streaming Archives

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Rokarolla trojan uses screen overlays to hijack Android financial apps

A new banking trojan for Android, named Rokarolla, targets 217 applications, including banking and cryptocurrency platforms, to steal credentials and sensitive financial data. It operates via a command and control (C2) server and bypasses the Google Play Store by using phishing websites that mimic legitimate download portals. Users are tricked into downloading a dropper that installs the malware, which disguises itself as the Google Play Protect security tool to gain access to Android Accessibility Services. Rokarolla employs dynamic screen overlays to capture user input in targeted financial applications and can also impersonate the device's lock screen. Additionally, it uses a pseudo-VNC system to intermittently capture screenshots for data extraction and can modify clipboard contents to manipulate cryptocurrency transactions by replacing copied addresses with those controlled by attackers.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

How Your Location Influences Android App Availability

The Google Play Store customizes its app offerings based on the user's location, which affects app availability and functionality. App developers often set distribution rules that vary by region, leading to differences in user experience even for identical apps. Android devices determine location through a combination of signals, including SIM card data, GPS, and Wi-Fi positioning. Connectivity issues, particularly in rural areas, can limit app usability, while social habits influence regional app demand. Developers analyze engagement data to adapt their offerings based on regional preferences, creating a feedback loop that affects app visibility and features. Users should verify app functionality based on their location and connectivity before assuming an app's absence is due to obscurity.

Tech Optimizer

June 18, 2026

Why Oracle’s OCI Database with PostgreSQL matters for serious workloads

Oracle has launched the OCI Database with PostgreSQL, a managed PostgreSQL service designed for seamless deployment within the Oracle Cloud. This service includes lifecycle management, automated backups, and monitoring, allowing users to customize their database configurations easily. A key feature is the cross-region warm standby, which enhances disaster recovery by enabling users to create replica databases in secondary regions that replicate data from the primary database. The service enforces a strict 5-minute recovery point objective (RPO) and simplifies the setup process for operations teams. The OCI Database with PostgreSQL is positioned against offerings from AWS and Azure, targeting organizations that prefer a managed PostgreSQL experience. However, compliance challenges, such as the lack of FedRAMP certification, may hinder adoption for certain sectors. The product is available on OCI with usage-based pricing and is aimed at cloud teams needing managed operations and disaster recovery for PostgreSQL databases.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Xbox is porting two classic Call of Duty games to PlayStation — and they’re coming very, very soon

Treyarch announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012) will be ported to PlayStation platforms, likely for PS4 and PS5, starting in July. Iron Galaxy Studios will handle the modernization of these titles. The games have been available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S since 2016 through Microsoft's Backwards Compatibility Program. There are uncertainties about whether existing PS3 owners will access the new versions for free or transfer their progress. The new ports are expected to integrate with the existing server network. Xbox and PC players have expressed frustration over issues with Black Ops and Black Ops 2 on Xbox, including a locked 720p resolution and hacking problems, as well as the absence of these titles on Xbox Game Pass.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Dishonored dev defends loading screens: ‘I actually have a soft spot for all that’

Raphaël Colantonio, co-creative director of Dishonored, streamed a session revisiting the game's level, Lady Boyle's Last Party, with team members including Harvey Smith, Stevan Hird, and Anthony Huso. During the session, Smith defended the inclusion of loading screens, arguing they provide a necessary transition and enhance world-building. Colantonio reflected on the challenges of revisiting the game after 14 years. The stream revealed a discarded plot point where Daud was meant to sever Corvo's hand, which would have added depth to the narrative. This concept later influenced Dishonored 2. The team has four more levels to explore in their playthrough, with fans hoping for discussions on the Knife of Dunwall and Brigmore Witches expansions.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Sony pulling back from PC also means it’s pulling back from China

Sony has shifted away from porting singleplayer PlayStation titles to PC, raising concerns about competition with Valve. Alinea Insights reported that 42% of Death Stranding 2's PC sales came from China, its largest market on Steam. Approximately 39.48% of Steam users have their language set to English, while 21.85% prefer Simplified Chinese, representing over 30 million players. Shift Up, developer of Stellar Blade, announced they will not partner with Sony for the sequel, focusing on a global market strategy. Alinea's analysis shows that releasing games on PC does not harm PlayStation sales; Death Stranding 2 saw increased PS sales following its PC launch, and Stellar Blade also experienced a rise in PS5 sales despite not being discounted. Launching games on PC broadens the player base and enhances marketing opportunities.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Hide-and-seek game where you paint your body to blend in sells a million copies in four days

Players in Meccha Chameleon control a featureless, white, blobby biped and use a color wheel to paint their bodies in real-time to blend into their surroundings. The game sold one million copies within four days of its release. The developer, lemorion_1224, announced this milestone on the Steam community blog and expressed gratitude to players. The game has gained popularity among streamers and YouTubers, and it supports public matches and streaming. Meccha Chameleon is a lobby-based PvP party game where players are divided into seekers and hiders, with seekers trying to locate all hiders before time runs out. The game features creative disguising techniques, such as blending into shadows or textures. It is priced at just under .

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Microsoft CEO says Xbox needs to be more sustainable: “We’ve not been monetizing that entertainment”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the evolving landscape of Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, who is initiating a 100-day "reset" to enhance economic sustainability amidst rising costs. Sharma's letter to employees emphasized the need for adaptation in a competitive entertainment industry and acknowledged challenges from the hardware crisis and declining revenue. Nadella highlighted the importance of innovating in both hardware and gaming content while ensuring economic viability. Xbox Chief Creative Officer Matt Booty reassured the PC gaming community that exclusivity will mainly affect Xbox consoles, with titles remaining available on multiple platforms. Nadella noted the need for a sustainable business model, pointing out that current monetization strategies have not fully leveraged Xbox's entertainment value. He acknowledged the broader trend of rising prices in tech sectors and expressed confidence in Sharma's vision for Xbox's future. Matthew Ball, the new Chief Strategy Officer, suggested ad-supported tiers for more affordable consumer access, aligning with Nadella's vision for economically relevant offerings.

Tech Optimizer

June 14, 2026

Neon vs Supabase 2026: $1B Deal, Scale-to-Zero

Neon and Supabase are two managed PostgreSQL platforms with distinct approaches. Neon adopts a serverless architecture that separates storage and compute, allowing databases to scale to zero when idle and enabling rapid database branching. Supabase, in contrast, provides a comprehensive backend-as-a-service that includes authentication, file storage, real-time subscriptions, and edge functions, all built around PostgreSQL. In 2025, Databricks acquired Neon for approximately billion, motivated by the observation that around 80% of databases created on Neon were generated by AI agents. Post-acquisition, users experienced reduced storage costs and improved pricing structures, although concerns arose regarding Neon's independence. Neon features instant database branching and a scale-to-zero capability, while Supabase offers a fully integrated backend with built-in authentication and storage. Neon operates on a usage-based pricing model, whereas Supabase has a flat-tier pricing structure. Both platforms support the pgvector extension for AI applications, but Supabase is fully open-source and allows for self-hosting, unlike Neon. The developer community recognizes Supabase for its ease of use and rapid application development capabilities, while Neon is praised for its innovative serverless features and cost efficiency. Migration between the two platforms is simplified due to their shared PostgreSQL foundation.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Breaking: Sporadic Issues Reported with Facebook and Messenger

On June 12, 2026, users of Facebook and Messenger reported intermittent access issues, including difficulties logging in, loading feeds, and messaging. Outage monitoring platforms noted minor spikes in user reports, but Meta has not confirmed significant outages. The problems appear localized to various regions. Suggested solutions for users include refreshing or restarting the app or browser, switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, clearing the cache, and ensuring apps are updated. Users can check Downdetector for real-time updates.