innovations

AppWizard
June 13, 2025
Google introduced Android Instant Apps in 2017, allowing users to access a lightweight version of an app without full installation. However, Google has announced that support for Instant Apps will be discontinued in December 2025, meaning developers will no longer be able to publish new instant apps or receive support for existing ones. The decision is attributed to low user engagement, prompting a shift towards more effective app promotion methods, such as AI-driven highlights and simultaneous installations. Instant Apps required developers to create compact versions of their applications, which was challenging for complex apps. Most users were unaware of the feature, and its adoption was limited.
Tech Optimizer
June 11, 2025
EnterpriseDB (EDB) has introduced an integration of its EDB Postgres AI platform with NVIDIA NIM microservices, enabling enterprises to easily create and deploy generative AI chatbots and applications with minimal coding. Research from EDB shows that only 13% of global enterprises have implemented comprehensive agentic AI applications, primarily due to fragmented infrastructure and integration challenges. EDB Postgres AI utilizes NVIDIA NeMo Retriever for processing multimodal enterprise data and supports a catalog of NVIDIA NIM microservices to enhance AI model capabilities. The platform is designed for secure and scalable development of agentic AI and operates natively within Kubernetes. EDB Postgres AI is characterized as the first open, enterprise-grade sovereign data and AI platform built on Postgres, integrating transactional, analytical, and AI workloads, with features such as security, compliance, and high availability.
Winsage
June 10, 2025
Microsoft is enhancing its Windows 11 operating system, particularly the Start menu, with updates currently available for beta testers. These modifications aim to streamline user navigation and make it easier to manage applications. Users can categorize applications for a more organized interface or revert to a traditional grid view. The update improves scrolling and application discovery, benefiting those who use their devices for gaming or productivity. The changes are aesthetically pleasing, especially for OLED monitor users, and may alleviate concerns about screen burn-in. There is hope that similar customization features could be extended to gaming applications, addressing potential burn-in risks associated with on-screen build numbers in games.
AppWizard
June 10, 2025
Steam Next Fest has begun, featuring over 30 PC VR games. Notable titles include Ghost Town, Of Lies and Rain, Don't Move, Puzzling Places, RAGER, Virtual Skate, Ultima Chess, Retronika, and Whispers of the Void (which has an updated demo). The event runs until June 16, 2025, at 10 AM PT. The list of participating games is based on information from Valve, and some titles may change or new demos may be introduced during the event.
Winsage
June 9, 2025
PC gaming handhelds, including the Xbox Ally X and Xbox Ally, are designed for the Xbox platform through a collaboration between Asus and Microsoft. The Xbox Ally X features an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, while the base Xbox Ally has a Ryzen Z2 A chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Both models have a 7.0-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and support VRR and FreeSync technology. The Xbox Ally X was tested with Gears of War: Reloaded at 1080p and 60 fps. The systems run a streamlined version of Windows with an optimized Xbox app that allows game imports from other platforms. The ergonomic design resembles a split Xbox controller, but its size may affect portability. Pricing details are not yet disclosed, but the Xbox Ally X is expected to be premium-priced.
Winsage
June 9, 2025
Device Stage, a feature introduced with Windows 7 to streamline hardware compatibility and enhance user experience, has been deprecated as Windows 11 advances. Microsoft has removed all mentions of Device Stage from its support pages, indicating a shift away from legacy features. Originally announced in 2009, Device Stage provided a visual interface for device interactions and supported connections via USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, often eliminating the need for manual software installation. The updated support page now focuses on Windows 10 and 11 functionalities, marking the end of Device Stage's relevance.
Winsage
June 9, 2025
Windows 10 support will end on October 14, 2025, leaving users without updates, features, or security patches. Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for a fee, but not all users may qualify for an upgrade to Windows 11. Many users could face vulnerabilities and technical issues as their devices become outdated. KBE warns that while Windows 10 will still function temporarily after the cutoff, it will become obsolete, leading to potential data and privacy risks. New applications may also become inaccessible, pushing users to consider new hardware. KBE suggests transitioning to its Linux-based software solution, Plasma, which can revitalize older computers. Users are advised to back up files and read instructions carefully before switching to Linux.
AppWizard
June 7, 2025
Google introduced Linux Terminal support integrated into Android for Pixel users running the latest stable version of the operating system. The terminal operates within a virtual machine, ensuring separation from core device functions. A recent poll showed that 24% of users have enabled the Linux Terminal app, 51% are considering it, 10% do not want it, and 15% have phones that do not support it. Key commands include "help" for available commands and "man" for manual pages. Users can install system information tools like neofetch and htop, as well as terminal games such as Bastet, Pacman4console, Moon-Buggy, nsnake, and ninvaders. SSH can be installed for network device control, and text editor nano can be used for note-taking. Users can also install cmatrix for a Matrix-like display and stress testing tools. Nyan Cat can be displayed in the terminal as well. Future plans include full-scale Linux apps in Android’s desktop mode.
Tech Optimizer
June 7, 2025
Amazon has launched Amazon Aurora DSQL, a PostgreSQL-compatible and serverless database solution designed for active-active high availability and multi-region strong consistency. It features a disaggregated architecture with independent components that scale based on workloads. Aurora DSQL offers 99.99% availability within a single region and 99.999% in multi-region deployments, with automatic recovery from failures. It supports microservices, event-driven architectures, and multi-tenant SaaS applications. All read and write operations maintain consistency across regional endpoints. The service includes a new billing unit called the Distributed Processing Unit (DPU) and supports essential relational features, although some PostgreSQL features are not supported. Aurora DSQL has expanded its availability to more regions and introduced new features, including PostgreSQL views and AWS Backup. A free tier is available, covering 100,000 DPUs and 1 GB-month of storage monthly.
AppWizard
June 6, 2025
Embracer Group, a Swedish holding company, has retained the rights to the Thief franchise while undergoing significant layoffs and restructuring, with nearly 1,000 employees losing their jobs. They recently announced Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow, which has raised concerns among fans about the direction of the franchise and the effectiveness of VR technology in enhancing gameplay. The reveal trailer showcased familiar mechanics but lacked innovation, leading to doubts about the company's understanding of the franchise and its audience.
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