merger Archives

Winsage

June 8, 2025

Microsoft ‘Xbox PC’ branding surfaces in game dev publicity materials — Xbox App also sees big changes

Microsoft is working to unify its Windows and Xbox platforms, as indicated by the release of MIO: Memories In Orbit on both Steam and "Xbox PC." Gears of War: Reloaded will launch on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam this summer. The Xbox App has been enhanced to allow users to access Xbox console games directly on their PCs, suggesting a merger of Xbox and Windows stores. The Steam Deck, launched in 2022, has influenced the gaming market, prompting other manufacturers to create similar devices. Lenovo's Legion Go S operates on SteamOS and Windows 11, with initial reviews showing it may outperform Windows devices. Microsoft is reportedly developing a handheld console, Project Kennan, integrated with Xbox Game Pass, expected to debut in late 2025. The Xbox Series X|S has sold 33 million units, while the PlayStation 5 has sold over 75 million. Windows remains dominant in PC gaming, but the rise of SteamOS poses a competitive threat.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

Snowflake targets PostgreSQL gains with Crunchy Data acquisition – here’s what it means for customers

Snowflake intends to acquire Crunchy Data, a provider of open-source Postgres solutions, to enhance the development of secure agentic AI. This announcement was made at the Snowflake Summit in San Francisco, where the integration of Snowflake Postgres into the AI Data Cloud service was discussed. The acquisition aims to merge Postgres capabilities with improved security and governance features, addressing the demand for enterprise-grade Postgres solutions. Crunchy Data's expertise in FedRAMP compliant environments is expected to enhance developer productivity and meet security and compliance needs. PostgreSQL is widely used among developers, and the integration aims to streamline its enterprise utilization, particularly for AI applications. Clients using PostgreSQL can expect improved operational efficiency and a competitive edge in AI development.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

Snowflake enters enterprise PostgreSQL market with acquisition of Crunchy Data

Snowflake has acquired Crunchy Data, known for its enterprise PostgreSQL solutions, during the Snowflake Summit 2025 in San Francisco. PostgreSQL holds a 49 percent market share among developers, making it the most favored database choice. The acquisition aims to meet the growing demand for enterprise-grade PostgreSQL solutions for AI applications. Crunchy Data specializes in secure, compliant PostgreSQL solutions, including FedRAMP compliance for government contracts. The integration will enhance Snowflake Unistore, which combines transactional and analytical data. Snowflake Postgres, designed for transactional applications requiring PostgreSQL compatibility, will enter private preview soon, pending regulatory approval.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

Databricks $1B Neon Buy To Build World’s ‘Best Postgres’ Tech, CEOs Explain

Databricks has acquired Neon, a startup specializing in serverless Postgres, for one billion dollars. This acquisition aims to help businesses dismantle data silos and enhance AI capabilities. Currently, over 80 percent of databases on Neon's platform are generated by AI. Neon, founded in 2021, offers a fully managed serverless Postgres database and has been recognized as one of the top developer databases. The integration of Neon's technology with Databricks' platform is expected to improve efficiency for developers and enterprise teams, reduce performance bottlenecks, and lower costs. The acquisition is set to finalize later this year.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

The FTC has dropped its case against Microsoft over Activision Blizzard deal

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has withdrawn its appeal regarding Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, stating that the "public interest is best served" by terminating the case. Microsoft’s vice chair and president, Brad Smith, expressed enthusiasm for the ruling, calling it a "victory for players" and thanking the FTC. This dismissal follows the FTC's unsuccessful attempt to impose an injunction against the acquisition, where Judge Daniel P. Collins noted that the FTC did not present a compelling case to show a significant likelihood of success in its claims and raised no serious questions about the merger's impact on competition.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

US court throws out FTC appeal against Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard

The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did not sufficiently prove that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard would restrict the availability of the Call of Duty franchise on competing platforms. The court upheld a previous ruling that blocked the FTC's attempt to halt the merger, stating that the FTC's case lacked adequate evidentiary support and did not raise substantial questions about reduced competition. The merger, initially announced in 2022, received approval in 2023, allowing Microsoft to integrate Activision Blizzard into its portfolio.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Zugalu Entertainment acquires Crimson Herring Studios

Zugalu Entertainment has acquired Edmonton-based studio Crimson Herring, with the financial details undisclosed. The acquisition is described as a strategic move to enhance Zugalu's narrative-driven game development. Isaac Otway, CEO of Crimson Herring, will become Chief Operating Officer at Zugalu. Branden Sloane, founder and CEO of Zugalu, expressed excitement about the merger, highlighting the alignment of expertise in crafting narrative-driven games. Crimson Herring recently launched its first title, Sovereign Syndicate.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Molasses Flood merges with CD Projekt Red

Boston-based developer The Molasses Flood has merged with CD Projekt Red, effective April 1st, ending its status as an independent entity. The studio will continue to support its previous games, including The Flame in the Flood and Drake Hollow. The Molasses Flood is currently working on Project Sirius, a multiplayer game set in The Witcher universe. Following the merger, founder Damian Isla announced his departure from the studio, reflecting on his decade-long journey and expressing gratitude for the experiences and relationships formed during his time there.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Xbox: New UI To Integrate Steam Games For PC Players

Microsoft hinted at a new Xbox user interface that may integrate Steam games, which could impact both PC and console gaming. An image showcasing this UI was leaked, featuring the Steam label and displaying the interface on various devices, including tablets. Microsoft removed the image, indicating it was not meant for public viewing. Sources confirmed that Microsoft is working on an update for the Xbox app to include all games installed on a PC, including those from Steam and Epic Games. There is currently no timeline for the release of this integration, but Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, mentioned the potential for Epic Games and Itch.io to join the Xbox ecosystem in the future.

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

Your Android phone will run Debian Linux soon (like some Pixels already can)

Qualcomm claims that its Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU outperforms Intel's Core Ultra 288V chip. Google has introduced a native Linux Terminal application in its March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, available exclusively on the latest Pixel devices running Android 15. This Linux Terminal operates on a Debian Linux virtual machine and allows users to run desktop Linux applications directly from their devices. Users must enable Developer Mode to access the app, which requires downloading a 500MB Debian package. Graphical user interface applications are not yet supported, but enhancements in Android 16 are expected to improve compatibility with traditional PC input methods and display options. There is speculation about a potential merger between Android and Chrome OS, aiming for a seamless integration between smartphone and desktop experiences. The integration of Linux into Android devices may lead to large Android phones and tablets replacing traditional laptops for some users.