AYANEO has paused its Kickstarter campaign for the Pocket Play smartphone as part of its "Service Improvement Plan" to address community complaints about unfulfilled orders and delays.
Microsoft has officially ceased all support for Windows Server 2008 as of January 13, 2026, including paid extended security updates. This end-of-life scenario poses significant security risks for organizations still using the outdated operating system, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. The transition away from Windows Server 2008 requires careful planning, as many organizations face challenges in migrating legacy applications to modern systems. The lack of ongoing patches means that any new vulnerabilities will remain unaddressed, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance failures, particularly in regulated sectors like healthcare and finance. Microsoft has encouraged migration to Azure, offering incentives for early adopters, but the transition can be complex and costly. The end of support also affects global supply chains and compatibility with newer software applications. Organizations are advised to conduct audits of their software portfolios and consider hybrid environments to enhance flexibility and security.
PostgREST is a web server developed in Haskell that converts PostgreSQL databases into RESTful APIs, offering a more efficient and standards-compliant alternative to manual CRUD programming. It achieves subsecond response times for up to 2000 requests per second, utilizing the Warp HTTP server and offloading tasks like JSON serialization and data validation to the database. Authentication is managed through JSON Web Tokens (JWT), with authorization based on database-defined roles. PostgREST avoids using Object Relational Mappers (ORMs) and encourages declarative constraints in databases to maintain data integrity. User feedback has been mostly positive, although some have expressed concerns about complexities in production environments.
On Tuesday, Microsoft released its first security update for 2026, addressing 114 vulnerabilities, including eight classified as Critical and 106 as Important. The vulnerabilities include 58 related to privilege escalation, 22 concerning information disclosure, 21 linked to remote code execution, and five categorized as spoofing flaws. A notable vulnerability, CVE-2026-20805, involves information disclosure within the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) and has a CVSS score of 5.5. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added this flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, requiring federal agencies to implement fixes by February 3, 2026. Additionally, Microsoft announced the expiration of three Windows Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011, effective June 2026, urging customers to transition to newer certificates to avoid disruptions. The update also removed vulnerable Agere Soft Modem drivers due to a local privilege escalation flaw (CVE-2023-31096) and addressed another critical privilege escalation flaw in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (CVE-2026-20876) with a CVSS score of 6.7. Other vendors, including Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and Cisco, have also released security patches for various vulnerabilities.
Microsoft's Copilot AI has received mixed reviews from users, with many preferring a more reliable operating system over new AI features. Users have reported inaccuracies in Copilot's responses and raised concerns about privacy and resource consumption. To disable or remove Copilot in Windows 10 and 11, users can access Task Manager, navigate to Startup apps, and disable Copilot. Additionally, tools like "Remove Windows AI" and "Flyoobe" can help manage AI components, with the latter allowing users to disable specific AI settings after installation.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is known for its realistic portrayal of horses, including details like the protagonist's horse testicles shrinking in cold weather, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail in triple-A game production. In contrast, Peak originated from a four-week game jam and gained success, leading its creators to invest more time in its development. Co-creator Nick Kaman noted the increasing demand for smaller-scale games and emphasized that while financial challenges exist, there is still a vibrant player base for innovative experiences. He remarked that opportunities for mid-sized and small studios are diminishing, highlighting a trend in the gaming industry between large-scale projects and smaller creative endeavors.
Players can collect Helium from small meteorites on the planet's surface in StarRupture. Initially, Helium may seem unimportant compared to other materials like Wolfram, Titanium, and Calcium, but its demand increases as the game progresses. Helium-rich locations are nearby, and players should equip weapons and ammunition to deal with monsters while gathering Helium. Players can also find the Stabilizer blueprint location close to Helium deposits. After collecting enough Helium, players must connect power sources and place Helium-3 Extractors on vents for efficient production and storage.
Microsoft will conclude support for several key products on October 14, 2026, including Windows 11 version 24H2 and Office 2021. This end-of-support wave also affects various Azure services, Exchange Server versions, and certain .NET frameworks. Organizations must evaluate migration costs and risks associated with operating unsupported products, as the lack of updates could lead to security vulnerabilities. Extended Security Updates (ESUs) will be available for select products but at a premium cost. Migration challenges include potential hardware incompatibilities and the need for custom solutions for legacy applications. Proactive planning, inventory assessments, and prioritizing critical systems for migration are recommended strategies. The transition aligns with Microsoft's vision of promoting cloud-based and AI-enhanced technologies. Economic implications include increased IT spending, particularly affecting small and medium enterprises.
The theatrical market in the U.K. and Ireland generated £1.07 billion in 2025, reflecting a 1% increase from the previous year and marking the strongest box office performance since the pandemic began. The leading film was Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie,” which earned £45.9 million, followed by Universal’s “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” at £30.7 million, and Universal’s “Wicked: For Good.” Despite this growth, the figures are still 21% below the pre-pandemic benchmark of 2019. The year saw a record 224 saturation releases, up from 200 in 2024, indicating a recovery from pandemic-related production delays. Universal’s “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” opened in over 750 cinemas in September.
Rhea Seehorn began her acting career by portraying a sorceress in the 1997 Magic: The Gathering PC game. She currently stars as Carol in the series Pluribus, created by Vince Gilligan, which is set in a post-alien invasion world. Seehorn's performance in Pluribus has earned her the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Actress. Clips from her early work in Magic: The Gathering have gone viral on social media, and the complete tutorial is available on YouTube. Seehorn humorously recalled the low-budget production, where she wore tube socks with electrical tape instead of proper footwear. After Magic: The Gathering, she appeared in Homicide: Life On The Streets and had a recurring role in I’m With Her. Her breakout role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul established her reputation in the industry.
