mirroring Archives

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

I replaced my old Android Auto sideloading method with this, and it’s so much easier

The process of sideloading apps for Android Auto can be complex due to varying permissions by device and app. Users often face issues with platforms like Android Auto Apps Download (AAAD), which may go offline. Some beneficial sideloaded apps include AABrowser for internet browsing and CarStream for watching YouTube. A new sideloading method allows users to bypass AAAD, ensuring app icons appear in the vehicle's infotainment system. This method was effective on a Pixel 10 Pro running Android 17 without being rooted, but results may vary on other devices. To enable this method, users must activate Developer Mode on their Android device and Android Auto. It is important to install apps from reputable sources, such as GitHub, as recent updates to Android Auto may remove sideloaded apps that circumvent restrictions. After enabling the Unknown Sources option in Android Auto's developer settings, users can install apps like AABrowser, which then appears in the Android Auto launcher and the vehicle's infotainment system.

Tech Optimizer

July 24, 2026

How we pushed CDC into Postgres, and turned replication into clockwork

Making data from transactional databases accessible to analytical databases is essential in modern data architecture, but it faces challenges such as fragile tooling, high costs, and complex operations. Snowflake has developed a Postgres service that addresses these issues by reimagining Postgres replication. Postgres is a strong operational database, but its change data capture (CDC) capabilities need improvement. Many data pipelines are fragile due to complexities in managing continuous data flow, schema changes, snapshots, and failures. To enhance user experience with Snowflake Postgres, a complete reinvention of the replication process was necessary. A new feature called data mirroring is in public preview, allowing resilient data replication into Snowflake with low cost, minimal lag, and transactional consistency. This feature directly pushes changes from Postgres into Apache Iceberg™ tables in transactional batches, which are then automatically applied to Snowflake tables without extra infrastructure. Change data capture records changes from a transactional database for replay on another system, primarily using logical decoding in Postgres. This method decodes WAL records into logical operations, but the client bears the responsibility for subsequent steps like backfilling, managing schema changes, and handling failures. Built-in logical replication in Postgres only addresses some complexities. A limitation of logical decoding is that the external system does not recognize the state of Postgres, making it difficult to detect schema changes or correlate snapshots with changes. The solution is to push changes from Postgres into a data lake, specifically into Iceberg tables using compressed Parquet format, with object stores like Amazon S3 as the destination. The mirroring process uses a new Postgres extension called snowflake_cdc, which continuously pushes batches of changes into per-table change logs and a meta log. This extension understands the Postgres environment, coordinating schema changes and complex transactions while ensuring alignment between snapshots and changes.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 5

The fifth snapshot of version 26.3 has been released, featuring updates to the Data Pack version (112.0) and Resource Pack version (93.0). Key technical changes include enhancements to the codec for element lists and tags, allowing a mix of inline values and references. Modifications to world generation include the removal of the fields extrararegrowths and catalystchance from minecraft:sculkpatch. Resource Pack updates involve shader changes, including renaming a define and changes in shader compilation processes. Several bugs have been fixed, including issues with server address updates, incorrect command contexts, and various rendering problems. Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, with a recommendation to back up data before testing.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

The Phocus Mobile app for Hasselblad cameras has finally arrived on Android

Phocus Mobile has launched on Android, allowing users to process, view, and export RAW photographs from smartphones and tablets. The app is compatible with Hasselblad cameras such as the X2D II 100C, X2D 100C, and 907X & CFV 100C. It features the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS), AI-powered noise reduction, editing tools, and a photo management system. For HDR-capable devices, it processes images with full dynamic range and fine-tunes HDR highlights. The app includes Hasselblad Natural Noise Reduction (HNNR) for low-light photography, reducing noise in 100MP RAW images in about 15 to 20 seconds. Phocus Mobile offers two processing modes: Purity Mode for noise reduction and Detail Mode for capturing microtextures and fine details.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

You Can Install Even More Apps On Android Auto Using This Simple Trick

Android Auto has introduced a new app that allows users to read PDF documents in their vehicles. Users can enhance their Android Auto experience by sideloading apps, which involves installing applications not officially available on the platform, such as CarStream for YouTube playback. To sideload apps, users must enable Developer Mode on their Android device and Android Auto, allowing access to hidden features and enabling the installation of third-party apps. The process includes navigating to Settings, tapping the Build number multiple times to enable Developer Mode, accessing Developer Settings in Android Auto, and enabling Unknown Sources. Users can then download the Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD) from GitHub, which is an unofficial app storefront that allows downloading additional applications. AAAD is free with optional in-app purchases, and a PRO version is available for a one-time fee. Sideloading can unlock various functionalities, but it is recommended for advanced users due to potential complications.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Tempest Rising’s elusive third faction will get its own singleplayer campaign as a paid expansion, and you can play the demo right now

Tempest Rising, a successor to the Command & Conquer series, features three factions: the Global Defense Force (GDF), the Tempest Dynasty, and the Veti. The Veti faction, previously AI-controlled, will receive its own campaign in a paid expansion titled The Veti's Wrath, which includes 11 new campaign missions. The Veti are inspired by Ancient Egyptian aesthetics and have unique gameplay mechanics focused on conversion and sacrifice, allowing players to resurrect fallen enemy soldiers as "enlightened" units. A demo is currently available, featuring the first two missions of the Veti campaign. The Veti will be a free multiplayer faction, while single-player gameplay will require a purchase. Tempest Rising is currently available at a 30% discount, retailing for £21, with the promotion ending tomorrow.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Worried about status bar clutter with Android Halo? Google may let you clean it up

In Android Canary 2607, Google is developing a new "Status bar" settings section that will allow users to manage the visibility of specific system and notification icons. Notable features include the ability to toggle off the Android Halo AI assistant icon and a new option to hide the mute icon, similar to the existing option for the vibration icon. The settings will include toggles for showing the assistant agent in the status bar and controlling mute icon visibility. The Android Halo icon will only be visible on devices that support the unannounced "Agent Task" feature, which is distinct from Gemini Intelligence. These features are still in development and not yet available to the public.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

This fan-favorite Android Auto video app is calling it quits, but with a sweet goodbye update

Fermata Xtream, a popular app for streaming videos and live television on Android Auto, is ceasing further development as announced by its developer, Malebuffy. A final update, version 2.3.1, has been released, which includes enhancements such as fixed main menu item reordering, a main menu color change option, simplified mirroring functionality, the addition of a Plex client in an experimental phase, and various bug fixes. Fermata Xtream is a paid application, with a free version available on GitHub, but users need to purchase a paid “Enabler” app to access all features. There are no plans for future updates from the developer.

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

I tried a hidden Android Auto feature Google doesn’t want you to know about

Android Auto can be expanded through the installation of third-party applications, allowing users to go beyond its default navigation and media functionalities. To sideload apps, users must enable Developer Mode on their Android device and for Android Auto, then install the Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD) from a GitHub page. Notable third-party apps include CarStream, which allows YouTube streaming while driving, AAMirror for screen mirroring, and Fermata Auto, which supports various multimedia functions. However, sideloading raises safety concerns and may lead to issues with app functionality due to updates from Google.

Tech Optimizer

July 2, 2026

From monolith to Lakebase to LTAP: rethinking the database from storage up

Sixteen years ago, the author began their PhD at UC Berkeley and was advised to focus on analytics rather than OLTP databases, which were considered solved. This led to the creation of Apache Spark and Databricks. However, during the development of Databricks, it was found that OLTP databases were not solved problems; they were difficult to scale and fragile. This realization led to the development of Lakebase, a serverless Postgres database designed with modern technology. Lakebase architecture separates the write-ahead log (WAL) and data files into independent, scalable services. The WAL is externalized to a service called SafeKeeper, which uses Paxos-based replication for durability, while data files are managed by PageServer, which stores them in cloud object storage. This design addresses challenges such as data loss, scaling, and performance interference between transactional and analytical workloads. Lakebase maintains compatibility with Postgres, offers unlimited storage, serverless compute, durable writes, and simpler high availability. It also introduces LTAP (Lake Transactional/Analytical Processing), which allows both transactional and analytical processing to operate on a single data copy in real time, eliminating the need for separate data copies and reducing costs. LTAP utilizes a unified storage layer that allows data to be materialized in both row and columnar formats, optimizing it for both transactional and analytical workloads. The system ensures that analytics can access the most current data without affecting transactional performance by using a log sequence number (LSN) to retrieve the latest changes. Unlike traditional CDC approaches, LTAP requires no explicit table replication, as all data is stored in a single governed copy. This architecture circumvents common issues faced by hybrid transactional/analytical processing (HTAP) systems, such as incomplete feature sets, lack of ecosystem support, and performance contention. The Lakebase architecture has unlocked capabilities like unlimited storage, elastic compute, durable writes, and instant branching, with ongoing developments anticipated in the future.