manufacturing Archives

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

ESA warns of impact of Trump tariffs on games industry

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has expressed concerns about tariffs implemented by former President Donald Trump, which could significantly harm the U.S. video game industry by raising hardware prices due to the global sourcing of components from countries like Vietnam and China. ESA's senior vice president, Aubrey Quinn, highlighted that many products consumers buy may be subject to multiple tariffs, leading to increased costs. Quinn described the situation regarding relocating manufacturing jobs to the U.S. as complicated, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of decisions affecting consumers, businesses, and employees. The tariffs include a 46 percent tax on goods from Vietnam and a combined levy and duty of 54 percent on imports from China, posing challenges for the industry in maintaining affordability and accessibility for consumers.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

Tesla adds security feature to Android with latest software update

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives reported that Tesla delivered 336,681 vehicles in Q1 2025, falling short of Wall Street's forecast of 352,000 and whisper estimates around 350,000. Tesla attributed part of this underperformance to several weeks of production loss while ramping up the new Model Y. Ives described the performance as “a disaster on every metric” and emphasized that it represents a pivotal moment for CEO Elon Musk, who has been increasingly involved in U.S. government affairs, potentially affecting the brand negatively. Following the delivery report, Tesla's stock initially dropped over 5 percent but rebounded by 8 percent, currently trading up over 5 percent at 3.01. This recovery was linked to reports of Musk potentially stepping back from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Ives expressed optimism about Tesla's future advancements in robotaxi technology and Full Self-Driving capabilities but cautioned that Musk needs to balance his responsibilities with DOGE and leading Tesla to avoid further crises.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Download freeCAD (free) for Windows, macOS and Linux

FreeCAD is a free computer-aided design (CAD) software that offers a comprehensive suite of features comparable to expensive alternatives. It has a parametric modeling engine that allows users to make seamless adjustments to design parameters, ensuring changes are automatically reflected throughout the design. The software includes multiple workbenches for different design phases, such as the Sketcher for 2D geometry and the Part and Design workbenches for solid modeling. FreeCAD also features Computer Numerical Control (CNC) capabilities for converting 3D models into G-code and provides Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools for stress testing designs. Advanced users can utilize Python scripting for automation and customize their experience with industry-specific plugins. FreeCAD supports various file formats, including STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

You may act like Walter White and look like Rick & Morty, but this drug-dealer sim blowing up on Steam isn’t just a goofy meme game

Schedule I is an early access first-person drug-dealing simulator available on Steam, blending elements of Rick & Morty and Breaking Bad. It has received an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating from players due to its engaging mechanics and vibrant personality. Players start in a motel room dealing weed and can progress to build a drug manufacturing and distribution empire. The game is currently offered at a 15% discount for the month, and a demo version is available for potential players.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

Reported changes to Android development aren’t really a change

A recent report indicates that Android's development is shifting towards a more private model, despite its perception as an open-source initiative. Google retains ultimate control over the code, dictating project direction, feature development, and release timelines. Currently, Android 16 is in development, with a main branch that remains private during development and an experimental branch that serves as a testing ground for features. While some code from the experimental branch is accessible, its visibility is expected to decrease. Companies involved in smartphone manufacturing will continue to receive early access to private code, allowing them to prepare devices ahead of public releases. Developers of custom ROMs will still rely on the stable version of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for compatibility with essential components. The shift towards a more private development model may impact online discussions and speculation within the Android community.

BetaBeacon

March 22, 2025

Android Circuit: Galaxy S26 Ultra Leaks, Pixel 9 Pro On Sale, Epic’s Free Android Games

Google's Pixel 9a has the best battery life of any Pixel available today, with over 30 hours of battery life and over 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.

AppWizard

March 10, 2025

March Madness 2! Robocop, Sonic, Minecraft, Persona 3 & More!

Several leading companies are committing to sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing their carbon footprints, with tech giants and manufacturing leaders pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. These commitments involve substantial investments in renewable energy sources, innovative technologies like carbon capture and storage, and sustainable practices in operations. Companies are collaborating with non-profit organizations, governments, and other stakeholders to enhance their sustainability efforts. Additionally, as consumer awareness of environmental issues grows, businesses are aligning their practices with customer values, promoting transparency, engaging customers in sustainability initiatives, and educating them about the importance of sustainability.

Tech Optimizer

March 4, 2025

The Future of PostgreSQL: How a 64-bit Transaction Counter Solves Scaling Issues

PostgreSQL uses Multi-Version Concurrency Control (MVCC) to manage concurrent data access, allowing multiple users to interact with the database simultaneously. It tracks transactions with unique identifiers called transaction IDs (xids), which can be retrieved using the txid_current() function. Each database record has system fields xmin and xmax to indicate the transaction ID that inserted or deleted the record. Prior to version 8.2, PostgreSQL faced issues when the transaction counter approached its maximum of approximately 4 billion transactions, which could lead to crashes. Version 8.2 introduced a mechanism to reset the transaction counter, allowing it to cycle, but this required ongoing background vacuuming to prevent disruptions. High transactional workloads can exceed 49,710 transactions per second, leading to daily transaction counter wraps in high-demand environments. The VACUUM FREEZE process, which freezes older records, relies on the difference between the current and oldest transaction IDs not exceeding 232 and requires regular execution. Long-running transactions can hinder this process, and reaching the transaction ID limit within a day is possible on modern hardware. Transitioning to a 64-bit integer for the transaction counter has been proposed as a solution, expanding the transaction ID space to 18 quintillion (2^64). Postgres Professional developed a 64-bit transaction ID over several years, which has been adopted by various PostgreSQL forks. This implementation has been stable for over five years, providing a significant increase in available IDs and extending the lifespan of the system before exhausting IDs. The proposal for this patch was initially rejected by the community due to its complexity, but efforts to integrate it continue.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Temporary PC production surge amid tariff concerns; Windows on Arm loses momentum

PC manufacturers are exercising caution due to a production ramp-up that began at the end of 2024, which is speculated to be influenced by Trump-era tariffs rather than a genuine increase in consumer demand. They are particularly wary of the Windows on Arm platform due to complex market dynamics, challenges in technological adaptation, and the need for strategic planning to remain agile in a changing landscape.

Winsage

February 27, 2025

Nintendo’s GameCube Gets a Productivity Makeover Thanks to a PowerPC Windows NT Port

Rairii has successfully ported Windows NT 3.51 to the Nintendo GameCube, allowing the console to run this operating system. The project supports Windows NT 3.51 RTM and higher, while earlier beta versions require kernel patches. Windows NT 3.5 is incompatible due to its support for the PowerPC 601 architecture. The GameCube, powered by an IBM PowerPC "Gekko" chip, can now function as a desktop computer with a graphical user interface, controlled via a standard controller or keyboard. The project includes support for the GameCube's keyboard controller accessory and a mapping system for navigation. Some USB device support is available, but without hotplugging functionality. Instructions for the project are provided in a GitHub repository, and users need specific hardware to participate.