pilot Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

‘A firm announcement is dependent on this final stretch of work’: Fans are spinning out over extraction shooter Sand’s lack of a specific March release date

Sand: Raiders of Sophie is an upcoming PvPvE extraction shooter set to release in March 2026, according to Steam, though no specific date has been provided. The game's community is expressing concern and uncertainty regarding the release date, prompting community managers to reassure fans that updates will be shared when available. The development team is currently finalizing critical details before making a firm announcement about the release date.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Dutch government tests European messaging app to reduce reliance on WhatsApp

The Dutch government is exploring alternatives to foreign messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal to enhance its digital sovereignty. State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts has raised concerns about the risks of relying on these external platforms, prompting her ministry to initiate a pilot project to test a European messaging app. This project is part of a broader strategy to create a messaging platform entirely under Dutch control, aimed at safeguarding government communications and aligning with EU values and regulations. The initiative reflects a trend among European nations to prioritize digital sovereignty amid growing concerns over data privacy and security. The pilot project is expected to provide insights for future decisions on digital communication tools in the Netherlands.

Tech Optimizer

March 13, 2026

EDB tops new ranking of commercial Postgres backers

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has launched the Postgres Vitality Index, which ranks commercial contributors to PostgreSQL, highlighting EDB's claim of over 30% of contributions. The index evaluates contributions based on core code, ecosystem extensions, and community support. EDB is positioned ahead of AWS and Microsoft in contributions. EDB's product strategy includes EDB Postgres AI, addressing data sovereignty and governance for AI systems, emphasizing a hybrid architecture for various workloads. EDB aims to enhance Postgres's readiness for enterprise AI, while also publishing resources related to Postgres and AI architecture. The index's introduction aligns with an increase in managed Postgres offerings and tools from various vendors.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

New Telegram app lets whistleblowers report fraud without sharing personal data

AlphaTON Capital Corp. and the Midnight Foundation launched the Vera Report, an anonymous reporting application for whistleblowers, on March 3, 2026. The platform uses advanced technologies such as confidential computing, zero-knowledge proofs, blockchain anchoring, and decentralized storage via IPFS. It targets a market of 1 billion monthly active users and addresses significant U.S. fraud losses estimated between 0 billion and trillion, with the DOJ recovering .8 billion in fiscal year 2025, of which .3 billion came from whistleblower cases. On the announcement day, ATON shares declined by 2.07%, with a market cap impact of approximately K. The Vera Report aims to improve privacy and accountability in government and corporate sectors by facilitating anonymous reporting while protecting whistleblower identities.

AppWizard

March 6, 2026

YouTube Expands In-App Direct Messaging Test

YouTube is expanding its revamped direct messaging feature from an initial trial in Poland and Ireland to 31 European countries. This feature, available to signed-in users aged 18 and older, allows users to send direct messages and share videos within the YouTube app. The messaging remains experimental and is focused on one-on-one or small group interactions rather than creating a comprehensive social inbox. Users in the United States and other regions are not part of this trial. The age restriction and invite acceptance requirement aim to enhance safety and privacy. YouTube is implementing moderation tools, spam controls, and reporting mechanisms to ensure user protection. The effectiveness of this feature could influence future developments and potential global rollout.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

How to migrate applications to Windows 11

Organizations are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 following the end-of-support date for Windows 10. Windows 11 is designed to support most applications that ran on Windows 10, but challenges may arise due to undocumented legacy applications and configurations. A thorough evaluation of devices, including installed applications and data locations, is essential to minimize disruptions during the upgrade. Migrations can be categorized as clean installations or in-place upgrades. A clean installation erases the previous OS and data, while an in-place upgrade retains existing settings and applications. In-place upgrades are not allowed for certain transitions, such as from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro without first upgrading to Windows 10 Pro. IT professionals often prefer clean installations to avoid carrying over issues from the previous OS. During an in-place upgrade, data in library folders is retained, but data in the Windows folder may be at risk. Compatibility issues may arise with poorly designed applications or drivers post-upgrade, particularly with legacy applications reliant on outdated frameworks. Preparation for migration includes creating an inventory of applications, identifying potential incompatibilities, and ensuring backups of data. IT must also confirm hardware meets Windows 11 requirements. If a clean installation is chosen, strategies for application installation must be developed, utilizing tools like System Center Configuration Manager or Microsoft Intune. Validation and testing of migration tools should occur in a lab environment, followed by a pilot deployment on a small percentage of machines. After successful pilot testing, the final deployment can proceed, followed by an audit to address any issues. Careful planning and testing are crucial for a smooth migration process.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

The PC VR Demos In Steam Next Fest February 2026

Steam has launched its triannual showcase, featuring upcoming PC VR games and demos. Notable titles include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City, Echoes of Mora, and Alliance Tales: Battle For The Frontier. Developers can modify their demo participation, and the showcase lineup includes various titles such as Birdseed VR, Wingsuit: Romsdalen, and Combat Pilot: Carrier Qualification. Steam Next Fest will run until 10 AM Pacific Standard Time on March 2nd.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game Star Wrath announced for PC

Gaijin Entertainment, in collaboration with Targem Games, is launching a free-to-play multiplayer extraction action game called Star Wrath on PC via Steam in 2026. A closed beta test is currently underway, with invitations being distributed. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic universe where players design ships, engage in battles, gather resources, and explore the solar system. Key features include custom ship building, advanced destruction mechanics, dynamic nebula warfare, unique pilot skills, and realistic spaceflight physics.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Google banned 80,000 developer accounts, blocked 27 million dangerous apps from outside Google Play and more: How Google kept Android users safe in 2025 – The Times of India

Google's annual review highlighted its security measures for Android and Google Play, reporting that in 2025, it prevented over 1.75 million policy-violating apps from being published and banned more than 80,000 developer accounts. Google Play conducted over 10,000 safety checks on every app, blocked 160 million spam ratings, and Google Play Protect scanned over 350 billion Android apps daily. New fraud protection features were introduced, blocking 266 million risky installations and protecting users from 872,000 high-risk applications. Developer tools were enhanced with Play Policy Insights and expanded pre-review checks, while the Play Integrity API conducted over 20 billion checks daily. Google plans to invest further in AI-driven defenses and implement developer verifications in 2026.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Keeping Google Play & Android app ecosystems safe in 2025

The Android ecosystem focuses on preventing real-world harm, including malware and privacy invasions, by enhancing investments in AI and real-time defenses. In 2025, over 1.75 million policy-violating apps were prevented from being published, and more than 80,000 malicious developer accounts were banned. Google Play conducts over 10,000 safety checks on each app, blocking over 255,000 apps from accessing sensitive user data and 160 million spam ratings and reviews. Google Play Protect scans over 350 billion apps daily, identifying over 27 million new malicious apps last year. Enhanced fraud protection was expanded to 185 markets, blocking 266 million risky installation attempts. Developer tools like Play Policy Insights and the Play Integrity API were introduced to streamline app development and enhance security. Developer verification is being extended to ensure accountability, and Android 16 includes features to protect sensitive information with minimal code.