maintenance Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 11, 2026

Avast One: Security and privacy suite under the microscope

Avast One is the flagship consumer security suite from Avast (Gen Digital), combining antivirus, firewall, VPN, and privacy utilities into a single subscription for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It offers four primary areas: device security, online privacy, identity protection, and performance tools. Device security includes real-time antivirus, Web Shield, Mail Shield, and Ransomware Shield. The online privacy component features a full VPN service with bank-grade encryption and a no-logs policy. Identity protection includes data breach monitoring and, in some markets, credit monitoring. Performance tools assist with disk cleanup and system optimization. Avast One has three plan tiers: Avast One Essential (free), Avast One Individual (paid, supports multiple devices), and Avast One Family (paid, supports up to 30 devices). Pricing varies based on promotions, with Avast One Individual typically around per year and Avast One Family ranging from to 0 per year. The suite can be downloaded directly from Avast's website, with installers available for various platforms. Avast One includes automatic updates and is designed to operate lightly on modern hardware, with options to minimize system impact during scans. Customer support includes self-help documentation, community forums, and direct support for paying customers. Avast One aims to appeal to both non-technical users and power users, providing a user-friendly interface while allowing for advanced configurations. The product is positioned as a comprehensive solution for households looking to secure multiple devices with a single subscription.

Tech Optimizer

June 10, 2026

Microsoft Open-Sources PostgreSQL Extension for In-Database Durable Execution

Microsoft has introduced pg_durable, a PostgreSQL extension that enables developers to execute durable workflows within the database, reducing the need for external orchestration systems. It simplifies workflow management by allowing developers to express long-running, fault-tolerant SQL functions directly in SQL, managing execution concerns like retries and recovery. Workflows are defined in SQL, with the extension handling retry states, progress tracking, and checkpointing. A pg_durable function operates as a graph of SQL steps that can resume from the last durable checkpoint after a failure. The extension preserves execution states within PostgreSQL tables, ensuring workflows can withstand crashes and restarts. It includes a domain-specific language (DSL) for scheduling and parallel execution. An example of a durable function is provided, demonstrating sequential and parallel execution using specific operators. pg_durable is particularly useful for vector embedding pipelines and scheduled maintenance tasks. Architecturally, it consists of a PostgreSQL extension and a background worker built on Rust libraries, without any external control plane. Durable execution allows long-running workflows to automatically resume from failure points, simplifying distributed system architecture.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

I found a free Android app that makes deleting photos as easy as swiping left

The Sponge app helps users manage photos and videos on their devices by offering a user-friendly interface that allows for easy deletion through a swiping mechanism. Users can swipe left to delete unwanted images and right to keep them, with options to delete by date or collection. The app focuses on local device management, ensuring that deleted photos do not affect those stored in Google Cloud. The free version limits photo deletion to once a month, while a one-time in-app purchase of .49 unlocks the Premium version, which includes video deletion and collection management. Sponge is available on the Google Play Store and features a chronological display of photos, monthly reminders for maintenance, and a "Mission Accomplished" page that shows the number of images reviewed and storage space saved.

Winsage

June 10, 2026

Windows 11 Beta Build 26220.8575: Microsoft fixes audio, Settings, and annoying freezes

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8575 on June 8, 2026, focusing on stability rather than new features. This build introduces the ability to extend update pauses indefinitely, which is important for maintaining system integrity in test environments. It also fixes an audio malfunction affecting some users and improves the reliability of the “Settings > Apps > Installed apps” feature. Additionally, the build addresses freezing issues in core applications like Search and Notepad. The Beta channel has been restructured to provide more stability and predictability, with features no longer rolled out gradually. Overall, this build enhances update management, resolves audio issues, stabilizes app handling, and addresses freezes in essential components.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

Azure HorizonDB Enters Public Preview: Web IQ Already Powers Copilot and ChatGPT

Microsoft announced the public preview of Azure HorizonDB, a fully managed PostgreSQL-compatible database designed for agentic AI workloads, during Microsoft Build 2026 in San Francisco. HorizonDB features a "database-as-logs" architecture, allowing for sub-millisecond multi-zone commit latency and independent scaling of compute and storage. It incorporates a Rust-based storage engine, native DiskANN vector search, and in-database AI model invocation. Additionally, Microsoft launched Web IQ, a web-grounding API layer integrated into Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI's ChatGPT, which provides passage-level structured evidence objects rather than full documents. Web IQ is model-agnostic and aims to enhance information density and reduce costs. Both services are currently in limited availability, with HorizonDB open for preview signups across five Azure regions.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

PostgreSQL vs SQL Server 2026: $0 vs $15K License

PostgreSQL has become the most utilized database for developers for two consecutive years as of 2026, while SQL Server has introduced native AI capabilities and vector search functionalities in its latest release. PostgreSQL is favored for new projects due to its permissive licensing, cross-platform operation, and extensive ecosystem of extensions, whereas SQL Server is preferred by organizations already using Microsoft products for its robust tooling and enterprise support. As of June 2026, SQL Server ranks third in the DB-Engines popularity ranking with a score of 698, while PostgreSQL ranks fourth with a score of 688. Developer adoption trends show that 49% of respondents in the Stack Overflow 2024 Developer Survey use PostgreSQL, compared to 27% for SQL Server. The latest stable version of PostgreSQL is 18.4, released on May 14, 2026, while SQL Server 2025 (version 17.x) became generally available on November 18, 2025. PostgreSQL is free under a permissive license, while SQL Server's Enterprise Edition can cost upwards of ,123 per two-core pack, with an eight-core minimum. PostgreSQL supports various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD, while SQL Server operates on Windows and Linux. PostgreSQL uses PL/pgSQL as its primary procedural language, allowing for multiple procedural languages, whereas SQL Server uses T-SQL. PostgreSQL's JSONB type offers rich indexing, while SQL Server added native JSON support in its 2025 release. Both databases are capable of handling high transaction volumes, but PostgreSQL excels in read-heavy scenarios due to its multi-version concurrency control, while SQL Server's columnstore indexes provide advantages for analytical workloads. PostgreSQL supports tables up to 32 TB, while SQL Server can handle a maximum database size of 524 PB. SQL Server's high availability technology includes Always On Availability Groups, while PostgreSQL offers built-in streaming and logical replication. The security features of both databases meet enterprise standards, with PostgreSQL providing a transparent patching process and SQL Server integrating with Microsoft tools. Real-world usage examples include Stack Overflow using SQL Server, while Instagram and Reddit utilize PostgreSQL. Developer sentiment increasingly favors PostgreSQL for new projects, emphasizing flexibility and open-source solutions. For new startups or greenfield projects, PostgreSQL is recommended due to its zero license cost and compatibility. Existing Microsoft enterprises are advised to stick with SQL Server for its integration benefits. Migration from SQL Server to PostgreSQL is becoming common, with a structured approach required for successful transitions.

AppWizard

June 5, 2026

Top 10 Android App Development Companies in San Francisco 2026

Finding a reliable mobile app development company in San Francisco is challenging due to the city's competitive landscape. The text lists ten notable Android development companies for 2026, selected based on their portfolios, client endorsements, and future vision. 1. TechGropse: Focuses on Android development with over a decade of experience across various sectors, emphasizing strategic product roadmaps and effective management of common challenges. 2. Raizlabs: Known for a research-driven approach to mobile development, particularly in Android, focusing on understanding end-user needs. 3. Fueled: Offers a strong portfolio of consumer apps with exceptional design quality and fosters collaborative client engagement. 4. WillowTree: Integrates strategy, design, and engineering, managing large-scale projects with meticulous attention to detail. 5. Mobiquity: Combines mobile development with digital transformation consulting, particularly for enterprise clients, and excels in integrating mobile products with legacy systems. 6. Intellectsoft: Provides competitive pricing and strong Android capabilities, focusing on operational efficiency and client communication for mid-sized businesses and startups. 7. Savvy Apps: Maintains a small client roster for focused attention and emphasizes battery efficiency, accessibility, and long-term code quality in Android projects. 8. Dom & Tom: Balances product strategy and technical execution effectively. 9. Dogtown Media: Specializes in healthcare and IoT-connected applications, with expertise in HIPAA compliance. 10. Clearbridge Mobile: Excels in enterprise Android development, creating applications for complex environments and prioritizing thorough documentation.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2026

EDB adds quorum commit to distributed Postgres 6.4

EDB has released version 6.4 of its Postgres Distributed (PGD) solution, which includes enhancements such as quorum commit, native connection pooling, and support for PostgreSQL large objects. The quorum commit feature ensures a unified transaction outcome across cluster nodes before finalizing a transaction, addressing potential risks from conflicting writes in distributed systems. This update targets organizations in sectors like banking, payments, telecommunications, and infrastructure, aiming to provide the same consistency guarantees previously reliant on proprietary databases. The Connection Manager now includes native connection pooling, reducing the need for external connection poolers and streamlining operations by integrating with PGD's Raft consensus layer. This integration allows for automatic route adjustments during failover and improved monitoring capabilities. Additionally, the update expands replication support to include PostgreSQL large objects, enhancing the applicability of distributed Postgres for managing mixed data sets in sectors like government, healthcare, and financial services. EDB also noted a Gartner forecast that by 2030, over 75% of enterprises in Europe and the Middle East will have repatriated workloads to their home jurisdictions, emphasizing the importance of consistent data management across locations. EDB aims to strengthen Postgres's position in the market by focusing on transaction integrity in distributed environments while minimizing reliance on additional infrastructure components.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

Microsoft outs new Windows 11 native command-line utility. Revolutionizes native app making.

Microsoft has announced the general availability of Coreutils for Windows, introducing a native suite of Linux-style command-line utilities designed to enhance cross-platform development workflows. Coreutils includes essential commands for file, shell, and text manipulation, such as ls, cp, mv, rm, cat, and pwd, and will function similarly to its GNU counterpart, allowing seamless use across Windows, Linux, macOS, containers, and the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Microsoft has excluded certain utilities that rely on POSIX-specific functionality to avoid disrupting Windows operations. Additionally, Microsoft introduced "Windows Development Skills," a set of AI-powered tools aimed at improving the development and maintenance of Windows applications, built on WinUI 3 and the Windows App SDK, and available through a dedicated GitHub repository.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2026

Accelerating developer productivity in the agentic AI era with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

Pravin, who leads engineering for Amazon Aurora, shared an anecdote about his son and friends using AI-assisted coding tools to develop an app without needing to worry about database setup. Elizabeth from AWS Databases noted that teams can now deliver projects in days instead of months, with a broader demographic of builders, including analysts and designers. Engineers in Pravin's organization are creating agents that significantly reduce on-call work, and product managers are drafting documents more efficiently. Aurora aims to address the challenges posed by rapid development changes by adhering to three core principles: meeting developers where they work, absorbing workload variability, and growing with applications. Aurora PostgreSQL is integrated into AI coding tools, allowing developers to set up databases quickly. It features a serverless model that automatically scales to meet fluctuating demands, accommodating workloads from small projects to large-scale applications. The database supports existing tools and frameworks, ensuring compatibility and easing migration challenges. Examples of successful transitions to Aurora PostgreSQL include SurveySparrow, which achieved cost savings and improved query latency, and Netflix, which reported significant performance improvements. Aurora's flexibility allows developers to use both serverless and provisioned instances within the same cluster, optimizing operations without data migration. It also provides options for tuning performance and maintaining an up-to-date database with minimal disruption. Aurora Global Database enables applications to expand across regions without overhauling the data layer, supporting cross-region disaster recovery and low-latency reads. Companies like S&P Dow Jones Indices and DraftKings have successfully leveraged Aurora to support their growth and operational needs. Aurora PostgreSQL is designed to empower developers, facilitating innovation across various project scales.