promote their browsers.