platform Archives

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

DroidDeck Brings SteamOS to Android in an App

Valve's SteamOS is now accessible on Android handhelds through an app called DroidDeck, which allows users to engage with games in a familiar interface. The installation process involves disabling the “Child-process limit” in Developer Options and using Wireless ADB Debugging if necessary. Users can then access the Steam section of the app to download essential components like the FEX and Proton drivers. DroidDeck also features a “Desktop” tab for a Linux desktop environment and enables the installation of emulators within the SteamOS. The app is currently available for download on GitHub, and developers are actively working on enhancements and bug fixes.

Tech Optimizer

October 10, 2026

DBtune autonomous optimization blows PostgreSQL bottlenecks away

DBtune, a startup based in Malmö/Lund, Sweden, was founded in 2020 by Dr. Luigi Nardi as a spin-off from Stanford University and Lund University. The company focuses on enhancing PostgreSQL's capabilities through autonomous database optimization technology and has raised .4 million in a seed round from various investors in July 2023, with support from the Wallenberg Foundation and Vinnova. DBtune's technology utilizes agentic AI for optimizing PostgreSQL databases by tuning server parameters, optimizing indexes, and monitoring autovacuum processes. The release of DBtune version 4.0 incorporates machine learning and AI to dynamically adjust server parameters and suggest optimal indexing strategies. The platform identifies and ranks potential index opportunities based on workload and provides recommendations for new indexes and maintenance of existing ones. A case study with Midwest Tape demonstrated a 10.8x performance improvement in database query runtime after employing DBtune for performance tuning. Benchmarking tests showed a transaction throughput increase of 87% during initial optimization, with a further 17% improvement on an already optimized system. Disk I/O activity was reduced by 43%, and WAL generation decreased by 23%. Dr. Nardi emphasizes the need for AI-driven optimization to manage the complexities of PostgreSQL databases and rising cloud costs, suggesting that significant code adaptations will be necessary for achieving fully autonomous PostgreSQL.

Tech Optimizer

October 10, 2026

How Telangana’s MeeSeva migration to open source could make governments rethink software costs

In April 2026, Telangana's MeeSeva platform migrated from the Oracle database to the open-source PostgreSQL database after 15 years of reliance on Oracle. This transition aimed to reduce annual costs of approximately ₹10 crore associated with Oracle licensing and maintenance. The initiative began in 2023, and the migration was executed with less than four hours of downtime, processing around 80,000 transactions daily. The migration involved over 85 microservices, three Oracle servers, and 1,939 tables, with the process automated by the Ora2Pg tool, which handled 60-70% of the transition. The migration cost was below ₹10 lakh, and after the switch, MeeSeva processed nearly 200 million transactions without data loss. The new architecture includes automatic failover capabilities to minimize disruption.

Winsage

October 10, 2026

Microsoft tries to spark new life into Windows

Microsoft is evolving its vision for Windows by transforming the operating system into an agentic platform that integrates AI agents and hybrid intelligence, utilizing local models instead of relying solely on cloud solutions. CEO Satya Nadella highlighted this transition as a new era for the Windows ecosystem, emphasizing security, identity, and management features aimed at both AI developers and everyday users. Windows chief Pavan Davuluri showcased local AI models, including GitHub Copilot, and introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra, which is powered by Nvidia’s RTX Spark chips and designed for developers and creators. The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at ,599 and can reach up to ,999, positioning itself as a premium device. Microsoft also unveiled a redesigned Windows Search interface aimed at enhancing user experience, although no significant advancements for Windows 12 were announced. The company recognizes the need to demonstrate practical advantages for regular users to maintain Windows' relevance in a changing computing landscape, especially as AI agents on cloud-based Linux virtual machines pose a challenge to Windows' dominance.

AppWizard

October 9, 2026

Google rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 7 for Pixel

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 7 has been released for Pixel devices, addressing issues such as excessive battery drain during idle states and failures of HTTPS downloads through the system DownloadManager. The update is available for a variety of Pixel devices, including Pixel 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold, 10a, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold. Users can report issues via the Android Beta Feedback app or the Android Beta community on Reddit. Sideloading is an option for those on Beta 6.1 to transition to Beta 7.

AppWizard

October 9, 2026

Threads takes ‘Gems’ to new places with badges for users who spur conversation

Threads, a social media platform under Meta, is launching a new initiative in the U.S. called "Gems," which will award a distinctive purple badge to public posts and replies that contribute to meaningful discussions. This feature aims to foster engaging discourse among users. Additionally, Threads has introduced "ghost posts," which disappear after 24 hours, allowing users to share temporary thoughts and receive replies in direct messages. Another feature, "Dear Algo," lets users customize their content feed for up to three days and share their preferences with others.

AppWizard

October 9, 2026

WhatsApp Spotted Testing New Contacts Tab on Android

WhatsApp is testing a dedicated Contacts tab in its Android application, currently available in the beta version. This tab is integrated into the navigation bar and allows users direct access to their contact list, featuring a green dot indicator for online users. The new section includes birthday reminders with notifications and emojis, a search bar for locating contacts by name, phone number, or username, and sorting options for organizing the contact list by activity or alphabetically. Users who have disabled their "last seen/online" status will not appear as active.

AppWizard

October 9, 2026

Android YouTube App Testing Automatic Shorts Playback on Startup

Google is experimenting with the Android version of its YouTube app by introducing an autoplay feature for "YouTube Shorts," which begins playing automatically upon launching the app. This behavior has been observed on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, where the autoplay persists even after the app is force-stopped. There is currently no setting available to disable this feature, leading to user frustration. Not all Android users are experiencing this issue, as it has not been universally confirmed across all devices.

Winsage

October 9, 2026

Jensen Huang remembers Windows early days, crediting Microsoft, says that ‘Nvidia was founded because of Windows’; CEO Satya Nadella jokes: If you could just do a little transfer of…

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that Nvidia was founded due to the introduction of Windows 3.1 in 1992, which laid the groundwork for GPUs. He highlighted that Windows 95 and DirectX allowed for the integration of GPUs into PCs, with DirectX 8 enabling the creation of the first programmable GPU featuring programmable shaders, leading to CUDA. Huang emphasized that without Windows, there would be no GeForce, and consequently, AI researchers might not have had the necessary computational resources for deep learning. The conversation also touched on a four-year collaboration between Nvidia and Microsoft that resulted in the RTX Spark project, which required over 4,000 engineering years and extensive testing across more than 1,200 applications. Laptops featuring RTX Spark are available for preorder, with shipments starting on October 16.

Winsage

October 9, 2026

“Really not bad at all” — Surface Laptop Ultra prices have landed, and the Windows community has something to say

Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop Ultra on October 7, with shipping starting on October 16 and preorders available at a starting price of ,599. It is the most affordable high-performance laptop featuring the RTX Spark technology, with many expecting a higher starting price of ,999. The device offers two configurations: one with an 18-core CPU and 5120-core GPU, and a higher-end model with a 20-core CPU and 6144-core GPU, with a price difference of approximately ,100 between them. The Surface Laptop Ultra includes a breakaway USB-C port that detaches if tripped over, which has received positive feedback, although some critics view it as a late adaptation of existing technology.