upgrading Archives

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Going All in for Global Football Fans Across Meta Apps

This summer, a major football tournament will take place in North America, with collaborations between Meta and creators, athletes, and teams to enhance fan experiences. Key features include: - Threads: Real-time discussions, live chats with notable hosts, a dedicated football community, real-time match scores, team flair, stickers, custom emojis, media highlights, and game reminders. - Instagram: Enhanced search for tournament-related content, AI-powered voice effects in DMs. - Facebook: Football mode with themed reactions, the "Wear It" feature for virtual jerseys, and exclusive tournament-themed stickers. - Messenger: Live updates for real-time match highlights in group chats, limited-edition football pitch backgrounds, and animated stickers. - WhatsApp: Integration of the official match ball emoji, football-themed calling effects, a football sticker pack, and a dedicated football directory for match-day updates. Meta is also implementing measures to protect athletes and fans from negative interactions during the tournament.

Tech Optimizer

June 11, 2026

Avast One: Security and privacy suite under the microscope

Avast One is the flagship consumer security suite from Avast (Gen Digital), combining antivirus, firewall, VPN, and privacy utilities into a single subscription for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It offers four primary areas: device security, online privacy, identity protection, and performance tools. Device security includes real-time antivirus, Web Shield, Mail Shield, and Ransomware Shield. The online privacy component features a full VPN service with bank-grade encryption and a no-logs policy. Identity protection includes data breach monitoring and, in some markets, credit monitoring. Performance tools assist with disk cleanup and system optimization. Avast One has three plan tiers: Avast One Essential (free), Avast One Individual (paid, supports multiple devices), and Avast One Family (paid, supports up to 30 devices). Pricing varies based on promotions, with Avast One Individual typically around per year and Avast One Family ranging from to 0 per year. The suite can be downloaded directly from Avast's website, with installers available for various platforms. Avast One includes automatic updates and is designed to operate lightly on modern hardware, with options to minimize system impact during scans. Customer support includes self-help documentation, community forums, and direct support for paying customers. Avast One aims to appeal to both non-technical users and power users, providing a user-friendly interface while allowing for advanced configurations. The product is positioned as a comprehensive solution for households looking to secure multiple devices with a single subscription.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

This useful sideloaded Android Auto app lets me watch YouTube, browse the web, and more

The exploration of sideloaded Android Auto applications has revealed features not available in Google's official offerings, with Fermata Auto being a notable all-in-one solution that combines local playback, YouTube access, web browsing, and screen mirroring. To use Fermata Auto, one must first install the Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD) and enable Developer Mode on their Android device. After installing AAAD, users can search for and download Fermata Auto. Upon installation, various components related to Fermata Auto may appear in the Android Auto launcher. Users may need to grant permissions for optimal functionality, and while the on-screen keyboard may lag, the app includes a bookmark feature for quick access to websites. Fermata Auto has been found to provide a reliable and efficient experience for in-car YouTube and web browsing, particularly when parked.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Studio Ghibli-inspired cozy adventure game Into the Wind announced for PC

Publisher Three Friends, in collaboration with developer Bloom & Gloom, has announced the cozy adventure game "Into the Wind," inspired by Studio Ghibli, set to launch in Early Access for PC on Steam. Players will assume the role of a delivery driver with a sentient motorcycle-plane named Ermes, exploring the Adriatic islands of Santa Rosa while completing deliveries, upgrading their bike, and uncovering a mystery related to the disappearance of their uncle. The game emphasizes driving and flying mechanics, resource management, character customization, and building relationships with the inhabitants of Santa Rosa.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Now that Pixel Studio is dead, here are 5 other apps you should use instead

Google has discontinued Pixel Studio, a generative AI tool for creating stickers and editing images on mobile devices, following the rollout of the v2.3 update. Users are now redirected to alternatives within Google's ecosystem, with Gemini positioned as the direct successor to Pixel Studio. Gemini offers cloud-based image generation and excels in understanding natural language prompts. OpenAI's ChatGPT app, featuring the GPT Image 2 model, provides a conversational interface for image generation and accurately renders text within images. Microsoft Designer is designed for creating high-resolution digital assets and combines AI-generated imagery with traditional graphic design tools. Adobe Firefly emphasizes commercial compliance and offers a comprehensive editing suite for professionals. Picsart, while less polished, provides a wealth of features for community-driven photo editing and graphic design.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

PostgreSQL vs SQL Server 2026: $0 vs $15K License

PostgreSQL has become the most utilized database for developers for two consecutive years as of 2026, while SQL Server has introduced native AI capabilities and vector search functionalities in its latest release. PostgreSQL is favored for new projects due to its permissive licensing, cross-platform operation, and extensive ecosystem of extensions, whereas SQL Server is preferred by organizations already using Microsoft products for its robust tooling and enterprise support. As of June 2026, SQL Server ranks third in the DB-Engines popularity ranking with a score of 698, while PostgreSQL ranks fourth with a score of 688. Developer adoption trends show that 49% of respondents in the Stack Overflow 2024 Developer Survey use PostgreSQL, compared to 27% for SQL Server. The latest stable version of PostgreSQL is 18.4, released on May 14, 2026, while SQL Server 2025 (version 17.x) became generally available on November 18, 2025. PostgreSQL is free under a permissive license, while SQL Server's Enterprise Edition can cost upwards of ,123 per two-core pack, with an eight-core minimum. PostgreSQL supports various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD, while SQL Server operates on Windows and Linux. PostgreSQL uses PL/pgSQL as its primary procedural language, allowing for multiple procedural languages, whereas SQL Server uses T-SQL. PostgreSQL's JSONB type offers rich indexing, while SQL Server added native JSON support in its 2025 release. Both databases are capable of handling high transaction volumes, but PostgreSQL excels in read-heavy scenarios due to its multi-version concurrency control, while SQL Server's columnstore indexes provide advantages for analytical workloads. PostgreSQL supports tables up to 32 TB, while SQL Server can handle a maximum database size of 524 PB. SQL Server's high availability technology includes Always On Availability Groups, while PostgreSQL offers built-in streaming and logical replication. The security features of both databases meet enterprise standards, with PostgreSQL providing a transparent patching process and SQL Server integrating with Microsoft tools. Real-world usage examples include Stack Overflow using SQL Server, while Instagram and Reddit utilize PostgreSQL. Developer sentiment increasingly favors PostgreSQL for new projects, emphasizing flexibility and open-source solutions. For new startups or greenfield projects, PostgreSQL is recommended due to its zero license cost and compatibility. Existing Microsoft enterprises are advised to stick with SQL Server for its integration benefits. Migration from SQL Server to PostgreSQL is becoming common, with a structured approach required for successful transitions.

Winsage

June 3, 2026

Windows 11 Pro plus 10 hours of training is $20 through June 14

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from an MSRP of 9. Users can also access the Essential Windows 11 Pro Course, which includes 150 lectures and 10 hours of content covering productivity features, Microsoft 365 applications, desktop customization, cloud storage management, keyboard shortcuts, troubleshooting, and privacy settings. The offer is valid until June 14.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Zombie extraction game Pale Tide announced for PC

Belgian game development studio Aberratic has announced its new project, Pale Tide, a single-player zombie extraction game for PC via Steam. The game features a top-down survival experience where players, accompanied by a canine companion, navigate infected zones to gather resources, rescue survivors, and return to a bunker for upgrades and strategy planning. The narrative is set in a world affected by a mysterious outbreak that has turned most of the population into zombies. Players must scavenge for food, ammunition, and materials while managing their bunker and resources. Key features include exploring infected zones, upgrading gear, customizing characters, and engaging in extraction missions against hordes of the infected. The exact release date is not yet announced.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

🚨 How is Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 somehow just $35?

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro are available for .97, reduced from 9.99, until June 14 or while supplies last. The bundle includes features like enhanced multitasking tools, remote desktop access, BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Copilot for Windows 11 Pro, as well as lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access for Microsoft Office 2021. The applications can be used offline without a subscription.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

How Slack Messenger Shapes Modern Team Communication

Slack Messenger is a cloud-based team messaging and collaboration software developed by Slack Technologies, a subsidiary of Salesforce. It enables organized conversations through topic-focused channels, direct messaging, file sharing, and integration with third-party tools. Key features include searchable message history, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and huddles. Slack is essential for US businesses, particularly in technology, media, and professional services, as it helps reduce email overload and supports remote work. It offers security controls suitable for enterprise needs and integrates with tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. Slack operates on a freemium model, providing free and paid plans to cater to a diverse range of users, including startups and large corporations.