Outlook

AppWizard
June 8, 2025
Google overhauled its weather app, replacing the weather frog with a new Pixel Weather app for the Pixel 9, which can now be accessed through Google Search. Users expressed dissatisfaction with the need to search for the frog, leading to the emergence of a third-party app called Weather Master. In a poll, 59% of users reported using whatever weather app is pre-installed on their phone, 38% used a third-party app, and 3% did not use a weather app at all. Weather Master features an animated frog, displays current temperature and forecasts, offers a Quick Summary section, and provides clothing and activity suggestions. It allows for customization and includes a radar function, though it has limitations in depth of information and visual data transitions. Despite its flaws, Weather Master is considered user-friendly and has become a preferred choice for some users over Google's official offering.
Winsage
June 6, 2025
Leo and Paul discuss various topics on the latest episode of Windows Weekly, including Notepad, updates in Windows 11, Microsoft 365, artificial intelligence, and Xbox gaming. A new free newsletter offers time-saving tips and complimentary Field Guides for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Microsoft is reorganizing its AI initiatives and phasing out password management features in the Microsoft Authenticator app. The upcoming June 2025 update for Outlook will introduce new features, and Microsoft 365 Copilot now has general availability for Research and Analyst AI agents. The New York Times has licensed its content to Amazon, and Samsung is reconsidering its partnership with Gemini. Microsoft has delayed the launch of its first-party Xbox and Windows gaming handheld and has secured its first agreement with a game studio union. J Allard, a former Microsoft executive, is among many ex-Microsoft leaders now at Amazon. A tip suggests replacing OneDrive/Google Drive with a NAS, and Microsoft Edge 137 is highlighted as a significant update. Photoshop for Android is now available for free during its beta phase.
Winsage
June 4, 2025
Microsoft Office 2021 is currently available for a one-time purchase of .97, reduced from its regular price of 9.99. This version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (free version), OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Users receive instant download codes for immediate installation on a single computer, ensuring uninterrupted access without recurring fees. Microsoft 365, in contrast, operates on a subscription model that has recently seen a price increase, making Office 2021 a more economical choice for individuals and businesses. The offer is time-limited, and prices on StackSocial may change.
Tech Optimizer
June 4, 2025
Snowflake plans to acquire Crunchy Data, a leader in open-source PostgreSQL technology, to enhance its AI Data Cloud by integrating a fully enterprise-ready Postgres experience. This acquisition addresses the growing demand for production-grade PostgreSQL environments that combine open-source strengths with security, compliance, and scalability, particularly for AI applications. Crunchy Data is known for providing enterprise-class enhancements for Postgres, especially in regulated sectors. The integration aims to help enterprises build AI-native applications while maintaining security and operational control. Snowflake sees a [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: Snowflake, a prominent player in the AI Data Cloud sector, has unveiled its plans to acquire Crunchy Data, a recognized leader in trusted open-source PostgreSQL technology. This announcement, made during the Snowflake Summit 2025, signifies a strategic initiative to incorporate a fully enterprise-ready and developer-friendly Postgres experience into the Snowflake AI Data Cloud. The acquisition is timely, responding to the increasing demand from enterprises for production-grade PostgreSQL environments that combine the strengths of open-source Postgres with essential features such as security, compliance, and scalability—elements that are particularly vital for AI-driven applications. The forthcoming Snowflake Postgres, leveraging Crunchy Data’s technology, aims to fulfill this need. Postgres for AI-Era Workloads PostgreSQL has emerged as the database of choice for nearly half of developers, who utilize it across a variety of workloads. However, deploying Postgres at an enterprise scale, especially for AI-powered applications, has traditionally involved navigating trade-offs between flexibility, governance, and performance. Crunchy Data has established a reputation for overcoming these challenges by providing enterprise-class enhancements for Postgres, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as federal agencies and Fortune 500 financial institutions. By integrating this expertise into the Snowflake platform, Snowflake Postgres will enable teams to develop AI agents, transactional applications, and analytics solutions within a cohesive and governed data ecosystem. “With this acquisition, Snowflake is doubling down on its commitment to help enterprises build AI-native applications without compromising on security or operational control,” remarked Vivek Raghunathan, SVP of Engineering at Snowflake. “Our customers want the best of both worlds: Postgres flexibility combined with enterprise trust—and we’re delivering exactly that.” A Strategic Fit This acquisition extends beyond merely enhancing technical capabilities; it also opens new market opportunities. Snowflake identifies a 0 billion addressable market at the intersection of transactional data and AI. By merging Crunchy Data’s established stack with Snowflake’s scalable infrastructure and AI ecosystem, the company aspires to transform how developers deploy and scale modern applications. Paul Laurence, Co-Founder of Crunchy Data, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We founded Crunchy Data to bring secure, enterprise-grade Postgres to mission-critical environments. Partnering with Snowflake allows us to scale that mission globally, instilling confidence in customers to run sensitive workloads on a modern AI data platform.” Organizations like Blue Yonder and LandingAI, which currently leverage PostgreSQL for their operational applications, are poised to reap immediate benefits. With Snowflake Postgres, they can expedite deployment cycles, streamline AI integration, and maintain compliance—all without the need to overhaul their core data infrastructure. Future Outlook Snowflake has committed to providing ongoing support for existing Crunchy Data customers and has reiterated its long-term dedication to the open-source Postgres community. The newly introduced Snowflake Postgres is set to enter private preview soon, with plans for deeper integration into Snowflake's Unistore offering, which seamlessly combines transactional and analytical workloads. This acquisition represents a significant milestone in Snowflake’s mission to deliver a unified, AI-first data platform, one that empowers enterprises to innovate without sacrificing trust." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] billion addressable market at the intersection of transactional data and AI, and the acquisition will allow it to transform how developers deploy and scale applications. Existing Crunchy Data customers will continue to receive support, and Snowflake Postgres will soon enter private preview, with plans for integration into Snowflake's Unistore offering.
Winsage
June 4, 2025
Microsoft has made adjustments to its Windows operating system to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Designated as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA in 2023, Microsoft is required to modify its core platform services. The changes announced in March 2024 for European users include the ability to uninstall Edge and Bing, support for third-party web applications on the Windows taskbar, and revisions to sign-on practices. Users will now only receive notifications to set Edge as their default browser after opening it, and the "Set Default" button will cover more file types in the EEA. Some enhancements are available in the Beta Channel, with a broader rollout expected in July. Windows Search will allow EEA users to install applications that designate alternative web search providers, and users will soon be able to uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Store. Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Vivaldi, praised the changes but noted that the process for setting a preferred default browser still needs improvement.
Winsage
June 3, 2025
Many users are paying recurring fees for Microsoft 365 subscriptions for applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. A one-time purchase option for Microsoft Office is available for .99, which includes essential applications and eliminates ongoing costs. This version supports macOS Ventura and is optimized for Retina displays. It offers lifetime access without the need for monthly payments, making it a more economical choice compared to Microsoft 365, which costs 0 annually. A Windows version is also available. The deal provides a stable version of Office without unexpected updates or changes.
Winsage
June 3, 2025
User adoption of Windows 11 is slowing, with its market share decreasing from a peak of 43.72 percent in May to 43.22 percent in early June 2025. In contrast, Windows 10's market share has increased to 53.19 percent. Expert Kieren Jessop from Canalys notes that while the figures may seem concerning, they align with forecasts, and a monthly increase in Windows 11 adoption of 0.5 to 1.5 percent is anticipated through October. Canalys projects an 8.1 percent growth in commercial shipments of Windows-only devices in the US for 2025, but a decline in consumer shipments is expected, with a -2.5 percent decrease in the US and a -0.7 percent decrease globally.
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