neon Archives

Tech Optimizer

August 14, 2026

Databricks’ Electric acquisition adds embeddable PostgreSQL

Databricks has acquired ElectricSQL, a startup specializing in PostgreSQL database capabilities, to enhance its offerings by extending PostgreSQL functionalities to edge devices. The acquisition, announced on August 11, aims to streamline operations for AI agents by allowing local data access. ElectricSQL has developed PGlite, a lightweight WebAssembly version of PostgreSQL for faster data access and real-time synchronization. This acquisition follows Databricks' earlier integration of PostgreSQL capabilities through the acquisition of Neon in May 2025. The founders of Electric, James Arthur and Kyle Matthews, will join Databricks. PostgreSQL has become the most popular open-source database by 2024, recognized for its versatility in handling diverse data types. Databricks' acquisition strategy also includes previous acquisitions like Neon and MosaicML, aimed at enhancing its AI development tools.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

The guy who built Windows Task Manager in 1996 just remade it with a cyberpunk vibe — but there’s one big issue for PC users

Dave W. Plummer, a notable figure in programming, contributed significantly to Microsoft by introducing ZIP file support for Windows, adapting Space Cadet Pinball for Windows NT, and creating the Windows Task Manager, which debuted in 1996. He has shared insights from his time at Microsoft through his platform, Dave's Garage. Recently, he released a mockup of a redesigned Task Manager, named "Task Manager OG" (TMOG), which features a cyberpunk aesthetic and is currently available as a beta version for macOS, with a Windows version planned. TMOG combines elements of macOS's Activity Monitor and Windows Task Manager, providing essential system information and deeper diagnostics. The application is described as being half the size of the Windows Task Manager and is available for free download.

Tech Optimizer

August 13, 2026

Databricks Acquires Electric to Give AI Agents Their Own Local Postgres

Databricks has acquired Electric, the team behind PGlite, a WebAssembly-compiled version of Postgres designed for embedded applications, and a real-time synchronization engine. This acquisition is aimed at enhancing Databricks' Lakebase, a managed Postgres offering, by integrating Electric's technology to address local state management for AI agents. PGlite has seen a significant increase in downloads, from 1 million to 13 million weekly, indicating growing developer interest in embedded databases. The acquisition reflects a trend towards decentralized databases for agents, with synchronization ensuring consistency between local and cloud databases. Databricks aims to strengthen its position in the evolving infrastructure for agent-runtime layers, focusing on state and synchronization capabilities.

Tech Optimizer

August 12, 2026

Databricks acquires Electric to give every AI agent its own Postgres database

Databricks has acquired Electric, a startup known for its WASM-based Postgres project, PGlite, and the Electric sync engine. The Electric team will integrate with Neon, a serverless Postgres company acquired by Databricks for approximately billion last year. PGlite is a full Postgres database implemented in WebAssembly, capable of running in various environments and supporting dynamic extension loading, including pgvector. PGlite's weekly downloads increased from 1 million to 13 million over the past year. The Electric sync engine allows near real-time synchronization of a central Postgres database across platforms, similar to collaborative tools like Figma and Google Docs. Electric's founders have assured that all previously open-sourced components will remain accessible, while the hosted service, Electric Cloud, will be phased out. Databricks has noted that agents are now responsible for creating four times more databases than human users on Lakebase, with the average lifespan of a database compute instance being less than 10 seconds. The architecture of Lakebase separates storage from compute, facilitating cost-effective operations. PGlite originated from an experiment by Stas Kelvich, co-founder of Neon, who compiled Postgres to WASM, which Electric later developed into a production project.

Tech Optimizer

August 12, 2026

Databricks Acquires Electric to Give AI Agents Their Own Local Postgres

Databricks has acquired Electric, a company known for its contributions to the Postgres ecosystem, including PGlite, a compact version of Postgres for WebAssembly environments. This acquisition includes a real-time synchronization engine that keeps local data copies consistent with a central cloud database. Electric's team will join Neon, a serverless Postgres company previously acquired by Databricks. The integration aims to enhance Lakebase, Databricks' managed Postgres offering, by using PGlite for local data management. PGlite's weekly downloads surged from approximately 1 million to 13 million over the past year, indicating growing developer interest in embedded database models. The acquisition reflects a shift towards decentralized data management for AI agents, with synchronization mechanisms becoming crucial. Databricks is reinforcing its investment in Neon, signaling a deeper relevance of its Postgres offerings. The increase in PGlite downloads suggests early developer interest in local-first database architectures, though widespread production adoption remains uncertain. The emergence of state, identity, payments, isolation, and sync as infrastructure components indicates a competitive landscape for the agent runtime layer, with Databricks strategically positioned in this race.

Tech Optimizer

August 12, 2026

Dealroom.co | Databricks acquires Electric to bring Postgres to AI agent sandboxes

Databricks has acquired Electric, the creator of PGlite, a lightweight version of Postgres that operates within applications and user devices instead of relying on a separate server. This acquisition enhances Databricks' Postgres capabilities, allowing AI agents to maintain local Postgres instances while synchronizing with a central Lakebase Postgres system. Electric's real-time synchronization engine ensures that distributed agents remain aligned with a central record. The acquisition comes as companies shift towards agentic applications that require reliable data and rapidly changing local context. PGlite has gained significant traction, with weekly downloads increasing from 1 million to 13 million between August 2025 and August 2026. Databricks views Postgres as a foundational element for AI agents, emphasizing the importance of managing state, context, and synchronization among agents in the evolving landscape of AI systems.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

The designer of Diamond City, Little Lamplight, and Starfield’s Neon thinks Bethesda’s galaxy was just too big: ‘I would have done a handful of planets with bespoke layouts’

Nate Purkeypile, a former environment artist at Bethesda, discussed his experiences and insights from his time at the studio on The Examined Game podcast. He contributed to the design of Starfield, particularly the city of Neon, and has also worked on locations in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4. After leaving Bethesda during Starfield's development, he began independent game development and plans to release his first solo project, The Axis Unseen, in 2024. He is looking forward to the remaster of Fallout 3.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Google’s Terminal app is next in line for an icon makeover

Android Canary 2608 has introduced a redesigned icon for Google’s Terminal app, featuring a modern, boxy aesthetic while retaining the classic “>” and “-” symbols. The new icon resembles the Google Sheets icon but uses a darker green palette. The existing Terminal icon has a nostalgic design with neon green symbols on a dark green backdrop. The redesign enhances visual appeal and integrates Terminal more seamlessly with other Google applications, though the app's functionality remains unchanged. There is currently no timeline for the broader rollout of the new icon.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest means big savings on games about high-tech lowlifes

The Steam Cyberpunk Fest is ongoing until 10 AM on August 10, featuring discounts on various cyberpunk-themed games. Notable offers include: - Ruiner: 90% off at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the realm of digital gaming, the term "cyberpunk" has taken on a life of its own, particularly during the ongoing Steam Cyberpunk Fest. This sale, which runs until 10 AM on August 10, invites players to explore a curated selection of games that embody the essence of cyberpunk, albeit with a tagline that leaves much to the imagination: "They say never look back. Cyberpunk says ALWAYS be in the future. Think about it." While the meaning may be elusive, the real draw lies in the enticing discounts that promise to enrich our gaming libraries with tales of cyborgs, hackers, and rebellion against oppressive systems. Highlights of the Sale Among the standout offerings are: Ruiner: Engage in slow-motion brawls alongside a commanding hacker mentor, now available for just 90% off at .99. Neon Struct: Dive into this immersive simulation as an ex-spy navigating life off the grid, with a remarkable discount of 90% off at .79. The Ascent: Traverse a beautifully crafted arcology in this action RPG, currently priced at 75% off for .49. Cruelty Squad: Experience the bizarre world of a corpo assassin simulator, now at an incredible 90% off for .99. The Red Strings Club: Unravel one of the best cyberpunk narratives available, with a discount of 80% off at .99. Shadowrun Hong Kong: Recruit a ghoul samurai and navigate the film industry for just 75% off at .99. Invisible, Inc: Discover the merits of turn-based stealth gameplay, available for 75% off at .99. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade: Enjoy this classic at a historic low price of 65% off for .99. Cyberpunk 2077: For those seeking the quintessential experience, this title is discounted by 70% to .99. Additionally, the iconic Deus Ex is half-price, while its predecessor, Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut, is available at a staggering 85% off. Looking ahead, Steam has more sales lined up for the month. From August 17 to 20, the Pins & Pegs Fest will celebrate games centered around pinball, bowling, and other related themes. Following that, the PvE Survival Crafting Fest will take place from August 31 to September 7, promising a diverse array of gaming experiences for enthusiasts." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 - Neon Struct: 90% off at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the realm of digital gaming, the term "cyberpunk" has taken on a life of its own, particularly during the ongoing Steam Cyberpunk Fest. This sale, which runs until 10 AM on August 10, invites players to explore a curated selection of games that embody the essence of cyberpunk, albeit with a tagline that leaves much to the imagination: "They say never look back. Cyberpunk says ALWAYS be in the future. Think about it." While the meaning may be elusive, the real draw lies in the enticing discounts that promise to enrich our gaming libraries with tales of cyborgs, hackers, and rebellion against oppressive systems. Highlights of the Sale Among the standout offerings are: Ruiner: Engage in slow-motion brawls alongside a commanding hacker mentor, now available for just 90% off at .99. Neon Struct: Dive into this immersive simulation as an ex-spy navigating life off the grid, with a remarkable discount of 90% off at .79. The Ascent: Traverse a beautifully crafted arcology in this action RPG, currently priced at 75% off for .49. Cruelty Squad: Experience the bizarre world of a corpo assassin simulator, now at an incredible 90% off for .99. The Red Strings Club: Unravel one of the best cyberpunk narratives available, with a discount of 80% off at .99. Shadowrun Hong Kong: Recruit a ghoul samurai and navigate the film industry for just 75% off at .99. Invisible, Inc: Discover the merits of turn-based stealth gameplay, available for 75% off at .99. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade: Enjoy this classic at a historic low price of 65% off for .99. Cyberpunk 2077: For those seeking the quintessential experience, this title is discounted by 70% to .99. Additionally, the iconic Deus Ex is half-price, while its predecessor, Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut, is available at a staggering 85% off. Looking ahead, Steam has more sales lined up for the month. From August 17 to 20, the Pins & Pegs Fest will celebrate games centered around pinball, bowling, and other related themes. Following that, the PvE Survival Crafting Fest will take place from August 31 to September 7, promising a diverse array of gaming experiences for enthusiasts." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].79 - The Ascent: 75% off at .49 - Cruelty Squad: 90% off at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the realm of digital gaming, the term "cyberpunk" has taken on a life of its own, particularly during the ongoing Steam Cyberpunk Fest. This sale, which runs until 10 AM on August 10, invites players to explore a curated selection of games that embody the essence of cyberpunk, albeit with a tagline that leaves much to the imagination: "They say never look back. Cyberpunk says ALWAYS be in the future. Think about it." While the meaning may be elusive, the real draw lies in the enticing discounts that promise to enrich our gaming libraries with tales of cyborgs, hackers, and rebellion against oppressive systems. Highlights of the Sale Among the standout offerings are: Ruiner: Engage in slow-motion brawls alongside a commanding hacker mentor, now available for just 90% off at .99. Neon Struct: Dive into this immersive simulation as an ex-spy navigating life off the grid, with a remarkable discount of 90% off at .79. The Ascent: Traverse a beautifully crafted arcology in this action RPG, currently priced at 75% off for .49. Cruelty Squad: Experience the bizarre world of a corpo assassin simulator, now at an incredible 90% off for .99. The Red Strings Club: Unravel one of the best cyberpunk narratives available, with a discount of 80% off at .99. Shadowrun Hong Kong: Recruit a ghoul samurai and navigate the film industry for just 75% off at .99. Invisible, Inc: Discover the merits of turn-based stealth gameplay, available for 75% off at .99. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade: Enjoy this classic at a historic low price of 65% off for .99. Cyberpunk 2077: For those seeking the quintessential experience, this title is discounted by 70% to .99. Additionally, the iconic Deus Ex is half-price, while its predecessor, Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut, is available at a staggering 85% off. Looking ahead, Steam has more sales lined up for the month. From August 17 to 20, the Pins & Pegs Fest will celebrate games centered around pinball, bowling, and other related themes. Following that, the PvE Survival Crafting Fest will take place from August 31 to September 7, promising a diverse array of gaming experiences for enthusiasts." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 - The Red Strings Club: 80% off at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the realm of digital gaming, the term "cyberpunk" has taken on a life of its own, particularly during the ongoing Steam Cyberpunk Fest. This sale, which runs until 10 AM on August 10, invites players to explore a curated selection of games that embody the essence of cyberpunk, albeit with a tagline that leaves much to the imagination: "They say never look back. Cyberpunk says ALWAYS be in the future. Think about it." While the meaning may be elusive, the real draw lies in the enticing discounts that promise to enrich our gaming libraries with tales of cyborgs, hackers, and rebellion against oppressive systems. Highlights of the Sale Among the standout offerings are: Ruiner: Engage in slow-motion brawls alongside a commanding hacker mentor, now available for just 90% off at .99. Neon Struct: Dive into this immersive simulation as an ex-spy navigating life off the grid, with a remarkable discount of 90% off at .79. The Ascent: Traverse a beautifully crafted arcology in this action RPG, currently priced at 75% off for .49. Cruelty Squad: Experience the bizarre world of a corpo assassin simulator, now at an incredible 90% off for .99. The Red Strings Club: Unravel one of the best cyberpunk narratives available, with a discount of 80% off at .99. Shadowrun Hong Kong: Recruit a ghoul samurai and navigate the film industry for just 75% off at .99. Invisible, Inc: Discover the merits of turn-based stealth gameplay, available for 75% off at .99. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade: Enjoy this classic at a historic low price of 65% off for .99. Cyberpunk 2077: For those seeking the quintessential experience, this title is discounted by 70% to .99. Additionally, the iconic Deus Ex is half-price, while its predecessor, Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut, is available at a staggering 85% off. Looking ahead, Steam has more sales lined up for the month. From August 17 to 20, the Pins & Pegs Fest will celebrate games centered around pinball, bowling, and other related themes. Following that, the PvE Survival Crafting Fest will take place from August 31 to September 7, promising a diverse array of gaming experiences for enthusiasts." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 - Shadowrun Hong Kong: 75% off at .99 - Invisible, Inc: 75% off at .99 - Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade: 65% off at .99 - Cyberpunk 2077: 70% off at .99 - Deus Ex: 50% off - Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut: 85% off Upcoming sales include the Pins & Pegs Fest from August 17 to 20 and the PvE Survival Crafting Fest from August 31 to September 7.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest is live with huge discounts on futuristic PC games

Steam has launched Cyberpunk Fest, a themed event lasting seven days, featuring discounts on various cyberpunk games, free demos, and previews of upcoming titles. Key highlights include Cyberpunk 2077, now priced at .99/€17.99/£14.99 with a 70% discount, and the Ultimate Edition at .10/€33.10/£27.58 with a 60% discount. Indie game Katanaut is available for .63/€5.42/£4.63 at a 69% discount, while Peripeteia is priced at .38/€17.93/£15.38 with a 25% discount. Other notable discounts include RoboCop: Rogue City at 90% off, and both Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided at 85% off. The event runs until August 10.