growth Archives

Tech Optimizer

February 10, 2026

Why Should Small Businesses Invest In Antivirus Protection?

53% of UK businesses experience cybercrime attempts at least once a month. 70% of business owners anticipate a cyber attack in the near future, but only about 35% feel prepared. 43% of cyberattacks are directed at small businesses, and over half of these may face closure due to the damage. Antivirus software can prevent data breaches, is cost-effective, reduces the likelihood of ransomware, and protects devices of remote workers.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Hermitcraft Hermits Speak About the New Season

Hermitcraft is a Minecraft server franchise that started in 2012 and has become a popular platform for YouTube content creators. As of November 2025, Season Eleven is underway, with members creating impressive megabases and engaging in new minigames. iJevin, a member since 2013, is building a pirate-themed base, while Welsknight, who joined in 2016, is constructing a Japanese village. Both creators aim to be more active this season, with Welsknight focusing on a feudal Japanese castle town and an industrial area for farms. They express excitement about new Minecraft updates and the community dynamics, particularly TangoTek's Decked Out 3. Jevin reflects on the growth of Hermitcraft and the collaborative experience, while Welsknight appreciates the positive atmosphere within the community. Both creators acknowledge the influence of past Minecraft figures and express pride in being part of Hermitcraft's evolution.

Tech Optimizer

January 31, 2026

Waystar Holding Taps EDB Postgres AI To Power Next‑Phase Growth

Waystar Holding (NasdaqGS:WAY) is integrating EDB Postgres AI into its healthcare payments platform to improve reliability and operational performance. This platform processes transactions for about half of the U.S. patient population. The adoption of EDB Postgres AI is expected to enhance efficiency in serving hospitals, clinics, and insurers. Waystar has previously embraced AI through its AltitudeAI offerings and the acquisition of Iodine Software, aligning with a broader initiative toward AI-driven automation. The partnership with EDB may improve processing reliability and streamline new automation features, but there are risks related to execution and competition from other companies enhancing their AI capabilities. Future metrics to monitor include uptime, processing speed, and the adoption of AI-driven workflows.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Gearbox finally wakes up with the first big Borderlands 4 update of the year and a roadmap, yet I’m still worried for its future

Gearbox announced a significant update for Borderlands 4 set for 2026, which includes enhanced loot drops in Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, a rework of Harlowe's Zero-Point action skill, and the addition of a photo mode. The update integrates the Inertia augment into Harlowe's skill, boosts slam damage and status effects, and generates mini projectiles with successful attacks. Boss-related loot drops will increase with UVHM tiers, and a new setting to disable mouse smoothing has been added. A free update will introduce ultra-rare Pearlescent gear, and the first major story DLC, "Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned," is anticipated. Future content will include a second raid boss, a takedown, and three additional Bounty Packs. Gearbox aims to improve performance and stability while addressing character viability. Concerns remain about the game's future and the effectiveness of limited-time events.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Microsoft Seeks to Rebuild Community Trust in Windows 11

Microsoft is working to rebuild trust within the Windows community by enhancing the core functionality of Windows 11, which has faced significant challenges and issues with updates. The company is using a strategy called "swarming" to mobilize engineering resources to address these concerns, focusing on improving system performance, reliability, and user experience. Key issues include persistent Blue Screens of Death (BSOD), unexpected bugs, and erratic behavior of core applications. Windows 11 has reached one billion global users in 1,576 days, faster than the 1,706 days it took for Windows 10 to achieve the same milestone. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted this growth is significant and reflects a positive trend, with Windows reporting a 5% year-over-year growth in its device group.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Windows 11 Reaches 1 Billion Users in 1,576 Days — Faster Than Windows 10

Microsoft reported that Windows 11 has reached one billion users worldwide in 1,576 days, surpassing the 1,706 days it took Windows 10 to achieve the same milestone. CEO Satya Nadella highlighted this as a significant milestone for the Windows brand. Windows 11 was launched on October 5, 2021, and has undergone significant evolution, despite facing challenges such as bugs and system crashes. Microsoft plans to maintain Windows 11 as a long-term version, delaying the introduction of a successor. In the latest quarterly results, Windows reported a 5% year-over-year growth, which was below Microsoft's expectations.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Larian boss is sick of players “shi***ng” on new games, and it feels like he’s talking about Highguard

Highguard is a high fantasy extraction FPS that has garnered attention but has a subdued post-reveal marketing strategy. It received mixed reviews, with only 37% of players on Steam leaving positive feedback, which increases to 78% among those who played for over five hours. The game sparked polarized discussions on social media, with both defenders and detractors voicing their opinions. Larian Studios’ co-founder, Swen Vincke, criticized the negativity towards new titles, advocating for respect towards creators and suggesting that critics should be evaluated on the impact of their reviews. He acknowledged the financial pressures on players regarding game purchases and emphasized the importance of constructive criticism without personal attacks. Vincke also expressed concern about the sensitivity of creative individuals and the potential loss to the industry if they withdraw due to harsh criticism.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Windows 11 has reached 1 billion users faster than Windows 10

Windows 11 has officially surpassed 1 billion users, achieving this milestone during the recent holiday quarter. This marks a faster adoption rate than Windows 10, which took nearly six years to reach the same number. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reported a year-over-year increase of over 45 percent in Windows 11 users, partly due to the end of support for Windows 10. Windows 11 reached 1 billion users in 1,576 days, compared to 1,706 days for Windows 10.

Winsage

January 28, 2026

4 reasons why SteamOS is quietly winning over PC gamers — and why Windows won’t be dethroned any time soon

Windows 11 is versatile and meets user demands across various tasks, but it faces challenges in PC gaming due to its bloat and background processes. SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system, is gaining popularity among gamers, especially with the upcoming release of a new console-like Steam Machine in early 2026 and a variant of the Legion Go 2 gaming handheld in June 2026. SteamOS offers superior performance and efficiency, with less system overhead compared to Windows, although it still faces issues like anti-cheat compatibility. Community sentiment is shifting away from Windows due to dissatisfaction with Microsoft's updates and AI integration, leading many gamers to consider SteamOS as an alternative. Microsoft is aware of the need to improve Windows 11's gaming experience and has announced updates for 2026. Steam has a large user base, with 35 to 40 million users online at any time, providing a strong platform for promoting SteamOS. Despite the rise of SteamOS, Windows remains the most popular operating system and continues to manage a wide range of tasks effectively.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

5 Best Alternatives to WhatsApp in 2026 (Private & Secure)

The rise of encrypted messaging apps is driven by privacy concerns, as users seek alternatives to traditional platforms that may compromise security. Corporations, hackers, and governments actively monitor online communications for various reasons, making secure messaging essential. Several leading secure messaging apps have been identified: - Signal: Known for robust security features, including end-to-end encryption and open-source transparency. It requires a phone number for registration. - Threema: Allows anonymous communication without personal identifiers and offers end-to-end encryption. It does not have a free version and has a smaller user base. - Telegram: With over 500 million users, it offers self-destructing messages and works across multiple devices, but not all communications are end-to-end encrypted by default. Messaging platforms to avoid include WhatsApp, which collects extensive metadata, Keybase, which has credibility concerns after being acquired by Zoom, and regular SMS, which lacks encryption. When selecting an encrypted messaging app, users should look for end-to-end encryption, third-party testing, open-source code, self-destructing messages, limited data collection, and compatibility with other services. Signal is frequently cited as the most secure messaging app.