international Archives

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

Key To Success? Minecraft Study Reveals Adaptability Beats All

A study published in Nature Communications explored human decision-making using the game Minecraft, involving 128 participants who navigated a virtual world to find hidden rewards. The research found that individuals adapt their strategies based on personal success rates; they rely on their instincts when thriving but observe and emulate successful peers when struggling. In clustered reward environments, successful players attracted followers, while in random settings, individuals distanced themselves to minimize competition. The study highlighted the importance of adaptability in decision-making and noted that participants sometimes copied others even when it was unbeneficial. The research was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, with no reported competing interests. The paper was published on April 25, 2025.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Feds say Ashland man had child porn on Telegram Messenger app. What’s next

Brent Vreeland, a 36-year-old resident of Ashland, has agreed to voluntary detention after a federal hearing on April 24, facing charges related to the distribution of child pornography via the Telegram Messenger app. He has been charged with one count of transportation of child pornography following an investigation that began last October. Vreeland was apprehended at his home after arriving at Logan International Airport in Boston from Reykjavik, Iceland. During a secondary screening, security personnel found suspected child pornography on his phone, leading to an alert for federal investigators. The investigation revealed that Vreeland had conversations on Telegram soliciting content involving minors and sent a video featuring a child as young as four years old to another user, with authorities discovering 30 media files depicting children in his direct messages. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of five to 20 years in federal prison, a 0,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release. He was ordered to be held without bail during his initial hearing.

Tech Optimizer

April 24, 2025

TecentDB PostgreSQL will provide full support for PG 17

TencentDB for PostgreSQL has introduced robust security measures including data encryption, Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) isolation, and process monitoring for compliance with international standards. PostgreSQL 17.0 features enhanced logical replication with slot failover, performance optimizations such as batch I/O page read/write and improved Write-Ahead Logging, and operational enhancements like incremental backups and a transaction timeout parameter. Tencent has developed features for resource management, including fine-grained multi-tenant resource management with CPU resource isolation and process-level monitoring, as well as SQL throttling. Cold/hot data separation solutions include the 'cos_fdw' plugin for accessing cold data and the 'starocks_fdw' plugin for integrating with the StarRocks analytics engine. Security auditing has been improved with an Express Edition for basic needs and an Advanced Edition for broader audit coverage. These enhancements aim to balance performance and cost, maximize resource efficiency, and strengthen compliance.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Sanso’s chat messenger aims to dethrone usual messengers

LetsTalkh Messenger is a messaging app developed by Sanso Technologies that offers a unique user experience without advertisements or data tracking. It features global roaming chat capabilities, end-to-end encryption, built-in privacy tools, and a focus on user empowerment. Sanso Technologies, led by founder Haroon S Khan, has a strong presence in the EU and UAE and has been recognized by platforms like FORBES. SansoPay is a cross-border digital payment platform that enables secure international transactions for individuals and businesses. It includes features like cross-border capabilities, API integration, a SansoPay Debit Card, and robust security measures compliant with regulations. SansoPay aims to provide financial freedom and cater to various sectors, addressing challenges faced by traditional payment platforms.

AppWizard

April 21, 2025

Latest Android Auto v14.2 seemingly dashes hopes of smart glasses navigation

Google has started rolling out version 14.2 of Android Auto, focusing on bug fixes and minor adjustments. The update does not mention "Glasses," which had previously led to speculation about smart glasses integration. This speculation arose from a Hindi version of the app that included references to "Glasses" and navigation capabilities, but discrepancies between language versions suggest it may have been a translation error. Additionally, Google has showcased ambitions for smart glasses in a TED 2025 demonstration, featuring a "memory" function that helps users track lost items.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Touhou Spell Carnival Game’s PC Version Launches on May 7

Idea Factory International plans to release the game Touhou Spell Carnival for PC users via Steam on May 7. The game was launched in North America on November 19 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4, with a simultaneous digital release in Europe and a physical edition debuting on December 3. A Digital Deluxe edition includes a digital art book and soundtrack, while a Limited Edition features a collector's box, figures, a hardcover artbook, a soundtrack, a reversible cover sleeve, and a trading card. The game includes Japanese audio and text options in English, French, and Spanish. It is scheduled to launch in Japan in June 2024 after a delay from April 2024.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Japan orders Google to stop pre-installing Chrome and its other apps on Android smartphones – The Times of India

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against Google for violating Japan's anti-monopoly law by requiring Android smartphone manufacturers to preinstall its applications, which restricted competing search engine applications. Google incentivized manufacturers financially to designate Chrome as the default browser and not to preinstall rival search applications. The order mandates that Google stop these practices, prohibits the requirement for preinstallation of its apps, and requires the company to create compliance guidelines and appoint an independent third party to oversee adherence for five years. Google had agreements with six manufacturers representing about 80% of Android smartphones in Japan. The investigation began in 2023, reflecting a trend of increased scrutiny of big tech firms globally.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Samsung Auto vs Android Auto: What’s same and what’s not

Samsung has launched Samsung Auto, a platform for Galaxy devices in China aimed at enhancing the driving experience with features similar to Android Auto. It is part of the One UI 7 software update and is currently limited to select regions, primarily utilizing Samsung's previous “Car Mode.” The platform includes a custom launcher and app support for in-car use. A key feature of Samsung Auto is its intelligent location-based navigation, which allows users to reroute by extracting addresses from incoming messages, enabling navigation with a single tap. The app also ensures navigation continuity between the user's phone and vehicle. Samsung Auto connects to compatible vehicles through Baidu CarLife+ or ICCOA CarLink, which are mainly found in Chinese-market vehicles, limiting its reach. The user interface resembles that of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, featuring a central dashboard for navigation and music controls. Currently, there are no plans for a global rollout of Samsung Auto, as it relies on Chinese vehicle systems, and significant modifications would be needed for broader implementation.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Japan orders Google to unwind deals with smartphone OEMs

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has ordered Google to stop certain business practices related to its Android operating system, specifically the Mobile Application Distribution Agreements (MADAs) that required manufacturers to pre-install specific Google applications. The JFTC found that these agreements violate Japan’s Antimonopoly Act, stifling competition and creating market barriers. Google must cease mandating pre-installation of its applications, allow installation of competing products, and enable users to choose their default search service. This action is the first regulatory measure by the JFTC against a major American tech firm. Additionally, Google is facing scrutiny for allegedly obstructing Yahoo! Japan's use of its advertising technology and has been warned of fines for not opening its app store to more competition. Globally, Google is dealing with antitrust challenges, including potential forced divestitures in the U.S. The company has also signed a power purchase agreement in Taiwan for a ten-megawatt geothermal energy project, aiming to pursue similar initiatives in Asia.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Minecraft movie has made over $550m so far

The Minecraft movie has grossed over 0 million globally, with approximately 0 million from the domestic market in the U.S. and 0 million from international audiences. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it has been popular among younger viewers, particularly due to a viral Chicken Jockey meme scene. In its opening weekend, the film earned million, and interest has continued to grow since its release. The game that inspired the movie launched on April 4th, contributing to its success. Mary Parent, chair of Legendary Entertainment, commented on the film's cultural impact.