guidance Archives

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

Amazon MGM Hires Charlie Coleman as International Marketing Chief

Amazon MGM has appointed Charlie Coleman as its head of international marketing, based in London, reporting to Sue Kroll. Coleman previously worked at Disney and Warner Bros., where he became EVP of international marketing and led campaigns for films like “The Batman” and “Dune.” His appointment is part of a trend of former Warner executives joining Amazon MGM, which is preparing for a full theatrical release schedule starting in 2026, including films like “Project Hail Mary” and “Masters of the Universe.”

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2025

Get protection suite for all your gear with Mcafee AV deal

McAfee Total Protection offers a one-year subscription for .99, providing security for up to five devices across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. It features award-winning antivirus software that uses a database of known threats and machine learning for real-time protection, along with a built-in firewall and web protection. The suite includes a VPN based on TunnelBear technology for encrypting internet traffic and masking online identity. It also features identity protection tools like a password manager, credit monitoring, and breach scans. The subscription is currently offered at an 88% discount from its regular price of 9.99. Prices may change, and the offer involves account registration with StackCommerce, which manages user information and provides a commission to BleepingComputer.com for sales.

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2025

Query Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL using Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases structured data

Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases has introduced a fully managed Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) feature that connects large language models (LLMs) with internal data sources, enhancing the relevance and accuracy of responses by integrating contextual information from private datasets. During AWS re:Invent 2024, it was announced that this feature now supports natural language querying for structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and Amazon SageMaker Lakehouse, allowing generative AI applications to access both structured and unstructured data sources. The system converts user queries into SQL queries using natural language processing, enabling data retrieval without requiring users to know SQL syntax. Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases currently supports structured data retrieval from Amazon Redshift and SageMaker Lakehouse. Although direct support for Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible is not available, users can utilize zero-ETL integration between Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible and Amazon Redshift to make their data accessible. This integration replicates Aurora PostgreSQL tables to Amazon Redshift in near real-time, simplifying data management. To enable natural language querying of structured application data stored in Aurora, organizations can set up an Aurora PostgreSQL database, create a schema with interconnected tables (products, customers, and orders), and populate these tables with sample data while maintaining referential integrity. Subsequently, they can establish zero-ETL integration with Amazon Redshift, which involves creating a Redshift Serverless workgroup and mapping the database for synchronization. Once the zero-ETL integration is verified, organizations can create an Amazon Bedrock knowledge base for natural language querying. This requires granting appropriate permissions to the Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) role and ensuring the knowledge base is synchronized with Amazon Redshift. After setting up the knowledge base, users can execute natural language queries, which are translated into SQL and processed to generate human-readable responses. Examples of queries include counting unique customers and identifying customers who have purchased the most products. Finally, it is recommended to clean up resources after use to avoid ongoing charges.

BetaBeacon

July 9, 2025

Google is turning Circle to Search into the game guru you never knew you needed

Google has introduced a new gaming help feature to Circle to Search, allowing players to access tips and information about the game they are playing to progress and overcome challenges.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Google Forces Gemini App Integration on Android, Sparking Widespread Privacy Fears

Google is rolling out an update to its Android operating system that allows its Gemini AI to access third-party applications by default, overriding users' previous privacy settings. This change, effective July 8, has led to confusion among users, as many received unclear email notifications regarding the update and how to disable the new feature. Google has stated that human reviewers may process app data, and conversations could be stored for up to 72 hours, even if users opt out of activity tracking. The update is part of Google's strategy to integrate Gemini more deeply into its ecosystem, replacing the Google Assistant with Gemini on mobile devices. The company plans to open its Gemini Nano model to third-party developers, further embedding AI into applications.

Tech Optimizer

July 8, 2025

If I was going to buy one thing this Prime Day, I’d choose this insanely cheap antivirus package – and it’s only $25

Amazon Prime Day features significant deals in cybersecurity, including the Norton 360 Premium package, which offers coverage for ten devices. Norton includes anti-scam protection that identifies malicious links, robust malware detection, and parental controls for online safety. It also provides a Secure VPN for encrypting internet traffic and uses Genie AI to monitor the dark web for personal information leaks, notifying users of data breaches. Other Prime Day antivirus options include basic software for single-device protection and family plans with limited device coverage.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Microsoft Deprecates PowerShell 2.0 in Windows 11 Over Security Flaws

Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27891 to the Canary Channel, which includes the removal of Windows PowerShell 2.0. The update features several critical system fixes, including: - Correction of the “Reset this PC” feature under Settings > System > Recovery. - Resolution of an issue affecting the taskbar's acrylic material effect. - Fix for Windows Update downloads that stalled at 2%. - Correction of character rendering problems for languages like Vietnamese and Arabic. Enhancements in File Explorer include a dropdown menu in the address bar that shows the complete folder path. Stability improvements in Settings aim to prevent crashes when accessing microphone properties or Bluetooth settings, although a new known issue may cause crashes in Settings > System > Power & Battery. Task Manager now features updated CPU utility calculations. The Microsoft Store has been updated to allow users to install apps and games directly from the top featured sections. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN on Copilot+ PCs, graphical distortion for Remote Desktop users on Arm64 PCs, and incomplete localization of some features. Transitioning out of the Canary Channel requires a clean installation of Windows 11.

BetaBeacon

July 7, 2025

5 Best Android Games to Play in 2025

The text describes five Android games that offer versatile worlds, actions, adventures, and murder mysteries. Some of the games mentioned are Monster Train, Trinity Trigger, Chronomon, Jenny LeClue, and Pandoland.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Malware Surge Hits Android: Adware, Trojans and Crypto Theft Lead Q2 Threats

A concerning trend in mobile security shows that malicious applications and spyware are increasingly targeting Android users. Adware, particularly the Android.HiddenAds family, remains the most prevalent threat, despite a decrease in detections. The Android.MobiDash adware trojans have increased by over 11%. The Android.FakeApp malware, which disguises itself as legitimate applications, has seen a 25% decline in activity, primarily targeting Turkish and French-speaking users. The Android.Banker variant has surged by over 70%, indicating a rise in banking trojans. A large-scale crypto theft operation involved the Android.Clipper.31 trojan embedded in a modified WhatsApp version and low-cost Android firmware, which replaces cryptocurrency wallet addresses. Spyware named Android.Spy.1292.origin targets Russian military personnel through a counterfeit mapping application. Malicious applications continue to be found on Google Play, including adware disguised as cryptocurrency news apps and fake finance applications. The open nature of Android poses ongoing cybersecurity risks, even within official app stores.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Microsoft app to delete all passwords forever – how to avoid losing yours

Microsoft Authenticator will remove its password-saving function by August 2025, resulting in the deletion of all password data stored within the app. Users are advised to export their passwords to alternative locations, such as the Microsoft Edge browser, which will become the primary password management solution. Passwords will not be encrypted during the transfer, so it is recommended to delete the exported file afterward. The shift is part of Microsoft's move towards using passkeys for enhanced security, which allows quicker sign-ins using biometric data.