strategies Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Snowflake acquisition of Crunchy Data adds Postgres database

Snowflake has announced the acquisition of Crunchy Data, a company specializing in PostgreSQL database capabilities, valued at around [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: SAN FRANCISCO -- In a strategic move to enhance its offerings, Snowflake has announced the acquisition of Crunchy Data, a company specializing in PostgreSQL database capabilities. This acquisition, reportedly valued at around 0 million, is currently pending customary closing requirements. The timing of this purchase is notable, occurring shortly after Snowflake's competitor, Databricks, acquired Neon to bolster its own PostgreSQL capabilities. Crunchy Data, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, empowers organizations to leverage the open-source PostgreSQL format for secure and efficient data management, which is essential for analytics and AI applications. Sanjeev Mohan, founder and principal of the analyst firm SanjMo, highlighted that while Snowflake has a robust suite of data management and AI development tools, it previously lacked comprehensive operational and transactional database capabilities. This is a fantastic acquisition for Snowflake. [The acquisition] addresses the limitations in its prior attempts with Unistore and Hybrid Tables, enabling Snowflake to now offer a true online transaction processing solution within its platform based on open standards. Sanjeev Mohan, Founder and principal, SanjMo Currently, Snowflake allows users to manage operational and transactional workloads through its Unistore feature, which utilizes Hybrid Tables. However, these capabilities have been limited compared to those offered by PostgreSQL databases. Mohan emphasized the significance of the Crunchy Data acquisition, stating it allows Snowflake to provide a genuine online transaction processing solution. Additive capabilities As enterprises ramp up their investments in AI development, data management vendors like Snowflake and Databricks have been expanding their platforms to facilitate the development, deployment, and management of AI models. While Databricks has pursued aggressive acquisition strategies, Snowflake has primarily focused on enhancing its capabilities through internal product development. Earlier this year, Snowflake acquired Neeva to kickstart its AI expansion and onboard current CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy. With the Crunchy Data acquisition, Snowflake is poised to integrate PostgreSQL capabilities into its platform, a move that analysts like Stephen Catanzano from Enterprise Strategy Group view as significant. Catanzano remarked, "It's a smart and strategic move. By acquiring Crunchy Data, Snowflake strengthens its ability to support structured, transactional data workloads critical for powering AI agents and applications that rely on a mix of operational and analytical data." This integration will enable Snowflake to cater to enterprises that prioritize governance, security, and compliance in their AI solutions. PostgreSQL has emerged as the most popular database, surpassing MySQL and other competitors, thanks to its flexibility and the support of a vibrant community. Its capabilities extend beyond traditional relational database functions, encompassing geospatial, time series, JSON, and vector database workloads. Mohan noted that PostgreSQL's vector database capabilities are particularly valuable for AI development, allowing users to structure unstructured data for enhanced searchability and similarity searches. According to Mohan, the Crunchy Data acquisition will enable Snowflake to manage real-time transactional data that feeds AI applications, addressing a previous shortcoming. Catanzano added that PostgreSQL databases also assist users in maintaining compliance with industry standards and managing metadata effectively. Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of transactional data systems, stating that the acquisition will provide users with access to a transactional store directly within Snowflake. Additionally, Christian Kleinerman, Snowflake's executive vice president of product, highlighted the importance of offering customers choices without overwhelming them. While Crunchy Data's PostgreSQL engine will not directly integrate with Snowflake's existing SQL engine, its open-source nature allows for greater interoperability with various third-party applications. Despite both Snowflake and Databricks acquiring PostgreSQL vendors, Mohan pointed out that the capabilities offered by Neon and Crunchy Data differ significantly. Neon provides a cloud-native, serverless database optimized for testing and development, while Crunchy Data focuses on production-ready capabilities suitable for large-scale deployments in Kubernetes environments. Looking ahead The integration of PostgreSQL capabilities through the Crunchy Data acquisition is anticipated to serve as a foundational element for Snowflake's future. If successfully integrated, these capabilities could empower developers to build, train, and deploy AI models directly on transactional data within the Snowflake ecosystem, as well as facilitate hybrid queries that combine transactional and analytical data. Mohan suggested that Snowflake should leverage Crunchy Data's robust security features to enhance its governance initiatives. Catanzano echoed this sentiment, recommending that Snowflake prioritize the integration of PostgreSQL capabilities into its AI development ecosystem. He also advised pursuing additional partnerships and acquisitions to further enhance its capabilities in open-source AI, unstructured data management, and hybrid workloads. As Snowflake continues to evolve, the acquisition of Crunchy Data marks a significant step towards meeting the demands of modern enterprises seeking comprehensive AI and data-driven solutions. Eric Avidon is a senior news writer for Informa TechTarget and a journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He covers analytics and data management." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million, pending customary closing requirements. This acquisition follows Databricks' purchase of Neon to enhance its PostgreSQL capabilities. Crunchy Data, based in Charleston, South Carolina, enables organizations to use PostgreSQL for secure data management essential for analytics and AI applications. The acquisition addresses Snowflake's previous limitations in operational and transactional database capabilities, allowing it to offer a true online transaction processing solution. Snowflake currently manages operational workloads through its Unistore feature, which has been limited compared to PostgreSQL databases. The integration of PostgreSQL capabilities is expected to support structured, transactional data workloads critical for AI applications. PostgreSQL has become the most popular database due to its flexibility and community support, with capabilities extending beyond traditional functions. The acquisition will enable Snowflake to manage real-time transactional data for AI applications and enhance compliance and metadata management. Crunchy Data's PostgreSQL engine will not directly integrate with Snowflake's SQL engine but will allow for greater interoperability with third-party applications. The capabilities of Crunchy Data differ from those of Neon, which focuses on cloud-native, serverless databases. The integration of these capabilities is anticipated to empower developers to build and deploy AI models directly on transactional data within Snowflake.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Edge will stop begging you for attention (in Europe, at least)

Microsoft is adjusting its approach in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with the Digital Markets Act by implementing several updates. Microsoft Edge will no longer solicit users to set it as their default browser, although reminders may still appear temporarily. This change began with an Edge update on May 29. Additionally, users who uninstall Microsoft Edge will not receive prompts to reinstall it, except for progressive web apps using Edge technology. Microsoft is also introducing an option to uninstall the Microsoft Store, with updates for previously downloaded applications continuing. This feature is expected to be available later this year for Windows 10 and 11 users.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft agrees that USB is a mess and it’s making changes to fix it: ‘Manufacturers can implement ports that look identical but differ wildly in functionality’

Microsoft is implementing new standards to enhance the reliability of USB connections, particularly for devices that comply with the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP). All WHCP-compliant hardware with USB Type-C must use USB-IF-certified silicon, ensuring efficient charging and support for DisplayPort Alt-Mode for additional monitors. USB4 certification requires a maximum data speed of 40 Gbps, up to 15 W of power for accessories, support for dual 4K displays at 60 Hz, and compatibility with PCIe and Thunderbolt 3. Testing is conducted through Microsoft's Hardware Lab Kit (HLK), and certification is paused if issues arise during testing. This initiative aims to clarify USB Type-C port capabilities and improve consumer confidence in WHCP-certified devices.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Meta and Yandex are de-anonymizing Android users’ web browsing identifiers

Recent developments in browser technology have raised concerns about user privacy and data tracking by companies like Meta and Yandex. In response, several Android browsers are enhancing user privacy by blocking abusive JavaScript linked to web trackers. DuckDuckGo has implemented measures to block domains and IP addresses associated with trackers, preventing the transmission of identifiers to Meta and restricting access to Yandex Metrica. Following feedback, DuckDuckGo's developers updated their blacklist to include missing addresses. The Brave browser uses extensive blocklists to prevent identifier sharing and blocks requests to localhost without user consent. Vivaldi forwards identifiers to local Android ports by default but allows users to adjust settings to block trackers. Researchers warn that these solutions may not be foolproof and emphasize the ongoing challenge of maintaining effective blocklists. Chrome and most other Chromium-based browsers execute JavaScript as intended by Meta and Yandex, while Firefox has faced challenges with SDP munging and has not yet announced plans to address this behavior.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

Enterprise alert: PostgreSQL just became the database you can’t ignore for AI applications

Snowflake is set to acquire the privately-held PostgreSQL provider Crunchy Data for approximately [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More The open-source PostgreSQL, often affectionately dubbed Postgres, has become a focal point for major enterprise data platform vendors. In a significant move, Snowflake is set to acquire the privately-held PostgreSQL provider Crunchy Data in a deal valued at approximately 0 million. This acquisition follows closely on the heels of Snowflake's competitor, Databricks, which recently acquired the serverless PostgreSQL vendor Neon. Together, these acquisitions underscore the growing importance of the open-source database in contemporary enterprise data and AI workflows. Unlike Neon, which was a relatively young company, Crunchy Data has established itself over the past decade since its inception in 2012. Its flagship product, Crunchy Postgres, offers a managed, automated, and fully supported version of PostgreSQL. Additionally, Crunchy Data provides a specialized version of its platform tailored for Kubernetes environments, as well as a newer offering called Crunchy Data Warehouse, designed to integrate seamlessly with data lakehouse architectures. Snowflake has indicated that Crunchy Data's technology will serve as the backbone for a new initiative dubbed Snowflake Postgres. This offering aims to empower users by merging Crunchy Data’s robust and developer-friendly Postgres capabilities with Snowflake’s secure and governed environment. The overarching objective is to streamline the process for developers to build, deploy, and scale production-ready AI agents and applications. Paul Laurence, co-founder of Crunchy Data, shared insights in a blog post, stating, “In our discussions, it quickly became clear that the same trends that Crunchy Data was seeing from the operational database world were also apparent to Snowflake. With today’s announcement, we are targeting the large online transactional processing (OLTP) market, leveraging Snowflake’s reach and Crunchy Data’s flexible, scalable solutions for enterprise workloads and developers alike.” What PostgreSQL support brings to Snowflake Snowflake’s data cloud platform provides a comprehensive cloud data warehouse for its enterprise clientele. While the company boasts a growing customer base, it does not yet encompass the extensive open-source PostgreSQL community. PostgreSQL has gained traction as a favored database, not only for traditional enterprise applications but also for agentic AI, which explains Databricks' acquisition of Neon. Moreover, the acquisition brings with it a robust developer community. Data analyst Sanjeev Mohan remarked on the acquisition's significance, noting, “Unlike Neon, Crunchy is truly enterprise.” He emphasized that Crunchy Data has cultivated a deep PostgreSQL user community and is actively engaged with Kubernetes. The company’s offerings extend beyond operational workloads, supporting analytics as well. Originally designed as an OLTP database, PostgreSQL has evolved, with contributions from Crunchy Data and other vendors like Google’s AlloyDB, to accommodate OLAP (Online Analytics Processing) workloads as well. Mohan expressed optimism regarding the future of PostgreSQL in enterprise applications, stating, “The community has continuously added exceptional capabilities not only for traditional relational and SQL use cases but also for time-series, JSON, and vector search, while boasting some of the best geospatial features available.” Why PostgreSQL matters to Snowflake and its enterprise users PostgreSQL's widespread adoption in enterprises is noteworthy, particularly as developers increasingly leverage it as a foundation for agentic AI. This trend is a key factor behind Databricks' acquisition of Neon and Snowflake's decision to acquire Crunchy Data. It reflects a broader, multi-year initiative at Snowflake to foster open engagement with developers. Kevin Petrie, vice president of research at BARC, commented on the alignment of PostgreSQL’s popularity with developers and Crunchy Data’s support for data warehousing on Iceberg, stating, “This aligns well with Snowflake’s core strategy.” Apache Iceberg, an open-source data lake table format, is part of Snowflake’s expanding commitment to embrace open technologies. Petrie noted that it is easy to envision how organizations might utilize Crunchy Data's technology within the Snowflake platform to develop AI applications for common use cases such as telemetry, geospatial, and advertisement analytics. He also expressed that Crunchy Data's acquisition was not unexpected, given its recent growth stagnation. “Crunchy Data’s growth seems to have flattened in the last couple of years, so it’s not surprising to see them opt for this exit,” he remarked. “The consolidation wave among data tools and platforms continues.” Why it matters to the enterprise For leaders in enterprise data and AI, Snowflake’s acquisition of Crunchy Data reinforces a crucial insight: PostgreSQL is significant. It has transcended its role as merely an open-source alternative to proprietary relational databases, evolving into a widely adopted platform that is rapidly becoming a de facto standard for developers and the enterprises they serve in building agentic AI and scalable enterprise applications. The major hyperscalers, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, along with a plethora of smaller vendors such as EDB, Aiven, and Netapp Instaclustr, are already backing PostgreSQL. With Snowflake and Databricks now investing heavily in PostgreSQL, it is evident that enterprises should incorporate it into their developer and AI stacks." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million. This acquisition follows Databricks' recent purchase of the serverless PostgreSQL vendor Neon. Crunchy Data, established in 2012, offers a managed version of PostgreSQL and has a specialized platform for Kubernetes environments. Snowflake plans to use Crunchy Data's technology for a new initiative called Snowflake Postgres, aimed at enhancing developer capabilities in building AI applications. PostgreSQL's adoption is growing in enterprises, particularly for agentic AI applications, which is a factor in both Snowflake's and Databricks' acquisitions. The PostgreSQL community is robust, with contributions enhancing its capabilities for various workloads. Major tech companies are backing PostgreSQL, indicating its importance in enterprise data and AI strategies.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

Hackers Allegedly Selling Windows Crypter Claims Bypass of All Antiviruses

Underground cybercriminal forums are seeing an increase in advanced malware tools, including a Windows crypter that claims to bypass major antivirus solutions. This crypter is marketed as fully activated and capable of achieving Full Undetectable (FUD) status against contemporary antivirus engines. It employs advanced obfuscation techniques to evade detection, including code injection methods, entropy manipulation, and anti-debugging features. The tool allows for granular control over obfuscation parameters, enabling customization for specific target environments. The rise of such sophisticated evasion tools poses challenges for traditional endpoint security, making organizations vulnerable if they rely solely on signature-based antivirus solutions. To defend against these threats, organizations should adopt multi-layered security architectures, including behavioral analysis and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

89-year-old Skyrim Grandma starts streaming Oblivion Remastered, has to deal with its mystifying lockpicking minigame and ‘absolutely ugly movement’ just like we did in 2006

Shirley Curry, known as Skyrim Grandma, has started playing Oblivion at the age of 87, having been a prominent figure in the Skyrim YouTube community for over a decade. Born in 1936, she has gained recognition from Bethesda for her engaging roleplaying videos. In her new adventure through Cyrodiil, she showcases her spirited approach to gaming, exploring gameplay mechanics and sharing her experiences with viewers. Her journey reflects a nostalgic return to a game she first played in 2006. Curry's enthusiasm and unique perspective foster a sense of camaraderie among her audience, highlighting that age does not limit one's passion for gaming.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign is the first FromSoftware game that I honestly wish I could play on easy

Elden Ring Nightreign features a fast-paced, randomized gameplay experience that contrasts with traditional FromSoftware titles. Players face high-stakes encounters against powerful bosses, with a focus on survival and defeating Nightlords. The game lacks a progression system, leading to frustration when players are defeated without rewards. Critics have labeled it a cash grab, but it diverges from genre conventions. The absence of difficulty adjustments and varied gameplay experiences limits player engagement, though there is hope for future content that could introduce new characters and mechanics.

Tech Optimizer

June 1, 2025

Supercharging vector search performance and relevance with pgvector 0.8.0 on Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition has integrated support for pgvector 0.8.0, enhancing vector search capabilities significantly. This version achieves up to 9x faster query processing and delivers 100x more relevant search results compared to previous iterations. Key improvements in pgvector 0.8.0 include: - Up to 5.7x improvement in query performance for specific patterns. - Introduction of the iterative_scan feature, enhancing recall for filter queries requiring approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) index searches. - Improved cost estimation for more efficient query planning, allowing the selection of traditional indexes for complex filtered searches. - Flexible performance tuning with two modes for iterative_scan: relaxed_order and strict_order. Previous versions faced challenges with overfiltering, where combining vector similarity search with traditional SQL filters resulted in fewer results than expected. The HNSW indexing algorithm accelerates vector similarity searches by creating a multi-layered graph structure for efficient navigation. Iterative index scans in pgvector 0.8.0 improve query reliability and performance by applying filters during the scanning process, reducing false negatives and enhancing performance. The configuration options for iterative scanning include off, strict_order, and relaxed_order, with relaxed_order providing the best balance between performance and accuracy. In performance tests, pgvector 0.8.0 demonstrated substantial improvements across various query patterns, with significant enhancements in result completeness and recall. The database can now efficiently handle enterprise-scale applications, such as e-commerce and recommendation systems, with high performance and result quality even as product catalogs expand. Best practices for deploying pgvector 0.8.0 include using HNSW with recommended parameters, creating additional indexes on commonly filtered metadata columns, and tuning query parameters based on specific use cases. Operational best practices involve using Graviton4-based instances for optimal performance, monitoring and tuning slow vector queries, and considering partitioning for very large tables.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Russia unveils national messaging app to reduce reliance on WhatsApp, Telegram

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