strategies Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

10 reasons why PGC Barcelona is a must for PC game developers in 2025

The Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) Barcelona is a two-day conference taking place in 2025, marking the 52nd edition of the series and the first time it is held in Spain. It aims to connect various stakeholders in the gaming industry, including indie developers, studios, and business professionals. The event will feature over 100 expert speakers across 17 themed tracks, with topics on global trends, investment strategies, and emerging technologies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from over 500 companies, including major players like Epic Games and Ubisoft, and engage with C-level executives and senior management. The conference emphasizes networking through the MeetToMatch platform and fringe events, while also showcasing Spain's gaming ecosystem. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and is expected to attract over 1,000 industry professionals.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

PlayStation vet Yoshida reckons $70/80 games are a “steal”

Shuhei Yoshida, a former Sony executive, discussed the evolving pricing landscape in the gaming industry, suggesting that a price increase for games is justified and perhaps overdue. He argued against a uniform pricing model, stating that the value of a game should reflect its unique offerings and production costs. Yoshida believes that high-quality games could be worth higher prices, asserting that they provide significant entertainment value compared to other forms of entertainment. He encouraged consumers to make informed spending choices, emphasizing that value is subjective and should be assessed individually.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

How to stop Android apps running in the background

Experiencing unexpected battery drain on Android devices can be caused by background apps. To manage these apps and alleviate battery issues, users can activate the Adaptive Battery feature by navigating to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver > Adaptive Battery and toggling it on. Regular updates for both the Android system and applications can improve battery performance. Users can check for Android updates in Settings > System > Software updates and for app updates in the Google Play Store under Manage apps & device. To monitor battery usage, users can go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage to identify which apps consume the most power. For RAM usage, enabling Developer options allows users to see which apps are using memory by going to Settings > About phone > Build number (tap seven times) > System > Developer options > Running services. Users can stop or uninstall background apps by navigating to Settings > Apps > See all apps, selecting the app, and choosing to force stop or uninstall it. To limit background activity for specific apps, users can enable "Pause app activity if unused" or toggle off "Allow background usage" in the app's battery usage settings. Some manufacturers offer built-in options for managing background apps, and third-party apps like Greenify can also help. Common battery-draining apps include social media and streaming services.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

Top 8 Tips to Master Minecraft Dungeons in 2025

Minecraft Dungeons is a dungeon crawler with unique levels featuring random layouts, increasing difficulty, and various equipment and enemies. Players must understand enemy behaviors to prioritize threats, embrace higher difficulty modes for better loot and skill improvement, and learn boss mechanics for effective strategies. The dodge roll is essential for survival, and players should actively farm emeralds for gear while experimenting with different builds. Setting self-imposed challenges can enhance tactical skills, and teaching others can deepen one's understanding of the game. Regular updates introduce new content, making it important to stay informed to remain competitive. Success in the game requires adaptability, experimentation, and strategic planning.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Mike Florio: NFL needs to start signing off on schedule-release videos

The Indianapolis Colts retracted their Minecraft-themed schedule announcement video due to a lack of proper copyright permissions from Microsoft and the inclusion of an insensitive clip featuring Tyreek Hill. The Los Angeles Chargers successfully used Minecraft imagery with permission from Microsoft. The New England Patriots featured Dave Portnoy in their video, raising questions about relations between the NFL and Barstool Sports. The NFL does not require teams to submit schedule-release videos for approval, a policy that has been criticized following the Colts' blunder. Pro Football Talk commentator Mike Florio suggested that the league should reconsider this approach to prevent similar issues.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Tabletop Game Shop Simulator Announced For PC

Knight Fever Games, in collaboration with Ludogram, has announced Tabletop Game Shop Simulator, a digital board game store management simulator. Players can manage and expand their own game shop, design layouts, set prices, hire staff, collect and paint miniatures, and engage with the community through events. The game was announced at the Games Made in France event, but does not have a confirmed release date. Players will navigate supply and demand, manage finances, and aim to become a prominent part of the board gaming community.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

News Weekly: Android Show’s I/O edition, Google teases smart glasses, Nothing Phone 3 is on the way, and more

Google I/O is set to begin on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, with live updates from Android Central. Google has revealed advancements including Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and enhanced safety tools. Gemini will integrate across the Android ecosystem for a hands-free AI experience. Material 3 Expressive will enhance the user interface in Android 16, focusing on five design components. Wear OS 6 will receive a visual refresh. New warning systems in Android's caller and Google Messages will combat fraud, while the Find My Device feature will evolve into Find Hub with improved tracking capabilities. Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand Max back to HBO Max this summer, marking the second rebranding in three years. Nothing's Phone 3 is set to launch this summer, priced around £800. Samsung introduced a limited-edition Galaxy Ring in South Korea, featuring a new colorway.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Bloons TD 6, Majesty Fantasy Kingdom, more

A new selection of Android game and app deals has been released, coinciding with the launch of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Significant discounts are available on Sharge’s 30W 10,000mAh Pouch Mini power bank and the Hisense 2025 frame-style 144Hz Google smart TV. The game "Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom" challenges players to manage a kingdom, facing dilemmas such as gold turning into cookies and recovering stolen goods from trolls.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

The $1 Billion database bet: What Databricks’ Neon acquisition means for your AI strategy

Databricks acquired the privately held serverless PostgreSQL startup Neon for approximately billion. Neon, founded in 2022, had previously raised million in a Series B funding round. Over 80% of the databases generated on Neon's platform were initiated by AI agents. PostgreSQL, an established relational database platform, is ranked as the fourth most popular database as of 2025. Serverless PostgreSQL offers operational simplicity, allowing on-demand resource allocation, which is particularly beneficial for AI-centric projects. Major cloud providers, including Google, Microsoft, and AWS, offer serverless PostgreSQL services. Databricks aims to build a developer and AI-agent-friendly database platform with this acquisition. Serverless architectures excel in handling short bursts and smaller workloads, providing rapid scalability, but may present challenges in data management. Neon’s model enhances appeal for developers by distinguishing between storage and compute, facilitating automated scaling. The acquisition indicates a shift in infrastructure requirements for successful AI implementation, highlighting the need for flexible, instantly scalable serverless solutions.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

NFL schedule release: Colts delete their ‘Minecraft’-inspired video, after Chargers do exact same thing

The Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers both created "Minecraft" themed videos to roast their upcoming opponents during the NFL schedule release day. The Chargers have a history of using pop culture in their videos, while the Colts' similar approach led them to delete their video shortly after posting it, likely due to the resemblance to the Chargers' content. The Chargers' video included a disclaimer for using "Minecraft," which the Colts' version lacked, raising potential trademark concerns. The Colts later released a backup video featuring players guessing their opponents. Other teams, like the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Jets, also employed various creative strategies for the schedule release.