Microsoft announced several key updates at the Build 2026 developer conference, particularly for Windows 11:
1. Coreutils: This suite brings familiar Linux command-line utilities to Windows 11, allowing developers to use commands like ls, cp, and mkdir natively without third-party solutions. It can be installed via GitHub or the Windows Package Manager.
2. WSL Containers: This feature introduces a built-in container runtime for running Linux containers on Windows 11, eliminating the need for external platforms like Docker. It utilizes a command-line tool called "wslc.exe" and allows for OCI-compatible Linux containers.
3. Intelligent Terminal: This feature integrates AI agents into the terminal, providing context-aware assistance for developers. It can be installed via the Microsoft Store or Command Prompt.
4. Windows Developer Configurations: This configuration file for the Windows Package Manager automates the installation of essential developer tools and settings, streamlining the setup process for new development or testing machines.
ArenaNet has announced Guild Wars 3, the third installment in the MMORPG series, set to launch globally on PC, Steam, and PS5. The game takes place over a millennium before the original Guild Wars in the Tyrian region of Orr, where players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden. Players can use a spirit called the Seeker as a mount. The combat system will support both controller and keyboard users, focusing on strategic positioning and movement. Beta testing is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027, and while no specific release date is provided, players can add the game to their wishlists on Steam and the PlayStation Store.
Microsoft is introducing new settings for Windows 11 that allow users to completely deactivate the Bing search engine within the system menu. This update addresses the issue of local files being mixed with internet search results, which has caused confusion and slowed device performance. Previously, users had to modify the system registry or use third-party tools to disable this integration. The new feature includes an official toggle in the privacy settings and will also allow users to eliminate app recommendations from Microsoft Store search. This change aims to ensure that system searches are strictly local, improving speed and reducing RAM consumption. The updates are driven by new legislative requirements in Europe for greater user choice and are expected to be available in upcoming benchmark builds.
Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition and Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL now support native streaming replication, allowing data changes to flow from source databases. Organizations often struggle to capture and propagate these changes in real time without affecting database performance. Traditional ETL pipelines can introduce significant delays, leading to outdated data and missed opportunities.
Debezium is an open-source platform for change data capture (CDC) that monitors databases and streams changes to applications or data pipelines, enabling real-time data synchronization. The CDC solution combines PostgreSQL's logical replication with Debezium's change capture framework, focusing on Amazon Aurora for PostgreSQL.
To implement this solution, logical replication must be enabled on Amazon Aurora through DB cluster parameter groups. Debezium connectors monitor the database's Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) via logical replication slots, converting transaction logs into structured event streams.
Key components of the solution include:
- Amazon Aurora for PostgreSQL as the source database with logical replication enabled.
- A Debezium PostgreSQL connector running on MSK Connect for change capture.
- Amazon MSK for message streaming.
- An Amazon EC2 instance for testing and consuming change events.
Steps to implement the solution include:
1. Creating an Amazon Aurora for PostgreSQL DB cluster and enabling logical replication.
2. Creating an Amazon MSK serverless cluster.
3. Setting up an Amazon EC2 instance to install Kafka and connect to the database.
4. Creating a custom plugin for Amazon MSK to replicate changes from RDS for PostgreSQL.
5. Uploading the custom plugin to an Amazon S3 bucket.
6. Storing credentials in AWS Secrets Manager and creating an IAM role for MSK Connect.
7. Testing the solution by verifying data replication and monitoring real-time changes.
Monitoring can be done through CloudWatch Logs and the MSK Connect console, addressing common issues like replication slot lag and connector failures. To avoid charges, resources created during the implementation should be deleted in the correct order.
14 Hours Productions is developing a political spy thriller game titled Burn-9, set to launch for PC on Steam, GOG, and the Humble Store in 2026. Players take on the role of an unseen operator assisting the last survivor of a black-ops team in a chaotic mission. A demo is currently available. The game involves navigating espionage and making pivotal choices based on gathered intelligence while using advanced surveillance systems. Players can disable security measures and extract sensitive information, facing moral complexities and ethical dilemmas throughout the mission.
Vertigo Games announced a remake of Arizona Sunshine, a third-person shooter set to launch in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC. The game features cooperative gameplay and a narrative centered on survival and the bond between a survivor named Sunny and his dog, Buddy. Players will face hordes of zombies using various weapons and can play as Buddy in cooperative mode. The game emphasizes both solo and two-player online or split-screen cooperative play, with customization options for characters. An announcement trailer and screenshots are available for viewing.
A sequel to the 2017 game Hidden Folks, titled Hidden Folks 2, is set to be released in early 2027. The game will maintain the original's black-and-white art style and whimsical sounds, focusing on exploring stories without time limits or scoring pressure. New features include completely new themes and areas, improved graphics, a second non-text clue, new mouth-made sounds, and various quality-of-life improvements. It will be available on multiple platforms, including Steam, itch.io, the App Store, and Google Play Store, with a potential Nintendo Switch version depending on demand.
Russian officials and propaganda outlets have expressed discontent with Apple's decision to remove the state-sponsored messenger app, Max, from its App Store without prior notice. Apple cited compliance with sanctions legislation as the reason for its action, leading to backlash in Russia where the company is labeled as "enemies." The Max messenger, developed in Russia, is used for disseminating propaganda and maintaining control over internet access, and its removal has made it inaccessible to over 20 million users in Russia, reducing the effectiveness of state-sponsored propaganda. The Russian government is attempting to create a "digital iron curtain" for surveillance and internet restriction, while propaganda narratives portray the country as technologically advanced, despite reliance on foreign companies. Russia has become a global leader in the number of app removals from the App Store, and reports indicate that schools in occupied territories are being forced to use the Max messenger for communication.
Windows Search has been criticized for mixing local and web results, often prioritizing Bing over local applications or files. Microsoft is addressing this by allowing users to disable Bing integration and is developing a local-only version of Windows Search. This new feature will enable users to exclude web searches and Microsoft Store results, eliminating prompts for uninstalled applications. Enhancements being tested include a local search experience without interference from various services, faster search capabilities, prioritization of local results with minimal input, and support for substring searching. Users will be able to initiate local searches with just two characters, and substring searching will allow for more flexible file name searches.
