Threads Archives

AppWizard

August 28, 2025

Spotify announces new messenger feature

Spotify has introduced a new Messenger feature that allows users to share content and communicate with friends directly within the app. This feature is available to Free and Premium users aged 16 and older on mobile devices. Users can still share content on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and TikTok. Spotify plans to further refine and expand this feature in the coming months.

AppWizard

August 28, 2025

Xbox Cloud Gaming and Some PC Titles Coming to Game Pass Core and Standard

Microsoft has announced that Xbox Insiders subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Core or Standard can now access Xbox Cloud Gaming and select PC titles. This allows subscribers to stream cloud-compatible games from various devices. Users can sign in to Xbox Cloud Gaming on supported devices and browse their game catalog. Additionally, Microsoft is expanding the PC game offerings through Xbox Game Pass, enabling access to PC versions of select titles. Xbox Insiders can view available titles by signing in and selecting the Game Pass tab. Those interested in joining the Xbox Insider Program can download the Xbox Insider Hub for their devices. Microsoft encourages feedback from the Insider community to improve Xbox services.

AppWizard

August 27, 2025

Spotify teases new in-app messaging feature

Spotify has introduced an integrated messaging system that allows users to share songs, podcasts, and audiobooks within the app, enhancing social engagement and addressing a gap in user experience. This feature enables users to initiate conversations by selecting a share icon during playback, choosing recipients, and transmitting content. The messaging system complements existing social media integrations and is designed to enhance user workflows, potentially transforming Spotify into a more active social network for audio content. The rollout comes as a strategic response to the influence of social media on music discovery, aiming to boost user engagement and retention in a competitive streaming landscape.

AppWizard

August 27, 2025

Google Play Store rolling out ‘auto-open’ option for newly installed apps

The Play Store has introduced a feature called "auto-open when ready" for Android users, allowing newly downloaded applications to automatically launch once fully installed. This feature appears as a toggle beneath the installation progress bar and is off by default. When enabled, users receive a notification with a 5-second countdown to cancel the auto-open. This is particularly useful for larger apps, such as games. The feature is currently active on devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and has been observed with a different interface on the older Pixel 9 Pro XL, where it appears only for games.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2025

How we loaded a petabyte into PostgreSQL before New Year — and what happened next

A team decided to test PostgreSQL's capabilities with a one-petabyte database, setting a challenge for December 10, with a report due by January 20. They initially sought cloud storage but found no provider could meet their requirement for a single chunk of storage, leading them to rent physical servers. They used Shardman, a distributed database engine, to manage the database across seven servers. They employed the YCSB benchmark for performance testing and faced various challenges, including data loading issues and hardware problems. By January 15, they reached 863 terabytes of data generation, falling short of their petabyte goal, and documented their findings for future reference.

AppWizard

August 16, 2025

Lilbits: Desktop Linux apps on Android phones, Xbox PC gaming on ARM-based computers, and a cheaper Kindle color

Google has introduced an experimental Linux terminal application for Android users that allows the installation of Debian within a virtual machine, enabling command-line applications on Android devices. Users with Pixel 6 or later models running the latest canary builds of Android 16 can potentially enable graphical user interface (GUI) applications. An early preview of desktop Linux applications, including Chromium and GIMP, has been demonstrated on the Google Pixel 8 Pro using this new Terminal app. The Xbox PC app has added a feature for downloading games for local play on Windows 11 PCs with ARM-based processors, currently available to select members of the Windows Insider and Xbox Insider preview programs. HTC has launched Vive Eagle smart glasses in Taiwan, starting at 9, which include cameras, microphones, speakers, and AI features but lack a display. Amazon is reportedly developing a more affordable Kindle with a color display, featuring a 6-inch screen and improved color saturation.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Windows 11’s August update fails to install on some PCs. Here’s what you can do

Microsoft released the mandatory Windows 11 update KB5063878 for August, which includes the Quick Machine Recovery feature for remote troubleshooting of PCs. Users have reported installation issues, encountering error codes such as 0x80240069, 0x80240031, and 0x800f0922. Microsoft has acknowledged these as known errors, particularly affecting those using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The installation problems occur regardless of whether the system is newly installed or has been updated multiple times. Microsoft offers a temporary solution called "Known Issue Rollback" to revert the problematic update and suggests modifying the Windows registry or using a PowerShell script as a workaround. Users can also manually download the update from Microsoft's Update Catalog for immediate installation.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Android Auto bugs causing broken Spotify controls, washed out display for some

Recent reports from Android Auto users indicate issues with a washed-out display and problems with the Spotify app. Users have noted a blank widget on the Android Auto dashboard that displays a “Tap to Open” message instead of the currently playing track, while in-car controls like skip buttons are unresponsive. This issue began in July after a Spotify update introducing “Jam” support and is particularly affecting Subaru Forester drivers. Additionally, users report displays appearing washed out, with black areas showing as gray. The cause of these issues is unclear, and users are encouraged to share their experiences.

AppWizard

August 13, 2025

Battlefield 6 open beta won’t run if you have Valorant installed, thanks to Riot’s anti-cheat — uninstall if you plan to joint the second open beta this weekend

EA will launch a free open beta for Battlefield 6 from August 14 to August 17, featuring the new "Empire State" map and introducing Rush and Squad deathmatch modes. Players can earn free rewards during the beta. However, players with Valorant installed may face issues launching Battlefield 6 due to a "security violation" error caused by Riot Games' anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, which operates at the kernel level. This integration can lead to conflicts between the two games' anti-cheat systems, prompting players to uninstall Valorant to avoid compatibility issues.

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

Mafia: The Old Country review

The Mafia franchise has struggled with creating a fully realized open world, with previous games like Mafia and Mafia 2 feeling hollow due to sparse environments and lack of engaging side activities. The upcoming game, Mafia: The Old Country, is set to release on August 7, 2025, and follows the story of Enzo Favara, a Sicilian laborer involved with the mob. The game focuses on a concise 13-hour narrative, which may sacrifice depth for brevity compared to its predecessor's 40-hour runtime. While the performances and dialogue are strong, the story lacks surprises and relies on familiar mob tropes. Gameplay includes stealth, combat, driving, and knife fights, but feels outdated and repetitive. Overall, the game is seen as a missed opportunity, lacking the charm of earlier titles in the series.