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Performance Improvements

Windows 11’s big patch Tuesday allows you to hold off on updates for longer
Winsage
July 14, 2026

Windows 11’s big patch Tuesday allows you to hold off on updates for longer

Microsoft has introduced enhancements for Windows 11, including the ability to pause updates indefinitely, allowing users to delay updates for up to 35 days with the option to extend this deadline. The update also addresses several security vulnerabilities using artificial intelligence for identification and patching. Additional features include a "Point-in-time restore" option, customization options for Widgets, a more precise magnification tool, and improved stability for certain Bluetooth devices.
Who Needs a Steam Machine? I Converted My PC for Free and It Was Simple
AppWizard
July 6, 2026

Who Needs a Steam Machine? I Converted My PC for Free and It Was Simple

The Steam Machine offers PC gamers a console-like experience with access to the Steam library and various PC games. The starting price is ,049 due to RAMageddon, prompting some users to consider building their own Steam Machine. Valve provides a guide for installing SteamOS, which requires compatible hardware, including a 12th-gen Intel Core processor and an NVMe solid-state drive. An 8GB or larger USB drive is needed to create installation media. Users should disconnect other drives to avoid data loss during installation. The installation process involves selecting "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS," which erases the system. After installation, users must configure settings like language, time zone, and audio output. SteamOS operates in a Big Picture Mode, allowing easy navigation with a controller. Benefits of SteamOS include avoiding Windows-related frustrations and potential performance improvements in some games, although results may vary.
Sand publisher celebrates 300,000 copies sold: 'We getting a half hour of air conditioning tonight!'
AppWizard
July 4, 2026

Sand publisher celebrates 300,000 copies sold: ‘We getting a half hour of air conditioning tonight!’

Sand: Raiders of Sophie, a steampunk-mechs-in-the-desert game, sold 300,000 copies after its early access launch. An update released on July 2 caused connection issues, leading to a rollback of changes. The game ranks among the top 100 most played games. The second update on June 2 faced backlash due to connectivity problems but was quickly addressed. The update included fixes for server availability, enhanced BattlEye functionality, refined character movement, and various balance changes. Known issues include characters getting stuck on ladders and transparency issues in spectator mode.
Intel's major driver update for Windows 11 delivers performance boost, ships with Microsoft's quality promise
Winsage
July 3, 2026

Intel’s major driver update for Windows 11 delivers performance boost, ships with Microsoft’s quality promise

Microsoft's Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) aims to enhance driver stability and predictability for Windows 11, with Intel recently releasing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi driver updates (version 24.50.0) that align with this initiative. The DQI, discussed at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in May 2026, involves collaboration with major tech companies like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm to improve driver reliability. Microsoft has mandated OEMs to follow strict security policies and adopt Microsoft-authored class drivers to reduce kernel interference and enhance performance and security. The initiative includes quality benchmarks focused on stability, functionality, performance, and reduced power impact. Intel is the first to adopt these changes, with AMD also committing to high-quality driver collaboration.
Windows 11’s huge July 14 update is loaded with new features — these are the 13 that matter most
Winsage
June 26, 2026

Windows 11’s huge July 14 update is loaded with new features — these are the 13 that matter most

Microsoft will launch the Windows 11 July 2026 Security Update on July 14, 2026, introducing new features and bug fixes. Key features include the Point-in-time Restore recovery feature, which allows users to revert to a stable system state using restore points, and enhancements to Bluetooth, network virtualization, and touchpad functionality. The update will be available for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, managed through Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology. The update enhances the "Pause updates" functionality with a calendar view for pausing updates for up to 35 days. The Magnifier tool will allow users to input exact zoom percentages, and printer installations will default to the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). Location settings will be simplified, and File Explorer will see performance improvements, including new options on the Home page. Bluetooth enhancements will improve reliability and audio performance, while Phone Link will refine call handling between Windows 11 and smartphones. Voice Typing and Voice Access will be improved for real-time text refinement and support multiple languages. Networking improvements will focus on reliability and performance, particularly in virtualized environments, and touchpad customization options will allow adjustments to the right-click area.
EDB launches agentic Postgres AI with governance tools
Tech Optimizer
June 26, 2026

EDB launches agentic Postgres AI with governance tools

EDB has introduced new features for its Postgres AI platform, including an agentic database and converged analytics capabilities, allowing enterprises to run AI agents alongside transactional workloads on a unified PostgreSQL foundation. The platform includes governance tools that position control mechanisms at the data layer and integrates AI processing with operational data, enabling businesses to connect live records with AI systems without transferring sensitive information. The agentic database can monitor over 200 metrics, identify issues, suggest changes, and apply fixes automatically based on user-defined policies. It consolidates various data types through a single SQL interface, significantly accelerating database tuning processes and enhancing application performance. EDB has also expanded its analytics capabilities with a zero-ETL architecture for real-time analysis and large-scale warehousing. EDB PG AI for ClickHouse targets real-time analysis, while EDB PG AI for WarehousePG focuses on historical analysis at petabyte scale. The platform claims up to 30 times faster query performance compared to legacy systems and improved scaling efficiency. EDB's platform integrates vector search and retrieval for AI agents, demonstrating lower query latency and higher retrieval accuracy than competitors. NTT East is using EDB PG AI for AI-driven network operations, while the governance feature manages agent access at the data querying point using native Postgres roles and row-level security. The platform can be deployed on-premises, in hybrid environments, or across cloud infrastructures, with partnerships including Dell, IBM, Nvidia, Red Hat, and Supermicro.
How Five PostgreSQL Optimizations Sped Up Our Dashboard
Tech Optimizer
June 20, 2026

How Five PostgreSQL Optimizations Sped Up Our Dashboard

The dashboard operates on a Django monolith with PostgreSQL and is transitioning to ClickHouse for denormalization. The initial p50 metric was 0.7 seconds, but the p95 was 8 seconds, which was reduced to 1 second. Observability tools were established to monitor performance, and slow HTTP requests were identified using OpenTelemetry traces. Optimization techniques included late joining, asynchronous counting, creating a PostgreSQL replica for read operations, and improving full-text search. Denormalization was explored to enhance filtering performance by creating composite indexes. The production stack was upgraded to PostgreSQL 18, which provided incremental performance improvements. The final p95 value achieved was 1 second, below the target of 3 seconds.
These crucial Google services on Samsung phones may be waiting for you to update
AppWizard
June 19, 2026

These crucial Google services on Samsung phones may be waiting for you to update

Google has begun rolling out updates for the Android System SafetyCore (version 1.0.925574157), Android System WebView (version 149.0.7827.91), and Google Play Services (version 26.22.33) on Samsung devices. Users must manually update these apps by navigating to the Settings menu, locating the Apps section, and selecting "App details in store" for each app. The updates are available for devices running One UI 8.5 and One UI 9 in India, with uncertain availability in other markets.
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