snapshot Archives

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

Minecraft Snapshot 26.1 Introduces Golden Dandelion and Baby Mobs

Mojang Studios has released the fifth snapshot of Minecraft version 26.1, featuring refined baby aquatic mobs with redesigned shapes and adjusted bounding boxes for improved interaction. Players can now craft the Golden Dandelion by combining a standard dandelion with eight gold nuggets, which prevents certain baby mobs from maturing, though it cannot be used on hostile baby mobs or villagers. Baby chickens have received new sound effects, enhancing the immersive experience. The snapshot is experimental and encourages player feedback for future updates.

Tech Optimizer

January 29, 2026

Aurora PostgreSQL 13 Deadline: Four Upgrade Paths to Beat February Cutoff

Standard support for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL version 13 will end on February 28, 2026. PostgreSQL 13 will be deprecated by the community in November 2025, ceasing to receive bug fixes or security patches. AWS recommends upgrading to newer versions, such as 16 or 17, which offer significant performance enhancements and improved security. PostgreSQL 17 can achieve up to twice the write throughput and consumes 20 times less memory during vacuum operations. Version 16 introduces pg_stat_io for detailed I/O statistics, while version 14 includes a vacuum emergency mode. Aurora-specific enhancements in version 14.9 and later can lead to faster query latency and reduced costs. Version 14 introduces new roles for access control, and version 15 revokes certain permissions. Major upgrades in logical replication include automatic slot synchronization in version 17 and support for parallel apply in version 16. Transitioning between major versions requires careful examination of catalog changes, as some views and configuration parameters will evolve. Extensions must be verified, as most do not auto-upgrade. An in-place major version upgrade can be performed via the AWS Console or CLI, with downtime varying based on database size. AWS recommends snapshot-based testing beforehand. The CLI command can check valid upgrade targets, leading from version 13 to 14, 15, 16, or 17. Preparation involves validating instance classes and dropping replication slots. Amazon RDS Blue/Green deployments allow for near-zero downtime by synchronizing production with a staging environment, enabling application testing before traffic switching. This feature is supported from Aurora PostgreSQL version 13.12 onward. Logical replication through pglogical offers flexibility for minimal downtime, while AWS DMS supports homogeneous migration with Change Data Capture. Extended Support is available for a fee, providing up to three years of security patches. Best practices include replicating production environments in staging, conducting load tests, and validating queries against new catalogs. Recent minor releases, including Aurora PostgreSQL 17.6 and 16.10, showcase ongoing improvements. Engaging AWS Support is advisable for complex setups to ensure seamless transitions before the deadline.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 5

Players can now enjoy new features in the latest snapshot release, including baby versions of aquatic mobs such as axolotls, dolphins, turtles, squids, and glow squids. A new item, the Golden Dandelion, can be used to prevent baby mobs from aging. Crafting the Golden Dandelion requires a standard dandelion and gold nuggets. The bounding boxes for baby squids, glow squids, axolotls, and turtles have been adjusted to fit their new models. The Data Pack version has been updated to 98, and the Resource Pack version is now at 79. New sound effects for baby chickens and the Golden Dandelion have been added, and several bugs have been fixed in this release. Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and players are advised to back up their worlds before testing.

Winsage

January 28, 2026

Microsoft is finally fixing Windows 11 under the hood — but new stats suggest it could be too little, too late

Microsoft is introducing significant platform changes with Windows 11, specifically the 26300 series in the Dev channel. Recent statistics from Statcounter indicate a decline in Windows 11's market share from 55.18% in October 2025 to 50.73% in December, a decrease of approximately 4.5%. In contrast, Windows 10's user base has increased by 3%, while Windows 7 has seen a 1.3% uptick. Microsoft is launching the Bromine platform to support Arm-based laptops, separating its development from existing Windows 11 systems. The upcoming Windows 11 26H1 will specifically cater to Arm devices, while non-Arm PCs will receive updates based on the Germanium platform. The company aims to improve stability and rebuild consumer trust amid ongoing concerns about bugs and AI integration.

Tech Optimizer

January 28, 2026

Strategies for upgrading Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL from version 13

Standard support for PostgreSQL version 13 will end on February 28, 2026. Upgrading to newer PostgreSQL versions can enhance database performance and introduce new features. Notable enhancements in recent versions include: - Vacuum emergency mode (v14+) to manage old row versions. - Improved I/O performance (v17) with better write throughput. - Enhanced query optimization (v17+) for IN clauses and parallel BRIN index builds. - Memory efficiency improvements (v17) reducing vacuum memory usage. - Advanced monitoring features like pg_stat_io (v16+) and pg_wait_events (v17+). - Logical replication improvements such as failover support and slot migration (v17+). - Developer experience enhancements including JSONB subscripting (v14+) and SQL/JSON JSON_TABLE (v17+). - Security enhancements with new roles for access control (v14+) and maintenance tasks (v17+). For Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible, upgrading to versions v14.9+, v15.4+, v16.1+, and higher can yield performance optimizations, including faster query latency and cost savings. Changes in system catalog views and configuration parameters have occurred in PostgreSQL versions 14 to 17, impacting application compatibility. Upgrade strategies include in-place upgrades, blue/green deployments, logical replication, and using AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS). If an immediate upgrade is not possible, Amazon RDS Extended Support offers up to three years of continued security patches and bug fixes beyond the standard support end date.

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

Poll Reveals 2025 Favorite Android Apps And Games

Androidify won the app vote with over 40% of responses, leaving other contenders far behind. The result shows that users value delight and personality in apps over utilitarian features. In gaming, Red Dead Redemption took the top spot with around 30% of the vote, indicating a growing appetite for high-quality premium games on mobile devices. The success of Androidify and Red Dead Redemption highlights the importance of blending functional utility with personality and delivering premium-grade gaming experiences on mobile platforms.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Hytale-Minecraft Crossplay Achieved By 15-Year-Old Modder

A modder has created a Minecraft server within the Hytale Java Virtual Machine (JVM) by utilizing the shared Coordinate System of the Hytale world, allowing for seamless integration. This project is currently a proof of concept and the developer plans to continue updating it.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

WATCH: Alberta hospital worker seen playing Minecraft at work

A video from an Alberta hospital shows an employee playing Minecraft during work hours, which has sparked public discussion about workplace conduct and employee engagement in high-stakes environments. The footage, shared by Yeg Insider on TikTok, has elicited mixed reactions regarding the balance between personal downtime and professional responsibilities. The incident raises questions about workplace culture and the expectations of productivity in healthcare settings.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

What Kind of Minecraft Player Are You, Really?

Minecraft is a game that allows for diverse playstyles beyond simply defeating the Ender Dragon. Players engage in various activities such as building massive automated farms, creating intricate bases, exploring for rare structures, or focusing on survival challenges. Playstyle analysis tests have emerged to better understand player behavior, categorizing them into roles like Builders, Explorers, and Hardcore Survivors based on their in-game actions rather than achievements. Builders focus on long-term projects and aesthetics, Explorers prioritize adventure and discovery, while Hardcore players emphasize skill and survival strategies. Modern playstyle tests evaluate gameplay commitment, risk tolerance, and engagement with game mechanics, producing visually appealing result cards for sharing within the community. Recent updates to Minecraft have influenced player interactions, encouraging structured exploration and enhancing automation. There is a growing trend towards valuing long-term survival worlds, with players investing more time in their projects. Most players exhibit a blend of styles, contributing to the game's replayability and the relevance of nuanced playstyle analysis.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

Hytale and Minecraft Get Crossplay Capability Thanks to Intrepid Modder

The newly-released sandbox adventure game Hytale originated from a Minecraft mod called Hypixel. A modder known as u/ssquadteam (iamcxv7) has developed a method for crossplay between Minecraft and Hytale, allowing players to build, chat, and engage in combat together. This innovation involves running a Minecraft server within the Hytale JVM, using Hytale's coordinate system to reconstruct the game world. The mod is currently unstable and not publicly available, with ongoing development needed for certain features. Hytale's co-founder, Simon Collins-Laflamme, noted that the game has generated enough revenue to fund the next two years of development.