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How Mindbody improved query latency and optimized costs using Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Optimized Reads
Tech Optimizer
February 22, 2025

How Mindbody improved query latency and optimized costs using Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL Optimized Reads

Mindbody utilizes a cloud-based platform for the fitness and wellness industry, offering services such as client booking, scheduling, payments, marketing, and analytics. Their email marketing platform is built on an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster, currently at version 13.8, with a size of approximately 17 TB and a workload distribution of 80% reads and 20% writes. Mindbody faced scaling and performance challenges due to architectural limitations and increasing data demands, leading to all workloads being directed to the writer node. The average BufferCacheHitRatio was below 80%, indicating frequent disk access rather than cache hits, contributing to higher query latencies and I/O costs. To address these issues, Mindbody adopted Aurora Optimized Reads, which enhances caching capacity and improves latency and throughput for I/O-intensive workloads. Transitioning required upgrading the database cluster to version 14.9 or higher, and extensive testing was conducted in a proof-of-concept environment. The upgrade process involved a blue/green deployment strategy to minimize production disruption. After implementing Aurora Optimized Reads, Mindbody experienced significant performance improvements, including a 50% reduction in average daily CPU utilization and a 90% reduction in ReadIOPS. The AuroraOptimizedReadsCacheHitRatio indicated that 85% of read requests were served from the optimized cache. Cost analysis revealed a 23% reduction in monthly Aurora costs post-transition, with potential for further savings by downsizing instances.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (Beta Channel)
Winsage
February 21, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) has been released to the Beta Channel for Insiders not upgrading to version 24H2. This update includes new features such as a drag tray for easier file sharing, and two new views (grid and category) in the Start menu. Improvements include enhanced text scaling support in File Explorer, fixes for taskbar app window previews, and corrections for Japanese name formatting in Settings. Known issues involve delays in app icon appearances in the Start menu and slow closing of File Explorer for some users. Insiders can enable a toggle for immediate updates via Settings > Windows Update. Features may change or not be released based on testing and feedback.
"If we can do it… This will be something groundbreaking": PUBG creator Brendan Greene is five years into making a 10,000km "realistic Minecraft" – but there's still a decade to go
AppWizard
February 21, 2025

“If we can do it… This will be something groundbreaking”: PUBG creator Brendan Greene is five years into making a 10,000km “realistic Minecraft” – but there’s still a decade to go

Brendan Greene, known for creating PUBG, is working on a new project called Prologue, which tests innovative terrain generation technology for his larger vision, Project Artemis. Prologue aims to refine machine learning algorithms that can produce over 4 billion unique map configurations. Greene acknowledges past leadership challenges but credits CTO Laurent Gorga for fostering a collaborative development approach. He estimates that achieving Project Artemis could take up to a decade and emphasizes the importance of Prologue's commercial success for securing resources. Greene envisions Project Artemis as a vast, player-driven universe, inspired by games like Minecraft and No Man's Sky, with a world measuring 10,000 square kilometers. He aims to create an environment where players can craft diverse experiences and distances himself from commercial interpretations of the Metaverse, focusing instead on genuine user-generated experiences.
'A massive, massive moment of wow.' Microsoft CEO predicts AI-generated games are a 'CGI moment' for the industry
AppWizard
February 21, 2025

‘A massive, massive moment of wow.’ Microsoft CEO predicts AI-generated games are a ‘CGI moment’ for the industry

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the company's plans for artificial intelligence and quantum computing, particularly focusing on their AI-powered game generation platform, Muse. He compared Muse's potential impact on gaming to the influence of CGI in the film industry, despite its current limitations of generating games at a resolution of 300 by 180 pixels. Nadella envisions a future where users can request unique gaming experiences, indicating that the integration of AI into gaming is imminent. He also highlighted the broader implications of AI on economic growth, cautioning against the hype surrounding artificial general intelligence (AGI) and emphasizing the importance of AI's impact on GDP growth. Nadella believes in a collaborative future for AI development, suggesting that the market can support multiple successful players. The timeline for when gamers can fully engage with Muse remains uncertain, with some experts cautioning that its capabilities may be overstated.
GTA Online's Next-Gen PC Update Is Free And Makes It The Definitive Version Of The Game
AppWizard
February 21, 2025

GTA Online’s Next-Gen PC Update Is Free And Makes It The Definitive Version Of The Game

Rockstar will launch the next-gen update of Grand Theft Auto Online for PC on March 5, 2025, at no cost to players. The update requires players to have SSD storage with 105 GB of available space and compatibility with Direct-Storage technology. Support for the older version of Grand Theft Auto Online will continue, and players can choose between the old and new versions. The update includes quality-of-life improvements, new content, support for AMD FSR1, FSR3, Nvidia DLSS 3, ray-traced shadows and reflections, ambient occlusion, global illumination, new vehicles, a revamped landing page, a Career Progress feature, and enhanced audio support through Dolby Atmos. Players can transfer their progress between the old and new versions.
It's possible to run Windows XP on an Apple TV -- and it works like a dream!
Winsage
February 21, 2025

It’s possible to run Windows XP on an Apple TV — and it works like a dream!

Windows XP holds a 0.27 percent share of the Windows market, surpassing Windows 8 and 8.1. A Linux variant of Windows XP is available for those seeking a nostalgic experience. Windows XP has been successfully run on Apple's Vision Pro and ported to the original Apple TV. Only the original Apple TV, which has an Intel Pentium M processor and 256 MB of RAM, can support Windows XP. This porting was documented by Nobel Tech, showcasing DistroHopper39B's efforts using ReactOS. The original Apple TV used in the experiment was provided by the Australian Computer Museum Society (ACMS). Windows XP operates on the Apple TV, but graphics acceleration is unsupported.
Rabbit AI's new tool can control your Android phones, but I’m not sure how I feel about letting it control my smartphone
AppWizard
February 21, 2025

Rabbit AI’s new tool can control your Android phones, but I’m not sure how I feel about letting it control my smartphone

HP's acquisition of Humane AI has led to the upcoming launch of Rabbit's Android app, designed as a personal assistant that automates tasks and streamlines daily activities. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, Rabbit's agent can coordinate tasks across various applications, such as sending dinner party invitations via WhatsApp, selecting meals from recipe apps, compiling grocery lists, curating YouTube playlists, and creating revenue plans in Google Docs. The app is not yet widely available but will be downloadable from the Play Store, allowing users to prompt the AI to perform tasks in the background. Rabbit faces competition from other AI tools like OpenAI's Operator and Anthropic's Claude AI, but distinguishes itself by focusing on Android devices and everyday applications. This shift to a software-based model is seen as essential for Rabbit's independence, following the limited success of its standalone R1 device.
Xbox announces 'a generative AI model for gameplay ideation' called Muse, but don't get too excited: Machines aren't about to make games for you just yet
AppWizard
February 20, 2025

Xbox announces ‘a generative AI model for gameplay ideation’ called Muse, but don’t get too excited: Machines aren’t about to make games for you just yet

Microsoft announced its latest generative AI model, Muse, developed in collaboration with Microsoft Research and Ninja Theory. Muse is described as a "world and human action model (WHAM)" trained on Ninja Theory's Bleeding Edge. Microsoft aims to enhance the gaming experience by using AI to enrich player engagement and support game developers' creative processes. The company emphasizes that AI is intended to empower human creativity rather than replace it. A report in Nature provides insights into Muse's technical aspects, highlighting the importance of human agency in the creative process and identifying key capabilities for AI development. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella envisions AI's capabilities extending to interactive environments like video games. However, some experts, like Dr. Michael Cook, caution against overhyping Muse, noting that the research focuses more on human interaction with AI tools than on generating gameplay. Despite reservations, Cook acknowledges AI's potential as a design tool. Microsoft has promised further announcements on how AI will enhance experiences for game creators and players. Muse will debut in Copilot Labs, signaling new immersive AI gaming experiences.
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