AppWizard
September 20, 2026
Recent reports indicate that the Gemini smart home control feature in Android Auto has stopped functioning for many users, similar to issues previously experienced by Wear OS users. Despite Google announcing a fix for Wear OS, the cause of the Android Auto malfunction remains unclear. Users have reported that commands for smart home devices, such as turning on air conditioning, are not working, with Gemini providing a message that it "cannot control smart home devices through Google Maps while driving." Some users have reverted to Google Assistant for reliability, as commands still work within the Gemini app. The exact cause of the disruptions is under investigation, with speculation about a potential server-side bug or unannounced changes in functionality. Efforts to obtain a statement from Google are ongoing.
AppWizard
September 19, 2026
The Dusklight team has released Patch 2.0.0 for their unofficial PC port of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, introducing several new features: - A built-in mod browser for easy mod management. - Randomizer options for shuffling items and dungeon elements. - A cosmetics mod for customizing character appearances and HUD colors. - Expanded mod capabilities for creators, including new actors and game modes. - Support for Japanese GameCube discs and a wider range of Wii discs. - A new Save Manager for importing, exporting, and backing up saves. - Performance improvements for smoother gameplay and faster transitions. - Audio upgrades supporting surround sound and improved audio settings. Players can download the update from the official site, where a trailer is available. The gaming community has also produced various unofficial PC ports of classic titles, including Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong Country. Recent additions to unofficial ports include games like Gears of War 2, Diddy Kong Racing, and more.
BetaBeacon
September 19, 2026
Lumi Master is a portrait-mode RPG where players catch, collect, and train Lumis in the fantastical realm of Lumia. Lumis are unique creatures that evolve based on how they are raised. Players can freely roam, explore, and capture Lumis using cards, adding them to their team. The game features charming 2D fantasy art and an Auto-play Feature for relaxed gameplay. Players can also interact with other adventurers, trade items, socialize, and team up for ranking battles.
BetaBeacon
September 19, 2026
Dave the Diver, an indie hit originally launched in 2023, is now available on Android and iOS for .99 on the Google Play Store. The game offers a vast amount of content to explore and includes the Dredge DLC crossover for free. The mobile version features adjustable touchscreen layouts, gyro tilt controls, and a fast-travel feature for quicker progression.
BetaBeacon
September 19, 2026
Valve has made Lepton, the compatibility layer for running Android games on the Steam Frame, open-source. The project is available on Valve's GitLab repository and aims to assist game developers in bringing their VR Android games to the Steam Frame. Lepton combines Valve's proprietary code with components from Waydroid, Anbox, Halium, and Hybris, as well as portions of the AOSP. Open-source developers may utilize Lepton's code, adapt it for various applications, or fork the project to introduce new features or optimize its functionality.
BetaBeacon
September 19, 2026
Architect: Land of Exiles, an MMORPG developed by AQUATREE and published by DRIMAGE, officially launched across nine Asian markets on September 16, 2026. The game features large-scale Realm vs. Realm battles, automatic translation for language barriers, and a design philosophy called "ZERO STRESS PLAY" to reduce repetitive grinding. Pre-registration generated significant demand, with all servers filling up quickly. Players who completed pre-registration will receive various rewards. CEO Wooyong Chung hopes the game will provide a new cooperative and competitive experience for users in major Asian markets.
Winsage
September 19, 2026
New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds have been released for the Beta and Experimental channels. Notable new features include: - A new animation for the Mouse indicator in the Experimental channel, which can be activated through accessibility settings and kept visible until the escape key is pressed. - A new contrast theme toggle in the Magnifier, also in the Experimental channel, designed to reduce screen glare without altering the appearance of images, charts, and videos. - Updates to the Cloud rebuild feature in the Experimental channel, allowing users to restore their Windows 11 PC to a clean state and sanitize device drives during the process. IT administrators can now configure and initiate Cloud rebuild remotely via the Recovery CSP.
Tech Optimizer
September 19, 2026
For nearly two months, Windows 11 users received persistent notifications from the Windows Security app falsely indicating that Microsoft Defender was disabled, despite it functioning properly. This issue, which began in early August, has been addressed with a security update from Microsoft. The false alerts affected all versions of Windows 11, Windows Server, and Windows 10, and were linked to a bug introduced with a recent Defender security update. Microsoft confirmed that no manual action is required from users to resolve the issue, as the fix will be automatically deployed to all PCs with mandatory security updates enabled. The problem was resolved in the Microsoft Defender Antivirus update (version 4.18.26080.4), released on September 17, 2026. Users can verify the status of Defender by checking Windows Security or using a PowerShell command.
AppWizard
September 19, 2026
Valve has open-sourced Lepton, an Android compatibility layer for the Steam Frame headset, allowing VR developers to adapt existing Android games for the device. The code is available on Valve's GitLab repository and facilitates the transition without needing to reconstruct games for a different platform. Lepton is designed to create a game-optimized Android environment rather than transforming the Steam Frame into a general Android device. It disables unnecessary Android services to maintain efficiency and integrates with the SteamOS host system, supporting various graphics stacks and Vulkan tools for enhanced VR gaming. Lepton operates without requiring root access, with each process running as a non-root user, and provides developers with tools for debugging and performance profiling. The open-sourced code offers insight into Valve's approach to supporting Android games on SteamOS.
AppWizard
September 19, 2026
Researchers have found that Max, a messaging app mandated by the Russian government, can secretly capture screenshots, access sensitive information, impersonate users, and inject code into other applications. Developed by VK, the app integrates messaging, banking, and government services. Since September 1 of last year, it has been preinstalled on new smartphones, following the blocking of WhatsApp and Telegram. Despite its reach, it is not widely used in political circles, with insiders indicating that compliance with its use is performative.
AppWizard
September 19, 2026
To block a number on a Samsung Android phone, open the Contacts app, select the contact, tap More, choose Block contact, and confirm. Alternatively, in the Phone app, copy the number, tap More, select Settings, tap Block numbers, add the number, and tap the plus sign. To block a number from the Recents section, navigate to the number, tap Details, More Options, and Block number. For Pixel phones or stock Android, open the Phone app, tap More, select Call history, choose the call, and tap Block/report spam. To unblock a number on a Samsung device, open the Contacts app, select the contact, tap More options, and select Unblock contact. In the Phone app, tap More, select Settings, tap Block numbers, and tap the (-) next to the number. For Google Pixel and stock Android, open the Phone app, tap More, select Settings, tap Blocked numbers, and tap Clear (x) next to the number. Calls made during the blocking period will not appear in call logs.
Winsage
September 19, 2026
The 13-inch Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition is the first model to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2. The review unit has an X2 Plus processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. It runs Windows 11 Home in its ARM variant, allowing for the installation of applications like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, which now run natively. However, some limitations exist, such as missing features in Premiere Pro and longer export times. The device is available in two configurations, with the higher-end variant featuring the X2 Elite processor. Benchmark results show improved performance over its predecessor, particularly in Geekbench 6. The easily swappable SSD is a notable feature, and the device can become warm during intensive tasks. The gaming performance is mixed, with some titles running well while others struggle. The display is a 13-inch PixelSense LCD with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,920 pixels and a brightness level of 600 nits. The audio features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. The build quality is premium, with a weight of 895 grams and a thickness of 9.3 millimeters. Connectivity includes two USB-C ports with USB4 and DisplayPort capabilities, but lacks USB-A and a headphone jack. The device has an IR scanner for face recognition and a front camera that captures 1440p video. It offers three keyboard options and includes the Slim Pen 2 in some bundles. Battery life is approximately 7.15 hours while looping an HD YouTube video at maximum brightness, with efficient charging options available.
Winsage
September 19, 2026
Microsoft has released a modernized version of the Mouse Indicator in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26340.9502 on September 18, 2026. This update features a new animation that can be activated through Accessibility settings, allowing users to keep the indicator on until they press the Esc key. Users can choose to activate the Mouse Indicator with a single or double Ctrl press. The previous version displayed a simplistic circle around the pointer briefly, while the new version offers a smoother, more dynamic animation. The feature is currently available only in the Insider build for the Experimental channel, and users can enable it by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch > Mouse indicator.
AppWizard
September 19, 2026
Google has launched Android Bench 2.0, an upgraded benchmark for evaluating AI coding agents, which now includes 30 long-horizon tasks that can take human engineers days or weeks to complete. The best pass rate for these tasks is around 28%, down from approximately 91% in the previous version. The benchmark measures both pass rates and completion rates, acknowledging partial progress rather than just failures. It assesses various challenges, including app creation and feature integration, using a comprehensive scoring methodology that evaluates functionality, regression checks, and visual fidelity. AI models perform better with new code than with modifications to existing systems, facing challenges in runtime validation and cross-platform conversions. The current leaderboard shows OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra leading with a 28% pass rate, while Gemini 3.8 Flash has an 8% pass rate. Developers using AI agents should be aware that while AI can generate significant portions of applications, further refinements will require human input. The benchmark is available on Google’s Android Bench leaderboard.
AppWizard
September 19, 2026
A new Android malware called RatHat has emerged, analyzed by researchers from Zimperium's zLabs. It spreads through deceptive smishing texts and malicious ads that lead users to counterfeit download pages for popular apps. Once installed, it manipulates Android's Accessibility Service to gain elevated access by enabling Wireless Debugging and retrieving authentication codes without user intervention. RatHat targets finance and banking apps to steal user IDs, passwords, and MFA codes, using techniques to obtain touch coordinates for PIN recovery. It can intercept SMS messages, gain limited control of the device, and reinstall itself. Users are advised against sideloading apps and granting unnecessary accessibility permissions. Google's Advanced Protection Mode and Malwarebytes for Android can help mitigate risks associated with RatHat.
AppWizard
September 19, 2026
Security researchers have identified an Android banking Trojan named RatHat, which utilizes artificial intelligence, accessibility features, and Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to steal financial credentials, PINs, and one-time passcodes. Unlike traditional malware, RatHat employs a live AI assistant that interacts with the Android accessibility tree, allowing it to make real-time decisions based on the victim's screen content. The infection typically starts with social-engineering tactics, leading victims to counterfeit download pages where they are tricked into sideloading a malicious APK. Once installed, RatHat prompts users to enable Android Accessibility Service permissions, which it exploits to navigate Developer Options and enable Wireless Debugging. This grants it shell-level ADB access, allowing it to bypass application sandbox restrictions. RatHat deploys two native binaries for executing commands and maintaining a connection to the attacker's infrastructure. It targets banking applications through credential-stealing overlays and can intercept SMS messages for transaction verification codes. Additionally, it can record touch coordinates to reconstruct PINs and unlock patterns. RatHat includes persistence mechanisms to restore itself after removal, and users are advised to perform a factory reset if they suspect compromise. To reduce infection risk, users should avoid sideloading apps from unknown links, deny unnecessary Accessibility Service requests, and refrain from enabling Developer Options or Wireless Debugging for unfamiliar applications.
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