transformation Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 24, 2025

How We Made Our SQL Query 80% Faster by Thinking Differently

The task involved querying a table named user_events to retrieve the most recent event for every user. A conventional SQL query was used, which performed poorly in production despite returning correct results. The inner query groups the entire table by user to find the latest event time, requiring Postgres to scan 100 million rows and perform 5 million aggregations, resulting in a temporary table with 5 million rows. The outer query then checks each row against this large list, significantly degrading performance due to the repetitive evaluations across the vast dataset.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

A more Google-y Gemini logo may be right around the corner (APK teardown)

Google is updating its Gemini interface to incorporate its iconic red, blue, green, and yellow colors, moving away from the previous two-tone color scheme. An APK teardown of the Google app revealed a new animated Gemini logo featuring these colors in the latest beta version (16.24.66.sa.arm64 beta). The onboarding screens have also been updated to reflect the new color scheme, with text now appearing in black. The chat interface will feature a new color gradient for greetings, a blue gradient above responses, and a loading animation that includes the full spectrum of Google colors. These updates are not yet available to end users.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Microsoft tests Xbox app with Battle.net integration — updated app brings third-party game library aggregation

Microsoft is testing a new Xbox app for PC among Xbox Insiders, which will aggregate installed games from various third-party storefronts into a single interface. This feature will debut with the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds later this year. The initiative is part of Microsoft's strategy to transition Xbox from a console-centric brand to a service-oriented platform, aligning with the Game Pass initiative for both Xbox and PC users. Microsoft is optimizing Windows 11 for third-party handheld devices instead of developing its own Xbox handheld. While a widespread launch of the aggregated library feature has not been announced, initial rollout with the ROG Ally handhelds is expected during the holiday season, with broader support potentially arriving by the end of this year or in 2026.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Microsoft to stop pushing older Windows 11 drivers through Windows Update

Microsoft is implementing a policy change in Windows Update that will no longer display older legacy drivers when a newer version is available. This update is being rolled out but does not affect the replacement of newer drivers manually installed from Intel, AMD, or Nvidia. The initiative is described as a “periodic cleanup of drivers from Windows Update,” primarily targeting OEMs. When a driver expires and a newer version exists, the older driver will be removed from Windows Update listings. This cleanup focuses on legacy drivers, and while users may not notice significant changes, it aims to streamline the update process. Future expansions may include expired drivers without replacements, but currently, the focus is on legacy drivers with available updates. OEMs can republish expired drivers with justification. The policy will not resolve issues where manually installed drivers are replaced by older versions via Windows Update, as Windows Update drivers may have higher version numbers despite being older. The policy does not affect users on unsupported hardware, as a driver is only marked as “expired” when a new replacement is available.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

Google Drive for Android gets a video player upgrade and better upload tools

Google Drive for Android has been updated with a redesigned video player and an improved mobile upload process, now available to all Google Workspace and personal Drive users. The new video player features relocated playback controls for better visibility, quick access to captions, playback speed adjustments, and full-screen mode. The mobile upload process allows users to rename files and select destination folders during uploads, includes a progress bar for upload status, and features an Upload tab for tracking pending and completed uploads.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Grounded 2: All the key details on the shrunken survival-crafter

Grounded 2 is a sequel to the original game, announced at the Xbox Games Showcase, and is set to expand the gameplay beyond the backyard. The game takes place in 1992, two years after the first game, where four teenage protagonists have disappeared while shrunken down to the size of ants. Players will navigate dangers in the park and work to regain their original size. The game hints at the identity of a fifth child, whose fate is uncertain and may play a significant role in the story. Grounded 2 features a map three times larger than its predecessor, introduces insect mounts called buggies for faster travel and exploration, and includes a new Omni-tool that combines multiple tools into one for easier inventory management.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft Ends FrontPage RPC in Secure 365 Update

Microsoft plans to block outdated protocols, including FrontPage Remote Procedure Call, as part of its "Secure by Default" initiative to enhance cybersecurity within its Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This decision aims to phase out legacy technologies that pose security risks, reflecting a broader industry trend toward prioritizing robust cybersecurity over maintaining older systems. The impact will be significant in enterprise environments, where legacy systems are often critical, requiring IT teams to identify dependencies on these protocols. While Microsoft provides guidance for migration, the responsibility lies with customers, which may strain relationships with long-time clients.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

‘Couldn’t afford a PC so I drew one’ says one Redditor after drawing a God-tier cel shaded case mod for his kids to play Minecraft on

Nathan, known as SuccessfulHost6375 on Reddit, transformed an unremarkable silver gaming PC case into a vibrant design reminiscent of Borderlands or a comic book for his children. He rebuilt an older Antec VSK 3000 Elite-U3 case for gaming, specifically for Minecraft. The transformation involved disassembling the case, applying a flat white base coat, and then two coats of flat red paint, followed by hand-drawn line work using black POSCA paint pens. The project took about 7 hours over 4 days. The PC build includes an Intel Core i5 10400, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 1070. Nathan is also painting the screen stand, keyboard, and mouse to match the PC's vibrant theme.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Google Play Store gets colorful search tab with Material 3 Expressive

The Google Play Store is updating to version 46.5.19, incorporating the Material 3 Expressive design language, which includes a new color palette for category icons in the search tab and improved clarity in sections like Explore apps and Explore games. This update is part of a broader initiative that also affects other Google applications, such as Gmail, which will feature a new look with accent colors in the search bar, bottom navigation bar, and compose button. The compose button will have a more prominent font and updated icon, contributing to a modern card-style layout in Gmail.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Windows 10 End Nears: Switch to Linux for Security

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting an estimated 200 to 400 million devices that will no longer receive updates or patches, exposing them to security vulnerabilities. Transitioning to Windows 11 requires modern hardware specifications, which many older devices lack. Users must decide between investing in new hardware, opting for extended security updates, or switching to alternative operating systems like Linux. The Document Foundation advocates for Linux and LibreOffice as viable alternatives, emphasizing their ability to run on older hardware and providing robust security updates. Linux offers users greater control and transparency, addressing privacy concerns associated with proprietary systems. LibreOffice supports open document formats, ensuring long-term accessibility without vendor constraints. The end of Windows 10 support may prompt significant shifts in the tech industry, encouraging a move towards systems that prioritize sustainability and user rights.